Published October 25, 2002
Fr. Shields credits prayer, aid for growth of Far East mission
‘I’m back, the snow has come and my heart is happy’
Father Michael Shields, pastor of the Nativity of Jesus Parish in Magadan, Russia, recently shared a message of "deep gratitude" and discussed his concerns for the archdiocese-based foreign mission.
In Anchorage from mid-September to mid-October while obtaining a new Russian visa, Father Shields spoke at three parishes in the Anchorage Bowl, calling on parishioners to strengthen and share their faith globally.
He challenged people of the archdiocese to "develop a mission spirit and realize that with the richness of faith, we have something to share," he told the Anchor near the end of his stay in Anchorage.
In addition to financial aid, Father Shields said that the success of the Russian Far East mission is rooted in deep prayer, on both sides of the Bering Sea.
"There’s a power and connection in prayer that supports us. I sense that’s why the Mission to Magadan is growing like it is," he said.
Father Shields has served as pastor of the Magadan parish since 1994. During that time, Nativity of Jesus has grown from 20 to 120 worshipers, testing the dimensions of the small apartment space that currently serves as the church.
Moving from the apartment into an actual church that is now being constructed will cement the parish’s identity as an authentic faith tradition and not what some Russians see as a "sect," he said.
About a month away from completion, the new 200-seat church will include a small adjoining chapel and a humanitarian aid center. The project is costing about $950,000.
The Mission to Magadan, started in 1991 by then-Archbishop Francis Hurley, is fed by donations from U.S. and European dioceses. Support is coordinated by the Anchorage Archdiocese’s Russian Desk.
With the much-anticipated church-building project in its final phase, Father Shields’ new concern is that his parishioners be able to practice their faith peacefully, careful not to "add fuel to the fire" of growing tensions with the Russian Orthodox Church.
At the root of the strained relations is the creation of four Russian Catholic dioceses that the Vatican upgraded from apostolic administrations in February. The Orthodox opposed the upgrade, accusing Catholics of proselytizing in traditionally Orthodox territory.
In the months since then, four Catholic priests and one bishop who are not citizens of Russia have been expelled from the country.
The expulsions led to complaints of religious discrimination from the Catholic community, which relies heavily on foreign clergy.
"The Orthodox Church is the main church and the culture of Russia. That’s undeniable," Father Shields said. "In the midst of tensions, we just have to enter the church with simplicity and humility and ride out the storm," he said.
He believes that when people of both faiths begin to speak and pray together, the barriers will dissolve, he added.
Father Shields, carrying a new three-month visa, departed Anchorage for Magadan Oct. 12.
He sent word to the Anchor Oct. 14 that he had made it back to Magadan "without a hitch."
"I am back, the snow has come and my heart is happy," he wrote in an e-mail. "It’s not a bad thing to have a happy heart."