News from Maryknoll Northwest
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Greetings!
Greetings!
During this Lenten season, we reflect upon the suffering that Jesus endured at our hands - and upon the continued suffering of our brothers and sisters the world over. It seems fitting, then, to present in this newsletter examples of people and groups living out the call to witness and proclaim Christ's love, especially to those most in need. You will also read about some upcoming ways that you can continue to stay in touch with this call personally.
This week, the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States met for their annual gathering here in Seattle (read more below about the gathering and Maryknoll's presence there), and I was happy to attend a presentation by Fr. Ron Lewinski, pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation parish in Mundelein, Illinois. He was discussing ways to rekindle the missionary spirit in our parishes, and urged us to ask the central question: "What is the purpose of our parish?" He sees the parish as primarily a "mission school," forming and strengthening us to live out the call mentioned above. The parish and the Church, he argues, should also provide us with concrete opportunities to do so.
This question - "What is our purpose?" - can also be applied to our schools, which aim to form our youth with the knowledge, skills, and, in the case of our religous schools, faith, to truly make use of their gifts and serve. In fact, this question can be asked of our very faith itself - Why do we follow Christ's example? Why do we believe in a just and loving God? And what does this mean for how we act in the world today?
If you are interested in exploring answers to some of these questions, I urge you to look into some of the opportunities listed below. Thank you again for your dedication to mission, and for continuing to inspire and help me to answer these questions in my own life.
Peace and God Bless,
Kevin Foy
Mission Promotion Coordinator
kfoy@maryknoll.org
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 Pontifical Mission Societies Meeting
This week, the Pontifical Mission Societes in the United States met for their annual gathering here in Seattle. It was held at the Red Lion Hotel in downtown Seattle, and hosted by J.L. Drouhard, Director of the Missions Office of the Archdiocese of Seattle. Attending were directors of missions offices from around the country.
 | | Maryknoll Priests (from left) Fr. Tom Marti, Fr. John Gorsky, Fr. Robert Jalbert, and Fr. Edward Dougherty |
Several Maryknoll priests attended, as well, including Fr. Edward Dougherty, Superior General; Fr. Robert Jalbert, Director of Maryknoll's Mission Education and Promotion Department; Fr. Joseph McCabe; Fr. John Gorski from Bolivia; and Fr. Tom Marti, Director of the Maryknoll Mission House in Seattle. Father Dougherty was a keynote speaker, invited to speak on Maryknoll in the context of the Society's celebration of its Centennial.
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Save the Date: May Mission Forum
The Maryknoll Mission House and the Missions Office will be hosting a mission forum on Friday, May 20th. The speaker will be Rev. Joshua Liljenstolpe, a Lutheran minister active in Pax Christi, who will speak on the challenge of peace in the Holy Land. An official announcement, including more information on the topic and speaker, will be sent out to recipients of our Seattle/Northwest Mission Forum email announcements. To register to receive these announcements, click here. |
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Film and Social Justice: A Journey
 Fr. Ron Schmidt, SJ, will present this lecture at Seattle University on Monday, April 11th, at 7:00pm, in Student Center Room 160.
An award-winning documentary filmmaker and producer, Fr. Schmidt's projects include challenging topics such as the Holocaust and the School of the Americas.
Fr. Schmidt's films include:
- The Labyrinth: The Testimony of Marian Kolodziej
- Franz Jaegerstaetter: A Man of Conscience
- On the Line
- Into Great Silence
- In Spite of Darkness
- Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master's Recipe for Living a Life that Matters
(This event is sponsored by Seattle University's Division of Mission and Ministry).
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Maryknoll Affiliates
If you are looking for a way to get more involved in mission and social justice at home, please consider joining your local Maryknoll Affiliates group. The Maryknoll Affiliates are committed to supporting Maryknoll in living out Christ's mission to the world, and follow the four pillars of Spirituality, Global Vision, Community, and Action.
Aside from that, they are simply a great group of people and a powerful community to join. The Seattle Affiliates meet at our Mission House in Seattle monthly, and are welcoming, committed, and fascinating people, many of whom with direct mission experience in Asia, Africa, and/or Latin America.
We have also recently gotten into contact with our Portland Affiliates, an equally interesting and hospitable group. I especially appreciated their warm welcome to me when I visited and their committment to building ties with us here in Seattle.
For more information on your nearest Affiliate group, please click here.
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JustFaith Ministries
JustFaith Ministries offers "extended programs that provide opportunities to study and be formed by the justice tradition articulated by the Scriptures..."
JustFaith is a partner with Maryknoll, as well as Pax Christi, Catholic Relief Services, Bread for the World, and Catholic Campaign for Human Development. I was inspired to hear Jack Jezreel, executive director of JustFaith, speak on the call to mission at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress last month. We here at the Maryknoll Mission House are also increasing our connections with local JustFaith groups, including in Seattle, WA, Kirkland, WA, and Portland, OR.
To learn more about JustFaith and how to start a JustFaith program at your parish, click here. |
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Go on Mission!
As always, Maryknoll provides both short term and long term opportunities for you to participate in mission. Check out what is available, and, if you can, go on mission overseas. If you can't, take the opportunity to serve locally via volunteering with a local organization or developing your own mission project through your parish.
Short Term Mission Opportunities through Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers
Long Term Mission Opportunities as a Marknoll Lay Missioner
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Christ Our Hope Catholic Church
Special thanks to Christ Our Hope Catholic Church for hosting the masses for the Pontifical Mission Societies meetings, April 5-7.
Located downtown, Christ Our Hope is the newest parish in the Archdiocese of Seattle. It is housed in the Josephinum, which provides apartments for low-income residents. Christ Our Hope is "centered on volunteerism, outreach and inclusion of all persons interested in furthering the mission of Jesus our Hope in downtown Seattle." |
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Maryknoll Mission House
958 16th Avenue E
Seattle, WA 98112
P: (206) 322-8831
F: (206) 324-6909
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Reflection
Prayer for Discernment
"God, if this is your will, help me. If not, stop me."
Fr. Joseph Veneroso, MM
A Maryknoll Book of Prayer
We spend a lot of time trying to control things - our lives, events, what other people do. When things do not go our way, it can be hard to accept that what we want may not be what God wants for us.
Think about those things that have frustrated you lately; those things that you have struggled to control. Where can you see God's Grace in those moments? What path might the Lord be steering you towards, and how will you answer this call? |
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Mission Education & Promotion
Western Region
Seattle/Northwest
958 16th Ave E
Seattle, WA 98112
Regional Center
16642 Ashland Ave.
San Lorenzo, California 94580
General Hours
Mon-Fri 9 am to 4 pm
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