SENT FORTH

October 2000

Return to Table of Contents
Print Article

On April 30, 2000, at a special missioning ceremony in the chapel, seven new lay missioners signed their contracts with Scarboro Missions after completing Scarboro’s four-month lay preparation programme for cross-cultural mission. Printed here are their commitment statements read aloud in the presence of family, friends, the Scarboro community, and all who had been involved in the candidates’ preparation.

MERV AND SONIA MICHALYSHEN

MISSIONED TO RUMPHI, MALAWI

Jesus calls, “Follow me, the harvest is rich but the laborers are few.”

I, Sonia, I, Merv, respond to this call. I make my commitment to serve God as a Lay Missioner with Scarboro Missions in Malawi, Africa, for the next three years.

I make this commitment to God with humbling gratitude for God’s generosity in giving me so many of life’s gifts and blessings.

I make this commitment to the Scarboro Missions community here in Canada and throughout the world.

I make this commitment to my parish community of Holy Redeemer in Winnipeg that gave me encouragement and offered prayers during my entire discernment.

I make this commitment to all my friends and to those who have guided me, that their faith in me shall be fulfilled.

I make this commitment especially to my loved ones—to my family, children and grandchildren, that they may come to better learn of God’s purpose.

I make this commitment with my life partner Sonia/Merv, who has been my inspiration and guide throughout our missioning preparation.

I pray that we as partners in mission will reflect the spirit of being like Jesus: to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with God and the people in Malawi.

I ask that Jesus give me compassion. When I hesitate to be with another, strengthen me. When I question the quality of my presence, assure me. When I want to show my worth through action, humble me. When I miss the needs of the one who suffers, awake me. When I forget the beauty of loving presence, remind me. When I run away from the call to be there, bring me back.

MARGARET (MAGGIE) SMITH

MISSIONED TO NEW AMSTERDAM, GUYANA

I, Margaret Smith, in the presence of my Creator and before my family, friends and the Scarboro community, commit myself to journey with the people of Guyana for three years.

The Reign of God is most present when Christians live according to Gospel values. In all that I undertake I will strive to do this. I offer my heart and my hands and I say “Here I am Lord.”

CYNTHIA CHU

MISSIONED TO BEIJING, CHINA

Christ said, “It was not you who chose me but I who chose you to go forth and bear fruit.”

In response to these words, I, Cynthia Chu, commit to serve Christ as a Scarboro lay missioner in China for the next three years.

I make this commitment to the members of the Scarboro community who are here today and to those who are serving in mission in various parts of the world; to my family, friends and the St. Ignatius Loyola parish community who have supported and encouraged me in my decision to serve as a lay missioner; and to those who have guided me on my journey in the past four months, that their faith in me and my mission work in China will be fulfilled.

I ask your prayers that the Holy Spirit will be with me always to strengthen me, and that I may, as a Scarboro missioner, live the beatitudes and follow Christ’s command to “love one another as I have loved you.”

CAROLYN BEUKEBOOM

MISSIONED TO RIOBAMBA, ECUADOR

I, Carolyn Beukeboom, with the grace of God, in the presence of family, friends and this community, commit myself for three years to serve as a lay missioner with Scarboro Missions.

I embark on this journey with the spirit of love, joy and support from my parents, other family members, and friends.

I bring with me their strength, hope, wisdom and courage as I go to serve the people of Riobamba in Ecuador.

It is my hope to be a presence and shining light to all those I encounter along this path. Through the inspiration of Mother Teresa I want to do ordinary things with extraordinary love.

I look forward to walking in faith with the people of another culture and know that they have much to share with me in their struggles, dreams and joys of life.

I am grateful to God who has opened my heart to this ministry and who has given me many gifts to be shared with others. May I always remember, “I have the strength for everything through Christ who empowers me.”

BARBARA DEG

MISSIONED TO RUMPHI, MALAWI

The Lord called and said: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you and before you were born I dedicated you. To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.”

I, Barbara Deg, stand before you to make a commitment to God and to Scarboro Missions to serve my brothers and sisters in Malawi for three years as a lay missioner.

It is only because of friends and family living out their call to mission that I am able to answer this call. This is not only my commitment to mission, but it is the direct result of your commitment to mission. You are the ones who taught me to love and serve. You laughed and cried with me and have supported me wholeheartedly in my journey. I will treasure all these things and try to pass on what I’ve learned to the people of Malawi.

Someone once said that life is a dance and God calls the time. God changes the tune and our dancing partners throughout our life.

I now look forward to seeing what this really means by becoming a part of Malawi’s ‘Dancing Church.’

MARY OLENICK

MISSIONED TO RUMPHI, MALAWI

I, Mary Olenick, stand here today with humility, in the presence of God, my family, my friends and the Scarboro community to commit myself to serve for the next three years as a lay missioner with Scarboro Missions. The past four months have been a sacred time of preparation. I look forward to new challenges and privileged moments, which I am sure I will experience.

I see myself as a simple earthen vessel with all its flaws and imperfections. As I embark on this journey in faith and solidarity with the people of Malawi, I look forward to learning and sharing in the daily struggles of their lives and to be a quiet, gentle, peaceful presence to the people.

I am reminded of the words of Mother Teresa, “The important thing is not to do a lot or to do everything. The important thing is to be ready for anything, at all times; to be convinced that when serving the poor, we really serve God. God has created us, so we do small things with great love.”

Lord, I offer you my hands, my feet, my eyes, my ears, my mouth and my heart. Let thy will be done. And I ask you, my family and friends, to pray for me as I journey in mission to follow God’s call.

Return to Table of Contents
Print Article