Mission Matters Live

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.

This month Megan sits down with Fr. Tim Tiscornia, a Maryknoll priest who has served in Tanzania, Sudan and South Sudan, and Kevin Foy, a Catholic educator who has worked in schools, parishes and on mission trips around the US. Both Fr. Tim and Kevin now work with the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers of the Midwest doing mission education and promotion work. Each shares about how collaboration is essential to the work they have done and will be doing. Megan also identifies ways that the Mission Office of the Archdiocese of Chicago can collaborate with the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers in an effort to develop missionary disciples. How can YOU collaborate in this mission? Click below to find out!

Megan sits down with Fr. Alfred Tumwesigye, diocesan priest from southern Uganda, and Ms. Juanita Martinez, resident of Chicago and parishioner at St. Frances of Rome Parish in Cicero. They discuss the community medical and volunteer center, Shalom for Uganda, in which they are both involved. Shalom for Uganda, and the U.S. not-for-profit Friends of Shalom for Uganda, is primarily focused on meeting the medical and health-related needs, still, as the name suggests, there is a faith component to the work. They discuss the twin Christian responsibilities of serving the poor and being on mission.

This Mission Month Megan interviews Bishop Christopher Glancy, Viatorian and Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan, which makes up the entire nation of Belize in Central America. Bishop Glancy discusses his process of discernment to religious life as a member of the Viatorian Community and as a missionary priest/bishop in Central America. The people of Belize are rich in faith but face the same kind of violence that many Central American nations do. Let us keep them in our prayers this Mission Month!

This month Megan meets Fr. Guido Gutierrez and Fr. Felipe Amenero, both from the rural Diocese of Puno, Peru and Fr. Robert Perez, local Chicago priest who works at Catholic Charities. The three of them have been working together for many years to build connections between Chicago and Peru. Fr. Guido is Pastor and Fr. Felipe is Associate Pastor at St. Simeon Parish on a remote, mountainous island. They have been trying to connect the faithful there with Catholics here. No person is an island, and no missionary is either! Learn more about what it is like to serve with the indigenous Peruvian community in the Andes Mountains and recognize the power of mission to connect and bring hope to people who live in remote parts of the world.

This month Megan speaks with Fr. Joseph Ekpo originally from Nigeria, today a resident at St. Simeon Parish in Bellwood and teacher at Fenwick High School in Oak Park. Fr. Ekpo brings his experience from the Diocese of Ikot Ekpene in Nigeria and a local Catholic organization called Children's Welfare and Development. He has been asked to speak as a missionary representative in the Summer Mission Appeal for the Archdiocese of Chicago. He also shares his experience as a theology and comparative religions teacher at Fenwick. He has recently developed a new course called "Missiology and the Mission of Jesus Christ." He has found a creative way to help teenagers understand their role in the mission of Jesus and the Church. Educate yourself about mission by clicking below!

Megan interviews three compañeras from the community resource center Taller de José, which is located in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. The work of Taller de José is an excellent example of mission at home! Interim Director, Lisa Monnot, Interim Associate Director, Anna Mayer and Compañera, Joan Stopka describe what they offer clients who are looking a for a variety of services. But the key to their work is: ACCOMPANIMENT! A "compañera/o" is a companion, who walks with someone. The staff of Taller de José walk with their clients as they find what they need. This is a perfect example of missionary work, right here in Chicago. Learn what you can do to become a companion to Taller de José by clicking below!

This month Megan interviews two recently recruited lay missionaries who are preparing to leave for their first extended mission experience in Trujillo, Peru. Both Yessenia de la O and Melissa White are lay women who have been dreaming of the missionary life for many years. The Comboni Lay Missionary Program answered their prayers! The conversation centers around their commitment to a missionary experience. How did Melissa and Yessenia make the decision to become missionaries? What preparations have they undertaken? We also hear how they will share their talents and gifts while on mission in Peru. Is there is a particular personality or type of person who is best suited to the missionary vocation? Click below to hear the surprising answer!

This is the motto of the Missionary Childhood Association, one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies that the Mission Office represents. Its work is exclusively about the mission vocation of children. Not only are children encouraged to learn about other kids in the missions (and the missionaries who serve them) but they pray and sacrifice for each other. In this way children are empowered to share their gifts! This month we hear from Ms. Mary Coban, DRE at Divine Savior Parish in Norridge, and Fr. Avitus Kiiguta, pastor at St. John De LaSalle Parish in Chicago. Mary shares how her Religious Ed Program encourages the students to participate in the Missionary Childhood. Fr. Kiiguta shares his experience teaching children in Tanzania and Kenya who are also members. Click below to learn how you can encourage the children in your life to be powerful missionaries!

Seeking to better understand mission as relationship, host Megan Mio interviews Ms. Teresita Gonzalez, who serves as Director of both the Mission Office of the Archdiocese of Miami and the lay missionary community, Amor en Acción. Teresita describes the bridge-building work of Amor en Acción and sister dioceses in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. They seek to build solidarity between communities, using pastoral ministry as the common link. Our attitudes for mission color the way we do the work of mission. Click below to consider your own attitude for mission!

"We must reach out!" With these words Pope Francis describes his missionary spirit and how he expects the whole Catholic Church to approach the world. This month Megan Mio speaks with Msgr. Rich Hynes, Director of the Office of Parish Life and Formation. Together they discuss the 20 new Cardinals that Pope Francis recently named, many from developing nations, that more fully represent the universal Church. They also comment on the Pope's visit to Sri Lanka and his interview with a Latin American newspaper. Click below to reflect on the Pope's missionary spirit and your own!

Host, Edwin Rondán, is honored to interview our former host and Director of the Mission Office, Sr. Madge Karecki, SSJ-TOSF. The big news is that Sr. Madge, originally from Chicago, was named Assistant National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies of the United States. She previously served as President of the only Catholic school of higher learning in South Africa: St. Augustine College. Edwin will ask her to share her experience and passion for mission. To hear more about the exciting life of a Chicago missionary, click below!

This month Edwin speaks with two missionaries who have heard Pope Francis' call to "go forth to everyone without exception." Sr. Miriam Therese Ezike is a Daughter of Divine Love who was born and raised in Nigeria. Fr. Damian Kuukole is a priest from the Damongo Diocese of Ghana.

This month host, Edwin Rondan, speaks with two inspiring women who seek to build lasting peace in Kenya. The Mission Office took six young adult women to Nairobi, Kenya this past June for a mission immersion experience. While there they met Monica Kinyua and Jane Wanjiru, two sisters who co-founded Children's Peace Initiative- Kenya. They seek to empower children, the future of our world, to engage in the peace process. They instill values such as respect, integrity, and team work; and they utilize a variety of strategies to encourage the children in active peace-building. To learn more about how YOU can build peace in your own neighborhood, click below!

It is our mission to communicate life to others. Missionaries do this by immersing themselves in the culture and context of the local community. They leave security on the shore and give their very lives away! This month Edwin interviews Fr. Daniel Moschetti MCCJ, a Comboni missionary priest. He has served in both Kenya and South Sudan. He will tell us more about the Comboni Missionary community and the work he has done in the slums. How has he immersed himself in the communities he has served? What signs of hope are there for the suffering communities? Click below and reflect on your own experience of immersion.

Tune in to hear Edwin and his guests discuss the vocation to consecrated missionary life. Sr. Margaret Nyangireki is a Sister of Good Counsel Mbarara Uganda and now serving at a parish in Chicago. Fr. Bill Donnelly is a Maryknoll Missioner who serves both in Chicago and Guatemala. They will share their experience of call and their challenges. What is the missionary life like? What kinds of skills do missionaries need? What are the blessings they receive? And could you see yourself serving in this manner? Click below and find out!

Greg Darr, Regional Director of Mission Education for the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, and Christina Aranda, coordinator of the Missionary Cooperation Plan (MCP) for the Archdiocesan Office of Mission Education, share their experiences of working with missionaries and the Summer Mission Appeals, with host Edwin Rondan. From depicting the daily challenges faced by foreign missionaries to explaining our own call to missionary discipleship, this discussion will leave you with a better understanding of the importance of the summer appeals in our parishes.

Join Edwin Rondan, Director of the Office of Mission Education for the New Evangelization, and his guests Emily Brabham, Christina Bax, and Kate Floros as they discuss their recent mission immersion trip to Nairobi, Kenya. Hear first hand how mission impacts people in the world and the missionaries themselves.

Join Megan Mio, Associate Director of the Office of Mission Education for the New Evangelization, and her very special guest, Aleksandra Gacek, from St. Ferdinand School, as they discuss Aleksandra's First Communion experience, including preparation, events of the day and a new relationship to Jesus.

Join Edwin and his guest, Megan Mio, Associate Director of the Office of Mission Education and Missionary Childhood Association Coordinator, as they look at our understanding of Easter and the Resurrection, and how they impact our lives.

Join Edwin Rondan and his guest, Rev. Msgr. Rich Hynes, as they explore Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis’ 2013 Apostolic Exhortation. “The Joy of the Gospel” provides a motivating and challenging view of the Church’s missionary spirit and its role as evangelizer, and provides tools for the proclamation of the Gospel in the real world. Rev. Msgr. Richard Hynes, a priest for 41 years, serves the Archdiocese as Director of the Department of Parish Life & Formation. His previous Archdiocesan assignments include Pastor-St. John of the Cross (Western Springs), Associate Pastor-St Martin de Porres (Chicago), St, Athanasius (Evanston), St. James (Arlington Heights), and Spiritual Director at the College Seminary.

Lent is a time to draw closer to God. Join Edwin Rondan and his special guest, Fr. Jim McIlhone, as they explore mission and the season of Lent. Ordained in 1974, Fr. Jim is a priest, scholar, professor at Mundelein Seminary, author, recipient of academic honors, and the Director of Biblical Formation for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Learn about the work of the Divine Word Missionaries as Edwin Rondan, Interim-Director of the Office of Mission Education for the New Evangelization, and his guest, Fr. Lukas Batmomolin, SVD (Society of the Divine Word) explore Mission and Transition. Originally from Indonesia. Fr. Lukas has worked as a missionary in Brazil and the United States. In addition, he frequently travels to Toronto, Canada to celebrate Mass in Portuguese for the large population of Portuguese Canadians in Ontario.

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and her special guests, Genevieve Mougey, Poverty Education & Outreach Manager, for the USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development and Jeannine Marino, J.C.L., Assistant Director, USCCB Secretariat of Evangelization & Catechesis as they discuss Mission, the New Evangelization and Aparecida.

Sr. Madge and her guests Mary Di Donato, Director of Development for the National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Dan Plovanich and Chester Jakala, friends of the mission office, discuss nuns, education and the World Mission Reception on October 8, 2013.

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and her guests, Paul Wheeler, Director of the Comboni Lay Missionary Program and Margi Sirovatka, Associate Director, as they discuss Comboni Missionaries, their Lay Missionary Program, Mission and the importance of Summer Mission Appeals.

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and her guest Sr. Joan Mumaw, IHM, US Development Director for Solidarity with South Sudan, a consortium of more than 200 religious congregations that trains teachers, nurses and pastoral personnel in several locations throughout South Sudan. Sr. Joan will share her experiences in South Sudan and the current challenges in that country. They will also discuss the importance of Mission Appeals in the parish. http://www.solidarityssudan.org/

Have you ever wondered about Mystagogia? Join Sr. Madge Karecki and her guest, Todd Williamson, Director of the Office for Divine Worship, as they explore Mission and Mystagogia. Their conversation will cover the importance of Mystagogia in the RCIA process, the use of the Act of the Apostles in the Liturgy and much more. Be sure and tune in for what's sure to be a lively and informative show!

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and her guest Sr. Mary Ann MacRae, Director of the US Development Office of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, as they explore the many facets of the MMM organization, the good work that they do and how it relates to missionary evangelization.

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and her guest Br. Bede Baldry, FSC, as they discuss missionary evangelization through his work in Kenya and his current role as the Social Justice Coordinator and Spiritual Director of the Brother David Darst Center in Chicago.

Sr. Madge Karecki and her special guest Fr. Bill Donnelly discuss his work as a Maryknoll missionary priest, including stories of Mission in Guatemala, his creative side, and his efforts to share the Maryknoll story throughout the United States.

Sr. Mary Louise Andrulonis and Sr. Grace Ann Kalafut, join Sr. Madge in the studio to discuss the work of the Sisters of St. Casimir, particularly their food pantry and it's connection to Mission.

Please join Sr. Madge Karecki for a special Christmas broadcast featuring Dr. Steven Janco, Director of the Rensselaer Program of Church Music and Liturgy at Saint Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, IN. Sr. Madge and Steve will explore the music of Christmas, it's importance and it's connection to Mission.

Join Sr. Madge and her staff to learn more about the Office for Mission Education and Animation and and its role in promoting the goals of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Pontifical Mission Societies.

Join Sr. Madge and her guest Fr. Andrew Small, OMI, as they discuss World Mission Sunday, the 50th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the relationship between mission and evangelization. As National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, Fr. Small brings a unique knowledge and experience to this conversation on Mission Matters LIVE!

Sr. Madge Karecki and her guest, Teresita Gonzalez, Director of the Archdiocese of Miami Mission Office, and the Executive Director of Amore en Acción, as Teri recaps her March 2012 trip to Cuba with Cardinal Francis George. Hear the details and insights of her experience traveling to her homeland as part of a special delegation from the Archdiocese of Miami.

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and guest Sr. Dianne Short, OSC as they discuss the history of the Poor Clare Sisters and their celebration of the 800th anniversary of the founding of the order, which took place on Aug. 11, 2012.

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and her special guest Fr. Sergius Wroblewski for an in-depth discussion on The Year of Faith and The New Evangelization and the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Exploring their Relationship in Terms of Missionary Evangelization. They will explore the reasons behind Pope Benedict XVI’s declaring the Year of Faith, how it is connected to the New Evangelization, the apostolic letter Porta Fidei and what people can do to gain a better understanding of their Catholic faith. Don’t miss this enlightening and thought provoking discussion!

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and her guest Fr. Tom Charters, a Glenmary Home Missioner from Erwin, TN as he shares his story of mission and evangelization in Unicoi County.

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and her very special guest, Daniel Keefe, a second grader at St. Juliana School. Daniel shares the details of his First Holy Communion celebration and the story of a unique blessing bestowed on his special friend.

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and her special guest Fr. Jim McIlhone, Director of Biblical Formation for the Department of Parish Life and Formation, as they discuss Fr. McIlhone’s role in the Archdiocese and explore the Scriptures of the Easter Season.

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and her special guest Teresita Gonzalez, Director of the Archdiocese of Miami Mission Office, and the Executive Director of Amore en Acción as they discuss the Pope’s upcoming visit to Cuba, Cubans in Miami and church life in Cuba. This segment is specially informative due to Ms. Gonzalez’ work with the Cuban population in Miami and her participation in the Pope’s journey.

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and guest Todd Williamson, Director of the Office for Divine Worship in the Archdiocese of Chicago, for a lively discussion on the relationship between the Liturgy and Mission. Also in the program they examine the Scriptures, Scrutinies and practices of Lent.

Join Sr. Madge Karecki and her special guest Fr. Andrew Small, the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, as they discuss the various societies under the Pontifical Mission Societies’ umbrella, the role they play in cultivating a missionary spirit among the people of the United States, their relationship to the New Evangelization, and Fr. Small’s vision for the future.