|
Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary |
September, 2006
 Dear
Friends of Sacred Hearts Missions:
 Let me introduce myself as the newly installed Provincial Superior
of the U.S.A. Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Sacred
Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SS.CC.). The installation ceremony took
place on Sunday July 9, 2006, at our Sacred Hearts Retreat House in
Wareham, MA.
In the spiritual life
they say there is always a “grace of state”. That’s the Divine
Blessing or strength God gives us to always be able to cope with the
situation or responsibilities – wherever you are in life. With that
guarantee, we can all be comforted that no matter what difficulties
we have, if we have the faith to believe, God gives us the strength
to handle life’s problems.
No one understands that more than me. For twenty-five years I worked
with leprosy patients in India. Day-to-day living meant being always
available to thousands of Hansen’s Disease sufferers whose needs
could never be totally met. Handling situations one at a time, we
were gradually able to establish six emergency food centers. In the
early days we called them “mercy kitchens”. Trusting in God,
thousands of meals were received by those who otherwise might have
gone hungry. That was made possible because people were inspired to
give a donation to help once they found out about the need. Today,
the needs might be different but the work continues.
 The purpose of a foreign missionary is to establish a local clergy.
The Congregation started a formation program for priests and
sisters, and in June 2000 our first Indian Priest, Fr. Subal, ss.cc.
was ordained. He has taken my place doing the leprosy work; now my
work must be to help him.
I’m sure you are also wondering about Father Gabriel, who for so
many years you’ve allowed to come into your homes through our
monthly appeal letters. He, too is taking on new responsibilities
and is being considered for the appointment of Mission Animator.
This will entail seeking mission supporters and fostering missionary
vocations.
In the upcoming months, in addition to hearing again from Fr.
Gabriel, I will look forward to telling you more about my missionary
experiences in India with Mother Teresa. You will also meet other
members of our community and learn of our outreach in the Bahamas,
the Philippines, Japan, Mexico .… so many needs in so many places.
We’re anxious to share our story with you and ask, in closing today,
as you read this letter, please take a moment to reflect on the
scripture passage:
|
 |
Sincerely,
|
Fr. William
F. Petrie, ss.cc., Provincial
|
The first “mercy kitchen” was on a veranda
outside. A mud stove was made by the patients and two were
hired as the cooks. They cooked food of rice, lintels and
vegetables which was like a stew. The food was put into
clean buckets and served to the waiting recipients.
Entering into the world of leprosy patients and beggars
would become for me an education for life.
|
 |
|
|
There was always a space between the seating
of men and women. Everyone brought their own tin plate. A
double portion of stew was given so they would have lunch
and still have enough left for dinner. I felt that I was
the most Blessed person for having been given the
opportunity to enter the world of the poorest of the poor,
who were afflicted with disease, handicapped and rejected
by society. |
Helping the Needy and Abandoned Around the World
Consider how you too can be a part of
“Helping the Needy and Abandoned Around the
World”
|
Gifts
–
Become a friend of Sacred
Hearts Missions
and ask to be added to our
mailing list. Respond when you
can… with as much as you can…
|
Pledges
–
Make a pledge and
spread your gift out over a one
to five year period. Gifts are
deductible in the year a payment
is made...
|
|
Memorial Gifts
– Offer a lasting tribute to
someone who has made a difference in
your life with a Memorial Gift, perhaps choosing
something that might have
special meaning to you and your
loved one...
|
Wills
– Once the needs of your family
have been taken care of,
consider honoring and thanking
those
SS.CC. members who may have made
a difference in your life by
remembering Sacred Hearts
Missions in your will...
View PDF brochure
|
|
Charitable Gift Annuities
– While ensuring a future gift
to Sacred Hearts Missions, a
charitable gift annuity provides
the donor with a dependable
income for life...
|
Insurance
- Designate Sacred Hearts
Missions as a beneficiary of
life insurance policies, IRAs or
other assets...
|
|
Autos/Boats
– Donate your “tired” auto,
truck or boat and let a portion
of the proceeds continue to
improve life for others...
|
Real Estate
– When you find yourself ready
to move to another stage in life
where your home is no longer
needed, allow Sacred Hearts
Missions to be a special
caretaker for a very precious
gift...
|
Through the kindness of our benefactors, we
have been able to follow Christ’s footsteps
into some of the world’s most desolate and
forgotten places ; to Reynosa,
Mexico, where Fr. Gerry Shanley, ss.cc., works tirelessly to
not only bring the Good News but also the
essentials of food, clothing and shelter to
scores of
impoverished people; to India where Fr. Bill
Petrie, ss.cc., began and now Fr.
Subal
Nayak, ss.cc.,
continues the
Damien Social Development
Institute
(DSDI)
to bring compassion and dignity to those
afflicted with leprosy and HIV/AIDS and
their families; to our vocation programs and
House of Study in
India and the Philippines where
so
many young men
and women have chosen to become the hope and
future of Sacred Hearts Missions.
Our Visions are Far Reaching Our Efforts
are Tireless
Our Needs are Great!
Please Become a Part of Our Mission.
|
