4
September 10, 2013
IN OUR DIOCESE
The Valley Catholic
Tom Purekal (center) with Carol Thornton (left), pastoral associate at St. Mary Parish in Los Gatos, and Alison Judd, CRS regional representative.
CRS worker explains development efforts in South Sudan
BENEDICTUS AWARD — The Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, whose Liturgical Apostolate Center in San Jose recently closed, were honored by San José Bishop Patrick J. McGrath who bestowed the Benedictus Award for the Sisters’ 40 years of work in the local Church. The Sisters, who joined the bishop at his home, included (l-r) Sr. M. Nieves Salinas; Sr. M. Josephine Fallon, Delegate Superior, Staten Island, New York; Sr. M. Lucy Mabazza; Sr. M. Rosario Gallardo and Sr. M. Emmanuel Kwak. The Benedictus Award has long been awarded by the Liturgical Commission of the Diocese of San Jose to those who “promote liturgical and artistic formation” in the Christian community. (See June 25, 2013 edition of The Valley Catholic for interview with Sisters Lucy and Rosario.)
Working to bring you independent Catholic news and analysis since 1964.
REPORTER
THE INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE
NATIONAL CATHOLIC
Subscribe today.
1-800-333-7373 NCRonline.org/order
Special offer: Mention code SJ2013 when ordering, and we’ll send you A Church Reborn, our Second Vatican Council 50th anniversary edition.
NCR is available on your Kindle, smartphone or tablet. Learn more at NCRonline.org/e-reader
By Roberta Ward The Church worked with the United St. Mary Parish in Los Gatos recently Nations, creating educational materials hosted a representative from Catholic geared to the UN’s Day of Peace and the Relief Services, in conjunction with the Church’s World Day of Peace. Social Ministries Of?ce of the Diocese “Demonstrations and celebrations of San Jose. took place,” he said, “and a Catholic Tom Purekal spoke on CRS develbishop and a local Imam embraced for opment efforts in South Sudan which the ?rst time. Past divisions were put gained independence as a new African aside. People travelled great distances country in 2011. He serves as Head of to cast their votes. The people clearly Programming for CRS in South Suwanted the referendum — and their dan — of?cially, the Reindependence.” public of South Sudan, That was just a start, a land-locked country he noted, “and now, ‘The people in east central Africa going forward, there which has long been are many issues. The clearly wanted caught in a struggle to Church has huge credthe referendum provide basic necessities ibility in Sudan because and infrastructure for it serves the people.” — and their its people. He said a c urrent independence.’ “The roads, for challenge is managing example, are very bad the expectations of the and largely unpaved,” people, but real develPurekal said, “so just delivering basic opment will take time and planning goods and services is a huge challenge. because the country has been devoid The territory is about the size of the of development and investment for eastern third of the U.S. and life in every 50 years. way is affected by multiple problems.” He said there is some good agriProviding food, water — especially cultural land and minerals, as well as water — health care, and security for oil, but there are concerns that these the people is stressful, he said. Pureval resources will be used for the bene?t is pleased to be working with CRS. The of the people or be ravaged by outside Catholic population is large and there investors. “Good decisions have to be are seven Catholic dioceses in South made, thoughtfully, for the bene?t of Sudan. His CRS of?ce is based at Juba, all,” he said. the capital city. Ethnic and cultural issues, as well Purekal is a native of New York, as religion, play a role now and for the graduate of Notre Dame University, future, Pureval said. Tribalism, too, with a master’s degree from Georgeplays a role in the stability of the new town University, and worked in Honcountry. Catholics represent 40 percent duras, in India and Sri Lanka before of the population of South Sudan, with his assignment to Sudan. He served on 30 percent Anglican, and the remainder the Business Development Team at CRS mostly Christian with a mix of African headquarters from 2 011-2012. tribal traditions. Sudan, since 1973, has been engaged There is a Catholic university in with Catholic Charities as a principal Juba, started by a Jesuit priest, and partner in human services. “We have a number of mostly missionary Rebeen able to do some really coordinated ligious orders from throughout the work,” Purekal said. world serve the area. He led the CRS Peace Building and Purekal has great hope for the new Governance program during Sudan’s country, and lauded CRS for its work, elections in 2010, which was followed urging Catholics to support it ?nanby South Sudan’s referendum and evencially as well as with their advocacy. tual independence in 2011. “Make people aware,” he said. “The Leading up to that, the Catholic Church can lobby the U.S. government, Church was very involved in peace for example, USAID plays a large role and human rights issues, Purekal said. in South Sudan.”
www.valleycatholiconline.com