Our Religious Family held two Popular Missions from June 11th to June 22nd, 2008, one at St John Baptist de la Salle in Chillum, MD, and the other at St. John Cantius in Brooklyn, NY, which recently merged with St. Gabriel's Church to form the Parish of Mary Mother of the Church.

Fr. Mariano Varela, who had spent the last 10 years as a missionary in Guyana, preached the mission at St. John Baptist de la Salle Parish.  Sisters and seminarians visited the parish's residents, inviting them to the mission.  They met many people in the neighborhood, including Catholics, who did not know that the church was there, and others who, because of the name, thought it was a Baptist church.  They were happy to learn that there was a Catholic Church so close to them and that they could baptize their children at the end of the mission.  Many children and adults signed up for CCD, RCIA, and marriage classes and on Sunday, June 22nd, Fr. Mariano baptized a total of 18 children.  Children and youth came every morning and afternoon to play and pray and each evening there was a rosary procession through different neighborhoods of the parish followed by a talk given by Fr. Mariano. 

The mission at St. John Cantius had a catechetical focus.  The sisters and seminarians gave classes to parishioners of all ages, preparing them for CCD and RCIA classes in the fall, and Fr. Edgar Diaz preached the mission talks in the evenings.  They visited the residents of the parish daily, especially the sick and the homebound.  A lively oratory and youth group were held each afternoon with around 60 children and 30 youth in attendance.  Many of the children and youth usually spend their summers playing and wandering on the streets and this was a great opportunity for them to have a safe place to recreate and to learn about God and the purpose of their lives.  Several of the youth transformed in the short time the sisters and seminarians were there. 

The grace of God was clearly present in both missions and we ask for your prayers for their continued fruits.