“Make of the world one family”

Xaverian Mission
Volume 68 - No. 1| February 2020 Newsletter
worldcatholic.us • xaverianmissionaries.org/missionblog/

Looking for Jesus ..........................................2

Jubilee Year ....................................................3
Thai Christian Community ............................4
Promise to Protect........................................5
The Art of Faith ..........................................6-7
St. Guido Conforti on Holiness ..................9
World & US Province News....................10-11

Sister Antonella Del Grosso MMX works on a mural in Thailand

Provincial Message

Looking for Jesus

Dear Mission Friends,
Xaverian A nine-year old boy named Joshua decided to skip church one
Sunday. His mother often told him that if he skipped church, he
Missionaries
would miss a chance to see Jesus. But Joshua had been going to
Provincial Headquarters church all his life, and he had never seen Jesus.
12 Helene Court
Wayne, NJ 07470-2813 Joshua’s walk took him across the railroad tracks to a part of town
Tel.: (973) 942-2975 where he had never been. He noticed that the houses were much
Fax: (973) 942-5012
Email:
bigger and fancier than those in the poor neighborhood where he
missionmedia@xaverianmissionaries. lived. Then, Joshua found himself in front of the biggest, most beautiful
org church he had ever seen.
Xavier Knoll Mission Center
Joshua thought to himself, “This must be the church where Jesus goes.” He heard
4500 West Xavier Drive
Franklin, WI 53132-9066 beautiful music coming from inside. He remembered how his mother always talked
Tel.: (414) 421-0831 about angels in heaven singing to Jesus. Now he was convinced that this must
Fax: (414) 421-9108 definitely be the place where Jesus was. Joshua walked in and took a seat.
Email:
franklin@xaverianmissionaries.org Joshua scanned the crowd so he could spot Jesus. But as he was doing that, an usher
tapped him on the shoulder because knew that little Joshua came from the poor side
Global Youth Mission Services (the
GYMs) of town. “Where are your parents?” asked the usher. “They are probably at church
Fatima Shrine right now” replied Joshua. “Well, don’t you think you should be with them?” the usher
101 Summer Street asked. Joshua explained how he saw this beautiful church and thought that Jesus must
Holliston, MA 01746-2207
be here. “Well,” replied the usher, “you really can’t stay here. Go to your own church
Tel.: (508) 429-2144
Fax: (508) 429-4793 in your own neighborhood,” and he escorted Joshua out the door. The little boy, with
Email: tears running down his face, shouted, “God, it isn’t fair! All I wanted to do was to see
holliston@xaverianmissionaries.org Jesus, and they wouldn’t even let me in!”
Xaverian Mission Newsletter Joshua shuffled, staring at the sidewalk through his tears. Suddenly, he felt a hand
Official publication of the on his shoulder. He turned around and, to his amazement, there was Jesus! The
Xaverian Missionaries
of the United States Lord smiled at Joshua, gave him a big hug, and said, “Don’t be too upset, son. They
Publisher: Fr. Mark Marangone SX wouldn’t let me in there either.”
Communications Board: Each of us, no matter what are our gifts and talents and passions, can certainly give
Fr. Carl Chudy SX a smile or be friendly to those who come into our community. How we treat the
Fr. Tony Lalli SX newcomer is what they will imagine our whole community is like.
Fr. Rocco Puopolo SX
Fr. Alejandro Rodriguez SX Have we ever considered that Jesus may have the face of the stranger, the refugee,
Fr. Aniello Salicone SX and the poor that come our way. What if I were in their shoes? Was I ever treated like
Editor Joshua in the story? No matter what, Jesus keeps calling you and me to treat others
Mary Aktay as we would have them treat us… (See Mt 7:12) That’s how we “make of the world one
Printing family.” That’s an excellent way to make our Lent more meaningful and experience the
AlphaGraphics, Totowa, NJ resurrection and new life with the Lord at Easter.
Email & Web:
missionmedia@xaverianmissionaries.org With deep gratitude for all your generous love,
Website: worldcatholic.us Fr. Mark and the Xaverian Missionaries
Donation: $5.00 per year

“How we treat the newcomer is what they will imagine

ave our whole community is like.” In
yo cre
L e ac y d e I f y u r im a s e
e g lu er o ur
a l ! Inc Xavi Contact: Fr. Mark Marangone, SX h pac
v e c i s n Gif as a “ emplo t!
lo n io t” M
of . Fra Miss your 12 Helene Court con Prog atchi er
y
S t gn i n t r i b ra m n g
i
the Fore , Inc. ll & Wayne, NJ 07470
y i be utio , you
t . Tel: 973-942-2975 d ou n c r
cie ast W ent ble an
So L t am d.
s
Te
Or visit: worldcatholic.us for online donations.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who have included
the Xaverian Missionaries in their wills.

2 Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 2020

 Xaverian Missionaries in the World

General Direction

The vocation to which we were called could not be greater or more noble . (LT 1)
“As you know, on January 6th this year, the Supreme Authority of the Church gave its final
approval to our Pius Society’s Constitutions, and I now transmit them to you newly reprinted
with those slight modifications that were introduced to you by the Sacred Roman
Congregations.” (St. Guido M. Conforti, Testament Letter 1)
With these words Bishop Conforti, from our Mother House, began to write the fifth circular letter “to the
missionaries, present, and future, of the Saint Francis Xavier Foreign Mission Society.” At first he invited
Xaverians to “thank the Lord,” and then he drew the attention “to the serious and solemn commitment we undertake
in the eyes of God and the Church.” It was July 2, 1921.
The General Direction (GD) for the six-year period 2017-2023 wrote: “Following the spirit of this document on our
Xaverian Identity, we plan to give special attention to the first centenary of the first Constitutions and the Testament
Letter, which also coincides with the 125th anniversary of this year of grace will begin on 2 July 2020 and end on 2
July 2021.
Three main elements must accompany us during this year.
1. To thank God for the gift of Xaverian charism in the Church, to remember the history of these 125 years of the
life of our missionary family. To give thanks to all the good things done by the confreres who preceded us
Everything is grace!
2. To verify our response to the gift received. The Xaverian charism is clear and precise: mission ad gentes and ad
extra lived through religious consecration, placed in the global context of the one mission of the Church.
Therefore, it has a particular place, very specific in ecclesial life. It is our identity to the Xaverian charism, that
is, our identity in the Church.
3. To commit quickly and with great success. This commitment has to do with real, adequate, and urgent
repositioning of our mission, especially where it is necessary to do so.
At the general level, we foresee, among others, the following central events:
• Beginning of this Jubilee Year in Parma, on July 2, 2020.
• Celebration of the Solemnity of St. Guido Maria Conforti, on November 5, 2020, in Parma.
• Closing of the Jubilee Year in Parma, on July 2, 2021.
In this Jubilee event, we feel in communion with the whole Xaverian Family: the Missionaries of Mary, the lay
Xaverians, the Josephite Sisters, and all our families, friends, and benefactors entrusted to us.

Xaverian Mission Newsletter •February 2020 3

Xaverian Missionaries in the World

First Christian
Community
The seed of formation of the Catholic community
began when I encountered a Catholic family who
migrated from Karen State in Burma territory and
settled in Thapephue village, Thailand. They still had
frequent contact with their relatives on the other
side of the border and invited me to celebrate week-
ly mass with them in Khlow Gaw village, Karen state.
Since then, I started to organize activities with chil-
dren in the village (English class, and Music class) and
tried to encourage people to have a spirit of com-
munity by celebrating Mass in their own homes.
I was asked by the bishop to take care of a few
Burmese Catholic families in the Nupo camp. I encouraged both the refugees and the Catholics in Thapephue and
Khlow Gaw to build a community. Since Vatican II, Catholic mission has fundamentally moved from mission as develop-
ment to mission as dialogue and encounter with culture, ethnics and religions.
Ministering in this vast area of Umphang has a unique character. First, it is shaped by the reality of stateless people,
mostly Karen, living along the Thai border both inside and outside the refugee camp. Most of them had fled the Karen
State in Burma because of civil war, the longest in the world. Since the last cease-fire in 2009 peace has been estab-
lished but their life is still vulnerable to a range of threats, including various forms of violence and deep-seated
poverty.
Second, it is actually a domestic church, composed of 9 families (one family living in Karen State, 3 Km away from
Thai border and 4 families in Nupo refugee camp) and other Catholic families in the camp. As such, this new com-
munity is challenged mainly by the distance that one family must take to reach other families anytime holy Mass and
other activities are organized. However, this challenge is enthusiastically faced because the community is the funda-
mental part of their life.
Though small in number, the members of the community take part in the missionary work in the surrounding area
mainly through charity activities such as visits to the elderly and sick people, the distribution of second hand clothes
and new towels during the cold season, and an annual Christmas meal every year for all the villagers.
Besides teaching in the public schools, I organize an English Camp program every year in some other schools by involv-
ing some foreign volunteers from Bangkok. An extra English class is given to prepare some selected students who
receive scholarship grants from some Catholic schools in the diocese. A music class is offered for the children of the
village where one Catholic family is present. Through all these activities, a network of friendship grows and I can get
close to the real needs of the people. ~ Fr. Reynaldo Tardelly SX


You can help Fr. Reynaldo meet the needs of people in Thailand. Either clip this paper and send it to the
address below or help the environment by donating online at: https://www.xaverianmissionaries.org/support/#.
XbcXfehKiHs
Name: Donation Amount:
Address: City: State: Zip
Email: Phone: Xaverian House Supported:

Mail to: Fr. Mark Marangone SX, 12 Helene Ct., Wayne, NJ 07470
□Xaverian Knoll, Franklin WI; □Fatima Shrine
Holliston, MA; □Provincial House Wayne, NJ

4 Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 2020

 Xaverian Missionaries in the USA

Dear Mission Friends,

Prompted by the desire to help the healing from the pain and anger caused by clergy sex abuse and the lack of ac-
countability and transparency on the part of church leadership, we are making public a list of any Xaverian Missionaries
in the USA Province who has had a credible allegation of abuse against a minor or vulnerable adult since 1947. It can
be accessed at https://www.xaverianmissionaries.org/sxaccused/#.XhYWS0dKiHs
As you may be aware of, at the heart of this crisis is the painful, sinful and illegal harm done to children by those whom
they should have been able to trust. Under the watchful eye of our accreditation agency, Praesidium, Inc., we have
implemented these best practices for more than fifteen years and can be grateful, although no less vigilant.
The list we publish notes criminal and sinful failures in the pastoral care of children. These allegations were made
decades after the abuse occurred. This list includes any allegations where the offense was admitted by a Xaverian Mis-
sionary, or where it was established as credible after an investigation. Any living Xaverian Missionary with a credible
allegation of abuse is removed from ministry and assigned to a community that does not serve minors where he lives
under a closely monitored safety plan. Any case of abuse is shocking and a profound failure. Safeguards put in place
since 2002 help create safe environments for everyone.
On behalf of all of the Xaverian Missionaries of the USA Province and worldwide, I apologize for any of our brothers
who have fallen short of living the Gospel message and have committed crimes of abuse and pledge to work to pro-
vide safe environments for all to whom we minister and to offer support and possibilities for healing to victims. I urge
anyone who has experienced abuse by a Xaverian Missionary to contact Rev. Carl Chudy, SX, our Victim Assistance
Coordinator at 862-264-7000, or cchudy@xaverianmissionaries.org.
At these trying times for our Church, the Body of Christ knows the suffering of its Lord in real ways. May the healing
touch of the Lord and our prayer + commitment transform our wounds into means of saving grace to “make of the
world one family.”
In the Risen, Healing and Saving Lord,
Fr. Mark Marangone, SX
Provincial of the United States Province

Xaverian Mission Newsletter •February 2020 5

 The Art of Faith!
Sister Antonia (Antonella) Del Grosso MMX
uses her artistic ability to bring the love of
Jesus to the people of Thailand.

Sister Antonella with her

Xaverian Missionaries Sisters
of Mary community in Thailand
(kneeling center); exhibits her
2019 Christmas card; and shares
her time and talents with the
Thai people.
St. Guido Maria Conforti

8 Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 2020

 On Holiness

“H oliness does not consist in doing

great things or heroic works;
otherwise it would only be possible for a
few people. Holiness is made up of small
actions – such as the actions that make
up each day. And these acts are regulated
by the rules of our Institute. Every society
has its own laws, and we too must carry
out with the greatest possible perfection
all these small acts, from the most noble
to the most humble. Not only the practices
of piety, but also all the other practices of
each day. How must we do this? By doing
everything with the intention of giving
glory to God. This is what St. Ignatius
meant when he said: “Ad majorem Dei
gloriam – for the greater glory of God.”
~ Saint Guido M. Conforti (1923, 27 May, Parma,
Notes for a retreat with the Xaverians “La
santità”; FCT 20, 246-247)

Xaverian Missionaries “practice holiness” in

everyday acts of kindness and compassion
around the world.

Xaverian Mission Newsletter •February 2020 9

World Mission News
EUROPE/VATICAN
Missionaries Killed in 2019
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - According to information
gathered by Agenzia Fides, in 2019 29
missionaries were killed throughout the world,
mostly priests: 18 priests, 1 permanent deacon,
2 religious men, 2 nuns, 6 lay people. After
eight consecutive years in which the highest
number of missionaries killed was recorded in
America, since 2018 it is Africa that has taken
the first place in this tragic category. In Africa
in 2019 12 priests were killed, 1 religious man,
1 religious woman, 1 lay woman (15). In America
6 priests were killed, 1 permanent deacon, 1
religious man, 4 lay people (12). In Asia, 1 lay
woman was killed. In Europe, 1 nun was killed.
We use the term “missionary” for all the
baptized, aware that “in virtue of their Baptism,
all the members of the People of God have
become missionary disciples. All the baptized,
whatever their position in the Church or their
level of instruction in the faith, are agents of
evangelization” (EG 120). As it has been for
some time, the annual list of Fides does not
look only to Missionaries ad gentes in the
strict sense, but tries to record all the baptized
engaged in the life of the Church who died in
a violent way, not only “in hatred of the faith”.
Another note is given by the fact that there is a
sort of “globalization of violence”: while in the past
the missionaries killed were mostly concentrated
in a nation, or in a geographical area, in 2019
the phenomenon appears more generalized
and widespread. 10 missionaries from Africa, 8
from America, 1 from Asia and 1 from Europe.
”
10 Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 2020
World Mission News
AFRICA/SIERRA LEONE
“70 years of mission in Sierra Leone are
our hard work, but also our joy”
Makeni (Agenzia Fides) - The 70th anniversary of
the presence of the Xaverian Missionaries in Sierra
Leone was marked in December. Fr. Gerardo Caglioni
SX reflected: “Our Xaverian mission in Sierra Leone
wishes to celebrate the “70th Foundation” with a
year-long celebration, to make the joyful memory
of a journey accomplished in a few decades by
certain men, who, by generously giving their lives,
gave birth and raised a new African church: the
Church of Makeni.
We have reached the “Seventieth Year,” the year
which, according to the psalm, tells us that we have
completed the project entrusted to us by the Lord.
Disappointment has never prevailed, indeed hope
and optimism have always won, which are the
characteristics of the four Xaverian Pioneers and
Founders: Augusto Fermo Azzolini, Pietro Serafino
Calza, Camillo Olivani and Attilio Stefani.
These four pioneers never remained alone. Almost
every year, regularly, small expeditions have always
enriched the first original founding expedition.
Alongside them, many sisters and numerous
committed lay people have always accompanied
them in their missionary life. They also made it
grow with the local clergy, which is now gradually
replacing the Fathers and Founders of this new
African church.
Here, Lord, our seventy years of mission in Sierra
Leone are our work and our effort, but also all
our joy. We present them to you so that you may
bless them and thus become life for this portion of
Africa so dear to us”.
ASIA/THAILAND
The mission of the “House of Angels”
for the integration of disabled
children with their families
Nonthaburi (Agenzia Fides) - The “House of Angels”
is situated in the parish of Our Lady of Mercy, in
Nonthaburi, in the diocese of Bangkok. Disabled
children and their mothers are welcomed here.
Born from an initiative of Caritas of Venice
in collaboration with the Pontifical Institute
for Foreign Missions and the Xaverian
Missionaries, the house has been managed for
years by the foundress, Sr. Angela Bertelli MMX.
“Bangkok means ‘city of angels’ and the
true mission of the House of Angels is the
encounter with God in our little angel guests,”
said Sr. Eudoxie Colette Ngongo Banunu MMX .
“We welcome very young poor people who are
discriminated against in a cultural context that
tends to marginalize people with disabilities,”
said the President of the Community of
Don Benzi, Giovanni Paolo Ramonda, in his
meeting with the Archbishop of Bangkok,
Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij.
The house tries to accompany and reintegrate
disabled people into their families. There
are currently 12 children, 7 of whom sleep
in the home, others are assisted in various
contexts. Among the guests, in addition to an
Indonesian mother with her child with a serious
handicap, there is also a 19 year old girl
who goes to the house three times a week
and a 6 year old Congolese immigrant girl.
Three women are still there among those who
were present at the time of Sister Angela.

News from our USA Communities
PROVINCIAL HOUSE
WAYNE NJ
Novena of Grace
We invite you to pray this powerful annual
novena which our patron saint and namesake,
St. Francis Xavier gifted us with to engage grace
for ourselves and for others through intercessory
prayer! It takes place in each community from
March 4 to March 12th, the joyful day when
the Church recognized the sanctity of St. Francis
Xavier and declared him a saint. We invite
prayer requests and place them before the relic
of St. Francis Xavier In our three communities
during these nine days.
CMSM Retreat
Fr. Mark Marangone, Fr. Tony Lalli and Fr. Rocco
Puopolo participated in the Conference of Major
Superiors of Men (CMSM) Winter Leadership
Gathering in Tucson AZ.
Trip to Italy
Fr. Michael Davitti SX will host a trip to his
hometown and other sites in Tuscany in the fall
to celebrate his 50th Anniversary as a priest.
Participants will take part in special liturgies
and interfaith experiences, and enjoy cultural
and culinary events. For more information email:
missionmedia@xaverianmissionaries.org
Praesidium Accreditation™ publicly demonstrates that the Congregation of the Xaverian
Missionaries has achieved the highest industry standards in abuse prevention and response.
FATIMA SHRINE
HOLLISTON MA
Welcome Pietro!
We welcome Pietro Rossini, SX to our community.
Pietro arrived last evening from Italy, his native
country. He hails from Salerno where the Xaverian
Community has enthusiastically served for many
years. Pietro has completed his graduate studies
for ministry in Parma, Italy, taken his perpetual
vows as a Xaverian and looks forward to
diaconate and priesthood in the future. He took
his Novitiate year in Mexico four years ago. He
will begin English language studies at the end
of this month at Framingham State University
in order to pursue a Masters in Communication
at Boston University next year. The plan is that
he be with us for the next three years or so
while he studies. We are very happy to have him
with us. He will bring some youthfulness to our
community!
Conforti Mission Circle
The Conforti Mission Circle group will host an
informational and organizational meeting on
Sunday March 1st after the 11:00 a.m. Mass for
an hour. This group is open to all those who
volunteer here at our Shrine or anyone who
would wish to be part of this umbrella group
and develop their understanding of Confortian
Mission.. Various initiatives that are social, fund
raising, educational, spiritual, etc. are all part
of this Conforti Mission Circle. Groups can meet
as needed. Coffee and light refreshments will
be provided
Xaverian Mission Newsletter •February 2020
US Xaverians News
XAVIER KNOLL
FRANKLIN WI
Confreres Update
Fr. Alejandro Rodriguez SX, our rector, has
vacationed in Mexico after five years here in the
USA. He waited to get his Green Card before going
on vacation.
Fr. Dominic Caldognetto SX continues his ministry
at St. Mary of Hales Corners, WI and in other
parishes where is needed.
Fr. Aniello Salicone SX has almost completely
recovered from congestive heart failure and
bronchitis and has resumed his healing ministry
in the house and in Chicago, and some ministry
around Franklin, WI.
Fr. Dharmawan Adhatius Yoannes SX (Fr. Wawan)
came back from Taipei on January 1st. He had
gone there for the renewal of his Visa. He will soon
resume his Monday classes and his postgraduate
studies at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee,
WI, as well as helping in ministry and taking care
of the community needs.
Keep up
with all the
news in 2020.
Visit the Xaverian
Missionaries at
worldcatholic.us
11
Xaverian Mission Newsletter • February 2020

Bring Compassion to the World!

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