Mission Matters Live

Megan sits down with Deacon Michael Neba of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Chicago. He is also Executive Coordinator for the Fr. John Kolkman Foundation, committed to the early detection, proper management and treatment of sickle cell disorder for rural areas in north-west Cameroon. Dcn. Neba tells his story of calling to the vocation of deacon and to become a missionary who advocates for his home community in Cameroon.

Megan meets a team of missionaries from CORE Uganda, which stands for Creating Opportunities through Reaching Out and Education: Annette Benett, Sandie Bulmann and Fr. Alex Ojacor. CORE Uganda creates opportunities for vulnerable children in the Ongutoi Village community in Uganda through outreach, basic education, skills development and support.

Megan sits down with Fr. Michael Agliardo, Jesuit priest and Executive Director of the U.S.-China Catholic Association (USCCA). Fr. Agliardo and Megan discuss the current state of faith and specifically the Catholic Church in China. Fr. Agliardo presents a brief history of the Catholic Church in China and explains to Megan how the USCCA operates in this context of friendship.

The Mission and Ministry of Reconciliation Megan talks with Don McCrabb and Sr. Nancy Schramm, representatives of the U.S. Catholic Mission Association (USCMA). They discuss how USCMA is the ONLY national association of Catholic mission-sending and mission-minded individuals and organizations. One way to engage during this Extraordinary Mission Month is to attend the USCMA Midwest regional meeting right here in Techny on the theme of The Mission and Ministry of Reconciliation.

Megan sits down with Kevin Foy, Director of the Mission Office. They discuss why Pope Francis has declared October 2019 to be an Extraordinary Mission Month. Kevin describes World Mission Sunday and a new event, the Global Mission Mass and Celebration. Each of these and more resources are offered to help us observe Extraordinary Mission Month.

Megan talks with Fr. Maciej Zielinski, a Comboni priest originally from Poland but who is currently on mission among the Pokot People of Kenya, and Fr. Kuol Dut, a diocesan priest who is originally from South Sudan, came to the U.S. as a refugee and has since returned to South Sudan as a priest of the Diocese of Wau. Each guest shares about his love for mission and God’s people in each context.

Megan sits down with Fr. George Omwando, Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena - St. Lucy Parish in Oak Park, originally born in Kenya and the founder of Time, Talent and Treasure International Foundation, a missionary organization that supports the educational, health, spiritual and basic human needs of the residents of Bogesumwa Village in Kisii County, Kenya. He and Megan discuss the meaning behind "time, talent and treasure" and what these can mean for mission.

Megan talks with Fr. Joseph Mulcrone, Director of the archdiocesan Office of the Deaf and one of the founders of the Deaf Catholic Youth Initiative of the Americas (DCYIA). He describes young people of faith who are deaf living in Mexico, Central and South America. He has encountered people who feel isolated and lost, even in the church. DCYIA trains pastoral workers and encourages deaf young people to be leaders in their communities.

Megan talks with Franciscan Sister of the Sacred Heart, Sr. Nancy Schramm. Sr. Nancy is the Director of Mission Formation for the Diocese of Joliet. She has 32 years of experience of being on mission in the State of Para, which is in the Amazon region of Brazil. They also discuss Sr. Nancy's research into the life of Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN who was martyred in 2005 for her ministry with rural workers and peasants in the Amazon Region of Brazil.

Megan sits down with Mr. Jorge Rivera, new Mission Educator and Promoter with the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. Jorge has extensive experience of ministry with Hispanic/Latino communities, and especially with young adults. They discuss how Jorge's ministry experience has led him to his current work with Maryknoll. Jorge describes how he has built connections in his ministries and in mission.

Megan interviews two colleagues about their journey of discerning the missionary life. Adrian Badillo currently works for the Office of Lifelong Formation and Jose Coronel works for the Office of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship. They both discerned earlier in life to become priests. They share their stories of a desire to serve and share the love of Christ. Today they are lay leaders in the Church- missionaries in Chicago!

Megan sits down with Sr. Perpetua Chime, who is a Dominican Sister of St. Catherine of Siena of Gusau, Nigeria. Sr. Perpetua teaches at St. Angela School in Chicago. Her sisters serve as missionaries all over Nigeria and in Ghana, and she has made mission appeals for them. Sr. Perpetua tells the story of her discernment to become a Dominican Sister and describes the charism and work of the Dominicans with communities in need.

Megan interviews Fr. Carmelo Mendez, current Pastor of Holy Cross-Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Chicago. He recently returned after five years serving in the Diocese of San Cristobal de las Casas in southeast Mexico from 2013-2018. Fr. Carmelo shares what pastoral ministry looks like in this rural, mountainous region of Mexico. The indigenous people's deep faith in a personal God, which is shaped by their traditions and environment, has left an impression and taught him much about pastoral ministry.

Megan meets with three representatives of the Evanston mission-sending organization, Solidarity Bridge, which works to build a healthier future for the people of Bolivia and Paraguay through domestic and international partnerships. Megan interviews Ann Rhomberg, Executive Director of Solidarity Bridge, as well as Dr. Dan Lum, pediatrician, and Dr. Robert LaPata, a retired obstetrician and gynecologist, who have both participated in many mission trips. They reflect on how this work of mutuality and justice in the medical field has impacted their faith lives. Learn more about being in solidarity with those who suffer from a lack of access to health care.

Solidarity Bridge Executive Director, Ann, along with Dr. Lum and Dr. LaPata continue the conversation. The doctors talk in depth about getting involved in medical mission trips. Ann tells us more about the Mission Team Chaplains and partner Catholic parishes, such as St. Nicholas in Evanston.

This month Megan interviews Celeste Flores, the Lake County Outreach Director for Faith in Place, an organization that partners with faith communities and provides resources to educate, connect and advocate for care of the earth. Celeste shares about the mission experiences that led her to this vocation. She explains why she believes her Catholic faith compels her to protect the environment and to see this as a work of global justice. Learn more about the connections between mission and care of creation on this month's show!

Megan meets with representatives of the Arlington Heights based Catholic mission organization, Foundation for Children in Need (FCN), which provides educational help to children, college students and the physically challenged, and serves the elderly in rural villages of India. FCN also provides medical care, training, and organizes free surgeries for children born with cleft lip or cleft palate. Her guests, Mr. Tom and Dr. Geetha Chitta are the co-founders. They bring with them Fr. Bill Zavaski, Pastor Emeritus of St. James in Arlington Heights, Mrs. Midge Sheehan, also of St. James, and Deacon Ron Pilarski of St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish in Elmwood Park.

This month Megan sits down with Falasiko Matovu and Peter Walusimbi, second year students from Mundelein Seminary who are originally from the Diocese of Kiyinda-Mityana in Uganda. They are also joined by Fr. Dennis Kasule, Associate Dean of Formation and Assistant Professor at Mundelein Seminary, and also originally from the Archdiocese of Kampala in Uganda. Megan asks them about their missionary experience traveling to the U.S. for study and adjusting to life and ministry here.

This month Megan meets with Fr. Brian Kerr of the Missionaries of the Poor, Mother Josefina "Joy" Surtida and Sr. Myrna Velasco of the Compassionate Franciscan Sisters of the Poor and Mrs. Marta Robak, a volunteer coordinator at St. Ferdinand Parish in Chicago and an assistant in Family Faith at Holy Family Parish in Inverness. They discuss the unique charism of these interconnected communities to glorify God by working for and with the poorest of the poor in many countries. Marta speaks about her work to coordinate support for their ministries.

The group spends more time discussing the relationship of the Mission of Jesus with the poor, and how that informs the spiritualities of their interconnected religious communities. We also learn more about how a network of supporters developed here in Chicago.

This month Megan sits down with Chris Landfried, a fourth year seminarian at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, also known as Mundelein Seminary. She asks him about his process of discernment to join the seminary. In fact, two experiences of mission immersion were key! Megan will ask him about the role of diocesan priests as missionary disciple leaders.

Megan sits down with Fr. Benjamin Chinnappan, full-time chaplain at Hines Veteran's Administration Hospital. Fr. Ben was born in southern India. Missionaries supported his vocation to be ordained a diocesan priest. He obtained permission to leave India for studies and he has served as a chaplain at the VA Hospital for about 14 years. He is also the founder of Dalit Solidarity, a charitable organization that works to provide access, opportunity and empowerment to the Dalit community still struggling in India. Fr. Ben shares about his own vocation story, his journey to give back to the Dalit community and his calling to serve as minister to veterans at the VA hospital.

This month Megan talks with Fr. Pius Kokose, Pastor of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr in Posen. Fr. Pius was born in Ghana and discerned a vocation with the Congregation of the Holy Spirt (Spiritans). He served for 10 years in the Diocese of San Pedro, Paraguay, before again discerning a new call to serve the parish communities here in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

This month Megan sits down with Fr. Stan Chu Ilo, Research Professor of Catholic Studies and World Christianity at DePaul University. Fr. Stan shares about the Society for Hope and Solidarity for the Women of Central Africa, a project for which he has served as the US representative. He also reflects on his work founding and sustaining the charity, Canadian Samaritans for Africa. This work focuses on small projects that have big results. Megan asks about DePaul University's Center for World Catholicism. Fr. Stan explains why the Center was founded and gives a sneak preview of the upcoming World Catholicism Week conference to be held April 6-8 on campus. The title this year is "Daughters of Wisdom: Women and Leadership in the Global Church."

This month Megan discusses what it means to be a family on mission with Pete and Joy Newburn who along with their 3 young children lived in Cameroon, West Africa from 2012-2015. Their mission immersion experience was organized by the Lay Mission-Helpers. They reminisce about the decision to go on mission, and how they lived in their new community.

Pete, Joy and Megan recorded additional in-depth discussion of the formation process for overseas mission with the Lay Mission-Helpers; more details about life in Cameroon and some heartfelt reflections on what this experience has meant for the Newburn family.

Megan interviews Mr. David Heimann, Pastoral Associate of St. Andrew Parish in Chicago. David has served as a US contact for a priest friend in Rwanda. David also describes his experience of making a yearlong pilgrimage to attend Mass in a different church every day. He traveled through 38 different countries on 5 continents

Megan sits down with two religious sisters from the missionary congregation, Servants of the Plan of God, founded in Peru in 1998. Sr. Jessica Wong was born in Hong Kong but grew up in Canada. Sr. Ximena Perez is from Ecuador. Both women were inspired by the mission and power of this missionary community- and they serve in places they NEVER expected to go! Servants of the Plan of God are ministering in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the US, and Europe. The Servants provide education, medical care, basic human services and of course spiritual support.

This month Megan sits down with Fr. Chris Aleti MCCJ, Director of the Comboni Mission Center in La Grange Park, and Mr. Paul Wheeler, Director of the Comboni Lay Missionary Program also out of La Grange Park. These two knew and worked with the late Fr. Angelo Biancalana, Comboni missionary priest who gave his entire life for Christ's Mission and who passed away in June 2017. They discuss what it was like to meet and work with Fr. Angelo, the story of how he came to become a Comboni priest and his many accomplishments in the U.S. and Uganda.

Megan meets with the two other women who attended the national MISSIO Congress with her back in September. Mayra Gualoto and Marta Robak share their experience in mission and why they were interested in attending this national gathering of Catholic leaders involved in international mission hosted by the Pontifical Mission Societies of the USA. They review the impact the MISSIO Congress had on their understanding of mission and why it is important in their lives. They conclude their discussion with reflection on World Mission Sunday, which is October 22 this year.

This month Megan meets with two representatives of the missionary organization, Friends of Shalom for Uganda, which supports a community medical and volunteer center in Uganda, East Africa. Mr. Tom Mayer lives in Glen Ellyn and has worked for many years in the construction business. Fr. Alfred Tumwesigye is a priest of the Archdiocese of Mbararra in Uganda, and (among other ministries) is a hospital chaplain. Tom reveals that he never saw himself getting involved in mission overseas, and Fr. Alfred shares how proud and humbled he is to see the dedication of the community in Uganda to "build" more than just a clinic... but a community of Hope, Faith and Love!

Megan asks her guests, Tom and Fr. Alfred, to stay on a little longer and record an additional interview. Tom and Fr. Alfred have more to say about their experience in the summer Missionary Co-Op as well as sharing about the many lives saved as a result of the work of Friends of Shalom for Uganda.

Continuing the discussion of Mission in East Asia, Megan interviews Fr. John Cuff, MM. Fr. Cuff is a Maryknoll missionary priest, who has been serving as a pastoral minister in Hong Kong for most of his life. Fr. Cuff shares about the history of amazing work that Maryknoll, the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America, has done in China since 1911. He also describes how his present ministry has taught him much about the complex political and social situation in Hong Kong.

For the first time, Megan and Mary also record an extended interview, continuing on from the radio show! Given how complex the discussion of Mission in China is, listen here for the second half to the interview!

This month Megan interviews Mary Sluka, lay catechist and a recent participant in a China Study Tour organized by the U.S. Catholic China Bureau. Mary shares her knowledge and wisdom about the Chinese peoples as well as how her own deep faith inspired her to get involved in supporting the Catholic Church in China. She describes the study trip, its participants and the different communities who served as their hosts.

This month Megan interviews Mr. Nick Costello, Co-Founder of HEAL, Home to Enhance African Life, for a second time! HEAL exists to support the material, spiritual and educational needs of marginalized orphans, widows and rural villagers. Nick recently returned from a visit to Nigeria where he was able to see the work of HEAL first-hand. He shares inspiring stories of courage and generosity as HEAL takes on a medical mission outreach project. There is a great need for better medical care in rural areas of Nigeria, and there is a disconnect between the villages and hospital services.

Megan sits down with Kevin Foy of the Maryknoll Mission Education Team to discuss their new education initiative, Discover Your Neighbor. This mission engagement resource is meant to help Catholic educators transform students into globally-minded missionary disciples. It is designed to integrate Maryknoll’s extensive experience in mission all over the world. Listen and consider enrolling your child or classroom in this FREE resource.

Megan meets religious sisters from Nigeria who are ministering in the Chicagoland area. The Daughters of Divine Love is an order of religious women founded in Nigeria. The community is inspired by the love of God to serve those in need wherever they may be- even Chicago! Megan learns about the different ministries and experiences of five sisters who have offered medical care, education, pastoral care, social services and built community. Each sister has a story to tell and will challenge our image of a missionary.

Megan is joined by a group of parishioners from Infant Jesus of Prague Parish in Flossmoor. Christine, Amy, Robert, Patrick and Fr. Edmond, the Associate Pastor, share their experience being involved in a mission relationship with Los Palis, in central Haiti. Today, due to the collaboration between IJP and the people of Los Palis, there have been two houses and over 50 latrines built and many, many students who have received assistance with tuition costs. The parishioners of Infant Jesus of Prague who have seen Los Palis in person will attempt to put their profound experience of hope and solidarity into words.

This month Megan and her guests discuss mission here at home in light of the presidential inauguration. Megan welcomes Kevin Foy of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, and Carolina Perez, an active member of the Parish Peace Project. The two organizations are co-sponsoring an event called, Living Into the Election, a morning of dialogue and reflection after the inauguration. They discuss how God's mission is for all of us, even here at home. We live our faith in the public realm by bringing the Gospel to bear on the social challenges of our time.

Megan sits down with Kate Macan the newest Mission Educator and Promoter with the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. Kate shares a little of her own journey and how it all led her to the work of mission education today. She is now focused on building communities of missionary disciples among young adults as well as Hispanic communities here in the Midwest. Megan asks Kate about upcoming events in the new year. Find out more about mission education and promotion by clicking below!

This month Megan sits down with Mr. Nick Costello, President of HEAL, which stands for the Home to Enhance African Life. HEAL's mission is to form servant leaders among Africans through subsistence care, education, and entrepreneurship in the Self-Emptying Spirit of Jesus Christ. The work of HEAL focuses on poor and marginalized widows and orphans in southern Nigeria. During our show, Megan and Nick reflect on two short audio clips from Deacon Leo Okonkwo, co-founder of HEAL along with Nick. We learn of Dcn. Leo's inspiring journey from servitude to leadership in Nigeria. Nick shares with Megan the story of how HEAL came to life and how it has organically grown to serve the most oppressed communities, and empowered them to become servant leaders as well.

World Mission Sunday is THIS Sunday, October 23! This is why Megan sat down with Bishop John Manz, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago and member of the Mission Office board, to talk about his passion for mission. Bishop Manz is devoted to mission in the Archdiocese, with migrants and refugees as well as the Church in Latin America. He shares his own reflections on world mission and his extensive experience in pastoral ministry.

October is Mission Month, so Megan sits down with three parish leaders who are truly living out Christ's call to mission: Fr. Zdzisław "Jason" Torba, pastor of St. Ferdinand Parish in Chicago, Marta Robak and Daiva Piscikaite, lay leaders among the St. Ferdinand missionary group. They discuss how St. Ferdinand has become a magnet parish for missionary work. The men's religious congregation, the Missionaries of the Poor, have formed a relationship with the community at St. Ferdinand. The entire parish has become involved by making trips abroad, but also by donating money, goods and time.

This month Megan talks with three people who are involved in planning the local World Youth Day celebration. Jennifer Delvaux is Director of Faith Formation at Holy Name Cathedral, David Heimann is Pastoral Associate at St. Andrew Parish in Chicago and Dr. timone davis is an Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology at Loyola University's Institute of Pastoral Studies. Megan, Jennifer and David are on the planning committee, and Dr. davis is the keynote speaker for the Chicago celebration scheduled July 30-31. Find out more of the details at www.WYDChicago.org.

Megan sits down with Christina Bax from St. Clement Parish in Chicago. Christina returns for her second visit to the studio, as she was interviewed back in June 2014 after her first mission immersion experience in Nairobi, Kenya. Now she returns after a second visit to Kenya. She describes to Megan how her eyes were opened during the first trip, and that this led to her heart opening as well. She was able to share her experience of mission with her parish while also keeping up communication with a friend back in Nairobi. It was this friendship that led to her second visit to Kenya. She has also become an advocate for the St. Clare Umoja Academy in rural Kitale, Kenya. The experience has deepened her love for the people of Africa and her call to mission.

Megan meets with Fr. Gerald Gunderson, Pastor of Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish and School in Park Ridge. His community got actively involved in mission this past Lent as they supported transportation needs for the Diocese of Chipata, Zambia in southern Africa. Fr. Gunderson describes how he first become interested in mission work in Zambia through a friend, Fr. Wilfred Piri. From this initial friendship came a visit to Zambia during Holy Week! Fr. Gunderson was impressed by what he saw, especially how the people used bicycles. Upon his return, the Parish and School developed the theme of "Mercy in Motion" and during this past Lent they raised awareness and funds to purchase and send bicycles to Zambia.

This month Megan meets with Becca Muder, a Program and Recruitment Coordinator at Amate House. Later this year, Becca will start the formation process to become a Maryknoll Lay Missioner. Becca recognizes that God has called her to this point and while it is scary, she is excited to take the next step in her spiritual life. The Maryknolls are working hard to make sure she is ready. Becca notes that the lay missioner program will likely present challenges, but she is confident that God is leading her to a grateful life of mission!

This month Megan is honored to sit down with Fr. Ronald Hicks, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago. In addition to his many years of ministry here in the Archdiocese, he has a passion for mission! Fr. Hicks has spent a significant part of his ministry working with the children of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, Spanish for Our Little Brothers and Sisters. This missionary organization provides homes and communities of care for orphaned and abandoned children in nine different Latin American countries. Fr. Hicks shares his amazing journey on mission and how this experience changed his life.

This month Megan sits down with two of Chicago's three winners of the Missionary Childhood Association annual Christmas Artwork Contest: Anahi Lopez and Jackie Ostiguin, students at Bridgeport Catholic Academy in Chicago. They are also joined by three members of the faculty and Marilyn Santos, Director of Mission Education in the office of the Pontifical Mission Societies of the United States. The two girls, along with Lukasz Ratulowski a student at St. Blase Polish Catholic School in Summit, were three winners among 24 total chosen by the national office to be honored this past December. They discuss the contest, how the girls made their artwork and traveled to Washington DC to receive special awards.