education and evangelization
Directed by Fr. Ron Hoye, C.M., Catholic TeamWorks is a Vincentian ministry of evangelization to inspire and empower people of faith. It includes Vincentian Parish Missions, the popular The God Minute app and podcast, and Catholic Home Living, where visitors can obtain books, electronic resources, and other merchandise.
Based in Perryville, MO, at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, the Association of the Miraculous Medal brings Jesus Christ to the world by inspiring devotion to Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, through whom we unite ourselves in prayer to grow in holiness while supporting the apostolic mission and charitable work of our Vincentian priests and brothers.
Dedicated in August 2023, Vincentian Mission House in South St. Louis is the home of the Western Province’s Vocations and Formation Programs. It serves as a residence for our seminarians and our Vocations and Formation personnel, as well as a location for recruitment and formation events and other activities. For more information about vocations with the Congregation of the Mission Western Province or contact information for our vocations director, click HERE.
Based in Kansas City, MO, the Vincentian Parish Mission Center team conducts missions at parishes around the country in the tradition of St. Vincent de Paul, the founder of the Congregation of the Mission. While you are on the site, be sure to check out Monday Morning Coffee Break with Fr. Bob Gielow HERE.
Mass can be a time out of your busy week to focus on you and the world around you. Homily Week, organized by the late Fr. Mike Boyle, C.M., utilizes modern technology to help you open the door to wisdom – to the past and the growing wisdom of the present – to help you listen and reflect on the Scriptures for the weekend.
This monthly newsletter is distributed by the Congregation of the Mission Curia Communications Office in Rome.
Our Parishes and Missions
UNITED STATES
Christ the Savior Church, Brewer, MO.
Holy Redeemer Church, San Antonio, TX.
Holy Trinity Church, Dallas, TX.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral, Anchorage, AK.
Our Lady of the Lake, Big Lake, AK
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, San Antonio, TX.
Our Lady of Victory Church, Sereno, MO.
Sacred Heart Church, Patterson, CA.
Sacred Heart Parish, Wasilla, AK
St. Bernard of Menthon Parish, Talkeetna, AK
St. Catherine Laboure Church, St. Louis, MO
St. Christopher Parish, Willow, AK
St. Joseph Church, New Orleans, LA
St. Michael Church, San Antonio, TX.
St. Peter’s Vietnamese Church, Dallas, TX.
St. Phillip Benzini Parish, Trapper Creek, AK
St. Pius V Parish, St. Louis, MO
St. Vincent de Paul Church, Chicago, IL.
St. Vincent de Paul Church, Los Angeles, CA.
St. Vincent de Paul Church, Perryville, MO.
St. Vincent de Paul Church, St. Louis, MO.
KENYA
Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Indagalasia, Kenya
St. Kizito Church, Matisi, Kenya
Notes From the Province
The CM at the UN: The World Happiness Report
The UN World Happiness Report reveals that the largest economies, including the U.S., don’t necessarily have the happiest citizenry. While the young are less happy because of many factors, they also hold the key to turning things around.
Fr. Ron Ramson, C.M.–Do We Take Lent Seriously?
I would like to introduce myself, as I am new to this column. My name is Ronald Ramson, C.M. I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. I finished High School at St. Vincent College in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and then I came to Perryville in 1950 for the Novitiate program at St. Mary’s of the Barrens.
The CM at the UN: Who is Missing?
With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 193 nations, all members of the United Nations, pledged to leave no one behind.
But it isn’t easy to “leave no one behind.”
We are Called to Mission and SERVICE and NOT TO SURVIVAL
On Jan. 27, 2024, Fr. Patrick McDevitt, C.M., Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Mission Western Province, gave the keynote address to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Houston General Assembly. He spoke about Vincentian spirituality and the call to mission and service.
The CM at the UN: The 5 Ps–Plus 1
In the most recent article of this series, Behind at Halftime, we looked at how far behind the world finds itself in achieving the 2030 United Nations Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This program for a better world for all is built around 5 P’s: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships. Another P, however, “Profit,” stands in the way of meaningful progress.
Fr. James Michael Mulhearn, C.M.–2/17/42-10/21/23
James Michael Mulhearn was born on February 17, 1942, in Independence, MO, the only child of Kenneth Francis and Marje Nell Butler Mulhearn. In a recent recording on The God Minute, Fr. Mike shared that by their example, his parents instilled in him a devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Rosary. He departed this life on Oct. 21 at his home at the Vincentian Lazarist Residence in St. Louis, MO.
We Can Do Better: The Encounter and Mission–Fr. Patrick McDevitt, C.M.
Fr. Patrick McDevitt, C.M., Provincial Superior for the Congregation of the Mission Western Province, gave the following Morning Reflection to the National Board of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on Oct. 14, 2023, in Atlanta, GA.
Behind at Halftime; Is Vincentian Spirituality the Key?
The 193 member states of the United Nations pledged to create a world of peace and prosperity for people and the planet by 2030. A promise, almost a dream. A pledge to eliminate poverty and hunger, provide a clean environment, and a life harmonious with nature for everyone.
China Centennial Series Part XI–‘Fr. Good’
Many men generously gave of themselves to serve as missionaries in China and Taiwan. One such individual who was described as “joyful,” “imaginative,” and “saintly,” was Fr. Wilfrid DesLauriers, C.M., aka Fr. Des, a Canadian-born, motorcycle-riding missionary who served in China and Taiwan.
China Centennial Series-Part X–The Martyr of Charity
Many Vincentians served in China and endured hardships from war and political persecution. Some gave their lives in service to their mission, like Fr. Gui Tinajue, C.M., who died whille imprisoned for his beliefs and became known as “The Martyr of Charity.”