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Full Stories - February 2008

Lent 2008 Meditation Series – (Feb. 13 - March 19)

Missionary Societies meeting with Pope on Nov. 16 – see story & pictures

From November 15 - 17, Frs. Jack Lynch sfm and Michael Traher sfm, the superior general and vicar general of Scarboro Missions, attended a three day meeting in Rome of the superiors of the pontifical missionary societies of apostolic life that fall under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples at the Vatican.

The meetings were called and presided over by Ivan Cardinal Dias the Prefect of the Congregation, Archbishop Robert Sarah, Secretary of CEP and Fr. Joseph Koonamparampil, a canon lawyer who is the liaison for all of the missionary societies of Apostolic life (MISAL's).

This was the first time in recent history that a meeting has been called that allowed the officials of the Congregation and members of leadership of the MISAL's to meet, get to know each other and initiate an exchange. The theme for the gathering is summed up in the title of address that Archbishop Sarah gave to the participants: Mutual Relationship: CEP - MISAL's: Partners in Mission; expectations, concerns, observations.

On Friday morning, the entire group had an audience with Benedict XVI. In his address the Pope expressed his gratitude for the generous contribution of all the societies toward the missionary outreach of the church. He acknowledged that one of the promising indications of a renewal in the church's missionary consciousness has been the growing desire of many lay men and women to cooperate generously in the 'missio ad gentes'.

The next meeting of the leaders of the mission institutes will be in Abuja, Nigeria.

See pictures of meeting with the Pope

Large gathering for Thanksgiving Mass on Nov. 4 – see pictures from that day

2008 Magazine Calendar and Year-at-a-Glance Calendar still available (images of all 12 months of the Magazine Calendar available)

LAY MISSION OFFICE NEWS

Kate O'Donnell's support visit to Malawi (November 2007)

By Scarboro Lay Mission Coordinator Kate O'Donnell

In November I visited our missioners in Malawi and had a wonderful time experiencing a different culture and meeting different people. Our missioners are involved in many things and I was very impressed by the gift of their presence to everyone they come in contact with. Our missioners are involved mostly in teaching, but their every day interaction with the people of Malawi is a great witness to their Christian faith. Our missioners are open and approachable, and people of Malawi are quick to pick up on this. As I observed the interaction of our missioners I was reminded that indeed "to be is a blessing".

See other pictures in the Photo Gallery

Mary Olenick's support visit to Guyana (December 2007)

By Lay Mission Co-coordinator Mary Olenick

This was my first visit to Guyana and, I must say, I enjoyed it immensely. It was great to share in the lives of our missioners, to see first hand what they are doing in mission and interact with some of the local people. I was especially touched by all the young children in a Day Care Center and Orphanage that one of our missioners works in. It was wonderful to watch Scarboro Missioner Miriam Wheeler come alive with the young children and to watch Scarboro priest, Fr. Russ Sampson, as he celebrated Mass. His face would light up and the people, both young and old responded.

Although I didn't see Scarboro Missioner Beverly Trach in her work place because her mission is in Brazil, I did have a chance to listen to her relate her experiences through pictures and stories. Her good instincts and patience in working with street kids and adolescents and her great sense of humor shone through as I listened to her. Each of the missioners, although very different, has a beautiful way of reflecting Christ and it was very evident that the work that they're involved in is life giving to them.

See other pictures in the Photo Gallery

Are we making a difference?

by Mary Olenick
Co-coordinator
Lay Mission Office

The following two emails were received by Betty Ann Martin (former Scarboro missioner) from one of her students, Bubile Ngwira, whom she taught at Marymount High School in Mzuzu, Malawi in 2002. Betty Ann was missioned to Malawi from 2002 - 2005.

My name is Bubile Victoria Ngwira, I was a student at Marymount and I graduated in 2002. I cannot tell you how your article "Out of Africa" touched my heart. I can relate completely to the frantic studying to pass exams that are part of Marymount. I was that girl five years ago. My mentors - Mr Chituzu, Sister Yolanda, Sister Hellen, Mrs Nyirenda, Mr Banda, the boarding mistress and all my other teachers - helped to shape and mentor me to be the person I am today. I am happy to know that a generation of Marymount girls have benefited from your compassion and caring.

If you still have students, tell them that those cold 3:00AM mornings are all worth it in the end, and that the friendships and sisterhood that they build at Marymount never dies, and also that they should all keep dreaming for bigger and better things. I will graduate from Missouri State University (in Springfield Missouri, U.S.A.) December 2007 and as I look forward to the journey ahead of me, I look back and I see my shining past... shining, only because Mr Chituzu took the time to pound those History dates in my head and Sister Yolanda took the time to sit and help me... just like you have been doing with your students. Marymount is a pad that launches you into the stars... it all depends on how willing the student is to jump.

If you can, pass this thanks to all the teachers, the headmaster or headmistress, the nurse, the boarding mistress and the Sisters who help shape the lives of Marymount girls everyday. It is a hard and difficult road but one that I am happy to have gone through. The teachers at Marymount have success stories spread all over the world. The girls who have been through Marymount will never forget it. I will never forget it.

Thank you so much for what you do and have done.
Your sincerly,
Bubile Ngwira
Marymount graduate
Form 4 (Grade 12) class of 2002

Thanks for writing me back. I was actually really surprised to hear from you since I had just sent that e-mail. For me, I have always considered Marymount the place that I started. At Marymount, they introduce a lot of things to you, the most important being the ability to dream. If only you work hard, play hard and live, then you will succeed.

I am a Biology/Microbiology major at Missouri State University. I will be graduating in December 2007 and plan on going to graduate school and possibly pursuing a PhD in my field. My research interests are pathogenic bacteria since I have always wanted to stay in the Medical field. I currently work in the laboratory at St Johns, one of our local hospitals so I am definitely getting experience with disease causing bacteria. I am happy here and plan on moving to Chicago to complete my graduate work before making plans to possibly teach in a Malawian medical college (that's a ways down the road).

Sadly, I haven't been back to Malawi for almost 5 years. I am excited to be returning to Malawi next year in June for my wedding though. It will be a great opportunity to show my fianc., who is from Missouri, my roots. Marymount is definitely top on the list of places to show him. I am hoping some of the teachers I remember so dearly are still there.

Marymount has so many success stories, I am only a footnote... I have contacted so many of my old classmates on the Internet. Some are in the UK, South Africa, Germany, and many stayed home. There are some girls who are now doctors, accountants, engineers, clinicians and even the best dance choreographer there ever was (I am biased since she is a close friend). I am not the only Marymount graduate in Missouri... Ellen Mdebwe who graduated a class behind me is doing amazingly at Missouri State. I believe she is studying international business and economics. All we have to do is introduce a Marymount hall of fame and you will find proud, strong amazing women who have Marymount to thank.

Marymount is an experience, you grow up 10 years in the 4 years that you are there, but I have never met anyone who regretted it. I am glad your experience was positive and you would like to return (I hope you do).

Thanks Mama Kapenta
Bubile

The following article was written by Edmond Nyoka, presently in his 5th year at St. Peter's Major Seminary in Zomba, Malawi. Edmond was one of my (Mary Olenick's) students during his spiritual year at Christ the King Formation Center in Rumphi, Malawi. I taught his class English and Life Skills, Sr. Simkoko taught psychology and Fr. Longwe is the Director of the Formation Center and taught the spiritual components of their program.

I Am Because We Are

by Edmond Nyoka

There are many school drop outs in Malawi. If you ask them why they dropped out their answer is usually the same, "I lacked support." This lack of support can come in various ways, often, it's a lack of money for school fees or other material needs but sometimes, more importantly, it's a lack of support emotionally or spiritually. It is vital to me to have someone that I can talk with, to encourage me, pray for me and know there is someone who cares about me and what happens to me.

The year 2003 is an important year for me. It's the year I joined Christ the King Formation Center as a first step in my studies toward priesthood. I had enthusiasm but I was filled with doubts and weighed down by uncertainties, wondering if I was choosing the right path or not. The Resource Teachers at the Formation Center played a big part in helping me to decide whether priesthood was to be my lifetime vocation. This is not an easy decision to reach so I needed support. Often support from people would come in words such as "Chiuta wamuchemani, omerani na mtima wose" (God has called you, accept his calling whole heartedly). I felt encouraged and these words helped me make my decision to continue to discern priesthood.

Our English and Life Skills teacher must have known that the way to priesthood not only involves academic feeding but also other types. She never stopped encouraging us while we were at the Seminary for Philosophy for three years and now at the Theological Seminary. I especially remember her words to me, "Edmond, God would not call you and then leave you to fail. He will continue to guide you." Words of great wisdom indeed. She has been a source of inspiration to us seminarians and me in particular, giving me the assurance that I am not on this journey to priesthood alone. Her words gave me a spirit of perseverance.

The motto of our Christ The King Spiritual Center in Rumphi, "It takes the whole village to raise a child" is very true. Not all people can suckle the child, but they will in one way or another help in raising the child. This is support. I have learned that the support that has been given to me has had a very positive impact in my life and helped me to keep advancing and stay focused on what I'm doing and where I'm going.

I hope someday I can stand up and say I am because we are, referring to I am a priest through the grace of God because we are a people who stand together to help each other and work together to do the will of God.

In our human life, support is necessary. I thank God for all the people who have been and continue to be that support for me. A special thanks and farewell to Mary who returned to her homeland, Canada, in March. "Amoyo salekana" meaning the living never part.

Overcoming Challenges on Mission in Malawi

by Gwen Westwell

I am teaching grade 10 English grammar at Marymount Girl's Secondary School in Mzuzu, Malawi. The challenges of teaching three classes of 55 girls each can be overwhelming at times especially with limited educational resources and at times without electricity.

However, being a woman is a tremendous asset in building relationships from which to address the social, teenage and educational needs of the girls. As a woman, the girls seem to open up and share their problems with me more readily. Just to be present and listen to their concerns is mission at Marymount.

In addition to classroom teaching, I am leading the English Choir at Mass. My previous studies in music are a valuable asset here as I accompany the choir with my guitar and guide the girls in an effort to develop their musical range and understanding of singing in a choir.

by Michael Westwell

On a recent visit to Chivanga Primary School, I was overwhelmed by the spirit of the local people in their sincere desire to educate their children.

Our journey began at the Bishop's Administrative Offices in Mzuzu where we climbed aboard an all terrain vehicle. I soon realized why there is a need for this type of vehicle. I was jostled and thrown as if I were riding a roller coaster. Given the harsh conditions of the road, I am certain that if we had attempted this journey in the rainy season we would have been forced to return to Mzuzu. Driving through the beautiful Malawi countryside lifted my spirits as this day was quite cool and damp with light showers.

When we arrived at Chivanga Primary School the Head Teacher, Mr. Peter Mase, greeted us with a warm and welcoming smile. As I visited each classroom and greeted the children, they eagerly expressed a spirit of joy and excitement despite a total lack of books, desks, chairs, and electricity to provide lighting. Each classroom has an old and worn blackboard. Hand drawn maps posted on the wall provided the resources from which to teach Geography. None of the school buildings have windows or doors and the roof is a combination of plastic bags and straw thatch.

These innocent and beautiful children gave me hope for a better future. On this day the students were Eucharist for me. This was a blessing I will not soon forget.

Welcoming new Labourers in God's Field

By Kate O'Donnell and Mary Olenick

The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.....Matthew 9:37

We have five labourers discerning their call to work in God's field at Scarboro Missions in January 2008. It's always exciting to bring new life into the mission field. To walk with the candidates during their four month live-in Formation Program brings back happy memories for us, as we remember the familiar feelings of apprehension and excitement.

Our calendar for the four months has been prepared by Sharon Willan who has worked with us for the past six years. She has kindly consented to join us again this year to facilitate the spiritual component of the program.

Some of the components of the program that our candidates will be taking are Spirituality, Cultural Adaptation, Scripture, Social Analysis, Missiology, Trauma in Mission, Social Justice to name a few. Due to the fact that many of our mission places are not necessarily Christian, it is important to understand and appreciate other faith traditions. Therefore, our Formation Program also provides a workshop on Interfaith as well as visits to a Hindu Temple, Islamic Mosque and a Buddist Temple etc. Once a week they will also have a hands-on opportunity to work in Outreach to give them a feel for working with the marginalized.

The Formation Program is a time of continued discernment and to nourish, stretch and develop their unique giftedness. Living as part of Scarboro's community helps prepare them for the challenges of living and working as a team in overseas mission.

By our baptism, we are all called to be missioners. Some of us are called to minister to the world at home. Others are called overseas. Where is God calling you?

Are you interested in becoming a Scarboro Missioner?

Lay Mission work in October 2006 Magazine Issue

To read about the current Lay Mission work in the latest magazine issue, click here

INTERFAITH DESK NEWS

Scarboro Missions honoured by the North American Interfaith Network

The Scarboro Missions Interfaith Department has been chosen as one of eight interfaith organizations to be profiled at the 20th anniversary conference of the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) www.nain.org. It will be held at the University of San Francisco in July of this year, sponsored by the Interfaith Center at the Presidio.

Planners thought that during this retrospective celebration of the past 20 years of grassroots interfaith dialogue, they would do well to hold up good examples of the various new ways interreligious bridge-building is being done. When they asked people to suggest exemplary groups to profile, Scarboro Missions was nominated. Here is the criteria the planning committee worked from:

"Vital, successful organizations developing new approaches to multifaith relationship-building"

In the 20 years since the North America Interfaith Network started, thousands of local grassroots groups have organized across the continent. NAIN 2008 will profile eight from among the thousands, not because they are biggest or best, but because they seem to be doing exemplary work in new ways and we know about them. Had we more time at the conference, the list could have been much longer.

At the conference, Scarboro Missions will be invited to make a presentation of its work to a plenary audience of 200 people.

President of Mozambique accepts Golden Rule Poster

Mussie Hailu is board chair of the Interfaith Peace-building Initiative which is an Ethiopia-wide interfaith organization. Inspired by Scarboro's Golden Rule poster, Mussie has been promoting the Golden Rule concept across Africa and beyond. He has translated the poster into the dominant language of Ethiopia and has distributed 10,000 copies of it across the country.

On a recent trip to Mozambique, he presented the poster to the president of the country as well as to other important officials. Mussie also managed to get 1000 copies of the poster translated into Portuguese (an important language in Mozambique). Here is the e-mail we received from him.

"Dear friends at Scarboro Missions,

Greetings of peace, light and blessing to all of you from Ethiopia. This is to inform you that on my recent trip to Mozambique on behalf of United Religions Initiative to celebrate the World Religions Day, I presented the Golden Rule poster to the President of the country. I also presented a copy to the former President and the President of the opposition party of the Republic of Mozambique as part of the Peace award for maintaining the peace accord which they signed 15 years a go. The Golden Rule poster has been translated into Portuguese and 1000 copies printed through the compliments of one local printing house. The Proclamation of Golden Rule Day which is adopted by Interfaith Peace-building Initiative in Ethiopia was also endorsed, translated and presented to leaders in Mozambique and different religious organizations.

May Peace Prevail on Earth, Mussie.

Establishing a worldwide Golden Rule Day

Mussie Hailu is also regional co-ordinator of the United Religions Initiative, a planet- wide interfaith organization. He is trying to establish a worldwide Golden Rule Day. In a speech given last September during the International Day of Peace in Ethiopia, he called
"upon all citizens of the world, religious leaders of the world, mayors, heads of state of the world, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the League of Arab States, interfaith organizations, schools, higher learning institutions, the business community and civil society to join Interfaith Peace-building Initiative in Ethiopia in proclaiming Golden Rule Day".

Fr. John Carten's Japan Talk in latest Interfaith Series – see story & pictures

An Interfaith Series is usually presented in the spring and fall each year at the Scarboro Missions. In this last series was the interesting talk given by Scarboro missioner Fr. John Carten based on 25+ missionary years in Japan. Elegantly dressed in a kimono, he talked about "Discovering God in the Culture, People and Religions of Japan". In his Powerpoint presentation, Fr. John spoke about how he discovered the presence of God, far beyond the boundaries of the Catholic Church - in many aspects of the Japanese cultures, in his daily encounters with people and in various aspects of the richness and wisdom of other religions.

Besides his interesting talk, Fr. John displayed an impressive collection of Japanese paintings and souvenirs that he had received from parishioners and friends in Japan. Please enjoy the numerous pictures from his collection in our Photo Gallery with a good explanation of the displayed items. If some of the displayed items are of interest to you, further information can be found in the following websites:

• about kimono and various apparel (like the haori in #2 & 23): www.kimonosource.com
• about washi paper (#18): www.japanesepaperplace.com and select About Japanese Paper/About Washi/.

A strong connection continues between the Scarboro priests (back from Japan) and the local Japanese. The Toronto Japanese-Catholic Community has been gathering at the Scarboro Missions since 1979. On the second Sunday of each month, Mass is celebrated in Japanese by one of the Scarboro priests who have spent many years in Japan - such as Fr. John Carten, Fr. Tom O'Toole, Fr. Alex McDonald and Fr. Jim Gauthier. A writeup of our 25th Anniversary in June 2004 is in the 2005 March issue of the Scarboro Magazine www.scarboromissions.ca/Scarboro_missions_magazine/Issues/2005/March/celebrating.php

13 Golden Rule texts translated into Portuguese

The thirteen Golden Rule texts on the Scarboro Missions Golden Rule poster have been translated into Portuguese and are now available on the Scarboro website along with French, German, Italian and Spanish translations. The Portuguese translation is the fruit of the collaboration of individuals from three continents; this effort was coordinated by Scarboro missioner, Fr. Ron Macdonell of Brazil.

Building a Global Interfaith Community – Jan-Feb 2007 issue

This special edition of Scarboro magazine reports on the international interfaith activity of the Catholic Church. The reader is taken on a journey from Egypt to Rome, Canada, Guyana, the United States and to Africa and across Asia. With inspiration from the last four Popes, Catholics around the globe are embracing interfaith dialogue and often in leadership roles. Read articles from this Jan-Feb 2007 issue.

Golden Rule Curriculum for Schools

This comprehensive and well-organized curriculum can be used in public, religious and private schools as well as by Sunday school teachers, home-schooling parents, scout leaders and other youth educators. Read more

Learn more about Interfaith Resources

There is a wealth of information about Interfaith Dialogue (e.g., Golden Rule, Teaching Models, Guidelines for Dialogue) on this web site. Read more...

JUSTICE AND PEACE OFFICE NEWS

Make Poverty History News: Over 11,000 Canadians help move the Better Aid Bill forward in the Senate

Over 11,000 Canadians signed onto a Make Poverty History petition that helped the Better Aid Bill pass second reading in the Senate on December 12th. The Better Aid Bill (C-293, Official Development Assistance Accountability Act) proposes to put poverty reduction at the centre of Canada's aid spending in the future.

The Bill is now being considered by a Senate committee and then has to go back to the Senate to pass third reading before becoming law. There is fear than an election may be called which would result in the Bill having to start the process all over again with a new Parliament. Supporters of the Bill are in a race against time to get the Bill for final voting in the Senate as quickly as possible.

Go here to learn more and find out how you can help.

Make Poverty History December 19th update: Congratulations – you did it!! Better Aid Bill Moves Forward

Make Poverty History January 23rd update: The Better Aid Bill - what happens next?

Pope Benedict XVI's Message for 2008 World Day of Peace

In his 2008 World Day of Peace Message, Pope Benedict encourages reflection on The Human Family, A Community of Peace. Pope Benedict describes the family as "the first and indispensable teacher of peace" and source of inspiration for the peoples of the earth who are "called to build relationships of solidarity and cooperation among themselves, as befits members of the one human family": He calls the human family to stewardship of the environment and of the earth's energy resources, to "a prudent use of resources and an equitable distribution of wealth", as well as to disarmament and dismantling of nuclear weapons.

Read the 2008 World Day of Peace Message here.

Canada bows to pressure at final negotiations of UN climate conference

Teachers K-12: Resources on Climate Change and other Environmental Topics

Looking for lesson plans, activities, games and stories for teaching about climate change and other environmental topics? The KAIROS Re-energize campaign has a section at Zerofootprint Kids where teachers can find resources on global warming, pollution, energy, transportation, water and other topics arranged by class level. Go here for teacher resources.

There is also a Zerofootprint Kid's Calculator which measures a child's ecological footprint. This child friendly version involves answering some lifestyle questions after which a child can discover how much carbon, land, water and trees are needed to support the lifestyle in comparison to the average Canadian. Go here to Zerofootprint Kids Calculator.

Adults and youth can measure their ecological footprint as well at Re-energize. Go here.

KAIROS News: Re-energize – Time for a Carbon Sabbath

"Our addiction to oil is killing people and the planet ... sometimes slowly through the degradation of the air that we breathe and the ecosystems on which we all depend, and sometime quickly as a result of human rights abuses and conflict over the control and use of fossil fuels. Are there alternatives?" Visit the new KAIROS campaign website www.re-energize.org to discover more about our dependence on fossil fuels and how we can change ourselves, change our communities, and help change our world as together we re-energize.

The KAIROS campaign Re-energize: Time for a Carbon Sabbath looks at the role oil plays in our individual and community lives to see how we might take a "Carbon Sabbath" and reduce our reliance on oil. It proposes that we critically examine how fossil fuels are supported in government policy and with taxpayer dollars. KAIROS calls on the Canadian government to conduct an audit of subsidies to the fossil industry in order to determine if they contribute to ecological destruction, human rights abuses, and conflict around the world. The campaign includes a call for binding legislation to hold energy corporations operating overseas accountable for human rights and environmental abuses committed in the course of their work.

The re-energize website includes the campaign advocacy action as well as various education and faith resources. Find a "Carbon Sabbath" bible study, planning notes for a "100 Mile" church picnic or harvest dinner, and an outline for a 12 hour Power Down Day or "energy fast." Go here to learn more.