If there was ever a man who loves his job, it's Paulo Lala. Master Paulo Lala that is.

He's the master (principal) of the St. Joseph the Worker School just outside Suva, the capital city of Fiji in the South Pacific.

He is typical of the devoted native Fijians that we encountered during a recent mission visit to this island nation. Although a devout Catholic, and the fact that this is a Catholic diocesan school, he accepts everyone, including other Christians, Hindus and Muslims who make up this nations's population. "We turn none away", he says. "we have 809 children, mostly urban poor, ages 6 to 14, and with 19 teachers reporting to me, I fill my day".

In addition to running the school, he also teaches full time, and maintains a beautiful family life with four children and 4 grandchildren. "I grew up on the

Every summer, missionaries are invited to come and speak about their programs to parishes in the Arlington Diocese. Participation for this program is very selective, as our office receives over 500 requests from missionaries each year. Speaking slots are filled by mission groups who have served or who are currently serving the Arlington Diocese, as well as by Bishops from impoverished dioceses selected by the bishop. 2/3 of the parishes receive a missionary speaker to inform them of that particular mission work. Parishioners are encouraged to pray for the mission, and the collection which follows is allocated for that mission and does not go into a general fund. 1/3 of the diocesan parishes receive information on the diocesan missions in the Dominican Republic. Former and current pastors who have served or who are serving in those missions travel around the diocese preaching on the work done in Banica and Pedro Santana. Money collected after these appeals serves the missions in the Dominican Republic, and again, is only for that purpose.

Carly Latessa, a sixth grade student at Saint Luke's Catholic School in MCLean, VA is one of twenty-five winners in this year's National Holy Childhood Association's Annual Christmas Card Contest. Over a thousand entries vied for the coveted prize of gracing the...

Mark 10:17: As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher", he asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"... Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack", He said. "Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.