Seasons

Another season, rain in Cameroon - heat in Peru, and for many here the leaves are changing, not too fast in Southern California!

These changes help us mark time, as one season ends another begins.  In our lives we also have seasons; childhood, youth, adulthood - and each has its own endings and beginnings.

I’ve worked for Mission Doctors since 1981 and over these years have seen many beginnings and endings - as one doctor prepares to serve for three years, another returns home, having completed three years.  Now with the short-term program I get to witness this on escalated scale, doctors preparing to serve, going and returning in a month or two.   There are things about these that are the same and things that are very, very different.

Those who serve for three years not only have the opportunity to develop relationships with the medical staff but often with the community.  Their farewells cause them to leave a part of themselves behind.  This can be both the sweetest part of long-term service and the most painful upon returning home.

Our hope is that this unique opportunity to share professional skills also provides the chance to make the connections that endure, that fills our hearts and changes our lives as well.   For the doctors who are able to serve for one - three months our prayer is that the experience is fulfilling, that you will encounter the faith of those you serve, that you will feel that your time and efforts caring for those most in need was well worth the tremendous effort you make to do so… and of course we hope that this will be the first of many short-term missions, that may lead to a long-term mission!

And the greatest of these is Love...

It seems so simple. 

Christ was born in a humble stable to show us what kind of love we are called to share

We are not invited to only love those close to us or only the loveable. This is not Love that requires reciprocity, or a gift that is given with obligation. 

This is the Love that calls some people to leave their homes – their extended families – the financial security of a medical practice in the US, to provide care for people who can never give back to them in equal measure.  

This is the Love that makes sacrifice, takes risks, reaches out, and can see Christ in others.

Pope Francis has said “This Christmas may we be consistent in living the Gospel, welcoming Jesus into the centre of our lives.”

For me it can be challenging among the work, the baking, and even the modest shopping, to remember that welcoming Jesus, inviting the Love, just as Mary and Joseph did, is what I am called to do at Christmas and every day.  

Perhaps it is really that simple after all.  Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas, and opportunities to welcome this Love in the center of our lives.

We wait in joyful hope…

As Catholics in the US it can be quite a contrast between being in Church on Sundays and the rest of our lives at this time of year.

In Mass we are making our way to Christmas - through the path of Advent - Sunday being reminded that we must repent of our sin - not a popular topic at any time of year.

Yet everywhere else, everyone is playing Christmas music; the decorations went up right after Thanksgiving; the focus is quite commercialized; buy, buy, buy.

One great advantage to being in the missions is the complete lack of this phenomenon.  Advent is  Advent / Christmas is Christmas.   I am grateful for the three Advents and Christmas we enjoyed in Udon Thani, Thailand.   We missed our family at this time of year more deeply, yet this experience now over 30 years ago, remains with me and calls me to celebrate both Advent and Christmas for their unique roll in our lives.

When we are preparing missionaries to serve long-term I find myself feeling like those on the hill in Thornton Wilder's play Our Town.   If they are able to make a trip home during their three years, I always recommend doing it at some regular time of year, not at a holiday - just a regular day.    Grover’s Corners, or any home town, our families and friends, can be appreciated anew when we have been away - yet coming home during a holiday may be overwhelming for some.  Please keep all our Mission Doctors in your prayers as they miss their families – and remember also the families here, missing them.

Matthew’s Gospel (4: 16) that  “the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

As each candle is lit- they  draw us closer to the celebration of the humble Incarnation of our God, - may we pause, and wait in joyful hope!
 

Being thankful is being joyful

I continue to believe that gratitude is at the heart of everything that moves us to good.

When I am grateful I value what I have.

When I am grateful I recognize that others are less fortunate.

When I am grateful I feel compelled to share what I have.

I believe that when I am grateful I am also filled with joy.

Joy and gratitude seem to be in an unending Mobius loop - if I am grateful I am joyful / if I am joyful I am grateful - And this is because joy is, to me, greater than being happy or content.  Joy is when - at my core - I experience true gratitude.  That feeling that wells up from my center, viewing my life in its entirety the good and the challenges with real gratitude.  Grateful for my very life.  It is conversely true for me that if I obsess on what might be missing or is difficult - I lose sight of gratitude and joy can seep away.  

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. One day to gather and be Thankful.

I am thankful for so many things - my wonderful family, the unique opportunity I have to be involved in the mission ad gentes of our Faith with both Mission Doctors and Lay Mission-Helpers, my health, living free to practice my faith and so much more.

For a Thanksgiving holiday I remember the three we celebrated in Thailand -  I think of all the missionaries who, this year, will be finding ways to bring and celebrate this tradition around the world.  There may not be all the traditional food, and they will be missing family and friends, as their family will be missing them - but they will gather - celebrate and be thankful.

Pope Francis has shared something special - the Joy of the Gospel - challenging all of us to let the joyful message of the Gospel move us - so this Thanksgiving I am very thankful also for Pope Francis - I am grateful for our Holy Father and his call for all of us to live joyful lives that move us to act... moves us to share the joy of the Gospel.

Mother Antonia

I have known a remarkable woman.
A saint.

I don’t use this term lightly or with an exaggerated sense of who she was or what she did in her life.  

Mother Antonia Brenner lived in a prison in Tijuana for years caring for 'her' boys. She offered unconditional love for all including the men in the prison, their families, and the guards, the guards’ families the fortunate women who joined her as Sisters of the Eleventh Hour of St. John Edues

This is what she was known for – The Prison Angel - her work in the notorious La Mesa Prison in Tijuana led to a book and a movie and has inspired millions.

However my connection to this saint is our founder, Msgr. Anthony Brouwers – for whom she took the name Antonia.  Msgr. Brouwers was Mary Brenner’s spiritual advisor and his invitation to love and care for those most in need led her to La Mesa – and left her one of Lay Mission-Helpers and Mission Doctors greatest advocates.

Most recently she helped Mission Doctors fundraise to build a Special Care unite for patients with TB or other illnesses requiring isolation for the initial period of treatment at St. Martin de Porres Hospital in Njinikom Hospital – this Special Care unit is named for Msgr. Brouwers and Dr. James Carey – one of our early Mission Doctors. 

During the summer I had the opportunity to bring Dr. Jim and Mrs. Terry Hake to visit Mother in San Diego where we stopped at a Chinese restaurant for lunch.   Jim and Terry had just completed three years in Njinikom and wanted to bring photos of the hospital, and tell Mother just what a difference this facility is making.

I asked her if she had a message for people who may be considering following in Jim and Terry’s footsteps – and I pulled out my camera and she recorded this invitation. 

Just two weeks ago, the Franciscan sisters from Cameroon, Sr. Xaveria and Sr. Raphine were in Los Angeles and I took them to visit her – they were so excited to meet her, Sr. Xaveria couldn’t stop dancing!  Mother was thrilled to meet the missionaries she has prayed for and worked with half a world away.

Listening to everyone yesterday at the memorial service at St. James in Solano Beach, how she was able to ‘invite’ everyone to do more – after telling them how much she loved them – I understood – one could never say ‘no’ to Mother Antonia. 

I will miss picking up the phone and hearing her sweet and cheery voice – usually that meant I had just added a bit more work to my desk – but who could mind when each phone call would end with ‘I love you darling, I love all of you so much’ – all that could be said is ‘I love you too mother.’ 

Big Day Maria and our invitation to say ‘Yes to God!’

The feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated in Cameroon in a way that most of us can only imagine.

Entire communities create clothes made out of matching fabric for the Mass that will last more or less 4 hours.  Marching to the Church together Women’s groups, student’s, and families set this time as an important opportunity to celebrate the gift and the example of the Blessed Mother. This celebration of the Mary’s ultimate ‘YES’ is our invitation to follow her and say yes to God.  Yes to finding His will in our lives.  Yes to following the call we receive. Yes to recognizing just how connected we all are with our sisters and brothers around the world.

Today I ask myself;  How can I say YES to God, as Mary did? What changes do I need to make in my life to continue to put Christ first, ahead of my own time, my own reputation, my own needs?  As Mission Doctors and their families follow the call to serve, they do so, saying YES to God.   On the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we celebrate Mary’s yes, and the ‘yes’ of all our Mission Doctors and their families who have made sacrifices over the years to care for patients around the world.

Where does the time go?

Sometimes when our long-term mission doctors are preparing to return home, I have to ask myself, “Is that really three years?” 

I know for them, the three years of sacrifice, hard work and greater than these, missing family and friends has at times seemed to last forever.  Yet as they prepare to return home too, they are often struck with how quickly the time seems to have gone.

My husband and I in Thailand

I remember getting off the plane in Los Angeles in 1981 after our three years with Tom and our three children and looking around to see the faces of my sister and her family, I was so excited!  I would meet my niece Shannon for the first time, and my sister would get to meet a nephew and niece born in Thailand, and see just how much our oldest had grown in three years.  She met me with a box of Cheerios in hand - I told her it was the food I had missed the most!  For my husband, there couldn’t be enough chocolate to compensate for three years without it - I think he is still making up for it today!

Hakes on their first day in Cameroon in 2010

This summer we see one couple, the Hakes, return home from Cameroon and a family, the Burket-Thoene complete three years in Guatemala and take their place in Cameroon.  Tim Cavanagh is ‘spanning the gap’ having served there twice before.

Someone once said the days can be long but the years go quickly - this seems very true about mission work, perhaps about everything.  There can be days that the amount of work that needs to be accomplished can seem like an insurmountable hill - yet, as we look back - “has it really been a year, two years, ten….”  Let us strive to use what little time we have in service to others, always grateful for the gifts we have ever mindful that our lives are a gift and we can share this gift with others!

Our journey begins again

To change and to change for the better are two different things.
          - German proverb.
 
As Ash Wednesday is upon us I think this is true - and I can look at it and consider just how different sacrificing is from sacrificing for the better.
 
The readings reminded me that I need to consider my motivation - ensure that what I do is also going to change me for the better.
 
Fr. Dan, at Mass, reminded us all this morning, that the reason we sacrifice is also to develop the discipline necessary to look beyond our own needs, to feel hungry and not satiate the hunger, to desire something and not give into that desire. Today, we fast and abstain and I am trying to feel grateful for hunger that helps me remember that I can change, and change for the better.
 
We make this journey together!
 

How did it get to be February?

I find myself saying these kind of things more and more – but then I hear that from everyone else too!

It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about? 
Henry David Thoreau

January was a particularly busy month for us!   Doctors headed to Cameroon, Uganda and Tanzania.  Our new class begins today with the arrival of Dr. Antoinette Lullo and Dr. Brian Medernach who drove in from Chicago on Friday.  They will be here in Los Angeles for four months for the formation program, will be commissioned in May, and will then begin a three year assignment to Peru.

We are also preparing for the Religious Education Congress, our Annual Retreat / Seminar, the Appreciation Brunch, working with the Auxiliary for the Annual Benefit, well the list goes on and on… but, I think we can answer the question of: What are we busy about?

We are busy with the Mission of Mission Doctors – A Mission of Healing – A Partnership of Hope! 

Thanks to all who help us make the work possible!

Lent is just around the corner….

4th year and counting….

For four years now, Mission Doctors Association has worked with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to sponsor and host the ‘White Mass’ for the feast of St. Luke, and opportunity to celebrate and thank Catholic healthcare providers.

Each year this celebration has grown.  For the past three years we celebrated together at Holy Family in South Pasadena.  The Parish graciously welcomed us and we cannot thank them enough for helping us reestablish this celebration in the Archdiocese.  This year we move to St. Jerome Catholic Church, and we had thought the Archbishop would be our celebrant, but he was called to Rome to be part of the synod of Bishops.  Bishop Clark, who is himself a member of the Knights of Malta graciously agreed to be our main celebrant.

One way Mission Doctors utilizes this opportunity is to recognize one Catholic Doctor as the Outstanding Catholic Doctor of the Year.  This year’s honoree, Dr. Andres Enriquez from El Paso, TX is being recognized for his work, not only in his own community but across the border in Juarez, Mexico.  His life threatened for continuing this work, Dr. Enriquez has found a way to provide care working in collaboration with a nurse at the clinic in Mexico.  Each year we are amazed by the sacrifices and generosity of service of all the nominees for Catholic Doctor of the Year and the task of choosing one to honor is always daunting.

As we gather on Sunday we do so; to thank, to celebrate, and to ask God’s blessing on all who are engaged in caring for us when we are most vulnerable. In doing so, they are able to be the healing presence of Christ at a time when the need is greatest.

Strategic Prayers

This weekend we gather our board members from across the country for a special two day long meeting. This is not our typical board meeting- we will spend most of the time making plans, accessing goals and looking to the future. This weekend provides a unique opportunity for us to step back from the day to day running of the organization and look at the big picture.

I'm sharing this weekend with you because we would love to ask for your prayers, We pray that we will be guided by the Holy Spirit to make the very best decisions we can for the organization and the people we serve.

Paths to Mission

Well the 2012 formation class is completed, they are commissioned and either packing their bags for Tanzania or Texas. We are already starting a discernment weekend for those interested in joining the 2013 class.

Enrique and Carolina Wulff will be flying from their son's home in New York to start their three year mission in Tanzania.  Chris and Maya Powers and family are taking slightly different route to Mission.  After leaving their jobs, and stopping in Louisiana to visit Maya’s parents, before starting the formation, they learned that this mission would not be as a family of 5, but rather a family of 6.  Their newest family member will be joining the family in August, so another short detour before they head off to Tanzania with Joshua, Madison, Carolina and baby boy (yet to be named) Powers! Please keep them in your prayers as their path leads first to Texas, where Chris will be working, acknowledging that God’s plans are ever unfolding!  On their blog, Powers Family Mission, you can follow this unfolding path all the way to Tanzania!

Photo of the Week

This week, we are bringing you another installment of photo of the week.  Well, I am actually sharing a photo from last week (the week got away from me).  It is an exciting time for the people in the photo, they are members of the 2012 class of long-term Mission Doctors and Lay Mission Helpers.  In this class we have a couple and a young family getting ready to serve in Tanzania.  I had the opportunity to spend the week getting to know all of them and I am looking forward to spending more time during the formation program.  Please keep all of these missionaries in your prayers through the next several months as they prepare to serve for three years at mission hospitals, schools and parishes.

Enrique and Carolina

"I love my job!"  I tell people this all the time. And contrary to what you might think I don't love my job because of the hours of bookkeeping, or the long wire transfer forms, or even the travel to some of the most beautiful places in the world.  I love my job because of the people I get to work with and for, the amazing doctors and donors that are doing this work and making it possible.

I wanted to use this week's blog to introduce you two of the newest members of this group, Enrique and Carolina.  Dr. Enrique Wulff and Mrs. Carolina Rojas will be joining the 2012 long term formation class at the end of the month and serving the people of rural Tanzania for three years.  They have graciously offered to author their own blog to keep us all updated on their service.  
 
You can click here to read all about them on their blog, Enrique and Carolina on Mission.

A Busy Year

2011 is almost over and it was a busy year for Mission Doctors;  our Auxiliary hosted the largest Gala Benefit in over forty years, our annual Retreat / Seminar brought doctors from across the country to learn about our short-term mission opportunities, and this made it possible for thousands of patients to be cared for by Mission Doctors in Africa and Latin America. 
 
As 2012 begins we will have two families begin the preparation for three-year assignments, our Auxiliary is busy planning the Mardi Gras Gala to be held on February 18th, and we are already receiving  reservations for the 2012 Retreat/Seminar to be held March 30 – April 1.

You  are the ones who make this work possible.  You put the doctors 'in the picture' in Africa and Latin America.   

Please consider making a year-end donation.  By donating online and you will receive a tax deduction receipt immediately.

Thank you for your support and wising you and yours a very happy New Year!  

And for our friends who are 70 ½ years old or older, December 31, 2011 is the deadline to make a donation directly from your IRA under the “Charitable IRA Rollover”. 

Follow Me

An expression that has become very popular in our language today is ‘Follow Me’ – it now generally refers to a social network site like Twitter, we hear people say ‘Follow me on Twitter’  - this kind of ‘following’ however is pretty passive – when we are called to Follow Jesus he tells us there will be sacrifices involved, He never sugar coats what lies ahead for Himself and His followers.

This Sunday and next, the Gospel of St. Matthew reflects the continuing revelation of just who Jesus is and what that means for us.  In the discussion between Jesus and Peter this Sunday, Peter speaks of an understanding he is told has been revealed to him by the Father, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

As the discussion continues and Jesus tells the disciples what this will mean for Him, impending suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter is rebuked when he says, "God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you."   Not only does Jesus denounce this, He goes further to say that "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Dr. Jim and Mrs. Terry Hake serving in Cameroon

Does following Jesus make life easy?  Usually not.  How often are Mission Doctors and their families asked – “Why would you walk away from all this country has to offer in the field of medicine? Why would you leave your friends and families behind to serve in Africa or Latin America? Why would you do this in such economically uncertain times?  How frustrating is it for doctors to be unable to provide for their patients in Africa all that could be provided for them here?

Keeping the good news in our hearts makes it much easier to remember that we are indeed called to take up our cross and follow Him. For some this means actually leaving home and caring for the poor and suffering in the world, for everyone it means living our lives in such a way that puts the other at the center of our decisions and actions.  Not passively following Jesus as someone follows a social network, but living our lives knowing that this is what actually matters. “For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?”