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January, 2010 It’s hard to believe that ten years have passed since we ushered in the New Millennium with great ceremony and expectation. The Holy Father, the late Pope John Paul II, opened the “Holy Door” on Christmas Eve night at St. Peter’s Basilica, symbolizing a welcome to a new era of peace and collaboration among nations. Far, far away in the south of Peru – San Francisco, Moquegua – another sort of “holy door” was opened that night. It was made of dried, cracked cane poles, woven into a 1 yard X 2 yard mat, called estera. Not just the door, but also the entire church structure was made of this simple material. A different setting certainly but the hope in the hearts of the people gathered in prayer and in me as well was the same. At the end of that year’s final week, in the first hours of New Year’s 2000, as in so many parts of the world, the Moquegua sky was bright with fireworks. And now we start the Second Decade of the Third Millennium of Christianity. The scripture readings for New Year’s Day – the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God – set a hopeful tone for AD 2010. The reading from the Book of Numbers speaks of a gracious, kindly God, who blesses us with peace. St. Paul reminds us that we are the children of a loving God, whose Son is the fullness of that love among us. The Virgin Mary is depicted in Luke’s Gospel as a Mother deeply aware of this God’s presence as she gazes into the eyes of her newborn Son and marvels at the visitors who pay him homage. Mary reflects on these moments over and over again in her heart. To reflect on what has been in 2009 and to hope for what could be in 2010 is typical of this time of the year. With family and friends and in the depths of our own heart, like Mary, we ponder and reflect and hope. At the start of my term as the Director of the Society, a photo of me taken in a rural, desert setting on the outskirts of Lima appeared in the March edition of “friends.” The caption described a reflection on the road ahead. In the course of the months I’ve reflected in this newsletter on our common call as baptized followers of Christ. Each in our own way, we are sent to bring the Light of Christ to the world. The missionaries, of course, fulfill this obligation in the foreign settings of Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. As we have seen this year, a number of missionaries have left the Society. Some have moved on through retirement, others through a call to another mission setting, a few former members to their eternal rest. With joy we announced the arrival of a new member. The year 2009 saw two more priests as well complete the admission process to the Society. Cardinal O’Malley will celebrate their “Sending Mass” in the early spring. The Society has not been immune to the recession. Donations are down by around 40%. The monthly allotment to each mission site has been reduced by 17%. The operating costs of the Boston office have been reduced by nearly 50%. The two annual banquets have been a great help. Bequests from our friends who have gone on to their eternal rest have allowed us to keep our noses above the rising waters. Your monthly contributions are a Godsend. So we begin 2010, as we ought to finish each day – in a spirit of gratitude. Gratitude to the missionaries who have given their lives to God’s poor. Gratitude to you, our friends, whose generosity supports us. Gratitude to Almighty God, who makes it all possible. Best wishes for a 2010 filled with God’s grace.Sincerely, Rev. Kevin Hays
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