Sharing Christ Across Faiths and Cultures

Annual Xaverian Mission Festival in Wisconsin is Approaching

For more information franklin@xaverianmissionaries.org

---

Introducing the Filipino Community of Fatima Shrine: A New Chapter at an Historic Landmark

For over 70 years, the Missionary Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima has been a place of quiet reflection in Holliston. In 2025, a new energy arrived at the Shrine as our community gathered for its very first Mass in honor of San Lorenzo Ruiz. Today, every Sunday at 1:00 PM, the chapel comes alive with bilingual prayers, traditional hymns, and a shared joy that brings the warmth of the Philippines to New England.

Our Journey: From Vision to Reality
Our ministry was born from a simple, aching desire—a longing for a spiritual home that echoed the sounds and devotion of the homeland. For years, our faithful gathered wherever we could, moving between temporary parishes and navigating the long, challenging silence of the pandemic, all while holding onto the hope of finding a permanent place to anchor our faith.

That leap of faith was answered generously in early 2025 by Father Joeven Matugas, who stepped forward to shepherd a flock that had not yet gathered. In those fragile early days, Melissa and Romel Tarin, along with Rose Henley, guided the initial steps, coordinating the community’s heart and logistics. Their devotion culminated in a beautiful, historic inaugural celebration for the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz at the Missionary Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.

By October 4, 2025, regular weekly Sunday Masses were officially underway. Soon after, longtime ministry organizers Arlene and Joe Kutzko brought their own hearts and deep experience to the effort, breathing fresh energy into the movement. Through this collective Bayanihan spirit, the community established what has quickly become a beloved new tradition: our vibrant Third Sunday potlucks.

Today, what began as a shared dream has transformed the Shrine into a thriving regional hub where families from across Massachusetts and beyond can reconnect with their roots and celebrate their heritage. Check out the new website

---

Introducing the Xaverian Missionaries USA

---

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 who were formed in the Catholic faith is felt in every parish. Disaffiliated families make up the majority of Catholic communities throughout the country.

---

---