St. Joseph's Advocate Ireland

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Fr. Philip Odhiambo, mhm, in Sarawak, Malaysia, helping with the fruit harvest

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This Icon (Picture) of St. Joseph and the Child Jesus was presented to the Mill Hill Missionaries by the Franciscan Missionaries of St. Joseph to mark the 150th Anniversary of the founding of Mill Hill.

Notice the little logo in the bottom right hand corner.

The Sisters have had a special bond with Mill Hill from the beginning and a close partnership has continued over the years as the Sisters worked in Mill Hill Colleges and worked together with our Mill Hill Members in mission countries. Happily, the FMSJ Sisters and Mill Hill Missionaries are still partners in mission in Kenya and Uganda.

The Icon is

by Ruth Robinson

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Advocate Spring 2017 Volume 57 No. 1 ST JOSEPH’S ADVOCATE Published by: Editor: Printed in Ireland by:

Mill Hill Missionaries Fr. Jim O’Connell Modern Printers, Kilkenny

CONTENTS Editorial 2 Renewed Joy - Sind, Pakistan 4 Maasai and The Gospel 6 A Labour of Love 9 Living with Cancer 12 Novena Prayer 15 Nine Day Novena to St. Joseph 16

Front Cover:

Mill Hill Jubilees 2017 Meeting the wounded Christ Legacy of Irish Missionaries New Chapel - Bamenda A Joyful Homecoming Spirit of Mission in South Africa Obituaries

. Fr. Philip Odhiambo, mhm, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Inside Front Cover:

. Icon of St. Joseph and the Child Jesus.

Back Cover:

. Photo: Irish Countryside Scene.

Photo Credits:

. F. Eppink, T. Burke, E. Paguntalan, P.Hien, R. Njoroge.

MISSION OFFERINGS All Postal Orders and Cheques to be sent direct to us at Mill Hill Missionaries, Waterford Road, Kilkenny.

Bank Giros to be sent directly to Bank of Ireland, Kilkenny.

Details of our a/c availble from our office: 056 - 7721482 Mill Hill Missionaries St. Joseph’s Waterford Road, Kilkenny.

Tel: (056) 7721482 Office: millhillkilkenny@eircom.net www.millhillmissionaries.co.uk

Mill Hill Missionaries 50 Orwell Park Rathgar, Dublin 6 Tel: (01) 4127700 E.mail: josephmhm@eircom.net

St Mary’s Parish 25 Marquis Street Belfast BT1 1JJ Tel: 04890 320482

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F R O M T H E E D I TO R many cases cold-blooded murderers of the reputations of their colleagues. It is the sickness of the cowardly who, not having Shortly before Christmas 2014, the courage to speak directly to Pope Francis delivered an asthe people involved, instead tonishing talk to the members speak behind their backs.” of the Curia in Rome. The gath- Fr. Jim O’Connell,mhm In an earlier homily Pope ering consisted of Cardinals, Francis had this to say about gossip and Archbishops, Bishops and Priests. Norcriticism: “When we prefer to gossip, mally this kind of pre-Christmas get-togossip about others, criticize others gether is a very pleasant affair - with an these are everyday things that happen to exchange of gifts and lots of praise and everyone, including me - these are the affirmation for each other. But this meet‘temptations of the evil one’ who does ing was different. The Pope listed a numnot want the Spirit to come to us and ber of ‘spiritual diseases’ that had bring about peace and meekness in the infected the Curia. The Cardinals and Christian community. These struggles others present were not amused as there always exist in the parish, in the family, was little to laugh about. among friends. It is only through the Spirit we are born into a new life that is Pope Francis spoke about the disease meek and charitable.” of ‘division and poor coordination’ – saying he doesn’t want an orchestra that In his Apostolic Letter ‘The Joy of only produces chaotic noise. He warned the Gospel’ he warns about the danger of about ‘closed circles’ and ‘careerism’.

He recommended a ‘healthy sense of becoming pessimists: “Our faith humour’ and joked that ‘priests are like challenges us to discern how wine can airplanes --- they only make news when come from water and how wheat can they fall’ and he added ‘there are grow in the midst of weeds. We feel we must disagree with those prophets of actually so many who fly’ doom who are always forecasting . disaster, as though the end of the world

A Reflection for Lent

Grumbling, Gossip, Criticism

He had some harsh words to say about the ‘illness’ of grumbling and gossip: “this is a serious illness that begins simply, often just in the form of having a chat, and takes people over, turning them into sowers of discord, like Satan, and in 2

were at hand. One of the more serious temptations that stifle zeal is a defeatism which turns us into disillusioned pessimists, ‘sourpusses’… The evil spirit of defeatism is the fruit of an anxious and self-centred lack of trust.” (‘The Joy of the Gospel’ 84-85)

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Lent and Holy Week As we journey through Lent and Holy Week, the Pope’s remarks give us food for thought, food for the journey. The ‘spiritual illnesses’ that Pope Francis mentioned can creep into our own feeble efforts to live the Christian life.

Grumbling and gossip and pessimism are never too far away. They can start off innocently enough but we can soon find ourselves on a slippery slope.

As Pope Francis points out, we cannot make progress against the ‘spiritual illnesses’ all by ourselves. Nor do we have to, since ‘through the Holy Spirit we are born to a new life that is meek and charitable’. We live in the presence of a loving and merciful God. In the

words of St. Augustine: “God hovers in love over the fragments of our brokenness; over the dark and storm tossed waters of our lives, God hovers in mercy.” And this mercy and love is revealed in Christ, especially in his passion and death: “Greater love than this no one has than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

By spending some quiet time in prayer and reflection during Lent, we may be able to take the Pope’s words to heart and experience Christ’s love for us in a way that will make us more hopeful and positive, as well as more meek and charitable.

[Note: The Novena to St. Joseph is on pages 15, 16 and 17].

“Greater love than this no one has than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” - Christ’s journey to Calvary, Crucifixion, Resurrection.

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UR ANNUAL RETREAT as Mill Hill group in Sindh, Pakistan, has been one of the most important sources of our personal and spiritual growth.

When new trials seem to have overtaken us and frustrations due to changing situations burns us out, this time of the year is the perfect time to renew our strength and be filled of the joy that Christ can only give.

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“The stillness of our spiritual journey began on the Feast of St. Francis Of Assisi”

Recognizing our own emptiness and thirst, we as Disciples of Christ generously responded once again to His invitation to “come and see” so that our joy may be complete and that we can continue our joyful witnessing to all.

stations, the Mill Hill group in Sindh, Pakistan, took six days off to nourish body and soul. The stillness of our spiritual journey began on the Feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, a man of prayer and peace, and by coincidence our retreat was held at the Franciscan House in Karachi. The tranquility and peace of the place helped us to launch out into the depth of our prayer and meditation. We were blest by the beautiful surroundings full of trees and tweeting birds. The smell in the air was the smell of plants growing.

Engaged in different apostolates amongst the tribal people and administrative duties in mission

Fr. Joe, a Columban missionary, accompanied us this year; he has been working for many years in Pakistan,

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“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord” accompanying different groups on their retreats and guiding individuals on their spiritual journeys. In his introduction, he reminded us of the plan of God for each and every one of us referring to the text of Jeremiah that says, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.” (Jer 29:11-12).

Acknowledging that we had so many concerns on our minds as we commenced the retreat, Fr. Joe invited us to “cast all our anxieties on the Lord, because he

cares for you.” (1 Pet 5:7) He then guided us individually for six days according to our spiritual needs and individual disposition.

My personal experience of renewal in the joy of Christ during this retreat is obviously the experience of the rest of my Mill Hill brothers. We are filled with the joy of Christ and reassured once more that the plan of God is greater than our own plans and it is His joy to fulfill it in our lives and in our missionary work. With renewed joy, we ended our retreat refreshed and strengthened to go back to our different mission stations to do likewise, to share the Joy of the Gospel and to bear good fruit in our ministry.

[Fr. Denis Hartnett from Ballyhooly, County Cork, is in the photo 1st on the right, back row]

From ‘Laudato Si’ (Pope Francis) An acute water shortage may occur within a few decades unless urgent action is taken. e environmental repercussions could affect billions of people; it is also conceivable that the control of water by large multinational businesses may become a major source of conflict in this century. (Laudato Si: 31) One particularly serious problem is the quality of water available to the poor. Every day, unsafe water results in many deaths and the spread of water-related diseases. … Even as the quality of available water is constantly diminishing, in some places there is a growing tendency, despite its scarcity, to privatize this resource, turning it into a commodity subject to the laws of the market. Yet access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights. (Laudato Si: 29, 30) 5

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FR. LAWRENCE Otieno was ordained in Ngong Diocese, Kenya, on 6/2/2016. He was born in Migori, Homa Bay, but moved to Ngong with his parents at the age of 12. He says that the "the Mill Hill Missionaries whom I met had a profound influence on my missionary call.� He names two Irishmen: Fr. Denis Treacy (sadly now deceased) and Fr. Tom Keane who now works as a Chaplain at Knock Shrine. Lawrence is serving as a Mill Hill priest in St. Jude's Parish, Fundong, Bamenda, Cameroon. Laurence is seen here baptising a Maasai woman.

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Fr. Lawrence celebrating Mass with a group of Maasai.

In the 1950s the Mill Hill Missionaries were sent to begin the work of evangelization in Maasai land “from scratch� - as Bishop Colin Davies puts it in his book: The Mission to The Maasai. Powered by the spirit of love and service, the missionaries went far and wide in the remote and vast territory of the Maasai to share the Gospel with them. The Maasai are a nomadic and pastoralist people, which means that they travel with their herds from one place to another. The simplicity and apostolic zeal of the Missionaries showed itself in the way that they learned the Maasai language, studied the culture and reached out to the people in remote villages. They founded Christian communities, built Churches, Schools, and Health Centres and served the

Maasai, even up to the point of dying for them (like Fr. John Kaiser).

Many Challenges and joyful response These missionaries faced many challenges. I cannot fail to mention, poor roads, limited personnel and resources, and sometimes resistance from the wary Maasai men. However, they kept the Gospel fire alive. These challenges might have made the missionaries feel that they achieved limited success because of the conservative nature of the Maasai which made them respond slowly to the Gospel. On the other hand, in looking back to that time and the context in which they served, it is worth 7

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mentioning that the extra mile which they went has borne much fruit. In many parts of Ngong diocese, the Maasai people have responded to the call to discipleship with joy. Churches in various outstations in this area are filled with Maasai men, women and children on Sundays. They attend the Small Christian Community meetings every week to share the Gospel and to support their neighbours and their diocese.

The presence of the Maasai people from all corners of our diocese at our priestly ordinations on 6/2/2016 is a testament to the joyful response of the Maasai people to the Gospel. On that day three diocesan priests, a deacon and I were ordained in the newly built Cathedral in St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Ngong. It was a day of joy for me and my four companions. Our Mill Hill Missionaries from Uganda, Kenya, diocesan priests and the laity from all the parishes of the diocese of Ngong joined us to celebrate this day. Our ordinations on that day were the fruit of the Spirit and the inspiring work of the Mill Hill Missionaries who served in this diocese.

Humbled and grateful I am humbled to be the first Mill Hill Missionary from the diocese of Ngong though I am not a Maasai. I am very grateful to our Mill Hill Society, and to Mill Hill priests Fr. John Kaiser and Fr. Denis Treacy, who are sadly both now deceased. I am also grateful to Fr. Tom Keane who is back in Ireland and working as a chaplain at Knock Shrine.

These were the first Mill Hillers whom I met and they inspired my vocation. I owe a lot to Bishop John Oballa, the Bishop of Ngong, Fr Richard Barabara, Francis Mwangi, and many other priests and laity from various parishes in the Diocese of Ngong for accompanying me in my vocational journey until I made it to the Altar of the Lord.

The Mill Hill celebration of 150 years (founded in 1866) is indeed a celebration of the love and mercy of God and the Maasai people are grateful to the members of St. Joseph’s Missionary Society of Mill Hill who generously accepted to be channels of this love and mercy to their community.

Please Remember the Missions in your will I bequeath to St Joseph’s Society for the Missions Inc, (Mill Hill Missionaries), Waterford Road, Kilkenny, the sum of e............................................... free of duty to be applied for the general purpose of the said Society, and I declare that the receipt of the Rev. Director for the time being of St Joseph’s Society, Waterford Road, Kilkenny, shall be a sufficient discharge of the same.

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by Fr. Fons Eppink, mhm NTIL RECENTLY disability was looked upon as shameful by many in Kenya and parents would hide a disabled child from public view.

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The reasons for this are complicated but traditional beliefs about ancestral spirits play a significant role in people’s attitudes towards the disabled. When I spoke to George Kombe, a member of staff at the St Francis Rehabilitation Project in Malindi, he told me that occasionally newly recruited staff would disappear after only a brief stint at this home for the disabled in the mistaken belief that caring for the disabled would endanger their own future offspring.

It was a delight to see But attitudes are changing. The St. Francis Rehabilitation Project has played a significant role in making this happen in the coastal area of Kenya. Parents of disabled children now readily come forward to seek 9

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assistance and advice. A small government allowance to such families and awareness raising campaigns, such as ‘disability is not inability’ – have also played their part in changing people’s mindset. Children at the primary school adjacent to St. Francis Home are encouraged to mix and play with the disabled children during breaks between classes. It was a delight to see this in operation when I visited the Centre.

The St Francis Rehabilitation Project is the brain-child of Sr. Anna Muindi (Franciscan Missionaries of St. Joseph) whose vision and drive saw this home for the disabled open its doors in 2007. Since then it has grown into a fully fledged rehabilitation centre for the physically and mentally disabled. The number of boys and girls being cared for now stands at 40.

“They are accepted without distinction of religion or origin” They are aged between 5 and 18.

Most come from very poor and disadvantaged backgrounds. All are accepted on the sole basis of their disability, usually caused by cerebral palsy, with epilepsy and occasionally autism as complicating factors. They are accepted without distinction of religion or origin. Once at the centre they receive 10

expert long term restorative care and medical treatment.

I was deeply impressed both by the infectious joyfulness of these severely disabled youngsters and by the dedication of the staff who care for them.

“Working here is a real vocation”, George Kombe tells me. His own vocation arose from caring for the epileptic child of one of his brothers.

He radiates the quiet joy of someone who has really found his station in life.

Sr Christine Onsongo of The Franciscan Missionaries of St. Joseph is the current director of the Home. She was delighted to explain the workings of the Home to me.

Regular educative contact with the parents is felt to be of the utmost importance. Nor is the field of activity of the staff limited to the centre only. A social worker, physiotherapist and occupational therapist visit rural districts twice a month as part of an outreach programme. They identify problems and treat children where they have the expertise and give advice to parents.

St. Francis Home has a farm in which maize and vegetables are grown. There is a fishpond and they have a few cows, goats, a pen with broiler chickens and even some rabbits.

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But, of course, a programme of this nature and size cannot survive without outside help. Here donor organisations come in. St. Francis Home was built with money from the Irish Government Aid Agency. It is still funded in part by money from Ireland. And then there is Julia Adamson (In photo previous page) from Edinburgh. I met her halfway through my visit to the Centre.

She has been the driving force behind the ‘Malindi Project’ - a Scottish Charity dedicated to supporting disabled children in St Francis Home. And not only is she an expert fund raiser, she also comes to visit and actively join in the care of the children. This, she told me, was her sixth annual visit! I watched with quiet amazement as I saw her feeding some of the most disabled children with great tenderness and good humour during the mid morning break.

It is a labour of love, indeed.

I will finish with a quotation from Jean Vanier – the founder of the L’Arche, an International Federation of Group Homes for people with disabilities: “There is a mystery behind people with disabilities. I find that in many ways, they are a presence of Jesus.

We see their fragility, their pain — and yet at the same time, we can say that they speak to us of God. As we enter into relationship with them, they change us.

I was living in community with a man named Andrew. One day, he went to see a cardiologist. When he came back, I asked him what had happened. He said, “The doctor looked into my heart.” I said, “Well, what did he see in your heart?” Andrew said, “He saw Jesus, of course.” Then I said to him, “What does Jesus do in your heart?” And Andrew said, “Jesus rests there.” In French, the phrase is “Il se repose” — the sense is “He takes his quietness there.”

Sr Christine Onsongo FMSJ (Director) with some of the children at St. Francis Rehabilitation Project in Malindi, Kenya.

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The people in the photo were a large group of pilgrims that Fr. Terence (inset) accompanied to Mount Singai in 2015.

R TERENCE BURKE, is a Mill Hill missionary ministering in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. In August 2016, he delivered the following moving testimony to a group of cancer sufferers and their carers; he shared his personal experience of living with cancer. (August 2016)

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Hello, I am Terry and I have cancer. I have been looking forward to spending this time with you, because I find it gets a little lonely sometimes, for even though I have many kind and caring 12

friends around me, they cannot really know where I am - living with something that may one day kill me.

Only you know where I am - you who also live with cancer and I hope that as we spend this time together and share our experiences, we may receive that strength and peace which comes when two or three gather in the Lord’s name.

I remember clearly the day I was first told that I had cancer and needed an operation immediately - I asked the doctor how long I would live without

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treatment and he told me, “Six months”.

I received the news calmly and then went home and tried to make sense of it.

We all know that we are going to die, but that is “head knowledge”, but when you are told that you have cancer – that your life is probably drawing towards its close – this becomes “heart knowledge”.

You “know”, but that knowledge takes time to absorb. I found this and for a while when people asked me how I was, I didn’t know myself how I was, I was still confused and maybe even angry at the news.

“Where were you when I begged and begged for help?”

However, I did come to accept it rather quickly and even find peace in it, but then I had an advantage. Some twenty years or so ago, I had trouble with alcohol and throughout my troubles I begged and begged the Lord for help, but nothing seemed to happen until the time when I chose to enter rehab. It was a place for priests and the programme included a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament each day and one day I asked the Lord: “Where were you when I begged and begged for help and you did not come?” and I heard him answer: “I was on my knees beside you, every day, begging you to let me in and share your pain, but you did not want me; you wanted only my power, so that you could go on running your life in your own way.”

With a heavy heart, I realised that it

was true. From that day onwards, I have tried to share my life with the Lord - to hand over to him the difficulties I come up against and to give myself into his hands when I find things are beyond me.

It is a way of life that I am still learning day by day and it is summed up in the Serenity prayer: O God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.

“Only drowning men and women can see him (Jesus)” I made that surrender to the Lord once more when I heard the news of my cancer and he has given me a most deep peace; he has healed me at the deepest level of my being, for I have been brought to “know” that I am in his hands and so can accept myself just as I am, knowing that I am safe with him. I know that when it is time for him to take me home my life will be complete. He will not let me die before it is so, and it also means that while I still have life, there is still something for me to do and this helps me greet each day with anticipation.

When I met you, as you arrived today, my dear fellow cancer sufferers, I felt that same peace coming from your hearts, for the awareness of the sickness within us opens that door to the Lord’s love and care that only people like us can know. Leonard Cohen sings in one of his songs: “Jesus chose to walk upon the water, because only drowning men and women can see him.”

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We are sharing in the Cross of Christ, my friends, and our sufferings, both present and to come, help further the redemption of the world. We do not know how this happens, but it is our Faith that when we pray for others, love and compassion is released into the world – a power of healing.

The power of someone’s prayer As a young missionary, I once experienced the power of the prayers for me of an elderly lady who suffered greatly from arthritis. On one occasion on a long and difficult journey in Sarawak, I collapsed with exhaustion, but slowly became aware of the power of her prayers somehow getting me to my feet and urging me on, when all my strength seemed to have vanished.

The world needs our prayers, especially those who carry God’s mercy and compassion to those in need. They do not go out through their own strength, but, as St Therese taught, through the loving prayers of the sick and elderly and weak of this world.

Someone somewhere lies prostrate, as I once was, waiting for our prayer to lift them to their feet once more – may our prayers go out beyond our own needs to all those who need help.

Deeply appreciative of carers And to you, our dear friends and carers who have also come here today, we are deeply appreciative of the love and care you show us. Your love often seems the only good thing that our cancer brings us, for it has drawn us 14

closer together with you than we would otherwise be. However, we also need you to help us rejoice in the life we still have.

Thoughts must cross your mind that maybe you will have us with you for only a limited time and this may cause you to be sad, but we are with you now so help us to live fully and joyfully the time we still have together with you.

Because our possible death has become something real to us, we need to talk to you about our lives; we need to tell you of old memories (some sad, others of regret, but others still full of joy) of the people we have loved, of the ones who have loved us and the wonders of life we have known. We need you to help us bring our life together in this way, so be not sad for us, but enjoy us; help us to live richly, fully and with hope, that the peace of Christ which fills our hearts may also be yours. Amen.

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Novena to St. Joseph Sunday, March 12 - Monday, March 20 (Feast of St. Joseph this year - transferred from Sunday 19) Please join us in our 9 Day Novena of Masses and Prayers by reading the short daily reflections given on pages 16-17, and saying the Novena Prayer to St. Joseph (given below and also on the leaflet you received). In addition to the nine day Novena of Masses, a Mass will be offered each day of March for your intentions.

People living in the Kilkenny area are invited to join us each evening at 8pm for the nine day Novena at: Mill Hill Missionaries, St. Joseph’s, Waterford Road, Kilkenny.

NOVENA PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH Ever glorious St. Joseph, good and faithful servant, God was pleased to place his own family in your care. We thank you for being such a wonderful example of humility and faith, of prayerfulness and courage, in your ordinary daily life.

Through your intercession, may God grant us the blessing of living continually in his presence, and responsing to his love in our daily lives.

Most loving St. Joseph, accept our Novena prayers and obtain for us through your powerful intercession, the favours we ask for in this Novena ... mention your requests.

When we have lived our days on earth, may God give us the great joy he gave you St. Joseph - that of entering eternal life in the company of Jesus and Mary. Amen.

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NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH MARCH 12 - MARCH 20 (Feast of St. Joseph - Transferred from 19) Each day, please join our Novena: read and contemplate the thought for the day, and then read the Novena Prayer on p.15 - same on leaflet.

Add: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be...

March 12th Joseph took the child and his mother and left for Egypt. (Mt. 2:14) St. Joseph patron and protector

When Cardinal Vaughan founded the Mill Hill Missionaries (St. Joseph’s Missionary Society) in 1866, he chose St. Joseph to be the patron and protector of his missionaries - as he was for Jesus and Mary and is for us. He also pointed to St. Joseph as a model for missionary life - steady, quiet work in an unusual faith situation, always close to Jesus and Mary his mother.

March. 13th Joseph the just March. 14h

Joseph was a just man who always did what was right (Mt. 1:19).

What a predicament Joseph was in when he discovered Mary was pregnant. He was a just man. God would show him. He trusted in God’s guidance to show him the way. When we are troubled and worried, may we too learn to trust in God. If you listen to me you will know what is right and just (Prov.2:9)

Joseph the listener

Joseph was one who listened. No spoken word is recorded of him.

God’s word came to him in silence. Constant noise prevents us from listening and hearing. We ask Joseph to help us carve out a quiet time in our day to listen to God.

March 15th

The Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph (Mt. 1:20).

Joseph man of vision

God spoke to him in dreams and visions, yet he was a very ordinary man.

God speaks to each of us ordinary people. We ask Joseph to help us to be sensitive to God’s presence with us.

March 16th

Joseph went to David’s town Bethlehem, because he was of the house of David . (Lk. 2:4).

Though of the Royal family of David, Joseph was ordinary and faced Joseph many family problems such as Mary’s pregnancy, the threat to the life the family man of Jesus, exile, how to make ends meet. We ask Joseph to protect our families too - and strengthen us in love.

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March 17th

Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival (Lk. 2:41).

As husband and parent in the Holy Family, Joseph observed religious feasts; he went to the Synagogue on the Sabbath and prayed the Psalms at regular times during the day. We ask Joseph to help us to live prayerful lives, by spending quiet time in prayer each day, and taking part in the church’s liturgy.

Joseph man of prayer

March 18th

And Joseph named him Jesus (Mt. 1:25).

Joseph taught Jesus his prayers, brought him to the Synagogue, introduced him to the Scriptures and taught him all the religious practices of a devout Jew. Strong family guidance, setting Christian standards of behaviour and worship, are badly needed in families and society today.

Joseph the teacher

Isn’t he the carpenter’s Son (Mt. 13:55).

March 19th Joseph the worker

March 20th Feast of St. Joseph

Joseph taught Jesus his trade. Joseph loved his work and knew its dignity. He also knew what people suffer in times of hardship and unemployment. Work is not just a means of making money. It is a service to others, a sharing in the redemptive work of Jesus, a means of creating order and beauty and making the world a better place. We ask Joseph to help us appreciate the dignity of work and grant us meaningful employment.

To Love and to serve - Our Mill Hill Motto ‘To love and to serve’ is the motto that was chosen by Herbert Vaughan in 1866 for St. Joseph’s Missionary Society. He pointed to the example of St. Joseph’s life of loving service and wanted his future missionaries to love and to serve. In 2016 the Mill Hill Missionaries celebrated 150 years of missionary service. We are also very aware that our mission continues: we now have over 80 Mill Hill priests from Africa and Asia and 150 students preparing for the priesthood. So we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph with gratitude for the past and hope for the future.

Please join us in our nine-day Novena to St Joseph.

This year his Feast is transferred from Sunday the 19th to Monday the 20th of March.

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Mill Hill Jubilees - 2017 Fr. Matt Carpenter – Diamond Jubilee Fr. Matt Carpenter was born (1933) in North Meath - in Rathkenny parish. In the years 1946 to 1957 he studied in Freshford, Roosendaal, and Mill Hill where he was ordained in 1957, one of a group of 40. The following 12 years were spent on the home front as a science student (UCC) and science treacher; he did Education studies in a Glasgow TTC, followed by teaching duties in Mill Hill Colleges in Lochwinnoch (Scotland) and Freshford, Co. Kilkenny (1961-69).

In 1969 the Superior General granted his request to be appointed to the Missions to engage only in pastoral work. His assignment was to Miri diocese in Malaysian Borneo. His experience there, serving a Chinese community under the leadership of Bishop Galvin, was later to fuel his desire to get into Mainland China (then in the throes of the Cultural Revolution) to help serve the dire humanitarian needs of that great country. However 1977 found him back in Europe as a staff-member of the Mill Hill seminary in Roosendaal, the Netherlands.

But in 1981 he was able to enter China - under the radar - as Mr Carpenter, a teacher of English. After 20 years of English teaching (for which he was awarded the State Friendship Medal in 2002) he set up a Non-Governmental Organisation in South West China with the help of Chinese-speaking volunteers from Malaysia to work among the rural poor. The Organisation is called ‘ABDA’ (‘Asia Bridge Development Association’) and has been under lay leadership in recent years.

Matt describes his 33 years in Mainland China as a rather tense yet very rewarding experience. He has written about this in earlier Issues of St. Joseph’s Advocate. It was what he described as ‘Mission Unplanned’ in his article in the Advocate of Spring 2015. He noted that “the two biggest problems in the beginning were loneliness and the incredible culture of control.” Part of his time was spent teaching English in subarctic Manchuria. The nearest frontier to the north was Siberia and to the south was North Korea - not great places to run to in times of danger!

In 2015, at the age of 82, Matt retired to Dublin leaving the ABDA organisation in very capable local hands. He has now happily settled down in St. Joseph’s House among his fellow Mill Hill Members, many of whom are retired like Matt himself.

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Fr. Terry Lee – Diamond Jubilee Fr. Terry Lee from Cootehill, Co. Cavan, is one of a family of eight brothers and three sisters. His brother, Fr. Hugh, is also a Mill Hill Missionary. After completing his University studies, he taught for three years in St. Joseph's College, Freshford.

In 1966, he was appointed to the United States where he has spent the past 50 years in Mission Promotion work, Vocations work, Pastoral work and Fund raising. This might give the impression that Terry operated from the confines of an isolated office most of the time, but this was not the case, as Terry was always in close touch with people through his pastoral and parish work and the various ministries mentioned.

The first eleven years in the United States were spent in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was Rector from 1970-1977. He was based in Los Angeles for the next seventeen years where he served terms both as Rector and Regional Bursar. In 1995 he was elected Regional Director of the North American Region and moved to our house in Yonkers. In 1996 he negotiated the purchase of our present house in Hartsdale, NY. In 2002, at the end of his term as Regional Director, he took on a parish assignment at St. Margaret of Cortona Church, Bronx, New York. In 2008, he returned to our Hartsdale house as Rector where he is currently serving.

Fr. Terry looks back in thanksgiving on the many people in various parts of the United States that he was called upon to serve and on their great hospitality, loyalty and support for our missionary apostolate.

We congratulate our Jubilarians as they celebrate many years of loving service in St. Joseph’s Missionary Society of Mill Hill.

“Be missionaries of God’s love and tenderness and mercy.”

(Pope Francis)

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N CHAPTER 20 of John’s Gospel we are told the story of doubting Thomas. When the Risen Saviour appeared to the other Apostles, Thomas was not with them and when they told him that they had seen the Lord, he refused to believe them.

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The others might be suffering from illusions but not Thomas, a down-to-earth practical man: “Unless I see the holes the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.” Then eight days later the Lord appeared to the disciples again with Thomas present. Jesus invited Thomas to touch his wounds - even to put his hand into his wounded side: “Doubt no longer but believe.”

Then came Thomas’ beautiful profession of faith: “My Lord and my God.” And our Lord’s response: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

Thomas made his profession of faith after 20

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Jesus invited him to touch his wounds.

In John’s Gospel the recognition in faith of Christ’s divinity is linked to the touching of His wounds. As the prophet Isaiah had foretold: “by His wounds we are healed.”

The story of Thomas is related to strengthen our Faith in the Risen Christ.

The tough minded, no-nonsense Thomas was not looking for signs of splendour, only the wounds of Christ. In John’s Gospel, the Cross of Jesus and the glory of the Resurrection are two sides of the one reality.

So many people discovered Christ in the wounds of the poor.

Today’s world likes to point to the spectacular, the splendour, and the record-breaker. But more people are brought to Christ by the touching of His wounds. St. Teresa of Calcutta discovered Christ in the wounds of the poor of Calcutta, Jan Vanier in the wounds of the disabled, Oscar Romero and Martin Luther King in the wounds of their people inflicted by discrimination and injustice.

The story of the conversion of the young Francis of Assisi is very relevant here. Passing a leper one day, his whole instinct was to pass by as quickly as possible. But he won a great battle over his natural repugnance when he turned round and embraced the leper. He later wrote how what seemed bitter was changed to sweetness because he had embraced Christ in the leper. A new Francis was born out of the wounds of

the leper. In that touch, he embraced the wounded Christ and his own wounded self and discovered his mission.

We too can embrace the leper within ourselves when we accept our faults and frailty in humble confession and meet the merciful Christ. We embrace the leper in our brothers and sisters when we accept them in their shortcomings, embrace them and forgive them, showing mercy and compassion. In doing this we are following the Call of Pope Francis in this ‘Holy Year of Mercy’ to proclaim the joy of the Gospel to the world in new ways, bringing God’s mercy to everyone.

From being a celebrity, he was now a despised man.

When Oscar Wilde was sent to prison he was almost in despair. From being a great celebrity he was now a despised, miserable man. He captures the mood in one of his poems “E Tenebris” (Out of darkness): “The wine of life is spilt upon the sand, My heart is as some famine-murdered land, Whence all good things have perished utterly” He fears the wrath of God, even hell-fire itself. What saved him and brought him peace was the wounded hands and the weary human face of Christ crucified.

“Nay, peace, I shall behold before the night, The feet of brass, the robe more white than snow, The wounded hands, the weary human face” 21

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Legacy of Irish Missionaries ‘The Legacy of Irish Missionaries Lives On’ is a new book by Matt Moran exploring how the legacy of Irish missionaries is being continued in Africa, Asia, and South America.

The photograph illustrates this in the context of Mill Hill, with Fr. Donal Harney flanked on his right by Fr. John Akain from Cameroon and on his left by Fr Charles Okata from Uganda. Donal taught Charles for five years in secondary school. John and Charles are both studying in Ireland at present and were on a visit to Kilkenny.

The book is sponsored by the Irish Missionary Union and Trocaire; it is published by OnStream Publications, Cork, and was launched by Senator Rónán Mullen on the 19th of October. It contains aricles and reflections from across four continents by missionaries, leaders of church and state, various diplomats, many documentary-makers, journalists, development consultants, academics, as well as some beneficiaries 22

of the work of missionaries including a tribal chief in Nigeria.

The numbers of Irish missionaries now serving in developing countries has declined to 1,100 and there are few new entrants to missionary congregations in Ireland. Unlike earlier books giving a historical record, this book illustrates how the work initiated by the Irish is being continued by indigenous members

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of their congregations in Africa, Asia and South America, where vocations are plentiful and by diocesan congregations that some Irish missionaries founded particularly in Africa and in India. Other topics covered include the increasing role of faith in international development, the influence of missionaries and faith values on the evolution of Ireland’s overseas aid programme in the early 1970s, the advocacy and social justice work carried out by religious at the UN, parish twinning as a new bridge between communities in Ireland and in developing countries, and the role of lay volunteers not only in the global south but also within the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Missionaries receive significant Irish Aid funding through Misean Cara.

The book advances a strong case for the continuation of that funding to local and indigenous missionaries whose development and humanitarian work amongst the poor is an integral part of Ireland’s overseas aid programme.

In her foreword to the book, Mary Robinson says: “Missionaries are an important part of our diaspora. Their committed work, as illustrated dispassionately in this book and supported with diverse testimonial evidence, has helped to establish recognition of Irish values internationally.

The missionary movement is firmly enshrined as a key part of our national heritage. This book commends the past and points to the future where the work of the Irish will be continued in a new era by local and indigenous missionaries and

by Irish lay missionary volunteers. It will be a valuable resource for historians and documentary makers, for students undertaking research, for those interested in international development and volunteering, and for media personnel, as well as the general reader. I am pleased to recommend it.”

‘The Legacy of Irish Missionaries Lives On’ is available in bookshops or online at www.onstream.ie.

Profit from sales will go to ‘World Missions Ireland’ for their missionary activity.

[Matt Moran is a former Chairman of Misean Cara – which was set up in 2004 to distribute Irish Government Aid to missionaries to support their work in developing countries. Irish missionaries and their colleagues are one of the largest developmental networks worldwide. Misean Cara distributed 14 million Euros in funding to missionaries in 49 countries in 2014.]

(The legacy of our own Mill Hill Missionaries lives on with 83 Mill Hill priests now from Africa and Asia and around 150 students in our Formation Centres.)

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HAVE JUST finished reading the latest Issue of St. Joseph's Advocate which I have enjoyed.

After reading it, I thought of dropping a line to you as the editor in view of a grant we got from the Irish Region of Mill Hill which helped us to complete our St. Joseph’s Chapel for our Mill Hill Formation House. At some stage you may include a few words of appreciation in your Magazine.

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On the 2nd of October 2016, the Mill Hill Formation Community, Bamenda, opened the new formation year 24

2016/2017 with a joyful and beautiful celebration of the Eucharist in their newly constructed St. Joseph’s Chapel.

It was my privilege as Rector to lead the celebration together with Frs. Elvis Shudzeka and Arnold Verhoeven, who both help with the Formation of the students and are also members of the Society Council in Cameroon. Another Mill Hill priest, Fr. Tiberius Vuni, was also present as well as, of course, the students. The occasion was meant to be low key in view of a bigger occasion yet to come: the official opening of the Chapel by the General Superior.

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During the Eucharistic celebration of opening of a new formation year, we had wonderful prayers and hymns thanking God for the gift of the new beautiful Chapel. In the past, the formation community had been using the Mill Hill Central House Chapel with limited space for community prayers and the celebration of the Eucharist.

However, with the growth of the formation community, this became inadequate for the liturgical needs of the formation community and the Mill Hill family in Cameroon. Whenever they came together, students and members had to squeeze into the chapel which was never a good experience and often did not promote a real atmosphere for prayer.

We thank God for our new St. Joseph’s Chapel with a capacity of up to 90 people. It offers enough space not only for the formation community, which in the new formation year stands at 37 students and two staff members; it

“The Chapel will serve as a focus - with a capacity of up to 90” also provides space for both the Mill Hill members in Cameroon and the friends of Mill Hill who on different occasions join the Mill Hill Family for the celebration of the Eucharist. It is our hope and prayer that this chapel will be the Heart of our Formation and will continue to serve as a focus for both members and students whom we prepare for mission and for loving service.

Though we started to use the Chapel at the beginning of a new formation year, the formation community and the Mill Hill family in Cameroon awaits its official opening in January 2017 by the General Superior, Fr. Michael Corcoran, when he will be on visitation to our missions and members in Cameroon.

On behalf of the entire Mill Hill Formation Community and the Mill Hill Family in Cameroon, I wish to express our sincere thanks and great appreciation to the General Council and the Irish Region who, through their financial support, enabled us to realise the project of our beautiful St. Joseph’s Chapel.

May the Lord reward your kind generosity.

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Fr. Paul Hien and his brother (also a priest) with their mother and family members.

R. PAUL HIEN is a Mill Hill Missionary priest who has a fascinating story to tell.

Together with his youngest brother, he escaped from his native country, Vietnam, nearly 40 years ago, as one of the ‘boat people’ who fled as refugees from the Communist regime.

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In 2016, Paul celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination as a Mill Hill priest and made a visit to Vietnam to see his ageing mother and family. It was a joyful homecoming.

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Thirty eight years ago, when Paul and his companions set out on the open seas there were 133 men, women and children crammed into a fishing boat that could only accommodate 40 people.

They set off into the unknown across the South China Sea towards Borneo – over 1,000 kilometres away. Paul describes the experience: “The first night we ran into a heavy storm and thought we would all go down into the deep; the boat shook as huge waves poured into it.

Those who were able tried to scoop out the water. Many were desperately sick and only half-conscious; others uttered desperate prayers for divine help. After some hours the storm abated and the sea calmed.”

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“We went six days without food – our rice and drinking water having been lost in the storm. We survived just on rainwater which we collected in anything that could hold water: plastic bags, raincoats, a hat or a towel. For six days and nights we remained surrounded by water. We saw many big ships passing by. We hoped one of them might take pity on us and come to our help, but none did. On the afternoon of the sixth day a female nurse slipped while trying to collect rain water and fell into the sea.

She was soon rescued by our younger men, but it was too late – she had died.

Just then a big Dutch cargo ship came near, asking if we were in trouble.

“Good Samaritans had come to our aid ” They saw the dead woman laid out on the boat. Immediately they lowered rope

ladders and started to take us to safety on board. Good Samaritans had come to our aid, just when we were in deep trouble and most fearful. We were brought to Singapore, where we stayed for two and a half months. We were then scattered to various countries which offered us asylum.”

“Netherlands, Mill Hill, and visits home ” “I and my brother were given asylum in the Netherlands. It was there I started my new life, and eventually joined the Mill Hill Missionaries. I was ordained in 1991. I hoped that one day I might be able to return to Vietnam as a missionary priest. Meanwhile, many priests back home had been put in prison; even the Bishop was imprisoned.

All seminarians and Religious were sent back home. Foreign missionaries were

Fr. Paul with fellow Jubilarians in Dublin on July 10th, 2016. From left: Frs. Donal Harney, Michael O’Brien, Gerald Doyle and Paul. Paul spent two years studying in Dublin.

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Fr. Paul (front row, centre) with some friends in one of the churches that he visited.

expelled. Catholics had to find a new way to practise their faith.”

Many years later Paul was eventually able to make his first visit to his homeland to see his mother and other family members. He was able to be present at the ordination of his brother as a priest. For years the Communist Government forbade ordinations but that changed. Now Fr Paul was able to concelebrate a Thanksgiving Mass with his brother in his own village, in the presence of many friends and family members, and especially his mother.

She said, “Thanks be to God who has done great things for all of us. God is so 28

beautiful and good.”

Since his ordination 25 years ago, Fr Paul has worked as a Mill Hill Missionary in Kenya, India and Uganda.

In 2016, his Silver Jubilee year, he made another joyful visit to his homeland to see his mother and family. He writes of his impressions of a changing Vietnam: “Since 1975 Vietnam has gone from a population of around 30 million to 95 million at present.

In the last decade the economy has grown rapidly. The Communist Party is still in absolute control, keeping a tight grip on all aspects of life in the country.

It has encouraged foreign companies to

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invest and industrialise. My own small village that I left 37 years ago is now an industrialised zone with over 40,000 workers who have migrated from every corner of Vietnam.

“In my travels in the south and north of Vietnam I was struck by the large number of churches everywhere, most of them Catholic. Many new churches are being built, and parishes being established. But there are also many historic churches built by the French and Portuguese missionaries in the 18th and 19th centuries.

“Sunday Masses are crowded with worshippers ” Sunday Masses are crowded with worshippers. The new church buildings are the pride of the local communities, and have been built with the financial help of the many people who fled the country at the time of the Communist

takeover. But there is also substantial local support. People really care for their church and work hard for it in every way – providing their labour for maintenance and giving their spiritual support.”

“One might conclude that there must be a fair degree of freedom of religion.

Freedom, however, can never be fully understood unless one lives it! Bishops are now free to ordain as many priests as they have candidates. Many religious congregations, including international ones, attract new members. In fact, the Catholic Church in Vietnam is now reaping the fruits of past hardships.

However, Church authorities are unable to denounce the violations of human rights, the inhuman working conditions in factories, and the blatant pollution of the air, the rivers, the sea. Even the food (imported from China) made available for the workers is of such poor quality that they joke, ‘the ants and the cockroaches do not dare come near it!’

Procession, with brass band, on the way to the parish Church in Vietnam.

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AT THE INVITATION of Bishop J.L. Brenninkmeijer OP, the then Bishop of Kroonstad, the Mill Hill Missionaries were asked to work in the post-apartheid South Africa for reconciliation through engagement in work with migrant workers, peoples of different tribes focusing on community building and reconciliation in the townships of the Northern Free State and more recently the diocese of Rustenburg.

Since the arrival of the first Mill Hill Missionaries in 1998, a lot of effort has gone into this mission. Over the past 18 years, our missionaries have been witnessing to Christ, building

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communities of faith in the spirit of our Mill Hill Motto: ‘To love and to serve’.

People have been reached in their different situations of life in need of either spiritual or emotional healing. This mission has been life giving to the community. In fact, the renewed spirit of evangelization of the Church in Southern Africa is bearing fruit, with slight increases in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, with Mill Hill involved in local recruitment and the ongoing processes of spiritual formation.

Society has become more divided In the recent past, South Africa has witnessed a slowdown in the economy with increasing rates of unemployment

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and a falling rand (currency). Prices of Renewed spirit of mission basic commodities are increasing every Over the years our missionaries in day. The worm of corruption is gnawing at different mission areas have worked the very fabric of society. South Africa tirelessly in promoting justice and peace, may well enter a period of political communion and unity, amongst blacks and instability with calls for President Jacob Zuma to resign. The society has become whites. As agents of reconciliation they more divided and the dignity of the people foster love, dignity and respect as core has been violated by increasing murders virtues in the formation of Christian and strikes that have often led to the communities which are the future of the burning down of property and loss of life. Church in South Africa. The international Recent racist utterances have hindered the spirit of missionaries in South Africa is in healing process of a united rainbow South tune with the all-inclusive mission of the Africa. The attacks on foreigners, church. The stability of life, creativity, although on a reduced scale, continue to openness, fraternity and commitment to language has renewed be a cause of concern.

‘Fees must fall’ is a popular vision in ministry. slogan in South Africa at present. In Sadly, the black line with the renewed vigour in mission Lay leadership one might add: people are divided formation and emCorruption must fall; along tribal lines and Unemployment must fall; powerment of women the rich are becoming Rape must fall; Tribalism and youth highlights richer and the poor must fall; Racism must fall; the future of the Pride must fall; Selfishness poorer. Crime related church in the coming must fall; Crime must fall, Etc. violence on the streets years. In the midst of and townships is becoming unbearable. The chaos, people are strengthened in hope rapid increase in the use of drugs, often by with the daily reception of the sacraments. the young teenage boys and girls, is In the face of uncertainty, the mission of alarming. The increasing HIV rates and the early drop out in schools due to early the Church in South Africa remains: to pregnancies and laziness has become a norm journey with people, proclaiming the Good News of love and forgiveness and among the youth. casting light on their worries and Higher education has become very difficulties provoked by the current crisis. expensive with the shocking increase of Today in South Africa, mission has its goal university fees. One can easily see the of moving the society from hatred to love, increasing rates of divorce and the broken exclusion to inclusion, rejection to families in a broken society. The gap between acceptance, outsider to an insider, despair to faith and practice has been a challenge to the hope, guilt to forgiveness, sin to church. In the midst of these challenges, one righteousness, death to life. wonders what will happen to South Africa in (Written by Fr. Anthony Ndang Ndichia who the next few years? Where are we heading ? is a Mill Hill Missionary from Cameroon What are the missionaries doing in this “land working in South Africa) of contradictions?”

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Obituary List (Spring 2017 - up to and including 1/12/2016)

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on the souls of: Patrick Carpenter, brother of Fr. Matt Carpenter, MHM Michael Staunton, brother of Fr. Fachtna Staunton, MHM Promoters and Box Holders: Seamus Farrell, Dymphna Mangan, Joe Whyte.

Members: Sr Kathleen Murphy, Aiden Allen, Ann Allen, Anastasia Banville, Michael Barrett, Mary Bergin, Shem Bergin, Bridget Berkery, Francie Boyle, Brendan Brennan, John Brogan, Christy Buckley, Maura Burns, Michael Butler, John Joe Cahill, Patrick Cashman, Nellie Campion, Mary Caulfield, Susan Cleary, Bridie Cleere, Kathleen Corless, Sean Costello, Kathleen Costello, Mary Cox, Phyllis Cummins, Maureen Daly, Patrick Dargan, Joe Dawson, Kathleen Dawson, Margaret Desmond, Brigid Donnelly, Kathleen Donnelly, Josie Dunne, Edward Dunnion, Lizzie Evans, Michael Fahey, Annie Faughnan, Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Deborah Fitzpatrick, Nora Folan, Katherine Foley, Sarah Furlong, Owen Giblin, Nancy Gleeson, Nora Halley, Kay Hamill, Breda Harkin, Brendan Harrington, Helen Hoban, Bridie Horgan, Rosaleen Hughes, Mary Keegan, Frank Kelly, Betty 32

Kenny, Tom Kent, Paddy Killian, Mary J Kinehan, Bridget Laffey, Mary Laheen, Carmel Lane, Kathleen Lanigan, Margaret Linehan, Noreen Long, Bridget Lowry, Mary Mackey, Mary Marron, Dympna Melia Francis Mellett, John Mooney, Kathleen Moriarty, Evelyn Moynagh, Mary Mulroe, Margaret Madden, Christina Mulhare, Phil Murray, Michael McCarthy, Margaret (Peggy) McCarthy, Peggy McCarthy, Mrs M McCleene, Agnes McCracken, Helena McCullough, Thomas McCullough (snr), Margaret McDermott, David McMahon, Paddy McManamon, Eileen McQuade, Kathleen O’Brien, Neil O’Brien, Anna O’Donnell, Eugene O’Grady, Patrick O’Hagan, Joseph O’Shea, Bina Rabbitte, Anne Reilly, Rose Redmond, Sheila Rehill, Mary C. Ryan, Kenneth Slevin, Desmond Smyth, Edward Teague, Patrick Tobin, Bridie Trant, Sheila Twomey, Kitty Walsh, Betty White.

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• • • • •

It keeps our friends and supporters in touch with our missionary work.

It promotes devotion to St. Joseph - our patron and protector It is published from our house in Kilkenny. There are three issues per year plus a Calendar at Christmas. It is sent to all our members.

Membership is e10.00 per year, £7.00 for those in the sterling area, $12 for the U.S. Most members give generously to help our missionary work and we deeply appreciate their great support.

If you would like to become a member and receive the Advocate, please contact: Fr. Director, Mill Hill Missionaries, Waterford Road, Kilkenny.

I enclose e10 for: (Please tick)

r New Membership r Renewal of Membership (If you have not renewed) Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......................................................

Perhaps you might interest a friend in becoming a member. All help for our missionary apostolate is deeply appreciated, and you share in the prayers and good works of our missionaries.

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Traditional Gaelic Blessing May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His Hand.