Missions

A Sister of the Most Precious Blood of O'Fallon has written a children's book that she hopes will help people understand the complex topic of microfinancing.

Sister Antoinette "Toni" Temporiti has published "One Potato Two," the story of Mumbi, a young African girl whose mother is able to feed the family thanks to a potato-selling business that was begun through a microfinancing loan.

In 2006, Sister Toni founded Microfinancing Partners in Africa, a St. Louis-based nonprofit organization that provides assistance to strengthen and expand microfinancing programs in Africa.

Catholics are called to be missionary both where they live and in the far corners of the world, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson said in a talk at the fourth annual St. Louis Mission Congress, held March 23 at the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury.

Catholics interested in the support of the Church's missions in other countries attended the meeting. The theme connected missionary work and the Year of Faith.

They downplayed their stories of personal commitment and courage.

Instead, four missionaries speaking at the fourth annual St. Louis Mission Congress March 23 focused on how God led them to their roles and how much they benefited from the people they have encountered along the way.

A calling

Maureen and Al Daniels seemed to be pulled toward serving in Madagascar, and though they didn't jump on the impulse at first, they gradually accepted it as a calling.

They downplayed their stories of personal commitment and courage.

Instead, four missionaries speaking at the fourth annual St. Louis Mission Congress March 23 focused on how God led them to their roles and how much they benefited from the people they have encountered along the way.

Maureen and Al Daniels seemed to be pulled toward serving in Madagascar, and though they didn't jump on the impulse at first, they gradually accepted it as a calling.

The extent to which parishes, groups and individuals in the archdiocese reach out to people across the globe will be explored at the Pontifical Mission Societies' fourth annual St. Louis Mission Congress next month.

This year's theme is "Missionaries of Faith," connecting missionary work with the Year of Faith. The mission congress will provide opportunities for prayer, reflection and sharing in small groups and large groups, based on questions raised by the speakers and participants. Archbishop Robert J. Carlson will be the keynote speaker.

Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop Morgan Casey, a St. Louis priest who has served as vicar of the Pando region of Bolivia.

Bishop Casey, 77, earlier reached the mandatory age limit where he was required to submit his resignation. In August, he celebrated his 50th anniversary in the priesthood at a Mass at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Brentwood, followed by a reception at the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury.