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Mission Education and Promotion

  Western Region

Northern California Upcoming Events

April 2010
In This Issue
Next Movie Night: Beyond the Gates
Mission Forum: Bob McCahill, MM
Contact Info 

Western Regional Center

 

Address
16642 Ashland Ave.
San Lorenzo, CA
94580
 
Email
 
Phone
510.276.5021
888.444.8957
 
General Hours
Monday - Friday
9 am to 4 pm
 
Website
 
 
 

Dialogue of Life
Featured ORBIS Book

Dialogue of Life is the inspiring testament of Bob McCahill, a priest and missioner who for twenty years has pursued an unusual witness among the Muslim poor of Bangladesh. Rather than traditional pastoral work, McCahill simply tries to live as a friend and brother to his Muslim neighbors, offering a positive witness to the gospel ideals of service and love.

Available at the Maryknoll Mission Center or online. 
Greetings!

Greetings from Maryknoll!
 
I don't know about you, but I'm scratching my head wondering where Lent has gone.   And yet, here again we find ourselves during our holiest week, entering into the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. 
 
Eastbay AffiliatesI was reminded how the body of Christ continues to suffer and be crucified as we remembered the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Romero last week.   Fr. Bill Boteler, MM, who served as a pastor toward the end of the civil war, was down there for the memorials and writes: 
"My visit to El Salvador was very enjoyable, seeing so many friends from the parish. The big Mass on the 24th was celebrated by many, with Cardinal McCarrick of D.C. as the principal celebrant and the homilist.  President Funes apologized for the previous government's involvement in the death of Bp Romero."
 
We were very blessed to have David Stang with us for the movie about his sister, They Killed Sr. Dorothy.   As one person commented, "it's one thing to watch the movie, which is so powerful, but to watch it with her brother and hear him talk about her was amazing."  We have a copy of the movie to lend in our library.
 
Our Parish Mission at the Catholic Community of Pleasanton was wonderful.  We met some great folks.   Check out our blog to hear about Kris's work to bring the mission to the children in the Faith Formation Program.
 
Great News!  Fr. Bob McCahill, MM will be with us to preach at all the masses at St. John's and for our Mission Forum on April 26th.  Details below.   Bob is well known for his work in Bangladesh and his annual Christmas letter in the NCR.
 
Also, a great movie coming up this Monday, April 5th:  Beyond the Gates.  As one person put it, it's a Catholic version of Hotel Rwanda.
 
As in the past, we'll gather on Good Friday for the Maryknoll Stations of the Cross at 7:30 pm in our chapel and then break our fast with bread and cheese afterwards.   If you want to join us, please let me know.
 
FacebookFinally, we've been working on our Facebook page and invite you to visit it and become our fan!
 
Wishing you peace on behalf of the Mission Team,
Deacon Matt
Movies that Matter:  Bella Beyond the Gates
 
Beyond the Gates
Beyond the Gates
Monday April 5, 2010
6:30 pm
Join us for our monthly educational movie night, co-sponsored by Maryknoll and the Adult Faith Formation Program at St. John the Baptist Parish. The first Monday of each month will offer a new movie that inspires or takes us deeper in our faith and understanding of our connections with others. Refreshments will be provided and the movie will be followed by a discussion.
 
Beyond the Gates.    Drama. Joe Connor has come to teach in Rwanda because he believes he can make a difference. When the school becomes a haven for thousands of Rwandans fleeing the genocide, Joe promises his brightest pupil, Marie, that the UN soldiers will protect her from the hordes of extremist militia baying for blood outside the school. But when the UN abandon the refugees, Joe and the school's headmaster, Father Christopher, face an agonizing dilemma: should they leave or should they stand firm with the Rwandans. As the UN trucks force their way through the terrified refugees, Joe stares at the tear-stained face of Marie: what should he do? What would you do? Based on real events and filmed at the actual location where this story took place, Beyond the Gates is directed by Michael Caton-Jones and stars John Hurt and Hugh Dancy. It is an emotionally gripping, authentic and powerful recreation of a tragic real life story that took place during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. --© IFC Films For educational purposes only. Runtime: 115 minutes. NOTE:  This movie is rated R because of the violence and may not be suitable for young children.
Mission Forum:  Fr. Bob McCahill
 
Fr. Bob McCahill, MM
Fr. Bob McCahill
Monday, April 26th
7:00 pm
 
Join us for a special presentation by Maryknoll Fr. Bob McCahill.  For over 32 years, Fr. Bob has lived simply among the poor in Bangladesh, riding his bike through the streets and helping the sick to get the care they need.

The 72-year-old priest from Goshen, Indiana, who has been called "the Mother Teresa of Maryknoll," encourages families to seek medical treatment for their sick children and often accompanies them to hospitals to make sure their children are admitted.  Known among his Muslim neighbors as Bob Bhai, or Br. Bob, he witnesses Christian love among Allah's poor.

Fr. Bob has journaled his experiences in his book, Dialogue of Life (ORBIS), is featured in the Field Afar episode, Sherpur, Bangladesh and is featured in the April Maryknoll Magazine.
 
In addition to the Mission Forum, Fr. Bob will be preaching at all the masses at St. John the Baptist, San Lorenzo on April 24th and 25th.