FRANCISCAN MISSION OUTREACH + PO BOX 1086 + SECAUCUS, NJ 07096-1086 + TEL: 718-618-4511 francsicanmissionoutreach@gmail.com + www.franciscanmissionoutreach.blogspot.com

EM I SSA R Y FRANCISCAN MISSION OUTREACH + ACTIVITY UPDATE + DECEMBER 2012

LIBERIA: September 6 - 19, 2012

I spent two weeks with Fr. Adrian Crowley at St. Gabriel’s Par-

ish on the outskirts of Monrovia during my first visit to this

small West African country established by former US slaves in

the mid-1800s. There were Masses, Holy Hours, talks and other

activities in the parish. We also visited outstations, like VOA

(Voice of America - located near the former broadcasting site

of this US-sponsored radio program), where many Sierra Leone

refugees have settled.

The children in VOA

receive a weekly meal

(photo right) and cat-

echesis from St. Gabri-

el’s Parish. We also visit-

ed Archbishop Lewis

Zeigler and the sites of

Mary’s Meals and the

Cenacolo Community.

ZIMBABWE: September 19 - 26, 2012

My host in Harare was Fr. Liam McCarthy, OFM, an Irish

Franciscan and mutual friend of Bishop Michael Lenihan, OFM,

of La Ceiba, Honduras. I accompanied and assisted Fr. Liam on

several of his pastoral activities. The highlight of the time in

Zimbabwe was a visit to Mutemwa, site of a leper colony

served by Englishman John Bradburne (whose cause is being

promoted for canonization) before he was abducted and killed

in the civil war in 1979.

Mother of Peace Or-

phanage (photo left) is

also located nearby.

We’re raising funds for

an electrical transform-

er to help pump water

from a reservoir to the

orphanage and leper

colony.

KENYA: September 26 - October 7, 2012

I returned to Nairobi to

work again with the Mis-

sionaries of Charity Fa-

thers in reaching out to

the youth of nearby

slums and the inmates

of Kamiti Prison. Two youth events took place on successive

Saturdays: a formation day for youth leaders (photo above), in

which each received a Bible and catechism, and a larger youth

encounter that included a Rosary procession through the

streets. During the week in between we led our second Bread

of Life Eucharistic retreat at Kamiti, this time for those in maxi-

mum security. It was a special joy to see many from previous

events - among both the youth and the prisoners - step up into

positions of leadership and service to their peers.

UGANDA: October 7 - 21,

2012

I spent he first week of

my visit to Uganda do-

ing evangelization out-

reach focused on the

Year of Faith (which

began on October 11th,

two days after the 50th anniversary of Ugandan Independence)

on university campuses around Kampala. It was an added

blessing to stay at the parish built on the site of the death of St.

Matthias Mulumba, the eldest of the Uganda Martyrs. The se-

cond half of my time there was spent at Emmaus Center for

Catholic Discipleship and Evangelization, about 30 miles north

of the capital, for a weeklong formation program on praise and

worship that included a jubilant outdoor procession with the

Blessed Sacrament (photo above).

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:

November 16 - December 14, 2012

Mission Trip: Honduras & Peru

January 4-11, 2013

Mission Trip: Haiti

January 24 - February 11, 2013

Mission Trip: Honduras

February 16 - 20, 2013

Parish Mission: St. Luke Church, Ocean City, MD

February 23-27, 2013

Parish Mission: St. Rita Church, Staten Island, NY

March 21-31, 2013

Holy Week Youth Mission: La Ceiba, Honduras

Our missionary efforts depend on your spiritual and financial support. Please pray for us! Tax-deductible donations to support the life, ministries and missionary outreach of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal can be made out to “Franciscan Mission Outreach” and sent to : Franciscan Mission Outreach PO Box 1086 Secaucus, NJ 07096-1086 Thank you! You are in our prayers!

ETHIOPIA: October 21 - November 5, 2012

At the invitation of Auxiliary Bishop Lesanu-Christos

Matheos of Addis Ababa, Franciscan Mission Outreach

sponsored a Ugandan team to offer a series of presenta-

tions in the Archdiocese. Fr. David Byaruhanga, - who

has a doctorate in Biblical theology, Joseph Alumansi -

National Coordinator of the Uganda Catholic Charis-

matic Renewal , and Joseph’s wife Serah spoke to Cath-

olic charismatics, charismatic renewal leaders, priests

and religious, other lay leaders and interested Catholics

in a series of gatherings over the course of a week. In

addition to facilitating the Ugandan team, I collaborated

with the Community of St. John speaking about Faith

and the New Evangelization and doing youth evangeliza-

tion outreach in the rural area of Mendida.

HE BECAME ONE OF US!

“The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14

“He was found to be in human condition.” Philippians 2:8

“He had to become like His brothers in every way.” Hebrews 2:17

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Fr. Herald Joseph Brock, CFR & Franciscan Mission Outreach Sierra Leone refugee in Liberia.

HE BECAME ONE OF US!

“The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14

“He was found to be in human condition.” Philippians 2:8

“He had to become like His brothers in every way.” Hebrews 2:17

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Fr. Herald Joseph Brock, CFR & Franciscan Mission Outreach Baby in VOA chapel, Monrovia, Liberia.