Missionary Cooperation Appeal
This weekend (August 10/11, 2024), we welcome Fr. Antonio Gutiérrez as we participate in the Missionary Cooperation Plan! Please place all donations in the designated envelope found in your packets, give in the office, or through OSV online giving. There will also be extra envelopes on the information counter. Thank you.
How does this work? When a missionary comes to a parish for the Missionary Cooperation Plan, the gift you make does not go directly to this missionary or their congregation or organization. All the collected gifts are sent to the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese will then equally divide all the money collected from all the parishes and send that amount to the respective missionary congregations / organizations that have made appeals in the Archdiocese.
Why is it done this way? It is an attempt to be fair and just. Parishes come in different shapes and sizes, with different economic means. If one missionary went to several large, well-to-do parishes, he or she would likely garner significantly more economic support than another missionary sent to several smaller parishes in less affluent neighborhoods. So, to try and balance the pot, so to speak, all the money collected in all the parishes of a given diocese is pooled together and then divided among the various missionary congregations or organizations that have made appeals in that diocese. This is a greater expression of church unity knowing that we are all supporting together the many and varied missionaries and their ministries all over the world.
About our Visiting Missionary:
Father Antonio Gutierrez, SDB
Sierra Leone
Salesian Missions
Fr. Antonio Gutiérrez hails from Spainand has been a missionary since 1987. His work has taken him to various countries, including Benin, Togo, Tunisia, and Sierra Leone. He has engaged directly with rural communities on agricultural endeavors and emphasizes its three key pillars:
WATER: Fr. Gutierrez has constructed around 200 wells around the world toprovide clean water for vegetable gardens and for personal consumption.
FERTILIZER, particularly compost: Fr. Gutierrez not only produces organic fertilizer, but also teaches others how to produce it.
BEES: Fr. Gutierrez recognizes the vital role of bees in pollination for agriculture and has initiated projects despite local superstition and fears surrounding bees. He views bees as valuables allies in agricultural projects.
In addition to his pastoral duties as a priest, Fr. Gutierrez remains dedicated to these agricultural pursuits, which he considers integral to his mission.
