18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 30-31, 2016)

Good morning.  I am Fr. Paul English, a member of the Basilian Fathers and pastor of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha parish in Irondequoit. I’m happy to be with you today to tell you a little about something I’m very proud of, the amazing and dedicated work of missionaries from my community and the things they’ve been able to accomplish with your help and, of course, the help of God.

I thank Bishop Matano and Fr. Bradler for blessing the Basilian Fathers with the opportunity to make an appeal for the poor and needy brothers and sisters served in our mission areas, with a special thank you to Fr. Schwartz for his very cordial hospitality.

Thanks to you, too, for all you have done for the missions throughout the years.  It is through your prayers, sacrifices and alms that you enable us to send missionaries to various parts of the world to a people who would otherwise never know a loving Father in Heaven, know Jesus who died on the cross that they might be saved.  God bless you for the all the things you have done for so many across our globe.

For nearly 200 years the Basilian Fathers have served the Church of North America, particularly in the field of education and in parish work.  Seventy-five years ago, they saw the need to serve the immigrants coming into the southern part of the United States – Catholic people who did not know our language and customs.  Lest they be separated from the Church, the Basilians began a series of missions, ministering to the people in their own language.

In 1955 at the initiation of the Bishops of Mexico the Basilians began a labor of love, serving the very poor people of the Diocese of Mexico City. 

Today, thousands upon thousands know the mercy and love of God through the Basilian missionaries who minister to them.

In 1987 the Basilian Fathers accepted a call to serve the poor in the South American country of Colombia, perhaps the most violent and poor country in the hemisphere.  A large hospice was built with the help of American parishes, to serve the homeless elderly.  Mother Teresa sent six of her sisters to staff it.  The Basilians conduct one of the largest private schools in the country, specifically for children of families who absolutely cannot afford it.  By your help, you are giving them the opportunity of a lifetime.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of accompanying our Superior General, Fr. George Smith, to visit our school in Cali, Colombia.  In that country, they break up the society according to wealth and social status.  They have what they call “strata,” and there are five levels or strata.  The wealthiest of the wealthy are in stratum 5, while the most destitute are in strata 1 and 2.  Our school will only accept students, from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, who come from strata 1 and 2.  But we provide for them a school that clearly rivals the private schools of strata 4 and 5.  Our students learn various foreign languages.  All must speak English well by graduation.  They have classes in all the academic areas, including fine arts.  We see this as our way of planting the seeds of peace and change in Colombia.  During Fr. Smith’s visit, we spent an afternoon at the Catholic university in Cali, where we met with a group of about 18 graduates of our school. 

Fr. George asked a question and I began to translate it for them when one of the students interrupted me to say, “no need, Father, we all speak English.” 
We had a delightful discussion with them for the next hour-and-a-half...  Fr. Smith’s first question was whether the transition to this strata 4 and 5 university was a challenge for them.  One by one, they explained to us that the hardest thing was that they were so much better prepared than their classmates, and they tried very hard not to draw attention to the disparity.  Most of them are studying areas that they hope will bring them back to their original part of town, where they intend to continue the good they received, sharing their learning and talents to make a better city, and ultimately a better country.  We both walked out of that meeting about six inches off the ground and so proud of the amazing work the Basilian missionaries continue to do, the difference they are making.
In today’s readings, God calls us all to share God’s great gifts.  Jesus himself is the true Bread come down from Heaven so that the world might have life in abundance.  Missionaries take this quite seriously.  When necessary, literally, providing food.  When possible, also figuratively, providing the spiritual and intellectual sustenance
that dignified people need to make a better life for themselves, for their families, for their nations.

Who is a missionary?  Well in the first instance, Jesus sent his disciples to the ends of the earth to preach and teach the Good News.  The Second Vatican Council teaches that “the pilgrim church, founded by Jesus, is missionary by its very nature.”  And by the one baptism we all share in Christ, we are all missionaries as well. 
But it’s just not possible for you to pull up stakes and go to the ends of the earth, preaching and proclaiming the Good News… so together, we send other people, “missionaries” like the Basilians, in our stead.

My confrères in Mexico work in parishes, where their special apostolate is the strengthening and values of the Catholic family, the basic and most powerful unit in the Mexican society. 

Like ours, their society is buffeted by secular things, values that would move families apart, tear them away from their ancient Christian beliefs, impose selfishness and unhealthy individualism.  The missionaries in Mexico working with the people have developed many enjoyable and instructive activities and programs that empower Catholic families to share the love of Christ, the Word of God and the joy of rich family life in Christ.  The Basilians created a program, used across Mexico in parishes and other faith groups called Catequesis Familiar, Family Catechesis, which brilliantly prepares the parents at a deep, adult level, in order that they can teach their children daily, the lessons they will hear in the homilies and music the coming weekend.  In my time in Mexico, I was extremely happy to be part of this powerful work.

How can you help?

First of all, by prayer.  We believe that prayer is powerful.  Please pray for the missionaries, pray for vocations, pray for openness to God’s Word.

You can help by understanding that what Basilians or any missionaries do is not just “doing our thing,” rather, it’s doing “your thing.”  You and I are the Church, and the Church is missionary by its very nature.  We Christians are not free to take a pass on being part of the Mission of Christ; we must proclaim God’s Word wherever we are.
You can help financially.  In the second collection perhaps you could share just a little of the blessings God has bestowed on you with our poor people who have so little in life but who have something all the money in the world can’t buy – the gift of faith. 
God bless you for sharing and caring for God’s poor.  Be assured that we on the missions pray for you good people each day.  It’s our honor and our joy to do so.
I’ll be available after Mass to greet you and perhaps we can chat.  I’ll be pleased to pass your thoughts and prayers along to my brothers, particularly in Colombia and Mexico.