A Grand Gesture

On 11th February, 2013, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, The King of Bahrain, His Majesty Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, in his efforts to support freedom of religion and expression in his country, bestowed a great gift on the Catholic Church - almost 9,000 square meters (2 acres) of land in Awali, Bahrain, to build a new Cathedral. This was breaking news! There was excitement throughout Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait among the Catholic faithful.

Meanwhile, an American national, Mr. Joe Duggan, a fervent Catholic and a strong lover of the Catholic Church got in touch with Bishop Camillo Ballin and made a suggestion about reaching out to the people in the United States for their support towards the Project in Bahrain. He got in touch with many of his friends and one among them was Dr. Robert Royal, the founder and president of the Faith & Reason Institute (Washington, D.C.), editor-in-chief of The Catholic Thing, a scholar, yet a devout and humble Catholic. Many will remember Dr. Royal on the EWTN panel that covered the recent conclave of the Cardinals for the election of the new Pope. On March 13th when the smoke indicated the new Pope was elected, Dr. Royal was there. The present Pope, formerly, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected by 115 cardinals and took the name FRANCIS.

Dr. Royal, along with his daughter, Mr. Joseph Duggan, his wife and a friend along with Fr. Freddy, Fr. Gaspar, Fr. Ding and Mr. Omar in the presence of Bishop Camillo had a meeting to discuss the various aspects of the Bishop’s trip to the US to gain support for the Project – Cathedral Bahrain. After much deliberation, Dr. Royal and Mr. Duggan took up the task of contacting the respective hierarchy (Cardinals, Nuncios, Archbishops and Bishops, Provincials), prelates, members of the House of Representatives, Order of Malta and Knights of Columbus, Non-Profit Organizations, CNEWA, Church in Need, Media etc. The appointments were coming in and the coordination began. God was guiding us along and opening new avenues. Everything was set. Bishop Camillo flew to the US from Canada on 16th May and Fr. Gaspar Fernandes, a Capuchin, accompanied him.

Thus, the Journey began …

Meeting with the Cardinals:

Bishop Camillo Ballin, had appointments with five Cardinals, beginning with His Eminence Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington. Bishop Camillo met His Eminence at his humble residence. Both clicked instantly. The Archbishop took a keen interest in the work of evangelization and a new place of worship in Bahrain. His Eminence told Bishop Camillo that he would be at the Georgetown University in Doha in connection with faith and academics for a short while and he would be glad to meet him there. (They met on June 11th at the Rosary Parish Residence in Doha). The Cardinal gave his blessings and said he would certainly help through his friends.

His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington: His Eminence was gracious, kind and encouraging. He advised the Bishop to write to The Papal Foundation and said he would support the request made for the new Cathedral in Bahrain. He also welcomed the idea for mission appeal in his diocese.

Moments of Faith:

We were even blessed to hear testimonies of miracles on our trip! Elisa and John Aglieco had this testimony to share with us of their little son, Cassian, which shows how God intervenes in the lives of people. (Photos of Cassian can be found in the Album below).

"Our little miracle baby’s story started with an uncertain diagnosis. Half way through the pregnancy we were shown an ultrasound that showed his skull was not properly forming in the back of his head and there was quite a large space where his brain should have been. While the doctor was looking at these anomalies, he noticed there was a problem with his heart. The cardiologist let us know that our little guy had a heart that was not forming properly either, two rather large holes in his heart. Through the prayers of many across the United States, we were blessed with a miracle. Within four weeks, we went back for further testing and the skull was closed, the holes in his heart had not entirely disappeared but were closing. By the time little Cassian was born, his brain and head were fully developed and the holes in his heart were so tiny that the doctor couldn’t hear a problem! God is so good. He sent so many people to pray with us and for us! The number of people who sacrificed for our baby, who fasted and prayed for him, it was all an amazing testament to God’s great goodness and mercy. We are doubly blessed with a healthy boy and a deeper sense of gratitude."

Houston, Texas:

Mary Barnes who escorted Bishop Camillo, writes: Houston was honoured by the presence of Bishop Camillo, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia. Bishop Camillo made a quick trip there during his first trip to the United States.

The Bishop was met at Houston’s Hobby Airport by the Barnes family on Sunday, June 2, 2013 and escorted to a buffet brunch at Americas Restaurant that had been arranged for him by the Hickmans.

There Bishop Camillo also met with members of the Hust family, who hosted him overnight at their lovely home, as well as the Masterson family. These individuals are all actively involved in numerous Catholic organizations, both in the United States and abroad. They were most interested to learn what the Bishop had to share about the Church in the Gulf Region, and the plans for the erection of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia. They were also delighted to learn that Bishop Camillo enjoyed his introduction to the American tradition of "brunch," a week-end meal that is served late morning/early afternoon and includes both breakfast and luncheon dishes.

After brunch, we were honoured to participate in the Mass that Bishop Camillo celebrated at the Hust home. That evening, Houston’s Knights and Dames of Malta held a reception honouring Bishop Camillo at Lakeside Country Club. This event was organized by Federal Association Hospitaler Robert Signorelli and his wife. They had the support of a Host Committee of local Knights and Dames. Again, Bishop Camillo enlightened all to the challenges facing our Christian brothers and sisters in the Gulf Region.

Next morning, the Barnes and Hust families were privileged once again to participate in the Mass with Bishop Camillo at the Hust home. The Barneses then escorted the Bishop to breakfast at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Houston with H.E. Ambassador Chase Untermeyer, former US Ambassador to Qatar, and his wife.

Following an informative exchange and pleasant time together, the Barneses escorted the Bishop to the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, where for an hour Bishop Camillo met privately with His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston.

After this meeting, Bishop Camillo was given a brief tour of the co-cathedral in Houston, before being escorted to the airport for his flight back to New York City.

Our Special Gratitude:

The Lord sent us many angels on our Mission Trail who helped us to organize, coordinate the whole trip. They were there to accommodate us, to drive us around, to guide, help and support us, and to make us feel at home:

• His Grace Archbishop Petar Rajic (Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE and Yemen)

• Mr. Joseph Duggan, instrumental in getting appointments and make arrangements for Bishop Camillo.

• Dr. Robert Royal, he left no stone unturned to make sure that Bishop Camillo met the right people, to help him find listeners, and people of interest to muster support for the Vicariate of Northern Arabia.

• Mr. Sarkis Boghjalian (National Director of Aid to the Church in Need, who sponsored our trip to the US and took good care of the Bishop and his assistant).

• Mr. Edward Clancy (Assistant National Director, always made himself available and drove us around the city – a wonderful gentleman)

• Mr. Austin Quick (A veteran who served in the army and was way back based in Kuwait, a friend of Bishop Camillo. He is now the Chief of Staff for the Congressman Tom Demmer (Illinois) – He was with us for 10 days driving us around and being with us, a multifaceted personality, a jovial and devout Catholic – a very generous and kind person)

• In New York: Pastor Rev. Jesus Cuadros (St. Thomas Aquinas, Brooklyn), Rev. Fr. Luis (friend of Bishop Camillo who is serving in Miami), Mr and Mrs. Cristela and family, Pastor Rev. Luigi Zanotto, MCCJ (St. Lucy, Newark), Rev. Fr. Paul Donohue MCCJ, Rev. Provvido Crozzoletto, MCCJ, and Rev. Brian Quigley, MCCJ (Mission Director), Rev. Francis Gasparik, capuchin Provincial, The Guardian and the community (St. John the Baptist, New York), Rev. Gerald Mulvey, Capuchin, Rev. Arun Lobo, Capuchin.

• In Washington DC: Rev. David Nestler, Capuchin Provincial, Rev. Bob Toomey, OFM. Cap, Rev. Paul Dressler, OFM Cap, Rev. Anil Gonsalves, OFM Cap, Mrs Tricia Lloyd and her husband, Mrs Elisa Aglieco (Assistant to the Chaplain US House of Representatives) and family, Mrs, Jeanne Allen, Rev. Peter Vaghi (Pastor – Little Flower Parish, Maryland), Mr. Oliver Schwab (Chief of Staff for Congressman David Schweikert)

• In Chicago: The Clergy at Newman Catholic Student Center- Iowa , The Fransciscan Nuns - Peoria), Congressman Tom Demmer, Congressman Bobby Schilling and friends, Rev. F. Angelo Biancalana MCCJ, Rev. Peter Premarini MCCJ, Rev. Fr. Joseph Garcaoviedo, MCCJ, Pastor Fr. Logan (St. Pius X – Rock Island, IL)

• In Boston: Rev. David Couturier, OFM Cap, Guardian, Rev. Tino Arias, Mission Director.

• In Houston- Texas: John and Mary Barnes & family, Chari Hust and family, Darla Hickman and family and Knights and Dames of Malta organization in Houston.

• Benefactors and Donors for their contributions.

• A very special thanks to the Comboni Missionaries in the US (Newark and Illinois) for their generosity and kindness. A special word of thanks to Rev. Brian Quigley, MCCJ (Mission Director).