By now many of you know that Fr. Jack MacCarthy will not be back in the area until the middle of August. As you remember he went to Peru with the intention of staying for 3 weeks hoping to return to Green Bay at the end of May. Instead, he encountered leadership and organizational problems there in Santa Clotilde. He needed to stay there in order to foster transition to better leadership and collaboration among the medical staff at the health center. In the short term he reports that he is having success.

      However, we received a message from Jack that he received a cut on his leg in the first part of June which had become infected and not healed quickly. This is due, in part, to previous procedures he has had on his leg. All of this resulted in Fr. Jack needing attention at the clinic at which he works, and needing a wheel chair!

      Needless to say, missionary work is a tremendous challenge. Bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to others is not just about welcoming new people into the church, celebrating Sacraments, and preaching. Most missionaries will tell you that they first must establish their credibility among the people to whom they are sent. The people who will receive the Gospel must first be in a position to hear it. Missionaries must first get to know the needs of the people. If they are poor, hungry, thirsty, and/or without quality education and health care services, there will be investment in these areas. When the people see the good and generous service and help that is offered they may ask “why did you do these good things for us?” Then the door will be open to tell them about the God of Jesus Christ. During the familiarization period, the missionary will be attentive to ways that s/he can help the people to see that Christ has already been present among them.

      On the weekend of July 8-9 we will welcome Fr. Ferdinand Lukoa of the Society of the 

      Divine Savior (Salvatorians.) Fr. Lukoa is from Tanzania. He will share with us their courageous evangelization efforts on behalf of the Catholic Church and give us an opportunity to support their work in the field.  A second collection will be taken up following his presentation. Special envelopes will be provided.

Peace Fr. Andy