Sharing Christ Across Cultures and Faiths
From the Mission Blog
On the Wings of Butterflies
As we approach the anniversary of the Butterfly Garden at Fatima Shrine, later this fall, we felt a need to go back to its beginnings and the symbol of hope it holds for many families who lost children and loved ones to the opioid crisis and to the scourge of other addictions.
Many may not be aware of this, but Fr. Francis Signorelli was a significant influence for some of us as we grieved the sudden death of Ryan, my foster son, who died from an overdose after a difficult life for so many reasons. His name and picture appear in the center of the garden, but his sad passing was deeply reflected in a large community of families who also grieve every day for their daughters and sons. Their names are inscribed in red brick throughout the garden.
Fatima Shrine Featured on CatholicTV of Boston
Monthly Prayer Guide from the Laudato Si Project of Fatima Shrine
Download here
Fatima Days 2025 for the Jubilee of Hope
In the Church’s interfaith movement, one of our unique opportunities is our interfaith solidarity, religious and secular dialogue, and collaboration. We began this work in 2013 by gathering secular humanists and spiritual leaders at our conference center in Coatbridge, Scotland. We continued this work in 2015 by convening a similar conference at Rutgers University in New Jersey, with secular and religious voices seeking common ground. For the last eight years, we have gathered a MeetUp group of religious and secular friends once a month. Search here on our website for a recap of these events, church teaching on understanding the culture of unbelief, and blog posts and articles written for further study. Our conversations now take place directly on Zoom without using Meetup. Contact missionmedia@xaverianmissionaries.org for more information.
LISTENING TO THOSE WHO LEFT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
In America the landscape of the Catholic Church is changing dramatically, as is all religious communities and institutions. The new mission of the Xaverian Missionaries seeks to engage with our Catholic tradition to all outside of the church, Christianity, and even religion itself. The departure of those formed in the Catholic faith is felt in every parish. Disaffiliated families make up the majority of Catholic communities throughout the country.
We listen to those who left the church and sacramental practice lovingly and empathetically.
We root ourselves in these departure narratives, learning about their world and how they walk in it.
We gain deeper insight into the needs, longings, and desires of young people and others, and in dialogue with our tradition, we can change our pastoral maps and parish cultures, beginning in Catholic families.
Catholic Interfaith Solidarity
Check out the latest resources and opportunities for Catholics and others to share our lives, faith, and friendship with people of other faiths and traditions. Click here. Other resources for interfaith dialogue may be found here.
