Missionaries of Africa – Southern Africa Province (SAP) – Page 104

It is with joy and a sense of pride that I am sharing with you a recent discovery that I made about my family background. I share the same family three than Mgr. François-Xavier Lacoursière who was a White Father and a Bishop in Uganda. Our common ancestor is Paul Bertrand dit Saint Arnaud who came to “Nouvelle-France”, nowadays Québec, around 1690. The mother of Mgr. Lacoursière is Emma Saint-Arnaud, 5^th generation from the ancestor while I am of the 10^th generation. Moreover, the sister of Mgr. Lacoursière, Eugénie, 2 years older than him, became a White Sister. She is the one who influenced the decision of Father Voillard, General Superior, who appointed François-Xavier to Uganda instead of Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) in 1913.

François-Xavier Lacoursière was born on the 26^th January 1885 at Batiscan. He is the son of Louis-Philippe Lacoursière and Emma Saint-Arnaud. He died on the 15^th March 1970.

My thanks go to the Chief Editor of the magazine La Missive, André St-Arnaud, who authorised me to share with you the articles published in the winter edition of the magazine, volume 8, number 2. The documents are written in French-Canadian.

Eugénie Lacoursière Mgr François-Xavier Lacoursière

: Cover of the La Missive

: Sister Eugénie Lacoursière in Uganda

: From the archives of the MSOLA

: First local Sisters, MSOLA, Bannabikiri, Fr Mischler, Mgr Lacoursière and Fr. Léopold Bélanger

: The New Convent in 1942

: The last days of Mgr. Lacoursières

Missionary Oath of Remi Nyengere Ziffa, Malawian, in Kinshasa

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 6, 2013

In News, Vocation animation

Congratulations!

On behalf of the SAP I want to convey our congratulations at your pronouncement of the perpetual Missionary Oath on 3^rd May 2013.

We are indeed very proud of you and will walk with you towards your ordination to the deaconate in the coming months.

You are welcome to the club of missionary in our little Society. I trust that you will find joy and fulfillment in this vocation.

All the best and God bless.

Christopher Chileshe, SAP Provincial

UPDATES: Diaconate ordination to take place on Sunday the 19th May 2013.

: Remi Nyengere Ziffa taking his Oath

: Singature

: Congratulations of Placide Lubumba

: Congratulations of Réal Doucet

Death of the brother of Father Bernard Chowa, missionary in Tanzania

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 6, 2013

In News, Zambia Sector

We have little information so far about the death of the brother of our confrere Bernard Chowa except that the burial is proposed for tomorrow the 7^th May in Zingalume, west of Lusaka, depending of Bernard’s travel.

Let us pray for the decease, for our confrere and his entire family.

Ministry of acolyte in Merrivale, South Africa

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 6, 2013

In News, South Africa Sector

Serge Boroto Ziharirwa, Congolese, Douglas Ogato Moumanyi, Kenyan, and Tomasz Podrazik, Polish, received the ministry of acolyte on Saturday the 4^th May in our formation house in Merrivale. The Emeritus Bishop of Bethlehem Diocese, Hubert Bucher, officiated the liturgical celebration which was followed by a small but joyful feast.

Interview with Lisa Schirch

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 6, 2013

In News, Publications

Lisa shares with us her wisdom on the peacebuilding field. She experiences it as an art. On this regard she develops three key concepts: design, improvisation and healing. She talks about the challenge of working as a peacebuilder within the US Military. She is witnessing the inner enslavement of many soldiers, she says: “I think the recent news that more US soldiers died from suicide than in battle in the last year is evidence that there is a lot of internal wrestling going on with people in the military. And they have been asked to do things that go against the human nature and what people are taught; and when you are asked to do something that goes against your human nature it is very hard to live with yourself.”

Newsletter South Africa no 27 – April 26, 2013

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 5, 2013

In Publications, South Africa Sector, Vocation animation

Newsletter South Africa no 26 – March 26, 2013

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 5, 2013

In Publications, South Africa Sector, Vocation animation

Saint Anselm; one of the first opponents of the slave trade

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On April 30, 2013

In News

Anselm lived from 1033 to 1109. Having decided to enter a monastery, he was attracted to Bec in Normandy by the reputation of the great teacher, Lanfranc. Anselm became a monk at 27. A student and close friend of Lanfranc, he eventually succeeded him as prior and abbot of Bec, and became a still more famous teacher.

After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, William I replaced the English hierarchy with Normans, and Lanfranc was sent as Archbishop of Canterbury. Three years after Lanfranc’s death, Anselm was in England (1093) and was forcibly made archbishop. He was not be nature either an administrator or a politician, but persevered in difficult times and, through his encouragement of English devotions, helped heal the wounds of the Conquest on the English.

Anselm’s fame lies in his role as theologian and philosopher; his argument for the existence of God still holds strong appeal for many. His spirituality greatly influenced the Church and in his concern for the oppressed, he was one of the first opponents of the slave trade. Never formally canonized, he was made a Doctor of the Church in 1720.

From: Living with Christ, April 2013, pages 171-172

Other reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anselm_of_Canterbury

PRESENT. Newsletter for Candidates and Students of M.Afr – March 2013

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On April 30, 2013

In News, Publications, Vocation animation, Zambia Sector

Second interview with Pierre Lukusa

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On April 29, 2013

In News

In the first Interview with Pierre Lukusa, we learned how our confrere found his way to Brazil and some discoveries he made on the path of his inner self-awareness related to alcohol dependency. In a new interview, Pierre offers us a deeper understanding of himself and the environment surrounding Fezenda de Esperança in Brazil.

Can you remind us about your journey leading to Brazil?

It happened that the founders of Fazenda da Esperança, Fr. Hans Stapel OFM, and Mr. Nelson Giovanneli, knew the Missionaries of Africa in Mozambique very well. They offered me the opportunity to go to Brazil for a full year programme. I came here on the 17^th August 2012. I was very well received. So much so, that I felt part of a family from the very beginning. My immigration papers are in order till August 2013 when the programme officially ends.

Tell us a bit more about the physical environment of Fezenda da Esperança.

The Centre is located at about 300km North-East of the mega city of São Paulo. The place is encircled by few Christian communities belonging to the neighbouring parish. In a valley, the Centre is surrounded by the Sierra de Mantiqueira Mountains. In general, the weather is cool and the environment is conducive to personal meditation and reflection. It is like a retreat centre whereby I can reflect upon my life and my missionary vocation.

Made up of ten houses, the Centre can accommodate 160 people for a therapeutic programme. To this figure, we need to add 15 residents; the father in charge and his counsellors. At the moment we number 167. Each house forms a community under the guidance of two coordinators who are themselves under the responsibility of a “Padrinho”, usually an ex-dependent who had already finished his therapy and work as a volunteer. Since last February, I am one of those “Padrinhos” in charge of two houses.

At this point, I need to mention that there are currently 90 Fazenda da Esperança Therapeutic Centres, throughout the world, including one in Dombe, Mozambique, at the White Fathers Mission.

What is the specific charism or spirituality of Fazenda da Esperança?

Thanks to the spirituality of the Fazenda, my way of thinking and perceiving reality has positively changed towards everything. My daily experiences among my fellow drug addicts, as well as the “Direct Approach to the Unconscious” (ADI) programme, have helped me to understand the therapeutic method used in the Fazenda to help people caught by chemical dependency such as drug addiction and alcoholism.

In his own time, Saint Francis of Assisi was a God´s sign for the Church when he proposed poverty and fraternal life style as a path leading to hope. Up to now, many people are inspired by this spirituality. Nowadays, this insight embraces drug addicted people and alcoholics.

More recently, Chiara Lubich, the founder of the Focolari movement, brought in the world the great charism of “Unity”. It has become a collective spirituality bearing in itself a new hope for our century. This spirit of unity consists in putting Jesus at the centre of every single activity, including the decision making process.

Those charismatic insights inspired Fr. Stapel and three young people; Nelson, Iraci and Lucilene. As a result, the Franciscan spirituality and the Focolari Movement have become the soul that animate Fazenda da Esperança; to bring hope to desperate people of our time, not only the drug addicted people and alcoholics but also families affected by all kind of behavioural disorders of their members.

In a nutshell, Fazenda da Esperança is a Catholic community that is taking care of young drug and alcohol addicts, trying to show them a new way of life by living each day according to the Gospel.

Can you tell us more about the therapeutic method used by Fazenda?

The experience shows that those who seek help are suffering from inner problems before becoming drug or alcohol addicts. In other words, they are spiritually, psychologically, mentally, emotionally and morally disturbed before being physically dependant on drugs or alcohol.

In order to be efficient in its mission, the Fazenda has understood that the main concern is not to fight against drugs and alcohol, but is to help the victims to be holistically reconciled. The method used is a threefold therapeutic method based on an active spiritual life, community living and manual work. The three elements are logically drawn from the Franciscan spirituality and the Focolari movement. This threefold therapeutic methodology helps people to gain back their ability to live in society, to master their own emotions and to strengthen their relationship with Christ, even though no one is obliged to be or to become a Christian. It has been evaluated that 80% of those who went through the twelve months therapeutic programme in different Fazendas have recovered their dignity and are back to a normal life, always trying to live according to the Gospel recommendations.

Can you clarify the steps you have been through since your arrival at Fazenda da Esperança in Brazil?

Upon arrival, I was given three months of initiation into the threefold therapeutic methodology. In December 2012, I was blessed to follow the “Direct Approach to the Unconscious” (ADI) experience that helped me to recover from my loss of self-esteem. In January this year, I followed the session of initiation to the Focolari movement together with other members of the Fazenda. After it, from February, I have been asked to accompany two houses as spiritual director. Currently, I have 40 persons under my guidance. Besides helping as spiritual director, I also give some sessions of formation to those being prepared and trained as coordinators for different houses. By doing this, I am working also on my own problem.

Is your action limited to the two houses under your responsibility?

As I said, our Centre is encircled by few Christian communities belonging to a neighbouring parish. I help the Parish Priest on demand. It gives me an opportunity to put into practice my new knowledge. I happened to meet desperate families suffering from misbehaviour caused by drug or alcohol abuse. So far, I have managed to reconcile two families. This makes me believe that what I am gaining here will help me later in my ministry.

Has your prayer been transform because of Fazenda?

When I feel frightened, I pray the Lord to transform my fear into trust.

When I feel like suffering, I ask the Lord to transform my suffering into growth.

When I experience a disturbing silence, I ask the Lord to transform it into a time of adoration.

When I experience any crisis, I pray the Lord to transform it into maturity.

When tears drop from my eyes, I ask the Lord to transform them into prayers.

When I feel furious, I ask the Lord to transform this anger of mine into intimacy.

Whenever I feel depressed, I ask the Lord to transform my discouragement into faith.

When I experience solitude, I ask the Lord to transform it into contemplation.

Being conscious of my own dignity enables me to go ahead with confidence, strength and courage.

Positive attitudes in life, the desire to do well and helping others bring satisfaction in a constructive mind.

The time to be happy is now! The place where to experience happiness is where I am.

I am going through a new birth because of Fazenda de Esperança. I am asking the Lord to help me to see the colour of love in every living being. I want to feel the beauty of hope in every dawn. I aspire to always be able to decide about what is authentic, just and true.

What would be your last word at the end of the interview?

Once reconciled with oneself, everything else seems possible. It is like putting the Gospel into practice; loving your neighbour as yourself. In this regard, with his simplicity, our new Pope Francis is inspiring me greatly.