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A Time of Transition |
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June, 2010 Dear friends, Depending upon the date of Easter, of course, the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) very often falls during the month of June. This year finds its celebration on the first Sunday of June. In the missions of South America, it is the occasion for a rich expression of popular religious devotion for the Eucharist is the heart of our faith, celebrated at community liturgies, in adoration and with processions. The multiplication of the loaves and fishes from Luke’s Gospel is the reading for the feast this year. It is the only miracle of our Lord that is found in all four Gospels. In Luke’s Gospel, it marks the climax of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. The people’s need for food after a long day evokes a response of compassion from the Lord. They have hungered for His word. Now all will be satisfied with bread. Reminding us of the institution of the Eucharist on the night of the Last Supper, Jesus takes the bread in His hands. Then He looks up to heaven in a spirit of thanks, blesses it, breaks it and gives it to the disciples for distribution to the people. The disciples work along with him and later collect twelve baskets of leftovers. With our Lord there is always life and love in abundance for all. In San Francisco, Moquegua, Peru, the Feast of Corpus Christi lasted throughout the month. On the Feast itself, there was always a special celebration of the Eucharist. After mass we would leave the Church for the street procession and I would return with a special appreciation of why desert Moquegua is called the “Land of the Sun.” Then, throughout the month, in the evening, there were masses in the streets of the neighborhoods. The geographical area of the San Francisco parish was divided into zones. Each zone would have its mass with a procession through the streets of the neighborhood. In these gatherings it was easy to see how the Eucharist is the heart of our faith and the source of unity in our Church. The Eucharist is also the heart of the priesthood. This month we reflect upon the ministry of five missionary priests of the Society of St. James the Apostle. Three of them are returning to their home dioceses: Fr. Colm Hogan, Killaloe, Ireland; Fr. Ruel Arcega, Malolos, the Philippines; Fr. Ed Veasey, Glasgow, Scotland. Two missionaries, who were featured in the April edition of the newsletter, are well on their way in their new ministry. Fr. John Molloy, also from Killaloe takes over in Ecuador. Fr. Tom Keyes, Archdiocese of Boston, brushes up on his Spanish before starting to work in Peru in July. The Eucharist is the heart of their ministry. Fr. Hogan writes: “My missionary experience in South America will remain with me always and, please God, will benefit me greatly, as I return to my home diocese of Killaloe in Ireland to take up a new appointment. From my language learning in Cochabamba, Bolivia to the parish of El Bautismo de Jesús in Monte Sinai, Guayaquil, Ecuador, the three years have been full of new experiences, meeting many people from different countries along the way, encountering different cultures and customs. I have learned the most from the poor people that I have lived alongside in the parish; I don’t think I will ever truly realize the depth of their poverty, but their generosity of spirit, love, kindness, prayer and volunteerism is second to none. As I was the first priest to come to this area with the priority of establishing a parish set up for the very first time, the challenge was obviously a huge one. However, with the huge generosity of support from the people of Ireland and many other countries, the extreme goodwill of the local people in the parish to get involved and the arrival of nuns from Colombia to manage the parish school, the parish is constantly growing every day. As with leaving any parish, there is always sadness, leaving people and places behind. However, please God, I will be able to support the mission from my new parish back in Ireland and without doubt will never forget my experience of working with the poorest of the poor. May the Good Lord, in spite of their obvious deep poverty, always look after them and keep them far from abandonment.” Fr. John Molloy receives the torch of leadership and prepares to continue. He writes: “My father always says: ‘There is nothing as constant as change.’ As I write these lines today Fr. Colm Hogan, with whom I lived and worked for the last two months has departed for homeland of Tipperary and our Diocese of Killaloe. I now have responsibility for the parish in Monte Sinai, Guayaquil. Also, today Fr. Kieran O'Reilly SMA was named as our new bishop-elect in Killaloe. Fr. Kieran succeeds Bishop Willie Walsh who now retires. I take this opportunity to wish both well - Bishop Willie for his gentle and kind leadership of us over the past sixteen years and to Fr. Kieran - a Missionary from Africa – I pray for strength and hope as he takes on the task of service and leadership. Change, as much as I might like it, is not easy. My transition from the vibrant, alive and supportive Parish of Ennis to Monte Sinai has been gradual. Colm helped me with documentation, photocopying and formalities that were all new. Driving on the ‘right’ side of the road has its moments for me. One has to be patient in the bank lines as the new account is opened. All is different and a change from home. Colm informed the good people of this poor parish two weeks ago of his decision to return to our diocese. As the days passed the outpouring of emotion was high. Many tears were shed and the ‘despedidas’ (farewell parties) followed. But, in it all, we found a generosity of heart from the people. They were so sad Colm was leaving but happy and supportive of my arrival and presence. I have a good feeling here that the people ARE the Church. It is very visible. I believe, we as missionaries are passing through trying to leave a trail of hope. Colm has done that and I want to do my best to continue the good work he has begun. Yes, ‘change’ is not easy for us but worth it all. As we make a difference in each other’s lives, our faith, hope and love are increased, especially among the poor who have so much to teach us. I am very exited about it all - Thank God.” Further south and to the east, in the land-locked interior of the continent, high in the Andes Mountains, Fr. Tom Keyes shares some thoughts on his road: “They say that you can't teach an ‘old dog’ new tricks. That may be true, but I do know that you can re-teach an ‘old dog’ old tricks! In a nutshell, that explains what I am doing here at the Maryknoll Institute of Languages in Cochabamba, Bolivia. This is the third time that I have been here learning and using the Spanish language. The Maryknoll Institute is a wonderful place to learn a language, but also an excellent setting in which to understand what it is to be a missionary in the modern world. It is a place in which people from all parts of the world come to learn about mission and to learn about themselves. Living with a Bolivian family, living in a different country helps you to see yourself through the eyes of others. It helps you to see that you come on mission not only to give, but also to receive. I have been here two times in the past. This is my third time...a time of ‘repaso’ (review). The teachers have, within a period of a month or so, been able to ‘reawaken’ the Spanish that I learned in the past. But the big challenge now is to use it! To speak it! It is a challenge, but it will be done. The ‘old dog’ will learn! At times when you are far from home, you feel a little lonely and a little ‘cut-off.’ It is always important to remember, as I do, that there are many ‘behind the scenes’ who are with you in prayer and encouragement. That is the most important lesson that any missionary can learn: you are not alone in this endeavor! Thank you!” Fr. Ed Veasey devoted some twenty-two years of priestly ministry to the people of Ecuador, most of them in the port area of Guayaquil, called el Guasmo. Former Country Coordinator of Ecuador, Fr. Pat Universal, remarked that just a mention of the area’s name would provoke a reaction of fear. Fr. Eddie jumped right in and began to respond to the very basic spiritual and human needs of the people. In the style of mission envisioned by Cardinal Cushing years ago, Fr. Veasey has handed his work over to the Archdiocese of Guayaquil for the local priests and laity to carry on the task. Fr. Ed continues now in ministry in Scotland. Fr. Ruel Arcega returns to the Philippines after five years of work in the missions. He’s worked in the steaming, coastal new settlements of Guayaquil, Ecuador, the snow-capped, remote Andes region of Sicuani, Peru and recently finished in one of the Society’s newer missions to the east of Lima, in a teeming, impoverished area called Chosica. This mission serves an area with a population nearing 100,000 people. Regardless of the site, Fr. Ruel worked with devotion and delighted the people with his signatory, winning smile. He reported that his new ministry back home would be dedicated to those who are forced to live in the street. Fr. Keyes will continue his work in Chosica for at least a while. It is with profound appreciation for them and their work that I express my gratitude to these men for all that they have done and what they will do. Whether they may be in Europe, Asia or South America, there is a common bond among them and among us. We are a Eucharistic people, united in Christ. At your next celebration of the Eucharist, please remember these devoted priests – and all the missionaries of the Society of St. James – in your prayers. God bless. Sincerely, Rev. Kevin Hays
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