by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 22, 2023
The Maryknoll China Teachers are employed in a few Chinese universities, such as Jilin Medical University, North China University and at St Joseph Seminary in Jilin City. An ongoing project for over twenty years, this project encompasses all expenses related to the China Teachers Program. This year, the project allows for the education of three teachers during the spring semester and a summer program for three or four teachers. Fr. Barrons’ team helps with recruiting, placing teachers and relationships with the local universities. Over the years, 38 American seminarians from the North American College in Rome have participated in the summer program.
“And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers” Ephesians 4:11
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 22, 2023
On Care for Our Common Home Seminar/Retreats
This projects allows for six seminar/retreats to be given to groups of priests, sisters and laity in China focusing on the Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si. The goal of the seminars is to create dialogue in different dioceses in mainland China. Each seminar/retreat will have between 20-25 participants.
“I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation that includes everyone, since the environment challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all.” (Laudato Si #14)
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 22, 2023
Vocation, Care of Creation, Social Justice Program
Care of Creation – to support and implement Maryknoll’s mission education outreach to care, protect, educate, advocate for the Care of Creation. With the rising awareness of Corporate Social Responsibility, many international corporations have published supplier policy standards, CSR reports, vulnerable worker policies, as well as declarations against modern slavery. While these policies aim to protect the rights of migrant workers and the communities, sometimes supplier factories hide these abuses and violations. The goal of this project is to eradicate human rights and environmental abuses in global supply chains and have a sustainable world that is equitable for all workers and communities by connecting migrant workers voices to those with the power to make change.
“For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him” Colossians 1:16
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 22, 2023
Assistance to Displaced People (DCA)
Fr. John Barth is working with farmers to teach new agricultural techniques through a planned training program so the migrants become less and less dependent on food relief sent from Thailand. Since the February 2021 military coup in Myanmar, a humanitarian crisis has occurred for hundreds of thousands of Myanmar people driven from their homes merely for protesting the military take-over. Homes, schools and churches have been bombed with over 2,100 people killed by the military.
Most of these Internally Displaced People (IDPs) have found safety far from home with friends and relatives, living in great poverty in isolated areas and forests for safety. Their needs are many, starting with rice and medicine. At the invitation of the Bishop Francis Vira Arpondratana, Bishop of the Diocese of Chiang Mai, Thailand, Maryknoll has agreed to work with the Caritas office of Thailand in their efforts to send much needed emergency aid to sister dioceses across the border in Myanmar.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me” Matthew 25:35
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 22, 2023
Japan Migrant Ministries Office
With so many migrant workers migrating to Japan, Father Lo Xuan Dam’s project provides pastoral care for as many as possible migrant workers who are increasing steadily in Japan. With his Vietnamese background, Father will work not only Vietnamese but also Philippinos and Burmeses. Because the migrants are spread all over the country, Father will travel expansively, and also plans to train others to offer assistance through workshops and seminars.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement” 2 Corinthians 1:3”
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 8, 2022
Virtual Outreach through Website and Podcast
Daily Gospel Reflection podcast, done in conjunction with the Digital Marketing Unit at Maryknoll, NY. In order to facilitate advertising of personal and Maryknoll programs with the faithful, a website containing weekly websites will be used. The funds requested here are specifically for the upkeep and maintenance of this website. Success will be based on the number of visitors and subscribers to this virtual event.
Daily Gospel Reflection podcast with Fr. Daniel Kim, M.M. done in conjunction with the Digital Marketing Unit at Maryknoll, NY.
“The call of each [missioner] is unique, but their journeys have a common thread. They all felt God inviting them to move out of self to something more, to leave their homes to proclaim the Gospel to people who may never hear it if not for them….The challenge for each of us is to listen for the voice of God constantly saying, ‘Go, prophesy to my people.’
by Dionel Rodriguez | Jun 12, 2020
Relief and Education for Burmese Refugees at Wat Prok Mon Temple
For more than two decades, Wat Prok School, established by Maryknoll two decades ago, has provided education, skill training as well as clothing, food and medical assistance to 34 and 52 Mon Migrant boys, ranging from six to seventeen years old, living at small Mon Buddhist monastery in Bangkok. The number of students varies primarily due to new students.
The boys parents are migrant workers mostly working in the fish process plant outside of Bangkok or on the fishing boats. The Maryknoll Thailand team members work with the Informal Education Department of the Thai Government to provide basic education to the boys, including Mon, Thai and English language training, some basic grammar school classes and sponsors skill training for the older boys.
Initial emphasis is on teaching the boys the Thai language, which makes them eligible for special temporary ID cards until age 17. The younger is then recognized as having a right to be in the country. It also provides protection against the boys being trafficked, given the extent of the problem of trafficking in Southeast Asia.
by Dionel Rodriguez | Jun 12, 2020
Assistance to Refugees and Migrants
Fr. John Barth, M.M.’s project mainly focuses on Asylum Seekers, Refugees, Prisoners and Victims of Human Trafficking. We work as a team and in collaboration with Caritas-Thailand, Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees (COERR) and five Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Bangkok, as well as close cooperation with the Thai people in our effort to assist these various groups of people in need.
Many people continue to flee their homes, villages and nations for a variety of reasons, mainly Religious and Political persecution. In the city of Bangkok alone, it is estimated that we have over 6,000 illegal Refugees and Asylums Seekers. The people we reach out to are people running from the violence in their homelands and they come from the various countries of Asia and Africa.
Poor living conditions and violence in their homelands have resulted in an increase in refugees into Thailand from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and other countries in the Middle East. Fr. Barth and others take care of their physical needs by providing food, clothing, shelter, medical care and education to refugee families as well as the poor Hill Tribes people in North of Thailand.
These poor people speak little Thai and need medical care, food at times, transportation for their children to and from school. We do our best to protect, feed and help, as we continue to be inspired by Pope Francis, who asks all of us to continue to reach out to the Stranger, the Refugee and the Poor.
by Dionel Rodriguez | Jun 12, 2020
Assistance to Maryknoll Schools Board
Fr. Joseph V. McCabe, M.M.
The Four Maryknoll Schools have made some major changes; the biggest change was for the Maryknoll Society to become more involved in the evangelization and Christian formation of our students. Independent Management Committees Early were implemented for each of the schools. A Youth Minister to oversee programs at all four schools was hired and pastoral workers were hired for three schools to assist the principals and youth minister meet the needs of our students.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
Colossians 3:16
by Dionel Rodriguez | Jun 12, 2020
Support of Education and Formation Programs for Seminarians of Jilin Diocese
Jilin Seminary is the third largest seminary in China. Only the national seminary in Beijing and the Regional Seminary in Shijiazhuang have student bodies larger than St. Joseph Seminary in Jilin. Jilin Diocese has a long history with Maryknoll. The southeast portion of the diocese was part of Fushun Diocese (one of Maryknoll’s dioceses in China).
Fr. Brian Barrons serves as one of the spiritual directors and teaches English, along with teachers from The Maryknoll China Teachers Program.
Beginning with the 2020 graduating class the seminarians who graduate will receive two diplomas…one from St. Joseph Seminary, Jilin and the other from the San Anselmo University in Rome. The seminary has been working with the Vatican Education Office for the past few years to arrange for this dual diploma program.
