A few weeks ago Maria Johnson, Director of Hispanic Ministry, sent a note to Columban Father Maurice Foley asking him to write some articles about his missionary experience. Following 20 years in Korea and 36 years in Latin America, Fr. Maurice returned to his home country of Ireland. Following please find Fr. Foley’s response to Maria’s request and her reflection:
Baptism of Rian with his parents, and his grandparents Derek Coombes and Roisin Kelly Coombes, May 14, 2016.
In March 2013, Columban Fr. Bobby Gilmore wrote this letter to his niece Sarah and her husband Rob when he found out that Annabel Grace was born with Cystic Fibrosis.
Dear Rob and Sarah,
Just got the news about Annabel Grace and I said, God, why Annabel Grace? And God said, “Leave that to Annabel Grace and Me.”
Then, I said, “God, why Rob and Sarah?”
The farmers have just cultivated their crops, such as corns and potatoes.
A long time ago in Japan there lived a travelling man who went from place to place with his monkey who could dance. Sometimes he played music or sang and the monkey danced along with the music. After he put on a show he got money from the people who watched. After a while the monkey got old and stiff, and he was no longer able to dance very well.
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The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.