Franciscan Mission Service

Mission Monday: A Quinceañera at the Franciscan burn center

2012-01-23T06:00:00.014-05:00

Bolivian children recovering severe burns are sometimes brought to the Franciscan Social Center in Cochabamba to heal. Missioner Nora Pfeiffer, who lives at the center, shares with us this "Mission Monday" a recent special birthday celebration.

The 15th birthday girl and the cake made by Nora

Here in Bolivia, a girl’s 15th birthday is particularly special because it marks the transition into a new phase of life. Not everyone likes to have a big party (fiesta de quince años) but some girls choose to celebrate with lots of people and beautiful dresses etc.

One teenage girl is recovering at the center from being electrocuted one day while herding sheep. The electric company had not properly protected the cables and she stuck her stick into the grass and struck the cable which knocked her out completely. She lost her arm and parts of her toes, among other complications.

For her recent 15th birthday party, she asked me to be the “madrina de torta," which means I would bring the cake. We’ve known each other for quite a while now and have a good relationship, so I agreed.

The quinceañera and Nora

I had quite an experience of being madrina! I was stubborn and wanted to make the cake instead of buying it. My expectation was that there would be 15 or 20 guests, but I later found it would be as many as 70. Three of the kids helped me out a lot so in the end it all worked out, but what a labor of love it was.

At the party, I was so happy though to see the birthday girl all dressed up in her fancy dresses, surrounded by people who clearly admired her courage for continuing to live her life and overcome adversities daily.

She continues to play basketball whenever I take them to the court, and she is definitely enjoying being a teenager.

She teaches me that when the unexpected takes something away from you, that doesn’t mean that life ends there, rather you adjust and continue on.

To learn more about Nora's mission in Bolivia, read her blog A Walk in Bolivia.

Four Days in Bolivia - What Kitzi's Learned So Far

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

After arriving safely in Bolivia, our newest missioners started their Spanish-immersion classes at the Maryknoll Language Institute yesterday. In her first blog post abroad, Kitzi Hendricks summarized her experiences so far.

Kitzi dancing to traditional Bolivian music with her host family and neighbors in Cochabamba

Here’s what I’ve learned so far in Cochabamba:

1. Cows use the streets along with cars. They also reside in stables that have no fences and are about two feet from some of the busiest streets

2. I don’t know if there are any rules for driving here…if there are, there aren’t many. Drivers use their horns for everything. Nobody has the right of way. The roads don’t make sense at all. I don’t think there are any speed limits. There are no seatbelts.

3. Dogs sit in the middle of the street even when cars are coming. The cars avoid the dogs.

4. Bolivians LOVE their instant coffee.

5. Bolivians ALWAYS eat. I can’t even tell you the number of times that I’ve said “Estoy bien, gracias” y “Estoy lleno (I am full)” and pointed to my stomach. The food is amazing, but there’s only so much I can fit in my stomach! My host grandparents ask me multiple times, say “Servite”, and put the food in front of me. I usually abide for the first few times and then gratefully decline with a smile and a full stomach.

6. Llamas ride in boxes on top of cars. I’ll try to get a picture of it next time I see a car with llamas on the roof.

7. Besides in some showers, there is no hot water in Bolivia. The hot water in my shower, along with the showers of others, is powered by electricity.

8. Bolivians LOVE their Coca-Cola. I don’t think I’ve ever had so much soda in my life as I have in the past three days. Luckily, the Coca-Cola here tastes so much better than in the states because of the real sugar!

9. We have parrots here!

10. The fruit juice is unbelievable—peach juice, orange juice, mango juice. You name it. So wonderful. There's a fruit called Tumbo, that makes a really great fruit drink...my host dad Raul made it for lunch today.

11. Whenever you say goodbye, you say “Chao.” Never adios.

12. Greetings always include at least one kiss on the cheek. I’ve learned that if you shake a person’s hand, you kiss the left cheek once. If you give a hug, you give a kiss on the cheek as you go in for the hug and one as you go out of the hug.

To read more about Kitzi's mission, visit her blog Trials and Triumphs of a Songwriter...Serving in Bolivia.

A visit to the MLK memorial

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

Two of our domestic volunteers, Rachel Roa and Bridget Higginbotham, recently visited the new Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial here in Washington, D.C. Bridget offers a reflection on their experience.

Photo by Bridget Higginbotham

One benefit to volunteering is D.C. is that I am constantly surrounded by inspiration. From the beautifully spiritual people I've met through FMS, to the monuments and memorials dedicated to our nation's leaders and thinkers, my faith and I are forever being affirmed yet challenged at the same time. It's an extremely gratifying growth experience.

The MLK memorial is one of the most motivational places that I have visited since beginning my year of service in October (another great one was the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, only a few yards away.)

Like so many Americans, I was familiar with King "I Have A Dream" speech. The memorial is created to visualize a line toward the end that said, "With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope."

Photo by Bridget Higginbotham

King's image has been carved into a huge piece of rock dragged out of a looming mountain — he has physically become a stone of hope cut from a mountain of despair. The Lincoln Memorial is behind him — just as it was one he gave his famous speech — and from across the tidal basin he faces the Jefferson Memorial.

The designers intended that the when people visited King's memorial, they would learn something about King.The 450-foot granite Inscription Wall is engraved with fourteen of King's most notable quotes from other speeches, and these brief yet powerful and passionate messages changed my perspective of King. He work was not limited to the Civil Rights Movement in America. He wanted peace and justice for everyone. He wanted to change the world.

"I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three emails a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits." -Norway, 1964

Here are Rachel and I with the last of King's quotes. It says, "True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice." It was part of his last sermon delivered in Washington, DC at the National Cathedral in 1968, only four days before his assassination.

So many of King's quotes resonated with me because they aligned with the Franciscan and mission values I am learning at FMS.

This one reminds me of how our missioners are taught to respect the culture and beliefs of the people they serve.

"If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective." - Georgia, 1967

This one reminds me not only of my year of service, but of our missioner's commitment to lifelong mission in North America. By sharing their experiences on mission their new heightened understanding of "global solidarity" and our unity as one people on this earth, they have the power to change their community.

"Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country and a finer world to live in." - District of Columbia, 1959

I hope that as we celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we can all commit ourselves to live out his powerful, inspirational words.

Franciscan Friday: Prayer for Missioners

2012-01-13T06:00:00.052-05:00

Michael Redell

Kitzi Hendricks

Susan Slavin

Missioners Michael Redell and Kitzi Hendricks arrived in Bolivia today while Susan Slavin makes her final preparations for Kenya. As they begin their two-year mission journey abroad, please join us in praying the Franciscan Prayer for Missioners:

Lord, make our sisters and brothers serving in other countries instruments of your peace. . .

In the midst of conflict give them serene spirits.

Where there is hatred, let them sow love. . .

Grant that our missioners be bridges of reconciliation.

Where there is injury, pardon…

Make our missioners a truly healing presence.

Where there is doubt, faith. . .

Gift our missioners with absolute trust in your providence.

Where there is despair, hope. . .

Keep our missioners ever-mindful of your empowering presence in the world.

Where there is darkness, light. . .

Grant that the witness of our missioners illumine the way for all they encounter.

Where there is sadness, joy. . .

Keep the spirits of our missioners lifted by the grace of their vocation.

O Divine Master, may our missionary sisters and brothers not so much seek to be consoled as to console...

In the midst of the pain which they witness.

To be understood, as to understand…

In the trying reality of their missionary lives.

To be loved, as to love…

Each person without thought of class, race, or religion.

Help our missioners believe the all-important truth:

That in giving, they receive
That in pardoning, they are pardoned
And that in dying, they are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Mission Monday: Busting Myths

2012-01-09T05:00:00.001-05:00

Our Associate Director Mariam Mitry busts the myths she frequently hears about mission:

In the past couple months, I have had the pleasure of speaking with more than 100 students interested in volunteering internationally after they complete their undergraduate studies. I find that whenever I'm recruiting -- whether I'm talking to college students or retirees -- I hear the same myths over and over again, and it's time to clear them up.

MYTH 1: Mission is converting people to Christianity

With FMS, you train to serve in ways that are respectful of cultural and religious differences.

MYTH 2 : Mission is starting projects that the host country doesn't want or need.

With FMS, you serve with Franciscans in established ministries that local people invite you to join.

MYTH 3: Mission is just for priests and nuns.

Mission with FMS is for anyone committed to working for peace, solidarity and justice. In the past 20 years, FMS has sent more than 130 lay people to serve in 19 different countries.

MYTH 4: Mission is giving up two years of my life.

You'll learn more about yourself on mission. You'll build lasting relationships, deepen your faith life, and strengthen your communication and leadership skills - not to mention your cross-cultural awareness. What better way to prepare for a career in an increasingly multicultural society?

Mariam recruiting at Catholic University of America's Long Term Service Fair in November 2011

When I'm recruiting, I explain that St. Francis truly believed in journeying with those that are physically poor, and in peace and social justice. This is a tradition that FMS continues through our missioners.

One way I describe FMS is as a "Catholic Peace Corps." From there, I delve into talking about the incredible 13-week training we provide, the support we offer to missioners during their two-years abroad, and the partnership we have with religious Franciscans in the field that opens the door to amazing service opportunities.

I get most excited about potential missioners who are passionate about human rights, environmental justice, or they have a heart for a country where Franciscans are already working, such as Bolivia, Zambia, Kenya and Jamaica. With these people, I can see the possibilities for service forming in my mind.

Are you interested in learning more about serving overseas? Let us know and we'll get in contact with you.

We are currently accepting applications for our Fall 2012 formation group, who would leave for mission in January 2013.

First Christmas in Zambia

2012-01-06T10:46:00.000-05:00

As we wrap up the Christmas season, our missioner Sandra Bradford shares how she and her husband Bryce spent the holiday. In Zambia, they serve as high school teachers and help run the retreat center for the St. Francis Friary.

Our liturgical Advent celebration was a wonderful preparation for Christmas. I made new banners with the Alleluia verses for Mass from December 17 through December 24 (the “O Antiphons” of the office) and hung them one-by-one on the stand of the advent wreath on the proper day and sang the correct verse of “O Come, o come, Emmanuel” at the Alleluia.

The friary chapel with its African creche that Sandra decorated for Christmas.

Bryce helped me decorate the public areas of the friary—real greens over windows, Christmas tree with multicolored balls, and shiny garland on grates of doors and window. We put a small crib set on top of the TV and another one on the serving table in the dining room. Everything looked great.

Christmas morning we went for the 9 a.m., three-hour Mass at the parish. There were baptisms and first communions of school age children, including Justin, the 10-year-old son of our cook Jane. We gave him a card with K5,000—enough to buy a soda. The whole service was in Bemba—good thing we knew the readings and guessed at the content of the sermon. The singing was lovely, but I'm not sure what the specific meanings were. No Christmas hymns sung that I recognized the melody.

The rest of Christmas day was very quiet. The Zambian priests were at the mission stations until late in the evening.With very simple meals, no gifts, cards or holiday music in the house, I was lonely for family. Thank goodness we were able to talk some on Skype with my mom, dad and brother George in Florida, but the reception wasn't great so it was fairly short call.

Monday, December 26 was truly joyous! The Baptistine novices came over. They helped prepare for the “American” Christmas dinner I was cooking for the noon meal: ham, turkey, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, pineapple and cream cheese, cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts, squash, carrots with raisins, puff pastry appetizers (found at the grocery store in the freezer section by accident while I was looking for frozen green beans), with stuffed dates and an English style fruit cake for desert.

Our community was all in a festive mood, as were the guests. The friars had forgotten to tell me that they invited the Principal of our St. Francis High School and his family to join us. We needed to set up another small table at the last minute, but there was plenty of food for all twenty-two of us.

We received gifts of a live white rabbit from our mechanic Martin (we'll eat it after the leftovers from Christmas dinner are gone), and a homemade Christmas cake and bottle of wine from the sisters—we re-gifted the cake to Martin's family since the friars also received a cake and we helped them eat that one.

Not being clergyman's wife, I didn't realize that it's common for family celebrations to be delayed until the day after the Feast Day if you have a parish to care for—and obviously that included our priests as well. Next year I'll be better prepared for the contemplative December 25 and a celebratory December 26.

Sandra and Bryce will continue to serve in Kitwe, Zambia through 2013. You can support their mission with a gift to FMS today.

World Day of Peace: Educating Young People in Justice and Peace

2012-01-01T06:00:00.003-05:00

By Ryan Lothian

"Dear young people, you are a precious gift for society.

Do not yield to discouragement in the face of difficulties and do not abandon yourselves to false solutions which often seem the easiest way to overcome problems. Do not be afraid to make a commitment, to face hard work and sacrifice, to choose the paths that demand fidelity and constancy, humility and dedication.

Be confident in your youth and its profound desires for happiness, truth, beauty and genuine love! Live fully this time in your life so rich and so full of enthusiasm."
- Pope Benedict XVI's address for the celebration of the World Day of Peace 2012

On this Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Catholics across the globe pray together in the World Day of Peace. The theme for 2012 is “Educating Young People in Justice and Peace,” a perfect alignment with the mission and work of Franciscan Mission Service.

In the tradition of St. Francis and St. Clare, we promote peace and justice year-round. We engage in a mission of presence, accompaniment, and advocacy. Strong theological and cross-cultural training, we believe, lead to respectful and effective mission service.

In his address, Pope Benedict XVI talks about what it takes to become a peacemaker. "In order to be true peacemakers, we must educate ourselves in compassion, solidarity, working together, fraternity, in being active within the community and concerned to raise awareness about national and international issues and the importance of seeking adequate mechanisms for the redistribution of wealth, the promotion of growth, cooperation for development and conflict resolution."

We recognize these very needs and address them during our 13-week formation program for our missioners-in-training. Our missioners are taught that, when we enter other cultures, it is more important for the people to see us, get to know us, and to be known by us; this is the essence of a ministry of presence.

Rather than coming with the intention of implementing program after program, missioners who engage in a ministry of presence spend time with and listening to the people, empowering them to believe in themselves, to identify solutions, and to value their own opinions.

For the poor people in Bolivia, Zambia and South Africa, our missioner are the witnesses that the pope calls for, "[T]oday more than ever we need authentic witnesses, and not simply people who parcel out rules and facts; we need witnesses capable of seeing farther than others because their life is so much broader."

Michael Redell and Kitzi Hendricks, our newest missioners

As we joyously send two new young people into the mission field this month, we look forward to training more in the fall. It is our hope that in 2012 you continue to journey with us and lend your prayerful and financial support to Franciscan Mission Service, where lay people — of all ages — work for peace, justice and hope.

"All you men and women throughout the world, who take to heart the cause of peace: peace is not a blessing already attained, but rather a goal to which each and all of us must aspire. Let us look with greater hope to the future; let us encourage one another on our journey; let us work together to give our world a more humane and fraternal face; and let us feel a common responsibility towards present and future generations, especially in the task of training them to be people of peace and builders of peace." - Pope Benedict XVI

Are you discerning your call to promote justice and peace? Talk to us about going on mission.

Prayers for Christmas: Dreams and Goals

2011-12-31T05:00:00.175-05:00

"My hope for the new year is that everyone I love fulfills their dreams and goals."

- Sylvia, a student worker at the pastoral juvenil vocacional in Bolivia where missioner Lynn Myrick teaches English and coordinates a film series.

On this New Year's Eve, Franciscan Mission Service certainly doesn't believe that "old acquaintances should be forgot and never brought to mind".

In fact, we look forward to strengthening our partnerships and forming new ones in the new year. It is our dream to become a central point where the laity and religious can gather to share, celebrate and promote the Franciscan charism.

How we're working on these partnerships in 2012:

Potential new mission site: Our program director Rhegan Hyypio will travel to Brazil in May to meet with Franciscans to explore the potential of starting a new mission site there. Having sent missioners — including Rhegan — to Brazil in the past, we are very excited about the possibility of returning to serve its people again.
Franciscan Soup Suppers: Lay people and religious are invited to gather each month to socialize over soup and bread. There will also be a featured presentation on a Franciscan related theme, followed by small group discussion. The monthly gatherings will be held at Casa San Salvador (our DC headquarters). Join us for our first in the series on Sunday, January 29. All who are interested are welcome to join us from 5 to 7 p.m.
Franciscan Symposium weekend: We have a beautiful tradition of working with other mission-sending organizations for the joint formation of our missioners. Knowing the benefits of such collaboration, we hope to meet with other Franciscan full-time lay volunteer programs in a symposium this February.The two-day gathering will allow us all to dream and consider how we can collaborate our efforts to support Franciscan service and to share the Franciscan charism with the laity.

Please keep FMS in your prayers in 2012 as we strive to attain our dreams and goals. And as a reminder: It's not too late to show your support this year by making a tax-deductible donation.

May all of our friends — old and new, near and far— have a Happy, Healthy and Holy New Year!

Prayers for Christmas: Generous Heart and Perseverance

2011-12-30T05:00:00.060-05:00

Dan McNeil on mission in Novosibirsk, Siberia (1992-1995)

Today's prayer comes from returned missioner Dan McNeil who served in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia from 1992 to 1995.

“My prayer for the New Year is what I pray nearly each day: Lord, help me to be good soil; ready to receive you with a generous heart, to persevere and to bring you good fruit.”

While in Siberia, Dan worked with the social service organization Caritas constructing a home for children, processing and distributing humanitarian aid received from abroad, and supporting the work of volunteers to feed the homeless.

Local mission to North America as an essential part of the FMS program. Returned lay missioners seek ways to share the experience gained overseas with the Church and society.

When Dan came back from Russia, he worked in development for two nonprofit organizations that help people with mental illness to live as independently as possible – Guild Incorporated and The Guild of Catholic Women—before he founded his own organization in 1998.

The Peace Maker Foundation provides resources to schools to establish conflict resolution and non-violence programs for its students, and Dan currently serves as the executive director.

Because of his commitment to service and Franciscan ideals of simplicity, peacemaking, social justice, and respect for creation, Dan received the first Joseph Nangle, OFM, Lifelong Mission Award from FMS in 2009.

Deadline for tax-deductible donations: Dec. 31

2011-12-29T06:00:00.110-05:00

Original photo by Charles Thompson

Don't miss your chance to make a tax-deductible gift in 2011 and help us promote peace and social justice through Franciscan lay mission!

Donations made out to "Franciscan Mission Service" must be postmarked to P.O. Box 29034, Washington, DC 20017 or submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on December 31 to met the tax deadline.

FMS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so the full amount of your gift to us is deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Along with the acknowledgment of your gift, you'll receive in the mail a donation tax receipt with our tax ID number and a summary of your donations for the year which should be kept for your records.

Forbes has a great article with 12 tips for year-end charitable giving, and we'd be happy to answer questions about giving to FMS.

With your gracious contributions last year, we were able to:


Provide nutritional meals, health education, and a caring mentor for more than 400 children living in poverty in Bolivia.	Start a library and provide computer classes to improve literacy in an area where books are rare and computers are almost unheard of in Zambia.	Provide health care, companionship, and end-of-life care to hundreds of individuals living with AIDS in South Africa.

Today's prayer for Christmas comes from Rachel Roa, FMS development associate and domestic volunteer, who processes our donations.

"My prayer this Christmas and the New Year is that our supporters know how appreciated they are because we can not do much without them. Just like every family is supported by relatives and friends, we at FMS are supported by a huge extensive family. Whether it's the woman who can only give $1 or the couple that gives $3,000, there's more to a donation than just the check, there's somebody behind it. Each person's time and contribution is just as important as the next."

Prayers for Christmas: Life and Health

2011-12-28T06:00:00.054-05:00

"A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more." - Matthew 2:18/Jeremiah 31:15

Massacre of the Innocents

On this Feast of the Holy Innocents, the Church remembers the boys under the age of two near Bethlehem who were killed in Herod's fury.

Two thousand years later, innocent lives are still lost in massacres and genocides around the world.

Javier, a friend of returned missioner Kathy Snider, was wounded in a massacre just outside of his village of Santiago Ixcan at the height of the violence of the Guatemalan civil war in the early '80s.

Today he shares his prayer with us:

“My prayer for the New Year is that God will grant us more years to live and have good health for me and my family because life and health are the most important things we have.”

As a result of his injuries, Javier still sufferers from anxiety, headaches and gastritis. Last year he fell out of a tree, injuring his back and leaving him unable to walk for months. He is healing, but unable to lift heavy things. Javier and his wife Rosa have six children.

It is our hope that our missioners may continue to be instruments of peace by serving as healing presences and bridges of reconciliation.

Help support our peacekeepers through a gift this year.

Prayers for Christmas: Renewal

2011-12-27T06:00:00.103-05:00

Today's prayer comes from Lynn Myrick, a missioner currently serving in Bolivia:

"I am grateful that God continually renews the human spirit in the midst of suffering and struggle.

In the new year, I bless the efforts of all those who strive to renew the earth: artists, musicians, scientists, teachers, engineers, doctors and nurses — in the words of Adrienne Rich, 'those who age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power, reconstitute the world.'"


Bolivian flute player	Lynn and Joel, missioners/teachers	Agronomy student at UAC


Children dancing in Bolivia	Nurses at church ceremony in Bolivia	Lee, missioner, painting a creche

Franciscan Mission Service is blessed by the diverse talents of our missioners and their communities overseas. It is our hope that their presence in healthcare, education, ecology and church ministry will create channels of peace and beacons of hope abroad and in North America.

"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit." 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Have you considered using your gifts as a missioner overseas?

Prayers for Christmas: Wisdom and Strength in the New Year

2011-12-26T06:00:00.043-05:00

The Christmas liturgical season is just beginning! Join us through the new year in praying with our missioners and those they serve overseas.

Today's prayer for Christmas comes from Noemi, a teacher at an after-school program in Bolivia where our missioner Catherine serves.
“Lord, for the next year I ask you to continue to bless me, and to give me wisdom to change things that I can change, and to strengthen me to accept the things I can not change.
I pray that you bless and cover us with your mantle of prayer over all my family and friends and all the world, so that we behave as brothers and sisters of truth and receive a heart of love.”

It's not too late to add your own prayer to our wall.

Prayers for Christmas: Joy to the World!

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

"Joy to the world, the Lord is come!Let earth receive her King;Let every heart prepare Him room,And Heaven and nature sing,And Heaven and nature sing,And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing."

Share in our joy with our "Prayers for Christmas" video. May you have a happy, healthy, holy day filled with the love of Christ.

Prayers for Christmas: Why Christmas?

2011-12-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Original photo by Ambuj Saxena

"Why Christmas?

Our vision, our purpose, our goal: to know, to love, and to serve God.

To know God, to know the love between the Trinity, to know the Son, and through Him the Father, and the love that is the Spirit. To know the almighty, the creator, the everlasting, the all-knowing, the powerful. And to know that this person more powerful than earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, lightning, thunder, immense water falls, loves us individually, even to knowing the hairs on our head. He cares about each of us.

If we know these things about Him and so much more, how can we not love Him? He is the example of a perfect lover. We know that He loves us enough to have come to earth in a form we could easily relate to, a baby. He grew into a young man who lived a difficult life while he taught his apostles and disciples about heaven and His Father. He established a Church to sustain us throughout the ages. He even gave us the sacraments to maintain and encourage us. He died for us. So it should not be hard to love Him. And we can ask for His help in learning this loving as well as in our other problems and weaknesses in life.

And can we serve a God who we can know, who has shown us how He loves us and shows us that we can love Him? Christ has told us that we are to love God and love our neighbor. He has set out the Beatitudes to give us more specific guidelines. And He gave us the examples of His serving others during His own lifetime.

So, 'Why Christmas?' Perhaps because we need a yearly reminder of His love. Perhaps we need to recommit ourselves to the knowing, loving, and serving."

--Cecilia Marcy, FMS missioner, South Africa

Cecilia and her husband Tim are on their second mission with FMS. They currently serve AIDS patients at St. Francis Clinic in Johannesburg.

Franciscan Mission Service is so thankful for the loving service of the Marcys and all of our missioners overseas. We are grateful for all of our donors who allow us to continue to train and send missioners as lights of Christ to the poorest corners of the Earth.

We pray that you — our missioners, donors, partners and friends around the world— know the joy and hope of the Christmas season.

Prayers for Christmas: Witness of Love

2011-12-23T06:00:00.024-05:00

"This Christmas I am grateful that the love God showed the world in sending His Incarnate Son has been shown again to me personally in the grace of His sending me to witness to that Love, Jesus Christ, in Africa." - Sandra Bradford, missioner, Zambia

Sandra serves with her husband Bryce through a partnership with the Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs, OFMConv of Zambia. They are involved in a variety of ministries run by the friars of St. Francis Friary, including teaching at a local Franciscan high school of 700 students and helping prepare rooms and lead food safety lessons at the retreat center.

Through her teaching ministry, Sandra has learned that a dictionary is a precious thing in Zambia, costing three days' wages of a common laborer. The only dictionary in her English classroom is the one she carries so that her 100 students can look up the meanings of hard words they encounter in their brand new textbooks or magazines.

One morning, a bright student asked, "Mrs. Bradford, do you know the definitions of all the words in the dictionary by heart?"

Sandra answered that she knew most of the words in the articles and stories they were reading together. But just like her students, she had to use a dictionary to look up words used in science, math, economics and government. The girl said, "That's a relief. I was afraid I would have to memorize the whole dictionary, because I want to be an English teacher like you some day."

Help support Sandra and Bryce on mission in Africa by making a gift to FMS this Christmas.

Prayers for Christmas: Food and Health

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

We hear the Canticle of Mary, the Magnificat, in today's Gospel from Luke:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever."

Like Mary, we prepare for the coming of Christ this Advent and rejoice in all that God has done for us. As Christmas draws nearer, we continue to reflect on the prayers our own lowly servants, our missioners and the poor people abroad about whose journeys they have joined.

Soup at Tiqti Sud lunch program

Today's prayer comes from Bolivia, one of the poorest and least developed countries in Latin America. Dona Severina, is a cook at the lunch program at Tiqti Sud Chapel and Center which provides meals and snacks for children in need:

"My prayer for the New Year is that God may provide us with another year of health and food, enough to last the whole year."

FMS missioner Catherine Giller has worked at Tiqti Sud through her ministry at the Office of Social Program through the Franciscan parish of San Carlos. More than 400 children have been fed through the office's programs.

Help FMS continue to "fill the hungry with good things". Give a gift today.

Prayers for Christmas: Silent Night

2011-12-21T05:00:00.016-05:00

Today's prayer for Christmas comes from Rhegan Hyypio, FMS program director and returned missioner who served in Brazil from 2005 to 2007 and Bolivia from 2007 to 2008.

"May we truly hear the cry of the poor, hungry, sick, afflicted and marginalized in our midst this Christmas. And may we respond in love, acting with mercy and justice to help bring about that 'Silent Night' and New Creation that we all yearn for. Until that time comes, may God strengthen us to struggle onward for peace and justice."

Christmas celebration in Brazil, narrated by Rhegan Hyypio of FMS

While Rhegan was on mission in Brazil, the faith community came together for a wonderful Christmas celebration. Children played roles in the Christmas story and Rhegan narrated. Families brought food to share including fresh baked bread. One family even made the nativity scene or creche (which means "crib"), seen in the background of the photo.

The tradition of creche scenes and dramatizations were popularized by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 in an Italian town called Greccio. He wrote to his friend Giovanni (John) Vellita,"For I wish to recall to memory the little child who was born in Bethlehem. I want to set before our bodily eyes the hardships of his infant needs, how he lay in the manger, how with an ox and ass standing by he lay upon the hay."

The scene at Greccio was simple: a donkey, an ox and a figure of the baby Jesus laid under an alter in a cave - no Mary, no Joseph, no Magi.

When the town's people heard, they lit torches and candles and climbed the hill to the cave for midnight Mass where Francis preached a heartfelt sermon through song. "Francis viewed the celebration as a privilege and spoke of Christmas as a feast of gentleness, humility, generosity and above all poverty," say the Franciscan Friars, TOR.

The humiliation of the Incarnation overwhelmed Francis, who wanted to emphasize to others “how poor [Jesus] chose to be for our sakes.”

Help us humbly serve others born into poverty through a generous gift this Christmas.

Prayers for Christmas: More of God, Less of Us

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

John the Baptist spent his life announcing the coming of Christ. When Jesus was beginning his public ministry, John said "He must increase; I must decrease" (John 3:30). John had done his job in baptizing with water, and it was now time to step aside for the one who would baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit.

Bolivian Christmas tree and creche

Today's prayer from returned missioner Jean Lecthenberg reminds us of the need to seek and accept the life-giving gifts God has for us (peace, acceptance, kindness...) and turn away from solutions that are temporary, and often hurtful, as we prepare the way for Jesus this Advent.

“For Christmas and the new year I pray for:
More peace, less violence
More acceptance, less judging
More kindness, less pettiness
More beauty, less crassness
More giving, less acquiring
More love.”

From 2007 to 2009, Jean and her husband Lee served in Bolivia where she taught English at the Universidad Academica Campesina in Carmen Pampa. The rural Catholic university provides an education to students who would have otherwise not have gone to school. These students return home with their degrees and experience in nursing, education, agronomy, veterinary sciences and ecotourism and to help and contribute to their communities.

Jean also taught reading to children in first through fourth grades with reading difficulties. In conjunction, she established a children's library and worked with others to collect books.

Jean reading with a child in Bolivia

Read about and see great photos from Jean and Lee's mission experience on their blog, Jean and Lee in Bolivia.

Support FMS this Christmas by purchasing a commemorative print of one of Lee's paintings. Each one is numbered and signed.

Prayers for Christmas: Jesus

2011-12-19T06:00:00.058-05:00

“This Christmas I am thankful for the sky, the flowers, the trees, and the people around me --- and that Jesus died for us.”

- 90-year-old South African woman to whom FMS missioner Tim Marcy brings communion weekly

Photo by Rennet Stowe

It might seem strange to talk about Jesus' death this time of year. Suffering and death don't seem to have a place among the sights and sounds of Christmas - joyous carols, sprigs of holly, jingling bells, strings of bright lights.

But the innocent Christ child whose birth we celebrate this season came into the world for a reason. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)."

Jesus' birth and resurrection were part of God's plan. As followers of Christ, we are also called to continue the mission to bring hope, peace and love to the world. Our missioners are open to God's plan for this life, and, in the tradition of St. Francis, follow Christ's example of feeding the hungry, tending to the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and helping the poor.

This Christmas, will you give a gift to help our missioners continue to walk with the poor around the world?

Prayers for Christmas: International Migrants Day

2011-12-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

In honor of International Migrants Day, today's prayer for Christmas comes from Juan, an undocumented Guatemalan working in the United States and a friend of returned missioner Kathy Snider:

"This Christmas I am thankful to God for all his benefits, especially for my good health and the fact that I am working. I ask God to help and strengthen me to withstand the hardships and difficulties in order to do God’s will and go forward.”

The United Nations created International Migrants Day in 2000 in celebration of the ten-year anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Since then, December 18 has become a day to celebrate and emphasize human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants.

One of FMS' core values is the belief in the absolute and fundamental dignity of each individual and creation. We are excited to have our missioners promote this dignity through their presence, accompaniment, and advocacy around the world.

In Kenya, a community of Franciscans has asked newly-commissioned FMS missioner Susan Salvin to come to work in their human rights education office and to set up a free legal clinic. "I am especially looking forward to working with unrepresented IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) who lost their homes as a result of regional conflicts and political unrest, especially during the post-election violence of 2008," says Susan. She will begin her two-year mission to Nairobi starting in January.

To support Susan and the rest of our missioners as they promote human rights, please consider making a donation this Christmas.

Prayers for Christmas: Family

2011-12-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Gospel for today looks at Jesus' family tree. Forty-two generations culminate in the birth of Christ.

Generations of our own families gather in celebration of this birth this time of year.

"I thank God that for having had one more year of my family being together. AtChristmas we reconfirm the unity of our family, which is worth much more than anypresents that may be exchanged."

- Dania, member of the secular Franciscans andMovement of Justice and Peace. A friend of missioner Nora Pfieffer who serves in Bolivia

Jesse Tree by Robert Terrell

While many families gather around a Christmas tree, some use a simple, special decoration during Advent to celebrate the genealogy of Jesus: A Jesse Tree.

The tradition is based on Isaiah11:1- 2, “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord.”

Symbols representing Old Testament stories of Jesus' ancestors or prophecies of his coming are hung on the tree each day of Advent -- Noah's Ark, Jacob's ladder, Jonah in the Whale, etc. The final symbol is the Star of David which on Christmas Eve is placed on top of the tree.

To learn more about the Jesse Tree and how to make one with your family, visit AmericanCatholic.org.

Prayers for Christmas: Art and Sharing

2011-12-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

Photo from flickr, localjapantimes

Today's prayer for Christmas comes from Andrew Kaleya, a Zambian artist and friend of missioners Sandra and Bryce Bradford.

"My prayer is to support my family through art in this coming year, and also to be able to share with others the little things which we have during Christmas."

Andrew and his wife have four children, ages 7 to 14. They also care for 16-year-old orphaned nephew, one of Zambia's 1.3 million orphans.

What is your prayer for Christmas? Share it on our prayer wall.

Prayers for Christmas: Compassion

2011-12-15T05:00:00.007-05:00

Happy Feast of Blessed Mary Frances Shervier, member of the Secular Franciscan Third Order and founder of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor!

Frances dedicated herself and her congregation to the healing of all persons, especially the poor and the suffering. "I believed that I saw the Lord himself in the poor and the sick, and I was overjoyed at being able to serve and care for him."

Today's prayer for Christmas shares the compassion Frances had for the sick. It comes from Charlie, a retired mental health worker and friend of returned missioners Lee and Jean Lechtenberg.

"My prayer this Christmas is that we have more compassion and understanding of those with mental illness."

Charlie prays each Mass for "our brothers in prison" because he knows a young man serving time who is mentally ill, not criminal.

Photo by Shad Gross

Prayers for Christmas: Reason for the Season

2011-12-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

"My prayer for Christmas is that the REAL reason for the season takes ahold of our hearts and grows us more in God's unabounding love."

- Michael Redell, FMS lay mission class 27

Kitzi and Michael at their commissioning. Photo by Gerald Martineau.

It is because of God's love that Michael and fellow missioner Kitzi Hendricks have been called by name to serve in Bolivia and love the people there.

At their commissioning Mass on the second Sunday of Advent, Michael and Kitzi proclaimed their intentions to follow Christ and to serve with open minds, compassionate hearts, loving hands and peaceful spirit as they walk with the people of Cochabamba.

The wonderful community of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Arlington, VA, where Michael and Kitzi have attended since they arrived in DC, accepted our missioner's commitment and extended a blessing in return.

We were also excited to see familiar faces from the Assisi Community, the Society of African Missions and our board of directors in the pews and at the reception. The support of compassionate individuals, other Franciscans and mission-sending organizations means so much as our missioners prepare to bring the light of Christ to others through their loving presence.

Please pray for Michael and Kitzi as they begin their mission. To financially support them, please give a tax-free gift today.

Prayers for Christmas: The Poor and Tolerance

2011-12-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Fred Cain in Brazil

"The Lord hears the cry of the poor." - Responsorial psalm appointed for today.

Our prayer for Christmas comes from Fred Cain, one of our returned missioners who served in Brazil from 1999 to 2001.

"This Christmas, I am thankful for the reminder that Jesus is among us in the guise of the poor and marginalized. My prayer for the holiday season is for dialogue, tolerance and justice in the face of war, hatred and ignorance."

From the '90s to today, our mission has been to live and serve in solidarity with economically poor communities across the globe for peace, justice, reconciliation and care of creation. We have confidence in the wisdom of poor communities.

Learn more about core values on our website.

Prayers for Christmas: Mothers and Fathers

2011-12-12T06:00:00.005-05:00

From flickr user Samuraijohnny

"And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy." Luke 1:43-44.

The gospel for today features two mothers: Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. We give thanks for all mothers — and fathers — in today's prayer for Christmas. It comes from Juan, age 18, of Bolivia whom our missioner Catherine Giller has known since he was 10 years old.

“This Christmas I give God gratitude for parents, not just mine but all parents who give guidance and help to their children, as they grow to lead them to positive things. I give thanks for the earth and all the plants and animals, for the sunrises and sunsets, and for the rain that helps the crops to grow.”

Mary wanted to mother us so much that she appeared to Juan Diego, a poor Aztec indian, on a hill Tepayac in central Mexico, speaking these words:

"My dear little son, I love you. I desire you to know who I am. I am the ever-virgin Mary, Mother of the true God who gives life and Maintains its existence. He created all things. He is in all places. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth. I desire a church in this place where your people may experience my compassion. All those who sincerely ask my help in their work and in their sorrows will know my Mother's Heart in this place. Here I will see their tears; I will console them and they will be at peace…. My little son, there are many I could send. But you are the one I have chosen."

On this feast day of Our Lady of Guadeloupe, Patroness of the Americas, we celebrate in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Latin America. We follow Mary's example and make ourselves present in their lives so that we may together share in compassion, consolation and peace.

Help support our ministry of presence in Latin America by making a tax-deductible gift to FMS this Christmas.

Prayers for Christmas: Joy

2011-12-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

On this Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, we rejoice that Jesus is almost here, that our wait it almost over!

Today's joyful prayer for Christmas comes from Sr. Erika, one of missioner Lynn Myrick's students in Bolivia. Sr. Erika is a St. Joseph sister studying to become a physical therapist. We've included her prayer in Spanish and her own English translation.

En esta Navidad estoy agradecida a Dios:

Por el don de mi Vida y por la oportunidad que me da de poder gozarla junto a muchas personas que me inspiran y ayudan.
Por la Vocación, por que El me ha llamado a ser Hermana de San José y estar a su servicio y me invita a cada día darle una respuesta generosa y desinteresada.
Estoy agradecida por el camino que he recorrido durante este año libre de obstáculo y lleno de bendiciones.
Doy gracias por la Salud, que a cada día me acompaña y me da oportunidades como, caminar, respirar y gozar a cada instante de la maravillosa creación.
Agradezco por mi familia, por el don que ellos son para mi vida, por los valores que me transmiten y porque gracias a ellos puedo vivir con alegría y entusiasmo.
Estoy agradecida por la oportunidad que tengo de prepararme profesionalmente para mejor servir a mis hermanas y hermanos más necesitados.

In this Christmas season, I am grateful to God:

For the gift of my life and for the chance each day to draw on the power and joy of those people who inspire and help me each day.
For my vocation, that God has called me to be a sister of St. Joseph, to serve Him, that each day He invites me to give him a generous and unselfish response to His call .
I am grateful for the road that I have travelled in this year, free from obstacles and full of blessings.
I am thankful for my health: that each day I can walk, breathe, and enjoy the miracle of creation in each moment.
I am thankful for my family, a gift in my life, for the values that they have handed down to me. Thanks to them, I can live joyfully, with enthusiasm.
I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to prepare for a career that will better enable me to serve the needs of my brothers and sisters.

See Sr. Erika and other Bolivian friends of Lynn Myrick in our Prayers for Christmas video.

Prayers for Christmas: Volunteering and Human Rights

2011-12-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

FMS Executive Director Kim Smolik offers a reflection as today's prayer for Christmas:

To say I am blessed in the work I do would be an understatement. I think a job like mine is a rare gift -- it takes me around the world, to places one does not usually think of visiting, into the homes of people who go from being a stranger to a friend over tea and a biscuit. Genuine exchanges happen through our stories and smiles, and in our hearts that are open to welcoming one another.

Executive Director Kim Smolik in Zambia

In this work, I am also a witness to the deep suffering in the world, manifested through poverty, war, abuse, exclusion, the lack of natural resources, migration, and other such causes. The suffering I see is not represented in statistics, news features, or fundraising campaigns. It is right in front of me, in the lives of those who offer me one of the few biscuits they have, or their last teaspoon of sugar for my tea.

Through these encounters, I have learned valuable life lessons, albeit lessons I need to keep learning:

Everyone has something to give; receive it graciously.
Keep the small things small.
Practice gratitude.
Understand that statistics represent real people.
Invest today in what will matter in the last days of our lives: relationships.
Know that I cannot fix everything, but I can do something.
Recognize the extent of my privilege and respond accordingly: more privilege means more responsibility.
To give out of my pocket is necessary and alleviates the suffering of today; to give of myself in service for peace, justice and human rights can alleviate the suffering of tomorrow and of years to come.

December 10th is the United Nations Human Rights Day, when we celebrate the birthday of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Human Rights Day 2011

I have come to realize the impact that service and volunteerism have on human rights. Making the opportunity for service available to others is a deep passion of mine, the place where I can do my "something".

Recently, I spent a day at the UN for the 10th Anniversary of the International Volunteer. Gathered were individuals who represented volunteerism in all three sectors of society (profit firms, government and non-profits), from smaller organizations like FMS to larger organizations such as the Peace Corps and the Red Cross/Red Crescent, and volunteer associations such as Building Bridges Coalition (of which FMS is a member).

Through volunteers, these organizations are able to promote and defend basic human rights: freedom, equality, the right to food, water, education and health care. It is through service to each other that we make human rights possible.

In the words of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, "Volunteerism is a source of community strength, resilience, solidarity and social cohesion. It can bring positive social change by fostering diversity, equality and the participation of all. It is among society's most vital assets."

This Christmas I pray that people are inspired to offer their gifts and talents as volunteers, to serve as frontline defenders of human rights whether in their own community or across the globe.

Prayers for Christmas: Strength and Hope for Zambia

2011-12-09T05:00:00.001-05:00

FMS lay missioners spend much of their time on mission in ministries of presence--cultivating relationships and connections in their host communities that change them as well as the people to whom they minister

Through this journey, the prayers of the community can become the prayers of the missioner. Missioner and teacher Bryce Bradford shares his prayers for the people he serves in Kitwe, Zamba.

"My prayer for the coming year is that the Zambian economy become stronger. I hope that all 9th and 12th graders pass their national exams.

I pray for Zambia's new president the wisdom to carry out the reforms needed in his country, and for the government the strength to carry out policies that will benefit their people.

My prayer for the Franciscan Friars is that they continue to raise up young men willing to attempt to follow in the footsteps of Francis as he followed Jesus.”

Bryce serves alongside his wife Sandra as a retreat house manager for the Franciscan friars. In addition to teaching math, Bryce teaches computers in the lab he helped create at the high school.

Computer lab in Zambia.

Help support missioners this Christmas through a gift to FMS.

Prayers for Christmas: Mary and God's plan

2011-12-08T05:00:00.003-05:00

Today we give thanks for Mary and her Immaculate Conception. Through her appearances, she has had a powerful impact on the lives of the people with whom we walk overseas, especially those in Latin America.

Because God intended for Mary to be the mother of Jesus, God protected her at the first moment of her life from original sin.

The gospel for today tells us the story of the Annunciation, when God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary and she agreed to bear Christ into the world. "Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.'" (Luke 1:38)

Don Julio, friend of missioner Nora Pfieffer reflects on this in his prayer for Christmas. He is a member of the secular Franciscans and Movement of Justice and Peace in Bolivia.

"This Christmas I am grateful for the 'yes' that the Virgin Mary gave which allowed the son of God to come down to earth. If we tried to live out the incarnation in each of us like Mary did, we could solve all of our problems."

It is when we are open and say "yes" to God and God's plan that we are able to truly be instruments of peace, bringing Christ into our homes and communities throughout the world.

God, the image of the Virgin is found in your Church.
Mary had a faith that your Spirit prepared and a love that never knew sin, for you kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception.
Trace in our actions the lines of her love, in our hearts her readiness of faith.
Prepare once again a world for your Son who lives and reigns with your and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

- from USCCB's Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers

What's your prayer this Christmas? Share with us on our prayer wall.

Prayers for Christmas: Kindness

2011-12-07T06:00:00.003-05:00

Paul in Ghana

Today's prayer for Christmas comes from Br. Paul O'Keeffe, OFM, of Holy Name Province, who served as a lay missioner to Jamaica and Africa in the mid-'90s.

“This Christmas I am thankful for the many people God has placed in my life the past year. For those people who have loved me, even when I was hard to love; for those people who cared for me, even when I didn't recognize their kindness; and for those people who have challenged me to remember God's call to be the eyes, hands, heart, and presence of Christ.”

Br. Paul's experience as a lay missioner inspired him to become a Franciscan friar, professing his final vows in August 2010. Over the years he has helped FMS run retreats and evaluate candidates, and on January 9, Br. Paul will return to FMS to serve as the development director.

"I hope to share with our supporters some insights from my own lay mission experience,” he says. “Namely, the importance of creating and strengthening relationships with those who believe in FMS’ mission, and partnering with them to make our shared goals a reality."

Watch our Prayers for Christmas video to see more prayers from around the world.

Prayers for Christmas: Children

2011-12-06T06:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas, patron saint of children!

Today's prayer for Christmas comes from our youngest contributors: 6-year-old Bolivians recovering from burns.

"We are grateful for airplanes, flowers, dolls, backpacks and shoes."

The children live and heal at the Franciscan burn center in Cochabamba until they are well enough to return home to their families.

FMS missioner Nora Pfieffer also lives at the center, allowing her to spend time with the children between her other ministries. Together they work in the garden, and on Fridays Nora hosts movie night. Nora loves all the hugs.

What's your prayer this Christmas? Share it on our prayer wall!

Prayers for Christmas: Love and Companionship

2011-12-05T08:00:00.004-05:00

Padre David uses a rose and holy water to perform blessings after Mass.

Today's prayer comes from Padre David Cordozo, parish priest of Our Lady of La Salette in Bolivia.

"Esta navidad, estoy agradecido por todas las personas que conocí y por las que estan siempre a mi lado. Para el año nuevo, espero que que todos nos sintamos amados y amadas por Dios y por casa hermano y hermana."
"This Christmas, I am grateful for all of the people I know, and for those who are always at my side. For the new year, I hope that all of us will feel beloved by God and beloved by our brothers and sisters"

Our Lady of La Salette is the parish in the barrio where our missioners live.

Prayers for Christmas: Unity and Understanding

2011-12-04T08:00:00.008-05:00

Kitzi Hendricks, who is being commissioned today as part of our 27th class of lay missioners, shares her prayer for Christmas:

"I pray for understanding in our world - a world that is so noticeably divided by individualism and personal gain. I pray that there may be conversion of hearts this holiday season in that we appreciate and love one another as human beings rather than competitors."

Today at the 11:15 a.m. Mass, Kitzi and fellow missioner Michael Redell will stand before the congregation of Our Lady Queen of Peace and affirm their intentions as missioners. They will receive their Tau crosses and blessing from the community.

In January the two will leave for Bolivia, where they look forward to using music as a way to be present with the poor.

Prayers for Christmas: Opportunity and Service

2011-12-03T08:00:00.004-05:00

Jesus tells us in today's Gospel, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." (Matthew 9: 36-38).

FMS missioner Joel Vaughn expresses gratitude for being one of these laborers in his prayer for Christmas.

“This Christmas, I am thankful for opportunities to serve other people.
My prayer for the holiday season and the New Year is that a universal awareness of sufficiency will promote moderate use and equal sharing of the earth's bounty for all of its inhabitants.”

Lynn and Joel in Bolivia

Joel and his wife Lynn serve in Cochabamba, Bolivia. As English teachers, they are able to be present in the lives of prisoners, high school students and other members of the community.

If you feel called to labor with us as a missioner, check out our prospective missioner's page.

For more Christmas prayers this advent and to add your own, see our home page.

Prayers for Christmas: Comfort and Hope

2011-12-02T08:00:00.003-05:00

Kathy Snider on mission in Guatemala, 1998 to 2000.

Today's prayer for Christmas comes from returned missioner Kathy Snider:

"My prayer for Christmas is for those who have experienced loss of a loved one due to death or separation, of home due to natural disasters or foreclosure, of food and due to drought and poverty, of employment due to corporate greed and injustice, of health and activity due to accident or illness, of youth due to the aging process and that God will bring comfort, provision, healing and meaning but most of all HOPE to all in the coming New Year."

Kathy served in Guatemala's Ixcan jungle from 1998 to 2000 as a pastrol agent in the Diocese of Quiche. She taught formation to catechists and women's group in five different villages in addition to serving on a committee for the construction of a local junior high.

Multilingual and multiethnic, Quiche is the poorest department in Guatemala. It was one of the hardest areas hit during the violence of the 36-year civil war that ended in December 1996.

Inspired by her experience with FMS, Kathy co-founded Ixcan Ministries in 2003 to continue her call to a lifelong mission.

What's your prayer this Christmas? Share it with us on our prayer wall.

Prayers for Christmas: World AIDS Day

2011-12-01T10:19:00.006-05:00

Worldwide, 33.4 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS, and more than 67 percent (approximately 22.4 million people) of those infected are in sub-Saharan Africa.

On this World AIDS Day, and our thoughts and prayers turn to patients of St. Francis Care Clinic in South Africa where our missioners Cecilia and Tim Marcy serve.

FMS missioner Cecilia Marcy and coworkers

St. Francis Care Clinic has four different programs including a hospice for 48 adults, a Rainbow Cottage for 30 abandoned or orphaned children, a home-based care center to provide support for outpatients, and two clinics with free counseling, testing and antiretroviral drugs.

A trained nurse, Cecilia ministers to HIV/AIDS patients in the hospice. Tim works in the outpatient center, he also brings communion to the sick and homebound in his role as a deacon.

Today's prayer for Christmas comes from one of the Marcy's coworkers, a counselor at St. Francis:

“This Christmas I am thankful for the kids, my boys, and that I'm alive still.”

It's such a simple prayer, but in the face of a disease that has killed more than 25 million people since 1981, it's a powerful one.

This World AIDS Day, please join us in praying especially for St. Francis Care Clinic patients, staff and volunteers, as well as the others affected around the world.

St. Francis Clinic in South Africa

Prayers for Christmas: Youth and Inspiration

2011-11-30T08:00:00.008-05:00

Our missioner Nora in Bolivia with children at the Franciscan burn center

Remember what St. Paul said in his letter to Timothy? "Let no one look down on you because of your youth, be an example of faith, love and purity to all believers."

FMS trains, commissions and supports lay missioners as young as 22 so that they may walk with the poor abroad. Young people also dedicate a year as domestic volunteers at our headquarters.

In our prayer for the day, board member Sr. Catherine Cahill, OSF, gives thanks for this young energy:

"This Christmas, I am thankful for the young people who are so committed to the mission of FMS. Their presence encourages me that Spirit continues to inspire and generous hearts continue to respond.
My prayer for the Christmas season and for the New Year is that we all give God our hearts that God may give us eyes that see the needs of those around, near and afar, us and we may find ways to respond where we are -- one day at a time."

Sr. Catherine currently serves as the director of the Franciscan Center in Tampa, Florida. She has been on our board since January, and has been a Franciscan Sisters of Allegany (New York) for 50 years.

Every day of Advent we will post a new prayer for Christmas. Watch some of our favorites from around the world in this video.

Prayers for Christmas: Justice and Peace

2011-11-29T10:00:00.005-05:00

In today's Mass readings, we are reminded of a future where "Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever."

Our missioner Catherine Giller echoes this hope in her prayer for Christmas.

"My prayer in this Christmas season is that the true light of the world will shine for all to see and know, that all peoples of the world be united in love and peace, and that 'we shall study war no more.'

I pray too that we can all be given big hearts for compassion, understanding and sharing."

Catherine serves in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Part of her ministry of presence is at an after school program at Tiqti Sud which provides lunches and snacks for children in need.

Here she pictured with the children of her Bolivian parish and the creche, or nativity scene, they made last Christmas season.

Check back every day of Advent for a new prayer, and don't forget to add your prayer for Christmas to our wall!

Add to Our Prayer Wall

2011-11-28T07:46:00.008-05:00

Each day of Advent, we're sharing a prayer from one of our missioners, people they serve, volunteers, staff, board members and friends all around the world.

Today's prayer is from Tim Marcy, one of our lay missioners in South Africa who works at an HIV/AIDS clinic and is a practicing deacon.

"This Christmas I am thankful for my wife, family and friends - and that I do what I like to do: travel, meet new people and help people with my knowledge and person."

Tim writes words of hope on a wall in the Regina Mundi church in South Africa, one of the homes of Aparteid movement

YOU can add a prayer to FMS' virtual prayer wall on our website. We'd love to know what you are thankful for this Christmas and what you are praying for in 2012.

FMS' prayers for Christmas

2011-11-27T08:00:00.005-05:00

Join us in preparing for Christmas by giving thanks for all the blessings God has bestowed on us!

We've gathered prayers from around the world to share with you this Advent, and this video is a collection of some of our favorites:

Check our blog each day until Christmas for a new prayer from someone in the FMS family.

Mark your calendars: Commissioning Mass of Class XXVII

2011-11-23T09:00:00.003-05:00

You're invited to join us for the commissioning of the 27th class on Sunday, December 4 at 11:15 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Arlington. After Mass there will be a reception.

After 13 weeks of formation with FMS, Michael Redell and Kitzi Hendricks will be commissioned as our newest lay missioners. In January they will start their two years of service and presence in Bolivia.

Please RSVP to info@franciscanmissionservice.org or 202-832-1762.

Mission Monday: Learning to listen

2011-11-21T10:00:00.005-05:00

Today's post is taken from the blog of missioner-in-training, Kitzi Hendricks. Kitzi is nearing the end of her 13-week formation in D.C. and will leave for mission in Bolivia in January.

One of Kitzi's photos of the homeless.

"The concept of sitting and listening isn't always easy for me. As I have witnessed over the past two weeks, people worry about me when I don't speak up all the time. There are some days when I will talk a lot. I can be loud, sarcastic, energetic, and engaging in conversations. However, I truly value my days of introspection, and my desire for these solitary conversations can appear at any moment. A word, a phrase, a song, or a sight can flip the switch at any time--morning or night, by myself, with a companion, or among a large group of people, walking or driving, during times of joy or suffering.

I had a beautiful reminder of this when my fellow missioner-in-training Michael and I finally had the opportunity to return to our service site at the homeless medical shelter for men. It had been more than three weeks since we had been able to engage in our service. I can't even begin to describe how much I had missed the men and truly looked forward to stepping through the front door once again. I was energetic, but a little apprehensive as I walked up the path to the door.

It was a beautiful fall day and although there were many men standing outside soaking up the sun, I didn't recognize any of them and they didn't recognize me. There had been a major turnover while we were in collaborative formation and we found ourselves standing in the midst of many new faces and an absence of ones that we had considered our friends.

As Michael and I walked up the stairs to the main floor, we agreed that it would be best to introduce ourselves to the many new residents and to try and gauge the interests of the new men.

Within half an hour of arriving at the shelter, I was, once again, in awe at the power of presence and authenticity. I don't know why I even have thoughts of doubt in the first place because I am just so blessed to be among these men. As soon as we sat down, I wanted to do nothing but sit and listen to the voices of the people who are so frequently written-off and stereotyped. What power. What inspiration.

Meet J.B: Michael and I had briefly met J.B. before our three week sabbatical, but neither of us had a chance to really converse with him for much more than a few minutes. Yesterday, however, J.B. opened up to us about his experiences in the military and how his personal experiences influence his life today and his views on the government.

J.B. joined the military right out of high school. As a 17 year old, he was bright, dedicated, and athletic--all of which were highly recognized by his leaders and commanders. Within three months of joining the green berets, he was at the top of his class and given the responsibility of platoon leader, moved up to the leader of five different platoons, and then ask to become a member of an A-team. He went to occupation school to learn not just one skill, but all of the skills offered at the school...as required of him by his commanders.

As the conversation continued, J.B. began talking to us about his training at Ft. Benning and his memories of learning war tactics and torture techniques. For all of you who know about and/or protest the School of the Americas, you can only imagine how incredibly interesting it was to hear about these experiences from an insider's perspective. And then he went on to talk to us about his missions in Central and South America to teach local rebels how to begin revolutionary coups to overthrow their governments without leaving any US trace behind. He was spot on with everything both Michael and I had learned about the involvement of the US in Latin America.
These paragraphs do not do justice to the stories that J.B. told and the authenticity of his personality.

Meet Wayne: Wayne has entered into the shelter within the past week, so he was one of many new faces that Michael and I passed by that morning. From an outsider's perspective, Wayne is a burly man who can easily be seen as intimidating. However, Wayne has a heart full of compassion and transformation. Michael and I had the opportunity to sit in on a poetry session with a few of the men and Wayne was an engaged participant. His insights into the themes of the poems through the sharing of his own personal stories were so incredibly powerful. He is soft-spoken and looks into your eyes as he shares some of the most personal transformations in his life--experiences from prison, his love for his two daughters. He is the essence of humility and such a great testimony in learning how to be slow to anger.

My stereotypes are continually being challenged and broken down in every conversation that I have with the men in the community. I look forward to seeing them each week. I make sure Calvin smiles before the day is over and that we at least have a few minutes to sit down and chat one-on-one about our days, and that Steve and Hosea share some of their knowledge and wisdom with us about the world.

Most of the time, I sit, listen, and smile. That's it.

The shelter is always bustling, but when I sit down with the guys, the only thing I want to do is listen. And I don't want to leave or move or get up. That's what silence is about...being able to get rid of the other distractions and simply listen. Listen to the wind. Listen to the beauty in a voice. Listen to your thoughts. Listen to God. Just Listen."

To read more about Kitzi's formation process and to follow her future mission in Bolivia, visit her blog.

Mission Monday: What is consecrated time?

2011-11-14T09:20:00.000-05:00

Credit: Toni Verdú Carbó, flickr

Today we feature an excerpt from the blog of Lynn Myrick, one of our lay missioners in Bolivia, in which she ponders the meaning of "consecrated time."

"Recently, I have been seeking a definition of the term consecrated time. I know that the consecrated life refers to the dedicated lives of the religious (nuns, sisters, brothers, and priests), wherein the individual takes vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity. I also know that just as a life may be consecrated, objects may be consecrated as well.

The Catholic Encyclopedia defines consecration as 'act by which a thing is separated from a common and profane to a sacred use, or by which a person or thing is dedicated to the service and worship of God by prayers, rites, and ceremonies.'

What, then, is consecrated time? For Christians, Sundays are consecrated to God; therefore that day is set aside as a 'Dia del Senor' (the Lord's Day), as our Sunday liturgical bulletin reads. God was the one who consecrated that day to sacred use, a day for us to rest and to think more about our Creator.

One website I found suggested that any time spent alone, exclusively alone, with God, is consecrated time. Any time that is separated from the common time and dedicated to the service and worship to God may be consecrated time. So when I am sitting alone, reading the Bible or praying, I am consecrating my time to God.

While I was in Vanderbilt Divinity School, many students there told me that they wanted to be in the presence of the Divine at all times. One could turn to Brother Lawrence's The Practice of the Presence of God, where one reads that for Brother Lawrence, 'common business,' is the medium through which one can experience God. Brother Lawrence probably felt that he was practicing what he would be doing for all eternity.

Also, Christians receive the promise that if they give a cup of cold water to one of Christ's 'little ones,' it is as though they are giving it to Jesus himself. Here too, one is in the presence of the Divine."

While on mission, Lynn has participated in the the 100-year celebration of the founding of the Maryknoll order and the Transitus of St. Francis, the 802-year anniversary of Francis' death.

"In these two events that I was able to participate in, both orders, or families, as we say, set aside time to reflect upon their mission, past, present, and future, that is, their participation in God's work on earth . The time set apart was consecrated, in my view, because the Maryknoll family and the Franciscan family withdrew from the world in order to contemplate their roles as God's people in Latin America, and to seek guidance from one another and from God."

To read about Lynn's time at the events, and the rest of her mission in Bolivia, visit her blog.

For reflection: When is my consecrated time?

Compiled by: Bridget Higginbotham

Sixteen Years of Collaborating on Catholic Missions

2011-11-10T09:52:00.037-05:00

For the 16th consecutive year, Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) missioners have just completed an annual training called the "Collaborative Formation Gathering." First beginning in the autumn of 1996, the annual collaborative training of several Catholic lay missionary organizations in the United States seeks to create new forms of knowledge and praxis for overseas mission. With a generous grant from the Koch Foundation for 2011, four lay mission organizations (Comboni Missionaries, Franciscan Mission Serivce, Maryknoll Lay Missioners, and the Society of African Missions) were able to expand their partnership as a means to share and expand their visions of and preparation for international mission.

Most of the participants and staff enjoying a beautiful day

during the final days of CFG-DC. Photo: Daena Padilla

Beginning with an afternoon visit at the New York office of Franciscans International on October 19th, FMS' lay mission candidates and program director, Rhegan Hyypio, spent a little over a week in Ossining, New York with the other lay mission groups at Bethany, Maryknoll's lay mission building. Then, all four groups headed back down to Washington, D.C. for the final week of programming. Hosted by Franciscan Mission Service and the Society of African Missions, most of the sessions were held at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America. Throughout the 15 days of total programming, 24 individuals, in addition to program administrators and staff, benefited from fellowship and a wide variety of expert-led workshops and seminars relating to their future roles as missioners.

Topics and activities included...

Cross-cultural adaptation
A panel of returned missioners
Conflict management in cross-cultural ministry
Trauma preparation
Money in the hands of missioners
Theology of inculturation
An Aymara Mass
Theory of Catholic social teaching
Implementing Catholic social teaching and social analysis
Peace & justice with the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
A spiritual retreat with Franciscan friar Fr. Mike Johnson, OFM
Healthy sexual integration in mission
Journaling in mission
Keeping healthy in mission

Thank you to all the participants and presenters, as well as the planners and hosts of the entire event!

Written by: Matt Lorch

Mission Monday: A trip to the Apartheid Museum

2011-11-07T09:18:00.000-05:00

For our first “Mission Monday,” post, we'd like to share with you excerpts from the blog of our missioners in South Africa, Tim and Cecilia Marcy.

“We recently visited the internationally acclaimed Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. Through photos, interactive displays, film clips, two longer films, and hundreds of actual items and displays with aural or written descriptions, the visitor is taken on a journey of understanding of what apartheid did to this country.

Photo by Erik Cleves Kristensen, flickr

The basic principle behind apartheid is simple -- separate everything; cut a clean line through a nation to divide black from white and keep them divided.

To help the visitor begin to understand what this entails, each person who purchases an admittance ticket is randomly assigned a color -- black or white -- and goes into the museum at the corresponding entrance where, for the first ten or fifteen minutes, he or she is cut off from those of the other color, and is exposed to different kinds and qualities of displays.

Photo by jasonwhat, flickr

After rejoining those of the other color, one learns about segregation, the history of myriad cultures, race classification, beginning of black consciousness, resistance and armed struggles, and peace negotiations.

It’s a journey of tyranny and freedom, of tragedy and heroism, of chaos and peace. We had planned to spend a few hours, and ended up staying the entire day, leaving with a feeling of hope for the future.”

To read the rest of Tim's post, including the six causes he thinks are behind Africa's lack of development, visit the Marcy's blog.

For reflection: When I have seen such division or struggle in my own community? How can I become a channel of peace?

Compiled by: Bridget Higginbotham

More Connected...but More Disconnected?

2011-10-19T14:01:00.008-04:00

During formation for Franciscan Mission Service's (FMS) long-term mission program, mission candidates traditionally participate in multiple simplicity workshops. Within these workshops, future missioners explore the diverse meanings of simplicity within the context of their lives, their culture and society, and their future identities as Catholic lay missioners living among the poor. In turn, this provides them with a better foundation both for embracing a simple, mission lifestyle and for becoming more present with others in their mission communities and ministries.

Within such a consumer-driven economy like the United States, simplicity (in the most general use of the term) can often signify a lack of "things" or "stuff." Quoting St. Francis from the Northwest Earth Institute's discussion course entitled Voluntary Simplicity, St. Francis states, "Riches prick us with a thousand troubles in getting them, as many cares in preserving them, and yet more anxiety in spending them, and with grief in losing them." (Session 2, Page 1)

In today's world, consumption applies not just to physical baggage but to technological information baggage, such as online social media and mobile phones. For example, one may see the futility and excess in upgrading to a new computer every year. Yet, the individual may fail to see how information technology (IT) may be a source of hidden complexities and disconnection from life while perpetuating myths of saving time, knowing what's going on, being better connected, etc. Thus, perhaps this consumption-oriented definition of simplicity should be expanded to include IT gadgetry and consumption, too.

FMS lay mission candidates learn how to set boundaries in their lives. This enables them to most effectively care for themselves and to form nurturing, loving, and reciprocal relationships with those around them.

For Reflection: What is the role of setting boundaries in IT consumption? How can limiting or selectively using IT help one to create a more balanced, healthy, prayerful, and simple existence?

Written By: Matt Lorch

A Harvest Gathering at FMS

2011-10-10T11:21:00.037-04:00

Twenty-four meal guests dining in the

coziness of the dining room at Casa San Salvador.

During the late afternoon and evening of Saturday, October 8th, Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) board member Evelyn Mercantini and her husband John hosted a group of their closest friends at FMS for "A Harvest Gathering." Since joining the board of FMS in February of 2011, Evelyn has been very active in her support for the mission and programs of the organization. Thus, the pleasant autumn day was a wonderful backdrop for her recurring idea to share her passion for the organization with her dearest friends.

FMS Returned Mission and former Program Director Beth Riehle

captures the attention of her table during a pause between courses.

After touring the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, the group of friends strolled over to Casa San Salvador for a peaceful evening of prayer, camaraderie, and dining. First, the group celebrated Mass with Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM and was inspired by the musical reflection of FMS mission candidates Kitzi Hendricks and Michael Redell. Next, the group embarked upon a five course, mainly organic meal coordinated and cooked by Kim Smolik, Executive Director of FMS. The meal consisted of wine and cheeses; savory seasonal squash soup and homemade croutons; an apple harvest salad with toasted walnuts, apples, blue cheese, and an apple cinnamon vinaigrette; a main course consisting of roasted dijon chicken, sweet potato puree, and honey roasted brussel sprouts; and three kinds of cheesecake for dessert. (Links to some of the evening's recipes are found below.)

Evelyn's and John's guests were joined at dinner by mission candidates (Kitzi Hendricks and Michael Redell) and FMS returned missioners (Beth Riehle, Katie Mulembe, Kristen Zielinski-Nalen, and Rhegan Hyypio), as well as FMS board members, staff, and volunteers. As one highlight of the dinner, returned missioners presented heart warming stories of their ministries.

FMS board member Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM (far left)

sharing with his dinner companions.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this special event!

For more information about some of the recipes at "A Harvest Gathering," you may click on the links below:

Fig Appetizer: http://www.oprah.com/food/Herb-Roasted-Black-Mission-Figs-with-Prosciutto-di-Parma

Squash Soup: http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/10/the-leaf-peeps/

Cinnamon homemade salad dressing: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/honey-cinnamon-vinaigrette-10000001831993/

Dijon Chicken: http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/01/roast-chicken-with-dijon-sauce/

Sweet Potato Puree: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/silky-sweet-potato-puree/detail.aspx

Written by: Matt Lorch

Transitus 2011: Honoring St. Francis of Assisi

2011-10-05T15:21:00.019-04:00

On the evening of Monday, October 3, 2011, mission candidates and staff members of Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) attended the Transitus ceremony at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America in Washington, D.C. The Transitus ceremony, which annually commerates the passing of St. Francis from earthly life to eternal life, was attended by Franciscans from each of the three orders and secular Franciscans, as well as members of the public. The event included a gathering inside of the Memorial Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a candlelight procession, a gathering around the Portiuncula church, the sharing of bread, and refreshments afterwards.

Candlelight procession through the Monastery's gardens.

Photo: Kitzi Hendricks

Gathering and the sharing of bread around the Portiuncula.

Photo: Kitzi Hendricks

This year's Transitus ceremony was very special for FMS because its Executive Director Kim Smolik was the guest speaker during the ceremony. Giving credit to the lives and ministries of current Franciscans, as well as lay missioners, she focused on how to live a Franciscan life through 4 "R's":

Reconciliation

Relevancy to people's lives
Radical solidarity with the poor; and
Maintaining a relational presence.

FMS Executive Director Kim Smolik delivers a special

presentation during the Transitus ceremony.

Photo: Kitzi Hendricks

Kim's complete talk can be found here.

For Reflection: Within the Christian tradition, what are some of your examples of what it means to be a reconciler, relevant, radical, or relational? Is one more important than the others in living out Franciscan ideals?

By: Matt Lorch

The Complexity of Food Simplicity

2011-09-28T15:40:00.007-04:00

Even simple food is complex. Ask someone to define "simple food," and you may get a variety of responses. It may be interpreted as low-salt or flavorless food; food purchased under the constraints of a small budget; food that provides essential nutrients while lacking the excitement of tons of sugar or fat; vegetarian and/or vegan food; raw and/or uncooked foods; organic; non-GMO; etc. On top of all of these interpretations, an individual's definition of simple food can be further compounded by factors like culture, class, geographical location, and even education.

Building upon a social analysis of food last week at Franciscan Mission Service, simple food can also be defined from the point of view of Franciscan living. Simplicity is one foundation of Franciscan living. Thus, when food is analyzed from the point of view of Franciscan simplicity, a whole other set of definitions of simple food can be offered. These definitions draw upon spiritual and moral issues that are grounded in the practice of social and environmental justice, as well as solidarity with those without both sufficient food and sufficient voice in globalized agriculture.

For example, is a type produce more simple if it is purchased from a farmers' market or from a grocery chain? Is food more simple if it is grown organically or grown using an array of pesticides? Is food more simple if it is raised in a community garden in the hot summer sun or bought in saran wrap in the air conditioned grocery store? Is food more simple if it is purchased locally in season or purchased in the middle of winter where it was grown hundreds or even thousands of miles away? Is food more simple if it is not eaten due to fasting or eaten in overindulgence? Or, is food more simple if it is prepared from scratch using a stove or if it is zapped from a frozen to steaming state in the microwave? The answers to each of these questions can have a varying effect upon individual health, the health of communities, and even the health of the planet. However, based upon one's living circumstances, the answers to these questions aren't always as simple as we would like them to be.

For Reflection: What is your definition of simple food from the point of view of Franciscan simplicity?

Written by: Matt Lorch

A Dialogue about Vulnerability

2011-09-21T12:27:00.012-04:00

On the evening of September 8, 2011, a group from Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) attended Pax Christi USA's Annual Momentum event at Catholic University. Entitled "Peace & Reconciliation: Spiritual Reflections a Decade After 9/11," the event encouraged attendees to take into account the variety of responses that were taken as a result of the attacks. Jim Wallis, the keynote speaker for the evening, focused on how 9/11 produced a feeling a vulnerability throughout American society. Wallis stressed that the past decade has been overshadowed by the U.S. Government's response (two wars, the war on terror, etc.) However, amid the backdrop of the United State's official response, Wallis stressed that there were and can still be more positive responses to such feelings of vulnerability. (The main points of Wallis' presentation appear in his blog. ) What is FMS' role in addressing the issue of vulnerability?

FMS' work in both Latin America and Africa is one such continual, positive response...not to just an "American" sense of vulnerability but more importantly to a "permanent" vulnerability that is felt in international communities that lack certain resources in order to realize their full human dignity. When a missioner from FMS walks alongside those who are continually "vulnerable" (at least from the point of view of a rich nation), it constructs a bridge that allows a missioner and her/his supporters to experience a new type of vulnerability that they may have never experienced before. In turn, a transformation occurs. For the missioner and her/his supporters, the "other" is transformed into a "human being" in which greater opportunities exist to share God's love, collaborate towards building up human dignity, and to promote God's universal kingdom.

For Reflection: Perhaps adopting the vulnerability of other human beings is just one way to overcoming our own vulnerability, whether fabricated or real. Is this the type of positive response that Jim Wallis was talking about?

Written by: Matt Lorch

Bienvenidos to our New Mission Candidates!

2011-09-14T14:53:00.008-04:00

Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) would like to give a big welcome to its two new lay mission candidates, Kitzi Hendricks and Michael Redell! Kitzi is originally from northern California and Michael is orignally from western Michigan. Slated to arrive and begin their two-year service in Cochabamba, Bolivia in January 2012, both of them possess a zeal for working and living alongside Bolivians as they live out the call of the Gospel and carry out a ministry of presence.

After an insightful discussion and celebration of Mass at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, Kitzi and Michael share some smiles with

Fr. Jeremy Harrington, OFM. (Photo: M. Lorch)

During the 13-week formation period, both of them will be studying and discerning about a variety of topics related to their two years of mission. They will follow core courses, such as "Scripture and Mission," and participate in seminars and workshops on a varitety of topics like Environmental Justice, Franciscan Spirituality, and Boundaries in Mission. Please pray for both of them, as well as their families, friends, and supporters, as they journey towards commissioning in early December 2011!

For Reflection: If you are a former or current missioner of FMS, what were some of the highlights of formation? How did you grow in your walk with the Lord and your discernment for mission?

Written by: Matt Lorch

How to be forgetful...the Franciscan way

2011-08-31T16:37:00.015-04:00

In his recent article "The Rugged Altruists," N.Y. Times op-ed columnist David Brooks discusses three virtues that American individuals must possess in order to better create successful impacts (from the point of view of the recipients) upon communities around the world that are disadvantaged in areas like education, economic prosperity, and health. Brooks extols personal examples of "altruists" who have embodied the virtues of courage, deference, and thanklessness. In doing so, he suggests that more personable, alternative approaches to the multibillion dollar global aid industry are worth considering.

While Brooks' critiques and suggestions are nothing new, from a Franciscan perspective he seems to be referring to the act of self-forgetting...a purposeful act of mind, body, and soul that embraces fear (courage), smothers pride (deference), and rejects rewards (thanklessness). Just as St. Francis demonstrated through his rejection of his pampered life, self-forgetting is one key to establishing authentic relationships instead of treating others like commodities. While this type of self-sacrifice may take on many degrees depending on the social context, self-forgetting better opens up an individual to seeing, hearing, and feeling the needs of others. For help, aid, assistance, service, volun-tourism, humanitarianism, relief, making a difference, giving back development, charity, philanthropy ...or whatever "it" is called to truly and respectfully satisfy the recipients, the providers (in this case Americans as Brooks suggests) must consider losing themselves just as Christ gave of Himself to us.

FMS missioner Sandra Bradford engaging in the

process of self-forgetting in Zambia.

For Reflection: What are some of your examples of self-forgetting and losing yourself in order to benefit others...particularly those living in contexts that are more difficult than yours? Is self-forgetting always necessary?

Written by: Matt Lorch

A Year at FMS: One Volunteer's Reflection

2011-08-22T09:12:00.008-04:00

Domestic Volunteer Susie Zagar, who began working at FMS in July 2011, reflects her year of service at Franciscan Mission Service.

Planting a prayer in the garden during our Peace Pole Event in August 2010.

It is hard to believe that a year could go by so fast, yet it is already August 2011, just a little over a year from when I began working at Franciscan Mission Service as a full-time domestic volunteer. I reflect on how God led me to FMS and the gift that it has been in my life during the course of the year, the people I have met, the chance to grow in faith and spirituality.

Rachel Roa, Fr. Martin Day, OFMConv and Susie Zagar celebrating FMS's 20th Anniversary event in October 2010.

My year has been a time for spiritual growth and a strengthening of values I already hold dear: community, faith, living simply, and working for social justice and human dignity. It has been a time of profound discernment and spiritual direction, and a time to discern mission. What I realize is that while I may not necessarily go overseas to travel (though I of course have not ruled it out), I know in my heart that I will always try to live mission in my daily life wherever I am.

Rhegan Hyypio and Susie Zagar at the FMS Annual Staff Retreat in Beach Haven, NJ in June 2011.

I am ever grateful for all the people that I have been able to meet this year; I am thankful for the FMS staff and community who have become a second family to me, for the missioner candidates and missioners serving overseas, for all of those who help to contribute to FMS's vision with hearts full of love and generosity. I promise I will continue to keep the Franciscan charism alive in my heart in all my life's journeys to come! Peace and All Good!

Last summer's "Helping Hands" Painting Project at FMS.

Becoming a Sacred Flame: The Franciscan Federation Conference

2011-08-17T23:19:00.010-04:00

This past July our Program Director Rhegan Hyypio traveled to Milwaukee, WI to attend the Annual Franciscan Federation Conference, which brought together Franciscans from all over the United States to embrace the Gospel and examine how St. Francis and St. Clare drew specifically on the Gospel of John in how they carried out their daily ministries.

Program Director and Returned Missioner Rhegan Hyypio alongside the Franciscan Sisters of Sylvania, OH.

"We are the sacred flames that darkness cannot extinguish."

These were the words announced at the Annual Franciscan Federation Conference in the presidential address given by Sr. Ramona Miller, OSF. As followers of the Franciscan tradition, the Franciscan religious and laity were called to examine the reality of the struggles in the world and how they can act as a sacred light, or flame, in the midst of suffering. In their work and their spirituality, both action and contemplation, those who follow in the footsteps of St. Francis and Clare become the flame to those living in darkness, those living in homelessness, those who are suffering at the hands of human trafficking and violence.

Both key note speakers, Fr. Michael Blastic, OFM and Sr. Nancy Schreck, OSF emphasized a thorough study of the Gospel as a guide for living out mission and our ministries. As Nancy Schreck, OSF, "Our work is a matter of attempting to relive the original charismatic experience rather than to simply study it." In other words we are able to be witnesses to the Gospel just as Francis and Clare did in their ministry as they used the scriptural readings of St. John the Evangelist as a guideline for how they lived and served.

"We cannot stop with being inspired, moved, illumined, and enriched by the Franciscan-Johannine vision, " said Sr. Nancy. "That is just not enough. Rather we must be transformed by it, so that others may also come to see and enjoy the vision as well."

We can consider this in light of the lay movement of Franciscan Mission Service and our central focus on transformation. Our lay missioners, like Francis and Clare, take the time to study the Word before they depart for mission. The Gospel is an intrinsic part of their formation before they depart for mission, where they will rely on that guidance to act as a light to those who have suffered from devastating poverty, human trafficking and violence. Our missioners will continue to focus on that gospel message as a means of "becoming a sacred flame" and witness through bringing the love of Christ, in the spirit of St. Francis to those who have struggled at the hands of injustice.

During the conference, FMS was able to share our charism, of how our missioners strive to demonstrate Christ's transforming love in the spirits of St. Francis and St. Clare.

According to Rhegan Hyypio, it was a great opportunity to come to the Franciscan Federation Conference and meet so many Franciscan religious who were excited to become more involved with FMS's overseas lay mission program. Many of the orders FMS was able to meet have international sites and the sisters would be eager to welcome lay missioners to serve alongside their Franciscan orders overseas in the future.

A view of Milwaukee, where the conference took place.

Mission Trip To Guatemala and El Salvador

2011-07-27T15:38:00.021-04:00

We were thankful to our FMS house managers Daena and Eduardo Padilla for sharing their mission trip with the Franciscan Mission Service community. They provided an account of their journey and a picture presentation of the places they traveled to.

The simple joy of bubbles - In Guatemala, blowing bubbles with the kids.

Every summer our house managers Daena and Eduardo Padilla prepare for a 10-day mission trip down to Guatemala and El Salvador organized by FMS Board Member Jack McHale. They gather with a group from Our Lady Queen of Peace, a FMS partner, as well as another parish group from Chicago where they used to live. The purpose of the trip is to travel to rural and often remote locations in both countries to bring supplies and companionship to the people living in poverty. Their work is Franciscan in nature, a ministry of presence in many ways as they spend time with those they've come to know and build relationships with through their service work over the years.

In Guatemala, four of the kids holding on to their new baseball caps.

The travelers on the mission trip brought several bags full of supplies including clothes, baseball caps, rosaries, and food to hand out to the communities they encountered. In order to get to the various locations throughout the trip (including names), they had to travel by bus, van, or by boat or raft. A few locations required hiking up and down a slippery mountain, or boating up and down rivers to get to the those most in need.

Below are some more pictures from the journey:

Eduardo Padilla handing out baseball caps.

Jack McHale plays a game of basketball with the kids.

Everyone huddles around Daena Padilla.

Visiting the church in El Salvador where Oscar Romero was assassinated.

Feliz cumpleaños, Jack! During the trip the group celebrated Jack McHale's birthday.

The mission group often traveled up mountains and by boat to visit the communities in both Guatemala and El Salvador.

The last night in El Salvador before returning to the United States. They'll be back again next year!

An FMS Missioner's Reflection

2011-07-21T16:31:00.003-04:00

We are grateful to be able to share a post written by Tim Marcy, one of our missioners in South Africa. Feel free to print this out and keep it with you, write a journal entry based on what you read, or share with your friends and loved ones.

I like to walk, and when I walk I like to observe and I like to experience, and I like to feel being in a kind of oneness with all of creation. One thought keeps coming back to me: that life is just a school of love.

We, and everything else were created in love and for love. Our ultimate goal in life, I believe, is NOT to be successful, or famous, or popular, or powerful or rich; but to be a love, to know that reality is ultimately good, even though it is not all sweetness and light. Love can be hidden; we don't see it unless we learn to see it. It requires an ability to stand away from ourselves and listen and look with a kind of non-judgmental objectivity.

Think of when you have experienced being loved well by some one, so well that you felt confident that that person would receive and accept you even though they knew your worst faults. That kind of love, that kind of acceptance, is what I believe we are all called to Do for ourselves, for all the people we interact with, and indeed, for all of creation.

Do good, live in truth, forgive profligately, be true to your deepest self, and LOVE.

Servir Cristo En Todo

2011-07-13T10:34:00.033-04:00

Enjoying the homemade pizza dinner over at the Immaculate Heart of Mary community, located across the street from Franciscan Mission Service.

In just a matter of two months, the 27th class of lay missioners will be beginning courses at Casa San Salvador, with new mission candidates who will be continuing to discern where Christ is leading them through their studies in subjects including theology and Franciscan Spirituality. Just across the street from us, another group of individuals are also taking formation courses in theology and philosophy - the Servants of the Lord and of the Virgin Matara, religious sisters also preparing to further understand God's call in their lives.

FMS prospective missioner Kitzi Hendricks alongside two of our neighbors.

This past Thursday, we were able to share a meal and conversation with our neighbors the Servants of the Lord at their home. Since we also had been planning our Discernment Days' Sorbet Social for the very same evening, following our meal the sisters and the FMS community walked across the street to Casa San Salvador for a tasty ice cream treat.

The topic of discernment ended up being very prevalent, as many of the sisters shared with us their vocation stories and decision to becoming a sister with the Servants of the Lord. It was quite fitting for FMS since we were holding our discernment retreat, which is designed to help prospective mission candidates pray about the decision to commit three years of their lives to lay mission work. Though religious and lay each have unique vocations, we still found our common ground, through our desire to live in community and by the assertion that each and every one of us had the overall longing to love and serve Christ always (amar y servir Cristo siempre).

Following dinner the sisters came over with us to Casa San Salvador for our Discernment Days' Sorbet Social.

It was interesting to hear conversations across the room as all of us discussed the significance of the logos and symbols of their organization. At my table the sister shared with us the Cross of Matara which the sisters wear around their neck and what each symbolized in relation to their charism and mission, how their gray habits symbolized Christ's humanity and mission on earth, whereas their blue aprons represented his divinity. Across the room, at another table an FMS domestic volunteer could be heard telling the sister about our the FMS tree, how the tree trunk is made up of two people emphasizing our partnership and community approach to mission.

The Cross of Matara is the cross that each of the Sisters - Servants of the Lord - wear around their neck. Beside that is the FMS logo, a tree with its trunk representing two individuals coming together in community and partnership.

Overall it was a blessing to be able to spend this time with neighbors, to be able to contemplate our roles as religious and lay and how we work together towards helping others to know Christ's humanity and mission.

Sharing Our Faith Story

2011-07-06T17:26:00.015-04:00

"We come to share our story": FMS community coming together in prayer and reflection following our fall formation.

For the FMS community, the DC Fourth of July brought the usual parades, musical performances at the Capitol Building and of course the fireworks by the Washington Monument. On July 4th, visitors traveling downtown also had the opportunity to experience international cultural, cuisine, crafts, and music, at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The festival featured a celebration of Peace Corps now in its 50th year of service, giving the Independence Day crowd of tourists a glimpse of the projects of volunteers doing service overseas worldwide.

The three of us from the FMS community who attended - two FMS volunteers and one Columban volunteer - had a chance to listen to stories from former Peace Corps Volunteers about about how their service impact their life and how they tried to bring a piece of their community back with them to the United States. Many of the values they bring are also FMS core values, focused on building community worldwide and promoting social justice. But listening to the stories, it made us as a community think about why we chose a faith organization as a means to serve.

A Vocation Rooted in the Gospel: FMS Missioner Sandra Bradford finding joy in community living in Zambia.

A person's decision to serve overseas can be based on several factors, whether it's their desire to know another culture or the drive to help those most in need. FMS missioners tend to find their desire and drive rooted in their faith journey and vocation. The individuals who seek out FMS have because they are looking for something that integrates theological and contemplative understanding with their call to mission. Our missioners' actions in their overseas lives find their influence in the teachings and love of Christ, a mission derived from the Gospel.

An Intentional Faith Community: FMS Missioners living overseas share a meal and their faith journeys on mission.

Like the Peace Corps Volunteers, they bring home a piece of their international community with them, but FMS missioners also bring a faith story with them. Just this year, several of our returned missioners have taken to the road for Mission Appeals to share the Franciscan charism, spirituality, and joy in living in intentional community. Many of the parishes are in remote locations, that only have twenty or so parishioners, yet our returned missioners are able to share their personal mission experiences, rooted in the Gospel, through the spirituality and contemplation of St. Francis of Assisi. It is not merely a call to action and service alone, but a call to renew our baptismal vows by deepening our faith and living out the love of Christ.

Creativity and Community at the Beach

2011-06-29T16:10:00.014-04:00

Let them eat cake: FMS staff enjoyed a weekend at the beach as part of their annual staff retreat. L to R: Matt Lorch, Br. Paul O'Keeffe, OFM; Susie Zagar, Rhegan Hyypio, Rachel Roa.

A gentle breeze brushed past my face as I stared out into the crashing waves and ocean in Beach Haven New Jersey, all around me a feeling of peace. I thought of the prayer of the weekend "Christ before us, Christ behind us, let all around be Christ." These words came from the meditation given to us by Rhegan Hyypio, our retreat leader for the weekend. Each one of us kept thinking how fortunate we were to be in the midst of such serenity.

The weekend was blessed with beautiful weather, wonderful company, and delicious cuisine. We were lucky to have Br. Paul O'Keeffe, OFM, FMS returned missioner and excellent cook, to spend time with us on retreat. He helped us navigate our way around the island in addition to cooking for us the first night: he prepared an amazing curried chicken with mango and pinneapple, with cooked vegetables and fish. While it doesn't get any better than that, wait until you hear what we had for dessert - a lemon and berry trifle also made by Br. Paul. Sorry to say there is no picture, it disappeared quite quickly during the course of the weekend.

Overall we were thankful for our time at the beach to spend getting to know one another and learning about creativity in both our spiritual lives and in our communities. One of the key points we focused on during the weekend can be summed up in this quote: "God is at home. We are the ones who go out for the walk." These words helped us to see how God is ever present in our hearts, our lives and the faith that dwells within us. Through prayer we grow in that honest self-awareness that allows us to be our authentic selves, and through that we can create community, built on true and loving relationships.

Lighthouses in all shapes and sizes, all temples of the Holy Spirit! L to R: Matt Lorch, Susie Zagar, Rachel Roa, Mariam Mitry.

New Domestic Volunteer Matt Lorch strikes a pose with Br. Paul O'Keeffe.

After skipping (or attempting to skip) rocks, we all pose for a final group shot together.

We were most thankful to Rhegan for preparing and coordinating our retreat.

Seeking to follow where Christ leads us!

Meet our New Domestic Volunteers!

2011-06-22T12:17:00.021-04:00

Our domestic volunteer program tends to attract eager service-focused individuals who are enthusiastic and excited to further the work of lay missioners worldwide. While FMS domestic volunteers do not go overseas to serve, they are deeply invested in the work and ministries of our lay missioners.

During their year serving FMS, they engage in the formation program through their relationships with mission candidates, assist with fundraising strategies to help with missioner field support, and they foster friendships with other volunteers in their community through meals, spirituality, and prayer. Now in the third year of this program, we introduce and welcome the latest additions to the FMS family, two individuals, Christine Landau and Matthew Lorch, who embody what it means to be an FMS missioner.

Christine Landau

While Christine Landau was researching possible opportunities in the D.C. area, something about FMS just seemed to fit.
"It was exactly the sort of organization I was looking for," said Christine, who is completing work towards a doctorate in Ancient Judiasm and Early Christianity. Her interests which range from humanitarian, community, and international outreach to environmental awareness led her to apply for FMS.
Her primary role at FMS will be communications, focusing on social media, fundraising, and helping to produce the FMS newsletter. She brings with her experience in the publishing industry, working in editorial, sales, and management. Not only will she be a huge asset to our communications development, she will also be participating in our comprehensive lay mission program, teaching a weekly course in Scripture and Mission. Our lay missioners will gain new perspective from her expertise in Scripture, Ancient Judiasm, and Christianity as they prepare for mission overseas.
"I want to respond to a calling to support those who serve overseas, to be present to people who are disadvantaged, overlooked, marginalized. I hope my experience at FMS will give me the confidence and resolve to continue to do similar work in the future.""

Matthew Lorch

In his search for interesting opportunities in the D.C. area, FMS seemed like a great one for him. FMS combined many of his interests including the nonprofit work and international relations, but also his study of St. Francis.
"What I admire most about St. Francis is his focus on putting others' needs above his own," said Matthew who brings his experiences in nonprofit and public management in parks and recreation to his work at FMS.
He will directly serve our lay mission candidates as program associate, helping to coordinate the 14-week formation program held every fall. Matthew's own personal overseas mission will allow him to be a helpful resource for our new class of mission candidates. He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching English in the Republic of Benin.

A Letter from the Ixcán

2011-06-09T16:19:00.010-04:00

We are honored to be able to share a reflection and letter from one of our Return Missioners, Kathy Snider. Following her three years of service with Franciscan Mission Service, Kathy helped to found the Ixcán Ministries, a Christian lay mission organization serving as a ministry of presence among the indigenous poor of the remote jungle of Ixcán located in Guatemala.

A picture of the chapel where Return Missioner Kathy Snider (FMS Group 11; Guatemala) prays her morning ritual she calls "The Spirituality of the East Window." Here is the east window.

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him/her will bear much fruit because without me, you can do nothing." - John 15:5

In the early morning hours before sunrise, I arose and made my way to the chapel of St. James in the mission house where I live. I designed the chapel to be situated in the east corner of the house specifically because part of my spiritual practice is to watch the sunrise from an open window during morning prayer. In the adjacent corner to the east window is a simple round wooden altar where I lit a candle and placed a freshly brewed cup of tea. With journal, Liturgy of Hours, and the bible at hand, I watched in awe as the morning sunlight broke through the darkness and awakened the dawn to a new day. I call this morning ritual "the Spirituality of the East Window" and it is essential to my life.

After morning prayer, I made my way to the kitchen and went to the refrigerator (we now have electricity in the village!) and took out a beautiful, farm raised, organic fresh egg I have received from Natividad, one of our woman weavers. When we have meetings, the women often bring me gifts of food or flowers and many of them have become my friends. Natividad has gifted this egg to me along with five others. As I thanked her she declared with pride, "These came from the chickens I bought with the sale of my weavings." I congratulated her and gently placed each one in the egg rack in the refrigerator. I smiled now, cracking the firm egg with a deep yolk into the frying pan and soon enjoyed a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs and tortillas.

Natividad, one of the woman weavers, presented five organic eggs, the result of her involvement in Ixcán Ministries' micro-business program.

As I reflect on these simple actions of prayer and eating an egg breakfast thanks to Natividad and her chickens due to her involvement in our microbusiness, it occurs to me that this symbolizes what we try to do as a ministry: praying, forming relationships with the people, and exchanging gifts.

Prayer is vital not only for personal spiritual growth and health but also for the active element of our ministry. It is being contemplative in action whereas the "what we do" flows out of our prayer and a sense of moving in God's will. Fr. Rick Thomas, S.J. (d.) used to say, "Do what God is doing." We try our best to do that which includes forming relationships, extending our help in outreach (education, health, pastoral ministry, economic development) and receiving help in return...

I invite you to brew a cup of coffee, light a candle, open the window and allow the resurrected Jesus to come anew into your life beginning with the light of a new day.

Grace and Peace to you,

Kathy

Thank you, Kathy, for sharing these words. To learn more about her and this ministry, follow the link: Ixcán Ministries.

Compost Your Way to a Healthy, Earth Friendly Garden

2011-05-25T16:36:00.023-04:00

House manager Daena Padilla and FMS webmaster Jill Staudt weed our vegetable garden.

While FMS missioner, Nora Pffeifer has been busily working on building environmental awareness in Bolivia through composting, our staff at our local headquarters have also been using compost to plant a garden in back of Casa San Salvador.

So you might be wondering, what is composting? Or maybe you know about it but never tried it out. With the help of FMS staff members, we have compiled a user-friendly guide to composting so you can start one in your very own home.

What is composting and what are the benefits?

Composting involves mixing discarded food items with soil used in a garden. According to the US EPA, "using compost can reduce the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides" making it an earth friendly and enriching practice

How do I start a compost pile?

We recommend any piece of rubber material, that can be easily purchased at your local home improvement store. In Bolivia, Nora has been working with a graduate student to develop a compost pile container using old tires. Within the pile, make sure you have placed soil in the pile up to the halfway mark to use for mixing the compost items with the soil.

Here is ourlocal FMS compost pile.

In Bolivia, Nora uses composting bins made out of discarded tires.

What can I compost?

In your kitchen, you can have a separate container (a small trash bin works great) for collecting compost items.

You can compost: Eggshells, Coffee, Veggies, Fruits, Tea Bags (with no staples), Nutshells, Dryer Lint, Hair. The smaller the item, the better.

Do not compost: Meat, grease, fats, dairy, salad dressing, bones, gravy, mayonnaise, peanut butter, and whole eggs.

My kitchen compost bin is full. Now what?

Once the kitchen container is full, you will take it to the compost pile to throw in. After doing this take a rake and mix the items in with the soil.

Eduardo Padilla our other house manager pours the composting container into the pile.

Daena rakes in the leaves and soil to cover up the food items.

Your goal is have the soil covering up the compost as to detract flies and other unwanted pests from getting into the compost. House manager Daena Padilla recommends keeping a bag of raked leaves to cover up composted items, preventing bugs from congregating around the garden.

When should I add the soil and compost mixture to my garden?

Continue to fill your kitchen bin with food/waste items and sending them out to the compost pile. Stir it up occasionally and use the composted soil for the garden. Take soil from the top that has been enriched by the compost and add it to the soil where you are growing your fruits and vegetables. Overtime the food in the pile outside continues to decompose. As you plant your garden, you will take amounts of the soil and mix it in with the soil in the garden bed.

Thank you to Jill Staudt, Daena and Eduardo Padilla for their hard work in the FMS garden. We can't wait to taste the finished product!

Integrity of Creation

2011-05-18T23:02:00.008-04:00

A photograph taken by one of our missioners, Nora in Bolivia

The environment is God’s gift to everyone and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.” ~Caritas in Veritate, No. 48

It was a blessing this week to be able to meet with some of the individuals who have had a significant impact on sustainable development and promoting the respect of all creation.

The Center for Concern in Washington D.C. invited renowned Columban priest Fr. Sean McDonagh, recent recipient of the to speak about the “obstacles of sustainable living.” In the discussions of the evening the focus was how the earth is wasted more than it is replenished. One of the speakers during the evening noted “we can throw money into our financial institutes and it can come back, but we can’t throw money into our eco-system and hope it comes back.”

In other words, our responsibility to the earth involves deliberate action, making conscious efforts to consume less and give back to the earth, so to speak. When we care for creation, we play a role in living with and respecting the earth, but this also impacts the least among us, the poor. We are called to realize that we are part of something bigger, that every single person shares the earth. Some of those on the earth waste nothing because they have so little.

Rachel Roa, domestic volunteer, who attended the talk at Center for Concern, commented, “it made me aware of what steps I can take to consume less in the world to give the global community and earth a chance to thrive.” World consumption can come in many different forms. She offered the example of cell-phones – how we continue to buy them as a new model comes out but we often don’t consider what happens to the ones we don’t use anymore.

In our Franciscan Tradition at FMS, this is an important facet for us to remember, having that awareness of the world around us, our interconnectedness with every living being. As a reflection, how can we live more sustainably? How can we actively consider how our day to day decisions - the drops of water we use, the meat we ate for dinner last night, the drive we took to work when we could have walked - impact the least among us?

Learn more about sustainable development from the Center of Concern’s Website: http://www.coc.org/ed

Unsung Heroes

2011-05-13T14:23:00.010-04:00

As a part of her the Domestic Volunteer (DV) formation at FMS, Susie Zagar provides a personal reflection on a talk given by one of the guest speakers, Mr. Harold Nelson, an advocate for civil rights and social justice.

Program Director Rhegan Hyypio (right) arranged for her fellow community member Harold Nelson to speak to two FMS volunteers Susie Zagar (left) and Rachel Roa (middle) as a part of their Domestic Volunteer formation program.

When I first came to FMS, I learned the phrase "ministry of presence" for the first time. Over the course of the year, it has been amazing to observe the deep profound effects of this minister whether it was through spending time with the missioners in formation, with my community seeing how they have carried out their service roles in D.C. and with the people who have come through the doors at Casa San Salvador.

During the Lenten Season, the domestic volunteers were privileged to have as a guest and speaker, Mr. Harold Nelson, who gave us a talk about his experiences advocating for civil rights. In his lifetime, he has taught at Freedom Schools in Alabama, he has taught students living along the U.S. Mexican border, and he has worked in D.C. with Torture Abolition and Survivor's Support Coalition (TASSC) .

To me, Harold epitomizes what the ministry of presence is all about. During his time working along the U.S. Mexican Border he encouraged students in their writing. He would tell them, "I can teach you everything you need to know about spelling and grammar, but I can't teach you how to write." Writing for the students came from within, a combination of their experiences and their personal talents. Harold's job was to be there for the students, to give them confidence, to encourage them in finding their voices, helping them to see that they had the ability to write. Many of these students had never been given that type of encouragement and more often than not they were told that they would never amount to anything.

We asked Harold what steps we could take in our daily faith lives to carry out social justice. His answer was simple, that some one could change a life just by offering a warm welcome, just by smiling, and honestly striving to find the dignity in each individual. All of these actions go a long way in reaching out to a person.

Through Harold's stories, I can also see how presence is two fold. While Harold was reaching out to others, he was also learning from and gaining insight from them. As an exercise, we can try to see how our presence has had an impact, how God has used us in our daily lives, but we can also reflect on what we have learned from some one else.

For Reflection: Each day, write down a list of people you met or talked to. Next write down what you were able to learn from them through your presence.

~Susie Zagar, FMS Domestic Volunteer

The FMS Family

2011-03-15T16:50:00.010-04:00

A "family photo" of FMS staff, board of directors (FMS returned missioners among them), and house managers.

If one could draw a family tree of FMS, you would see an amazing web of connections of hardworking and dedicated people living around the world, standing up for global peace and justice. Over the last two months, we've been able to celebrate the FMS family, the connections and relationships we've fostered in striving to build community and justice worldwide.

Gathering around the table to make a toast to the efforts and commitment of our board and staff.

In early February, we welcomed the Franciscan Mission Service board of directors to Casa San Salvador. On the Friday night that they arrived, everyone (staff, board, and house managers included) gathered around the table to share dinner and toast to the new horizons for FMS. It was a glimpse of the Franciscan Service Family, brought to the table by common values and the desire to further the global vision of FMS. While our board members include FMS returned missioners (Fr. George Corrigan, OFM; Patrick O'Neill; and Megeen White Testa), we are also blessed to have representation from other communities which includes Pax Christi (Jack McHale), Our Lady Queen of Peace (Evelyn Mercantini), Franciscan Sisters of Allegany (Sr. Cathy Cahill, OSF), and the OFM Conventuals (Fr. Martin Day. OFM Conv.). We are ever grateful to have these committed individuals as part of the FMS family.

In the same month, we also introduced a group of mission volunteers to FMS through a re-entry retreat planned and led by two FMS returned missioners Rhegan Hyypio and Beth Riehle. The mission volunteers, who had just completed two and half years of service in Honduras, were part of an organization called Farm of the Child. The organization leaders had learned about FMS through our 20th anniversary event and requested that FMS lead a re-entry retreat for the volunteers. FMS agreed and seven returned volunteers participated in the program.

Rhegan Hyypio and Beth Riehle led a re-entry retreat for the Farm of the Child volunteers who spent 2 1/2 years serving orphaned and abandoned children in Honduras.

One of these individuals, Ryan Murphy, was able to network through FMS to connect with the Columban Center of Advocacy and Outreach. Ryan now lives with FMS's long-term volunteer community while advocating for immigration rights in Washington, D.C.

"I truly believe that is was a gift of God that I came on the FMS re-entry retreat," said Ryan. "I was not intending to participate, but it allowed me to find closure and to transform my bonds with my fellow missioners to an American setting." Click here to read Ryan's thoughts about working with the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach.

The final Sunday for the board meeting at FMS was also the final day of the re-entry retreat for the Farm of the Child. Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM was there to celebrate mass for everyone present and we gathered for breakfast afterwards. It was great time to recognize the testament of FMS, but also the people who have shared in this through their faith-based efforts to create positive change in the world.

The Journey of 8,000 Miles

2011-02-11T11:32:00.015-05:00

En route to Zambia: Sandra and Bryce are greeted by a familiar face.

In an airport, everyone is on some kind of a journey, whether it is a business trip, a vacation, a visit to see a loved one, etc. Everyone boards the plane with one particular destination in mind. Sandra and Bryce Bradford are among these travelers as they wait with entwined feelings of anticipation and excitement, with suitcases in hands, listening to the echoing sounds of airplanes on the runway, during a long layover at Dulles Aiport. They were grateful to be able to spend some of this time with Rhegan Hyypio, their formation teacher and mentor, who was able greet them before take-off. Their next flight will take them to Johannesburg, South Africa for the last leg of their journey before they land in Zambia, the place they will call home for three years.

During Bryce and Sandra's Formation, Fr. Matthew Kayombo Mukosayi, OFMConv. who resides in Zambia paid FMS a surprise visit during his trip to the U.S.

They have committed themselves to three years of service and ministry with the people of Kitwe, Zambia. They have spent months studying and preparing themselves for this experience they know will be life altering. They have come to grips with the concept of leaving the comforts of home, family and friends during this time to work alongside those who suffer and thirst for justice.

Before their commissioning ceremony at St. Camillus alongside Rhegan and Fr. Joe.

I first met Sandra and Bryce five months ago, when they first arrived at Casa San Salvador, poised to begin their formation classes. The two had already long immersed themselves in causes advocating for the poor and less fortunate, from working in schools to serving on a Navajo reservation to acting as house parents for a program supporting expectant mothers. I have loved listening for hours to their stories and have felt honored to be a part of their journey while they were in D.C. Their commitment to social justice has been such a powerful witness to me over the months. Their choice in a program like Franciscan Mission Service demonstrates their firm commitment to approach overseas mission with full-discerned hearts. There is nothing impulsive about their decision - it is rooted in vocation. I know that they are following the will of God, who has called them to be his servants.

While I am not able to go on mission with them, I look forward to hearing their weekly stories of life in Kitwe, Zambia. I invite everyone else to share in their experiences as FMS missioners as well by following their blog: Sandra and Bryce Adventure.

~ Susie Zagar, FMS Domestic Volunteer.

Sandra and Bryce stand before the congregation at St. Camillus professing their commitment to follow where Christ leads them.

Sandra lights a candle in the chapel at FMS at a mass we held at the end of their formation program.

Not long now. Zambia, here we come!

Incarnation as Journey

2011-01-25T14:12:00.024-05:00

Our five missioners in Bolivia are overjoyed to be able to share a meal with Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM.

One year ago, five individuals made a decision to leave the comforts of home, family, and friends to serve a ministry of presence with the people of Bolivia. Over the year they've dealt with the many challenges and joys on their mission journey. Last week, they came together for a retreat to regroup and reflect on their time in service and solidarity with the poor.

FMS Missioners Clare Lassiter, Catherine Giller, Nora Pffeifer, Lynn Myrick Vaughan, and Joel Vaughan just finished one year of mission with Franciscan Mission Service.

The five traveled by bus alongside their two visitors, Rhegan Hyypio and Fr. Joe Nangle, who came to Bolivia to spend time with the missioners, accompany them in their individual ministries, and to lead a retreat for them. The group arrived at the Casa de Oracion (which translates: "house of prayer") at 10:30 AM on Thursday, January 13th. They were greeted by Las Hijas de Santa Ana (Daughters of St. Anne), who provided hospitality to them during their time on retreat.

The focus of the retreat was "Incarnation as Journey" and allowed the missioners to reflect on the life of Christ as a means of examining their lives and time as a missioners. In one year of their mission journey, they've experienced both the joys and the trials of life in mission. They were able spend the retreat sharing stories and reflecting on their experiences with one another.

During the retreat, they each designed their own "Canticle of Creation." Like St. Francis who wrote "The Canticle of the Creatures", each of the missioners brought their own talents in art, design, photography, and writing to create a canticle that described the joys of their mission journey.

The missioners departed from La Casa de Oracion on January 15th to return to their work and service in Cochabamba. Now they embark on their second year as FMS missioners, persevering in the spirit of St. Francis as they carry out their ministries.

Catherine Giller wrote a canticle, "Ode to Tiqti", praising the neighborhood Tiqti Sur and the people she has met there.

Clare Lassiter with the canticle she designed on retreat.

The group celebrated the sacrament of the mass with Fr. Joe Nangle beneath one of the beautiful enclosed gazebos.

Nora Pffeifer takes time to write and reflect about her mission experiences.
Catherine Giller enjoys the peace and quiet of La Casa de Oracion.

The Daughters of St. Anne provided hospitality to our missioners during the retreat.

Fr. Joe and Rhegan were both excited to be back in Bolivia to spend time with the missioners.

Keeping the Dream Alive

2011-01-18T11:15:00.015-05:00

"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means at which we arrive at that goal." ~Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. encouraged others to "stand in solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, and those suffering the devastation of racism" (Snyder 1). His work inspires our efforts at Franciscan Mission Service of working alongside the poor, building community across cultures, and helping those suffering from oppression. This week we honor his commitment to promoting civil rights and actively working for peace.

On Monday, January 17, 2011, FMS staff attended the celebration for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and Catholic Charities Award Ceremony at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church in Washington, D.C. Before we even walked into the church, we could hear the beautiful voices of the St. Al's choir, offering a prelude hymn before the mass began.

St. Aloysius Church held the "Keep the Dream Alive" mass and awards ceremony on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The parish, which celebrated its 150th Anniversary, continues its efforts in social justice and service towards the homeless.

St. Aloysius parish in Washington, D.C., founded in 1859, is a longtime supporter and partner of Franciscan Mission Service. Not only has the church a part of D.C. history, it has also been a significant part of FMS history: many of our missioners attend mass at St. Al's during their formation period and have volunteered at the parish's McKenna Center, which services the homeless and most in need on a daily basis. It seemed only fitting to attend a mass in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at St. Al's, a parish known for its commitment to social justice and community outreach.

During the mass, Rev. Patrick Smith gave a thought-provoking homily during which he discussed how Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy confronts him. It challenges him. He noted that too often his "I have a dream" message becomes reduced to "a sentimental wish", when in fact Dr. King's message was both a vision inspired by God and "a call to action."

Fr. Patrick likened Dr. King's achievements and work to that of another prominent figure in the struggle for social justice and equality - Pope John Paul II. According to Fr. Patrick, John Paul II, whose beatification will take place on May 1st, 2011, had the same drive as Martin Luther King, in his efforts to stand up for human development and dignity. Fr. Patrick focused on John Paul II's in his promotion of human development through the promotion of life and an end to war. In his encyclical Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, Pope John Paul II stated:

"If development is the new name for peace, war and preparation for war are the major enemy of the healthy development of peoples. If we take the common good of all humanity as our norm, instead of individual greed, peace would be possible."

Like Martin Luther King Jr., Pope John Paul II worked against the culture of death, promoting peace and an end to violence. Here is a picture of Pope John Paul II with Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM, former executive director at FMS.

The mass was also an opportunity for Catholic Charities to honor those who had also made strides in efforts of social justice: Joshua DuBois, Marguerite Harmon, Maria Odom, and Jean Hale. Their faith-based efforts included advocating for the poor and hungry, those with disabilities, and those seeking asylum. These individuals have made peace their means as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Pope John Paul II did.

John Paul II. Encyclical, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis. Catholic Social Teaching: Office for Social Justice. 1987. January 20, 2011. http://www.osjspm.org/

Snyder, Rev. Larry. Keep the Dream Alive: Mass and Awards. Washington, D.C. Catholic Charities USA. 17 Jan. 2011: Program.

"Crossing Borders": El Salvador Martyrs Remembered

2011-01-11T14:50:00.023-05:00

2009 FMS and Maryknoll Lay Missioners list qualities of St. Francis during Fr. Mike Johnson, OFM's "Day of Reflection" formation course.

In an earlier post from this year, Fr. George Corrigan, OFM provided an essay on Franciscan theology and the concept of "crossing over in mission." He wrote:

"Francis' vision of mission included the very strong idea of leaving one's "camp" and crossing over to another "camp". In other words to be truly Franciscan is to be missionary across boundaries in whatever form one might encounter them." (Read more of Fr. George Corrigan's reflection by clicking here).

During our Collaborative Formation Gathering, Franciscan Mission Service and Maryknoll Lay Missioners come together each year to discern what it means to cross over, to cross boundaries and experience a new culture. We rely on St. Francis because he understood essentially what it meant to "cross over" and we seek to follow his example. We also look to the people who have come before us for guidance and encouragement, others who have done like St. Francis in letting go of fear and anxiety about the "other" in order to build relationships across borders.

On January 6, 2011, in a service entitled "Crossing Borders", FMS joined Maryknoll in remembering the three sisters and one lay missioner who lost their lives on Dec. 2, 1980 in service to the poor in El Salvador: Maura Clarke, M.M., Ita Ford M.M., Dorothy Kazel, OSU, and Jean Donovan.

The four missioners from the U.S. who tragically lost their lives in El Salvador (December 2, 1980): Ita Ford, M.M.; Maura Clarke, M.M.; Jean Donovan; and Dorothy Kazel, OSU

These four women came to El Salvador at the call of Archbishop Oscar Romero y Damas, who requested the presence of the Maryknoll sisters to help the poor communities struggling in the midst of government oppression. As conditions became worse in La Libertad, El Salvador, these individuals remained to assist the poor and stand up to the injustices despite the dangerous upheaval. According to John Dear, author of The Questions of Jesus and Living Peace, the missioners both lay and religious assisted with the burying of the dead bodies alongside the road and helped individuals to try and find their relatives.

During the commemoration, the Maryknoll sisters gave an award to the Ita Ford's brother, William Ford, for his continuing pursuit of peace in El Salvador following his sister's brutal murder. Janice McLaughlin, M.M., president of the Maryknoll sisters, also presented a talk on the "Crossing Borders" theme of the 30th anniversary of their deaths. Through their efforts, the four women let go of all fears and crossed borders and courageously sought to help those desperate conditions to renew hope.

Through our work at Franciscan Mission Service, along with our partners at Maryknoll, we hope to follow in the footsteps of these women, in order to embrace our baptismal call to mission and live with determination in taking a stand against injustice.

To end, we offer a brief reflection from Sr. Janice McLaughlin, M.M.:

"We are using the theme of "Crossing Borders" as we celebrate this 30th anniversary. Not only did the women cross the external borders of various countries in their mission journey - Chile, Nicaragua, El Salvador- but they also crossed the inner borders of mind and spirit that enabled them to live with joy and freedom and that makes them so appealing and such role models for the rest of us. It is not their deaths that we wish to imitate, as noble as they were, but the example of their lives."

Below are pictures of FMS missioners who have journeyed to El Salvador, during their time of service:

Beth Riehle began her mission with FMS in El Salvador in 2006 before serving as Program Director in D.C.

During his time in mission (2005-2007), Don Clausen taught computer classes to children in El Salvador.

During her time in mission, Pat Clausen brought her expertise as a nurse to the people of El Salvador

FMS missioners and staff come together for a retreat in Sonsonate, El Salvador

Living in the Heart of God

2011-01-05T11:09:00.018-05:00

FMS staff was overjoyed to be able to participate in Sr. Ilia Delio's Profession of Perpetual Commitment ceremony and mass.

At Franciscan Mission Service, we are blessed to have as neighbors Sr. Ilia Delio, OSF and the Franciscan Sisters of Washington, D.C.

Sr. Ilia, an author and expert on St. Francis, has been an asset to the FMS community through her knowledge and understanding of Franciscan Spirituality. Her books are an essential part of FMS's core curriculum in preparing Mission Candidates to live out Franciscan values overseas.

This past Saturday, January 1st, 2011, Sr. Ilia made her profession of perpetual vows to live out her vocation to the Franciscan Sisters of Washington, D.C. all the days of her life. The order began in January 2006 under the Franciscan Servants of the Holy Child Jesus. Last year, the D.C. sisters became an independent order because the two orders' primary ministries were different from one another.

"Our mission," said Sr. Ilia, commenting on the charism of the Franciscan Sisters of Washington, D.C., "is to bring the heart of St. Francis into the world through work, prayer, and community."

At the mass and vows ceremony, which took place in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the Franciscan Monastery, Sr. Margaret Mary Kimmins, OSF was present to act as a witness to Sr. Ilia's vows and to give the homily reflection. Three of the sisters in Sr. Ilia's community - Paul J. Scraba, Laura A. Fitzgerald, and Sr. Lisa Marie Drover-provided readings.

Sr. Margaret Mary Kimmins, OSF invites Sr. Ilia to come forward to make her commitment.

Rev. Jeremy Harrington, OFM, the principal celebrant of the mass, leads Sr. Ilia in "The Call to Commitment"

FMS Staff member, Jill Staudt, led the congregation in music, playing the piano and singing a beautiful rendition of Amy Grant's "Breath of Heaven."

Jill Staudt, FMS Staff Member, offers her talents both in piano and vocals. One guest commended her, noting how she not only sang the songs, but also "prayed the songs."

During the "Call to Commitment," Sr. Ilia professed her desire to belong to the Franciscan Sisters of Washington, D.C., "to live the Gospel life by bearing witness to the goodness of God in all peoples, cultures, and the community on earth."

"This is what we seek, to live in the heart of God, who dwells in the heart of the world." ~Sr. Ilia Delio

"As Franciscans, we are called to live evangelical life," Sr. Ilia noted, "to make Christ alive, to live with attentiveness to the intricate connectedness to all that is, to see God's hidden presence in fragile reality."

It was wonderful to be able to celebrate New Years Day through presence to Sr. Ilia as she professed her vows.

Congratulations, Sr. Ilia Delio! We were grateful to be a part of your Profession of Perpetual Commitment. Thank you for your wisdom and commitment to Franciscan values!

The Franciscan Servants of the Holy Child Jesus traveled from Yardville, NJ to see Sr. Ilia make her vows.

Quincy U. Students Visit FMS

2010-12-21T14:56:00.002-05:00

On Friday, December 17^th, Franciscan Action Network hosted an event for Quincy University Students at Casa San Salvador to learn more about “Care for Creation” with FAN and 3 year international mission with FMS.

The students, many of them history majors, had all taken the same course, Visions of the World, with Quincy visiting professor Megan Boccardi. While part of the trip focused on historical sites in D.C., the main purpose was to serve - in the spirit of St. Francis –local organizations in need of volunteers. The service-oriented trip, arranged by Boccardi, involved a 17 hour train ride from Quincy University (located in) to D.C.

Part of their journey included meeting with Patrick Carolan, the new Executive Director at FAN, and staff members at FMS. The students were eager to learn about both the organizations and a couple of students expressed interested in overseas mission after they graduated college.

Quincy University is located in Quincy, Illinois and is a private four year, liberal arts college, founded in the Franciscan tradition.

"God's Mission, Many Faces."

2010-12-16T12:53:00.036-05:00

Kim expresses her appreciation for the perspective Cardinal Rodriguez shared in his inspiring keynote address.

"Mission is a grand expression of Communion - of being the body."

These words come from Cardinal Rodriquez, who spoke at the 2010 Mission Congress in Albuquerque, NM, which took place back in October. Kim Smolik was invited to facilitate this conference which brought together the integral leaders from all over the world to dialog about mission in the Catholic Church. Throughout the conference, religious and lay examined emerging trends in mission, celebrated the many enterprises and accomplishments over the last year, and to came to see mission as growing in communion with one another.

The theme of the Mission Congress was "God's Mission, Many Faces: A Portrait of US Catholics in Mission." During the weekend, those present reflected on how mission brings together a variety of individuals, each contributing their own personal "brushstroke" to make strides in social justice worldwide. With FMS' strong emphasis on community and solidarity with impoverished communities, our vision is on the forefront of mission today.

The Mission Congress was a model of community and relationship building among the religious and laity, a witness to the possibilities of partnership in mission. The congregation and leaders in attendance acknowledged the challenges of partnerships between religious and laity and envisioned how they could work together to make mission truly transformational for everyone involved. Mariam Mitry, Associate Director of FMS, had several conversations with religious interested in partnering with laity in mission overseas.

One of the key focuses of the Mission Congress was the essential role of laity in mission. "The laity," said Cardinal Rodriguez, "should be involved in all levels of planning and carrying out mission."

In creating effective partnerships and fostering authentic mission overseas, the leaders at the event stressed the need for formation on all levels, both for those lay missioners preparing for short and long term mission, as well as for the laity of the church in general. The speakers emphasized a need for increased teaching in social analysis and Catholic Social Teaching in North American parishes.

The Mission Congress was a time to reflect on the current identity of mission, how it has become less about "building institutions" and more about "building relationships."

"(Mission) is about being with," said Sr. Janice, another keynote speaker, it is about accompanying and advocating alongside those we come to know in mission."

In closing at the Mission Congress, Kim Smolik noted the progress that had been made over the last ten years in mission, in how we have learned to grow deeper in relationship with others through spirituality and the ministry of presence. "Let us be encouraged," Smolik said, "that we are able to see right now, our own growth, we are already on this journey together."

Below see more pictures of the key figures who lead the Mission Congress and contributed to its success:

Cardinal Rodriguez gives his keynote address: Continental Mission in Light of Aparecida

Religious and Lay Missioners discuss keynote address by Sr. Janice McLaughlin, MM: Turned Upside Down: Lessons from the Margins.

Teresita Gonzalez de la Maza, the USCMA Board President, with Sr. Janice and Fr. Michael Montoya, MJ, Executive Director of the United States Catholic Mission Association (USCMA) and key organizer for the Mission Congress.

Genevieve Mougey and Stephen Scott, both staff members at USCMA, helped to coordinate the Mission Congress.

Jim Lindsay, Executive Director at Catholic Volunteer Services thanks the individuals at CVN and USCMA who made the Mission Congress possible.

Kim Smolik with Fr. Max Hottle, OFM

The Parable of Picking Mulberries

2010-12-08T09:55:00.005-05:00

The following is an experience one of our missioners, Tim Marcy, recently had in South Africa, working at St. Francis Care Center. In the story, Tim describes how he helps a man pick mulberries "because he wasn't tall enough to reach them, nor could he climb the tree." Enjoy the Reflection:

"I climbed up, got a goodly handful, and when I came down, found that he had been picking up (with some effort) some of the very ripe berries which had fallen to the ground. After giving him the berries I had picked, I remarked that eating too many berries would probably give him diarrhea, so maybe he wouldn't want those dirty berries from the ground. He raised his finger and gave me a look and a shake of the head that I interpreted to mean something like, 'You don't know everything, bub.' About fifteen minutes later, I found him in the center of a group of patients and staff, meticulously cleaning and de-stemming each berry and giving them out to those around him.
He hadn't wanted them for himself, he simply wanted others to share in a good taste experience."

Thank you for sharing, Tim!

To read more about Tim and his wife Cecilia's mission in South Africa, click here to read their blog.

HNP Today: FMS's Anniversary Celebration

2010-11-30T11:06:00.013-05:00

Holy Name Province recently published an article about Franciscan Mission Service's 20th anniversary celebration. Read the article here.

The article features information about our award honorees, but also the OFM friars who have supported our organization: John O'Connor, OFM, provincial minister who serves on FMS's board; Claude Lenehan, OFM; and Paul O'Keeffe, OFM, Return Missioner who recently made his profession of solemn vows.

We are thankful to Holy Name Province for their leadership and their participation in FMS's missioner formation throughout the years.

Franciscans friars Gerald Hopeck, OFM, Paul O'Keeffe, OFM, and Michael Reyes, OFM from Holy Name Province were among the attendees at FMS's celebration 20 years of mission on October 23, 2010.

FMS's 26th Commissioning

2010-11-24T11:23:00.019-05:00

R to L: Bryce Bradford, Sandra Bradford, Rhegan Hyypio (Our Program Director) and Susan Slavin stand outside St. Camillus.

On Sunday, November 14, 2010, FMS commissioned its 26th class of mission candidates: Sandra and Bryce Bradford and Susan Slavin. The ceremony took place on a beautiful autumn day at St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring, MD. Fr. Joe Nangle presided over the mass that honored the mission candidates' completion of the 13-week long intensive formation program and signified their spiritual readiness for mission abroad.

Bryce and Sandra will travel to Sowezi, Zambia this January, while Susan Slavin will be delaying her mission to Nairobi as she accompanies her mother in her final stages of life. Our prayers go with our missioners as they wait in anticipation and prepare themselves for three years of overseas mission in the spirits of St. Francis and Clare.

Missioner Candidate Bryce Bradford stands before the congregation for the first reading.

Susan Slavin receives a blessing from Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM.

Mission Candidate Sandra Bradford joyfully receives her Tau Cross from Rhegan Hyypio.

Rhegan Hyypio, FMS Return Missioner, prays alongside the 26th Missioner Class, that she guided over 13 weeks, as they await their commissioning.

Our mission candidates, called to be a living presence and accompany God's people, stand before the congregation of St. Camillus.

Missioner On The Air!

2010-11-22T10:36:00.009-05:00

In Cochabamba, Bolivia, one of our Current Missioners, Nora Pfeiffer, recently prepared a radio program promoting ecological awareness. The show was entitled "Programa de la Familia" and focused on restoring the environment with respects to Franciscan spirituality and the integrity of creation. Read more about Nora's stories from Bolivia, on advocacy for the environment on her personal blog.

Nora Pfeiffer broadcasting from Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Celebrating 20 Years of the 'Ministry of Presence'

2010-11-05T16:26:00.013-04:00

Click to see a slideshow of the event and videos here.

On October 23, 2010, Franciscan Mission Service celebrated its 20th Anniversary Benefit & Celebration to commemorate its rich history of laity in mission.

"From the start," said Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM, former executive director, "Franciscan Mission Service has been oriented not just to walk with the poor of the world in other countries, but to the conversion of North America."

During the course of the evening, two awards were given to individuals who have dedicated their lives to service and support of FMS:

The Anselm Moons, OFM Award was given to Sr. Barbara Fried, SMIC for her 17 years of devotion to FMS, designing the formation program's curriculum and building fundraising strategies. The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception were honored for their contributions to FMS both through staffing and funding.
The Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM Lifetime Mission Award was given to Fr. George Corrigan, OFM for his steadfast commitment to both international and local mission, his service in Kenya as a FMS missioner, his work at his parish in Downtown Tampa, FL, and his consistent support of FMS.

With 400 guests in attendance, the event was the largest celebration in FMS's history. In honor of the anniversary, renowned Franciscan author and speaker, Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM came to D.C. to give a morning retreat and the keynote address at the main event.

He noted that lay missioners had the means to transform North American society because of their willingness to look beyond "self-imposed grids" of society to truly encounter individuals they work with overseas.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, spoke about the role of missioners in transforming hearts. Follow the link to Fr. Richard Rohr's talk.

"Missionaries," Rohr said, "model that [transformational experience] of moving into the great dialogue, the great I/Thou relationship, the bigger picture beyond this isolated boundaried self."

Guests were witness to the work and experiences of our missioners, who shared stories of the people they encountered overseas who became family to them. Where the evening was a reunion for some, it was an introduction for others to that "ministry of presence" that FMS has cultivated since Fr. Anselm's founding vision enabled the first lay group to depart for mission in 1990.

L: Megeen White Testa presented Sr. Barbara Fried, SMIC with the Anselm Moons, OFM Award.

R: Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM presented Fr. George Corrigan with the Joe Nangle, OFM Lifelong Mission Award

"Called to Act with Justice"

2010-09-15T12:22:00.006-04:00

Our missioners in formation arrived just last week. Susan Slavin of Centerpoint, NY and Sandra and Byrce Bradford of Detroit, MI began their intensive mission formation classes on Monday, August 23, 2010. This past Sunday was their first mass celebration at St. Camillus where in 13 weeks from now they will be commissioned for their three years of service in Africa.

During the mass, Rhegan Hyypio, FMS program director and Return Missioner, introduced her mission students. Susan, Sandra, and Bryce came before the altar to receive a blessing from Fr. Jacek Orzechowski, O.F.M. and the congregation applauded them with great enthusiasm.

The timing just seemed right for the missioners. Not only did they receive a blessing for the beginning of their journey, but they also witnessed the baptism of a baby girl named Amani. The weekend at FMS had already been filled with the message of peace, but Amani means "peace" in Swahili. During the baptism, the congregation renewed their baptismal vows and the choir specifically chose to sing an African hymn about peace, in honor of the newborn baby Amani.

"Baptism," observed Bryce Bradford, "is a commissioning, a welcoming into the family of God, and open call to study the gospel." He likened the ceremony of baptism to his call to mission, having the mission to go out and express the love of his faith.

The recessional hymn at mass was appropriately "We Are Called", in which the lyrics - "We are called to act with justice, to love tenderly, to serve one another" - epitomize our missioners in formation. They have discerned their call to the ministry of presence and they have begun their formation; they are intent on preparing themselves to live out their baptismal call and serve with a message of peace and love.

Celebrating Peace at Casa San Salvador

2010-09-07T11:12:00.034-04:00

FMS Staff, Return Missioners, Missioners in Formation, friends and neighbors gathered on August 28, 2010 to celebrate our annual Peace Pole Planting. The service took place in front of our home site in D.C., Casa San Salvador, amidst a group of reflective and thoughtful individuals who offered up their prayers for peace, prayers for our missioners who have committed their lives to bridging communities and bringing consolation and love to those who have experienced suffering because of war and violence.

The ceremony began with an introduction of what a peace pole represented, followed a prayer during which "May Peace Prevail on Earth" was said in eight different languages including, Thai, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Swahili, English, Tagalog, and Arabic. Then we recited the prayer of St. Francis in honor of missioners serving overseas.

Following the ceremony everyone shared conversation and stories on the newly painted porch of Casa San Salvador while enjoying a vegetarian meal with plenty of hor d'oeurves, bean burgers, and desserts.

The peace pole presents the words "May peace prevail on Earth" in languages from all over the world in order to generate thoughts of peace and justice in the minds and hearts of all people and to commemorate those who have dedicated their lives to working for peace.

Walking joyfully down the house steps to where the peace pole is planted.

We pray that our daily actions might reflect peace, tolerance, and justice.

Before the ceremony, staff and guests wrote their personal prayer for peace. Sandra Bradford, missioner in formation places her prayer in the garden during the ceremony.

One prayer reflects the work of our missioners as they they travel to a foreign community to walk alongside the poor and marginalized.

The peace pole receives a blessing from Fr. Joe Nangle, O.F.M., FMS former director.

Kelvin Mulembe and Laura Perez led everyone in song.

The Peace Pole will remain in front of Casa San Salvador as a reminder for all to keep peace alive in their hearts.