by Mike Snyder | Sep 6, 2020 | Vocations - Blog, Vocations - Events
We are proud to share a poster with our 18 seminarians and Brother candidates. In his letter to the Romans St. Paul’s writes: “For those who love God all things work together for good.” Please keep these future Maryknoll Missioners in your prayers! As always we look forward to hearing from you: Fr. Rodrigo Ulloa-Chavarry (rulloa@maryknoll.org), Fr. Mike Snyder (msnyder@maryknoll.org), Fr. Joe Donovan (jdonovan@maryknoll.org), and Mr. Greg Darr (gdarr@maryknoll.org)
by Mike Snyder | Sep 6, 2020 | Vocations - Blog, Vocations - Events
On Saturday August 22, 2020 Maryknoll ordained Deacon Greg McPhee to the priesthood. Fr. Greg came to us with a background in law as a criminal defense attorney in Syracuse, New York. As a seminarian he was sent to Tanzania, East Africa for two years on our Overseas Training Program. After the ordination ceremony there followed the Mission Sending Ceremony where we learned that our new priest has been assigned to Latin America.
During his Ordination Mass homily Bishop Edmund Whelan, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York said: “It’s a different world… we don’t know what’s coming tomorrow. All of you (Maryknoll missioners) have gone into situations where you didn’t know what was ahead of you, but you made it work. And right now, we have no idea what’s ahead of us in the Church here in New York, in the Church around the world… And as I was driving here today, I said, ‘You know, these guys have lived like that every day since Fathers Walsh and Price (Maryknoll Co-Founders) came up with this idea,’ so thank you. Because you got it right, we’ll get it right, as long as we remember it’s God who’s the one who’s got it right.”
by Mike Snyder | Sep 6, 2020 | Vocations - Blog, Vocations - Events
Jonathan Navarro Jose is 37 years old and comes to us from Auburn, Washington. He is a soccer coach, a member of the Knights of Columbus and has been very active in his local parish. He will begin the Initial Formation Program as a candidate to become a Brother.
Chunsing Jonathan Cho is 24 years old. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Jonathan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Welfare from the University of Washington – Tacoma.
Stephen Harden is 24 years old and comes to us from Houston, Texas. Stephen has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Supply Chain Management from Texas A&M University.
by Mike Snyder | Sep 6, 2020 | Vocations - Blog, Vocations - Events
“Life grows by being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort. Indeed, those who enjoy life most are those who leave security on the shore and become excited by the mission of communicating life to others”. Pope Francis, Joy of the Gospel
Pope Francis is a missionary pope! You can tell he is writing from personal experience. Most Maryknoll missioners could have written the same message. With a faith inherited from our parents and nourished in our parish communities we left “security on the shore” and became excited by the mission of communicating life and God’s love to others. We don’t regret that decision because our lives have grown through the experiences of learning new languages, adjusting to new cultures, meeting new people and making new friends.
As missioners we want to give of ourselves for the sake of others, especially the poor and those living on the margins of societies. But, in the process, God graces us with so many experiences that witness to God’s presence in the world. Sure there are difficult times and unexpected events that can even be tragic, but, in the midst of it all God is with us. And when we are down we often see the face of Jesus in the people we went to serve and are lifted up. This is the gift of the missionary vocation!
Never be stymied by the challenges presented in life. Rather, be close to God in prayer, follow the teachings of Jesus and take the steps necessary to find the place where God calls you!
by Mike Snyder | Sep 6, 2020 | Vocations - Blog, Vocations - Events
For several years now we have been broadcasting podcasts about the transformational experience of a life of mission overseas, answering God’s call to serve the least among us.
Entitled Among The People, with each episode we bring you the voices of our missioners, authors and the people we serve, who share their impactful stories of life long mission, serving the poor, sick and marginalized in the most needed parts of the world.
So please join us at https://maryknollsociety.org/podcast
by Mike Snyder | Sep 6, 2020 | Vocations - Blog, Vocations - Events
Ordinarily we conduct this retreat at our Initial Formation Residence in Chicago over the Columbus Day Weekend. However, this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are compelled to have it virtually. This retreat will be conducted for a few hours beginning on Friday evening and through Saturday featuring talks by experienced missioners and even featuring interviews with some stationed presently in Africa, Asia and Latin America. If you are interested please contact Fr. Rodrigo at vocation@maryknoll.org.
You are also most welcome to join our Vocations Facebook Group. This is a private group just for men between the ages of 18 – 40 who are contemplating vocations as priest or Brother with Maryknoll. This group features interviews with missioners, discussions on themes presented by group members and offers members the opportunity to comment on line. If you would like to join this group to enrich and nourish your vocational interest then again contact Fr. Rodrigo at vocation@maryknoll.org.
by Mike Snyder | Sep 6, 2020 | Vocations - Blog, Vocations - Events
“Mission is a human touch, in whatever form, place, person or circumstance it may reach out to express itself. It is often simple, sometimes sad, occasionally humorous but always enlightening. When one has felt this touch and has learned to respond to its tender embrace, in love and understanding, then one has begun to experience a true sense of mission, in all its beauty and charm and incomparable value.”
Fr. Richard Clifford MM
+2016 after a life of service in Peru and Mexico
by Mike Snyder | Sep 6, 2020 | Vocations - Blog, Vocations - Events
PLEASE CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK AND THE MARYKNOLL VOCATIONS WEBSITE
Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Vocations@mklvocations
https://maryknollvocations.org
by Mike Snyder | Mar 25, 2020 | Vocations - Blog, Vocations - Events
Having served in East Africa for many years the sight of Kilimanjaro has always captured my imagination. As one passes by in a vehicle on the warm plains below Mt. Kilimanjaro emerges from the clouds to display its snow-capped peak. It is so enormous, so beautiful and so majestic. This photo was taken by me from a plane. You see clearly the two peaks of Kilimanjaro, Mawenzi and Kibo, and in the far upper left corner Mt. Meru some thirty miles away. The sight not only creates a sense of awe but also instills in me a sense of adventure.
Imagination, excitement and adventure, three qualities essential for a missionary vocation. We are sending you this newsletter because you have indicated an interest in becoming a missionary priest or Brother. I know that looking to the future and contemplating what God has planned for you can bring some anxiety with it. But one still needs to move forward taking deliberate steps through prayer, reception of the Eucharist, spiritual direction, the counsel of friends and family and even some volunteer service that can nourish the possibility of embracing such a vocation.
With the coronavirus pandemic affecting every living man, woman and child in the world we can be challenged in our faith and hopes in life. Perhaps we can find both solace and strength in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans: “For those who love God all things work together for good.” As always we look forward to hearing from you: Fr. Mike Snyder (vocation@maryknoll.org), Fr. Joe Donovan (jdonovan@maryknoll.org), Fr. Rodrigo Ulloa-Chavarry (rulloa@maryknoll.org) and Mr. Greg Darr (gdarr@maryknoll.org)
by Mike Snyder | Mar 25, 2020 | Vocations - Blog, Vocations - Events
Former Superior General, Fr. John Sivalon, once described Mission this way:
A tangle of twigs lies drying in the sun,
And then a spark catches one, and she,
Astonished by divinity, topples and tumbles and ignites
Another and another and another and
Soon the whole tangle is aflame
Gibber jabbering in many tongues!
Chattering and blabbering until babbling comes
Singing – in so many harmonious parts even the twigs can’t count them!
These words reminded me of the Apostles at Pentecost: “Suddenly, from up on the sky there came a noise like a strong, driving wind which was heard throughout the house where they were seated. Tongues as of fire appeared, which parted and came to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them.” (Acts 2:2-4)
As the Apostles boldly went forth proclaiming the saving message of Jesus so too have generations of men and women who have followed in their footsteps. They have been like twigs filled with the fire, the passion for God’s Mission as lived in the Paschal Mystery that is Jesus. For the past 109 years Maryknollers have been among those twigs generating sparks that have ignited others and others and others. We continue to go forth and invite you to join us for the short term as volunteers, the long term as lay missioners, and the life term as Priests, Brothers, and Sisters. We welcome you to Maryknoll!
