May you and your loved ones, experience the gift of “God with us,” as you share food, companionship and joy in celebration of His coming. May your New Year be filled with the blessings and peace of His presence.
Because of your witness, the message of joy and true community has been proclaimed especially to the “little ones” who were so dear to Jesus during His time on earth.
Columban Fr. Ed Quinn began the major work of building a new parish center in the bush at Vudibasoga. He has gone on holidays leaving Fr. Theo and myself holding the fort. Both of us are trying to improve our grasp of the Fijian language, and we have plenty of opportunity here. We take turns looking after Nabala and camping out at Vudibasoga. We say Mass there for the parishioners who are planting and building.
We are united with you in heart and prayer during this very special time of year. This has truly begun as a very graced Advent for us in Myanmar. The coming of the Pope was a really joyful event and a time of celebration for all. It was very affirming for our small Catholic community in Myanmar. As one old woman said there have been 226 Popes but this is ...
As I was preparing to move from Sydney to Melbourne to take up the new role of Regional Director of the Australia/New Zealand Columban region I reflected on the many occasions I have had to pack up and move on in my missionary life.
O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and Earth,
refuge of sinner and most Loving Mother,
God has willed to entrust
the entire order of mercy on to you.
I, a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet,
humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have,
wholly to yourself as your possession and property.
Please make of me,
When Columbans began working in the parish of Greentown, Lahore, Pakistan, in 2007, I tried to build up Christian-Muslim relations, for example hosting Iftar dinners during Ramadan. The local Catholics were largely resistant to these efforts, given the negativity they normally experience from Muslims, and Muslims, on their part, were usually disinterested and/or suspicious of such encounters. However, there were exceptions and we persevered. One was the local Police Superintendent who had addressed an interfaith meeting, and when suddenly, in 2014,
O good cross,
made beautiful by the body of the Lord,
long have I desired you,
ardently have I loved you,
unceasingly have I sought you,
and now you are ready for my eager soul.
Receive me from among men and restore me to my Master,
so that He, who redeemed me through you,
shalt receive me through you.
Amen.
- St. Andrew
O Blessed Mother Mary, before your
marriage to the carpenter St. Joseph,
you were overshadowed by the Holy Spirit
and conceived a child.
As you carried Jesus, your Divine Child, in your womb,
you overcame fear and rejoiced, anticipating His birth.
In your tender way, tough the hearts of all women
for whom being pregnant is more a problem than a joy.
On May 23, 2017, I returned home after three years of being away. I arrived in our village around nine in the evening, and I was expecting people to be in their houses. But I was mistaken. I was surprised to see young people, children, and friends together with my family waiting and holding their banners to welcome me. They welcomed me with warm hugs and kisses with tears on their faces.
My Lord Jesus Christ,
I believe that You are really here in this Sacrament.
Night and day You remain here compassionate and loving.
You call, You wait for,
You welcome everyone who comes to visit You.
I thank You, Jesus my Divine Redeemer
for coming upon the earth for our sake
and for instituting the Adorable Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.
We go in the name of the Church to announce, by deed and word, the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Missionary Society of St. Columban
1902 N. Calhoun
St. Columbans, NE 68056
Phone: 877-299-1920
Fax: 402-291-4984
email: mission@columban.org
