emissary - december 2012
TRANSCRIPT
FRANCISCAN MISSION OUTREACH + PO BOX 1086 + SECAUCUS, NJ 07096-1086 + TEL: 718-618-4511 [email protected] + www.franciscanmissionoutreach.blogspot.com
EM I SSA R Y FRANCISCAN MISSION OUTREACH + ACTIVITY UPDATE + DECEMBER 2012
LIBERIA: September 6 - 19, 2012
I spent two weeks with Fr. Adrian Crowley at St. Gabriel’s Par-
ish on the outskirts of Monrovia during my first visit to this
small West African country established by former US slaves in
the mid-1800s. There were Masses, Holy Hours, talks and other
activities in the parish. We also visited outstations, like VOA
(Voice of America - located near the former broadcasting site
of this US-sponsored radio program), where many Sierra Leone
refugees have settled.
The children in VOA
receive a weekly meal
(photo right) and cat-
echesis from St. Gabri-
el’s Parish. We also visit-
ed Archbishop Lewis
Zeigler and the sites of
Mary’s Meals and the
Cenacolo Community.
ZIMBABWE: September 19 - 26, 2012
My host in Harare was Fr. Liam McCarthy, OFM, an Irish
Franciscan and mutual friend of Bishop Michael Lenihan, OFM,
of La Ceiba, Honduras. I accompanied and assisted Fr. Liam on
several of his pastoral activities. The highlight of the time in
Zimbabwe was a visit to Mutemwa, site of a leper colony
served by Englishman John Bradburne (whose cause is being
promoted for canonization) before he was abducted and killed
in the civil war in 1979.
Mother of Peace Or-
phanage (photo left) is
also located nearby.
We’re raising funds for
an electrical transform-
er to help pump water
from a reservoir to the
orphanage and leper
colony.
KENYA: September 26 - October 7, 2012
I returned to Nairobi to
work again with the Mis-
sionaries of Charity Fa-
thers in reaching out to
the youth of nearby
slums and the inmates
of Kamiti Prison. Two youth events took place on successive
Saturdays: a formation day for youth leaders (photo above), in
which each received a Bible and catechism, and a larger youth
encounter that included a Rosary procession through the
streets. During the week in between we led our second Bread
of Life Eucharistic retreat at Kamiti, this time for those in maxi-
mum security. It was a special joy to see many from previous
events - among both the youth and the prisoners - step up into
positions of leadership and service to their peers.
UGANDA: October 7 - 21,
2012
I spent he first week of
my visit to Uganda do-
ing evangelization out-
reach focused on the
Year of Faith (which
began on October 11th,
two days after the 50th anniversary of Ugandan Independence)
on university campuses around Kampala. It was an added
blessing to stay at the parish built on the site of the death of St.
Matthias Mulumba, the eldest of the Uganda Martyrs. The se-
cond half of my time there was spent at Emmaus Center for
Catholic Discipleship and Evangelization, about 30 miles north
of the capital, for a weeklong formation program on praise and
worship that included a jubilant outdoor procession with the
Blessed Sacrament (photo above).
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:
November 16 - December 14, 2012
Mission Trip: Honduras & Peru
January 4-11, 2013
Mission Trip: Haiti
January 24 - February 11, 2013
Mission Trip: Honduras
February 16 - 20, 2013
Parish Mission: St. Luke Church, Ocean City, MD
February 23-27, 2013
Parish Mission: St. Rita Church, Staten Island, NY
March 21-31, 2013
Holy Week Youth Mission: La Ceiba, Honduras
Our missionary efforts depend on your spiritual and financial support. Please pray for us! Tax-deductible donations to support the life, ministries and missionary outreach of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal can be made out to “Franciscan Mission Outreach” and sent to : Franciscan Mission Outreach PO Box 1086 Secaucus, NJ 07096-1086 Thank you! You are in our prayers!
ETHIOPIA: October 21 - November 5, 2012
At the invitation of Auxiliary Bishop Lesanu-Christos
Matheos of Addis Ababa, Franciscan Mission Outreach
sponsored a Ugandan team to offer a series of presenta-
tions in the Archdiocese. Fr. David Byaruhanga, - who
has a doctorate in Biblical theology, Joseph Alumansi -
National Coordinator of the Uganda Catholic Charis-
matic Renewal , and Joseph’s wife Serah spoke to Cath-
olic charismatics, charismatic renewal leaders, priests
and religious, other lay leaders and interested Catholics
in a series of gatherings over the course of a week. In
addition to facilitating the Ugandan team, I collaborated
with the Community of St. John speaking about Faith
and the New Evangelization and doing youth evangeliza-
tion outreach in the rural area of Mendida.
HE BECAME ONE OF US!
“The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14
“He was found to be in human condition.” Philippians 2:8
“He had to become like His brothers in every way.” Hebrews 2:17
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Fr. Herald Joseph Brock, CFR & Franciscan Mission Outreach Sierra Leone refugee in Liberia.
HE BECAME ONE OF US!
“The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14
“He was found to be in human condition.” Philippians 2:8
“He had to become like His brothers in every way.” Hebrews 2:17
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Fr. Herald Joseph Brock, CFR & Franciscan Mission Outreach Baby in VOA chapel, Monrovia, Liberia.