Encountering God in Our Supporters

Our returned missioners commit to sharing their mission experiences with North Americans. This helps spread the Franciscan charism as well as bring awareness to issues faced by the poor abroad.

One of our returned missioners who regularly speaks for FMS is Doug Garofalo, who shares with us today how he has encountered God in those he has met since his time on mission abroad.

Returned Missioner Doug Garofalo (Brazil, 2006-2008)

“Ever since I returned from my service in Brazil back in December 2007, I have seen the face of God almost every day and have come to learn to find the good in every person or situation I encounter. And especially now as I type this days after Hurricane Sandy hit us hard here in New Jersey and most of the East Coast.

Most especially, though, I have seen the face of God in all the generous people, young and old, that have welcomed me to their parishes over the past five years for the annual Propagation of Faith mission appeals. So many people thanked me and FMS; and shared many connections to me, FMS, or other missionary orders.

One gesture I will never forget is the donation given to me by a toddler girl. She and her mom sat next to me at one Mass and she smiled shyly when giving me the envelope (which I keep on my refrigerator door) with a couple of dollars enclosed for our good works. One more child learning how to keep building the Church here and abroad!”

If you’re planning on join the ranks of generous donors to Franciscan Mission Service this year, we’d like to remind you that your donation must be postmarked to P.O. Box 29034, Washington, DC 20017 or made online by 11:59 p.m. on December 31 to met the tax deadline.

Franciscan Mission Service is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so the full amount of your gift to us is deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Along with the acknowledgment of your gift, you’ll receive in the mail a donation tax receipt with our tax ID number and a summary of your donations for the year which should be kept for your records.