We recently received an update from Doug Garofalo, who left St. Peters to join the Franciscan Mission Service in their long-term program and is now serving the third year of his contract in Washington, DC as their Development Director:

March 19, 2008

 
Blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter Greetings from Washington, DC, Our Nation's Capital!
 

What a difference a year makes, as this time last year, I was partaking in Palm Sunday Mass celebrations at several farm communities 50 kilometers outside the city of Uberlandia, MG, Brazil. This past Sunday, Palm Sunday, I took advantage of my proximity to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the grounds of Catholic University of America and attended the Solemn Mass with full choir. Aside from the beauty of the Basilica, all of us in attendance were graced by the presence, as main celebrant and homilist, of Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the USA. What a way to start Holy Week - I know it will end just as special, as I will be at my mother's in River Edge to visit and attend the Triduum Services at Saint Peter's, whose music ministry and choirs are the envy of many parishes in the Northeast! 
 

For those of you who have never heard of Archbishop Sambi and/or the term "Apostolic Nuncio", you are not alone. Pope Benedict XVI had recently appointed Archbishop Sambi to the position to succeed Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, who had held the post since 1998. 

A Nuncio represents the Holy Father to both the hierarchy and Church of a particular nation and to that nation's civil government.  In the coming weeks, you will possibly hear more about him and see him standing beside Pope Benedict XVI, as the Holy Father of the Roman Catholic Church visits New York City and Washington, DC.

So wasn't I the lucky one to have done some friends a favor and changed my mass plans to drive them to the airport that morning which saved them from having to walk in the rain to the metro stop and endure weekend track repair delays!?! Talk about getting paid back for a good deed, wow!

As you may remember from my last update (archived below), I am now back in the States after two years in Brazil and am very happy in my new position as Development Director. After the three week re-entry retreat for us return missioners and a few weeks back in River Edge, NJ, I was welcomed to my new office and home by the rest of the staff at FMS.

 I live and work in the same building, a one hundred year old three story house situated in Brookland, a neighborhood in NE Washington, minutes from the Maryland border. Previously owned by the Glenmary Brothers, our house has been perfect over the years for both the offices and housing for FMS's program needs. And right up the street, three houses away, is the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, another landmark DC Catholic tourist destination.

Shortly after starting my work here, I was introduced to a group of seven Catholic ladies who live in community a few blocks away (thanks again, Terry!) and, in turn, was invited to their Post-Valentine's Day party. The following week, I joined them for Sunday Mass where they worship and later that day, a few of us attended Lenten Solemn Vespers with Gregorian Chant at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in the NW section of the District. This was a beautiful evening, listening to the Schola Cantorum chanting in Latin with the presiding priest and the congregation joining in for some of the parts. I was amazed that I actually understood some of the printed Latin from my new found knowledge of Portuguese!  

And through this group of ladies, I have met two groups of Catholic men living in community in two houses within a short walk from our house. These groups host weekly events to gather like minded Catholic men and women who are either studying at the great Catholic institutions of higher education in our area or work in some capacity, like myself, to foster good Christian values in others. 

And lastly, and most importantly, both in our house and close by, are other FMS return missioners who I see occasionally, and plan on meeting with on a regular basis throughout the year ahead. I am so blessed to be living and working here this year to do my best to help FMS at this time.

I thank you for your continued prayers of support, as all of you are in my daily prayers.

Doug Garofalo

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Paz e bem, minha familia e amigos!
(Peace and all good, my family and friends!)

I hope this finds you well as we enter the 1st week of Advent amidst the hustle and bustle of the Holiday shopping season.

I write to you today to share recent happenings here and in Washington, DC. The Board of Directors of FMS have requested that I return early from mission here in Brasil to spend the third year of my contract in Washington DC heading up Development for FMS.

This decision by the Board, to take me out of direct service, is one of several proactive measures being taken to avert financial uncertainty down the road for the organization. As with most every home or business these days, some expenses have risen sharply and income does not always keep pace!

As the Franciscan Mission Service of North America is a family of mostly laity (the Board is a mixed group of laity, friars and religious women) from the USA and Canada who wish to serve the Lord by living the Gospel each day of their lives, whether in orientation, foreign service, or after in reverse mission, I couldn't not say "YES" to the Board.

Although I will miss everyone with whom I have worked, laughed and cried, etc. over the past two years or so, this change of venue and work will take place rather quickly, as I will wrap things up here over the next couple of weeks and arrive back to River Edge, NJ in time for not only Christmas, but also for my mother's birthday on the 23rd of December!

After the Holidays, I will then travel to Washington to join the returning group of missioners for the three week reentry program, and after that, start working closely with the Board of Directors. I ask for your continued prayers for me, the people of Uberlândia, and for the FMS family.

Mission life is one of everchanging work in serving God. One doesn't always know where or when a call to change will occur - for me, NOW!!!!!

And if you wish to make an end of year, tax deductible, donation in my name you can send a check, made payable to Franciscan Mission Service of North America, to the following address: FMS, PO Box 29034, Washington, DC 20017. please include my name on the memo line.

Peace and well wishes for a Happy Hannukah, a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year, as well!

Doug Garofalo, FMS Missioner on the Move

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Paz e Bem - Peace and All Good!

That is one of the standard greetings among the Franciscans (friars, religious sisters and the seculars) here and world-wide, following in the way of St. Francis and St. Clare. And in this world, especially at this time of year, Thanksgiving Day in the US and the end of the Catholic Church year on Sunday the 25th celebrating the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ the King, we should all say and live that greeting in some way each day going forward. What a way to start a new year, now and January 1st again, an easy resolution to keep and one that will spread good feelings to those we encounter as we approach the Holiday Season, which at times is not always joyous! And even if you who read this are not Catholic, most everyone wishes "peace and all good" in this world of ours.

Speaking of the Holiday Season, yes, it is so much more of a secular holiday now here in this mostly Catholic, Christian country, at least in our region. Just after Halloween, as it is now more commonly named from the original "witches day", I noticed signs of Christmas everywhere, as store fronts do their best to catch one's eye. The main post office downtown, along with the major shopping mall, announced the arrival of "Papai Noel" this past week. Even the creches started their decorating for Christmas, as the staff and kids painted posters to hang throughout the locations -- the best was a North Pole winter scene! I need to take a picture of that one, as my second November here in south central Brazil still finds me tricked by the warm weather. Yes, it is spring here, but aside from the much needed rains that have started again, it is usually the same 80 - 90 degrees each afternoon!

Another thank you, in the form of the photos to the right, goes out to all who donated money to my mission appeal back in June. As you can see, the children and staff at all five locations of CCAU were thrilled when we arrived with newly purchased toys and games. Like most kids around the world, they amuse themselves with anything within arm's reach, but to unexpectedly receive brand new items makes it that much more special for those here. The planned expansion of the kitchen at the location where I work most days will be done in January during the end of school year break and more items will be purchased at that time, too.

And another thank you goes out to the group of benefactors who donated previously to assist me with my work here. Upon asking; I told them that their donations would help me in future work with existing micro-credit projects and possibly new ones. I am happy to report that this week; I will be attending a meeting of one of the communities. Once we see their needs for this growing season, new loans will be granted, this year much more than last year! I will keep everyone posted.

Stepping back a bit to October 31st and November 1st and 2nd, it is interesting to note that those are the same recognized days as in the USA, but celebrated a bit differently. Halloween here in Brasil is more and more like that in the States, except that the children and teens do not go trick or treating throughout the neighborhoods. There are parties in homes, schools and nite clubs, complete with costumes, many of which are just like yours there. Black Witch attire is the costume of choice, but Spider Man costumes and the Scream mask were displayed in the stores as well.

The next day, November 1st, the Solemnity of All Saints, is not the major of the two and is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month. The Liturgy is of the Feast Day and replaces the Ordinary Time Mass. The Feast of All Souls, "Finados" or deceased or departed, here in Brazil, is a national holiday where most people stay home from work and schools are closed. This is not to catch up on lost sleep, but to commemorate the dead. There is a public cemetery at the end of our street where the local parish priest celebrates an outdoor morning mass among the low lying grave markers (each cemetery is different here) adorned by beautiful flowers and plants of all colors. The cemetery and outer perimeter are packed with people, many families making a day of it, as there are street vendors selling flowers, plants, and of course, food!

It only seems fitting that this is the tradition here. The one thing that I have noticed time and again here, and in the other parts of Brazil that I have been to, is that quality time as a family is very important and frequently occurring. In many neighborhoods throughout the country, as children get married, they do not live too far from the parents. And like back in the USA, many parents live with adult children and help raise the grandchildren. So, in thanksgiving for all that the deceased members of the families had done for them while living, those still here on earth go to pay their respects.

As I end this update, I pray for all of you there, wherever "there" may be. Thanksgiving will be, or was, a regular work day for me, but I always stop and reflect on family and friends or the meaning of USA holidays that are not celebrated here. Know that this was done again, as I so miss football played with that funny shaped ball and everything else "Thanksgiving". I hope all of you spend quality time with family and dear friends over the next couple of months and well into the New Year.

One final thought -- I learned again how to accept the sacrifices of overseas mission service when, back in September, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band released a new CD and had performed in NYC and several times in NJ as the tour started. Highly unlikely that they will travel south of the equator in 2008, but one never knows! Thanks again to my sisters Diane and Jo Ann who sent me the CD and with whom I enjoyed seeing Bruce and the Band perform over the years in NJ or NC!

My prayers for peace in your lives,

Doug Garofalo
 

Photo Gallery

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Contact Information:

Doug Garofalo
Franciscan Mission Service

PO Box 29034

Washington, DC 20017-0034
 

Email Doug at:  douggaro@hotmail.com

Support Information:

If you would like to support Doug and FMS during this coming year, you may send contributions to the address below. A few parishioners use their online banking systems (not ParishPay) to schedule regular donations (monthly, quarterly, holidays, etc.).

Kindly make your donation to Franciscan Mission Service and in the memo section of your check or online banking payment, indicate it is for Douglas Garofalo, and send it to:

Franciscan Mission Service

PO Box 29034

Washington, DC 20017-0034

The Franciscan Mission Service acknowledges all donations and is very grateful for the support of Doug.