Towards A Franciscan Missionary Spirit, e-letter of ISME

Father Flavin Mucci, OFM, (President & Founder)Thanks to the Kriete Foundation, AssociationAgape of El Salvador under the leadership of FatherFlavin Mucci, OFM, (President & Founder) who startedthe Integral Rural Health Program (PROSARIN)in 1991 in order to serve highly vulnerable people inremote rural areas lacking basic health services. Thisprogram is for people who would otherwise have no accessto medical treatment due to geographical, social,economic and cultural reasons, and who are prone tocontagious diseases that can be prevented.For this reason Association Agape of El Salvador’smedical staff starts out by visiting communitieswhere they selected leaders whom they train sothat they can promote changes in behavior, attitudeand health practices among their people. These healthpromoters become agents who strengthen the organizationof rural communities and help develop them.Agape has 18 health promoters who serve a populationof 23, 701 beneficiaries in three Salvadoran Provinces:Sonsonate, Ahuachapan and La Union.The Association Agape of El Salvadorprovides attention to the most vulnerable sectorsof socety. Agape helps the needy improvetheir standard of living so that they may contributeto the development of their environment.To this end, AGAPE runs productive programsas well as professional and high quality servicesproject grounded on ethical principles andChristian values that enable them to project aninstitutional image both nationallyand internationally. (1)The people ofEl Salvador andthe Province ofthe ImmaculateConception arevery grateful toFather FlavinMucci OFMfor his untiringFranciscanleadership anddedication tothe MissionaryEvangelization effortsof the Church, the Orderand the Province.1. Agape 30 Years–Making A World ofLove- AssociationAgape of El SalvadorObjectives:From the very beginning, Agape’s major challengeshave been to improve each community’s organization,to change epidemic profiles, to strengthen thecapacity of all institutional and voluntary resources andto modernize them in order to make them competitive.In a permanent search to make these towns sustainable,Agape has worked to establish an inter -institutionalnetwork to support towns development.2Submitted by:The Franciscan Missionary UnionImmaculate Conception ProvinceFr. James E. Goode, OFM – ModeratorFranciscan Missionary UnionFr. Robert M. Campagna, OFM – Provincial Minister2009

St. John the Baptist Province Cincinnati, OhioMinistry in AppalachiaIn 1962 the friars of the Provinceof St. John the Baptist begantheir ministry in Eastern Kentuckyin the coal-mining town of Hazard.Over the years, the friars have expandedtheir ministry and are now inJackson and Cumberland as well asproviding for the sacramental needsin Harlan and Lynch. Ed Gura,O.F.M., is one of seven friars livingand ministering in the mountains ofAppalachia. In a county where only1⁄2 of 1% of the people are Catholic,Ed brings a different dimension tohis ministry—that of being CatholicBro. Ed Gura OFM with a patient at the hospital where he worksand a Franciscan Friar.“I would simply like to offer all praise, all glory and all honor to God from whom all blessings flow inmy life.” Brother Ed Gura spoke these words in a letter sent to the Mission Office in Cincinnati, Ohio.Bro. Ed grew up in Warren, Michigan, with four brothers and four sisters. At St. Mark’s grade schoolthe Sisters of St. Joseph taught Ed the basic Christian values that would serve him a lifetime.In 1983, facing unemployment and mounting debts Ed turned to his mother who invited him to attendmass with her at Duns Scotus/St. Anthony Shrine Chapel in Southfield, Michigan. “In the quiet I prayedwhile looking on with curiosity at the brown-robed friars gathered, never suspecting that one day I would alsobecome a Franciscan Brother,” Ed recalls. “Circumstances would see me returning to Duns Scotus, no longerable to ignore a void in my life. Through prayer and discernment I joined the friars in 1988.”Ed continued, “I wanted to be in health care so I was given permission to take up studies in nursing andearned my degree in the summer of 1996. That same summer I joined our Franciscan community at Mother ofGood Counsel Catholic Church in Hazard, Kentucky and took a job at the Regional Medical Center in Hazardas an ICU/CCU nurse.”Hazard is a small city situated in the heart of the central Appalachian Mountains in southeastern Kentucky.Three Franciscans and a lay pastoral associate staff Mother of Good Counsel Church. It has approximatelytwo hundred and fifty parishioners of varying ethnic backgrounds.For many years coal mining was the main line of work. Until the 1950’s quality medical service waslacking, as many coal towns had no hospitals and medical services which did exist but were often understaffedand lacking in medical equipment. Then in 1956, with the foresight and ambition of the United Mine Workersof America, the Miners Memorial Hospital Association (MMHA) chain was founded. These new hospitalsopened in towns across Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia and provided many new jobs and better qualityhealth care.“As a graduate I remember well the anxiety I felt on my first day of orientation,” Ed recalls. “The supportand encouragement which I have and continue to receive has been an added for me. As a Franciscan living in anarea of ethnic, cultural and religious diversity I simply try to give witness to the spiritual oneness which we shareby being equally attentive to the particular needs and concerns of my patients and taking the time to listen whenneeded.” Free medical service is provided to those who are living in poverty and have no medical insurance.“The people are so kind and appreciative. It’s great Franciscan work,” Ed says excitedly.Submitted by Vincent Delorenzo O.F.M.3

Fire Accident at the Bishop’s CuriaMissionaries of the Maltese Franciscan Province, at the present moment, are working intwo different countries. In Honduras, Central America and in the Philippines. In Honduras thereare four Maltese friars working together with other friars of the Immaculate Conception Provinceof New York and in the Philippines there is one friar working with the local Province.This particular year (2009) was marked by a fire accident that happened at the Curia ofBishop Robert Camilleri OFM in Comayagua, Honduras.On the 4th March a short-circuit started a fire in the small chapel dedicated to our Ladyof Mount Carmel. The fire immediately spread through all the premises of all the rooms andoffices of the curia destroying everything. It was a very difficult moment for all. Eventuallyreconstruction has just started.Submitted by George Bugeja OFMProvince of Maltahttp//www.ofm.org.mt/missions4

Franciscan Mission to KazakhstanBy David Gaa, OFMThe Franciscan Mission to Kazakhstanis part of the St. Francis Foundationfor Russia and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan islocated in Central Asia and was once justa Republic in the Soviet Union. Today, weFranciscans have three objectives in the St.Francis Foundation. First, we minister to theexisting Roman Catholic population, secondimplantation of the Franciscan Order andthird and perhaps most importantly today,dialogue with our brothers and sisters whoare Muslim or Orthodox. Technically, Kazakhstanis a secular State, but the majority ofthe population is ethnic Kazakh and they aretraditionally Muslims.Currently we Franciscans have twoparishes in Kazakhstan, one located in theformer capital Almaty and the other locatedin a city called Taldikorgan, where I work asthe parish priest.Two of the grandmothersdeported as children to KazakhstanI live with two other brothers, one from Slovakiaand the other from Italy. The Slovakiabrother is the Vicar of the parish and also runsa small youth program. The Italian brothervolunteers at a local center for disabled people.The friary in Almaty is the larger of thetwo friaries in Kazakhstan with seven brothers.We brothers in Kazakhstan come fromSlovakia, Italian, S. Korea, Poland, Germanyand America. Besides the two friaries in Kazakhstanthe St. Francis Foundation for Russiaand Kazakhstan also has three friaries inThe Franciscan brothers working in Kazakhstan,from the friaries in Taldykorgan and Almaty.Some of the children of the parish with Sister Anna,a Russian Franciscan Sister.Russia. In total we are approximately 25 brothers. We have afew native Russian vocations.Since the Catholic population of Kazakhstan is lessthan 1% both of the parishes are rather small. The majorityof Catholics in Kazakhstan are of Polish, Ukrainian and Germandescent of those deported by Stalin in the 1930’s and early1940’s. Some of the elderly of the parish where I work weredeported as children with their families. We, also have manyyoung people coming to the parish searching for some spiritualperspective to their lives.Besides taking care of two parishes we Franciscans alsorun a small free health clinic and a free soup kitchen for thehomeless and poor. Mostly of the clients at the soup kitchenare senior citizens on very small State pensions and/or streetchildren. We also have a small home for physical and mentallydisabled children who are mostly abandoned by their families.Submitted by Max Hottle OFMSt. Barbara Province5

In Memory of Joe O’TooleBro. Anthony Mcneill ofmThe Province wasshocked and saddened to receivethe news on Monday,26th October 2009 that BrotherJoe O’Toole had been tragicallykilled that day in a roadaccident in Zimbabwe.area and there was a policemanand others that witnessedthe accident and confirmedJoseph died on impact.He was only 51 yearsold. He had just returned toZimbabwe just two weeks beforeafter spending time withhis family in Glasgow.Joseph O’Toole wasborn in Airdrie on 5th March1958.He spent some timeat the Scots College in Romewith a view to ordination in aScottish Diocese before heentered the Franciscan novitiatein 1978, making his firstprofession a year later and hisfinal Solemn Profession on 5thJanuary 1985.During his years offormation in Canterbury hetrained as a general nurse andbecame an RGN. After hisSolemn Profession he workedfor six months as a Drug RehabilitationCounsellor andthen trained to become a RegisteredMental Nurse.When later in 1987 theProvince decided to set up anew community among thepoor in Gateshead, Josephwas made the friar in charge.While he was there he workedas a nurse, and was very involvedin the Gateshead CreditUnion moment.In 1991 he becamenovice master at Chilworthwhich was the novitiate housefor both our Province and theProvince of Ireland.In 1999 he volunteeredto join the Order’s Thailandproject where he learnt somethingof the language in acomparatively short time andworked in the care of AIDS patients.In 2002 he was back inGlasgow until he was askedto go to Zimbabwe, a Custodyof the Irish Province, as atemporary novice master. Buthe stayed on and was electeda Custodial Councillor at thelast Chapter. His funeral tookplace in Glasgow.Submitted by Ulic Troy OFMProvince of IrelandHe was travelling backinto Harare after a day at aproject where he was thechairman. As he approacheda bridge a truck coming theother way dazzled him and heswerved to avoid it and wentinto the pillar. There wouldnormally have been a barrierthere but a bus had recentlycrashed into it and it hadn’tbeen repaired yet. Although itwas on the outskirts of Harareit was a reasonably populatedJoe’s community at Ganda6

Missionaries Empower MissionariesHoly Name Provincehttp://www.fmunion.orgIn 1967, the Franciscans ofJapan decided to build a new buildingthat would hold the FranciscanChapel Center near the embassy areaof Tokyo called Roppongi. This was adevelopment that grew over the timeafter World War II to fulfill a need fora place for English-speaking peoplecould gather for worship. The ChapelCenter was staffed by friars whowere missionaries to Japan from HolyName Province. Fr. Bede Fitzpatrick,O.F.M. was the first Rector. (At thebeginning, the Chapel Center wasnot a parish, that came later.) When itbegan, there were about 1000 peoplewho came to Mass every Sunday. This was a stretch for the friars who came to be missionaries. At first, theywere a bit disappointed because they could have worked in an English-speaking parish back in the UnitedStates. Soon they realized that there was still plenty to do with the Japanese and that they had a strong affecton the people who came there: they actually picked up a true missionary spirit.The Chapel Center is truly a multi-cultural experience: English-speaking people from the UnitedStates, Australia, Great Britain, the Philippines, India, South Africa and many others including English-speakingJapanese who are attracted to the place because of the spirit of the community. Truly, the FCC has becomea great support to the evangelization of Japan.The Center has been a very strong witness to the consistent life ethic of the Church. Friars and parishionersare still involved in helping with adoption issues, ministry to those in prisons, immigration issues, feeding andserving the homeless in Tokyo, ecumenical outreach, programs to renew the Church and people’s lives. Cursillowas very popular for many years at the Center. One friar, Fr. Donnon Murray, O.F.M., works full time with all ofthe options that are available from Fr. Calvo’s Marriage Encounter process (FIRES). The Alpha Programs thatreach out to invite people to consider Christianity or return home to it are a regular part of the life of the Center.The two most prominent things that the Center is known for now is the Rice Ministry and the OrphansMinsitry. Fr. William DeBiase, O.F.M. (now in Philadelphia) began the Rice Ministry when he was walkingand ran into hungry people on the streets that no one noticed. He started this great outreach and it has taken off.Every day members of the parish community and many others make about 500 rices cakes that are distributedto homeless people in Tokyo. The Center has attracted many people to these ministries. Once a week, a teamof young Morman missionaries help to make the rice cakes and every morning about 6am teams of people getup and deliver them to people who have very little to eat. The teams do more than just feed people, they alsohelp restore a little people of people’s humanity. Many of us have learned to make people in need invisible,this begins to rob people of their personhood. The rice ministry seems to restore a little bit of that. Orphans inJapan live an often regimented and predictable life. People from the Center will regularly help them to knowsome nice surprises with special parties and other events.In its 42 years of existence, the Chapel Center has had many challenges and has been able to rise to everyone of them. It has truly been a ministry that has included friars from almost all of the provinces in the UnitedStates, friars from Italy, the Philippines and Japan. At the beginning, maybe the missionaries thought they hadfrustrated their special vocation as missionaries. Instead they have discovered that they became better missionaries.Not only did they proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth in word and deed, they inspired and empoweredothers to take up the mission too. It is a very welcoming community. Many visit, many stay, many comeback.Everyone takes up the mission.Submitted by Russell Becker O.F.M. -7

Since 1977, theSacred Heart Province(SHP) has had a relationshipwith the Provinceof St. Benedict theAfrican (SBA). Overthe years, 11 Friars haveserved in the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo(DRC) in one capacityor another.October 15, 2009,a new initiative collaborationbegan with theSHP sending two Friarsto be of service to thefraternity of SBA. Thisinitiative will be focused on spiritual renewal and animation, solidarity and reconciliation,transparency and better management of human and material resources. Three or four friarsfrom SBA Province will join our two friars in this effort.Jeffrey Haller, who has spent over 10 years in China and one year in Vietnam and JesusAguirre, who has spent 10 years in Morocco make up the two volunteers from the SHP. Thisis a two-year commitment and the program will be assessed at that time on what further needsstill exist. Personnel and or finances from the St. Joseph Province in Canada, the BelgiumProvince and the Province in France are also supporting this effort.This program and these friars will be working out of Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC.From there they will be traveling to various parts of the country to visit friars and to be ofservice to them. It is important to note that the country is very large, half the size of the U.S.A.from the Mississippi to the East. This vast area is visited by air travel, which is very costly.What makes this mission so very difficult is the poor infrastructure. Electricity goes off andon at different times and the road system is mostly dirt roads that take a lot of time to negotiateavoiding large potholes along the way.On a positive note is the enthusiasm of the young friars. The average age of these menis around 28 years. Vocations are strong. Their houses of formation are filled and the spirit ofthese friars is what makes a visit to their Province memorable.Please remember these friars in your prayers as they work for a stronger unity and reconciliationin the DRC.8Sacred Heart ProvinceA New InitiativeSubmitted by: Joe Rogenski, O.F.M.FMU director Sacred Heart Province

Province of our Lady of GuadalupeAlbuquerque, New MexicoA New VentureAs you may well know, our Southwestern Province has a focus on ministry to the NativeAmericans and Hispanics of the Southwestern USA. The friars of St John the Baptist Provincecame to this area over one hundred years ago and now our OLG friars have continued to serve thesepeople since our establishment as a Province in 1985. We care for the New Mexico Native AmericanPueblos of Santo Domingo, Cochiti, San Felipe, Jemez, Zia, Laguna, Acoma,Isleta, and Zuni. We also minister on the Navajo Reservation which is locatedin both Arizona and New Mexico.With a total membership of 65, one would wonder why and how wewould even consider a new ministry venture? Perhaps it should be viewedas our attempt at tithing. Instead of giving a percentage of monies to theChurch, we are giving one of our valued friars to another ministry outside ofour normal recognized areas of ministry.Our Dale Jamison approached the provincial administrationabout the possibility of offering his services to the Diocese of Phoenix(AZ) as their Director of Native American Ministries. Within that diocesethere are three Reservations: The Gila River Indian Community:Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community; and the Papago. TheReservations have seven missions but no resident priest. The diocesewould either send a deacon or a retired priest to these places for SundayMass but it was becoming increasingly difficult for them to continue.Our Province supported Dale in his desire to work for the Diocese of Phoenix as their NativeAmerican Ministries Director and so he began his journey three years ago. I had occasion to spenda weekend with him back in November of this year and I have to saythat I was truly impressed with both his dedication and with the truelove and devotion that the people have for their Catholic faith. On thisparticular weekend I traveled a total of 160 miles with him as we visitedthree of the seven missions. The churches were full of enthusiasticpeople. They were happy to be able to celebrate and pray togetherwith their priest. Dales’ weekend schedule starts as early as 6:00 AMand quite often ends no earlier than 8:00 or 9:00 PM. When he is notat one of the Reservations in one of the missions he is at his office at the Chancery in downtownPhoenix.Dale says that the door is “always open” for any friar who wishes to minister among the NativeAmerican Community in the Diocese.Submitted By Bruce Michalek OFM9

Province of St. Joseph, CanadaTHE BROTHERS OF MADAGASCARA GROWING COMMUNITYThe year 2008 was a year of grace for the brothers of Madagascar. We had a varietyof celebrations which underlined the formation stages of the brothers. On August 9th 2008,seven brothers made their Solemn Profession.The next day, five of them were ordained deacons. Then, on September 16th, elevenyoung men began training as postulants, and the next day, four novices made their firstprofession. On October 4th, seven young postulants began their novitiate, one of whom, aMauritian, will follow his formation programme in Madagascar. All this shows that we areincreasing in numbers. Our three existing fraternities are full. We need to proclaim the GoodNews where we are not yet present. So this year we will settle in another diocese, that ofTsiroanomandidy. It is possible that we shall establish ourselves for pastoral services withimmigrants and for other pastoral activities among the poor. One sees that work is not lacking.There are many things to plan for this new site: acquisition of the house, furniture, etc.Moreover, thanks to the help of our brothers from three Franciscan provinces: TheThree Companions (Fronco‐Belge), Trento (Italy) and St Joseph (Canada), we were able tobuy a ten hectare plot of land to help with our self‐sufficiency. For we must feed our brothersand share with the poor. This year we have already begun to use it as best we can. Wehope to harvest rice, maize and beans, which will help our local resources. We should liketo improve our operations so that the land produces more. We also want to start plantingfruit trees on this new land. But to achieve this, we should need a start‐up fund. We shall beobliged to hire workers so that the harvest will be good and we still lack the tools to workwell. Our little garden Antananarivo gave us a good harvest of vegetables and litchi. Ourfruit tree gave a good harvest and so did the vines.Brother Pascal Rivo, OFMCustos of MadagascarOUR MISSION PROJECTSThese are the brothers of the Province of St Joseph of Canada involved in missionary projects abroad.MADAGASCARBrother Alain Bouchard, OFM‐Evangelization ‐ Formation in Franciscan religious life; ‐ Ministry (various parishes);‐Assistance to poor families; ‐ Assistance to widows, widowers and their children; ‐Support for lepers;‐Project with youth (by song); ‐Education (schools in the parishes).10

PERUBishop Alberto Campos, OFM, Brothers Jacques Lalonde, OFM,Pacifique Dubé, OFM, Manuel Kato, OFM, Bonaventure Dureau,OFM, and Rev. Fr. Louis Castonguay.Evangelization;‐ Formation in Franciscan religious life; ‐ Training ofpastoral agents;Ministry (different parishes); ‐ Assistance to poor families; ‐ Supportfor lepers; ‐ Solidarity with natives.Project of the Franciscan Order: preservation and protection of theAmazon. This vast expanse of tropical forest which covers nine countriesof South America (including Peru) is home to indigenous peopleswho live from nature and to a diversity of fauna and flora.The Amazon is considered to be the lungs of the Earth. Unfortunately,the Amazon forest is the most sought after in the world becauseof its exploitability (agriculture, natural resources, etc.)The Franciscans, in their last General Chapter held in Assisi in 2009,decided to put their best efforts into protecting this great countryfor the future of the South American peoples and the Planet.KENYABrother Jacques Saint‐Yves, OFMEvangelization; ‐ Formation in Franciscan religious life; ‐ Ministry; ‐ Assistance to poor families;Support for women in prison and their children; ‐Support for self‐help group of women Franciscans ofBongani (wheat mill); ‐Group support and sharing to find ways of reducing poverty; Help young people.IN AFRICAProject of the Franciscan Order: Collaborate and support the brothers in Africa.At the Synod for Africa (October 2009), Pope Benedict XVI said that the economic and human developmentin Africa must be “respectful of local culture and environment”, recalling the encyclical PopulorumProgressio of Paul VI and the role of missionaries. They have followed this “logic” in Africa for the lastforty years, “the only one which can successfully combat hunger and disease”, said Benedict XVI (Source:Agence France‐Presse).HAÏTIFather Raymond Mailhiot, OFMEvangelization ‐ Formation in Franciscan religious life; ‐ Ministry (parish); ‐ Training of pastoral agent;Assistance to poor families; ‐ Help for young people.Submitted by Gilles Bourdeau OFMProvince of Canada11

Provincial Secretaries for Missionary EvangelizationAssumption BVM Province: Hugh Zurat, OFM 3800 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL 60659,Home/Office: 773-539-4042 Cell: 773-398-2122, E-Mail hugzur@aol.comChrist the King Province: Anthony Gonzalves, OFM Franciscan Missionary Union, PO Box 220, Lumsden, SK. S0G3CO, CANADA Friary: (306) 731-3316, Cell Phone: (306) 596-2018, E-Mail: johnt@st-michaels-retreat.sk.caHoly Name Province: Russell Becker, OFMFranciscan Missionary Union, 4 Jersey Street, East Rutherford, NJ 07073-1012Office: (888) 372-6478. Cell Phone: (917) 562-6830 E-Mail: nyce1999@msn.comThomas Cole, OFM Same Address as above, Email: FriarBTC@aol.comImmaculate Conception Province: Jim Goode, OFM Franciscan Missionary Union, 125 Thompson Street,New York, NY 10012 Friary: (212) 868-1847, Office: (212) 674-5490, E-Mail: FMUICProvince@aol.comOur Lady of Guadalupe Province: Bruce J. Michalek, OFM PO Box 12395, Albuquerque, NM 87195Office: (505) 877-8006, Cell: (505) 980-9409. E-Mail: bruceofm@aol.comSacred Heart Province: Joe Rogenski, OFM Franciscan Missionary Union, 3140 Meramec Street, St. Louis, MO63118-4339 Office: (314) 655-0547, Home: (314) 353-7470, Cell: 314-495-3224, E-Mail: fmushp@aol.comSt. Barbara Province: Max Hottle, OFM St.. Francis de Paula Friary, 303 Encino Street, Tularosa, NM 88352Office/Home: 575-585-2793, Cell Phone: 575-937-2067, E-Mail: max_hottle@yahoo.comSt. John The Baptist Province: Vincent Delorenzo, OFM Franciscan Mission Office, 1615 Vine Street, Cincinnati,OH 45202-6400, Office: 513-641-2257, Home: 513-541-2146, E-Mail: Vincedel@franciscan.orgSt. Joseph Province: Gilles Bourdeau, OFM Franciscan Friary, 5750 boul. Rosemont, Montreal, Quebec H1T 2H2,CANADA Friary: 514-259-6911, E-Mail: bourdeaugilles@yahoo.caProvince of Ireland: Ulic Troy, OFM Franciscan Missionary Union, 8, Merchant’s Quay, Dublin, 8, IRELANDOffice: (011) 353-1-677-7658, Friary: (011) 353-1-677-1128, E-Mail: ulic@eircom.netProvince of Malta: George Bugeja, OFM Franciscan Missionary Office, St Anthony Str., Ghajnsielem Gozo,GSM 9024, MALTA Friary: (00356) 2155-6095, Cell: 3569-9807594, E-Mail: gorgbugeja@yahoo.co.ukProvince of England: Edmund Highton, OFM Franciscan Friary, Bl John Duns Scotus, 270 Ballater Street, GlasgowG5 OYT, SCOTLAND Friary/Office: (011)0131-661-2185, E-Mail: edhighton@yahoo.comESC Provincial Liaison: John Hardin, OFM (St Barbara Province) Franciscan Friars, 1500 34th Avenue,Oakland CA 94601 Office: (916) 443-5717, E-Mail: jhardinofm@gmail.comTowards A Franciscan Missionsry Spiritis published by the Interprovincial Secretariate for Missionary Evangelizationof the English Speaking Conference of the Order of Friars MinorEditor: Fr. George Bugeja OFMSt. Paul the Apostle Province, Maltaemail: gergbugeja@yahoo.co.uk12