Mission Sunday, from Nagala to Metuchen

METUCHEN – Young Catholics from the diocese were reminded that they can have an impact on the lives of others, whether it is at their school or for children thousands of miles away, at the diocese’s annual observance of World Mission Sunday.
Before the noon Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 20, a group of about 50 young people and adults gathered at the CYO Building gym, where they learned about the value of missionary work before embarking on a mile-long walkathon through the tree-lined streets of the city.
The light mist that fell from gray clouds did not dampen spirits of participants especially after inspirational speeches by Father John G. Hillier, director, diocesan Pontifical Missions Society; and Father George Kavas, a visiting missionary from Nagala, India.
In his presentation, Father Hillier told the participants, “Everything that you do is important.”
“When I was maybe eight-years-old,” he continued, “I wore braces on my legs to help them grow stronger and enable me to walk better. Each day at recess the other kids would push me around. There were two teachers who would have the kids make a line. One teacher offered ice cream while the other teacher had a box, a Mission box. So instead of using their money to purchase ice cream, the kids who stood on this line could put money in the box for overseas missions meant for children from far away who had nothing.”
Father Hillier said most of the time he would get on the line for ice cream, but got pushed around or off the line by other students. Sometimes, when he made it to the front of line, the ice cream was gone, so he had to put his money in the mission box.
Sometimes, he did get to the ice cream in time and did not put his money into the mission box.
“I tell the story only because you may know that in your schools children are sometimes bullied,” he said. “It is important for you to know that in those circumstances you, as baptized Catholics, must stand tall and be Christ for the others so that there may never be children that are bullied.” 
Father Kavas spoke about what him to serve as a missionary at a time when he doubted his faith.
“When I was studying at the seminary in India, I was having difficulties. It was a rigorous program and I was very discouraged,” he said. “I had decided to leave and I packed my bags and headed for home on the next train. As I sat in the train car while it waited at one of the station stops, I saw a scene unfold outside the car. A very old lady, dressed in shabby torn cloth, very thin, she was sitting there eating from a leaf.  In that leaf was left over food, scraps that had been thrown out from the train.  She was eating very slowly when suddenly a little boy, wearing shorts came to her with his hands extended.  She did not look at him. She began to pack up her food.  I thought maybe she was taking it away with her. But then she looked up at the boy and gave him the food she had packed up. My whole perspective changed.  I thought to myself that if this old, thin lady who clearly had nothing in life, was able to share the very little food she had with this little boy then what am I doing here running away from my problems?
“Within a month I had gone back to the seminary where I took the motto of the pelican bird that pierces its own heart to feed its young with its very blood.”
The walkathon was meant to mimic the long walks that many children from less developed countries have to make in order to attend Mass. The participants were comprised of young people who bore crosses and held up posters as they marched. Father Kavas joined them on the walk.
Upon completion of the walk, Father Hillier led the group in praying “Hail Holy Queen” on the Cathedral steps before going inside for Mass, where he presided at the liturgy and gave the homily.
“You are the ones who are making a difference in the lives of others,” said Father Hillier. “Imagine that.  Because of you, some other person in this world will have their lives changed.”
During the Mass, diocesan schools and religious education programs were recognized for their commitment to missions.
In addition, a presentation of Pontifical Mission Societies’ Missionary Childhood Association awards was held.
For outstanding commitment, generosity and sacrifice to the Church’s Missionary activity: (schools) St. Helena, Edison; St. Matthew, Edison; St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen; (religious education programs) Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bernardsville; St. Helena, Edison, St. Bernadette, Parlin.
At a reception, the faithful were invited to share in a rice and water dish like those eaten by children in less privileged countries.