Category: News Page 30 of 79
News from Sectors and Rome
Dear Confreres and Friends,
Yesterday, we announced you the death of the grandmother of Fidel Makara. Today, we are receiving the following messages. Let us remain united in prayer.
“I am informing you about the death of Mr. Bagumenda Luciano, the father of our confrere Africano Mucunguzi . He is being laid to rest today the 28th December at their ancestral home Kibagarwa Ibanda. We pray for the repose of his soul and pray for the family in this difficult times.”
Message sent by Lawrence Tukamushaba, M.Afr student in Nairobi.
“I’ve just received a sad news from home that my elder sister, Sebyera Marie-Claire, passed on today around 10:00 am. She has been sick for some years. She had two children and she was in her forties. The burial will be tomorrow the 29th December 2014. It is too bad and painful to me at the same time, as I am traveling tomorrow to Jerusalem in Israel. Please remember her in your prayers that the good Lord may receive her soul.” From Patrick Sebyera, M.Afr student.
Many Christmas blessings of peace, joy, hope, all through 2015, for the good M.Afr people. Attached shows our progress and hopes in Kasungu – prayers please!
Peace of Christ. Fr. Peter Henriot
See previous report on SAP Blog: Loyola Jesuit Secondary School, Kasungu, Malawi
View of campus of Loyola Jesuit Secondary School, Kasungu Malawi. Photo taken from grounds of nearby St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 28th October 2014
Children from nearby St. Joseph’s Primary School visit a finished classroom at Loyola Jesuit Secondary School to try out the new desks and chairs. You can tell by facial expressions their dreams that one day they might sit in this classroom as regular students!
We are moving towards Christmas, the time we remember those who toiled for the faith we have received and those still toiling for the mission. Our fulfilment is in the trust we have in Jesus who is to come and stay in our heart and in his mission. Many of you have touched many people’s lives knowingly and unknowingly. You may have become another Jesus present to so many people. Therefore, though I may be busy with so many things, I have to spared this time to wish you Happy Christmas and thank each one of you for what you have being to others especially those you touched in the soil of Zambia. Continual praying for Zambia so that the will of God may be done dispute the witnessed court cases and hot debates. May Christ be born in the hearts of all politicians and all people of Zambia especially that they once more have a right to decide for their leader.
Happy Christmas and New Year, 2015. Your Folela through and through. Clenerius Mutale, M.Afr
It is true that we have celebrated Christmas for many years but maybe the incarnation has not yet taken place in us. When the Word becomes flesh and dwell in our hearts, He brings transformation in our lives so that we can look at others with the eyes of love, touch others with tender and compassion and embrace every person with true love. It is my prayer that this season of joy may be a period for you and me to be moulded in the image of Jesus Christ our Lord. I wish you a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year 2015.
Sylvester Chimenge (studying in Nairobi).
À tous je souhaite un joyeux Noël et une bonne et heureuse année. Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year. Je prie à vos intentions. God bless. Claude Galmiche M.Afr
Ongoing construction at the Preparatory Centre in Chipata, Zambia. Updates December 2014 in pictures.
Ongoing construction at the Preparatory Centre in Chipata, Zambia Updates November 2014
Great joy in Abidjan! On 12th December, in the family of Lavigerie, were born eleven young confreres who pronounced their Oaths. Among them are two members of SAP: Humphrey Mukuka (Zambian) and Paul Kitha (Malawian). The oaths were received by the Vice-Provincial of PAO, Father Luc Kola. Family members and visitors were present at this event. The following day was another happy moment with their diaconate ordination given by Bishop Raymond Ahoua from the diocese of Grand Bassam of Ivory Coast.
The province of SAP was well represented. Father Alex Manda from Korhogo (Ivory Coast) was present during the pronouncement of the Oaths. Unfortunately, being the Parish Priest, he could not witness the diaconate ordination due to pastoral engagement. He encouraged the future deacons to put their trust in the Lord (Is 41, 13-20). From Aribinda (Burkina Faso), Father Joseph Makoka was also present. He celebrated the thanksgiving Mass in which he reminded the newly ordained deacons that we are not the light of the world but Jesus alone (Jn 1, 6-8). We are not announcing our personal messages but the Good News of Jesus.
This event could not pass “sans être arosé”. After the diaconate ordination, more than 400 people were invited at our home to share a meal. It was worth celebrating.
Let us continue to pray for our brothers Humphrey and Paul as they enter their full mission at the service for the African World.
Receive our cordial greetings. May God bless you all in your mission wherever you are. Our studies are going on well and we hope to move ahead with the help of the Holy Spirit. We commend ourselves to your prayers as we continue our vocational journey.
Students in Abidjan.
From Raymond McQuarrie, M.Afr, Episcopal Vicar for Justice & Peace, Johannesburg, South Africa, 15th December 2014.
We have truly lost a real Justice and Peace activist, and, for myself personally, trying to run the Department of J&P in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, I am particularly sad and at a loss at Tony’s passing!! It is a real tragedy!
Our department is now down to only three staff – from five! And these simple few must see to the organising of the justice and peace ministries in the entire Archdiocese of Johannesburg! An immense and breathtaking task.
PREVIOUS LETTER OF RAYMOND SENT ON THE 9TH DECEMBER 2014
My Dear Friends in Justice Peace,
It is with the deepest sadness that we share the news of the passing of our brother Tony Cosmos Mokheseng this weekend past. We had thought, and we had prayed, that Tony would win this battle with cancer, but this was not to be! I know too that many of you will have heard this news by now.
Over the past three months, not one day passed when Tony wasn’t with family, friends and colleagues from within the Archdiocese. On one occasion when I visited with J&P members from the department in Johannesburg, we were over 20 people all waiting for our turn to sit with Tony and talk, pray, and give our love, support and encouragement in his painful struggle. Tony would try to explain the painful procedures he was undergoing and enduring in an effort to eradicate this terrible affliction in his body. He had been diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, and was now basically resident in Baragwanath hospital in Soweto.
Our days were filled with WhatsApp messages flying backwards and forwards between Tony and all of us in the department. Even though ill and in hospital, Tony was always a part our team, and with us daily as we did our business, held meetings, consultations, workshops and planned our justice and peace activities for the years ahead. As we opened a workshop, Tony would inevitably send his encouraging WhatsApp message wishing us all the best and for a good meeting. There were days too when we would call him for some advice or direction in one matter or another – despite his suffering and struggle, he seemed to enjoy this interruption, and to know that he was still a valuable part of our justice and peace team. When Charmaine lost her grandfather some days ago, Tony, in his usual charm, was offering his words of comfort and encouragement.
When we visited him in Baragwanath hosptial, and as we chatted by his hospital bed, Tony’s spirit would rise then fall – he would be the one consoling us in our sadness to see our brother so ill, joking with us to pull ourselves together and not to worry so much. Then we would try to console him as his emotions got the better of him and his tears slowly welled in his eyes and his strength of spirit now waned! We prayed together – we prayed that God would guide the doctors and nurses caring for our brother. We prayed that God would comfort and console Tony and be his constant companion in this struggle. We prayed for his family and friends, and we prayed for ourselves too, trying to imagine things without our brother – God forbid!
Two days ago, the battle was finally over, and our brother’s struggle finally ended! We are all filled with disbelief and a deep sadness.
Yesterday, some of us from the Department of Justice & Peace went to Tony’s home in Naledi, Soweto. We met with some family members and some neighbours and parishioners who had also come to pay their respects. We prayed there, and chatted about Tony and the funny and charming things about him. Despite the deep sadness, we were also able to smile as we recalled Tony’s charm, his calm assuring way with people, and his passion for justice and peace. Tony’s family told us that his mother will arrive today from the Free State – we pray God gives her all the comforts and consolations she needs at this time, as she prepares to bury her dear son.
As we prepared with Tony the IEC trainings for the elections, sat with him in the Koinonia Centre in Johannesburg at our Chaplains and Coordinators workshops, listened to his inspiring talks for the Training of Trainers for our activists, and worked with him in our offices in the Chancery, we never once imagined or considered for a single moment that by Christmas he would be gone.
We have truly lost a real and passionate justice and peace activist. Our department, our Archdiocese and justice and peace in South Africa is wounded by the passing of our brother, and we are at a loss.
When we chatted with Tony’s parish priest, Fr. Bernard Sompane, SCJ, he reminded us that even though we are deeply saddened by this loss, we ought too to celebrate Tony’s life – his invaluable contribution, through his passionate dedication to Justice and Peace, to South African society and our Church. This is the memory and spirit of Tony I believe we ought to contemplate and sustain as we prepare to say a final goodbye to our brother. This is the spirit and celebration of Tony’s life that we also carry through into 2015 in the J&P ministries of our Archdiocese – that ‘can do’ spirit, and charm and dedication to transform our world into a just and peaceful society that Tony was so passionately and unquestionably committed to.
Comrade Tony, rest in peace. Lala ngoxolo Comrade, lala ngoxolo. Till we meet again!
The funeral service took place on Saturday 13th December.
See few pictures of Father Sergio Villaseñor Salinas visiting the communities in Lusaka, namely FENZA Centre, St. Lawrence and Kabwata communities. The community of Woodlands was pleased to welcome him hoping to see him again in a near future.
By Jean-Baptiste Uzele
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad” (Ps 118:24). On Monday 8thDecember 2014, in a cool morning, some Missionaries of Africa among whom Fathers Sergio Villaseñor Salinas from the General Council and Christopher Chileshe, SAP Provincial celebrated the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lua-Luo Spiritual Formation Centre. Everybody was welcomed by Father Francis Bomansaan, the Rector, to this great feast of our Society.
During Mass, the Novices received their ghandourahs, burnus and rosaries. Looking at each one of us, I remembered our happiness after the first announcement about ghandourahs and when we were making our rosaries. Then, wearing them, we were so happy that we could echo the prophet Isaiah: “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation…” (Is 61:10). The warm liturgy, the songs, dances and smiles, the presence of our visitors, congratulations, encouragements, photographs and decorations expressed the greatness of that day. We shall never forget this fraternal gathering.
In his homily, Father Sergio reminded us that Mary is the example of discipleship. We too are called to be disciples by following her attitudes: to be attentive, to wonder and to listen with our hearts to God’s words. Yes, a missionary is a person of hope. He also pondered on this famous question: How do we want to evangelize in the future? Our mission is to be in the service of the marginalized, the poor as required by Pope Francis. In this view, we need a spiritual foundation. Thanks for your inspiring message!
This clothing ceremony is a new step on our journey. People will recognize us as sons of Charles Cardinal Lavigerie. From a French expression we say: “The garment does not make of someone a monk and yet, a monk can be known through his garment”. Thanks be to God Almighty who has led us to this ceremony. We are grateful towards the staff for helping us and the visitors for their support. Twatotela sana!
St. Gabriel’s Parish, Namushakende, Mongu, Zambia
Wednesday the 19th of November was a memorable day for our Namushakende Parish. That was the day when we had organized a visit to the Queen of the Lozi kingdom, the female Litunga or as she is refereed to, the Litunga of the Southern Lozi land, at her palace in Nalolo, across the great Zambezi River. Litunga means the owner of the land. We the staff of St. Gabriel’s Parish, Namushakende, accompanied by Fr. Venerato Babaine who was visiting at that time, two religious Sisters working in the parish, a few leaders of the Parish, and a group of the Catholic Women’s League from some Parishes in Mongu and some from the Centres in our parish. We were all together 36 people.
We started off from Namushakende around 07:00 hours, drove to Machapa Centre just at the edge of the Zambezi plains, and from there drove 15 km through the Barotse flood plains to the bank of the Zambezi. The boat “driver” took us in 3 loads across the river, and from there we walked to Nalolo village and the palace of the Queen amidst great jubilations and excitement.
The Manduna (the traditional elders and council of the palace) and the staff of the palace received us well and organised the place where we could celebrate Mass with the Queen, in front of her royal palace. It is interesting to note that almost all elders (Manduna) and the court of the Queen are not Catholics. In the presence of the Queen, our choir was mainly made up of the Catholic Women’s League who offered us a good and prayerful liturgy. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Robert Lavertu who was to offer his farewell greetings during the same visit, and he was accompanied by Fr. Alfred Awogya. We seized the opportunity of our visit to introduce to the Queen Fr Christian Muhineza and Joseph Kakule who have arrived to work in Namushakende,
After the Mass, we were allowed inside the palace to meet the Queen in two groups, first the Priests and the Sisters, then the CWL and the other lay people. It was a warm welcome that was offered to us, and the Queen offered us delicious snacks of her own. In our conversation, the Queen, who is a committed Catholic, emphasized how much she appreciates to be visited and to pray with groups like ours; she invited us to visit her again. After a long time at the Palace, we made our way back to the river to be taken across in 3 trips as previously.
The whole ceremony and visit was coloured by deep cultural reverence and display. For us as missionaries working here, it was a great lesson on culture and insertion in the rich and profound deposit of the Lozi cultural heritage. We had a great day, and all the participants expressed their joy and satisfaction, and their desire to repeat the visit some time later.
