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MissionMissionMissionMission ConnectionsConnectionsConnectionsConnectionsMission Office, Catholic Diocese of St. Cloud Vol. 40 Summer 2012

11 South 8th Avenue, St. Cloud, MN 56301 (320) 251-1100 www.stcdio.org/mission

Inside this Issue

Prayer 1

A Change in How I View the World

2

Elizabeth 3

Spotlight on Mission

4

Marlene 4

“And Jesus Said: ‘Go Into the Whole World’”

5

Mark Your Calendars

6

Reaching Out to the Community and the World

6

Mary, mother of the poor: Help us bear peace to the world. Laboring mother at the bolted door: Help us bear peace to the world.

Mother who fled to safety with her child: Help us bear peace to the world.

Mother who saw the death of holy innocents: Help us bear peace to the world.

Bearer of the Christ: Help us bear peace to the world. Bearer of immense responsibility: Help us bear peace to the world. Bearer of the light of possibility: Help us bear peace to the world.

Bearer of the good news: Help us bear peace to the world.

Woman who said yes to the divine: Help us bear peace to the world.

Woman who pondered miracles in her heart: Help us bear peace to the world. Woman arrayed with confidence: Help us bear peace to the world. Woman clothed in undying faith: Help us bear peace to the world.

~ Written by Catholic Relief Services, USA ~

Page 2

A Change in How I View the WorldA Change in How I View the WorldA Change in How I View the WorldA Change in How I View the World

Tricia Walz is a parishioner at St. Peter’s Parish in St. Cloud

and a 2009 graduate of Seton Home Study School; she is

currently a student at Benedictine College in Atchison,

Kansas. Below is a reflection she wrote after participating in

a mission trip to the Philippines.

This past Spring Break, I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in a mission trip to Cagayan de Oro in the Philippine Islands. This was an incredible experience that cannot be described adequately with words. Going into this trip, I did not know what to expect. I knew that they had just overcome a huge natural disaster, so I figured things would be very depressing. The first thing that struck me was the poverty of the country, seen even in the condition and size of the airport. Compared to the typical American airport, this building was little more than a hut. When we arrived at the convent in which we stayed, it shocked me to look out from the balcony and see the families bathing and washing their clothing in the river, having to rely on it as a scarce source of water. Despite the physical poverty, the people carried an immense wealth of faith and peace. When we arrived in Cagayan de Oro, the community immediately welcomed us in as brothers and sisters in Christ. Their warm smiles and joyful laughs left an indelible mark on my heart. Rather than being separated through our differences, we bonded through them: as one little boy described our skin color, “I am like coffee; you are like milk!”

Throughout this eventful week we met many incredible people and saw people living in circumstances which would not be believed in the United States. We were brought to ‘ground zero’ to see the destruction from the typhoon that hit on December 17, 2011 and were given the opportunity to comfort those who had lost everything and were living in the ‘tent cities.’ These cities consisted of row

after row of small blue tents that housed sometimes two full families apiece. One woman I was fortunate enough to meet lost her husband and two of her three children in the storm. Despite this tragedy, I was taken aback by her faith and trust in God. We spent time praying with her and had a tearful goodbye. This woman showed me how important it is to trust in the plan God has, which is way beyond what I can understand, and to cherish every moment that has been given me.

We also spent time with the children at the local school who lost siblings, parents, and their houses in the storm. They welcomed us in as we taught them about Christ and colored pictures with them. My heart broke when I saw a young third-grade boy drawing himself and his brother in the tree with the water above the roof of his house. Another boy drew the river with bodies being carried by the strong current. We were also able to bring in two doctors into one of the tent cities and to provide free medication for the sick. The positive attitudes and strong faith of the Filipino people showed me how a community can come together through tragedy.

This trip has changed how I view the world and what things I should consider true necessities. Before going on this mission trip I thought I knew what poverty was, but I did not truly know what it was until I saw the children playing with plastic bottles tied to string as their only toys and sleeping in the middle of the street on their trailer in front of their family’s shop. The people of Cagayan de Orowere so genuinely grateful for even the smallest thing we did for them, whether it was a smile, a high-five, a picture, or a hug. A seventeen-year-old boy I spent time talking to could not wrap his mind around the fact that eight American college students would spend their Spring Break in Cagayan de Oro, serving him and his community. (Continued on page 3)

MISSION CONNECTIONS is published by the St. Cloud Mission Office, 11—8th Ave. South, St. Cloud MN 56301

(320) 251-1100

It is distributed to the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of St. Cloud and to others concerned with the mission of Jesus Christ and global solidarity and justice. There is no charge for the publication, but tax deductible donations for our educational work are gratefully accepted.

Donations for any of the missioners or mission connections mentioned here may be made in care of the Mission Office.

**Please direct comments, suggestions and articles to Kateri Mancini, at kmmission@cloudnet.com **The mailing list is managed by Mary Lou Janski, at mljmission@cloudnet.com **For further information about the work of the Mission Office, contact Elizabeth Neville, at enmission@cloudnet.com

Tricia shares smiles at Macanhan Elementary School

Tricia with young friends in the Philippines

Page 3

(Continued from page 2) He could not stop thanking me and saying how blessed he was.

I think mission work is critical for everyone, especially Catholics, to take part in. A priest once told me, “Some give by going; others go by giving.” This is true in that

there are so many ways to provide the support for those in need of help within one’s community along with those abroad. Some people are able to give their time and talents through the physical mission work, while some are able to give money or prayer; all are completely

A Change in How I View the World, Cont. A Change in How I View the World, Cont. A Change in How I View the World, Cont. A Change in How I View the World, Cont.

necessary and beautiful blessings to take part in. I am so blessed to have been able to go on such an eye-opening trip with such incredible people and I look forward to how God will use me in the future. I realize after going on this trip that although in our eyes the people of the Philippines have nothing, in all reality, they have everything.

ElizabethElizabethElizabethElizabeth

The Mission Office has dedicated this year to intentionally

promoting and supporting the role of women in mission. This

includes Catholics from all over our diocese, but also women

who exist all over the world trying to do what they believe is

right to support dignity, their faith, justice and all things good.

The following, written by Mission Office director Beth Neville,

is the story of one such woman. Meet Elizabeth, a woman in

our partner diocese of Homa Bay, Kenya.

Bwana unifanye niwe, chambo cha amani yako. “Make me an instrument of your peace.”

I want to introduce you to someone I met last summer in Kenya at a three-day workshop with Homa Bay and CRS. She reminds me a lot of many of the women I know from right here in the St. Cloud Diocese through my work at the Mission Office, through my family, through my friends. Her name is Elizabeth Atieno (which means “born in the morning”) Ogola. She is 62 years old. Elizabeth was one of 11 wives, and when her husband died she lost the family business and her home to some of the other wives; she was

left to fend for herself and her five children. Elizabeth started a matatu business (similar to a taxi service) so she could help put her children through school. As a widow, this was looked down on and her life was anything but easy.

Elizabeth also helped establish St. Monica’s Widow’s group in the diocese. This group fights for their independence as women of the community, challenging the cultural norm of being inherited, continuing their education, and building a home and career for themselves and their families.

Elizabeth is also the voice of many women in the Diocese of Homa Bay who have no voice, as she is the leader of the Catholic Women’s

Association of Homa Bay and on the board for the Kenya National Catholic Women’s Association, an umbrella for all women’s devotional groups. These organizations are new, only four years old. Though her eyesight is very bad, Elizabeth goes to every parish within the diocese of Homa Bay and meets with the Catholic men and women. Even Oyugis, sister parish to St. Peter and St. Paul’s parishes in St. Cloud, has started this group, and during a visit to Kenya this past year, my mother had the privilege of meeting with over 60 women as they joined in liturgy, prayer and educating for pro-life. The group’s work consists of assisting the orphans (over 300,000), prayer, the mission of working against poverty and genital mutilation of women, ongoing education, sewing uniforms for the orphans, and taking care of the church as a whole, the priest and his home.

What struck me about Elizabeth, even in all her adversity and with her age and her disability, is that she was not afraid to be the voice and to stay committed to sharing her giftedness with the world. Elizabeth is not afraid to meet with Bishops at the National level. She is not afraid to travel and be present when rights of women are being

undermined. She is not afraid to be the woman in the Church that Christ so readily made present among his followers because he respected and advocated for their equality in a world that often doesn’t consider them equal.

Elizabeth is us; Elizabeth is you; Elizabeth is

me. Let’s remember Elizabeth and all the other women of Kenya and within our parishes here who are doing such wonderful and God-filled work. Bwana unifanye niwe, chambo cha amani yako.

Elizabeth Atieno Ogola

Look for our office at www.GiveMN.orgwww.GiveMN.orgwww.GiveMN.orgwww.GiveMN.org (under our legal name, “Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Inc.”) and see how you can support our ministry online, including credit card or automatic donations

Youth playing basketball in the Philippines

Page 4

There are countless mission activities happening all the time in the St. Cloud Diocese, ranging from parish

mission groups, to fair trade sales, to groups incorporating mission education and service. All these

activities are important to the work of celebrating our global Church. In this issue we highlight the St.

Olaf’s Mission Group of Elbow Lake and the great activities they tell about below.

Spotlight on Mission Spotlight on Mission Spotlight on Mission Spotlight on Mission

This year our mission group of three members made a trip to Moorhead, MN to the Dorothy Day House to deliver quilts, men’s clothing and toiletries. We called ahead and were graciously given a tour of the facility and told about what the Dorothy Day House does for homeless men in helping them find jobs and become independent. They also open their doors for homeless men that may need to shower and in extreme weather provide a warm place to sleep for the night. It was an awesome experience and we were so pleased to bring them the items that will be put to good use.

We also called ahead to the Ronald McDonald House and brought quilts, infant clothing, women’s nightgowns, toiletries, etc. to be used by families that stay there when they have a child in the hospital. We were again given a tour and met some of the people who work and volunteer at the house. Another wonderful experience for us and to be able to give something to help with their needs.

In December, our group made up hygiene bags and small stuffed animals wrapped in a fleece blanket and donated them to the Operation Christmas Child project that a group of people from our church were involved in.

Then in April of 2012, we made foster care bags and donated them to Grant County Human Services to be given

to children who may be taken from a home and placed in foster care. The bags contain a blanket or quilt, stuffed toy in a fleece bag along with at least a toothbrush and toothpaste so they have something to hopefully bring them some comfort at a traumatic time for them. We will continue to provide them as needed.

In 2011, our group made 21 pillowcase-dresses and they were given to one of our parish family’s daughter who is doing mission work in Cambodia. She was home for one month and she took them back to Cambodia with her to distribute as needed. We have enjoyed the experiences we have received by the projects that we have done; it keeps

us motivated to help in our own communities as well as other countries where some of our items may go.

In addition to the above-mentioned activities, St. Olaf’s Mission Group also made clothes and layettes for Haiti, quilts and dental hygiene bags for the Mission Office, blankets for the NICU at Sanford Health in Fargo, and donated $268 to the youth group of their parish for educational materials. Their dedication, especially with only three members in the group, combined with their creativity and compassion for others have done wonders for mission, and we thank them for all they do!

MarleneMarleneMarleneMarlene

Below is another story of a great woman

of mission from across the globe. Meet

Marlene, a woman in our partner diocese

of Maracay, Venezuela. Marlene Estrada is a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and woman of strong Catholic faith. A member of of Cristo Rey (Christ the King) parish in the

community of Brisas del Lago in Venezuela, Marlene has been instrumental in forming and maintaining the Sister Parish relationship between Cristo Rey and Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids. She also serves as a member of the diocesan Liaison Committee for the partnership between Maracay and St. Cloud Dioceses. Marlene visited St. Cloud in 2006, as a member of the diocesan delegation, and since has stayed true to her experience of solidarity by living and promoting it on multiple levels.

Marlene is also a woman of prayer, something which she has had to do a lot of lately, due to the struggling situation of her community. Brisas del Lago is one of several communities located on Lake Valencia, the third largest

lake in Venezuela. The lake’s water level has been steadily rising, causing communities around its shore to be pushed back, and homes destroyed. Marlene’s is one of them. As the waters encroach upon her house, Marlene is forced to wait in line hours at a time at governmental offices to apply for relocation. Recently, it has been raining almost every day, causing the lake to rise even more rapidly, with still no word on if or when she will be relocated. But Marlene is holding on to hope and prayer – hers, and the prayers of her brothers and sisters in faith, be they in her own community or a continent away in her Minnesota partner community. “They are working on [giving us a new apartment],” Marlene expressed, “on that I have faith in our Lord; I will get a

solution soon. Thanks very much for your prayers.”

Marlene Estrada

A home near Marlene’s, already flooded by Lake Valencia

Page 5

“And Jesus Said: ‘Go Into the Whole World’” “And Jesus Said: ‘Go Into the Whole World’” “And Jesus Said: ‘Go Into the Whole World’” “And Jesus Said: ‘Go Into the Whole World’” The following is shared by Holy Spirit Missionary Sister Francetta Kunkel, SSpS, a Pearl Lake native

and former missioner in Ghana, West Africa, now serving at her community house in Techney, Illinois.

The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters are an international congregation of women religious of over 3,000 Sisters from various backgrounds, ministering in 48 countries around the world. We were founded in 1889, 123 years ago, in a small town in the Netherlands. Within five years after our foundation we began to reach out to other countries—first to South America, then to China, then Africa, to the US, and we have continued to do so over the years, including adding our newest mission that will begin this August in Jamaica. Four Sisters came to the US in 1901. They soon established mission schools in Mississippi. Later they began further ministries in Health Care, in Social Services and other programs around the US.

Our focus is to try to assist wherever the need is greatest the world-over. For example, several years ago our Sisters in Indonesia were available at the time of the devastating tsunami. They were there

for the earthquake and the tragedy in Japan just last year. Our Sisters’ house was destroyed in the mud slides on the mountains in Bolivia in recent years. In Ethiopia, the Sisters are assisting the women in various ways, but especially teaching them better methods of agriculture. Our Sisters are aiding the people in the Sudan with social services and in Papua New Guinea they conduct HIV/AIDS programs for the people; similar programs are in place in nine countries in

Africa. Here in the States our outreach is primarily to the Hispanic people from various areas; we aim to show concern and

care for the migrants, for the trafficking of peoples, and immigration reform, as well as other social ministries.

To aid in our international outreach, we have established an NGO (non-governmental organization) in the United Nations known as “Vivat.” This is co-sponsored with our male religious community counterparts, the Divine Word Missionaries, with whom we share a founder. Several other congregations have also joined the organization. In this way, we can all more readily bring urgent issues to the attention of the UN for world-wide assistance and attention.

“We are constantly re-evaluating our response to the needs of the people of God,” our website says. There is always something happening, and new mission needs continue to challenge us. Presently, three sisters are preparing to open our newest mission in Jamaica, where there are many needy children and people awaiting them as they plan, prepare and gather for their new mission there. One Sister is from Poland, one from Ghana, and one from Indonesia—all starting this mission for our US province. Wherever our Sisters are in mission, we work in international teams and live in international communities. For example, during my 26 years as a missionary in Ghana, I was seldom with another American Sister; and the convent I live at now in the

States has ten or 12 countries represented. It is beautiful how we can blend, and I can’t imagine my life without it! And yes, Minnesota (and the St. Cloud Diocese) has been well represented, both here in the US and overseas. And although our community hasn’t had a newly-professed American Sister in some years, the Spirit is moving elsewhere; we have 20 Ghanaians in final

profession, and we all share the same mission.

Our motto is “Called by the Spirit; Embracing the World!” And the initials for our community (S.Sp.S.) stand for Servarum Spiritus Sancti in Latin, or “Servant of the Holy Spirit.” That is our mission—serving our world, wherever the Spirit calls us, just as Jesus called his disciples to do.

To learn more about us, our history and our mission locations, or to contact us, please see our Web Site: www.worldssps.org or www.ssps.usa.org

Sr. Francetta teaching in Ghana, where she was a missionary for 26 years

Sr. Francetta Kunkel, S.Sp.S.

The St. Cloud Mission Office can help you The St. Cloud Mission Office can help you The St. Cloud Mission Office can help you The St. Cloud Mission Office can help you share your gifts well beyond your lifetime. share your gifts well beyond your lifetime. share your gifts well beyond your lifetime. share your gifts well beyond your lifetime.

Consider including the Mission Office in Consider including the Mission Office in Consider including the Mission Office in Consider including the Mission Office in your will or trust. Contact us to learn more your will or trust. Contact us to learn more your will or trust. Contact us to learn more your will or trust. Contact us to learn more

about making a difference in this way! about making a difference in this way! about making a difference in this way! about making a difference in this way!

GGGG EEEE NNNN EEEE RRRR OOOO SSSS IIII TTTT YYYY

“Our Mother supported the Mission Office for many years. She “Our Mother supported the Mission Office for many years. She “Our Mother supported the Mission Office for many years. She “Our Mother supported the Mission Office for many years. She felt that the Mission Office truly lived out Christ’s teachings of felt that the Mission Office truly lived out Christ’s teachings of felt that the Mission Office truly lived out Christ’s teachings of felt that the Mission Office truly lived out Christ’s teachings of caring for the poor. On November 19, 2011 she died. It was caring for the poor. On November 19, 2011 she died. It was caring for the poor. On November 19, 2011 she died. It was caring for the poor. On November 19, 2011 she died. It was her wish that a percentage of her trust should be sent to the her wish that a percentage of her trust should be sent to the her wish that a percentage of her trust should be sent to the her wish that a percentage of her trust should be sent to the Mission Office. Please accept this gift in memory of her and Mission Office. Please accept this gift in memory of her and Mission Office. Please accept this gift in memory of her and Mission Office. Please accept this gift in memory of her and

continue to care for God’s poor.” continue to care for God’s poor.” continue to care for God’s poor.” continue to care for God’s poor.”

Page 6

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Avenue South St. Cloud, MN 56301

Below is a reflection by Rita Clasemann, Parish Life Coordinator of St. Mary’s in Mora and St. Kathryn’s in Ogilvie, on the

impact mission group women have had in her community.

With faith, good humor, and friendship, St. Martha’s and St. Agnes’ Mission Groups at St. Mary’s Parish in Mora have been gathering together each month to serve God by serving one another. Praying together, working on various projects, getting to know each other, and building a sense of community – that’s how members describe their work.

Throughout their 67 year history, St. Martha’s Mission Group has made rosaries, quilts, bandages, cancer pads, layettes, tote bags, prayer shawls, oven mitts, dish towels, greeting cards, and their latest project – darling sundresses and shorts for children. Using brightly colored fabrics, bits of lace and braid, decorative buttons and ribbons, they fashion various sizes of clothing for mission areas. Inviting anyone to join in this effort, an assembly line is formed: cutting, sewing, adding the decorations, inserting the elastic in the shorts, pressing the completed garment. Many “oohs” and “aahs” can be heard as one more is completed. In between the work, there is time for coffee and rhubarb dessert! Holding three quilt raffles per year, in a typical year, St. Martha’s donates $1,000 for the H2O Project in Homa Bay, 35 quilts for Mission Office use as well as quilts to local fire victims and the Mora Crisis Pregnancy Center, rosaries for schools, a good number of ditty bags with personal grooming items, and prayer shawls for distribution in the local parish.

St. Agnes’ Mission Group recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. At their origin they met in member’s homes to pray and work on the project of the day – rolling bandages, making “johnny shirts” for hospitals, cancer pads, and quilts too. Then there was the period of time when they cooked and served wedding dinners and other celebrations to raise money for mission. As more and more members began to work outside the home, the shift was made to evening meetings at church. Projects became baby layettes, school supplies for mission lands, bake sales, and support of youth mission efforts. Parish members look forward to the annual December Cookie Sale with all sorts of beautiful and delicious cookies to select. Usually the supply sells out after only two Masses as people purchase their favorites for holiday eating! A Bake Sale on World Mission Sunday in October also brings in money for donation to a variety of local and global charities.

These parish mission groups have brought vitality and outreach to thousands over the years. But as one member of St. Agnes’

Mission Group said, she made friendships and got to know other women in ways she probably would never have done

otherwise. It is a community of support. A community of supporting others both near and far.

Solidarity in Mission Celebration Solidarity in Mission Celebration Solidarity in Mission Celebration Solidarity in Mission Celebration Solidarity in Mission Celebration Solidarity in Mission Celebration Solidarity in Mission Celebration Solidarity in Mission Celebration Honoring Women of the Church (Mission Group Women)Honoring Women of the Church (Mission Group Women)Honoring Women of the Church (Mission Group Women)Honoring Women of the Church (Mission Group Women)Honoring Women of the Church (Mission Group Women)Honoring Women of the Church (Mission Group Women)Honoring Women of the Church (Mission Group Women)Honoring Women of the Church (Mission Group Women)

Sunday, August 26th, 2012Sunday, August 26th, 2012Sunday, August 26th, 2012Sunday, August 26th, 2012Sunday, August 26th, 2012Sunday, August 26th, 2012Sunday, August 26th, 2012Sunday, August 26th, 2012 At Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Saint Cloud

1:15pm World Mission Rosary; 2:00pm Mass with Bishop John Kinney Reception to follow. Free and open to everyone!

RSVP’s appreciated to the Mission Office: (320) 251-1100

Mark Your Mark Your Mark Your Mark Your Mark Your Mark Your Mark Your Mark Your

CalendarsCalendarsCalendarsCalendarsCalendarsCalendarsCalendarsCalendars

Reaching Out to the Community and the WorldReaching Out to the Community and the WorldReaching Out to the Community and the WorldReaching Out to the Community and the World