Msgr. Joe

For Dr. Who fans - there is a saying ‘You never forget your first doctor.’

For those of you who may have no idea what I am talking about - Dr. Who is a BBC program about a man who can travel in time and space in a blue phone box (bigger on the inside) who also ‘regenerates’ - This is a great plot invention to ensure a program can continue when the actor decides it is time to move on, and has been very effective since the show first aired in 1963.

Well, those of us who work with Mission Doctors and Lay Mission-Helpers have a similar experience with the priests who were director of the Mission Office when we became involved.  We will never forget them.

Those who served in the early years under the leadership of Msgr. Anthony Brouwers had the advantage to also have the original - to have known him was to know the vision of what we were called to be - true missionaries.  He was followed by Msgr. Laubaucher, who sadly also followed Msgr. Brouwers with an untimely death.  Msgr. Lawrence O’Leary then led the Mission office for 25 years.  Many are the missionaries, like Tom and I, who felt very connected to him. Kindness and generosity were the hallmarks of his leadership.  In the office with him, and then eventually serving as the director was Msgr. Joe Alzugaray.  He visited us in Thailand twice during our three years, with his ever present pipe smoke trailing behind him.   We learned last week that Msgr. Joe succumbed to a long battle with cancer and while I wanted to cry, memories made me smile and laugh as well.  We remember Msgr. Joe today - his family - the missionaries whose lives he changed, the parishioners at St. Apollinaris in Napa, CA where he served for many years and, we remember and we are grateful.

Today

East and South --- if the planes are flying!

Today - headed to Santa Clotilde Mission in Peru, from Chicago, to begin a three year assignment are Dr. Antoinette Lullo and Dr. Brian Medernach with their little one Charlie.  Headed to Cameroon from Colorado are Dr. Michael and Mrs. Reneal Bowen who will serve at Njinikom Hospital in the Archdiocese of Bamenda.

When our doctors are traveling I am never quite relaxed until I’ve heard that they have landed safely and are in the ‘hands’ of those who will be meeting them. 

So today, I ask everyone to keep our travelers in your prayers - their flights may be delayed - they may be experiencing the joy of getting to airports, and through TSA lines with bags and a baby - they are especially on my mind until I get the text or email that assures me that they are safely arrived, and greeted!

Thanks for joining me in keeping them in our prayers.  I will let everyone know when I’ve heard all is well!

History and Gratitude

Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of the passing of the founder of Mission Doctors, Msgr. Anthony Brouwers.

Our office took the opportunity to visit his graveside to pray and remember.  We were joined there by veteran LMH’er and Msgr.’s second cousin Marie Brouwers who shared that she remembered him standing from his wheel chair to baptize her younger sister in the days leading up to his death, when she was only 8 years old.

This very personal memory adds another layer to the stories I have heard over the years about a man whose vision and actions have touched every corner of the world.

I had the opportunity to meet individuals, fellow priests in the Archdiocese, even a man who served as Msgr.’s altar server who have shared funny, personal and inspiring stories about the man who made our mission possible.

It is always remarkable to me that before Vatican II – Msgr. recognized that lay people, even those married, or those with children can serve as lay missionaries.  It certainly fits with what Pope Frances is speaking about today, using our gifts to help others.

My thanks to Patti Wetzel who joined me at Calvary Cemetery this past Sunday,  cleaners, and clippers in hand. Thanks to Janice England who found music for our prayer service, thanks to all our office for being with us as we prayed in gratitude. 

Yes, I am overwhelmed with gratitude again - My prayer is that we continue to be faithful to Msgr. Brouwers legacy – ensuring lay people can follow a call to serve – and, as those of us who have served know – we are blessed beyond anything we could have imagined.

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.

Typhoon Hayian

The devastation, the catastrophic loss of life and the suffering are impossible for us to imagine, even in our world with such extensive and immediate media coverage. The people of the Philippines need our prayers and our support now.

When disasters like this strike, our office often receives calls and emails from generous people around the country wanting to know how they can help.

Our goal at Mission Doctors is to build sustainable healthcare in rural communities around the world, so in emergency situations like this we encourage people to support the work of CRS, Catholic Relief Services.

Personally, I have seen their amazing work first handed when I served in Thailand with my husband and children.  They were the first to respond during an emergency and stayed until their services were no longer needed – and they always served with loved. My husband and I are supporting  Catholic Relief Services' work and encourage everyone to join us - visiting their website crs.org

Sadly as the death toll climbs every hour, please join us also in praying for our brothers and sisters in the Philippines, for those who have lost their lives, for their loved ones, for communities.  May their faith give them strength, may they, through us, know how much our heavenly Father loves them.