August brings happy memories of vacations in the sunshine but also painful memorials of the horrors of war. From Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the past to the present day conflicts in Israel and Palestine it seems humanity insists on violence as the only solution to geo-political, socio-economic and sectarian problems. Jesus offers us another way--the path of peace. It may be the 'road less traveled' but if we follow it, we will be "Children of God."
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Fr. Carl Chudy SX Fr. Jim Clarke SX
Xaverian Missionaries USA Xaverian Missionaries UK
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Following Francis...
 Pope calls exploitation of nature a sin of our time
In an address at the university of Molise, an agricultural and industrial region in southernItaly, Francis said the Earth should be allowed to give her fruits without being exploited.
Discover more. "To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope; it is to let a shaft of light break through the heavy clouds; it is to bring the warmth of hope!" ~ Pope Francis Download Go Green this Summer and Forever After.
 Pope Francis reveals Top Ten secrets to happiness Slowing down, being generous, fighting for peace and caring for our environment are part of Pope Francis' secret recipe for happiness. In an interview published in part in the Argentine weekly 'Viva' on 27 July, the Pope listed his Top Ten tips for bringing greater joy to one's life...Learn more. Pope Francis sends prayers to athletes ahead of Commonwealth Games Vatican sends message to Muslims for end of Ramadan. It gives us great joy to offer you our heartfelt congratulations and good wishes on the occasion of 'Id al-Fitr at the conclusion of Ramadan, a month dedicated to fasting, prayer and helping the poor. Read more. |
Glimmers of Hope
Proof that Peace in the Middle East is Possible!
 With feelings so hurt, it's hard to see a way out. But peace is real. Peace can still happen. Peace is worth hoping for. Peace is the only thing that soothes pain on all sides. Peace is the only way that everyone really wins. Discover more. | | Encounter Point |
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Conforti Update
 It's been an interesting month here in Conforti! As if the World Cup in Brazil was not enough: the Commonwealth Games arrived in Glasgow for 10 day! Before the game began the Archdiocese of Glasgow hosted an event on Sport and Disability. John Convery SX presented the Commonwealth Days programme that we offer to the Special Needs Schools and the organizers stayed with us here in Conforti.
Summer is here and the sun has arrived in style for the Commonwealth Games. Here in Conforti, the Commonwealth has arrived as well with visitors from New Zealand (see photo above), England, Sierra Leone and Nigeria! In St. Alphonsus, we had a Mass for Nations on Sunday July 27th, with Indian Incense Rites, Ugandan Thanksgivings, prayers and readings in various languages and a huge and lively celebration of our Universal Faith.
The Coatbridge Foodbank, which we at Conforti help set up, has seen generous donations and help from the local community. With the school holidays there is a greater need for this resource. For more on foodbanks please see page 4 of the Archdiocese of Glasgow's monthly newspaper,The Flourish.
Next month we have a planning meeting to look at our focus and priorities in the months ahead! Beyond that things will be back to normal after the summer holidays!
Have a good break, wherever you find yourselves.
~Fr. Patrick (Paddy) Duffy SX
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 News from "theGYM"
Mission to Mission
 On Sunday, July 13, the Xaverian Missionaries' hosted a BBQ organized by the Mission group of St. Mary's Parish in Holliston. One hundred young people and their families gathered at the shrine for Mass and then for an enjoyable picnic outdoors on the grounds. These youth plus adult leaders are going to be working in two sites: Mississippi and NJ. See more pics on our FB page.
 Fr. Alejandro Gomez Rodriquez SX (left) will be joining our Franklin Community of the USA region in August where he will be the Midwest extension of theGYM team, based in Holliston. He will focus on encouraging global mission with youth and young adults, as well as vocational discernment work with those who inquire. Eventually he will also be specializing in media.
Fr. Alex studied theology at CTU in Chicago, was ordained a priest in 2008 and has spent the past 6 years in the Xaverian Missions in the Philippines.
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Global Xaverian News...
Xaverians Staff St. Joseph Parish in Thailand
Let us give thanks to the Lord who entrusted to us his people. since Saturday July 12, Frs. Thiago, Mattea and I have started officially taking care of the Parish St Joseph the Worker.The Parish is essentially made of the Akha Tribe. We already have some baptisms and I think people are happy to have us here. Discover more.
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Energy round-up - three things we all should know
 News that last month was the world's hottest June on record provided another reminder that urgent global action is needed to combat climate change. But in a backwards move this week Australia axed its carbon tax on political grounds, despite widespread criticism from analysts and the complete absence of a credible alternative strategy. Learn more. |
No big bad wolf jokes please!
Religious Community goes green.
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A Reflection on Sport and Faith:
"...this is a chance not to be missed to reflect on a peaceful celebration of God-given talents uniting individuals and nations from across the globe." Read more.
Archbishop Tartaglia welcomes Glasgow 2014 athletes and visitors after Church-run conference.
"The concepts of friendliness and hospitality are profoundly Christian ones. Jesus Himself uses the word 'friend' in a way that really changes relationships for the better when He says to His disciples: 'I do not call you servants... I call you friends.' And the virtue of hospitality is explicitly lauded in the pages of the Gospels: 'I was a stranger and you made me welcome.'" Read more.
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The Catholic civil rights hero who really deserves a statue
 It is time for the UK Government to recognise the debt of gratitude we owe to Daniel O'Connell: the London-trained lawyer who went on to lead the Irish through a time of great turbulence and who could lay claim to be the inspiration for non-violent civil rights movements. Discover more.
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WALK WITH ME: A 21-DAY PRAYER JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD  Pope Francis tells us: To live charitably means not looking out for our own interests, but carrying the burdens of the weakest and poorest among us.This book of inspirational prayers will take you to remote places and allow you to share your love by praying for those who need it most.
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 United Nations Dates:
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples: August 9th
The focus of this year's International Day is "Bridging the gap: implementing the rights of indigenous peoples." Read more.
International Youth Day: August 12th Young people make up a significant share of the global number of international migrants. In 2010, there were an estimated 27 million international young migrants. Learn more.
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New MOBILE APP
The Xaverian Missionaries have a new Mobile App available on Apple, Android & Amazon. Now you can take us with you wherever you go. Remember: We are ALWAYS here for you!
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Catholic APPS " One Stop Searching...
"Catholic Aptitude" has them all.
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Church Teaching on World Mission
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Mission Links
Check out our new Website!
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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 CONFORTI INSTITUTE
Calder Avenue
Coatbridge
ML5 4JS |
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XMN
The summer 2014 edition of the Xaverian Mission Newsletter is available online. Experience the magic of summer nights at the Franklin Mission Festival. Travel to the Holy Land with Pope Francis and on a bus in Thailand with Xaverian Missionary Sister Teresa Bello. Celebrate with the sisters in Worcester MA and at a grand wedding feast in Sierra Leone with Fr. Luigi Brioni SX .
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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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Venerable Mother Celestina Bottego
Prayer
Almighty and merciful God, you placed in the heart of Mother Celestina Bottego the burning desire that
your kingdom be extended
to the ends of the earth.
You enable her to give her all
for the birth of a missionary family.
We ask you to glorify her on earth,
and through her intercession,
to grant us the grace we seek in faith.
Father, May Your Kingdom
Come Soon Through Mary
The Xaverian Missionaries of Mary
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Pray as you go is a daily prayer session, designed for use on portable MP3 players, to help you pray whenever you find time, but particularly whilst traveling to and from work, study, etc.
A new prayer session is produced every day of the working week and one session for the weekend. It is not a 'Thought for the Day', a sermon or a bible-study, but rather a framework for your own prayer.
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Join us In the Global Mission of the Church!
Thank you for sharing in our mission.
Pass it on. Forward ACross Borders to a friend.
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