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About The Georgia bulletin (Atlanta) 1963-current | View Entire Issue (March 12, 1987)
Page 4 • Faith Today CHILDREN'S STORY HOUR Helping people know Jesus By Janaan Manternach NC News Service oung Francis Xavier was excited to be at the great University of Paris in 1525. Just 19, he was a student at the world’s most famous university. He knew that if he graduated he would be able to get a good job and make lots of money. He and his roommate, Peter Faber, studied hard. After a couple of years they met Ignatius of Loyola who became one of their companions. Ignatius was older and was studying to be a priest. One day Ignatius asked Francis a question that Jesus once asked: “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Francis thought long and hard about that question. Finally he decided to give up his dreams of riches and honor. He joined Ig natius, Peter Faber and four others in a new religious order, the Society of Jesus or Jesuits. They committed themselves to help more people come to know and love Jesus. Francis Xavier was ordained a priest in 1537. He and the other Jesuits preach ed and taught in Europe's cities and towns. Then Ignatius sent Francis as a missionary to India. The trip across the ocean by ship took four months. Francis would never see Europe or Ignatius again. Father Francis was tremendous ly successful in his first missionary efforts. He went from village to village telling people about Jesus Christ and his Gospel. Francis baptized thousands of Indians. Father Francis became friends with a Japanese nobleman who wanted to become a Catholic. Francis and his new Japanese friend sailed for Japan. No one in Japan had heard yet of Jesus Christ. But the noblemen of Japan would not meet with Francis who dressed like a poor foreigner. So Francis decided to put away his poor clothes for the time being. He put on a flowing silk robe so he looked more like the important Japanese noblemen he wanted to meet. He also took with him gifts like clocks and music boxes. The most important of the Japanese noblemen now welcom ed Father Francis and let him tell the Japanese about Jesus. Francis put other Jesuits in charge of his missionary work in Japan. He dreamed of going to China to bring the good news of Jesus to that huge land. He sailed to Sancian, a small island off the coast of China. It was a hideout for Chinese smug glers and a base for Portuguese merchants. Father Francis became very ill and died on that desolate island. The great missionary was canoniz ed in 1622. In 1927 he was nam ed patron of missionaries. His feast day each year is Dec. 3- (Ms. Manternach is the author of catechetical ivorks, scripture stories and original stories for children.) H OW DO YOU ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR FAITH? When friends, neighbors or relatives ask about the Catholic Faith, do you struggle to find a simple explanation? Do you know where to find the answers? The Catholic Church Extension Society offers a new brochure that clearly explains the basics of the Catholic Faith as never before. In 16 easy-to-read, full-color pages, The Catholic Church — Who Are We? invites readers to learn what Catholics believe and what the Church can offer them. This booklet gives practicing Catholics renewed pride in their faith, and is a perfect gift for anyone seeking to know what it means to be Catholic. The Catholic Church — Who Are We?, produced in cooperation with Franciscan Communications, is part of Extension’s commitment to extend the Catholic Faith across America. The Catholic Church EXTENSION Society 35 E. Wacker Drive • Chicago, Illinois 60601 312 • 236-72-40 FT 0910 Enclosed is $ for copy(s) of The Catholic Church — Who Are We? at $1.00 each. Name Address City State Zip Hidden Words Find the words hidden in the puzzle below. They may be vertical, horizontal or diagonal. All the words are found in this week's children's story. P Y o E L S I E E Y E R T L T R A N G S X A S M E E E G U A T N I R R I A I D S N O A G E V T S K O K I I E C A W L C I R S D N N X A A S S T S N G M L D N L S S I I T H L E D D L P M E M N A P A J S XAVIER, INDIA, JAPAN, MISSIONARY, ISLAND. IGNATIUS HOW ABOUT YOU? □ Make your own poster with St. Francis Xavier as the central figure. Choose a scene from this week’s story: with his friend St. Ignatius; on board ship; in India, Japan or China. At the bottom of your poster write two or three sentences to tell what Francis Xavier is doing or thinking. Children's Reading Corner In The Glory Girl, by Betsy Byars, everyone in the Glory family is musical with the exception of Anna. She can’t carry a tune. It is her role to sell records and tapes at the end of the family’s performances. She feels like a misfit. Then Uncle Newt helps her to appreciate that she is the best of the bunch. She learns from him that she has a generous, kind way. (Viking Press, 40 W. 23rd St., New York, N.Y. 10010. 1983. Hardback, $10.95.)
