New Beginnings
Pope Benedict reminds us that God took on the human condition in order to heal it of everything that separates us from Him. In so doing, we share this healing in this new year in our families, communities, parishes and across the globe. Xaverian Missionaries count on your collaboration and prayer in this mission to which we are all called. |
Fr. Carl Chudy sx Fr. John Convery sx
Xaverian Missionaries USA Xaverian Missionaries UK |
A Foundation for World Peace
 In his Jan. 1 World Day of Peace message titled "Blessed are the Peacemakers," Pope Benedict XVI immediately laid out for us the foundation upon which the church's ministry for world peace must be built.
Using a challenging procla-mation from the Second Vatican Council, the pope teaches that Christians must be committed "to sharing humanity's joys and hopes, grief and anguish." The Holy Father is reminding us that God's peace is much more than the absence of war -- it is the universal experience of justice and love. Read more. |
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Feast of the Baptism of Jesus
 Jesus is baptized by John. The Spirit descends upon Jesus. The voice calls Jesus "beloved." As the voice of God proclaims Jesus to be the "beloved," we can hear God affirming that same wonderful reality to all of us human creatures. There is a wonderful dignity in the life of every human person. This human dignity is at the heart of Catholic Social Teaching.This Spirit which descends upon Jesus is not just about Jesus, just as our baptism is not just about our personal relationship with God. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are baptized into a community. We are baptized into a set of shared values and a commitment to the common good. This includes the ethical values and social teaching of the church. Download the Center for Concern Reflection.
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'Opening Hearts and Minds to God'
This year's theme is linked directly to the Year of Faith and to the Apostolic Letter 'Porta Fidei' and provides an opportunity to reflect on the positive impact of faith as an emotional, intellectual and spiritual force. It counters any notion of education in faith being about 'closed' minds. It calls for us to be open to God's gift of faith and to help others to be open to God's invitation to faith. It also calls for parents, teachers, catechists and clergy to be "credible witnesses" to faith in their word and actions so that others can be helped to believe.
Resources are available on the SCES (Scottish Catholic Education Service) website where teachers will be able to select those activities which are best suited to the age and stage of their pupils. |
Where Were You God? A Prayer for Newtown
 By James Martin SJWe are crushed with grief, God.
We cannot bear to think of so many people killed.
We cannot bear to think of children being killed.
It is unthinkable to us, the worst tragedy. Read more.
Gun Control is a Pro-Life Issue
Gun control is about the defense of life. Those who consider themselves religious or pro-life must be invited to see that the desire to prevent gun-related deaths is part of the religious defense of the dignity of all life. Learn more. |
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SEEK2013
 For another year, the Xaverian Missionaries were one of the sponsors and also exhibited at the SEEK2013 Conference held in Orlando Florida from January 2nd to the 6th. SEEK2013 is the conference for the Federation of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). SEEK2013 was a gathering of college students from all across the USA who came together on a journey. SEEK was a place where they could come together to take on some of life's BIGGER questions and, like guides along the way, learn from one another where wisdom and experience lead. They were often told that life is meant to be lived and in order to live it to the fullest, that we all need to heed the wisdom that calls us to 'ask, seek and knock' to discover who we are, where we're going and what motivates us. So these 6,000 students and other youth leaders came together in Orlando to Seek Him on the weekend of Epiphany 2013.
 Fr. Adolph and Fr. Rocco were there to offer the challenge for those who seek opportunities beyond our borders to witness that faith and serve in mission ministry... whether those borders be geographical or of faith tradition. Wise ones still seek Him.
You can always reach Fr. Rocco and Fr. Adolph at TheGym. |
For Our UK Subcribers: How Are We Doing?
 We have been publishing this newsletter with the US Province for just over a year and hope that you have found it useful and interesting. We try to combine news of local activity to some of the major issues affecting our mission as Christians active in a broken and divided world. What we would like to know from you is whether we are providing a useful service. What do you find most useful? What else would you like us to include? Would you be willing to contribute ideas and information from your own experience?
Ideas are for sharing, just like faith. Feel free to tell us how we can be of service. |
Thai-Lights!
The first four Xaverian Missionaries to begin our new mission in Thailand are now together and working hard on the study of the language and culture of Thailand. (From left to right) Fr. Thiago (Brazilian Xaverian), Fr. Matteazzi (Italian Xaverian), Fr. Alex (Italian Xaverian) and Fr. Thierry (Camaroonian Xaverian) gather at the airport in Thailand. Fr. Thiago wrote a letter to our students in our theology program of Manila, Philippines of his arrival and impression...Check it out! |
Youth of Afghanistan Call for Peace
 | | Be One of 2 Million Friends |
 We call upon the United Nations to negotiate an immediate cease-fire to the war in Afghanistan, and to start talks aimed at ending the war and beginning the long road to healing and recovery. That's what the Afghan youth said in Kabul, along with Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire of Ireland, as they launched their "Two Million Friends for Afghanistan" campaign and presented their petition to a senior United Nations official. Read more. |
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Loving Jesus
 | | Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word |
In January 2012, 22-year-old Tacoma, Wash. resident Jefferson Bethke posted a recorded performance of his poem "Why I Hate Religion, but Love Jesus" on YouTube. It was an overnight internet sensation, garnering more than 18 million hits and coverage in national publications and broadcast outlets. In this Odyssey Networks interview filmed at his church in Seattle, Bethke explains why he felt compelled to make public his view on modern religion, and defends himself against some of the criticisms lodged against his poem. See more. |
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Looking for God in the New Year
 I remember that "epiphany" means manifestation or vision of God. The three magi knew King Herod did not meet their expected vision.
A lot of us young adult Catholics have made this same journey, seeking a faith or faith leaders only to find they don't meet our expectations.
In fact, over the last year, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found some startling trends about my peers that made big headlines. The increasing numbers of unaffiliated, those who do not claim a religious affiliation, are concentrated among young adults. Read more. |
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New MOBILE APP
The Xaverian Missionaries have a new Mobile App. Now you can take us with you wherever you go. Remember: We are ALWAYS here for you!
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Church Teaching on World Mission
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AcrossBorders
Passion for Christ
Passion for Humanity
is a collaborative media project of the Xaverian Missionaries of the USA and the United Kingdom.
XAVERIAN MISSIONARIES 12 Helene Court Wayne, New Jersey 07470 |
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XMN
The November 2012 edition of the Xaverian Mission Newsletter is available online. Find out about our Missions in Colombia, Cameroon and Chad and much more. Read it here. |
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Founder of the
Xaverian Missionaries
Saint Guido Maria Conforti
Our "missionary to the world" became a saint on World Mission Sunday, October 23, 2011.
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Saint Guido Conforti: The Bishop Who Loved the Whole World |
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Check out our latest video on YouTube
 | | All God's Children |
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Join us In the Global Mission of the Church!
Thank you for sharing in our mission.
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