Yesterday, we traveled to Banneaux, Belgium to the site of the 1933 apparition of Our Lady of the Poor.  It is today a pilgrimage site and national shrine in Belgium. This is a picture of the spring that the Blessed Mother told Marietta Baco to immerse her hands into.  It was a beautiful day full of fraternity and pray.  Our Lady of the Poor, pray for us. ODE

Missionary Effectiveness

We are forming fraternity here is Brussels. We are sharing tasks and getting to know each other. We are strangers in a strange land together which has aided our bonding. Today is the end of my second full week at the Interfranciscan Mission Program in Brussels. This picture was taken at the end of the class on Franciscan Missionary Methods Throughout History given by Damien Isabell, OFM. Damien has been in DR Congo for 32 years! He was a member of the Sacred Heart Province before joining the OFM province in the Congo.

I am learning about missionary effectiveness. The historical missionary concept of building churches and baptizing babies is no longer viable. The job of today's missionary is to try to understand and respond to the heart of the people. In this way the Gospel can be realized. This missionary (that means me) has a lot of things to learn about to whom God is sending me. I must be open to learning more from the people then what they may learn from me. This will take time and effort. From what I am hearing I will have to learn Swahili. Language learning is not my strong suit but I will do my very best. My assignment to the Province in East Africa is for six years. I will be spending a major portion of that time acclimating to the culture before I can ever begin to be effective.

I feel so privileged being in this program and getting the input I am receiving. The men I am studying with come from all over the world. The diversity is great and is in itself a part of the learning for me. One thing that I am learning is that culture is not static, it is dynamic. There may be similarities within a culture but each person in the culture may or may not follow all cultural norms or behaviors. Practically, then, my job is to take each person individually. What a challenge! Certainly one that I am excited to about. Peace Tim

Oh! Please continue to pray for the refugees in Europe. They are finding no welcome and are increasingly finding no place to go. This is a shameful crisis with no remedy in sight. ODE

Aylan Kurdi Pray for Us!

Maybe you have see this photo, maybe not. Aylan Kurdi was a three year old Syrian boy who washed up on the beach in Turkey after the boat he and his family was traveling in capsized, They were fleeing the increasing violence in Syria.   His five year old brother and mother died in the accident as well.  As of September 3, they are just three of the 2,600 people who have died at sea escaping Syria.  This picture has galvanized Europe into action.  Not all of the action is in favor of the refugees. Many refugees hit road blocks in Hungary and other places. Those fortunate enough to make it to Austria and Germany are warmly welcomed.  European leaders are struggling to work out a equitable solution to deal with the 350,000 people already on the continent.  More are coming every day.

Pray for refugees and migrants through out the world, especially the children.  Truly these innocents deserve safety and the freedom to grow up in a world free of fear.  By our action may his death not be in vain.  Peace.  tim

Below is a picture of the participants of the Interfranciscan Missionary Program in Belgium.  We are standing in front of the church attached to the friary. The name of the church is Notre Dame des Graces.  Have a peaceful week and please pray for the thousands of migrants flooding Europe at this time.