Sharing Christ Across Faiths and Cultures
Fr. Rocco Puopolo is a Recipient of the Bishop Cheverus Medal from the Archdiocese of Boston
Fr. Rocco Puopolo was recently named as one of the recipients of the Bishop Cheverus Medal from the Archdiocese of Boston. Since 2008, the Archdiocese has honored individuals recognized for exemplary service given in the name of the Lord.
The Archbishop writes: “This year, we continue that tradition of honoring faithful and generous men and women throughout the Archdiocese…” Fr. Rocco was selected as a 2025 recipient of the Cheverus Medal.
The medal will be presented at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross at 3 pm, Sunday, November 23rd. All are welcome to attend. If you plan to attend, please let us know as we need to supply a guest list by November 5th, 2025. Call the office at 508-429-2144 or email holliston@xaverianmissionaries.org.
In collaboration with the Holliston Drug and Alcohol Awareness Coalition, Chris’ Corner in Milford, and Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, is gathering families and individuals who have lost loved ones to substance abuse, those who currently struggle with addiction, and those healing in their sobriety.
The Butterfly Garden at the shrine commemorates those lost during the opioid crisis and beyond. Their names are inscribed within the garden.
Join us for a candlelight prayer in the garden, featuring food, activities, tables of resources, speakers, and opportunities for mutual support.
New Mission Blog Post: A Catholic Muslim Dialogue on the Figure of Muhammad
by Fr. Carl Chudy, D.Min.
On Saturday, October 25th, the Islamic Center of Boston presented an interfaith dialogue opportunity through its Interfaith Bookclub, focusing on the book by Ekram Haque titled Muhammad: Son of Abraham, Brother of Moses, Successor of Jesus. Responses were shared by Rev. Dr. Ian Mevoarch of the Common Street Spiritual Center, Fr. Carl Chudy, D.Min., of the Metrowest Interfaith Community, and Our Lady of Fatima Shrine. Shaheen Akhtar, a member of the mosque, moderated the event.
In Our Time
“In our time, as humanity is drawn closer together day by day, and the ties between different peoples become stronger, the Catholic Church examines more closely her relationship to those of faiths other than our own. In our task of promoting unity and love among all humankind, indeed among nations, we consider above all in this declaration what we have in common and what draws us to fellowship.”
I begin my thoughts on the enlightening volume by Ekram Haque, Muhammad: Son of Abraham, Brother of Moses, Successor of Jesus, with the first sentence of the Vatican II document, Nostra Aetate (In our Time), which ushered a revolutionary shift in how we as Catholics connect with the broader world. We share Mr. Haque’s driving concern when he states: “To my Christian and Jewish brethren, let us build our relationship on shared faiths…”
This year, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of this fundamental teaching on how Catholics, in accord with our tradition, must build solidarity with our friends of other faiths. Together with another teaching of Vatican II, Lumen Gentium (Light of the Nations), they guide us in understanding some fundamental aspects of what I share with you…
In the Church’s interfaith movement, one of our unique opportunities is our interfaith solidarity, religious and secular dialogue, and collaboration. We began this work in 2013 by gathering secular humanists and spiritual leaders at our conference center in Coatbridge, Scotland. We continued this work in 2015 by convening a similar conference at Rutgers University in New Jersey, bringing together secular and religious voices to seek common ground. For the last eight years, we have gathered a MeetUp group of religious and secular friends once a month. Search our website for a recap of these events, church teaching on understanding the culture of unbelief, and blog posts and articles for further study. Our conversations now take place directly on Zoom, not through Meetup. Contact missionmedia@xaverianmissionaries.org for more information.
LISTENING TO THOSE WHO LEFT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
In America, the landscape of the Catholic Church is changing dramatically, as is all religious communities and institutions. The new mission of the Xaverian Missionaries seeks to engage with our Catholic tradition to all outside of the church, Christianity, and even religion itself. The departure of those who were formed in the Catholic faith is felt in every parish. Disaffiliated families make up the majority of Catholic communities throughout the country.
We listen to those who left the church and sacramental practice with loving empathy.
We root ourselves in these departure narratives, learning about their world and how they walk in it.
We gain deeper insight into the needs, longings, and desires of young people and others. In dialogue with our tradition, we can change our pastoral maps and parish cultures, beginning in Catholic families.
Catholic Interfaith Solidarity
Check out the latest resources and opportunities for Catholics and others to share our lives, faith, and friendship with people of other faiths and traditions. Click here. Other resources for interfaith dialogue may be found here.
