List Of Divine Stories

Fr. Thierry Koula, SVD completed his formation program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, was ordained in 2016, and is now serving in Chad in Central Africa.

The food pantry at Risen Lord Church in Maysel, Clay County, West Virginia is just one example of how we are responding. It used to provide food for 105 children a week through its backpack program at an elementary school in Clay County. When the local schools closed at the beginning of the pandemic, it served 1,167 students during the first week.

Our missionaries often work with those who are economically disadvantaged. All too often, regular employment is a challenge. For that reason, many missionaries have become adept at partnering with organizations who are equipped to provide job training. Fr. Bob Kelly, SVD at the former St. Elizabeth Church, now part of Our Lady of Africa, on the South Side of Chicago, is one such example.

One Saturday afternoon after Mass practice with the altar boys and girls, Seminarian Khanh Ha noticed that the children were not leaving to return home. When he asked why, the answer was disturbing.

From poisonous spiders and snakes to arid spring-to-fall heat to crushing poverty made worse by a corrupt government, life is not easy for the people of Bahia Negra, Paraguay nor for the Divine Word Missionaries who share in their existence.

When he saw a young man angry and seeking revenge after his brother was killed by rival gang members in front of his house, Brother Bernie knew he wanted to offer peace to this man and his family.

Rodrigo Gomez grew up without a father. “Everything for me was kind of hard because I had to figure out stuff on my own.”

The food pantry is open every Thursday at St. Thomas Catholic Church in West Virginia and on this particular Thursday, there is a long line. The need is especially acute.