Diocese of San Jose and Maryknoll Partnership in Montego Bay, Jamaica

"A diocesan priest from the San Jose Diocese in California is igniting mission sparks in Jamaica, hoping to fan missionary fires in his home diocese 3,000 miles away." Maryknoll Magazine, November 2007

Last year the Diocese of San Jose and Maryknoll embarked on a historic mission endeavor by partnering to send missionaries to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Father Tim Kidney was sent from the San Jose Diocese and Father Leo Shea from the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers to work with the Montego Bay Diocese to develop formation programs for lay leaders. It is hoped that the groundwork they lay will develop into a long-term relationship between the Montego Bay and San Jose dioceses, including opportunities for groups and individuals to participate directly in this exciting mission opportunity that will greatly enrich both churches.

The work of Fathers Kidney and Shea was featured in the November issue of the Maryknoll magazine. Click here to view the article.

A box of 200 magazines has been sent directly to all parishes in the Diocese including the Spanish bilingual magazine, Revista. These magazines are available for use in the parish.

In addition, the Mission Office of the Diocese of San Jose and Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers are teaming to provide an array of mission education resources including posters, videos and DVD's, and speakers who are available to come to the parish.

Contact us for more information:
Linda Batton, batton@dsj.org or 408-983-0158
Deacon Matt Dulka, mdulka@maryknoll.org or 510-276-5021

Holy Childhood Association Christmas Cards Feature Childrens' Artwork

For the third consecutive year, the Holy Childhood Association (HCA), a Pontifical Mission Society, is featuring the artwork of young Catholics on its Christmas cards. Proceeds from the sale of these cards supports the Church's outreach to children in the Missions.

“The artwork of these young missionaries is a great testament to their faith — and to their commitment to sharing the 'Good News' of Jesus’ birth with all the world," said Monsignor Kozar, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States.

This year’s 24 winning designs were selected from among some 10,000 entries submitted by elementary school age children in Catholic schools, religious education and home school programs throughout the United States. Ten children received honorable mention.

The original artwork, featuring various representations of the Nativity story, will be displayed at the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., during Advent and Christmas 2007.

Each box of 24 cards is $10. The cards can be ordered online with a major credit card: click here or by calling the national office of the Pontifical Mission Societies at 1-800-431-2222. Also in November, winning designs will be featured as e-greetings at the HCA web site for kids – http://www.hcakids.org/. Also available online is an entry form for next year's contest.