I received my first mission assignment during our Deacon
Year (1965-66) at Maryknoll, New York. In those days every Maryknoller dreamed
of going into the Superior General’s Office on our official assignment day to
hear dramatic words like these: "Joe, you are assigned to the Africa Region. The
African people need you. The African people are waiting for you. Go!"

    Sounds great, but in fact I received my first mission
assignment in the laundry room at Maryknoll. Yes, the laundry room! It was
December, 1965 and I had just brought my dirty laundry downstairs. Father Al
Nevins, the Editor of the Maryknoll Magazine, stopped me in the corridor and
said: "Joe, you’re going to be assigned to Journalism School. Be sure to send in
your application before Christmas." And that was that!