From the Editor

Janette Mentha

Featured in a new book on missionary priests, Columban Fr Barry Cairns was prompted to reflect on his long missionary service in Japan. Now semi-retired and aged 88, Fr Barry says that he stays in Japan because he feels called to live among the un-evangelised and to be at the bedside of the aged who feel so insecure.

Serving in his family grocery store in Macroom, Co Cork, Ireland, Columban Fr Donal McIlraith said it was good preparation for the Columban Missionary priesthood.
Fr Donal has faced many challenges over the years including learning Greek and Hebrew in Italian while studying in Rome.

In his Easter reflection, Columban Fr John Burger writes about preparing to rejoice on Easter Sunday "because the good news that Jesus is risen, is not merely good news for Jesus, it is especially good news for us!"

Launched in February 2021, The Sydney Statement, featured on pages 10 and 11, is an interfaith charter for 'building bridges between believers from different religions. It was the initiative of the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations (CCCMR) in partnership with Western Sydney University (WSU).

Coming from Northern Ireland where justice issues were always important, Columban Fr Cathal Gallagher was drawn to the police force. Six years later he entered the seminary and when asked, "Why the Columbans?” He said he'd always been interested in mission and that The Far East gripped him.

From Fiji, Columban Fr Frank Hoare tells us about an Indian marriage ceremony that was almost finished when they realised that the witness was nowhere to be seen. The discovery left the bride gasping.

In Mission World on page 16, we read that the Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar called for "reconciliation through dialogue."

'We are a missionary Church' is the title of Columban Fr Trevor Trotter's column. During the pandemic of struggles and sadness, Fr Trevor points out the good things that the Church has done and continues to do.

Columban Fr Kurt Zion Pala writes of the suffering that continues in Myanmar with people feeling like prisoners in their own country. The temporary camps for internally displaced people have now become their permanent homes.

Little did Columban Fr Thomas Seungwon Nam know, when a secretary placed his call with the North Korean Embassy instead of the South Korean Embassy, that one day he would work with both sides towards reconciliation and healing.

We read that in Ozamiz, Philippines, more than 1000 children and young adults have attended the Hope Special Education Centre run by the Columban Sisters. Students are educated in livelihood skills and assisted in gaining employment in the local community.

I pray that the Easter message of renewal, forgiveness and love for one another, brings comfort to you, our benefactors, and to those who most need our help and prayers.

Happy Easter.

Janette Mentha

Listen to From the Editor

Related links

2024 Columban Art Calendar

Code : 180

In Stock | CALENDAR

$10.00  

Calendar Dimensions: 220mm (W) x 320mm (H)

1 Calendar $10.00 Special Offer: Buy more than one Calendar and pay $8.00 for each additional one. 

See all products  


The Far East - New Subscription

Code : 4

In Stock | MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION

$6.00  

Annual subscription to The Far East magazine, published by St Columbans Mission Society 8 times per year. It features mission articles and photographs by Columban Missionaries from the countries where they work.

 

See all products