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A Visitor From ‘the Great North’

In August, Msgr. John E. Kozar welcomed to CNEWA’s New York office a true trailblazer, Syro-Malankara Catholic Bishop Jacob Barnabas Aerath. Mar Barnabas serves the northernmost reaches of India — a land Msgr. Kozar calls “the Great North.”

Rich in diverse customs, peoples and languages, much of the north is populated by impoverished tribal communities ignored by the government and exploited by the region’s dominant cultures. The presence of the church is weak, and largely unheard of among the poor. However, with the guidance of Mar Barnabas, lay catechists are reaching the most isolated of communities, sharing the love of Jesus for each person, regardless of status or wealth.

It is a radical idea in this part of the world, where people have not heard of Jesus. Yet this message, and the advocacy it encourages, can be threatening to interests seeking to exploit the land, labor or lives of indigenous populations.

CNEWA has provided support to encourage this mission — a mission that often entails great risk for the bishop and his lay catechists.

“I tell them, ‘At maximum, you may lose your head; get ready for it!’ And they respond, ‘We are ready!’ “

The bishop told the story of one catechist: Though not a physician, people call him “the doctor,” bringing him sick members of their village. He prays with them and for them, offering compassion and care — and often, that is enough.

Aid Rushed to Flooded India

In late August, CNEWA rushed emergency funds to help some 4,000 families cope with historic flooding that has devastated much of Kerala, a state in southwestern India. Monsoon rains swelled rivers and ponds, triggering landslides, severing power, washing away roads, livestock, crops and homes. More than a million people fled their homes, finding refuge in camps set up on higher ground. Hundreds were reported killed.

CNEWA’s emergency aid included food kits, potable water, medicines and sanitary items, along with household materials and school supplies for children. While the flooding has subsided, recovery and rehabilitation efforts are underway, with residents seeking to rebuild and battle sickness and disease, such as rat disease. You can help CNEWA assist Kerala’s Catholic churches’ relief efforts, visit: www.cnewa.org/web/indiarelief.

Funds Rushed to Ethiopia

CNEWA rushed emergency aid to help more than 4,000 people fleeing interethnic violence in south central Ethiopia in August. The assistance is providing food, medicines and sanitary items for about 733 families, including some 700 children under the age of 5 and about 400 expectant or nursing mothers. All were seeking refuge on the grounds of St. Paul Catholic Church in an area known as Galcha, some 270 miles south of the capital of Addis Ababa.

The parish, which includes some 6,000 Catholics, runs primary and secondary schools and a clinic that normally treats 180 people a day. Since April, interethnic violence has rocked many parts of Ethiopia, especially among the various ethnic groups living in areas of south central and southeastern Ethiopia. You can help CNEWA care for these displaced families, visit: www.cnewa.org/web/ethiopia.

ONE Named Best Magazine

ONE magazine took top honors in June at the 2018 Catholic Press Association annual media conference, held this year in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The magazine won a total of 28 awards, including First Place for Best Magazine in the Mission Magazine category.

Other winning categories included writing, photography, editing and online newsletter, as well as general excellence awards for individual members of the editorial team.

“Year in, year out,” the judges commented, “this is an appealing magazine that features breath-taking photography, innovative design, and (above all) textbook storytelling.”

You can find a complete list of the winners at www.cnewablog.org/web/2018cpa.

‘Thank You’ From Armenia

In July, the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception celebrated the 25th anniversary of their summer camp program in Armenia.

Sister Arousiag Sajonian, who founded the program and now leads the community from their mother house in Rome, conveyed her gratitude to the CNEWA family in a letter to Msgr. John Kozar. She enclosed a certificate of appreciation to CNEWA, “in recognition of the generous contribution to Our Lady of Armenia Camp, 1997-2018, enabling each child in need to enjoy physical repose and develop spiritual and moral values in an environment of mutual love and respect.

“Please accept it,” she added, “with our deep gratitude and profound appreciation.”

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