Thursday, September 25, 2008

At the Carwash

God has a sense of humor; I’m convinced. Or at least He likes the element of surprise. A few weeks ago, the night before I was getting ready to go on vacation for a week with my children, I went out to fill the car up with gas and run it through the car wash. It was later in the day than I thought, and the sky was purplish-orange. The sun was ready to bid its final farewell for the day. The only carwash nearby is just a few blocks away, but it is in a notoriously unsafe neighborhood. Gang violence and drugs are constants. I hesitated and asked myself, should I go? I decided yes.

I pulled up to the pump, nervously got out and paid the clerk for the gas and wash. There were lots of people hanging around, sitting on the curb, leaning against the trees and buildings, anywhere but inside the small and overcrowded apartments that were all around. I hurriedly got back into my car and drove through the carwash.

I was ashamed of the unease I felt with my surroundings. I have dedicated my adult life to social justice; to understanding and respecting different cultures. My desire to go to Chile came from a deep sense of calling to live more closely and intimately with those less fortunate. How could I let stereotypes take hold of me as they did in that moment? As the carwash brushes swirled and banged around me, I asked myself if I had become too comfortable, too content?

This September marks the 5th anniversary of my return to the U.S. My previous five years were lived in some of the roughest neighborhoods in Santiago, Chile. I would often squeeze by drug dealers as I made my way up the steps to my apartment. Gun shots rang out in the night almost like church-bells. Domestic “arguments” could be heard with ease from house to house; no need for a neighborhood crier. There were times when I longed for the security of home, but most of the time I felt that what I had lost in physical comfort I had gained in spiritual growth. I felt that I was where Jesus wanted me to be.

Returning to my carwash experience, I began to wonder, am I where Jesus wants me to be? Some might say that living a mile away from this troubled neighborhood is close enough. But is it? It’s taken me ten years to come to believe myself a missionary. If ever there was an opportunity to be missionary in the U.S., it is in this neighborhood. It calls out for a ministry of presence.

I began to entertain the thought: could our family go on mission just around the corner? Lots of no’s started streaming into my head; a sure sign that God was trying to tell me something. This much I recognize from past experience. When I start justifying my way out of something, there’s a good chance I should do just the opposite.

While I didn’t have the courage to come to a definitive “yes!” that night, a seed has been planted. I’m sure it won’t be the last time God has something to say about it. As I pulled away from the carwash I thought, “God picks funny moments to speak to me.” Despite the drone of the carwash, He didn’t have to scream to be heard that night.

In peace,
Amy W.E.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Fr. Arturo Aguilar on CNBC's "On America"

Earlier this year, Columban Father Arturo Aguilar attended Villanova’s program on church management. CNBC’s Mike Hegedus filmed a segment for “On America” discussing the program. Fr. Arturo is interviewed by Mr. Hegedus in the clip below.

www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=812441136

Friday, September 12, 2008

A $1.00 Mercedes Benz


In 1996, Fr. Sean McGrath and I were assigned to the parish of St. Columban’s, LA. Fr. Sean recently had completed a ten year stint in Belize, and I had worked in a parish in Zambales on the island of Luzon, Philippines. Fr. Sean’s assignment was to raise funds for the education of our future Columbans in the Far East and Latin America. My assignment was to be pastoral administrator of the parish.

Fr. Sean started his work by holding a mammoth raffle. The first year he raffled off an automobile as the first prize. The results were phenomenal. Following the success of the first year, he decided to offer a Mercedes Benz the following year. I thought he was crazy, but it was successful beyond our wildest dreams. The next year, he offered two Mercedes Benz, and he doubled the funds raised for the education of future Columbans.

To increase the excitement and community involvement for the raffles, Fr. Sean booked a five star hotel to supply the venue. He convinced a local restaurateur to provide a delicious gourmet dinner at a very low price. And, he made sure that anyone could win a superb automobile for one dollar.

Fr. Sean literally brought people to the table for fellowship and fun. It was very rewarding and fulfilling work. Fr. Sean secured the future educations of Columban seminarians by involving local parishes and their parishioners in the fundraising process.

Fr. Colm Rafferty is retired after many years of mission work and currently resides in Ireland.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Columban Father Leo Baker Celebrates Diamond Jubilee


By a kindly Providence three Baker sons - Leo, Chris and Pat - from the Baker family of 8 children became Columban missionary priests with each ordained in St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne, Victoria, in 1948, 1950 and 1962 respectively. As the first brother ordained, Fr. Leo celebrated his Diamond Jubilee in Australia in July 2008.

Fr. Leo’s brothers, Fr. Chris and Fr. Pat, came back from their missions in the Philippines and Peru to join in the celebrations. Fr. Leo first went to Korea in 1950, but the war with the North Korean communists led to his permanent position in Japan. Following his mission work in Japan, Fr. Leo returned to Sydney and Melbourne.

With three missionary priests in the family, Fr. Leo’s Diamond Jubilee was not only a time of celebration and reflection on a lifetime of mission work but also a happy family reunion for the surviving Baker siblings. Frs. Leo, Chris and Pat were joined by two sisters and a brother for the celebratory Mass in Bendigo. The opportunity to celebrate together was a major milestone in the Baker family pilgrimage through life.

The Missionary Society of St. Columban honors Fr. Leo on his Diamond Jubilee with gratitude for years of faithful mission work.