In a letter from Alfredo Becerra Vázquez, CM we learn of the establishment of an Office of Communications for the Congregation of the Mission. The creation of this Office which now includes the web page of the Congregation expands the role of Fr. Julio Suescun Olcoz, new Director of Communications. See the following for details.

CONGREGAZIONE DELLA MISSIONE
CURIA GENERALIZIA
Oficina de Comunicaciones

Via dei Capasso, 30 Tel (39) 06 666 37 30 /32 /36
00164 Roma – Italia Fax (39) 06 666 38 31
e-mail: cmcuria@cmglobal.it

Roma, 17 May 2007

Dear Confreres and Members of the Vincentian Family,

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all”

Greetings from the Eternal City! During the Tempo Fore Meeting in December, Fr. G. Gregory Gay, Superior General announced the appointment of Fr. Julio Suescun Olcoz as the new Director of Communications (VIncentiana, Nuntia y and the web page of the CM) of the Congregation of the Mission.

Fr. Suescun was born in Navarra. He is 72 years old, has 56 years of vocation and 48 as priest. He belongs to the Province of Zaragoza, and before coming to the General Curia he was working in a parish in Teruel (Spain). He has served in different capacities in the Congregation. At present he is the Executive Secretary of SIEV and is in charge of the Vincentian Family web page in Spanish.

Fr. Suescun arrived in Rome on the 19th of April and we have had time to make the endorsement of the Office of Communication. I thank him for his availability in assuming this Office. We all know his capability for the Office that the Congregation entrusts him with. I ask you to lend him your support as you have done to me during my years in the Office.

I thank all those who have helped me during this time: the personnel in the General Secretariat, translators (confreres and lay), and confreres who have contributed news and information.

A challenge for all of us is how to promote a communication that is more alive in order to animate the Congregation and the Vincentian Family and to share with one another how we live our Vincentian charism in the service of the poor today.

I am sure that the Office will continue to offer a service that would enhance unity in the Congregation and within the Vincentian Family.

As I turn over the Office of Communication to Fr. Suescun, I was given charge of the Archives in the General Curia. My e-mail is archives@cmglobal.org. I am at your service in whatever need you may have from this new Office.
I would like to share with you in this letter a story that may encourage all of us who work for God’s reign and I hope that we may all continue doing so with the same wisdom and perseverance as Eliahu.God bless you always!

Fraternally in St. Vincent,
Alfredo Becerra Vázquez, CM

In one oasis of the desert, there was Eliahú on his knees, along the rows of date palms. His neighbor Hakim stopped by to let his camels drink and saw him perspiring while he seemed to be digging in the sand.
“How are you, Eliahú? Peace be with you.”
“And to you too”, answered Eliahú without leaving his work.
“What are you doing here in this heat and with that shovel in your hands?”
“I am planting,” answered the old man.
“And what are you planting here?” Hakim asked.
“Dates” answered Eliahú while pointing to the surrounding palm trees.
“Dates!” repeated Hakim at the same time closing his eyes like someone who has heard the greatest stupidity. “The heat has really ruined your brain, my friend. Come, leave this work and let us go to the shade and have a drink.”
“No, I have to finish planting. Later perhaps, if you want …. .”
“Tell me, my friend: How old are you?
“Fifty, but what does it matter?”
“You see, my friend, the date palms take more than 50 years to grow and only when they are mature are they able to bear fruit. I do not wish you evil and you know that, but you know you will not be able to reap anything from what you plant today. Leave that and come with me.
“Hakim, I ate the dates that another person has planted, one who perhaps did not dream of eating them. I plant now so that others can eat tomorrow the dates that I plant today. And even if only to honor this unknown person, it is worth finishing my task.”