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E M 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. Gabriels Parish 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 catechesis from St. Gabriels Parish. We also visited Archbishop Lewis Zeigler and the sites of Marys 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 Orphanage (photo left) is also located nearby. Were raising funds for an electrical transformer 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 Missionaries of Charity Fathers 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 maximum 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 doing evangelization outreach 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 second 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).

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

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 presentations in the Archdiocese. Fr. David Byaruhanga, - who has a doctorate in Biblical theology, Joseph Alumansi National Coordinator of the Uganda Catholic Charismatic Renewal , and Josephs wife Serah spoke to Catholic 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 evangelization outreach in the rural area of Mendida.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:
November 16 - December 14, 2012
Mission Trip: Honduras & Peru

March 21-31, 2013


Holy Week Youth Mission: La Ceiba, Honduras

January 4-11, 2013


Mission Trip: Haiti

January 24 - February 11, 2013


Mission Trip: 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!

February 16 - 20, 2013


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

February 23-27, 2013


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

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!
Sierra Leone refugee in Liberia. Baby in VOA chapel, Monrovia, Liberia.

Fr. Herald Joseph Brock, CFR & Franciscan Mission Outreach

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