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1 gion, how long can it last? How can it be better used? What changes should be made? Along with these important questions, there was also discussion about the house of Franklin and the renewal of the Shrine. On a larger scale, is a unifi- cation with the Mexican Region possible? What are the pros and cons? Personnel Fr. Luigi re- marked at the high level of satisfaction among the confreres. However, there are still degrees of individualism, poor commu- nications, and at times a certain lack of the spirit of poverty. The communities, because they are far from one another, require a better linking through provincial gather- ings and the presence of the pro- vincial. Finally, with the possibility of a new confrere next year, what work would he be given? June 23—Birthday of Fr. Michael Davitti 23—Ordination anniversary of Fr. Joe Matteucig 28—Ordination anniversary of Fr. Carl Chudy 30—Ordination anniversary of Fr. Mark Marangone August 18—Ordination anniversary of Fr. Alex Rodriguez 23—Ordination anniversary of Fr. Rene Casillas September 5—Birthday of Fr. Francis Signorelli 26—Birthday of Fr. Tony Lalli 27—Ordination anniversaries of Frs. Michael Davitti and Frank Grappoli Ordination anniversary of Fr. Tony Senno Issue 145 June 2015 The Xaverian Missionaries USA W e recognize the finger of God in special moments, knowing that the power of the Trinity is doing something extraordinary. We certain- ly felt this to be the case recently with the visit of the Superior General, Fr. Luigi Menegazzo, and our opportuni- ty to share with our sisters in the pro- vincial retreat in Duxbury, Massa- chusetts. In the last days of Fr. Luigis visit with us, he shared with the council ques- tions and feed- back from his visits with the confreres. We share with you a summary of these remarks. USA Region & Restructuring The XVI General Chapter asks us to focus more sharply on our charism, renew our consecration to mission, and review and re-plan our presence and activity. In this light he asks: Giv- en the current structure of the US Re- A TIME OF “KAIROS

Crossroad June 2015

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    gion, how long can it last? How can it be better used? What changes should be made? Along with these important questions, there was also discussion about the house of Franklin and the renewal of the Shrine. On a larger scale, is a unifi-cation with the Mexican Region possible? What are the pros and

    cons?

    Personnel

    Fr. Luigi re-marked at the high level of satisfaction among the confreres. However, there are still degrees of individualism, poor commu-

    nications, and at times a certain lack of the spirit of poverty. The communities, because they are far from one another, require a better linking through provincial gather-ings and the presence of the pro-vincial. Finally, with the possibility of a new confrere next year, what work would he be given?

    June 23Birthday of Fr. Michael

    Davitti

    23Ordination anniversary of Fr. Joe Matteucig

    28Ordination anniversary of Fr. Carl Chudy

    30Ordination anniversary of Fr. Mark Marangone

    August 18Ordination anniversary of

    Fr. Alex Rodriguez

    23Ordination anniversary of Fr. Rene Casillas

    September 5Birthday of Fr. Francis

    Signorelli 26Birthday of Fr. Tony Lalli 27Ordination anniversaries

    of Frs. Michael Davitti and Frank Grappoli

    Ordination anniversary of Fr. Tony Senno

    Issue 145

    June 2015

    The Xaverian Missionaries USA

    W e recognize the finger of God in special moments, knowing that the power of the Trinity is doing something extraordinary. We certain-ly felt this to be the case recently with the visit of the Superior General, Fr. Luigi Menegazzo, and our opportuni-ty to share with our sisters in the pro-vincial retreat in Duxbury, Massa-chusetts.

    In the last days of Fr. Luigis visit with us, he shared with the council ques-tions and feed-back from his visits with the confreres. We share with you a summary of these remarks.

    USA Region & Restructuring

    The XVI General Chapter asks us to focus more sharply on our charism, renew our consecration to mission, and review and re-plan our presence and activity. In this light he asks: Giv-en the current structure of the US Re-

    A TIME OF KAIROS

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    I ssue 145 Page 2

    Priorities of the USA Region

    Is the region still in a position to do missionary animation with a new generation? The GYM is trying to find itself and needs help to look how it can be more effective. In this very difficult work in this country, we need to be coura-geous and hopeful creativity. What kind of renewal at the shrine needs to occur to make our mission animation even more effective? Dialogue is an important activity but it is improbable that it could become a priori-ty to unite the region. It would be good if some confreres can get involved.

    USA Region & Ser-vice to the Congrega-tion

    The USA Region pro-

    vides a very valuable service to the congregation of which we are very grateful. Service

    through the Procura, mission appeals and other activities are valuable contribu-tions. The praisewor-thy fundraising activ-ities of the Region deserve our grati-tude; this not only helps the Region, but the entire congrega-tion.

    Looking Toward the Provincial Chapter

    As our region prepares for our upcoming provincial chapter in 2016, we need to keep these and other matters in mind, prayer, and communal discern-ment. The Provin-cial will send out discussion sugges-tions for chapter concerns soon.

    Collaboration Between the Xaverian Missionaries and the

    American Humanist Association

    A CONFERENCE OF DIALOGUE BETWEEN

    SECULAR HUMANISTS & RELIGIOUS BELIEVERS

    October 8, 2015

    8 am to 6 pm Rutgers University

    New Brunswick, NJ REGISTER HERE

    Commonground2015.org

    Saying Goodbye to our English Students

    Frs. Salvador Cruz Rojo, Martin Ali Keke Ndemsou, and Rene Casillas joined us from Mexico, Chad, and Brazil to study the English language.

    Salvador left us at the beginning of May and has recently depart-ed for his first mission assign-ment in Indonesia.

    Martin left in late April and joined the Region of Sierra Leo-ne where he now works.

    Rene continues his English work

    in the com-munity of Hol-liston until the end of June. He will leave for Mexico in early July to arrange his visa for Italy and then in August fly through the USA for his final destination in Rome. We wish our three young confreres all the blessings of God.

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    Crossroads Page 3

    The council looked over the budgets for all of the ad-ministrations in the region. A number of them required some adjustments. With those adjustments made the budgets for FY 2015-2016 were approved.

    Fr. Maloney is recovering well after a fall that frac-tured his shoulder. He is in rehabilitation but will return to Methuen Village in a week or so.

    The council continued to hone the agenda of our next provincial council. One of the agenda items we dis-cussed was on the meaning of our presence in parishes. We decided to include this within the work of the new provincial directory which will be presented to the Chapter.

    The Employees Handbook needs some updating. Frs. Matteucig and Lalli will go through it and make the necessary changes prior to

    Fr. Carl Chudy, SX

    Office of the Provincial

    12 Helene Court

    Wayne, New Jersey 08046

    973-942-2975

    [email protected]

    Xaviermissionaries.org

    Bulletin of the Provincial Council

    UPCOMING MEETINGS AND IMPORTANT GATHERINGS

    Franklin FestivalJune 21-22 COSUMA, July 26August 8

    in Tavernerio. USCCB Executive Committee

    of the National Advisory Coun-cil, August 20 21 in Washing-ton. Fr. Chudy will attend.

    National Advisory Council of the USCCB, September 1013. Fr. Chudy will attend.

    Social Media and Mission WorkshopSeptember 26 in the North Jersey area in collab-oration with the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

    presenting it to the next council meeting.

    The council wishes to keep abreast of the beginnings of the dialogue project of the province Fr. Davitti is directing. We discussed a number of issues and its future in the region.

    Fr. Chudy shared the plans thus far for the upcoming social media workshop, together with the Evangel-ical Lutheran Church of America. We are fitting partners as we celebrate 50 years of dialogue with them in the USA. The Xaverian Missionaries, in

    Collaboration with the Evangeli-cal Lutheran Church are organiz-ing a special workshop on using social media for evangelization.

    Meredith Gould, author of the book, The Social Media Gospel will lead the workshop on Septem-ber 26, 9 am to 3 pm.

    She will also conduct a consul-tancy with our Communications Board and Media Office on Sep-tember 25 with the hope of im-proving our media platforms and strengthening our communica-tions. ALL CONFRERES ARE INVITED

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    I ssue 145 Page 4

    A fter almost two years in the job, Id like to share some feelings about what it entails to be working at the Interfaith Dialogue Commission. It can be summarize in a nutshell: its something worth doing, in spite of the scanty, tangi-ble results; something very much in line with our missionary work and something very much needed.

    The interfaith movement has, in fact, proved that religious differ-ences can be universally celebrated and honored. I am of the opinion that Inter-faith dialogue is not based on a model of negotiation between parties who have conflict-ing interests and claims. Rather I see its role as a process of mutual empowerment for the faiths in-volved. It is about engagement in public concerns and the joint pur-suit of social justice, human dignity and constructive action on behalf of the common good of all citizens.

    I have learned how Dialogue is about talking with, and not simp-ly talking about, people of other faiths, beliefs and ideas. The chal-lenge is not the conversation of others but, to connect with the others in dignity and with respect.

    As we proceed in the process of Dialogue and in the pursuit of a common ground, we, members of the Dialogue Commission, came to realize how Interreligious dialogue has certain characteristics: clarity, meekness, humility, kindness, pa-tience, prayer and trust. In interreli-gious dialogue clarity is a must: we are compelled to make our lan-guage understandable, acceptable

    and well-chosen, so that we can be both truthful and charitable to one another. We seek to under-stand one anoth-er, to challenge one another to understand each of our beliefs most deeply.

    We are also aware how Dia-logue does not solve all problems, or bridge all gaps. Its importance is really in creating a space for con-versation where differences can be peacefully and respectfully con-fronted and understood.

    As priests and missionaries, we are aware that every opportunity of ministry should become a good opportunity for Missionary-Animation and Dialogue Educa-tion. It is not an easy task because of the local Churchs resistance to the ad Gentes dimension of Christianity: the local Church, in fact, seems to have become self-referring and has embraced the conviction that mission is every-where and everything.

    We learned how Fr. Adolph was working at Pamphlets/booklets: What you should basically know when dealing with other religions in USA. While Fr. Rocco follows closely the African scenario, Fr. Joe focuses on the Taiwanese reality and presence in Boston, Fr. Tony doing the same with the Brazilian Community.

    Fr. Alex in Franklin while privileging the Latino of the area is becoming more familiar with Muslim and Hin-du communities. The racial divi-sions in Milwaukee area have be-come more evident after the Fer-guson riots of Nov 25th, 2014. Nov, more than in the past now the Church can become a healing bridge.

    To create a network of contacts, the Dialogue Commission will at-tend the Parliament of Religions Lake City 14th-21st Oct. 2015.

    With reference to Common Ground monthly meetings at Wayne, it was noted how they con-tinue to create bridges of under-standing, a growing friendship be-tween secular and religious people.

    Fr. Carl is also planning a confer-ence on October 8, 2015 at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. The project sees working together the American Humanist Associa-tion, the Humanist Department of Rutgers University, and other faith representatives.

    .Fr. Michael Davitti

    There will be no peace among nations without peace

    among religions; and there will be no peace among

    religions without dialogue among religions. Hans Kng 1991