WASHINGTON — Seven new missioners with varied backgrounds will represent the Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) in ministry in 2010, working in Bolivia, South Africa and other places around the world.
The seven — the 25th class of FMS lay missioners — were commissioned on Nov. 8 at the Sunday liturgy at St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring, Md. Joseph Nangle, OFM, who works with the FMS, presided and preached at the Mass, concelebrated by George Corrigan, OFM, and assisted by Secular Franciscan Tom Bello, both FMS board members.
The group declared its call to mission: to live, pray and work with the poor and disadvantaged, and to bear witness to the Gospel in their actions and words, according to Kim Smolik, executive director of FMS.
The missioners, several of whom are repeating their FMS service, include Catherine Giller, Clare Lassiter, Tim and Cecilia Marcy, Lynn Myrick, Nora Pfeiffer and Charles Vaughn.
Vaughn and his wife, Myrick, said that going to Bolivia does not mean they are leaving their Church family, but rather, expanding it. Nora Pfeiffer, also bound for Bolivia, said: “I could literally see the body of Christ — a beautiful sight.”
Tim Marcy, who is headed to South Africa, said the commissioning ceremony was, among other things, an invitation to all to realize that they, too, had been “called by name” for a special mission, whatever it might be.
The new missioners, will arrive at their sites in early January, said Jill Staudt, FMS communications and development associate.
From left to right in photo: Joel Vaughn, Nora Pfeiffer, Lynn Myrick, Clare Lassiter, Catherine Giller, Cecilia Marcy and Tim Marcy.