Through the Eyes of Faith
During this month the Church celebrates World Mission and our deep, ardent desire to share the treasure of faith with the world, across cultural and faith boundaries. For us this faith is not merely a question of basking in the certainty that there is a God. Certitude is not the real substance of faith. Faith is a way of seeing the whole reality of our lives and setting them against an "infinite horizon." We see the awe and mystery of God in all of life: work, relationships, family, sex, hurt, longing, fidelity, shame, failure, sin, suffering and even death. There is a certain divine glow that shimmers through it all. Let us encourage each other to see through the eyes of faith.
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Fr. Carl Chudy sx Fr. John Convery sx
Xaverian Missionaries USA Xaverian Missionaries UK
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A Eucharistic Celebration for all the World
World Mission Sunday, organized by the Propagation of the Faith, is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church's missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice. In 2013, World Mission Sunday is celebrated on October 20. Read more.
Read Pope Francis' message for WMS here.
With October being the month of mission why not have a look at Mission Matters Scotland's Mission Sunday material. We go out to others by living an authentic Christian life, sharing our faith, caring for our neighbour, justice for the poorest and most marginalised, education in the remotest villages, medical care in the most isolated areas, overcoming ethnic and religious differences, and respect for life in all its stages. Discover more.
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 Francis at the six-month mark seems a force of nature.
It is just over 6 months since Cardinal Borgoglio became Pope Francis. How much of a difference has he made in that short time: read on to find out . . .
Pope Francis assures atheists: You don't have to believe in God to go to heaven
Pope Francis has written a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio Scalfari, stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences. Read more about the Pope's outreach to atheists from both sides of the pond.
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 SSVP youth changed by WYD pilgrimage
The Conforti Institute works in partnership with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) in forming SSVP groups in Catholic Secondary Schools. The SSVP sent representatives to World Youth Day (WYD) in Rio and here are some of their reflection on their time in Brazil and the WYD event itself.
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 | | John Sivalon teaching at University of Scranton |
John Sivalon MM, who will be speaking at our November Conference in Scotland, drawing on his own mission training and experience, believes that "inculturation" is more aptly seen as "incarnation": the living presence of God in culture. Rather than fearing postmodern culture, he believes that God's presence in that culture breathes fresh insight, vision, and life into Vatican II's understanding that mission is centered in the very heart of God. Above all, postmodern culture offers "the gift of uncertainty." This gift calls us to humbly listen through contemplation and imagination to the whispers of God. Discover more.
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 Teenage Viewpoint: A different kind of work experience
This is an insightful reflection Aaron's work experience shadowing his parish priest for two weeks. He shares his faith journey and how his eyes have been opened to the realities of ministering in this present day.
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 Celebrating our Cultural Diversity
We have a new Pinterest Page with glorious images of our cultural diversity.
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 Our Missionary Presence in Thailand
By Fr. Thaigo, Xaverian Missionary in Thailand
It is a great joy for us to share with you something about our missionary presence in Thailand: our impressions on our first steps in this new mission for our Congregation. At present, our community is formed by four Xaverians: Fr. Matia, Fr. Thierry, Fr. Alessandro and Fr. Thiago. .... This first period is a time for us, as for every missionary, to study the language, to get acquainted with the culture, and specially to meet and to relate with the people to whom we were sent. We are trying to do this by listening to priests, religious and lay people who have been working here for many years and also by establishing daily relationships with people around us. Learn more.
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NEWS from theGYM
Twenty five youth and youth ministers gathered at St. Peter and Paul Parish of Cary Illinois on Sunday September 8th for a reflection day lead by Fr. Rocco Puopolo SX as a follow up to their recent Mission Experiences this past summer to sites in Appleton Wisconsin, Springfield IL and Western PA. It was worthwhile after a few weeks distance to look back, share the stories and then find that this opportunity to reach out to others in Mission is part of a greater story of Mission in which we are all involved. The day began with a simple sharing of the individual experiences; what was memorable, what was discovered about poverty, need and service. It surprised the various groups that, although the experiences were very different, the discoveries were very similar. In the afternoon, ideas from the US Bishops' Mission Pastoral, To the Ends of the Earth, were presented through video and discussions and a wider awareness of what mission is was presented. In the end the young missioners found that their initial experiences of mission, lasting just a week during the summer, was confirmed in being part of something more, and they look forward to that more, whatever that may be.
 On Sunday September 29th, Fr. Adolph Menendez SX and Fr. Rocco Puopolo SX took part in the Annual Catholic Youth Spectacular, the 8th such youth rally for the Archdiocese of Hartford. The overall theme "Affirming Life: Blessed. Broken. Shared," was rooted in Catholic Social Tradition and the principles of Catholic Social Teachings were presented through a number of workshops that followed the opening praise hour and keynote. Fr. Rocco presented one of the workshops, "Catholic Social Teachings in Action." using skits and sharings that helped the youths to understand the links and the roots of our Christian Service to the poor.
 TheGYM exhibit attracted many of the youths as well as Youth Ministers and Directors of Religious Education which introduced them to some of our proposed programing for Confirmation Classes as well as literature on Interreligious Dialogue.
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 St. Roch's Patronal Feast Day
John Convery sx and Michael Canning have been working with St. Roch's Secondary School in Glasgow and were invited to the Patronal Feast. His Grace Archbishop Philip Tartaglia joined local clergy, staff, pupils, and many other visitors from all walks of life as the school community celebrated the feast day of Saint Roch. Learn more.
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 Stop denial & end blight of bigotry
The Conforti Institute is involved in listening to the voices of the Catholic community in Scotland on how they perceive and experience sectarianism. We will be feeding our findings into an independent Government Advisory group which has been set up to examine the issue. The chair of the advisory group, Duncan Morrow, wrote the article published in the Scotsman, presenting some preliminary findings of the group. Read it here.
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When a self-proclaimed Jihadist reminds an Evangelical Christian who Jesus was, this happens.
 | | Joshua Casteel: "To Love One's Enemies" |
At :43 in, you'll be sure of Joshua's Right Wing street cred. At about 1:00, you'll catch a horrifying glimpse of our military training regime. At 3:30 a self-proclaimed Jihadist at Abu Ghraib flips the script and interrogates his faith. At 4:45 you'll have chills. By 5:20, his memory may just haunt you in the best possible way. Read more.
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 UN Observances for October 2013
If you are looking for some themes or ideas for the month of October, have a visit to the United Nations where there are various days and themes. More information is usually available at the click of a button: with an emphasis on World Food day on October 16th.
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 | | Our Story In 2 Minutes |
Two minute history lesson. Don't blink!!
This was done by a Senior High School student. 500 images will flash before you in two minutes. That's a little over 4 images per second. You will not have an opportunity to see and understand each image. Just look and allow the images to sink in .... it is quite an experience.
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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 August 2013 edition of the Xaverian Mission Newsletter is available online. Learn about The Xaverians' International General Chapter, the US Xaverians' Assembly, an interview with a Missionary in the Philippines, What Mission Appeals are all about, and lots more.
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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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Join us In the Global Mission of the Church!
Thank you for sharing in our mission.
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