Author: Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP) Page 36 of 113

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 « Actualités » :

« Lettre Laghouat-Ghardaia octobre 2015 » la dernière édition de la lettre diocésaine de ce diocèse, rédigée par notre confrère Mgr Claude Rault (lire la suite)

« Petit Groupe de Formation à Jérusalem » quelques nouvelles et photos envoyées de Jérusalem, où 10 étudiants se préparent à devenir Missionnaires d’Afrique. (lire la suite)

« Semaine Missionnaire Mondiale » cette année 2015, cette semaine de prière universelle pour la mission se déroule du 11 au 18 octobre (lire la suite)

Dans la rubrique « Témoignages » :

« Familles subsahariennes en Algérie » Un article tiré de la revue « Pax et Concordia » de l’Église d’Algérie, n° 24, 3ème trimestre 2015 (lire la suite)

« Je vous laisse la paix, je vous donne ma paix », une méditation du père Guy Vuillemin, qui a été en mission au Kenya et en France, et se trouve présentement à Marseille (lire la suite)

Dans la rubrique « Dialogue interreligieux » :

« Se former au dialogue interreligieux » : deux propositions faites dans ce domaine. Même si on ne s’inscrit pas, il est intéressant de savoir que ça existe… (lire la suite)

« Mieux comprendre l’Islam » : tout particulièrement dans sa diversité, qui semble augmenter de plus en plus avec le temps. (lire la suite)

Dans la rubrique « Justice et Paix » :

« Migrants, encore et toujours » Le défi de l’afflux de personnes à la recherche d’un asile dans les pays capables de les accueillir est encore loin d’avoir trouvé une solution. (lire la suite)

Dans la rubrique « Vu au sud, vu du sud » :

« Prix Nobel Tunisien » Deux textes, l’un de l’Agence Fides, du Vatican, l’autre du Vicaire général de l’archidiocèse de Tunis (lire la suite)

« Eglise famille au Burkina Faso », plus particulièrement dans le diocèse de Diébougou, puisque c’est l’évêque de ce diocèse qui s’exprime. (lire la suite)

Merrivale Formation House Blog

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On October 9, 2015

In Publications

Dans le souci de se faire proche de vous, la maison de formation de Merrivale vous propose de visiter leur blog www.mafrivale.wordpress.com

Merrivale Formation House Media team invites you to follow their blog www.mafrivale.wordpress.com

Violent death of the watchman of Sussundenga, Mozambique

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On October 9, 2015

In Mozambique Sector, News

The community of Sussundenga in the Diocese of Chimoio in Mozambique is mourning the violent death of his watchman. At 6:15 on 8^th October, I saw a missed call from one of our parishioners who is a medical Doctor. I got surprised and called her back. She was very preoccupied and wanted to know if we were all inside the house. She then told me that we should not get out until the police recommends us to do so. “Your watchman was killed last night in your house”, she concluded. I immediately informed my confreres. Shortly the police called us to come out as they were at the gate. Our watchman was lying down as if he was asleep but with his mouth widely opened. His face shown marks of violence. Joaquim has passed away! Strange enough, nothing was stolen or vandalised, including our cars and motorbikes. Even the personal belongings of the watchman were left behind intact; phones, radio, lamp torch, except his gun.

We are still waiting for the Police and hospital reports. For our security, two policemen kept vigil in our house for one night. Our Joaquim left two wives and many children. His funeral took place yesterday the 9^th in the morning.

Pray for us. Boris Yabre, M.Afr

World Meeting of Young Consecrated People – September 2015

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On October 7, 2015

In News

Vatican City – 15^th to 19^th September 2015

By Camille Konkobo, Vocation Director, Zambia

I was invited to take part to a meeting organized by the Vatican for the young consecrated people across the world. The meeting started on 15^th September with a vigil prayer. 4000 people were expected but we ended up with 7000 participants.

The gatherings took place at St Paul VI Hall each morning while the afternoons were set aside for group discussion in various places in Rome, according to languages. A Mass was celebrated at the end of the day followed by visits of Vatican touristic sites.

In line with the theme of this event “Wake up the world”, the Pope encouraged us to build-up joyful communities that unite all the members into one family of trust and love. The Pope asked us to throw our nets into deep waters by promoting vocations and helping the youth to discover or experience de love of God. A Congregation that doesn’t promote vocations is subjected to death.

We got a lot of encouragement from Pope Francis telling us that we should take up the challenge and cultivate a spirit of creativity hence bringing together or being a channel between generations within our own communities.

We were five missionaries of Africa present from different Provinces: Joseph Giday from Ethiopia (EPO), Camille Konkobo from Burkina (SAP), Prosper Harelimana Mamadou from Rwanda (GhNgr), Adrien Sawadogo from Burkina Faso (PAO), Jean-Pierre Mbiringaniné from Congo DR (EAP)

Death of Mrs Violet, the mother of Martin Kasongo

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On October 3, 2015

In News

Dear Friends,

We just got a message from Georges Jacques in Abidjan about the sad news of the death of Mrs Violet, the mother of Martin Kasongo, student in our Forth Phase Centre. She was the elderly sister of his mother and the one who took care of Martin after the death of his parents. It seems that Mrs Violet was accidentally hit by a car in Mansa. The community in Abidjan is helping Martin in his grief and we all pray for him. May she rest in peace!

Wednesday 21, 2015

Dear confreres, I would like to inform you that I journeyed to and from Zambia safely. Now am back to Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and have already resumed my academic activities.

On behalf of my family and indeed on my own behalf, I would like to pass my sincere gratitude to the society, to the province and to you all for your support and encouragement on the occasion of the death of mum. Your prayers and your words of encouragement were consoling and life giving: they helped me and my family to live the event with faith. Thank you very much and may the Good Lord bless you in your different areas of mission. My family sends you cordial greetings. United in prayer.

Kasongo Martin in Abidjan.

Death of Father Raymond Roch – September 19, 2015

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On September 30, 2015

In News

Swiss national, Father Roch spent his first years as Missionary in Malawi between 1952 and 1957 in Mua, Mtendere, Guillemé, Namitete and Ludzi. He also spent many years in Geneva. He died at the age of 89 on the 19^th September 2015.

Mafrwestafrica – Lettre du 30 septembre 2015

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On September 30, 2015

In News, Publications

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 « Actualités » :

« Début année académique à Abidjan » C’est le 18 septembre 2015 que s’est ouverte cette année académique. Merci à l’équipe de communication pour le texte et les photos. (lire la suite)
« Construire une église à Atakpamé» Une lettre envoyée par la communauté des Missionnaires d’Afrique en mission à Atakpamé, Togo. (lire la suite)

« Candidats en formation 2015-2016 » : le nombre de jeunes se préparant à s’engager comme Missionnaires d’Afrique, en cette année académique. (lire la suite)

Dans la rubrique « Témoignages »:

« Livres publiés par des missionnaires d’Afrique » Quelques précisions sur trois livres écrits par des Missionnaires d’Afrique et publiés récemment. (lire la suite)

« Une société Arc-en-ciel » un article tiré du numéro 108 de « Voix d’Afrique », écrit par le père Jos Van Boxel, premier assistant général des Missionnaires d’Afrique (lire la suite)

Dans la rubrique « Dialogue interreligieux » :

« Défis pour l’islam» : l’Islam se trouve en effet confronté à de nombreux défis, tout particulièrement celui de ses divisions internes. (lire la suite)

« Vivre ensemble différents » : la différence est en effet une réalité à laquelle on n’échappe pas, et qu’il faut prendre comme un élément positif. (lire la suite)

« Le Centre Sénoufo à Sikasso » ce centre dont le but est de faire découvrir la culture Sénoufo a été créé par le Père Emilio Escudero, décédé en 2012 (lire la suite)

Dans la rubrique « Justice et Paix » :

« Migrations, quelle réponse trouver ? » Une réponse qui serait acceptée par tous les pays d’accueil n’est toujours pas trouvée. Il faut garder l’espoir qu’elle le sera un jour. (lire la suite)

Dans la rubrique « Vu au sud, vu du sud » :

« Coup d’Etat au Burkina » Depuis le 16 septembre 2015, le Burkina Faso vit des moments difficiles. La situation est toujours en évolution. Là aussi il faut garder l’espoir. (lire la suite)

« L’école de la différence » le partage d’une expérience vécue en Algérie, où des Nord-Africains et des personnes originaires du Sud Sahara ont l’occasion de vivre une expérience commune. (lire la suite)

Loyola Jesuit Secondary School, Kasungu, Malawi – September 2015

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On September 28, 2015

In News

“Dreams are becoming realities” – 07 September 2015 was the First Day of enrolment for 144 girls and boys boarders coming in to Form One (Grade Nine) in our new Jesuit school in Malawi. Many, many thanks for all those who have made this possible!

See PDF file

Link: Loyola Jesuit Secondary School, Kasungu, Malawi

Newsletter South Africa No 55 – 26th September, 2015

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On September 26, 2015

In Publications

My dear Friends, Greetings! I hope you are well.

The great event immediately after the last Newsletter was surely the Lay Leaders Conference of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg. On Saturday 29^th, with Bishop Jan DeGroef, M.Afr. (Bishop of Bethlehem in the Free State), we met more than 300 lay people from all the parishes of the Archdiocese. We had one hour and a half to explain the missionary activity of the Church. “The Church, by her very nature, is missionary” (Vatican 2, On the Missionary Activity of the Church, 2). With a PowerPoint Presentation and a talk and a song, we try to show that it is not the Church who has a Mission, but it is the Mission of Christ which has a Church! Dillon Naicker, a young member of our Missionary Group gave a very powerful testimony of his conversion and how he became a missionary in working full time in Youth Ministry. He wanted to become a famous actor – he did it for a short while, appearing in the weekly soap Isidingo – then as he said, “the Lord came to pick me up from my miserable life… One day, when I saw the word MISSIONARY on the calendar of the Missionaries of Africa, I knew I had to become a missionary.” He is now a real missionary working full time at the Youth Office of Johannesburg Archdiocese. Our two Congolese candidates have arrived via Durban on Sunday 30^th! Finally, they got their students’ visa! At the moment, they are 31 theology students. They are the most numerous of all the congregations studying at St. Joseph Theological Institute in Cedara. They are from seventeen countries, but so far none from South Africa! We still pray and hope that some generous young men will soon join us! On the same day, Sunday 30^th, a group of almost twenty youths took part in the Vocation Discernment Day at the Cathedral. It was a lively group really eager to discover their vocation according to God’s will.

The greatest event in South Africa this month was surely the beatification of Benedict Daswa. I am sure you all know about his life, how he was a strong Catholic Christian, always helping the poor and the children of his school – he was the headmaster – and how he was killed by a mob because he had refused to pay R5 to help hire a sangoma in order to find the culprit who, the people said, had sent lightnings to burn some houses in the village. From Sunday 13^th September 2015, we can pray Blessed Daswa to intercede for us to God. He can surely help us to follow his great example by giving our lives totally to God. Many newspapers, radio and television stations covered the event. Benedict was a young man of our time (43 years old): he died 25 years ago, not 200 or 300 years ago! And he is one of us, a real South African! Let us be proud of being Catholic and South African!

October is MISSION MONTH. We all are called to be Missionaries. The theme chosen by Pope Francis is “A PASSION FOR JESUS AND HIS PEOLPE”. As you know, our Pope often challenges us to go out to the peripheries and proclaim the Good News of Jesus to those who are far. Let us pray and reach out to others this coming month in order to live better our missionary vocation. Let us also pray for Pope Francis who is on a very important missionary journey in the USA, so that his message of peace and joy may be well received by the American people and by all the people of good will.

Fr. Michael Meunier, M.Afr

Kungoni Art Project – Malawi

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On September 15, 2015

In Museum

This is the first edition of the new website to preserve the record of Kungoni Centre of Culture and Art in Malawi. It is the hope of Richard Hewitt that it will offer some interest and pleasure.

See the first Newsletter of Kungoni Art Project

See the letter of introduction of Father Claude Boucher Chisale

Picture: The Kungoni Art Project records this figure of Ngaliba, the Great Circumcisor of the Yao people of Malawi, by Thomas Mpira, which was commissioned for Sun’n’Sand Holiday Resort, Mangochi (2015). It stands before a frieze, also by Kungoni Centre, depicting the initiation ceremony.