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| Stories from Missions |
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In the course of the year letters from many missionaries cross my desk. They arrive from a wide variety of developing countries. Each one recounts details of the misery and sacrifices made by our poor brothers and sisters in those places. While it is practically impossible for us to solve all the socio-economic problems that are the causes of this deplorable condition, I would like to share with you on this page stories as they are told by the men and women of God who serve our poor brothers and sisters in those far-away places so as to make them more present to you and to offer you the opportunity to alleviate at least part of this suffering. In other words, to become missionaries right from the “home front”, reaching out to those in need.
Let me begin by giving you a story of my own missionary vocation.
When I was a young boy – which seems eons ago - there was a song that I used to love to hear and sing entitled “Faraway Places” by Vera Lynn. I would sit alongside my cousin who knew how to play the piano and we would belt out the song as I dreamed about those “Faraway places, with the strange sounding names- Far away over the sea. Those faraway places with the strange sounding names, are calling, calling me!”
I think even from that time God was planting in my heart the desire to serve Him in our brothers and sisters in the foreign missions - Poor people who needed to hear His word and receive the consolation of knowing that He is our Father and does care for us.
And so, as the years went by and I actually entered the seminary, that desire grew even more ardent within me. I ended up serving in the Missions of Latin America in Argentina and Peru for the better part of 26 years.
We say that God writes straight with crooked lines. I can attest to that fact. Here I thought I was evangelizing the poor in foreign lands as a missionary, and in reality the poor were actually evangelizing me. They preached, by their daily lives and attitude, and without eloquent words, the Gospel of love as taught by Jesus.
Now this missionary finds himself by God’s design “behind a desk”, yet still very much involved with the Mission of the Church, bringing the plea of our brothers and sisters to many who perhaps would be unaware of their plight. Will you help me continue this work of the Gospel? Reach out to them by your prayers and sending a donation to further the work of Evangelization in those “Faraway Places” Thank you so much.
Fr. Saviano
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Kindly Remember the Propagation of the Faith in your Will or Endowment |
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| Twenty Five Cents |
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In the 1950’s Archbishop Fulton Sheen was already a TV perso-nality. Every Tuesday night he hosted the program “Life is Worth Living”. Never losing an opportunity to encourage the Faithful viewers to keep the Missions in mind, he once asked us to send “even if it were only 25 cents” to him for the Missions. But, then, adding with that twinkle, so typical of his Irish eyes: “but if you want, you can wrap it up in nice green paper”.
At ten years old, I was already enamored of the prospect of being a future missionary in foreign lands. So I decided right then and there to send him 25 cents and I also wrapped it up in a nice green crisp dollar bill.
I did it half jokingly (the 25 cents bit), but felt that my dollar contribution was a joyful contribution to help missionaries in the world.
Well, you can imagine my surprise when I received a thank you note for that small bit. But, that is how Archbishop Sheen did things. No one was too small, nor any effort to support the missions, too insignificant for him not to respond with gratitude in God’s name.
May I invite you also to send “25 cents “wrapped up in nice crisp green paper?” or a credit card donation, even though you can’t wrap it up?
You, too, will feel that great satisfaction.
Fr Saviano |
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