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Recently I read a letter from Br, Bill Firman FSC, the Executive Director of Solidarity with South Sudan.  As you may be aware, conflict returned to South Sudan in late 2013 testing the resolve of the Catholic Church to continue the mission. As the South Sudanese Bishop Erkolano expressed so succinctly at a Solidarity With South Sudan Board meeting,

“If the missionaries leave, the people lose hope.”

This organization, Solidarity With South Sudan, is a collaborative effort by many religious congregations to send missionaries to live and work among a suffering people and identify even more with the Passion of Christ, and his challenge, ‘Could you not watch one hour with me.’

The facts are that, although they have only been able to maintain a presence in Malakal through Maryknoll priest, Fr Mike Bassano, working as chaplain in the UN Protection of Civilians Camp, their other enterprises are thriving: they have 123 students in residence following three-year programs to become registered nurses or midwives in their Catholic Health Training Institute (CHTI) in Wau where Maryknoll Fr. Tom Tiscornia serves; and they have 121 resident students in their Solidarity Teacher Training College (STTC) in Yambio where Maryknoll Lay Missioner Gabe Hurrish is serving. The quality graduates from these well-resourced institutes are highly regarded throughout South Sudan and are now helping their own people significantly.

Their Pastoral teams continue to offer many programs training local pastoral workers, including trauma healing facilitators, and provide two of the four permanent staff at the new Good Shepherd Peace Centre just out of Juba. Further, they have a thriving 50 hectare ‘model farm’ providing training in best self-subsistence agricultural techniques, and employing up to 80 workers daily, while providing food in support of their STTC and the 6000 Internally displaced people clustered around the Church in Riimenze.

In spite of the setbacks, Maryknoll has served with this organization, Solidarity With South Sudan, through these ten very productive years since the organization was founded.

Are missionaries really needed these days?  We’ll let you answer that question.  Contact Fr. Mike at vocation@maryknoll.org

ABOUT MARYKNOLL

We are a Catholic Society of priests and brothers based in the United States. We are dedicated to missionary work overseas in over 20 countries. Additionally, we animate Catholics in the United States to follow their own baptismal call to share God’s compassion and love with the poor, the sick, and all those in need.

OUR GENERAL COUNCIL

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Fr. Lance P. Nadeau, Fr. James M. Lynch, Fr. Timothy O. Kilkelly, Fr. Juan Montes Zúñiga)

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers is overseen by our General Council, led by Superior General Rev. Lance P. Nadeau, M.M.

OUR FOUNDERS

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Our Co-Founders Father Price and Father Walsh)

PLACES WE SERVE

EVANGELIZATION, PARISHES, AND PROJECTS

USA

STORIES OF MISSION

(Africa) Education and Formation of African Clergy

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Africa Region will provide tuition assistance to African clergy, male and female religious at institutes of higher education or specialized training. Read More

Stories of Our Global Mission

The calling of a lifetime

The life of a Maryknoll missioner is challenging, fulfilling, and deeply rewarding. Follow your baptismal call to mission by sharing God’s compassion with the poor, the sick, and people most in need.