Harumi, Japanese Lay Missionary

Last week Harumi Machida, a Japanese lay missionary came to stay with our community in Arvaiheer. She is a vibrant, friendly and intelligent young woman who would like to help with the various projects in our mission. She was officially introduced to our parish members at the end of last Sunday's Mass. 

Dalla parrocchia di Arvaiheer

La neve crea sempre un’atmosfera speciale, quasi magica, difficile da descrivere. Qui nella nostra missione in Mongolia, ora che e’ tutto ricoperto da quella candida coltre bianca, si percepisce un senso di pace e di silenzio. La poesia, pero’, lascia subito spazio alla dura realta’ di freddo e sofferenza di molte famiglie mongole, che scarseggiano di legna e di carbone. Il lungo e rigido inverno e’ iniziato da un bel po’!

The Virgin Mary: Tainted Nature's Solitary Boast

How many people here today chose their mother before their birth?

No one!  None of us were able to choose.  Jesus Christ was the only Person in all of human history who has been able to do so.

If we could choose our mothers, we would probably not want them to be different from what we already have. Thank God! But just think for a moment.

Be vigilant!

Dear brothers and sisters, Happy New Year! Today over 1.5 billion Catholics from all over the world celebrate the first Sunday of Advent.  It is the beginning of a liturgical new year.  We have 3 liturgical cycles, A, B and C. Today we begin year C.  The Gospel of Luke will be read over the course of this year. The Church offers us this special moment to help us stop and reflect on the most important questions about life. It is easy to get caught up with everyday life such as taking care of the children or herding the animals.

Father Peter’s First Sunday Mass in Arvaiheer

Our people are very happy to have a new priest among us. They had prepared a very simple and beautiful feast to welcome Father Peter back to Arvaikheer on Sunday, November 18th, 2012.  Compared to previous Sundays, many people came on that day knowing that there was a new priest celebrating.

It was good because they knew him as a brother and then deacon who was preparing for the priesthood. The children were always asking about him and wanting to know when he was going to return.  In fact, our children were praying for his quick return.  One day, Father Daniele mentioned that Father Peter had just been ordained. The people were very happy and prayed all the more for him.