Make of the world one family

Xaverian Mission
Volume 61 - No. 3 | August 2013

Newsletter

www.xaviermissionaries.org Mission Blog: www.global-catholic.org

A New Chapter.....................6-7

Praesidium Re-Accreditation ...............2 Interview with Fr. Borelli ....................3 USA Assembly ....................................5 The Appeal of Mission .....................8 WYD & US Province News ..................10
The outgoing International Xaverian Leadership Council concelebrates the opening Mass of the General Chapter in the Chapel of St. Guido Conforti at the Xaverian Motherhouse in Parma Italy. Photo by Fr. Carl Chudy SX

Protecting Our Children

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY EARNS HIGHEST HONOR

X averian Missionaries
Provincial Headquarters 12 Helene Court Wayne, NJ 07470-2813 Tel.: (973) 942-2975 Fax: (973) 942-5012 Email:

FOR ABUSE PREVENTION PRACTICES AND RESPONSE

Wayne, NJ The St. Francis Xavier Foreign Mission Society aka Xaverian Missionary Fathers, has been awarded Re-Accreditation by Praesidium, Inc., the leader in abuse risk management. Praesidium Accreditation confirms that an individual order or congregation has been found by an independent team of specialists to meet or exceed all Standards for Accreditation. To attain accreditation, the Xaverian Missionary Fathers underwent an extensive educational process and rigorous assessment to clarify their responsibilities, identify best practices, and evaluate the extent to which they are meeting these defined standards. Each accreditation standard was independently verified by Praesidium, Inc. The St. Francis Xavier Foreign Mission Society was found to be in compliance with the highest current national standards for protecting children. They have acted upon the call for more accountability and transparency in how to protect children, handle allegations of sexual abuse, reach out to victims, and supervise members who have sexually abused. The Xaverian Missionary Fathers will be accredited for another three years, and during this time will uphold fundamental values and stringent safety practices that demonstrate their commitment to protecting those they serve from abuse. The Praesidium Accreditation process takes place every three years with compliance summaries completed every year. The Xaverian Missionaries are dedicated to the protection of all children everywhere and will continue to strive for excellence in safeguarding their welfare. Praesidium, Inc. is an international leader in abuse risk management and has helped thousands of organizations over the last two decades. More information about Praesidium Accreditation is available at PraesidiumInc.com or by calling 800.743.6354.

missionmedia@xaviermissionaries.org

Xavier Knoll Mission Center 4500 Xavier Drive Franklin, WI 53132-9066 Tel.: (414) 421-0831 Fax: (414) 421-9108 Email:

franklin@xaviermissionaries.org

Global Youth Mission Services (theGYM) Fatima Shrine 101 Summer Street P.O. Box 5857 Holliston, MA 01746-5857 Tel.: (508) 429-2144 Fax: (508) 429-4793 Email:

holliston@xaviermissionaries.org Official publication of the Xaverian Missionaries of the United States

Xaverian Mission Newsletter

Publisher Fr. Carl Chudy Communications Board Fr. Carl Chudy SX Fr. Tony Lalli SX Fr. Rocco Puopolo SX Fr. Aniello Salicone SX Editor Mary Aktay Printing AlphaGraphics, Totowa, NJ Email & Web:
missionmedia@xaviermissionaries.org website: www.xaviermissionaries.org St. Guido site: www.guidoconforti.com mission blog: www.global-catholic.org www.facebook.com/catholicmissionaries www.twitter.com/worldcatholic

Donation: $5.00 per year

Praesidium Accreditation publicly demonstrates that the St. Francis Xavier Foreign Mission Society aka Xaverian Missionary Fathers has achieved the highest industry standards in abuse prevention and response. www.PraesidiumInc.com.
Your Legacy can bring Christs Love to Future Generations. Increa Contact: your im se pact! If your Fr. Frank Grappoli, SX has a employer Mat 12 Helene Court Progra ching Gift my Wayne, NJ 07470 tributio our conn ca n b Tel: 973-942-2975 e double d. Or visit: www.xaviermissionaries.org for online donations

Xaverian Mission Newsletter August 2013

Xaverian Missionaries in the World

Interview with Fr. Emmanuel Borelli

The first Xaverian ordained a priest from the Philippine Theologate
Theologate: Father Emmanuel please share with us what motivated your choice to come to the Philippines, a Delegation that was at its beginning, with no structure in place yet? Fr. Emmanuel Borelli SX: It was in 1991 and I was in the novitiate in Italy; I did not think of going out of my country because I was an adult vocation. Someone from the General Direction was looking for candidates, and for some strange reason, they asked me if I was willing to go to Manila where a new Xaverian community was open: The International Theologate of Asia. After consultations with my spiritual director and relatives and friends, I thought it would be good to facilitate my insertion in mission as I was already aging. Truthfully, I did not ask or chose to come here; they asked me and I grasped it as a great opportunity for me. TH: Would you like to share with us something on your first community in the Philippines? EB: At that time, we were four students: 2 Mexicans: Vice and Memo; Patrick from Scotland and myself; and two priests, Frs. Vicente, parish priest of St. Francis Xavier and Peter Venturini as our Rector. Let us say that the Philippines were not yet a delegation as we were just six Xaverians. We were living in a small house we bought and sharing rooms. For example, we were sleeping three in one room. It was for me a great moment because of life shared with a family style around one table. We had also a lot of sharing among us and every Saturday, we could go out with Fr. Peter to meet people despite our broken Tagalog. This experience of pioneers left good memories in me. TH: You speak Tagalog fluently and are able to communicate to the heart of the Filipinos. How was your experience of language learning and acculturation? EB: When we arrived, we had already learned English in London. After a short time, we started with Filipino for three months under a tree with a tutor. It was very difficult, as we had no resources. Anyway, in summer, we had a chance to deepen our knowledge by using the Bible in Filipino, communicating with people. Little by little, we picked it up. Yes, I can speak Tagalog; but it is still a challenge for me. If you love Filipino people, you will learn their language as soon as possible. TH: It is broadly known that the Philippines are one of the countries where the majority of the population is Catholic. From this point of view, what are the Filipino religious values that you have discovered in this country? EB: Patience and tolerance are the characteristics of Filipino people. The first is a virtue in a sense that there is place for everybody, and you will always find your place despite your limitations. There is a great degree of acceptance. On the other hand, it can be also negative in a sense that it establishes a kind of compromise. However, it is a virtue because it gives us a chance to journey towards conversion. Filipino people are compassionate; they show great compassion in face of unpleasant situations.

Patience are the

and tolerance

characteristics of the Filipino people .

Xaverian Mission Newsletter August 2013

Xaverian Missionaries in the World

Interview with Fr. Borelli

continued from page 3

TH: What has been the most remarkable experience as a student and now priest?? EB: I remember that I was ordained here and Cardinal Sin came for my ordination. After, I went through different commitments: Formation, Vocation Ministry and now in Pastoral Ministry, which I find very meaningful and satisfying in terms of journeying with people. This is directly connected to the faith of people, to their life in a realistic way not idealistic one. A particular experience remains the ordination of Fr. Patrick Santanez, first Filipino Xaverian priest and the beginning of the Xaverian formation in the Philippines. TH: Right now, you are working at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Marikina. What have been the greatest joys and challenges that you experienced so far?
Ordination of Fr. Patrick Santanez, SX

EB: This is a very interesting experience. We are working with Father Javier Mexicano SX, a great man who started this Parish out of nothing. Our Parish is located in an area composed of urban poor struggling against floods and calamities. This gives us a great challenge as missionaries. We have had hard times of floods and rains. I need always to assist the people in reconstructing. The great joy is that as missionaries, we are in a right place, where we should be because there are a lot to do even regarding social problems. TH: Did the formation you received in our Theologate prepare you for the challenges you had to face ?

EB: That is a very good question. Our Superiors had chosen Mary Hill School of Theology of CICM because of their pastoral and missionary approach. I do not regret having my Theology here in a context of Liberation Theology of Gutierrez. The school has also supplied us with useful tools in order to be able to be efficient in pastoral with people; especially regarding Basic Ecclesial Communities. This is Fr. Borelli (seated center right) in Our Lady Of Guadalupe Parish very helpful for me as currently I am director of a BEC in our Parish. The school had great professors like Cardinal Tagle who gave us the chance to deepen our knowledge of the Bible. Some priests in Italy were very surprised by our knowledge when we had discussions, I am grateful to the CICM for the formation I The Philippines received in their school.

is the place where the Lord is calling you.

The newest seminarians in the Philippine Theologate

TH: We are celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the foundation of the International Xaverian Theologate of Asia. Would you like to leave a particular message to the Xaverian students?

EB: I know that it is not easy to go through academic studies. Take advantage of all the opportunities offered to you by the school and community by doing your best. Do not spend much time thinking of the future, focus on what you are doing now; this is your life and vocation. As the time goes by, you will find yourselves already priests and called to undergo great commitments. Love the people: spend time with them in the church and apostolate with the youth. Our vocation is to be with people, to mingle with them by becoming part of their lives. Do not rely on means, live in simplicity. As you know, we are here to stay and to live with people. Stay in Asia; remain here with all your heart, spirit and body. The Philippines is the place where the Lord is calling you.

Xaverian Mission Newsletter August 2013

Xaverian Missionaries in the USA

Provincial Assembly
...fraternity, insight and inspiration!

ur Annual Provincial Assembly took place April 29th through May 3. We gathered at the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. The theme of our assembly is a deepening of both the restructuring in the last term and the last Provincial Chapter: Encouraging the Missio Ad Gentes, Ad Extra of the USA Church. In light of the last General Chapter we know this: ...our missionary Institute examined its way of being missionary ad gentes and felt the need to inject new energy, discover new modalities for our way of being missionaries and to re-launch with a new creativity and spiritual drive the missionary impulse which is the heart of our Founders audacious project. This renewal is even more necessary today since the mission ad gentes is in danger of being indistinguishable from the overall mission of the entire people of God, thereby losing its prophetic power. How do we distinguish this mission which is at the core of our charism and call? Whats our understanding of this mission and the message we deliver to the local dioceses we serve? Our Provincial Assembly this year looked at some important aspects of this overall question. Fr. Tom Ryan, Paulist Father and National Director of their Ecumenical and Interfaith Office helped us examine interreligious dialogue in the church and how we connect to this important commitment.

We also prepared for the General Chapter(see centerfold), examined our commitment to encourage missionary vocations, and updated formation on the protection of young people. As a special addition we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Fr. Frank Grappolis ordination and the 60th anniversary of the religious consecration of Fr. Bob Maloney. The Lord blessed our gathering with the grace of fraternity, insight and inspiration!

Fr. Carl Chudy SX

Photos from top US Xaverians in a working session at the 2013 Assembly, Fr. Tom Ryan CSP, (l to r) Frs. Tony Lalli, Frank Grappoli and Gerry Furlan have a working lunch, the formal group photo brought to the General Chapter

Xaverian Mission Newsletter August 2013

X av e Missio

Xaverians follow the Cross to their 16th General Chapter.

General

XV

r. Joe Matteucig and I traveled to Tavernerio, Italy as US delegates to gather with 47 other confreres representing the entire Xaverian world. On June 15th the XVI General Chapter of the Xaverian Missionaries was officially opened. A General Chapter occurs every six years where the past six years of presence and ministry as Xaverians are evaluated and a path is made to forge into the future for another six years, highlighting new priorities that are worked out in the 20 countries we serve in. Of particular importance is on how we reach out to our brothers and sisters of other faiths and cultures in the Churchs unceasing desire to share Christ in dialogue with the world. On June 16th the Chapter Delegates gathered at our Mother House in Parma for the opening Mass together with our confreres and friends. It was a joyous occasion with symbols of the various regions offered along with the gifts of the bread and wine. Our US symbol was our nicely framed Provincial Community picture done at our last Assembly (see page 5). Everyone remarked how young we all look!

Group photo of the delegates from around the world. Fr. Carl is standing in the center of the back row. Fr. Joe is seated 4th from the right in the middle row.

Fr. Alfredo Turco SX (second from left) gives Frs. Joe (l) and Carl (c) a tour of the Chinese Museum with Fr. Eugenio Pulcini (r).

rian onaries

VI

Chapter
Xaverians gather for opening Mass at the Shrine of St. Guido Conforti in the Motherhouse in Parma, Italy.

Our own Fr. Alfredo Turco, who worked in our center in Franklin, Wisconsin for 23 years, took the Chapter Delegates on a guided tour of the newly renovated Chinese Museum there at the Mother House, which I have to say is beautifully done with all the modern and high tech qualities you expect to see in a modern museum. The Founder would be very proud. The Chapter continued for the rest of June and into July. We had daily meetings, even on Saturday, to work on issues pertaining to Missio ad Gentes and fulfilling our mandate to bring the Good News of Christs love to all people everywhere. We discussed the present and planned for the future, following in the footsteps of St. Guido Conforti and St. Francis Xavier using all the gifts of modern technology that are available to us. A new General Direction (Leadership Council) was elected to help guide the Xaverians for the next six years as we continue to see Christ in all and strive to make of the world one family.

Fr. Carl Chudy SX

Daily meetings and working sessions to plan for the future and make the world a better place for all.

Right: The 16th General Chapter of the Xaverian Missionaries elected the Congregations new General Direction. Fr. Luigi Menegazzo (Celebrant) was elected Superior General and Fr. Mario Mula (2nd from r)) was elected Vicar General. The new Councillors are: Fr. Javier Peguero (l) (Mexico), Fr. Eugenio Pulcini (r) (Italy) and Fr. Antonio Lopez (2nd from l) (Mexico). (Left)A beautiful interpretation of the new GD Fr. Marcello Storgato SX Author: Fr. Antonius Wahyudianto SX, Superior of the Xaverians in Indonesia. Translation: Internationality does not depend on a passport, but relies on the Holy Spirit!

The Global Mission Spirituality of Saint Guido Conforti

What is the Mission Appeal?

told some friends that during the summer months we are pretty much taken up by travel for the preaching of mission appeals in the parishes of various dioceses. Somebody asked: What is a mission appeal? The truly important word here is mission and in order to understand it we have to think of somebody who is being sent forth with a task to accomplish. That is the mission. Jesus Christ was sent by his Almighty Father and he was in our midst with the mission of saving the world by laying down his life. The Lord Jesus was the missionary of the Father and after his resurrection he spoke these words to the men he had chosen, the Apostles: As the Father sent me now I send you. Go and make all nations my disciples. That was a very tall order for those poor fishermen. They embraced their Christ-given mission and were energized for it by the power of the Holy Spirit in the day of Pentecost. Through the centuries countless missionaries spread the message of Gods saving love as it is being done even to this very day all over the world. Every Christian is expected, according to his or her call in life, to spread the word that Jesus is the only Savior of humanity. The Lord says: I came to set the earth on fire and how I wish it were already blazing. The Mission Cooperation Plan of a diocese is geared to stirring up this fire, the urge to make all people aware that Gods love for every human being is real. This may be called mission awareness in the Local Church, in every single parish.

Photos of Xaverian Missionaries around the world. This page from top: Bishop George Biguzzi SX with fellow Xaverians and diocesan priests in Sierra Leone Xaverians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Xaverian priests celebrate the opening of a church in Indonesia

Xaverian Mission Newsletter August 2013

From Home Parishes to the Missions

Missionaries are called to share with fellow Christians their mission experience as they worked in mission countries around the world. We proclaim the word of God and we become bridges between the people who are listening to our message and our brothers and sisters we serve around the world. The needs are many starting with personnel. We need more messengers of the Gospel and therefore we ask people to pray to the Lord of the harvest to stir up, especially in young human hearts, the desire to become a missionary. We need prayer, much prayer because the salvation of the world is Gods work and we are only simple co-workers in getting out the message that God loves all of humanity and wants every human being to live with Him forever. While we are here on the planet and especially in some countries of the world where there are wars, hunger, sickness, displacement and people deprived of justice and human dignity we need means to turn things around even if it is going to take generations. Individually we are called to do everything we can possibly do. This is the heart of what a Mission Appeal does in parishes and dioceses. It is a matter of firing up fellow Christians so that they can ask themselves: What can I do to be part of the picture? To make a difference in other peoples lives? And then be active and DO IT. God shared with us his most treasured possession, His Beloved Son so that we may share Him with others. The gift of faith we have received must be shared because it prompts us to be personally involved in promoting concretely human dignity by providing a decent human condition, food, health, education so that the whole world may truly be ONE SINGLE FAMILY according to the Divine Plan.

Fr. Frank Grappoli SX

Photos of Xaverian Missionaries around the world. This page from top: Xaverians Rocco Viviano, Eugene Pulcini and Emmanuel Borelli (see page 3) in the Philippines Brazilian Xaverians Fr. Frank Grappoli SX with a family in Sierra Leone

Xaverian Mission Newsletter August 2013

World Mission News Digest

World Mission News Digest

AMERICA/BRAZIL WYD
Thousands of young people discover the spirit of missionary commitment

(Vatican News) Pilgrims gathered for the closing Mass of World Youth Day celebrated by Pope Francis on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro July 28. An estimated 3 million people attended, one of the largest crowds in the history of World Youth Day. Where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits: he sends us to everyone. The Gospel is for everyone, not just for some. It is not only for those who seem closer to us, more receptive, more welcoming. It is for everyone. Do not be afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent. The Lord seeks everyone, he wants everyone to feel the warmth of his mercy and his love. Pope Franciss closing homily, World Youth Day, 2013.

(Agenzia Fides) To embody the spirit of the Second Vatican Council in ones life and transform oneself to witness faith: this is the exhortation that Bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Taiyuan Paul Meng Ning gave the faithful who took part in the seminar on the documents of Vatican II in July with over a thousand participants and of all diocesan priests, as part of the diocesan initiatives for the Year of Faith. The meaning of the Constitutions Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes were explained and also the Unitatis Redintegratio Decree that contains teachings related to the life of the local faithful, on the mystery of the Church and ecumenism. According to Bishop Meng, the Council and these documents have renewed the Church, bringing new energy to the Church. The formation of the faithful in these important documents continues to renew us still today, and it is also necessary and urgent for our evangelization.

AFRICA/CONGO
Bishops appeal for the end of the war in Congo

ASIA/CHINA
Pope Makes Appeal for Catholics in China

(Zenit) A day of prayer took place on the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, which is a day of devotion for Chinese Catholics and celebrated at the shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai. I invite all Catholics around the world to join in prayer with our brothers and sisters who are in China to implore from God the grace to announce with humility and joy Christ who died and is risen, to be faithful to his Church and to the successor of Peter and to live daily life in service to their country and their fellow citizens in a manner consistent with the faith they profess, the Holy Father told the thousands of faithful in St. Peters Square. He continued: Our Lady of Sheshan, sustain the commitment of those who in China, amid their daily labors, continue to believe, to hope, to love, so that they may never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world and the world to Jesus.
More than a thousand faithful of the Diocese of Tai Yuan live the Year of Faith studying the documents of Vatican II

(Agenzia Fides) The Bishops of Congo launch a strong appeal to African political leaders so that they put an end to the war that has bloodied the Democratic Republic of Congo and not to work for their own interests, but for the good of all. The Bishops also invited all African citizens to urgently commit themselves in the struggle for fair social order where everyone can enjoy the rights associated with their human dignity. The African Bishops pointed to the conflicts in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), resulting in deaths, atrocities, violence and rapes. Remembering a war that has caused six million deaths in twenty years, and destabilizes the DRC causing serious human rights violations, the Bishops call on all parties involved in the search for a solution to this war and to work actively for peace, launching an appeal in this regard to the United Nations, the European Union and the African Union. The Bishops agreed to raise awareness and educate political leaders in their respective countries to commit themselves to the return of lasting peace in the DRC.

10 Xaverian Mission Newsletter August 2013

From our USA Communities

News from our USA Communities

THEGYM IS FEATURED IN THE PILOT
The following is excepted from the story by Fr. Rocco Puopolo SX in the May 24th edition of the Boston diocesan newspaper.

In early November of 2011, I was at our local printing shop to pick up an order that was ready. The proprietor, a friend of our community, greeting me with the question, So the shrine is opening a gym? Where is it going to be? With a straight face I said that it was the area behind Xavier Hall that we are in the process of cleaning out and that is where it is going to be housed. But that isnt going to be a lot of space? Where will all the equipment go? Did you read what you printed? I asked. The order that I was picking up was our introductory brochure for theGYM, our new outreach to youth and young adults that the Xaverian Missionaries have initiated out of our Holliston campus at the Fatima Shrine. The gift and vision of theGYM (Global Youth Mission Services) is to make each of us Xaverian Missionaries, all of whom have served significant years in overseas mission ministry in Africa, Asia or Latin America, resources to this local Church of New England, especially when it comes to youth and young adult ministry. Xaverians work in 6 countries in Africa, six in Asia and three in Latin America where the majority of the population are young. Many of us have been involved in primary, secondary and college education, youth chaplaincies on a local and national level and more. So, through theGYM we present ourselves as witnesses and resources to local parishes and schools in order to be the bridge between the passion and energy of youth near and far. The objectives of this ministry are threefold: We wish to help the young adults and youth recognize the fact that they are not just members of our Church but that they themselves are the Church. Youth and young adults overseas are much more engaged and take responsibility in all aspects of church. So why not here? We assist youth and young adults in coming to the realization that the Church is not only local but global and that they are an important part of both, generating genuine links of solidarity. Many youth ministers tell me that all too often there is little follow up to international meetings such as World Youth Day that can maintain the sense of solidarity and being part of something greater than ourselves. And lastly we hope to help youths and young adults reach out and draw in youth of the diaspora who are their classmates, team mates in sports, brothers and sisters in the faith, to an active and involv-

ing sense of community. I have been back from my last assignment in Sierra Leone, West Africa, for 12 years now, and I have discovered large pockets of young Sierra Leonean Catholic youth and young adults along the East Coast who for one reason or another are not part of our faith communities. theGYM will attempt to empower our young Catholic members to a peer ministry of welcome and incorporation of these recently arrived immigrants who are such a gift to our Church if only welcomed well. Read the entire article on www.xaviermissionaries.org.

FRANKLINS FESTIVAL FOCUSES ON MISSION AND FUN!

Xavier Knoll was host to all smiles the last weekend in June as music and laughter filled the air and good food filled the crowds. Thanks to all our planners, purveyors, servers, musicians participants and guests our 2013 Mission Festival was a resounding success! See All the pictures on our Flickr page: http://www. flickr.com/photos/catholicmission/ sets/72157634762624439/

BISHOP IN THE HOUSE!

Most Reverend George Biguzzi SX, Bishop Emeritus of Makeni, Sierra Leone is staying at he Xaverian Provincial House in Wayne, NJ for the summer. He will also be visiting our Holliston and Franklin communities. We are honored to have Bishop George grace us with his presence! Xaverian Mission Newsletter August 2013

11

Xaverian Mission Newsletter August 2013

Fr. Frank Grappoli states: It is a matter of firing up fellow Christians so that they can ask themselves: What can I do to be part of the picture? To make a difference in other peoples lives? And then be active and DO IT!

Picture yourself with us! contact:

Fr. Rocco Puopolo at theGYM thegym@xaviermissionaries.org 508-429-2144

Xaverians In Mozambique

Xaverian Missionaries Serve In:

Bangladesh Brazil Burundi Cameroon Chad Colombia Democratic Republic of Congo France Indonesia Italy Japan Mexico Mozambique Philippines Sierra Leone Spain Taiwan Thailand UK USA

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