Dear Mission Friend,
During February, the Church celebrates World Day of Prayer for the Sick. This year, the Holy Father chose this Scripture verse as the theme for his message: "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." (Lk. 17: 19)
That verse from St. Luke’s gospel is found in the story of the ten lepers who were cured by Jesus. As you recall, only one of the lepers, a Samaritan, returned to thank him. Pope Benedict tells us that this verse should remind us of the importance of faith when, burdened by suffering, we draw near to the Lord.
Each day, I receive letters from friends and benefactors who are facing serious illnesses, and here at Techny, many of our retired missionaries are also dealing with debilitating conditions. One of the passages in the Pope’s message reminded me of the witness they give during their suffering: "A time of suffering, in which one could be tempted to abandon oneself to discouragement and hopelessness, can thus be transformed into a time of grace so as to return to oneself, and like the prodigal son of the parable, to think anew about one’s life, recognizing its errors an failures, longing for the embrace of the Father, and following the pathway to his home."
As we celebrate World Day of Prayer for the Sick, I assure you that our missionaries around the world remember all of our friends and benefactors who are facing illness.
Thank you again for your friendship and for the sacrifices you make for the missions.
Yours in the Divine Word,
Bro. Dennis Newton SVD
Mission Director