The Work Goes On, Amid Tragedy

By now, readers are well aware of the immense earthquake that rocked Japan last week, followed by an incredible tsunami. Adding to the woes of the people is the now unstable state of Japan’s nuclear facilities. Their situation affects us all as brothers and sisters of Christ; it affects us directly as One Family in Mission because of the loss of one of our own.

Fr. Andre Lachapelle, 76, a Canadian missionary, serving in Japan for 50 years as part of Canada’s Foreign Mission Society, died in the aftermath of the quake as he headed back to his parish to tend to his flock. Fr. Lachapelle also served as a prison chaplain for 25 years doing the work of many missionaries: tending to the marginalized. Please pray for him and the parish family he leaves behind.

The United States’ equivalent of the Foreign Mission Society is the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. Founded 100 years ago from this office by our Society’s Director, Fr. James Anthony Walsh, Maryknoll has many priests on mission in Japan including Fr. Frank Riha from Holy Name Parish in West Roxbury. Though he and his fellow Maryknollers are safe, the job of rebuilding will be enormous.

To help in this important task, we ask for your support by using our Easter Enrollment and Mass Cards during this holiday season. The offering for a one year enrollment in the Society is $5; members, both living and deceased, will be remembered at countless Masses said in the Missions during their year of membership. They will also be the intention of an Easter Sunday Liturgy celebrated by our Director, Fr. Rodney Copp.

The Easter Mass Cards are offered for $10 each. These beautiful cards ensure that a Mass will be said by a Maryknoll priest in Japan, to whom the stipend will be sent. In that way, you will be making a direct contribution to the well being of an American mission priest in Japan, as well as ensuring that he is able to continue to serve the people that God has entrusted to his care.

To order your Easter cards (Enrollment card on left, Mass card on right), please call our office at 617-542-1776 or email us at [email protected] You can also visit our website: www.propfaithboston.org and click here to download an order form. We thank you in advance for being part of our Mission Family as we reach out to those in immediate need.
-Maureen Crowley Heil