One Heart, One Spirit

2 WELCOME 3 Letter from SOMA 4 Nigerian Youth Center Adopt a Seminarian 5 Growing Numbers in Vietnam Chinese Catholic St. Joseph’s presented OLQP with a painting that depicts both churches, bonded by Forum a handshake, and captioned “Two parishes become one for life.” It was painted by a student from Medor who is now studying art in Port au Prince. (Haiti photos courtesy of Dr. Sue Carlson.) 6 Spotlight on a Spiritan

CONGREGATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT PROVINCE OF THE UNITED STATES Winter ONE HEART, ONE SPIRIT 2017 Spiritan Parish in Virginia Celebrates 20 Years of Friendship and Service in Haiti Our Lady Queen of Peace Church According to their quarterly news- students to include a secondary (OLQP) in Arlington, Virginia, one letter, The Advocate, “They had faith school, now educating 3,000 stu- of more than 20 Spiritan parishes that OLQP would be able to climb dents in grades K-13. scattered throughout the United the mountain to St. Joseph’s (both States, takes the Spiritan commit- literally and figuratively!), one of Continued on page 2 ment to global ministry to a whole the most inaccessible parishes new level. in the twinning program, a place without roads, running water, On October 22, 2017, OLQP sewage system, or an electrical celebrated its 20th anniversary grid.” of “twinning” with St. Joseph’s in Medor, Haiti. Since 1997, the parishes have worked together to improve health, The two congregations were paired education, energy, and local devel- in 1997, when Fr. Jeff Duaime, opment in Medor. C.S.Sp., then pastor at OLQP, re- quested a parish with challenges Some highlights of the many that other parishes might find too accomplishments are expand- difficult to partner with. ing a primary school of only 320

“We go especially to peoples, groups, and individuals who have not yet heard the message of the Gospel or who have scarcely heard it, to those whose needs are the greatest, and to the oppressed.” - Spiritan Rule of Life #4 Welcome With another Thanksgiving behind us, I continue to give thanks for the many blessings God provides.

In particular, I am grateful for the strong community of friends like you who follow Spiritan news, share our story, support our mission, and pray for us and those whom we serve.

Thank you for your interest in the Spiritans’ work, your passion for sharing God’s love, and your giving spirit.

God bless you and your family this Christmas season and in the New Year. Fr. Tim Hickey, C.S.Sp., pastor at OLQP, blessed the Haiti committee before their journey to the anniversary celebration.

Spiritan Parish in Virginia Celebrates 20 Years of Friendship and Service in Haiti Continued from page 1

Where once no student was educated power rural Haitian communities to More information on programs hap- beyond the sixth grade, now dozens create sustainable wealth and im- pening in Medor can be found in The of graduates in Medor are even able prove livelihoods. Advocate newsletter, available for to attend university. download at OLQPVA.org. Dr. Sue Carlson, MD, Lifesaving health chair of the Haiti com- programs have been mittee at OLQP and implemented, including volunteer Executive a school lunch program, Director of the Raising a water purification pro- Haiti Foundation, along gram, and installation with five parishioners of household latrines from OLQP, made the called arbor-loos. trip to Medor for the anniversary celebration Countless initiatives in October. have increased self- sufficiency, including an agro-forestry Festivities included a dedication program and a solar energy program. ceremony at a tree nursery, visits with children in each classroom, and a Spiritan priest, Fr. Joseph Philippe, celebratory Mass led by Père Daniel, C.S.Sp. (pictured above), who has the first resident priest in Medor, and ministered among the poorest com- Père Luckson, the current pastor at St. munities in Haiti for 30 years, has Joseph’s. launched the 3Legs initiative, through his organization, the Association of The two parishes gifted each other OLQP gave St. Joseph’s a painting that depicts St. Peasants of Fondwa. with meaningful paintings to com- Joseph, patron saint of Medor’s parish; Mary, patron of OLQP; Jesus, who unites the two churches in memorate their inspiring and mutual- love; as well as the Holy Family riding on a mule — The goal of this program is to em- ly-fulfilling journey together. a mode of transportation easily relatable in Medor.

2 Message from Fr. Dave Cottingham, C.S.Sp. News from Dear Friends,

As the Advent and Christmas seasons approach, you, our faithful friends and supporters, may be using this time to prayerfully consider how you can share SOMA your blessings with others.

As Spiritans, our ministry is worldwide. Within these pages, we want to share just a few examples of how Spiritan priests, brothers, and Lay Spiritan associ- ates are working to bring God’s word to every corner of the world — a mission that is only possible with your prayers and support.

Thanks to your generosity, Spiritans are able to go wherever we are needed — in parishes, schools, and missions, at home and abroad — immersing ourselves in the community and culture, and tackling the greatest needs head on.

From education and healthcare to energy and sustainability, there are few challenges Spiritan missionaries haven’t experienced and worked to overcome, Spiritan Office for Mission while sharing God’s message of love and hope with those who haven’t heard it. Advancement

Please consider blessing the critical and life-changing work of the Spiritans Fr. Dave Cottingham, C.S.Sp., Director with your gift to help us help others in the New Year. Fr. Mike Grey, C.S.Sp., Asst. Director Ray Sylvester, Mission Projects We hope the Holy Spirit inspires you, as it inspires us, to make a difference in Elizabeth Cantu, Financial Administrator the lives of those who need it most. May God’s holy light of Christmas fill you and your families now and throughout the coming year. 1700 West Alabama St. Houston, TX 77098 Keeping you in my prayers, (713) 522-2882

Visit Spiritans.org/Donate What is SOMA? Based in Houston, Texas, the Spiritan Office for Mission Advancement (SOMA) supports the Congregation’s public and charitable works of health, education, social services, and religious mission in the United States and throughout the world. The Sharelink-Spiritan Worldwide Aid Foundation, Inc. (The Spiritan Foundation) operates under its auspices, as does the Spiritan involvement in the Mission Cooperative Program of the U.S. Bishops Council.

Financial assistance including Support for the special needs of Through gifts large capital contributions, loans, and the elderly, infirm, and disabled and small, our donors grants and acting as a fiscal agent members of the Congregation, including but not limited to hous- make possible the Solicitation and receipt of funds, ing, health care, and relief from grants, gifts, and contributions di- financial distress daily miracles of rectly or in trust for the religious the Spiritans and our and charitable purposes of the Management of funds, securities, Congregation and property of SOMA, be it real, ministries throughout personal, or mixed in nature Provision of technical support and the world. advice to Spiritan missionaries ! directing developmental projects Thank you overseas 3 Nigerian Youth Center Will Bring Self-Sufficiency to Community For many years, inhabitants of north- east Nigeria have lived in fear of a militant Islamist group known as Boko Haram. This group is fighting to overthrow the government to create an Islamic state, instilling fear and destruction through bombings, assas- sintations, and abductions.

Against that backdrop, Spiritans are leading the charge to bring the Gospel to a large population which From left: Pierre Kahenga Bin Kamwangaa, Alex Senga Mbuyi, Daniel has not yet heard the message of Comboni Malweno, Joseph Muhoya Mwankasongo Christ—a daunting task with Christi- ans comprising less than 10% of all Nigerian citizens. In Chonku, Taraba, Nigerian Fr. Adopt a Seminarian! Kuha Indyer, C.S.Sp. is hard at work making his congregation’s vision of creating a youth center and bakery Formation is a profoundly important Spiritans serving there particularly a reality. time in the spiritual journey of a pos- important. tulant preparing for priesthood. The youth center will provide Four Spiritan seminarians study- employable skills to young people, Over the course of seven years of ing for priesthood at the St. John allowing them to earn a living Spiritan formation, Paul II Institute wage in an economically-depressed having adequate in Kinshasa, DRC, region of the country. The bakery accommodations, have been fortu- will employ 10 people and serve the room and board, nate to receive local community, with profits sup- and appropriate much-needed porting youth center operations. educational mate- financial support rials is critical so over the past two Will you help Fr. Kuha bring that the student years, thanks to life-changing stability and self-suf- may fully immerse the generosity of ficiency to youth in the community himself in his two families in the he serves? studies of philoso- United States. phy and theology. Please select “Development / Self As the new year Help” on our online donation page The Spiritan province in the Dem- approaches, would you prayerfully at Spiritans.org/Donate. ocratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is consider “adopting” a seminarian? relatively new, having received its designation just three years ago. Spiritan students in the DRC — as well as Vietnam, Tanzania, and the Consequently, it lacks the resources Philippines — would be very grate- to cover all the needs of community ful for your support as they prepare life at the formation house there. for a lifetime of serving others.

And despite a wealth of natural Please contact the Spiritan Office resources in the DRC, its citizens for Mission Advancement at (713) are among the most economically 522-2882 for more information. Youth center construction is underway. disadvantaged in the world — making the continued presence of dedicated 4 Growing Numbers, Growing Needs in Vietnam

Growth among religious vocations retreat for visitors and confreres re- Simply choose “Seminary / Minister can be rare these days, so the recent turning from their pastoral mission- Training” on the online donation form influx of Spiritan seminarians in ary experience and other studies. at Spiritans.org/Donate. Vietnam is cause for celebration. According to Fr. Pat, “Within two The years of work in Vietnam, led years, the first confrere to be trained by Provincial Fr. Pat Palmer, C.S.Sp., in Vietnam will be ordained and after along with the support of the Viet- that there will be a steady trickle namese diaspora, has led to 45 men of new Spiritan missionary priests currently studying for the priesthood and brothers, ready to continue the there, residing among three buildings work of the Congregation and of the throughout Ho Chi Minh City. Church.”

This remarkable growth in Spiritan Two funds have been established vocations has resulted in plans to for this project—land purchase and purchase property to construct a construction. single Spiritan facility. If Vietnam holds a special place in The years of work in Vietnam, led by Provincial Fr. The new formation house will serve your heart, please help us make the Pat Palmer, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Trinh Le, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Fred- eric Rossignol, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Duc Luong, C.S.Sp.; Fr. as a home base for the superior, Vietnam Formation House project a Quoc Le, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Joseph Lam, C.S.Sp. and the bursar, and the postulant community, reality. support of the Vietnamese diaspora, are paying as well as a warm and welcoming big dividends in priesthood vocations.

“I exhort everyone to live the joy of mission by witnessing to the Gospel in the areas where they live and work…At the same time, we are called to support with affection, concrete aid and prayer the missionaries who have set off to proclaim Christ to those who still do not know him.” - Pope Francis

Houston Forum Provides Insight on the Chinese Catholic Church

“Understanding the Catholic Church church in China, and opportunities in China,” a unique cross-cultural to partner with the Chinese Church. forum for clergy, educators, students, and professionals, was held The event was co-sponsored by the Novenas Available at the University of St. Thomas in Donald S. Nesti, C.S.Sp. Center for Houston, Texas, on September 16. Faith and Culture at the Universi- The suggested cost per copy, includ- ty of St. Thomas, ing postage, is $2. Please inquire The successful which, along with about discounts for large orders. event was the Spiritans and attended by local Catholic To order, please email us at dozens of Chinese commu- [email protected] or call participants, in- nity, supports the (713) 522-2882. cluding Bishop studies of Chinese Sheltz of the Catholic priests in Checks should be made payable and Archdiocese of Houston. mailed to: Galveston- Houston. It is hoped that at some point in Congregation of the Holy Spirit the future, priest candidates from 1700 West Alabama St. Event topics revolved around China will be allowed to travel to Houston, TX 77098 Chinese culture, historical and con- and reside at the Manila Formation temporary aspects of the Catholic House during their studies. 5 New Video Shares Spiritan Story in Arkansas Fr. Jean-Michel Gelmetti, C.S.Sp., Dept. of Spiritan Multimedia at Duquesne University, has released the second video in a two-part series about the Spiritans in the Diocese of Little Rock in Arkansas.

Part one, released in May 2017, was a historical narration of the years 1878 to 1892, when the first provincial of the Spirit- ans invited German immigrants to Arkansas.

Today, four Spiritans still serve Jesus Christ in rural Arkansas. Check out part two of the series “The Spiritans in Arkansas,” to meet some of the parishioners of Spiritan churches keeping the faith alive in the Mississippi delta.

Fr. Gelmetti has also produced other videos about various Spiritan parish ministries, available online at Spiritans.org/ spiritan-video-library.

Feast Day of the Venerable AshThe years Wednesday of work in Vietnam, led by Provincial Fr. Francis Libermann Pat Palmer, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Trinh Le, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Fred- FEB FEB Aseric Lent Rossignol, begins C.S.Sp.; and we Fr. prepareDuc Luong, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Quoc Le, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Joseph Lam, C.S.Sp. and the Spiritan co-founder Ven. Francis ourselvessupport of forthe EasterVietnamese through diaspora, prayer, are paying Libermann inspired and empowered fastingbig divedends and almsgiving, in priesthood we vocations. continue thousands of missionaries around a journey of conversion as we seek to the world. February 2 marks the 166th be renewed in heart and spirit. 02 anniversary of his death in 1852. 14

Spotlight on a Spiritan Studying in the United States

Fr. François Kodena was born in He describes his upbringing as “reading something” in him, and shar- central Africa, in Kama, known today having “watered me with a deep ing the Spiritan charism with him. as Cameroon. sense of gentleness with myself, my siblings, and others, as well as with According to Fr. Kodena, “Fr. Mbarga His name comes from the Beti verb the notion of solidarity with the was instrumental in setting me on kode, meaning “to save,” and the universe.” this journey of connecting people adverb na, mean- and peoples, and building bridges ing “thus, this way,” Fr. Kodena credits his among cultures. For me, to be a Spir- indicating the manner family with providing itan is simply to try to become Love, through which the his diverse educa- Charity, that is, God. And this begins saving act is carried tional background, in- with one’s parents and siblings. It is out. In Beti, names cluding humaneness, said that charity begins at home, and convey an identity fishing, hunting, then spreads elsewhere.” and a mission to their farming, sporting, bearer. theologizing, and He was professed in the Congrega- philosophizing. tion of the Holy Spirit in 1999 and His village of Zili 2003 and ordained as a priest in (“amazing”) is just an During his youth, he 2004. hour-long drive from Yaoundé, the was very active in his parish, Spiritan- capital of Cameroon, where he grew run Paroisse St. Pierre d’Essos-Kong, in One lesson that stands out in his up. He is the fifth of nine children of Yaoundé. His involvement in vari- mind during his years of training is his mother, Ngono (meaning “moon”), ous youth groups led to a Spiritan and his father, Ngoa (meaning “rock”). seminarian, Fr. Basile Mbarga, C.S.Sp., Continued on page 7

6 A Christmas Blessing Scripture Reading Ephesians 1:17 God grant you the light of Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, “I keep asking that the which is purity; God of our Lord Jesus the righteousness of Christmas, Christ, the glorious which is justice; Father, may give you the belief in Christmas, the Spirit of wisdom which is truth; and revelation, so that the all of Christmas, you may know him which is Christ. better.” Source: www.thoughtsaboutgod.com

Feast Day of Blessed Daniel FeastThe years Day of work of in Vietnam,St. Katharine led by Provincial Fr. Brottier DrexelPat Palmer, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Trinh Le, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Fred- FEB MAR eric Rossignol, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Duc Luong, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Quoc Le, C.S.Sp.; Fr. Joseph Lam, C.S.Sp. and the Having served four years as a volunteer chap- St.support Katharine of the VietnameseDrexel worked diaspora, with are the paying lain during World War I, Bl. Daniel Brottier is Spiritansbig divedends in many in priesthood parishes vocations. and schools sometimes referred to as “Teflon Dan,” as noth- serving African-American communities ing seemed to harm him while on the front in Philadelphia, New York, and the deep lines of war. He died on this date in 1936 and South. She died in 1955 and was beatified 28 was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1984. 03 by Pope John Paul II in 1988.

Spotlight on Fr. François Kodena Continued from page 6 Follow us! the view that diversity is strength; Spiritan from Cameroon, who now Our newsletter is published every that openness to the “Other” is enjoys the company of the ances- three months, but you can stay up- a route to the self. That is one tors with God, used to tell me in to-date on Spiritan news and events reason why postulants spend a the Bassa language: ‘Job a ta bè every day by following us on social pre-novitiate year in international djon;’ that is, ‘God is not insane.’” media. Like “U.S. Spiritans” and formation houses before begin- “Spiritan Office for Mission Advance- ning philosophical studies. ment” on Facebook today!

Since training as a formator in Dublin, Ireland, he has studied in Duquesne University’s Depart- Go Paperless! ment of Philosophy for the past Did you know One Heart, One Spirit is five years, continuing work on available online? Save a tree (and help his doctoral dissertation while us save on postage) by signing up to serving at St. Gregory the Great receive this quarterly Spiritan newslet- Parish in Baltimore, Maryland. ter by email. We promise never to spam you or share your email address with When asked his plans after fin- anyone else. ishing his dissertation, Fr. Kod- ena replied, “No need to burden Join our mailing list at Spiritans.org, myself with such a question, for or simply email USCommunications@ the answer will be timely. Fr. spiritans.org to let us know you’re ready Louis Makong, C.S.Sp., an elderly to go paperless!

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Congregation of the Holy Spirit Province of the United States 6230 Brush Run Rd. Bethel Park, PA 15102

“The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.” I Corinthians 12:7

From the Spiritan Archives Fr. Jeff Duaime, C.S.Sp., catches a lift on a mule for the journey up the mountain to St. Joseph’s in Medor, Haiti in 1997.

Inside this issue: Read about Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, a Spiritan parish in Arlington, Virginia, and their 20-year “twinning” relationship with St. Joseph’s.

CONGREGATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT PROVINCE OF THE UNITED STATES Fr. Jeffrey T. Duaime, C.S.Sp., Provincial 6230 Brush Run Rd. Bethel Park, PA 15102 412.831.0302

SPIRITAN OFFICE FOR MISSION ADVANCEMENT Fr. David Cottingham, C.S.Sp., Director 1700 West Alabama St. Houston, TX 77098 713.522.2882