Here’s a way to help in the war-torn lands where Jesus and the Apostles walked

By Valerie Schmalz

Sometimes as we read the headlines and news stories about Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, Iraq, Iran and now Syria – we are confused and overwhelmed by the tragedy, loss of life and conflict. We wonder: What can we do?

The head of a nearly 100-year-old Catholic organization created to minister to “the souls scattered across the storied yet turbulent lands of the ancient Eastern Catholic churches” is in the Archdiocese of San Francisco this week. In addition to the Middle East, CNEWA operates in Eastern Europe, the Horn of Africa and India.

“We accompany the church,” said Msgr. Peter Vaccari, president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association. He emphasizes CNEWA is not a missionary organization as its focus is support of the 23 Eastern Catholic churches, some of which were established by the Apostles. “We’re going right back to our roots.”

Msgr. Vaccari will be speaking at parishes in San Francisco and San Mateo, concluding his visit at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Assumption this weekend where he will deliver the homily at all the Masses. Msgr. Vacarri’s complete speaking schedule is below.

In 2022 and 2023, CNEWA distributed more than $48 million toward programs that accompany the church, educate, offer healing, and affirm human dignity. CNEWA supports the work of religious sisters, lay leaders, brothers and priests, assists however it can in disparate circumstances, and brings emergency relief—for instance recently trucking clean water, medicine and food into war zones in Ukraine where the Russians had poisoned the water.  It works directly with the bishops or eparchs of the 23 Eastern churches, with the papal nuncios in the various countries, and with partner Catholic organizations including Knights of Columbus, Order of Malta, and Caritas.

 “We’re doing it because we’re Catholic, not because you’re Catholic,” noting that, for instance, in Iraq religious sisters are teaching students most of whom are not Christian but whose parents value the education and morality of the nuns, Msgr. Vaccari said.

CNEWA is one of about 20 Catholic organizations under the Vatican’s Dicastery for Eastern Churches. The organization is based in New York. When Pope Pius XI established CNEWA in 1926, after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and amid the chaos after World War I, he gave its administration to the U.S. bishops and the chair of the board of directors is the archbishop of New York. CNEWA is a 501-c-3 organization so donations are tax-deductible.

Msgr. Vaccari’s speaking schedule:

Wednesday, Dec. 11 _ 6:30 p.m. registration: CNEWA presentation (7-8 p.m.) to the Knights of Columbus St. Francis Chapter and parishioners at Mater Dolorosa Parish, 307 Willow Ave., South San Francisco. 

Thursday, Dec. 12 _ 6:30 p.m.: CNEWA presentation (one hour) at Church of the Nativity, 210 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park. 

 Friday, Dec. 13 _ 9:30 a.m. : CNEWA presentation at St. Stephen Parish, 451 Eucalyptus Drive, San Francisco. (St. Thomas More parishioners also invited)

6:30 p.m.: Advent reflection (30 minutes), followed by group reflection (30 minutes), followed by fellowship/reception and CNEWA presentation (40 minutes) at St. Augustine Parish, 3700 Callan Blvd., South San Francisco.

Dec. 14 -15 (Present Homilies at Cathedral weekend Masses)

5:30 p.m.: Vigil Mass at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption

Sunday, Dec. 15:    

 7:30 a.m.:  Mass at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption 

9:00 a.m.:  Mass at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption 

11:00 a.m.:  Mass at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption 

1:00 p.m.:    Mass at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption (Spanish)