Dear Parishioners,
I hope that you are experiencing many blessings during these wonderful Summer days. As you are aware, each year we are asked to become more conscious of and more involved in the Mission Activity of the Catholic Church throughout the world by participating in the Mission Co-op Plan of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Our Missionaries this year, here at Holy Infancy and Incarnation of Our Lord, are the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, whose Provincial House is in Reading, here in our own Diocese. On Saturday, August 2nd, Sister Marie Raymond Gazo, MSC will speak at the 4:15 Vigil Mass at Incarnation, and on Sunday, August 3 rd , Sister Lisa Marie Valentini, MSC will speaking at all of the Masses. These Sisters are coming to share with us about the Missionary Activity of their Congregation. This year, the MSC Sisters are celebrating 125 years since they were founded in Germany in 1900. The MSCs are currently serving in 19 countries throughout the world including: India, Namibia, Angola, the Philippines, Perú, Guatemala, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Korea, China, and Vietnam. Sister Raymond has served on the MSC Leadership Team for many years, a role which has taken her to visit several of those Mission Lands.
Sister Lisa first went to the Missions in Peru (where Pope Leo also served as a Missionary) 42 years ago. Sister also organizes short-term “Mission Immersion Experiences” – for young people – and for Parishes, really, for anyone whom the Lord is calling to get a “taste” of Mission life. In fact, Sister was in the Dominican Republic at the beginning of July, leading a group of young missionaries from Canada!
As we continue to enjoy the relaxation that Summer brings and are surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation, may we take time to reflect on the blessings in our lives. May our gratitude for the gift of our FAITH be reflected by our generosity to the Missions – knowing that in this way we will share in the Mission work of our Church and support the MSC Sisters.
May God bless you always.
