Vocations Newsletter

What motivates these prove souls to overcomeFears, doubts and, oft times, it seemsEven common sense to goNo, run towards that from which most people flee? And who are these who lay aside concernFor their own health and safety to ministerTo strangers, whose only claim to assistanceIs their desperate need for hello and healing? How is it thot despite perhaps on indifferent orUngrateful public, still these women and men ariseEven after little rest and no relaxation;Ignoring death and defeat, to do and do again? These are the very soul and conscience of our landWho do what most dare not nor cannot comprehendFor in their selfless service more than individualsAre saved, comforted or consoled. For all of us, through them, are ennobled, encouraged,Inspired and enriched beyond what we deserveAnd because of these angels the human race will endureWith brighter eyes, clearer thoughts and purer hearts. – Joe Veneroso, MM
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When Maryknollers return from abroad to our Center in New York, they often bring home the characteristics and concerns of peoples they’ve come to know and love in mission. Some Maryknollers return passionate about social justice causes that improve the lives of so many faced with violence, poverty and oppression. Some Maryknollers return deeply contemplative of the interfaith and intercultural dialogue they’ve shared with others in ancient lands. It’s said of Maryknollers who return from Africa — they come home smiling. All Maryknollers smile in a special way these days. We are “bringing home” to us in the ordination, on June 8th, of two men from Kenya — Joshua Mutende and Charles Ogony — the smiles and joy of peoples steeped in music, dance and the simple gratitude of lives that daily overcome some of the most pressing hardships the world can offer. Joshua and Charles have journeyed through our Initial Formation Program for most of the past decade. Though eager to make final oath and be sent abroad as Maryknoll missionary priests, they have, from “Day One” as seminarians, never ceased being missioners; they have witnessed the joy of mission from their own cultures, families and personal gifts. We…
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Dear friends, Thanks for reading “Voices of Our World.” One of the questions I receive often from young adults is “Why do you stay in this vocation as priest?” Or, another way to put it, why haven’t I left? Whenever I consider these questions, I’m reminded of wisdom shared with me by the late Maryknoll Fr. Jim Stefaniak, MM, who served many years in Peru. He counselled me that the reasons for joining missionary and religious life are not the same as those for staying. Twenty years ago on May 13th, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, I was accepted as a Maryknoll seminarian. This month, I celebrate thirteen years as a priest, a life that has both challenged and rewarded me in ways that still surprise me. It’s occasions like these when I take time to consider my reasons now for staying. I have three — Jesus, Maryknoll, and Our Lady of Fatima. Primary of these is Jesus. The late Jesuit superior, Pedro Arrupe, SJ, observed: “Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in a love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect…
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