Sharing Christ Across Faiths and Cultures
The Crucified Christ: Source and Inspiration of our Thoughts, Actions, and Affections. Saint Guido Conforti’s Missionary Theology and Spirituality
In the wake of the Feast of St. Guido Conforti, founder of the Xaverian Missionaries, on November 5th, we wanted to share with you the Master’s thesis of one of our confreres, Fr. Alex Rodriguez, who provides a simple, yet profound glimpse at the holiness and legacy of this missionary saint.
The Xaverian Missionaries USA Conclude their Annual Assembly November 2-6, 2026
The Xaverian Missionaries USA concluded their annual assembly at The Missionary Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, which took place from November 2 – 6, 2025. Our superiors from Rome also joined us. They include Fr. Mauro Loda, Vicar General of the Xaverian Missionaries worldwide, and Fr. Felipe de Jesús López Orozco, General Council. It was a marvelous occasion to come together from our mission centers in Holliston, Massachusetts, and Franklin, Wisconsin. The Xaverian Sisters of Mary also joined us on Founder’s Day, November 5th, for a special celebration. The General Direction appointed new leadership for our USA Delegation. Fr. Alex Rodriguez is the Superior Delegate, Fr. Carl Chudy is the Vice Delegate, and Br. Kornel Glossanto is a Councilor. Their term runs from 2025 to 2028. (Not pictured: Fr. Rocco Puopolo, Fr. Adolph Menendez, and Fr. Frank Grappoli)
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.
Launch of Episode 1 — “Taiwan: A Mosaic of Religions”
With this video, we launch the series “Taiwan, a Mosaic of Religions”, produced by MissioNET. The first episode, “Religious Diversity in Taiwan,” takes us into the island’s rich multireligious landscape, where syncretism is especially visible in the temples – places where different traditions meet and blend. Taiwanese people do not usually bind themselves rigidly to a single religion; instead, they prefer to preserve and practice their family‑inherited traditions, especially the veneration of ancestors.
Episode 2
Popular devotions to local temple deities sit alongside the calm of Japanese Zen, the non-dogmatic openness of Taoism, and Confucianism’s focus on human relationships. Together, they shape daily life in Taiwan.
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.
