autumn-winter 2001 mission update newsletter - catholic mission association

8/9/2019 Autumn-Winter 2001 Mission Update Newsletter - Catholic Mission Association

1/8

Mission Update United States

Vol. 10, No. 3 Catholic Mission Association Autumn/Winter 2001

Prayer on the Day of Tragedy

Lord Jesus, one day we stood tall and strong, reaching to thehighest heavens, anchored here on earth A glorious morning! Sun so bright! Then darkness, fire and fall.

We did not see evil come nor suspect it so close, suspect it could takeour lives, and even grind our dignity into the ground!But here, where earth shakes, where the human spirit quakes, your death, life and resurrection itself transforms tragedy.

Help us now to turn completely to you, to know our own sin andtemptations, to be ready to reach out and heal, to forgive, mourn, andseek your justice.

Bless those who have died and bring healing to the injured, comfort thesurvivors and give strength to the rescuers. Lead us and our leaders onthe paths of compassion.

Help us be less afraid and give us the courage to work for peace andtruth in our world, that with you we may rise again to unimaginedheights.

In This IssuePrayer on the Day of Tragedy .. Cover

A Missionary Response to the U.S. Military ActionAgainst Terrorism .... Cover

Message from the Director; Congratulations toRecipient of Vatican II Award; New USCMA Staf Member 2

Hacia El CAM-2 / Towards CAM-2 ... 3

Bethlehem Univ. Survives the Bombardment . 4

PERIODIC PAPER . Center

Christian Dialogue with Islam ..... 5

Visiting Preacher Ignites Parishioners; Hello fromThe Catholic Volunteers in Florida . 6

Maryknoll Mission Institute; Mission CooperationProgram 7

National Migration Week; 19 th National ChinaConference 8

Through your Fathers love and the power of the Spirit. Amen.

Reverend Brad Schoeberle, CSP Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle

A Missionary Response to the U.S.Military Action Against Terrorism

The United States Catholic Mission Association (USCMA),representing Catholic missionaries within and outside our country,considers it appropriate and necessary to speak a word about our governments response to terrorism. While we do not presume to reflectthe views of each one of the 5,883 lay, religious and priests serving inmission areas, USCMA serves as the umbrella organization and nationalclearinghouse for nearly 700 Catholic mission-sending groups in theUnited States. Missioners gain a profound understanding andappreciation for the peoples and cultures where they live and minister.Their horizons become expanded as they experience life at the side of less fortunate people and view U.S. society from that unique vantage

point. Continued on Page 3

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ U. S. Catholic Mission Association


2/8

Mission Update Autumn/Winter 2001 From The Director

Rosanne Rustemeyer, SSND

I am reminded by a colleague that key to mission is the ability to be flexible, the willingness to be interrupted, the readiness to let goof agendas and efficient plans. The events of September 11 andthe developments of the following weeks have served to interruptour lives sending us this Advent in search of peace for our ownminds and hearts. We wait with our sisters and brothers as weimplore from God the gift of reciprocal understanding, harmonyand peace. (JPII, Angeles Prayer of Sunday November 18) Fides #4274, p. 668.

We are giving thanks for membership participation in the 2001Conference and Annual Meeting held in Memphis. Registrantsnumbered 175 with 45 participants in the pre-conference seminar on partnering for mission. Regarding the vote on the proposedresolutions that were mailed to you in October, the two on banninglandmines and on African Debt & HIV/AIDS carriedoverwhelmingly. There was a recommendation to rework the thirdresolution, a statement on the September 11 happenings. The

rewrite is included in this issue.The 2002 Conference and Annual Meeting will be held in Raleigh,

NC, with the theme Inter-religious Dialogue and Mission . Mark your calendar for the last weekend of October.

Congratulations to recently elected Bishop Gregory Aymond of theDiocese of Austin, chosen to chair the Committee on WorldMission. I thank current Bishop Curtis Guillory of the Diocese of Beaumont for his leadership and especially for his contribution tothe success of Mission Congress 2000.

This fall, Sharon McQuate began ministry in pastoral care at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Ashland, KY. I thank her for her four years of service with USCMA. The staff welcomes Sr. Marie

Stelmach, OP, whom many of you met in Memphis.Our 20 th Anniversary Endowment Campaign was launched by theBoard at our annual meeting. Sr. Betty Scanlon, RSM, is directingthe campaign. More information on ways you can help isforthcoming!

May this Advent bring peace!

Congratulations to Recipient of Vatican II Award For Service to Mission

Sr. Angelyn Dries, OSF , recently received the 2001 Vatican IIAward for Distinguished Service to Missions. During the

prayer gathering in Milwaukee, Archbishop Weakland, OSB,recognized Sr. Angelyn for her contributions to the study of

mission history and the role of women in missions in the US.She wrote The American Catholic Missionary Movement sponsored by the USCMA, which opened a new field inCatholic studies.

She has a gentle and wonderful attitude toward everythingand her work has been very important to Korean women in theMilwaukee area, said Archbishop Weakland during the award

presentation.

The 15 recipients of the Vatican II Award for DistinguishedService were chosen because they exemplify the SecondVatican Councils vision of laity, sisters and priests workingtogether to make unique contributions to the mission of Christ.

USCMA New Staff Member

Sr. Marie Stelmach, OP, began ministrywith USCMA in October as AssociateDirector of Operations. Sr. Marie comesto us with the heart of a missionary, havingserved in Bolivia and the Caribbean. Mostrecently, she served in prison ministry with the Paulist Fathersand as staff chaplain with the federal government. Sr. Mariespent many years in education and in catechesis both in

parishes and on the diocesan level. She is a graduate of Dominican University in River Forest, IL, of Newark Archdiocesan Seminary in NJ and of Seton Hall University.

We welcome Sr. Marie who is originally from Baltimore, MD.She has a penchant for countries and cultures and enjoyslistening to folk music from around the world, cooking avariety of ethnic dishes, and studying customs and artexpressions from around the globe.

USCMA Staff

Rosanne Rustemeyer, SSND, Executive Director [email protected] Francis Day, Associate Director [email protected]

Marie Stelmach, OP, Associate Director for Operations [email protected] Louise Von Hoene, MMS, Accountant/Admin.Assist. [email protected]

Questions/comments re: meetings & conferences [email protected]/comments re: Mission Update / Current Topics [email protected]

Website: www.uscatholicmission.org

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ U. S. Catholic Mission Association Page 2


3/8

Mission Update Autumn/Winter 2001 A Missionary Response to U.S. Military Action Against Terrorism

Continued from Page 1

F rom this missionary perspective we are compelled to express our graveconcern over what is happening as a result of our nations choice toemploy military approaches to combating the terrorism which did unspeakableharm in New York, Washington, DC, and indeed across our country on

September 11. Though the stated purpose of the bombing is to seek outterrorists and those aligned with the terrorists, lives of innocent Afghancitizens are being placed in mortal peril. The placing of innocent Afghan livesin jeopardy is not a just solution to the loss of innocent American lives on thatinfamous day. Consistent with our Churchs pro-life conviction, we deeplyrespect the lives of people half way around the world who are perishing dailyunder the current American bombardment.

Catholic Social Teaching placesincreased emphasis on solidaritywith the people who suffer.

In addition, our concern extends tothe thousands of refugees resultingfrom our bombing and their dreadful

plight in Afghanistan as the attackscontinue. Winter draws on and relief organizations find themselves increasingly unable to help the refugees.Caritas in Afghanistan has estimated that between 5.5 and 7.5 million peopleare at risk and in dire need of food. The relief workers, who for weeks nowhave pleaded with the United States to cease the bombing, are themselvesmissioners and we find ourselves most sensitive to their anguish over the

plight of the refugees.

Catholic Social Teaching, as articulated in the last three decades principally by Pope John Paul II, places increased emphasis on solidarity with those whosuffer. The Pope has followed his own teaching with regard to this waragainst terrorism, calling for other means besides military actions to bringterrorists to justice.

A

s recently as his midday prayer on November 3,the Holy Father issued a cry from the heart, as he

entrusted Afghanistan to the maternal protection of theMost Holy Virgin: May Mary, Queen of Peace, help

all to lay down their arms and to finally begin resolutely on the path toward a just and lasting peace. Similarly, Archbishop Renato Martino, the Vaticans permanent observer at the United Nations, spoke to the Plenary Council of that organization: Reprisals, which strike indiscriminately at the innocent,continue the spiral of violence and are illusory solutions that prevent the moralisolation of the terrorists. In all such statements, John Paul II and the Vaticanhave exhibited consistent and courageous leadership.

We look now for similar examples of moralfortitude from our Church leaders as they callthe Catholic faithful and all Americans torespect life. The need for dialogue anddiplomacy seems to be ever more urgent.

Statement from theUnited States Catholic Mission Association Medical Mission Sister Pauline

November 8, 2001 Sadiq greets Pakistan mother

All the delegates stayed with localfamilies and participated in evening

programs in their respective parishes.and child.

Hacia El CAM-2/ Towards CAM-3

T

he document resulting from theSynod of the Americas (1997),

Ecclesia En American , challenged theChurch in North, Central and SouthAmerican to work more closelytogether.

For mission, what has been known asthe Congress for Mission for LatinAmerican (COMLA), is evolving intothe American Missionary Congress(CAM), meeting every 4 years.

In 1999, CAM-1 was held in Paraa,Argentina. Over 30 representativesfrom the United States attended. The

Plans for CAM-2, 2003, are underway.A second planning session took placein Guatemala City from November 19-23. USCMA was pleased to receive aninvitation from the coordinatingcommission.

Kevin Day, USCMAs associatedirector, and Rev. Jack Moynahan,MM, represented USCMA. Rev.Raymond Kirk attended as the officialrepresentative of the Pontifical MissionSocieties in the U.S. Mr. RichardBureson from the Diocese of SanDiego Mission Office accompanied Fr.Raymond.

We look for moralfortitude from ourChurch leaders.

The week was filled with prayer,listening to stories of success andconcern told by our brothers and sistersof their missionary activities,

presentations, testimonies, panelsfocusing on the affluence of religioussects, immigration policies, theinfluence of mass communications,ecumenism, globalizations and culture.Time was also set aside for small groupdiscussion centering around specificthemes related to the family and local

parish.

Continued on Page 4



4/8

Mission Update Autumn/Winter 2001

Bethlehem University Survives the BombardmentA Message from Brother Vincent Malham, FSC

A fter six long days and nights of heavy Israeli bombardment, we at Bethlehem University pleadedfor international intervention to help spare our Vatican-

sponsored Palestinian university from further shelling of our campus.

The many precautionary attempts which were taken totry and protect the university from the heavy exchangeof gunfire around itincluding daily appeals to local,national, consular and ecclesial authorities, as well as thestrengthening security measures and the flying of theVatican flagdid not, unfortunately, protect theuniversity from the shelling.

Over the period of nearly a week, every building on

campus had been hit by gunfire, with evidence of at least99 high-explosive shrapnel grenade hits and hundreds of bullets. Approximately 145 windows were broken,including 50 in the soon-to-be-completed academic

building. The residence of the De La Salle ChristianBrothers (among whom are 8 Americans, 3 British andone Palestinian) has been pummeled by at least 110

bullets, including the chapel of the Brothers and many bedrooms.

Serious damage was incurred in the midwiferylaboratory, at the water storage tanks and in various parts

of the historic Bethlehem Hall. With the destruction of the telephone wires, the university lost means tocommunications for several days.

Each additional day that Israeli tanks and soldiersremained in Bethlehem, determined Palestinianresistance to the aggressive occupation continued andthousands of lives of innocent people were endangered.

Considering the heavy bombardment to which we weresubjected, we are extremely fortunate that no one at theuniversity was killed or injured. We are deeply

saddened at deaths in the immediate families of 4employees.

Funeral Procession of Families and Friends of Victims

Attacks on other Christian institutions and holy sites and public places, such as Holy Family Maternity Hospital,St. Josephs School, and the Ayda and Azza RefugeeCamps, the Hodali and Qaraa buildings, and theParadise Hotel, wreaked incalculable damage, physicaland psychological, to the city of Christs birth.

W

e want an end to this escalating force. We supportthe immediate withdrawal of Israels military fromall Palestinian territories. Israel owes reparation for allthe damage done to the university and elsewhere. It isimperative that those responsible for inhumane attackson innocent people be accountable and brought to

justice. We unite with all around the world, praying for a just peace.

Brother Vincent is President-Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University. An unedited version of his message with additionalphotographs may be found on website: www.bethlehem.edu


Hacia E l CAM-2/Towards CAM-2 An expression of gratitude is extended to theGuatemalan host families and to Fr. Antonio Bernasconi,Coordinator of CAM-2, for his invitation. USCMAlooks forward to continued collaboration in the planningfor and celebration of CAM-2. Together, let us pray, asdid the participants in Guatemala, Lord, to our earscome your words that are a pledge: Church in

merica, your life is mission! For more information, check website: www.cam2guatemala.org


5/8


Christian Dialogue with Islam: Missioners Charism

The Thin and Thick of Inter-religious Dialogue Joseph Donders, M.Afr.

Dialogue is no luxury; peace depends on it. The question most simply put is: How shall we live our lives together?

Y

ears ago Pierre Teillard de Chardin retold a story we find in Genesis. According to him, Homo Sapiens the kind of human beings we areoriginated somewhere in East Africa and swarmed from there all over the world, as the

seventy or seventy-two grandsons of Noah did when he asked them to move out of his homestead. Without realizing thatthey were walking on a globe, they walked further and further away from each other, passed the equator and met again. Itis that meeting we call in our day and age globalization.

Each communityChristian and Muslim, Jewish and Hindu, and all the othershad its own history, its own uniquereligion, and its own perspective on the shape and future of the world. Nevertheless, while now living in differentworlds, these communities all live in the same world with a future that has yet to be determined.

Those separate histories find their full meaning only if seen in the perspective of Gods healing with the whole of Gods people. Gods mission takes place all over the world. And, to discern the focus and shape of Gods mission, dialogue isessential. A dialogue based on this insight, in fact, participates in Gods mission. It will respect how the Spirit is at work from within the other, just as the Spirit is at work from within myself.

We would not be fair either to ourselves or to the other if we would not mention Jesus.

This dialogue is not a discussion or a debate. There will be neither winners nor losers; though there might be conversions.There will be a mutual enrichment, an approach to God as never before experienced. If to be human is to live incommunity, then to alienate ourselves form community, in monologue, is to cut ourselves from our own humanity(Lochhead 79). Inter-religious dialogue is an imperative!

Dialogue is not only a question of listening. There is also the aspect of speaking, of witnessing. We would not be fair either to ourselves or to the other if we would not mention Jesus.

We Christians have to make it clear to ourselves and to others that what we do is because we discovered in Jesus thereason for our dialogical approach.

Witness is not so much a technique to convince as an opportunity to open ourselves to the other on the reality of God inour lives. It is not so much a question of conversion but one of convergence progressing together towards a fullunderstanding of what it means to be the one family of God.

When at Vatican II the council fathers attempted to heal the Christian disunity, a shift took place from the model of areturn to obedience to the Catholic Church to that of cooperation which sees the churches as communities whereChrist and Gods Spirit are present.

As Douglas Sturm noted in his article Crossing the Boundaries: On the Idea of Inter-religious Dialogue and the PoliticalQuestion, inter-religious dialogue should be much more than about bringing members of religious communities intodiscussion with each other. He calls that a thin version of the idea. In its thick version the idea of inter-religiousdialogue bears its own philosophical understanding and displays its implications for broader life of humankind (Sturm19).

We have still lots to talk about! And that would only be a beginning!

ReferencesLochhead, David. The Dialogue Imperative: A Christian Reference on Interfaith Encounter. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1988.

Sturm, David. Crossing the Boundaries: On the Idea of Inter-religious Dialogue and the Political Question. Journal of Ecumenical Studies 30(Winter, 1993): 119.



6/8


Visiting Preacher Ignites ParishionersCatholics re-charged by 3-day revival

C lapping their hands, stomping their feet and praising the Lord withunbridled joy, the worshippers danced in the aisle, shouted Amen! andraised their hands toward the heavens.

No, this wasnt a scene from an old-fashioned Baptist revival. Far from it.

For the past three days, parishioners of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Churchin Milwaukee have been catapulted out of a more subdued preaching styleinto one led completely by the Holy Spirit.

And they were given permission to do so.

Yall can get happy. The hats can go off. This is a revival! shouted DivineWord Missionary Father Chester Smith, who travels the country deliveringriveting sermons to thousands in a no-holds-barred approach to the Gospel.

Yall are coming to here thinking this is going to be a dead pity party. It

doesnt matter if youre Baptist, Catholic or Muslim. What matters is that youare a child of God. Its time to let go and let God, instructed Smith, pastor of St. Ritas Church in Indianapolis. Its a J-thang tonight! Were having a

party for Jesus!

So they did.

Smith who leads the national Black Clergy Caucus, has been heading non-traditional revivals at Catholic churches nationwide practically since he wasordained 13 years ago.

Smiths roots are in the far south side of Chicago, where he and his twin brother, Charles, who entered the priesthood with him, were encouraged by

their parish priest, who was white, to make a difference in their community.Through his ministry he would tell us that we needed more Malcolm Xs andMartin Luther Kings, Smith said with passion. We believed by becoming

priests we could not only change the world, we could change the community.

They believed it. Smith said he tries to reach the youth on their level.

At Saturday nights revival, catering to the youth, he told them: Im notsaying dont listen to rap music, but when you hear the lyrics telling you todemean womenand you demean womentheres a problem. You have tounderstand that you come from God. Its God thats with you when you goout these doors. Puffys not there.

Smiths revival drew parishioners from other congregations. Hes a veryexperienced preacher man, said Anthony Linn, a visiting parishioner fromSt. Roberts Catholic Church in Shorewood, on Sunday, the revivals finalday.

Hes telling people to get their house in order long and strong. Its a Chicagoway. He sounds like Jesse Jackson. Its Chicago preachingblack style and I think its great.

Excerpts of Article Written by Felicia Thomas-Lynn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.October 27, 2001. 2001 Journal Sentinal Inc., Reproduced with permission

Hello from The CatholicVolunteers in Florida

My name is Gail Goretsky. Throughoutcollege as an architecture student, I feltcompelled to assist others who haddifficulty presenting their ideas. Afriend had to do twice the work othersdid because of his disability. During hisreviews I prayed that he would make itthrough the comments and criticisms.Helping my students to succeed was asimportant to me as my own success.

After 5 years in design-related positions,I sought something more. I discoveredThe Catholic Volunteers in Florida(CVF). Thirteen of us volunteers are

participating in service programs in

Florida. Some offer counseling andassistance through charitableorganizations, while others participate inresidential programs modeled on earlyChristian communities. We each have astory; though we share a common visionand are part of a larger community.

Its time to let go and let God.Were having a party for Jesus!

If you are interested in pursuing missionactivity, I found CVF to be a good placeto start. It is supported by both theChurch and the community-at-large and

is directed by seasoned volunteers who provide excellent leadership andunderstanding. Elder care, collaborative

programs with Haiti and the DominicanRepublic, farm workers assistance,working with at-risk youth and with the

physically and mentally challenged, are but some of the possibilities.

AmeriCorps Educational Awards, whichall volunteers are eligible for followingtheir year of service, are distributed byThe Catholic Network VolunteersService.

My interest in faith, culture and justiceis supported by the freedoms that comewith participating is a faith-based, non-

profit organization.

Interested? Contact:Catholic Volunteers in Florida, Box 536476Orlando, FL 32853-6476Website: www.cvif.org



7/8


8/8

Mission Update Au tumn/Winter 2001

Our God is mercifuland tender. God will

guide our steps

into the path ofpeace8-79

Catholi

Blessed Holida

.Luke 1:7

The staff of the U.S.c Mission Associationwishes you a

y Season.

National Migration Week January 6-12, 2002

Model Project GrantsThis program provides an incentive todioceses, parishes, schools, and other Catholic organizations to develop projectsthat can serve as models for others seekingto create welcoming communities for refugees, immigrants, migrants, and otherson the move.

The grants provide seed money to Catholicgroups with innovative ideas for grassrootsservice, education, advocacy, and communication

projects that are designed to welcome newcomers andraise awareness of their plight.

For eligibility and applications, contact:

National Migration Week Model Grants ProgramUSCCB/Migration and Refugee Services3211 Fourth St., NEWashington, DC 20017-1194Phone: 202 541 3385 Fax: 2202 722 8805Website:

Click on Model Projects Application

U.S. Catholic Mission Association3029 Fourth St., NEWashington, DC 20017-1102

19 th National Catholic China ConferenceApril 12-14, 2002

Divine Word International, Techny, Illinois

Spiritual Growth and Social Change inChina Today

Keynote Speakers:Most Rev. John TONG Han

Auxiliary Bishop of the Hong Kong DioceseDirector of Holy Spirit Center for Research

& Study: China Catholic Church

Rev. Robert J. Schreiter, CPPSCatholic Theological Union, Chicago

Internationally Renowned Author/Lecturer onGlobalizations Challenge to

Cultures & Religions

Respondents, Panelists, Workshops, Book Sale,

Chinese Cultural Celebration and Eucharist withCelebrant, Most Rev. Gerald Kicanas (Chicago)

For further information, contact:USCCB, Seton Hall University,South Orange, NJ 07079-268

NON-PROFIT

U.S. POSTAGEPAIDWASHINGTON

DC 20017PERMIT NO. 420

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED


autumn-winter 2001 mission update newsletter - catholic mission association

Documents