Month: September 2014 Page 1 of 2
On Saturday 19th July 2014 Rev. Africano Mucunguzi and his “twin” brother Rev. Vincent Kyererezi of the Society of Missionaries of Africa were ordained to priesthood. The celebration was presided over by His Grace the Archbishop Paul K. Bakyenga of Mbarara Archdiocese at Nyamitanga Cathedral. It was a double celebration for relatives and friends of Africano and Vincent, who referred to themselves as ‘twins’ not only due to their identical vocational history in the Society of Missionaries of Africa, but mainly because of their long distinct and outstanding friendship. The ordination was attended by Bishop John Baptist Kakubi the Bishop Emeritus of Mbarara diocese, Fr. Charles Obanya the Provincial Superior of the East African province of Missionaries of Africa and his assistant Fr. John Asebire, numerous priests, religious men and women, and many other guests some from all over East and Central Africa.
The Archbishop reminded the ordinands of their task as priests to proclaim by word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to fashion their lives in accordance with its precepts.The “twins” Africano and Vincent celebrated their thanksgiving Masses on July 20th and 21st respectively. The main preachers at the thanksgiving Masses of Africano and Vincent were Fr. Godwin Muhangi and Fr. Savernus Ndugwa respectively.
Africano is appointed to Malawi and Vincent to Algeria for mission. We wish them both many blessed happy and healthy priestly years.
By Nuwagaba Justus (Student of Theology in Nairobi)
Source: Flashes, Magazine of EAP Province, Missionaries of Africa, Volume 12, September 2014
Link: Oath and diaconate in South B Formation House
Sadly, we heard this morning about the death of Richard Niyomwungere, age 23, younger brother of our stagiaire Audace Niyonsaba who is currently learning Chibemba at FENZA. We know little apart that his brother died in a car accident in Kigali, Rwanda. Originally from Burundi, the family is still trying to find out how to attend the funerals which will take place in Rwanda.
Let us pray for Audace and his entire family in this painful moment. May the soul of Richard rests in peace.
This academic year at Fraternité Lavigerie announces itself with a blessing of thirteen new community members. Among the thirteen, two of our brothers are originally from our province (SAP). These are: Michael Mpindo (Malawi) and Moses Simukonde (Zambia). We are very happy of their being part of our community. For this reason, we wish them a warm welcome at Fraternité Lavigerie. Akwaba to you our brothers! Our community consists of 37 members, 33 candidates and 4 formators.
The official opening of the academic year 2014-2015 for our community took place on Friday 19th of September 2014. In order to mark our Eucharistic celebration with the event of the day, it was presided by Fr Jean Bipendo who was celebrating his birthday. In addition, we were equally happy to witness to the declaration of intent of nine second year brothers. For this reason, we address our congratulations to Martin Kasongo (Zambia), Fredrick Mulenga (Zambia) and Peter Nyirenda (Malawi). We wish them all the best of luck and may the good Lord continue nourishing their intelligence in their Theological studies so that they become his true servants tomorrow.
This year’s uniqueness presented itself in the way our community project was formulated. With the help of the image of a tree, we formulated it. In fact, as compared to previous years, this approach was new and was equally appreciated by a good number of community members. In this case, we officially inaugurated our theme for the year. Here it is: “Vivons Notre Arbre” which literally means “Let us live our tree”. To symbolize our theme in a special way, we planted a mango tree just after the Eucharistic celebration. This was done in our community compound. It was after this symbolic action that we continued with our celebration outside the dining hall. We wish our community of Fraternité Lavigerie a happy and successful academic year 2014-2015. We pray that the Lord helps us build a community worth of its name: Fraternité Lavigerie.
Humphrey Mukuka
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- Traditionally, we give drinking water to our visitors as a sign of welcome.
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- The whole community of the Fraternité Lavigerie of Abidjan 2014-2015.
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- Moses Sense Simukonde and Michael Mpindo
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- The group of the first year candidates at Fraternité Lavigerie 2014-2015.
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- Martin Kasongo, Fredrick Mulenga and Peter Nyirenda.
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- After the Eucharistic celebration the second year candidates take a promotion photo around the just planted community mango tree.
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- Nine second year candidates pronounce their declaration of intent.
Aujourd’hui, les Missionnaires d’Afrique de l’Ouest vous proposent de visiter de nouvelles pages sur leur site www.mafrwestafrica.net :
Dans la rubrique « Témoignages» :
« Une nuit sur le lac de Jean » : le Père Marcel Boivin, canadien, demande « Qu’on nous permette d’aspirer le vent de l’Esprit d’où qu’il provienne, que sa source soit sulpicienne ou anglicane, ou encore africaine, sud-américaine ou indienne. ».(lire la suite)
« Secrétaire de la S.A.P.» : c’est à dire de la ‘Southern African Province’, un texte du Père Serge St-Arneault, canadien, qui partage les joies et soucis d’un secrétaire provincial, tâche qu’il assume depuis deux ans. (lire la suite)
« S’en remettre à Dieu » : Le Père Patrick Bataille a été nommé Délégué du Secteur France de la Province d’Europe, alors qu’il était formateur à Bobo-Dioulasso, à l’année spirituelle. Son texte témoigne de la disponibilité demandée par la mission. (lire la suite)
« Vers une vie plus contemplative », telle est l’expérience du Père Herman Bastijns, qui vécut longtemps au Burkina, et qui, après de nombreuses années dans la formation de ses frères aînés, est maintenant à Anvers comme responsable de la communauté.de pères plus âgés. (lire la suite)
Dans la rubrique « Vu au sud, vu du sud » :
De la Province d’Afrique de l’Ouest, Amorain Wayikpo, qui étudie la théologie à Merrivale – Afrique du Sud (lire la suite)
« Zone rouge au Niger ? », la reproduction de la lettre d’une française établie dans ce pays, lettre destinée au député de la région Afrique Nord et Ouest. (lire la suite)
Dans la rubrique « Dialogue interreligieux » :
« Annoncer l’évangile de personne à personne » une approche réaliste et vivante de l’évangélisation, selon le père Geoffrey Ridddle, en mission en Tanzanie. (lire la suite)
« Dialogue au bord de la piscine » Il n’est pas de lieu particulier pour rencontrer l’autre, cela peut se faire dans tous les contextes, comme l’exprime le Père Mwishabongo Mukwanga Norbert. (lire la suite)
« Le dialogue interreligieux à l’épreuve », trois articles parus sur le site de l’ARCRE (Action pour la Rencontre des Cultures et des Religions en Europe) suite aux événements au Moyen Orient (lire la suite)
Greetings in our Lord!
“The pilgrim Church is missionary by her very nature” (Vatican II)
Indeed, this striking statement is found in the Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church, Ad Gentes, No 2. This should propel us into action with the realisation that such is our Mission in the Church: to go out of our sacristies and our rectories together with our parishioners and reach out to those at the peripheries, to use a favourite expression of Pope Francis.
About two years ago, a group of Missionary Congregations/Institutes started to meet together in order to prepare the annual Mission Month (October). This year, with the approbation of his Grace Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, we have started planning for a Missionary Congress to take place on the last weekend of Mission Month, (Saturday & Sunday, 25th & 26th October). It will take place at St. Benedict’s School in Bedfordview.
We have decided to use the theme of this year’s Lenten Season: “Belonging to Christ Committed for Mission”
Our confrere Bishop Jan DeGroef has been a real source of inspiration for many aspects of the Congress (he is the Bishop in charge of the Department of Evangelisation for the Bishops’ Conference). Seán O’Leary will also give a conference on the situation of South Sudan.
“Enlarge the space of your tent” (Isaiah 54:2) will be our main sub-theme. We shall base our presentations (talks, group discussions, liturgies, testimonies, PowerPoint/films, etc.) on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. We will have very interesting and fiery testimonies by Missionaries (religious and lay) who are already very committed in their parishes here in South Africa or outside (ad extra).
For the time being, I think these few pieces of info will give you an idea of what we are planning. I will write more later on.
Michel Meunier, M.Afr
The Eastern Star Newsletter. March-May 2014
Chrism Mass and study day at St. Anne’s Cathedral Parish.
This year’s Chrism Mass was celebrated together with our brother priests from Lundazi deanery unlike last year when they had their own in Lundazi. Close to 60 priests were in attendance at this year’s chrism mass.
The Eastern Star Newsletter. May- August 2014
Ordination of 7 priests at Minga Parish.
There was no better way to describe the joy that characterised the mood at Minga Parish during the ordination of 7 priests. This year’s ordination included 3 of our brother priests from other congregations; Missionaries of Africa, Comboni Missionaries and St. Patrick’s Society. Over 100 priests from different congregations and countries attended the ordination including Sisters and religious brothers.
The liturgy was well prepared and the mass was well attended. Those ordained included; Fr. Andrew Pumula Phiri Diocesan, Fr. Simon Banda Diocesan, Fr. Martin Mawazga Chirwa Diocesan, Fr. Mark Landilani Mwale Diocesan, Fr. Emmanuel Mubanga Missionaries of Africa, Fr. Raphael Mwenda St. Patrick’s Society, and Fr. Brighton Multiply Zimba Comboni Missionaries. Congratulations dear priests and we wish you all the best!
Fr. Jacob Zulu, Communications Director.
At about 600 km from Lusaka to the east of Zambia and 20 km or so from the Zambia-Malawi border, is situated “one of Zambia’s most beautiful towns”, Chipata, ‘decorated’ with escarpments and mountains.
And it’s in this beautiful, quiet and prayerful environment, and at the foot of one of its mountains, that the Southern Africa Province has thought it right to put up the Preparatory Centre with a view, as its name indicates, to welcoming and preparing our missionary candidates for the first phase of formation, philosophy.
It’s a big project! The Centre, being built on the plot of about 18 hectares and currently monitored by Father Jaya, the assistant provincial bursar, has just seen its foundations being put up not more than two weeks ago. The Centre will comprise, at its completion, the house for Formators, two dormitories endowed with 10 rooms each for the total number of 20 candidates, a dining hall, two conference rooms, a chapel, a playground, and of course a garden and an orchard. The Centre is expected to be operational by September next year, with the enrolment of the first in-take.
Maybe the question that may come to one’s mind is: why in Chipata, a town so far away from the Capital city, Lusaka? The reason is that the Centre is meant to welcome all the candidates originating from the Province, meaning candidates coming from Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa. In this case, Chipata qualifies as the best location, for it is the centre.
We wish courage and God’s blessings to the Province of SAP in this and many other projects for Mission’s sake!
See PDF file
By Albert Chilufya, M.Afr
My ordination took place in the parish grounds of Jene Parish in Ngozi Diocese. The Mass started by a long procession which began from the main church. Many priests and religious as well as thousands of Christians were present to witness the event. Mgr. Gervais Banshimiyubusa, Bishop of Ngozi, ordained nine young men to priesthood, eight to diaconate, six were instituted acolytes and ten received the ministry of reader. The ceremony took about four and half hours. A number of Missionaries of Africa attended the ceremony; Bigeziki Francois Xavier, the Assistant Provincial of PAC, Jean de Dieu Bukuru, Boguslaw Zero, Jean Bosco Nibigira, Bernard Lesay as well as some missionary candidates. The MSOLA Sisters were represented by Sr. Victoire Niyonzima.
It was a joyful day. In his remarks the Bishop expressed his gratitude to the Missionaries of Africa who gave him the chance to ordain a Missionary of Africa for the first time. The Mass ended at 15:00 hrs and was followed by a reception.
My mother Leoncie, my brothers Bosco, Bernard and Renovat as well as my sister Jeanine, my two aunts, Generose and Aloysia, my cousin Evelyn and my godfather Alexandre and his wife were present. It was a memorable event and I had never felt such a great joy in my heart. After the reception we went back to Nyamurenza, my home parish, to wait for the thanksgiving Mass which took place the following day.
I give thanks to Almighty God who has chosen me to be his servant and sent me to share my missionary joy with the people of Kasamba Parish in Mansa Diocese in Zambia.
Itungabose Benjamin, M.Afr
Welcome to Zambia 2014 course attracted eleven participants: six students of the Missionaries of Africa who are appointed to Zambia for two years of pastoral experience in parishes; two Comboni sisters who have been working in Zambia for some time; a Fidei Donum priest from Poland who has just taken up an appointment in the Catholic Diocese of Kabwe and finally a couple from the USA.
An input on intercultural communication was added to the program this year. It aims at helping the participants to mitigate the cultural shocks they might experience.
The speakers were the staff of FENZA and invited professionals or experts in topics covered. They enthusiastically came to share insights with the participants to help them deepen their knowledge and appreciate better the dynamics of life in Zambia.
Beneficiating from an active participation of the attendants, the updated insightful presentations from the speakers and the chance to encounter or interact with different people, we are glad to say that the program has been successful.
Picture: Daniel and Andrea Kaiser
Picture: Daniel and Andrea Kaiser