Fundraising – MCP
Jared Rottinghaus – Meet our Missionaries – MCP 2010
Jared writes:
“Me in a nutshell: My name is Jared Rottinghaus. I was born and raised in Seneca, KS, on a farm. I have 4 siblings (1 brother, 3 sisters), and I am the 4th child. My parents, who have been married for almost 47 years, still live there. My father is a carpenter, and my mother has held a variety of jobs (currently in medical billing).
I graduated from the University of Kansas in 2001 with a BA in Biology, and from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2005. At that point I entered the seminary for my local diocese of Kansas City, KS, and studied at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Chicago for 3 years. As a part of that, I spent 9 months doing work at a local parish.
Last year I spent 6 months working in an orphanage in Peru, which sparked an interest in serving the poor. I hope to do this for at least 3-6 months in the near future, and I wouldn’t mind doing so in some medical capacity (obviously only as much as is appropriate to my level of training)”.
Jared has been serving with CTF-SOS DRS in the US and staying in the community in Milwaukee since May 2010. He has made appeals in the Dioceses of Davenport and San Diego. The plan is to mission Jared in the near future to Haiti or elsewhere. Right now he is working on his Haitian Creole!
Fr. Scott, Jared and St. Florian (in Chicago at St. Florian's - MCP 2010)
Serving With CTF-SOS DRS – Eric Dizon – A Personal Reflection
- (L-R) David, Fr. Scott & Eric – in the Philippines
By Fr. Scott Binet and Eric Dizon
I first met Eric Dizon in 2004 while on a medical mission in the Philippines that was sponsored by the Rizal McArthur Memorial Foundation.
This was the beginning of what would become a very fruitful collaboration between yours truly and Eric, the Filipino community in Wisconsin and my Camillian confreres in the Philippines. And that collaboration has to this day helped to promote the mission of the CTF very much. In fact, the largest supporters in the US of the CTF-SOS DRS response to the recent disaster in the Philippines (Typhoon Ketsana) are members of the Filipino community in Wisconsin. And Eric Dizon – a Filipino American – is a member of that community.
This is how Eric and I met. I left Milwaukee in January 2004 and traveled to Honduras for a collaborative medical mission and then to El Salvador to evaluate the local Caritas response to the earthquakes that shook the country in 2001. Then I went to the Philippines to join my fellow Camillian Fr. James Roa MD, MI and several other medical professionals from Milwaukee.
After Celebrating the Eucharist - Rizal McArthur Memorial Foundation (RMMF) Medical Mission - 2004
We then went by bus on a mission that took us to several cities in the Philippines. There we – including Eric, who would soon become a medical student – served the health needs (medical and surgical) of many people. And we also prayed, worshiped, ate and socialized together. There were about 25 of us. This was the beginning of a very fruitful relationship with the Filipino community in both the US and the Philippines.
The fruits of this initial encounter in the Philippines have been many: Members of the Philippine community in Milwaukee included Fr. James Roa MD, MI in their next RMMF mission; They started to give medical supplies and equipment for the work of the Camillians in Calbayog City, Philippines and elsewhere; Eric and I started to find ways to work together for the CTF.
Later that year in December when the 2004 Tsuanmi hit and I was already in Banda Aceh, Indonesia – Eric contacted me and asked if he could help in the relief effort. I consented and Eric flew to Indonesia and helped us for a month. It was a good experience for all concerned as Eric’s ability to work as part of a team and his trustworthiness, intelligence, wit and physical strength made him a very helpful part of the CTF response. After his time in Indonesia Eric returned to the US and continued his studies. Then during 2 subsequent summers he helped us during our MCP parish appeals as we traveled throughout the US. Eric has spoken in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, to name a few places – a missionary on a new mission! Well, here are Eric’s own words about his experience this last summer.
I flew out to Newark from Milwaukee on a very rainy June 12th but missed my connection to Scranton that night due to inclement weather. Making my way to a local hotel, I spent the night in New Jersey before flying out the following morning.
D’Ann, the CTF-SOS DRS executive assistant, pulled up to the baggage claim area with an affable, urbane priest in tow who introduced himself as Father Francis from Kenya. Loading my bags into the Toyota Sienna Van of SOS DRS, we headed to Our Lady of Victory Parish in Tannersville, Pennsylvania, my first parish of the MCP appeal season and part of the Diocese of Scranton (See Map).
The SOS DRS MCP Appeal Team in Scranton (L to R): Eric, D'Ann, Fr. Scott, Fr. Francis
Our Lady of Victory was a gorgeous church. Constructed with steel, glass, and wooden beams, the architecture was very modern and minimal yet surprisingly warm at the same time. Father Richard, the pastor, helped me lug my bags up to my room in the rectory. Leading me over to the church, he then helped me set up the CTF banners for the mass that evening. After the celebration he took me out to dinner at a local Italian restaurant where he regaled me with stories of his life in the Poconos. Then Fr. Richard showed me around town.
I had several more appeals on Sunday. Afterwards, a parishioner was kind enough to prepare lunch for me at the rectory while I waited for D’Ann to pick me up.
D’Ann arrived that afternoon; we drove over to the Fatima Renewal Center in Dalton, PA where we were later reunited with Father Francis. The facility was HUGE, but there were only four people staying there (myself, D’Ann, Fr. Francis, and a priest on sabbatical). Running in the peaceful mountain woods that evening, I encountered a family of deer. It was surreal…
The next morning D’Ann, Father Francis, and I drove to Canastota, NY to stay for several days at Saint Agatha’s Parish, Fr. Francis’ home away from home in the US. He turned out to be quite the chef (the man was like Wolfgang Puck) and offered us the experience of eating ugali and other Kenyan delicacies. One evening Father Cleophas, the representative in the US of the Diocese of which Fr. Francis is a part (Nakuru – See Map), invited us both to watch his soccer match in Syracuse and to have tea at the rectory afterwards. The following day Francis and I played golf with Fr. Cleophas at a local course. And Cleophas then came returned with us to Canastota to make dinner!
The three of us drove back to the Fatima Renewal Center in Dalton that Thursday where we were reunited with Father Scott who had been making an MCP in South Carolina.
We headed into downtown Scranton the following morning for a meeting and interview at the Office of the Propagation of the Faith at the chancery of the Diocese of Scranton.
Deacon Ed Kelly (seen here between Fr. Francis and yours truly) was kind enough to take us on a tour of the rectory and the church, both of which were achingly beautiful. Delivering Father Scott to a local parish for his appeals, the rest of the team then headed for Ohio.
My parish there was much smaller than that in PA, which meant I only had three appeals that weekend. The parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, was in Youngstown (See Map). Father John Madden (not the football coach) took me out to dinner at the Amen Corner after mass that Saturday evening. Celebrating his 23rd anniversary as a priest that Sunday at a steakhouse lunch, we ate and debated whether Jim Brown or Walter Payton was the greatest running back of all time!
On Monday D’Ann, Fr. Francis and I headed back for Canastota via Niagara Falls, NY – spending the remainder of the week at Saint Agatha’s Parish. Another priest from Kenya named Father Chris was there to greet us upon our arrival. And Fr. Cleophas and another Kenyan priest named Father John dropped by one evening to make us dinner. What a deal…ugali again!
The group split up later that week to make appeals. Fathers Francis and Fr. Chris were off to New Orleans, LA to make appeals for their diocese. We dropped them off at the airport in Syracuse, and then D’Ann and I made our way to Newark, NJ; I spent the night at a local hotel. Retrieving Father Scott from a friend’s home in Yonkers the next day, we then dropped him off at JFK Airport in New York City. He was going to attend the CTF-Pastoral Centers 1 Conference in Madrid. I, instead, was off to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Montclair, NJ.
Greeting me in the rain later that evening, Father Tony Leonelli of OLMC helped me tote my bags into the rectory. The two of us went out for ice cream that night and had an interesting discussion about the differences between life on the East Coast and in the Midwest. We also went out for a lovely dinner with Father Tom. I had five appeals at the parish that weekend. Built in 1939, OLMC was created in the Italian Gothic style (very elegant and timeless).
D’Ann picked me up Sunday afternoon, and we headed for the rectory of Father Greg Uhrig at Saint Luke’s in Plainfield, NJ. We spent the week there, which gave me the opportunity to spend a bit of time in nearby New York City.
I went to Saint Jude’s in Paterson, NJ on the Fourth of July. Father Bob (a die-hard Red Sox fan) was very hospitable and teased me for wearing a (souvenir) Yankees hat. I believe I had 6 appeals at Saint Jude’s even though I was only there for a 24-hour span! Spending a bit of time at Lucky Garden next door, I met some of the rambunctiously friendly locals from the neighborhood.
D’Ann picked me up Sunday afternoon, and we made the long drive back from New Jersey to Wisconsin…uggh!
The following weekend D’Ann and I were off to the Diocese of Dubuque, IA. Assigned to the parish of Saint John the Baptist for three appeals, I stayed in the home of Hal and Sharon Dendurent. They were kind enough to take me to a local festival and concert, which gave me the opportunity to for the first time eat the famous Iowa State Fair Fried Twinkie! I had a lot of fun there.
My final series of appeals (three this weekend) was at Saint Anne’s in Ortonville, MI in the Diocese of Detroit (see map). Apparently, Kid Rock lived down the street from the parish, which I thought was pretty cool. Hosting me were Father Gerard Frawley (of County Limerick, Ireland) and his German Shepherd Sammy. The Church had an interesting configuration as the altar was placed in the very middle of the room. We went out for dinner at an Italian restaurant next door and then watched a documentary about poverty in Africa. Father Frawley made breakfast for me Sunday morning before my final two appeals…
Overall, I had great time this past summer doing MCP appeals, facilitating the Camillian Task Force’s mission to serve the neediest of the needy… I look forward to my next experience with the CTF…
Eric Dizon
The CTF in Canada: A Break Broken But Shared – A Personal Reflection
Writing while on holiday and away from his homeland as Typhoon Ketsana stuck the Philippines, Fr. Aristelo notes that his break from fundraising in the US has become both an opportunity to share with his fellow Philippinos the suffering of their people and a call to his fellow Camillians to truly live the 4th vow.
By Fr. Aristelo Miranda, MI
After doing a 3-month fundraising activity in the USA, I went to Ontario, Canada from September 22 to October 7 to have a break for a couple of weeks before returning to the Eternal City – Rome. The highlight of my visit in Canada was the 40th wedding anniversary of my cousin Elpidio “Boy” Baluca and his wife Madoline Deza Baluca and the mini-reunion of my relatives there. This wedding anniversary was a bit unique because its goal was not only the renewal of their marriage vows but also a fundraising and awareness activity for the mission of the CTF-SOS DRS. In the invitation was written, “no gifts please but a donation for the CTF-SOS DRS.”
It was Friday evening and the Kalayaan Cultural Center hall was filled with guests and friends. Most of those attending were Filipinos. During the program, I was given the opportunity to make a 30- minute presentation of the CTF-SOS DRS’ mission. Madoline and Boy did their best in all the preparations for said fundraising. I could hardly have imagined how much time and resources they invested for that event. Activities like this are nothing new to them since they have been involved in helping various fundraising activities for charitable purposes in Canada for quite a long time. Thus, mission accomplished!
L-R: Madoline, Fr. Aris, Elpidio
The day before the celebration I was planning what to do and what place to visit during the week just to have some fun with my relatives. But my plan was sabotaged by the news of the flash flood that on September 26 hit Metro Manila, especially Marikina, Cainta and Pasig [see map], where our Camillian missions are pretty much alive. So through the help of Nong Boy and Ate Dol, I was introduced to some generous persons and organizations. I immediately arranged some meetings with them – all with God’s help. I also approached Fr. Vid Vlasic, the pastor of Merciful Redeemer Church. He gave me the opportunity to preach at the six masses on the following weekend. It was indeed a busy week but a good opportunity to touch more generous hearts.
The only thing that I said upon getting the news about the flood was, “they (victims) were unfortunate but we (Camillians) are fortunate.” It was unfortunate for those people since this type of incident has been happening almost every year but without much intervention on the part of the government to institute preventive measures and an immediate evacuation and rescue plan. This causes hundreds of lives to perish in the raging waters of Marikina river.
We are fortunate because we were prepared in terms of both financial resources as a result of our annual fundraising and the continuous formation of our personnel (CTF) and in light of the many unexpected opportunities (incidents) to be able to broaden our relief and rehabilitation efforts and thus enhance collaboration and networking with various organizations. We don’t desire calamities and disasters to happen for the Camillians to be useful and functional, but they turn out to be avenues and challenges for us to “cast into deep waters” in order to become truly “fishers of men.”
This flash flood in September 2009 made me recall the flood that hit Marikina in 1998 wherein several lives, families and homes were ruined. I was there, together with our seminarians during the actual rescue of the victims. I saw their death-defying situation and faces of hopelessness. It then became a challenge for me to commit myself to this type of ministry, i.e. what the CTF does- disaster relief. No doubt we can expect more from the present calamity. So we need to brace ourselves to live the 4th vow of the Camillians: to serve the victims of this disaster even at the risk of our own lives.
by Fr. Aris Miranda MI
CTF Philippines
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )News From the Headquarters of SOS DRS’
Table of Contents – Summer-Fall 2009 – CTF-SOS DRS Newsletter
by D’Ann Fisher
D'Ann Fisher and St. Camillus
The summer and the fall are usually the busiest times of the year at the SOS DRS headquarters in Milwaukee, WI. Most of the traveling and the fundraising at parishes takes place during this period. And the letters of request and applications to do fundraising the next year have to go out by October. All that involves a lot of work.
The letters from the dioceses that allow us to do fundraising in their parishes start to arrive in the spring. And then we have to make a series of phone calls to pastors and arrange for the appeal schedule. we have to find missionaries to speak in the parishes as well. In 2009 we received a good number of acceptance letters from dioceses throughout the US. They have agreed to be a part of the Mission Cooperation Plan set up by the bishops in the States. Going to parishes allows us to evangelize, spread word about our mission and raise money for it.
In addition to scheduling appeals by phone, e-mail and fax, we have to print the materials to be used during the MCP appeals include new banners and envelopes with inserts containing information about the mission. MCP appeal season at the HQ is a very busy time for all – staff and volunteers.
SOS DRS HQ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (September 2009)
The Martyrs of Charity Banner
The sizable banners visually complement and enhance the presentation of the missionary conducting the appeal. The inserts and envelopes are placed in the pews or in other locations in the church where they are easily accessible to parishioners. The inserts provide information to members of the congregation about the activities of SOS DRS and the CTF in both English and Spanish. They describe the organization; list disasters that we have responded to; provide information regarding the CTF-SOS DRS’ website, online newsletter, and world mission rosary. The envelope gives people and opportunity to give at the time of the collection or later. Parishioners give cash or write a check.
The headquarters provides a place for volunteers – particularly those from the neighboring parish (Immaculate Conception) – to help us collate the thousands of pieces of printed material. The staff of SOS DRS would like to extend a BIG thankyou to Muffy, Clare, Lucille and Betty!!
The 2009 MCP season commenced during the first weekend of June in the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania on the east coast of the United States. Fr. Scott, Fr. Francis and I traveled there by van. And we were joined by Eric Dizon.
Cathedral Rectory - Scranton, PA
Visit to the Diocese of Scranton, PA: Front (L to R) - Miriam Heverline (Mission Education Coordinator), D'Ann, Fr. Scott, Sharon Warunek (Office Coordinator); Rear (L to R) Fr. Francis, Deacon Ed Kelly (Diocesan Director), Eric
During our road trips, when time allows, we schedule appointments with the MCP directors of the dioceses that we visit. We visited several on the East Coast including Br. Thomas Aquinas Dolan, O.P. of the Office of Missions and Evangelization in the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio; Msgr. Robert J. Fuhrman, the Director for the Propagation of the Faith in the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey. We had also had an enjoyable visit with Deacon Ed Kelly and his staff at the Mission Office of the Diocese of Scranton (see picture).
We traveled to several other places in the US during the 2009 MCP season including the Diocese of Worcester; Boston (see picture); West Palm Beach, Fl.; and several parishes in California. Making appeals in parishes is the primary source of income for CTF-SOS DRS. It is hard but rewarding work. This year we were helped by the presence of Fr. Aris Miranda, MI and 2 members of CTF Central – Marco Iazzolino and Fr. Paolo Guarise. Two African priests, Fr. Francis from the Diocese of Nakuru in Kenya and Fr. Alfred who is from Uganda and a student at the Camillianum in Rome were very helpful as well.
D'Ann, Fr. Francis and Eric in the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio
Msgr. Tom Kopp and Fr. Scott - Propagation of the Faith (Boston)
Many other things took place at the HQ or near it during the summer and the fall. In addition to daily mass in the Divine Mercy Chapel and praying the world mission rosary, we have normal administrative duties and the tasks necessary to maintain the HQ.
World Mission Rosary
Celebrating Mass in the Divine Mercy Chapel - Fr. Scott and Deacon Jack
We have several friends and supporters in the Milwaukee area including the Human Concerns Committee of Sacred Heart Croatian Parish . They invited me to present the work of SOS DRS and the Camillian Task Force. On March 15, seventeen people attended a one-hour PowerPoint presentation by D’Ann Fisher. D’Ann presented the accomplishments of SOS DRs’ as a disaster-relief organization to the receptive viewers, and explained the spirituality of the World Mission Rosary Devotion.
- “Have a Heart” Fundraiser
Immaculate Conception Parish (adjacent to our headquarters) sponsored a fundraiser for the benefit of both SOS DRS and the Open Door Free Clinic, a neighborhood free clinic, that Deacon Robert Chalhoub helps. For a one-dollar donation, parishioners received a heart with their name written on it. The hearts, which were fashioned from pink paper of various shades, were then mounted on the parish bulletin board.
At the end of the summer we held an international gathering and an SOS DRS board and strategic planing meeting at the HQ. Chris Cichantek, a community member, prepared the SOS DRS Headquarters for the arrival of the guests while we were on the road doing fundraising appeals.
A birthday break - Todd, Marco and Sr. Claire Marie
The event was blessed by the presence of people from other countries including the Philippines and Italy. Sr. Claire Marie, a friend of the community came to talk about Our Lady Medjugorje and the signs of the times.The participants prayed, celebrated mass, adored the Eucharist, socialized, and planned the future of the CTF and SOS DRS.
Divine Mercy Chapel - Fr. Aris, Fr. Paolo and Fr. Scott celebrate the Eucharist
Chris Cichantek and Sherman
Fr. Paolo and D'Ann
Deacon Jack Fernan
Fr. Paolo Guarise and Dominic Surrao
Table of Contents – Summer-Fall 2009 – CTF-SOS DRS Newsletter
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )An Unforgettable Disaster Anniversary-Together with Hurricane Ike Victims in Texas
Table of Contents – Summer-Fall 2009 – CTF-SOS DRS Newsletter
Fr. Aristelo Miranda, MI – CTF Philippines (in the USA from July to October 2009 doing MCP fundraising)
Last Sunday (Sept. 13), here at St. John Catholic Church in Port Arthur, TX , I presided at the Eucharist in commemoration of the 1st year anniversary of Hurricane Ike. This devastating disaster left serious damage to the life and property of much of the community of Port Arthur. I never thought of the disaster until I met Deacon Willie Posey who took me out last Saturday afternoon and brought me to the places that incurred heavy damage. I could still see the damaged houses, many of which are now abandoned. Port Arthur has suffered from two great hurricanes: Ike (2008) and Rita (2005 ) Hurricane Rita. The following day (Sunday) I presided at the Eucharist in two different churches (St. John’s and St. Paul’s). I had a chance to listen to many stories. I was touched in particular by the story of one lady from Sabine Pass. This town was severely affected by Hurricane Ike, but the people responded as a community in a marvelous way. The lady in Sabine Pass recounted how this was already the third time that she had to rebuild her house and her family. She took it as a sort of renewal of her faith in God and a thanksgiving for keeping her family still alive. Another sad story was what happened to the St. Paul mission church in Sabine Pass. It was heavily damaged by hurricane Rita in 2005, and it took them almost three years to rebuild the church. Finally in January 2008 the church was re-consecrated by the bishop together with the 23 families of the church and some members of the main parish of St. John. Then eight months later Hurricane Ike unleashed his wrath on Sabine Pass and not even one of the posts of the church was left standing. They were only able to salvage the tabernacle. Now only five family members are left in that church and they still meet each other on Sunday for the Eucharist. What is more interesting is that they are celebrating the Eucharist in the Anabaptist hall. Three different faiths take turns worshipping the Lord in that hall (Methodist, Baptist, Catholic). Sometimes great disasters can initiate occasions for solidarity and communion.
I was so privileged to celebrate and pray with the victims of Hurricane Ike. I was in a bit of a dilemma for a while not knowing whether I would make a fundraising appeal knowing that they themselves were still in the process of rebuilding and slowly getting away from their temporary shelters. Nevertheless, I went on as I normally do in my appeals. I noticed that it was just easy for me to talk about our mission (CTF-SOS DRS) since the people in Port Arthur and Sabine Pass could easily identify with what I was talking about. These people have treasured much the experience of solidarity and communion from people all over the world in the wake of the calamities that they have experienced. That gave them the strength to move on and hope to hang on. And it challenges them to share these treasures with those hopeless victims of man-made and natural disasters elsewhere. God indeed works and His presence is abundantly felt – especially in moments of helplessness and sufferings.
Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my camera to Port Arthur. I didn’t foresee the disaster anniversary. But I was able to see a lot of the city, its natural riches, the oil and marine resources and the damages brought about by Hurricanes Rita and Ike. Most importantly I spent time with the Christian community whose faith and prayers are the only weapons they have against all these natural calamities. Staying in Port Arthur for one week and celebrating the Eucharist with them everyday has been a truly unforgettable experience. Although I don’t have any visual memories (pictures), they are all written in my heart. (Fr. Aris Miranda, MI)
Table of Contents – Summer-Fall 2009 – CTF-SOS DRS Newsletter
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Sr. Claire Marie, COMP – My first CTF-SOS DRS experience in Milwaukee – A Personal Reflection
My first CTF-SOS DRS experience in Milwaukee
As I walked into the door after 27 hours of traveling my body hit the sack and doused off under a wonderful old American style comforter!
Surely the Lord has no time to lose with those who come to this CTF/SOS DRS Headquarters!
As I tried to wake up in the morning I found myself included in a series of meetings in the morning and afternoon with the wonderful people that God put on Fr. Scott’s Committees: a holy, faithful, intelligent team of co-workers from Augusta, Houston, Boston, the Philippines, and Rome. We were as such a group of lay people and religious – including three Camillian priests.
I would say it is an excellent blend of one of the Church’s branches of the vine serving the poor and sick affected by man-made and natural disasters.
The overall spiritual field of these days of hard work and prayers together was one of amazement at how God and his servants would want to share their life, time, and efforts to work to help build the ‘Kingdom of Light’ in the midst of an evil generation…yes if Satan and his co workers are programming evil those ‘children of the light’ are helping build a new world of charity, hope and generosity.
In the midst of these reunions to which I had been invited by Fr. Scott, he asked me on the first day to give a talk to the all the members present about my view on the “signs of the times” and to give a series of talks on Our Lady of Medjugorje’s messages to the world.
And as such I gave on my first day a conference to the CTF-SOS DRS members about the “signs of the times”, a theme I thought would be very much in touch with the natural and man-made disasters that have been increasing in number through the last decades all over the world.
‘Dear children, read Sacred Scripture. Live it and pray to understand the signs of times.’ This is related to Consecration of the World by Pope John Paul II to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25th 1984 in St. Peter’s Square and the crisis of faith and of morality referred to in Cardinal Ratzinger’s Report of 1985.
After the meetings were over and most of the people in the house had left, I gave my second talk on Friday morning in the parish next door (Immaculate Conception). It was followed by a wonderful fellowship with the elderly little Polish, Italian and Irish women of the parish. We were all invited by the SOS DRS headquarters to have tea and coffee together. It was another lovely moment of grace for all of us to see the beauty of God’s faithful ones.
On Saturday the program was to travel with Fr. Scott, Fr. Paolo, and Fr. Aris to Appleton, WI (Diocese of Green Bay) where I would experience for the first time a CTF-SOS DRS fundraising appeal. To visit other parishes for missionary work has been for me just like a natural thing to go through since I was for 11 years in Europe the head of the organization of Popular Missions in Italian parishes for our Marian Community (Oasis of Peace).
As I was hosted by the SOS DRS HQ it gave me an opportunity to experience a community-based, Eucharistic-centered organization with common prayers every morning (the world mission rosary) and Holy Mass celebrated by the different priests. Meanwhile the experience continued in the sharing of the chores that needed to be done around the house so as to clean and cook and take care of the rooms where all the guests had stayed. As I was asked to work with Fr. Aris on different chores around the house it gave me great joy to work together with this wonderfully open-minded and service-oriented priest of the Philippines. I will continue to support him in my prayers after I travel back to Rome.
And of course we had the celebration of Our Lady’s birthday on September 8th , which was in many ways the high point of my visit to Milwaukee! We were at the Sacred Heart Croatian Church (49th and Wells in Milwaukee). There we where we experienced a very lively, strong and prayerful parish who remained for 3 1/2 hours and attentively listened to my third talk on Our Lady’s messages of ‘Prayer, the call to Holiness, and Peace. After this wonderful intense experience we were invited to a get together with the parish members in the hall and the celebration of Our Lady’s birthday was accompanied by a beautiful birthday cake for HER. We had a lovely time of sharing and answering questions which gave my heart a lot of joy and hope that America still has a lot of people who are serious about their faith and their love for Our Lady.
As I am preparing to go back to Rome I come away with such gratitude and hope for the fantastic work of Fr. Scott’s team at the CTF-SOS DRS in Milwaukee.
May the Lord continue to send humble workers to the Milwaukee HQ, and may Our Lady watch and guide your very steps. Thank you Fr. Scott for inviting me.
Sr. Claire Marie, CMOP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 9, 2009
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Negli Stati Uniti con la Camillian Task Force
Table of Contents – Summer-Fall 2009 – CTF-SOS DRS Newsletter
P. Paolo Guarise, MI – CTF Central
E’ stata una riunione di SOS DRS a darmi l’occasione di fare il mio primo viaggio negli Stati Uniti. Ci siamo trovati a Milwaukee, nello Stato del Wisconsin, una quindicina di persone. Tutte, in una maniera o nell’altra, eravamo coinvolti nel CTF, la Camillian Task Force che da qualche anno e’ stata protagonista di diverse iniziative, volte ad aiutare le vittime di disastri provocati dall’uomo o dalle forze avverse della natura.
Sono giunto a Milwaukee, nello stato del Wisconsin, ai primi di settembre 2009 per partecipare a una riunione del consiglio di amministrazione della SOS DRS (Servants of St. Camillus Disaster Relief Services) della quale faccio parte. Abbiamo messo sul tappeto diversi argomenti, il cui scopo e’ di organizzare in modo efficiente questo strumento prezioso che e’ la SOS DRS, una ONG americana che ci permette di raccogliere fondi nel territorio degli Stati Uniti, territorio noto per essere sensibile e generoso nel prendersi cura delle vittime dei disastri causati dall’uomo e/o dalla natura. I tre giorni di lavoro hanno dato prova che il lavoro di intervento sul posto, in casi di disastri, hanno successo nella misura in cui sono preparati in precedenza, attraverso una pianificazione oculata di risorse umane, di formazione scientifica e psicologica, di mezzi logistici/operativi e naturalmente con contributi finanziari adeguati. E’ stato bello vedere come Camilliani di diverse Province hanno lavorato con laici di diveri paesi. Assieme abbiamo aggiornato il programma di formazione dei volontari, abbiamo steso il piano strategico dei prossimi due anni, abbiamo preparato il budget 2010, abbiamo discusso su come stabilire nuove ong al di fuori degli Stati Uniti, sul come estendere il numero dei membri del board di SOS DRS.
Una volta terminati i tre giorni della riunione, la maggior parte dei partecipanti ha preso la via del ritorno. Tuttavia qualcuno di noi e’ rimasto per prendere parte alla campagna di sensibilizzazione della CTF e alla raccolta di fondi. Cio’ e’ avvenuto attraverso la predicazione nel corso delle Messe Festive e Pre-festive in determinate parrocchie degli Stati Uniti che hanno accettato di far parte del nostro piano di sensibilizzazione/appello.
Sabato 5 settembre e domenica 6 mi sono recato nella Diocesi di Green Bay, verso la parte nord del Wisconsin, precisamente nella parrocchia di St. Paul di Combined Locks, una cittadina di circa 900 famiglie che hanno trovato lavoro nelle fabbriche che trasformano la cellulosa in carta. Il parroco P. Jim Lucas mi ha accolto molto cortesemente e mi ha introdotto ai suoi parocchiani, spiegando con chiarezza ed entusiasmo il motivo della mia presenza.
L’omelia della liturgia del giorno mi ha dato l’occasione di parlare dell’attivita’ di guarigione che Cristo ha esercitato nel corso della sua vita terrena (Mc 7, 31-37) e della particolare attenzione che il cristiano deve avere – sull’esempio di Cristo e seguendo l’esortazione di S. Giacomo (Gc 2,1-5) - per i poveri e gli ammalati. Da qui a parlare della necessita’ di venire incontro agli ammalati e alle vittime dei disastri della natura il passo e’ stato breve. Cio’ mi ha dato l’occasione di presentare l’Ordine dei Camilliani, la loro prossimita’ ai malati e alle vittime di epidemie/guerre/disastri sull’esempio di S. Camillo e dei martiri camilliani della carita’. La chiesa era stata precedentemente arricchita di poster che illustravano l’attivita’ della Camillian Task Force, in particolare il soccorso portato nell’occasione del disastro dello Tsunami e dei terremoti occorsi in Peru’, Myanmar e Abruzzo. Erano stati distribuiti depliant illustrativi delle attivita’ di emergenza e di soccorso, corredati di buste per contenere le offerte. Mi ha impressionato l’attenzione che i parocchiani di ogni eta’ hanno prestato alla descrizione dell’attivita’ dei Camilliani, quali precursori della moderna Croce Rossa Internazionale e della loro gioia nel sentire che tale attivita’ di solidarieta’ e’ oggi resa presente e viva dalla costituzione della Camillian Task Force.
Il mio soggiorno a Milwaukee e’ stato poi arricchito dalla visita al St. Camillus Campus, la casa di cura/riposo che i Camilliani della Provincia Nordamericana hanno costituito una decina di anni fa per ospitare anziani – di diverso ceto sociale e diverso grado di senilita’/malattia – che vogliono vivere i loro ultimi anni in serenita’, circondati da attenta umanita’ e da un’assistenza medica di qualita’.
Sia la Camillian Task Force che il St. Camillus Campus hanno bisogno di Camilliani e di membri della Famiglia Camilliana Laica che offrano con generosita’ i loro servizi e il loro cuore al carisma della misericordia di cui c’e’ tanto bisogno anche in questo paese il quale assieme alle sue conquiste annovera anche tanta fragilita’, come ogni altro angolo della terra. (P. Paolo Guarise, MI)
Table of Contents – Summer-Fall 2009 – CTF-SOS DRS Newsletter
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Possiamo – insieme. Yes, together we can rebuild the lives of traumatized people!
Table of Contents – Summer-Fall 2009 – CTF-SOS DRS Newsletter
Marco Iazzolino – CTF Central
Il mio arrivo a Modesto California ha segnato l’inizio di un viaggio prezioso quanto interessante all’interno del mondo della Chiesa Cattolica negli Stati Uniti per partecipare al grande lavoro della CTF-SOS DRS. Simpatia, accoglienza, cordialità e partecipazione sono le parole chiave che hanno caratterizzato tutti i piccoli e grandi incontri per presentare la missione della CTF. Impossibile enumerare le presentazioni, le chiaccherate, i sorrisi, gli abbracci che ho vissuto a Modesto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Reno, in Colorado ed infine a Milwaukee. Una comunità ecclesiale, naturalmente colorata di mille vissuti e colori ( basta pensare al peso dei cattolici di lingua spagnola), che cerca di vivere una Fede autentica in uno scenario davvero complesso e frammentato dal punto di vista sociale, poltico ed economico. Le famiglie, in particolare, sono state testimoni di un quotidiano spesso faticoso nelle scelte come nel senso di un valore che sembra essere passato di moda. Il tema comune della Missione della CTF nel mondo è stato spesso centrato sul nostro lavorare in Abruzzo a servizio della popolazione vittima del terremoto del 6 aprile. Cercare, con passione, di spiegare il nostro lavorare per “ricostruire le vite” è stato l’argomento per cui ho speso piu tempo. La gente, soprattutto gli italo-americani, ci sono molto vicini in questo lavoro di ricostruzione paziente quanto professionale, fatto di crescita nelle competenze per i Pediatri di Famiglia, per gli Insegnati e per i Volontari coinvolti nel grande Progetto San Camillo per il terremoto in Abruzzo. La mia missione negli Usa nata per contribuire a raccogliere fondi per le attività del network internazionale..mi ha donato Provvidenzialmente una grande ricchezza di senso e di speranza per il futuro el nostro servizio per le popolazioni colpite dai disastri naturali o provocati dalla mano dell’uomo.
Marco Iazzolino
Table of Contents – Summer-Fall 2009 – CTF-SOS DRS Newsletter
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )LOOKING BACK AT THE MCP APPEALS ’09
Normally, for the past two years in Rome I spent my holidays in the hospital in the north of Italy or visited my confreres in Germany and joined in their annual pilgrimages. This year was a bit different, exciting and a new kind of adventure. I went to the United States last July 16 to join CTF- SOS DRS for their annual fundraising campaign in the various Catholic dioceses of the US. I had already planned to join
the pilgrimage of the German Province to the Holy Land this September but I gave it up for a more exciting ministry.
I have never been to the US and never thought of going there but the divine providence worked so hard that I could not refuse.
The day that I arrived in Atlanta airport on July 16 I was a bit uneasy since Rudy, who was going to pick me up, arrived late and I had to put my last 0.50 $ in the payphone to contact him. It was a meaningful but short acquaintance with Rudy. Getting to know persons with a great desire to serve the Lord according to their giftedness is one of the things that I have treasured most in these MCP appeals.
The following day, D’Ann Fisher, Sherman Runions and Mary Joe Runions picked me up in Atlanta heading towards our first mission appeals in the Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama. I am a priest for about 15 years but this is my first time to deliver six Sunday homilies successively! I told this to the pastor and he laughed at me and said, “Welcome to the parish, Fr. Aris.” It was a real baptism by fire through preaching in the pulpit. This experience went on for more than a month and each of them was simply filled with a lot of learnings and blessings.
Mission appeals are not simply an activity of fundraising. Obviously, we do it to raise funds for a noble purpose but at the same time it is always an evangelizing experience. We evangelized people through awakening their innate generosity and kindness. We make them aware of their primary Christian vocation that is to love God and care for and through His people. We give them opportunity to exercise the gift of charity and make charity incarnate in the actual encounter with people – especially those who need most of our help. On the other hand, it made me aware that there are just too many generous people in this world and it’s my task to let them know how they can help in building the Kingdom of love and compassion.
As a neophyte missioner to the MCP appeals and a first-time visitor to the US, I am looking forward to repeating such a marvelous experience. I would be more than glad also if more Camillians and CTF-SOS DRS members were willing to lend their time and availability for the next year’s MCP appeals in order to keep our ministry to the victims of man-made and natural disasters growing and developing. By the way, I still have three more weekends to go for MCP appeals so keep watch for more exciting stories to come. (Fr. Aris Miranda, MI)
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Fr. Scott Binet MD, MI speaks at St. Josephs Parish in Modesto, California
Servants Of St. Camillus Disaster Relief Services (SOS DRS) was established in the USA in 2008 as an international disaster relief network of the Order of St Camillus: Servants of the Sick. Also known as the Ministers of the Infirm this order was founded by Saint Camillus de Lellis in 1590 and now serves the poor and the sick in 40 countries. Following the example of St. Camillus, they take it to love with all their heart and to practice, with all their strength, service to the sick even at the risk of their life.
Camillian Task Force (CTF) is the international disaster relief organization of the Servants of the Sick. Based in the United States, the Servants of St. Camillus Disaster Relief Services (SOS DRS) coordinate meeting the medical, pastoral and humanitarian needs of people affected by man-made and natural disasters. CTF/SOS DRS is composed of lay people, priests, brothers, and sisters who demonstrate the merciful love of Christ for the poor and the sick by providing food, clothing, medical and surgical care, counseling, prayer and the Sacraments.
DOCTOR-PRIEST: Fr. Scott Binet, MD, international coordinator of the CTF, became a family physician in 1993 and was ordained a priest of the Order of St. Camillus in November 2003. It was during his fourth year of medical school that Fr. Binet finally said “yes” to the priesthood and began studying at Sacred Heart School of Theology while working as a health clinic physician. As a seminarian, Fr. Binet’s first missionary exposure was two-and-a-half months in the Amazon region of Brazil with a Camillian priest/physician making annual visits to 90 communities treating patients spiritually and physically. The Camillian charism, combining medicine and the priesthood, is exactly what Fr. Binet had discerned as his vocation.
Fr. Scott Binet will be at St. Joseph’s the weekend of August 15-16 to speak and fundraise at all Masses as part of the Mission Cooperation Plan (MCP). He will share some of his experiences and about the work of Camillian Task Force and the Servants of St. Camillus Disaster Relief Services. For more information: www.sosdrs.org.
Karin Hennings – Director of Communications and Planning
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church – A Stewardship Parish - http://stjmod.com/index2.html
1813 Oakdale Road | Modesto, CA 95355 | Office 209.551.4973 Fax 209.551.3213 -
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Español – La CTF-SOS DRS
SOS DRS es una organización internacional de socorro en casos de desastres. Hace parte de la Camillian Task Force (CTF) - una obra caritativa de la Orden de los Ministros de los Enfermos (Camilos) que fue fundada por San Camilo de Lellis en 1590.
Los miembros de SOS DRS sirven proporcionando asistencia medica, pastoral y humanitaria a las personas afectadas por desastres naturales o provocados por los seres humanos. Los Camilos son testigos del amor misericordioso de Cristo por los pobres y enfermos en palabras, sacramentos y obras.
SOS DRS está compuesto por laicos, hermanos/as, y sacerdotes quienes evangelizan a través de la caridad y el testimonio de la fe Católica.
SOS DRS-CTF ha servido en:
2004 – Nabire, Indonesia (Terremoto)
2004 – Sudan y Uganda (Refugiados)
2004 – Florida, USA (Huracán Charley)
2004 – Gonaïves, Haití (Huracán Jeanne)
2005 – Banda Aceh, Indonesia (Tsunami)
2005 – Tailandia (Tsunami)
2005 – India (Tsunami)
2005 – Nias, Indonesia (Terremoto)
2006 – Filipinas (Tifón)
2006 – Yogyakarta, Indonesia (Terremoto)
2006 – Kupang, Indonesia (Deslizamiento)
2007 – Perú (Terremoto)
2008 – Myanmar (Ciclón Nargis)
2008 – Filipinas (Ciclón Frank)
2008 – Gonaïves, Haití (Huracán Gustav)
2009 – Abruzzo, Italia (Terremoto)
2009 – Kenya (Kibera – Barrio Pobre)
2009 - Manila, Filipinas (Tifón – Ketsana)
2009 - N. Karnataka, India (Inundacion)
2009 - Vietnam (Tifón – Ketsana)
Los miembros de SOS DRS-CTF han servido a muchas personas alrededor del mundo afectadas por desastres naturales o provocados por los seres humanos. Nosotros aliviamos el sufrimiento a través de proveer comida, ropa, cuidado medico y quirúrgico, consejería, oración, y los sacramentos.
Apoye con su oración y ayuda financiera a una organización con una misión en la que puede confiar. Nosotros ayudamos a los más necesitados de los necesitados.
Para hacer una donación libre de impuestos haga su cheque a nombre de SOS DRS, y mándelo a:
SOS DRS
1039 E. Russell Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53207
También puedes donar vía on-line en http://www.sosdrs.org
Para hablar con alguien de SOS DRS, llámanos totalmente gratis al 1-877-537-6737. Nosotros pondremos sus peticiones en nuestro libro de intercesión del SOS DRS-CTF y celebraremos misas por sus intenciones en nuestra capilla de la Divina Misericordia – para apoyar a nuestra misión.
¡Dios le bendiga por su generosidad!
Fr. Scott Binet MD, MI
SOS DRS-CTF Coordinador
414-431-6503; llamada gratuita al 1-877-537-6737
fatherscott@ctfmercy.org
