News – Page 20 – Missionaries of Africa – Southern Africa Province (SAP)

Between 1953 and 1990, Father Normand Papineau went to Ilondola to learn Chibemba and subsequently moved from Kantensha Seminary to Kayambi, Chalabesa, Chilonga, Lubushi as Rector to the Seminary, Mpika as Rector of the Major Seminary, Mpika as Parish Priest and Superior, Mulilansolo as Parish Priest and Mulanga as Curate. He retired in Canada in 1993.

Father Papineau died on December 18, 2015, in Montreal (Canada), at the age of 90 years of which 64 of missionary life in Zambia and Canada.

Let us pray for the repose of his soul.

End of construction of Chipata Pre-First Phase

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 13, 2015

In News

The Pre-First Phase Centre in Chipata is already operational since the 19^th November 2015 when five candidates came from Mozambique to perfect their English while waiting for the official opening of the Centre on January the 15^th with the coming of more candidates from Malawi and Zambia. This first year program will end in June 2016 when the candidates will be going to Balaka for their philosophy. The formators are Timothée Bationo, René Garand and Camille Konkobo who has just arrived from his home leave in Burkina Faso.

The Mozambican candidates are Texeira Manuel, Messias Carlos, Manuel Pedro, Hilario Junior and Bernardo Ana. We wish them all good luck in their studies.

Below some recent pictures of the Centre.

: Road leading to the Centre

: Candidates’ quarters

: Candidates’ quarters

: Candidates’ quarters

: The Chapel

: Inside the Chapel

: Class room

: Father’s house

: Inside the house

: Anthony Baaladong, René Garand and John Itaru

Links:

Ground work at the Preparatory Centre in Chipata, Zambia

Ongoing construction at the Preparatory Centre in Chipata, Zambia

Ongoing construction at the Preparatory Centre in Chipata, Zambia Updates November 2014

Ongoing construction at the Preparatory Centre in Chipata, Zambia Updates December 2014

Updates in pictures of the Preparatory Centre in Chipata, Zambia – April 2015

Updates on Jean Pierre Le Scour – Johannesburg

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 10, 2015

In News

Yesterday morning (December 10) Jean Pierre underwent a huge cardiac operation in the Olivedale hospital in Johannesburg. Although the operation was a success, he is now very critical and is under constant observation.
It seems that the damage around his heart was much more severe than expected. This damage, his diabetes and other factors means it will be a struggle for him in his recovery.
Yesterday evening Michel Meunier visited him and administered the Sacrament of the Sick. This morning Christophe Boyer also visited and was able to communicate with him.
Although more stable than yesterday, he is in a critical condition.
We pray for his healing and wellbeing.
God bless.
Raymond McQuarry, M.Afr, Delegate Superior in South Africa

(December 15, 2015) Greetings from Johannesburg.

I write with good news about our Confrere Fr. Jean Pierre Le Scour. He is now out of ICU and resting in the normal ward. He is now able to sit up by his bed and responds well to the physiotherapist and other medical staff. He eats well and is chatting normally with visitors.

All his vital signs are now stable and doctors are happy with his progress and recovery. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

With every good wish and God bless.

Fraternally, Raymond McQuarrie, M.Afr.

Sudden passing of our little sister Memory Mwamba

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 6, 2015

In News

Its is with sadness that I announce to you the sudden passing on yesterday of our little sister Memory Mwamba. She was the immediate young sister of our stagaire Lefterius Mwamba in Burkina. Its so sad because shortly before I left Zambia last year the immediate young sister to Memory and the last born Claire died in my arms too. Its is very heavy for the family and Lefterius as well. May we keep the family in prayers. The funeral is in Serenje. May the soul of Memory rest in eternal peace.
Francis Kangwa M.Afr

Friday, 11^th December 2015

“I am deeply touched by the spiritual and moral support that I have received from all of you at the occasion of the death of my beloved sister and friend Memory who was put to rest on. This moment just like the recent ones has been particularly tough for me and for our family. I would love to whole-heartedly convey a word of recognition to my home province “SAP” and to you for this gesture which has given me Hope. On behalf of our family and on my own behalf I say THANK YOU, NATASHA MUKWAI. May Our Faithful Lord Jesus bless us all.”

I received calls, emails and text messages, not forgetting WhatsApp Messages, I was reconverted in a way. Followed the informative post on the SAP blog with the touching comments.

Fraternally, Lefterius Kalonga Mwamba

Christmas. Jesus is our gift!

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 5, 2015

In News, Publications

The greatest gift of God to us is Jesus Christ himself—the Emmanuel—God with us. The celebration of Christmas is all about God’s love and mercy towards us as human beings. Jesus came to show us the merciful and loving face of the Father, in order that we might come to understand our dignity as sons and daughters and so recognize in each person—our brother or sister.

More than two-thousand years after the coming of our Saviour, it is plain to see from the violence, war, hate, corruption and exploitation present in our society, that we didn’t get the message that we failed to understand the Kingdom of God and its benefits for all humanity. Christmas is about celebrating our new life in Christ—it is really not about expensive gifts, scrumptious feasts and wild parties—it is all about understanding our own dignity and that of others and so begin living in an attitude of mutual respect. To live the golden rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Lk 6:31). We need to see the world through the merciful eyes of Jesus and like Him, be people who go about doing good, bringing hope, peace, joy and life to all who we meet on our earthly pilgrimage.

Pontifical Mission Societies SA-04-2015 02 Jesus still offers himself as a constant and eternal gift of mercy, healing, hope and new-life for all of us that open our hearts and minds to Him.

He desires that we have the fullness and abundance of life (Jn 10:10) and offers Himself as the Way, Truth and Life (Jn 14:6) to all who seek Him with sincerity and humility. Once we accept to follow Him and become missionary disciples, then automatically we are called and sent to be “other Christs” (anointed) people who are the gift of Christ to all whom we meet.

Our mission on this earth is to be the hands, feet, mouth, mind and heart of Jesus so as to bring about transformation and the coming of the Kingdom in our society.

We are in this Jubilee Year of Mercy

Let us open ourselves and invite others to this life changing experience! A very blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with the joy of being missionaries of God’s mercy!

Fr. Gordon Rees mccj. National PMS Director – SA, Botswana & Swaziland

Pontifical Mission Societies SA-04-2015

Meeting of the Treasurers of the Society in Zambia

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 2, 2015

In Missionaries of Africa, News

The Treasurers of the Society are meeting this week in FENZA, Lusaka, Zambia. They are going through heavy work since Monday hoping to end up in time on Friday for the final barbecue. We wish them a fruitful meeting and plenty of good ideas for the financial health of our Society.

Present: Jim Green, Jean-Guy Labrecque, Claude Venne, Diarmuid Sheehan, John Abobo, Jérôme Kodjo, Antony Baaladong, Denis Laflamme, Edmond Banda, José-Manuel Gordejuela, Didier Lemaine and Fons Vanden Boer.

: Anthony Baaladong

Oath and Diaconate in South Africa, November 27, 2015

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 2, 2015

In Diaconate, Missionaries of Africa, News

neral Oath Diaconate SA Nov 2015 01 By Amorain Wayikpo and Jean-Paul Basikaba, Media Committee, Merrivale.

Some of the young men in the Formation House in Merrivale, South Africa, professed their final Oath on the 27^th November 2015. They are six: Albert Kondemodre (Burkinabe); Alphonse-Marie Byishimo (Rwandese); Damian Ahimbisibwe (Ugandan); Douglas Ogato Momanyi (Kenyan); Konrad Simon Millanzi (Tanzanian) and Robbin Simbeye (Zambian). Rev. Father Jozef Van Boxel, 1^st Assistant of the General Council presided over the Eucharistic celebration and received the missionary Oath of these young confreres who have become full members of the Society of the M.Afr. After the community Morning Prayer, as it is required in view of a diaconate ordination, the candidates confessed their faith and belief in the Roman Catholic Church. They all signed the declaration of faith as their resolute will of serving and leading the people of God according to the official teaching of the Church.

In his homily, Father Jozef Van Boxel mentioned some similarities between the Prophet Samuel’s call (Sam 3:1-10) and the missionary call. This call to serve God comes from God. It is something very personal and intimate between God and those who are called. It includes listening, discerning and answering. The preacher pointed out some basis of the missionary call found in the Gospel (Matthew 11:25-30): the importance of a disciple to have a childlike trust and confidence in God that involves obedience to God and our Superiors in carrying out God’s mission and not our own; living apostolic charity in our mission and remaining celibate for the sake of God’s kingdom.

Fr. Jozef invited the new confreres to a very deep, close and personal relationship with God through a prayerful life which is a best means of fulfilling peacefully and joyfully God’s call.

The next day, on the 28^th November 2015, the six new M. Afr, joined by three other candidates namely one Dominican, Clement Mweni (Zambian) and two Sacred Heart of Jesus, Blaise Bonkondi Biane (Congolese) and Ushinde Kambale Sahani (Congolese), were ordained deacons at St. Raphael’s Parish – Kwamzimba by Most Rev. Bishop Barry Wood, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Durban.

Protected: Motomoto Echo magazine – December 2015

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 2, 2015

In News, Publications

Ministry of Acolyte in Jerusalem

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On December 1, 2015

In News

By Dominic Kapatamoyo, Malawian

Wednesday the 25^th November was a great and joyful day in our Jerusalem Small Formation Group (SFG) and the entire St. Anne’s Community. Together with my three classmates: Patrick Sebyera (Congolese), Olivier Ndayikengurukiye (Burundian) and Simon Chege Njuguna (Kenyan), I took a further step with the Society of the Missionaries of Africa by renewing my Declaration of Intent and receiving the ministry of the Acolyte. It was a very beautiful celebration with about 70 participants. The Mass was celebrated by our confrere, Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, M.Afr, who happens to be one a member of St. Anne’s Jerusalem community.

In his homily, Archbishop Michael pointed out the meaning of being an acolyte: helping the deacon and to minister to the priest and distribute Holy Communion as an auxiliary minister. I was profoundly touched in my heart when we sang the song, “Here I am Lord, is it I Lord, I have heard you calling in the night, I will go Lord, where you lead me, I will hold your people in my heart”. Indeed, here I am Lord, I have come to do your will.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all you, especially our SAP Provincial Council who accepted me to renew my Declaration of Intent and receive the above mentioned ministry. May the Good Lord continues blessing you all and our beloved SAP Province. I thank you so much for your prayers and support in my missionary journey.

Wishing you all a good and fruitful Advent season as we wait the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us prepare our hearts to receive him well. My best regards to you all.

SAP Pre-Capitular Assembly – November 2015

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On November 30, 2015

In Missionaries of Africa, News, SAP Pre-Capitulaire Assembly

SAP Pre-Capitular Assembly took place in Mid-November 2015 at Kasisi Retreat Centre in Lusaka. Those who attended the meeting were Fons Vanden Boer, Remacle-Lamec Ciza, Deogratius Ngowi and Raymond McQuarry from South Africa. Then Robert Tebri, Michel Sanou, Paul Namono, Filiyanus Ekka and Simeon Kalore form Malawi, Julian Kasiya, Fidel Salazar del Muro, Jean-Bosco Nibigira and Boris Yabre from Mozambique, Norbert Nkingwa, Bernard Udelhoven, Benjamin Itungabose, John Itaru, Adelarde Munishi, Patrice Sawadogo, Romaric Bationo, Francis Bomansaan, Venerato Babaine and the Provincial Stanley Lubungo from Zambia. The Animator was Luigi Morell and the Secretaries were Serge St-Arneault and Didasio Mwanza.

Most discussions took place in the main hall though five groups studied the content of SAP recommendations for the 2016 General Chapter.

The last day saw the confreres enjoying an outing at Chaminuka private Park situated is about 45 minutes from the venue of Kasisi. They enjoyed a time of relaxation exploring the environment were a variety of animals can we seen on the ground and by boats. Enjoy the pictures. Chaminuka is also well known for its artifacts, sculpture collections for all Africa (quite a few from West Africa), paintings and modern sculpture made out of cars’ spare parts.