In a chance meeting one day in 1993 on a small street in the Philippines, Maryknoll Sister Mary Grenough gave directions to a priest from Myanmar (Burma). When she identified herself as a Maryknoll Sister, his face beamed with recognition because he was familiar with the Maryknoll Magazine from his seminary days. This unplanned meeting was the beginning of her education about and deepening friendship with the people of Myanmar. She became friends with other Burmese priests, Sisters and youth who were also studying in the Philippines. They wanted her to “come and see,” and during a 1996 visit she chanced upon another connection with Myanmar.

Bicycling through a town with another Maryknoll Sister and a Burmese priest, she was startled by a house identified as “Maryknoll”! The owner graciously invited them in and after snacks, she explained that a Burmese priest gave her and her husband (catechists) a copy of the Maryknoll Magazine. They were inspired and decided when they could build their own house they would name it “Maryknoll.” This sign was a replica of the 1979 masthead of the magazine; another chance meeting—was it a “sign” for the future? Sister Mary said, “Discovering the vibrant mission spirit of this long-isolated church was a most humbling and inspiring experience.”

In 2005, Sister Mary explored needs and possibilities in Myanmar. Another chance encounter was arriving in Yangon during the annual meeting of the Bishops Conference and the Conference of Religious Superiors, a great opportunity to meet future co-workers, some of whom had been good friends since the 90’s. When Maryknoll said yes to the bishops request for help, she volunteered to join a new Maryknoll collaborative team to serve there starting in February, 2006, a Maryknoll Sister, Brother and priest, two Maryknoll Lay Missioners and three Philippine Catholic Lay Missioners.