“Wanting to inaugurate a kingdom of justice, fraternity and solidarity, God has a special place in his heart for those who are discriminated against and oppressed,” Pope Leo wrote, “and he asks us, his church, to make a decisive and radical choice in favor of the weakest.” A reminder to us all: Consecration and authentic devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus must be oriented to action! This issue of ONE is filled with stories of the actionoriented direction of CNEWA’s mission over our first one hundred years. As you read Part II of the history of CNEWA by Executive Editor Michael J. La Civita, you will appreciate with greater depth the active missionary orientation of CNEWA in the regions we have served and continue to serve. The articles on Ethiopia, Lebanon, India and the West Bank present the challenges put to the people in the regions where we work currently, challenges which have only expanded since the Israeli-U.S. war with Iran and the invasion of Israel into southern Lebanon. It is CNEWA’s dedicated active missionary orientation in these troubled regions that we seek to underline during this anniversary year. Please note the following special dates for CNEWA’s centennial:
Sister Weinitu Woldesenbet and her congregation, the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, provide education and food for the students at Blessed Gebremichael Catholic School in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
21 September Centennial Golf Tournament Sebonack Golf Club, Southampton, New York 13 December Centennial Mass, 10:15 a.m. St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City 15 December Centennial Gala Dinner The Plaza Hotel, New York City Guest of Honor: Frà John Dunlap 81st Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta CNEWA’s Faith & Culture Award Recipient: Her Excellency, Sister Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E. President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City State With my gratitude and prayers,
Peter I. Vaccari, President
100 YEARS OF HEALING & HOPE
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