Father Andrew Small named new national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States
“As a good friend of Father Andrew Small, and having collaborated with him in a number of mission arenas, it is my honor to welcome him to the Pontifical Mission Societies family – ‘one family in mission.’ With Father Small’s missionary priestly formation and pastoral experience, and his extensive educational attainments, the national direction of the Pontifical Mission Societies will be very well served, and the needs of the mission ad gentes, well addressed. His dynamic leadership and warm personality will endear him to both those entrusted with mission animation in U.S. dioceses and the poor of the world.” -- Monsignor John E. Kozar, National Director (2001-2011)

In a statement, Father Small said: “I am humbled by the responsibility entrusted to me, one that once belonged to the esteemed Archbishop Fulton Sheen. I look forward to working with the great mission family in the United States, whose love for the church is both wide and deep.”

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, called Father Small’s appointment “great news for the Church in the United States and around the world,” Catholic News Service reported.  Archbishop Dolan also paid tribute to Monsignor Kozar, who completed his two five-year terms as National Director, thanking him for his service to the United States and the Vatican.  “Monsignor Kozar deserves all our thanks, especially for his diligence and perseverance,” Archbishop Dolan said.  “He successfully urged U.S. Catholics to give generously for the work of evangelization.”

Born in Liverpool, England, and now a U.S. citizen, Father Small entered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Dublin in 1989. He studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and then at Milltown Institute in Dublin before his ordination in Liverpool in 1999. He holds law degrees from Sheffield University in England and Georgetown University Law Center, where he is an adjunct professor of international law. He also holds a doctorate in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington. Father Small joined the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in 2004 as a policy adviser on international economic development. Before that he worked in pastoral ministry in Houston and in Rio de Janeiro. Since May 2009, he has been associate director of the USCCB’s Office of National Collections and director of the Collection for the Church in Latin America.

Father Andrew Small, OMI succeeds Monsignor John Kozar as National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States (photo by Bob Roller)
The Pontifical Mission Societies consist of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Holy Childhood Association, the Society of St. Peter Apostle and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious. The Pontifical Mission Societies have, as their primary purpose, the promotion of a universal missionary spirit — a spirit of prayer and sacrifice — among all baptized Catholics.

The first three Societies, in carrying out that goal, invite baptized Catholics to express their missionary commitment by offering their prayers, personal sacrifices and financial support for the work of the Church in the Missions. The Missionary Union of Priests and Religious works to deepen mission awareness among priests, men and women Religious, catechists, and educators so that they are fully prepared to take on the mission formation of the faithful. These four Societies each received the title “pontifical” in 1922 to indicate their status as official instruments of the Holy Father and of the Universal Roman Catholic Church.

Local Missionary, Sister Cindy Sullivan, BVM, of the Working Boys Center in Quito, Ecuador was recently interviewed on KATH 910 AM in Dallas/Fort Worth and was broadcast on EWTN.  Sister Cindy is a native of Massena, NY and participated in this year’s Missionary Coop program speaking in Watertown, Norfolk and Cape Vincent.  Listen in to what she has to say:

Sister Cindy where is she shown visiting a local rotary club in 2007.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/SharedPublic/Sister+Cindy+Sullivan+Interview.mp3