Former African missionary shares experiences with Totowa students
“Jesus is not foreign” to African Catholics but instead friendly and familiar in a close relationship that motivates them to evangelize.
Maryknoll Father Joseph “Joe” Healey, a former African missionary who served for 54 years, shared that with pre-k to eighth-grade students on Oct. 18 at the Academy of St. James of the Marches in Totowa. Wearing a bright African shirt, he told them about the dynamic people he had served and their customs, languages, and faith.
“We are sent to go out into the world to proclaim the Gospel to the people,” said Father Healey, 86, who missioned in Tanzania and Kenya. He urged St. James’ students to become “missionary disciples” like African Catholics, as Jesus commanded.
Students filled St. James’ cafeteria as Father Healey took them on a virtual safari. They outran cheetahs, alligators, and lions — native to Africa — that were chasing them. He introduced them to Swahili, the primary language in Eastern Africa, with words such as “Pendo,” which means “love.”
Father Healey also introduced students to a movement of 200,000 Small Christian Communities [SCCs] that gather weekly throughout Eastern Africa. Each group consists of 15 people and meets in the middle of the day in person or via video-conferencing. The movement recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
“We sit in a circle to pray, read the bible, and share our faith, answering the question, ‘Why are we Catholic?’ We are committed to the bible and mission — evangelizing the Gospel,” Father Healey said.
Father Healey’s talk at St. James preceded the Paterson Diocese’s observance of Word Mission Sunday with a Mass on Oct. 20 at St. Paul Parish in Prospect Park. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, the Mass’ main celebrant and homilist, led the diocese in thanking and praying for missionaries who spread the Gospel worldwide, including Father Healey. Turn to page 14 for the story and photos.
Today, Father Healey conducts an internet evangelization ministry while living with his brother, Tom, a member of the Church of Christ the King in the New Vernon neighborhood of Harding Township.
For many years, Father Healey has received a grant from the diocesan Mission Office, which partners each year with several foreign missionaries, most of whom originate from the Church of Paterson. Father Healey reported that support from the diocese and Christ the King helped expand SCCs in Africa.
Father Healey also introduced students to the World Mission Rosary, telling them the colorful beads will help them “learn about the continents and pray with children from around the world.”
After the presentation, Bianca Calderon, a St. James fourth grader, said she was surprised to learn that 94 percent of African Catholics attend weekly Mass. In comparison, 40 percent of Catholics attend Mass in the United States.
“Father Joe made me think more about sharing Jesus with others,” Calderon said.
For information on Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa, visit https://www.smallchristiancommunities.org
