LOVE FOR MISSIONS!

"Love for Missions is love for the Church, love for Christ! A Christian must be open to the spiritual needs of those who do not know Christ, and there are hundreds of millions": these are the words Blessed Paul VI addressed to the diocesan directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies of Italy, received in audience on June 28, 1978, a few weeks before his death. Discover more.

Xaverian Family News

Kamenge Youth Centre in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi.

Burundi's Young 'Peaceworkers'

They are just a few hundred metres away from the convent where three Xaverian nuns were massacred between 7 and 8 September. They have been there for 25 years. And there's quite a few of them: 43,150 new members signed up this year. They are the boys and girls of the Kamenge Youth Centre in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. The centre is run by 63-year-old Xaverian missionary, Fr. Claudio Marano, who has been in Burundi since 1990. Learn more.

Conforti Update

Being Catholic In A Multi-Faith Scotland

You will all be glad to know that the Conforti Institute has not closed down! We have been busy with the usual ministries: youth, interfaith, development and lots of other things. However, this has been touched by the sad loss of Fr. Jim Clarke, SX's brother, Martin. We are keeping Jim and his family in our prayers.

This is a time when we are reviewing and planning: Advent, Interfaith Schools' Conference and a few other things as well! Hopefully, next month we will have some more news and maybe even a few photos as well! For the moment: we are helping organize this event.

St. Guido Conforti Feast Day Nov 5th

"Now, where you have broken the bread for us, there is an altar where another Bread is broken. That night we kept singing to no end because we believed that your tomb would become again a table, where a Bread will be broken for the eternal life!"

Read more of the the summary of our Founder's death from the biography of his by Father Volta of 1943,a biography that, for one reason or another, was never published.

TheGYM Experience

9 Days of Prayer for Mission Vocation

Let's take a nine day journey of prayer. These sharings reflect the many ways that Global Mission touches us all. Take a minute and check out each days sharing. Read the the rest of Fr. Rocco's Reflection.

SYNOD on the FAMILY

The final document of the Synod of Bishops on the family has, at last, been translated into English and posted to the Vatican's website.

These proposed reflections, the fruit of the synodal work which took place in great freedom and with a spirit of reciprocal listening, are intended to raise questions and indicate points of view which will later be developed and clarified through reflection in the local Churches in the intervening year leading to the XIV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, scheduled for October, 2015, to treat The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and in the Contemporary World. These are not decisions taken nor are they easy subjects. Nevertheless, in the collegial journey of the bishops and with the involvement of all God's people, the Holy Spirit will guide us in finding the road to truth and mercy for all. This has been the wish of Pope Francis from the beginning of our work, when he invited us to be courageous in faith and to humbly and honestly embrace the truth in charity. Read more.

Related: The family debate is not over.

Ethics and Values Curriculum for Youth

Golden Rule Movie Trailer

Through self-directed explorations in art, music, rap and drama skits, youth explore ways of embodying the Core Values of "The Golden Rule" (Global ethic of reciprocity). "Treat others as YOU would like to be treated ..." propels the viewer on a journey of discovery, giving life to what many consider to be the most consistent moral teaching throughout history. The Golden Rule can be found in many ethical systems, indigenous cultures and secular philosophies around the globe, in addition to many faith traditions.Read more.

Check out the Xaverian GR video.

The Golden Rule

EBOLA Crisis

Volunteer Burial Teams

Read about Faith leaders on front line of the Ebola crisis.

Read about Pope Francis urging more help for victims.

Mass Mobs

In Detroit, a group of Catholics borrowed the idea of flash mobs for "Mass mobs" to help revitalize urban churches. Learn more.

Every month, a group called Detroit Mass Mobs picks a church, spreads the word on Facebook - and just like that, it fills up and buzz with the energy it once had.

Immigration

Bishops criticise Government's 'misguided' migrants policy

The Catholic Bishops' Conference for England and Wales has issued a statement criticising the Government's decision not to support migrant rescue services in the Mediterranean. Learn more.

A Culture of Peace

WHITE POPPIES ARE FOR PEACE

The idea of decoupling Armistice Day, (Veterans Day in the US) the red poppy and later Remembrance Day from their military culture dates back to 1926, just a few years after the British Legion was persuaded to try using the red poppy as a fundraising tool in Britain. Learn more.

Nun Trouble: It's All about the Bus

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!

The Fall 2014 edition of the Xaverian Mission Newsletter is available online.

This issue highlights the Year of Consecrated Life and excerpts Pope Francis' Message for World Mission Day. It covers stories on the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone and the murder of three Xaverian Sisters in Burundi. There is a Christmas poem by Fr. Tony Lalli SX and commentary on the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) Conference by Fr. Michael Davitti SX.

Read it here.