Contact: Mike Virgintino, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, 914-941-7636 ext 2219

MARYKNOLL, N.Y., Sept. 4, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- "Mission in Partnership," with stories that reflect Maryknoll's collaborative efforts to support communities in the U.S. and abroad, is the theme for the September-October issues of "Maryknoll" magazine and the Spanish-language "Revista Maryknoll." Both magazines are published by the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, the foreign mission society of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. Current and recently published issues of both Maryknoll magazines can be viewed online(maryknollsociety.org/index.php/magazines).

The cover story for "Maryknoll" magazine ("Cincinnati in Solidarity") reports about the mission of Catholics in the Cincinnati Archdiocese. The archdiocesan mission office fosters an appreciation of people from other countries, and parishioners are creating a model for mission in the 21st century by establishing relationships throughout the United States and overseas.

In both editions of Maryknoll's magazines, an article about Cincinnati's Hispanic Catholics conveys the story about volunteers at the Hispanic Center Su Casa who respond to the needs of immigrants. The volunteers support new arrivals with social services and God's love.

Korea, Bolivia Collaboration

Collaboration among Maryknoll, dioceses, communities and people also is evident around the world.

Maryknoll Father Joseph Fedora's article focuses on the life journey of another Maryknoll Society member who was the first Korean missionary to serve in Latin America. Today, Father Kyungsu Son, as the president of the 150-member Association of Catholic Korean Missionaries in Latin America, works harmoniously with many people and organizations to help the poor.

"I know the Lord still has plans for me," said Father Son. "I remain his chopstick paired with those least among us -- the suffering poor -- trying to make a difference."

From Bolivia, a story in "Revista Maryknoll" by Maryknoll Father Raymond Finch explains the various opportunities in which people participate in overseas mission trips through the Maryknoll Mission Center in Cochabamba. Father Finch, a past Maryknoll superior general, is one of many people, both clergy and the laity, who shares faith in another culture. In the same issue, Maryknoll Father Thomas Henehan provides insight about Maryknoll's partnership with Fe y Vida, a pastoral institute in California dedicated to the biblical formation and leadership of Hispanic youth in the United States.

50th Anniversary of Vatican II

On the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, an article in both editions of Maryknoll’s magazines reflects on the church’s growth during the last half century, especially through the realization that all the people of God are called to be missioners.

Bishop William J. McNaughton, the last survivor of the 14 Maryknoll Society bishops who participated in all four annual sessions of the Second Vatican Council form 1962 to 1965, remembers the meetings as a "tremendous experience" to listen, learn and vote with more than 2,300 bishops from around the world in guiding the Catholic Church.

"The Council documents...show how our understanding of 'church' and 'mission' has grown, especially that all the People of God, including the laity, are called to be missioners," said Bishop McNaughton.

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers follow Jesus in serving the poor and others in need in 28 countries that include the U.S. All Catholics are called to mission through baptism and confirmation, and Maryknoll's mission education outreach in parishes and schools throughout the country engages U.S. Catholics in mission through vocations, prayer, donations and as volunteers. Maryknoll missioners share God's love and the Gospel in combating poverty, providing healthcare, building communities and promoting human rights. For more information, visit the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers at maryknollsociety.org and follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/MaryknollNews.