At all weekend Masses on July 5 and 6, we will welcome Father Moïse Kisonia to St. Anthony of Padua for our annual missionary appeal weekend. Father Moïse is from the Crosier Fathers and Brothers, a Roman Catholic religious order composed of priests and brothers. They are one of the Church’s oldest religious orders, founded in 1210 in what is now Belgium. The Crosier Fathers and Brothers serve throughout the world, but this appeal will focus on Indonesia.
In the vast nation of Indonesia—the fourth largest in the world—Catholics represent a small but significant 3% minority. It is in this diverse and challenging landscape that the Crosiers are making a profound impact. From leading vibrant parishes to shaping minds in education, offering spiritual guidance and addressing people’s physical needs, their ministry is multifaceted. A particularly compelling part of their mission unfolds in the remote Diocese of Agats on New Guinea Island. Here, they serve a unique community of hunter-gatherers who grapple with a lack of stable income and face serious health issues like malaria and pneumonia. To ensure the future of this vital work, the 160 Indonesian Crosiers are deeply committed to the high-quality education and training of their 55 seminarians, a ministry that is the focus of this mission appeal.
In essence, the Crosier Fathers and Brothers are vowed men who dedicate their lives to God through communal living, prayer, and diverse ministries, all rooted in the spirituality of the Holy Cross expressed in a visible way to the people of Indonesia.
Envelopes will be available in the pews, and a second collection will be taken after Communion at all Masses on July 5 and 6. You may also take an envelope home and return it the following weekend. Thank you for your support in promoting faith throughout the world.