{"id":10265,"date":"2016-09-20T16:53:53","date_gmt":"2016-09-20T14:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mafrsaprovince.com\/?p=10265"},"modified":"2016-09-20T16:53:53","modified_gmt":"2016-09-20T14:53:53","slug":"70th-anniversary-celebrations-of-murraca-parish-and-the-white-fathers-in-mozambique","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mafrsaprovince.com\/index.php\/2016\/09\/20\/70th-anniversary-celebrations-of-murraca-parish-and-the-white-fathers-in-mozambique\/","title":{"rendered":"70th Anniversary Celebrations of Murra\u00e7a Parish and the White Fathers in Mozambique."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"fr-charles-pollet-2\"<\/a>By Hugh Seenan<\/strong> (Parish Priest of Murra\u00e7a 2004-2007)<\/span><\/p>\n

On the 4th<\/sup> September 2016, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, our first parish in Mozambique, celebrated 70 years of its foundation. The first group of White Fathers, Albert Garin, Charles Pollet<\/strong>, Cesar Bertulli and Paolo Marostica founded the parish on the 5th<\/sup> June 1946, meaning as well that 2016 marks 70 years of the White Fathers in Mozambique. The initial location was Magagade 18km from the present location in Murra\u00e7a, the name it is now famous for. Murra\u00e7a is on the opposite bank of the Zambezi where the Chire enters the river.<\/span><\/p>\n

Archbishop Claudio Dalla Zuanna, Archbishop of Beira, led the celebrations. The day also marked the celebration for the Year of Mercy for the parishes along the River Zambezi, many founded from Murra\u00e7a. A Vigil on the Saturday Night marked the start of the celebrations. The pilgrims passed through the Holy Door parish by parish.\u00a0 Unfortunately, because of the war only a small group of pilgrims could come from Beira. \u00a0A carful came with the Archbishop making a long detour via Maringue and Sena to avoid the military convoy. A handful of us travelled by passenger train that up to now has not been attacked as it passes through the war zone. This included Ant\u00f3nio Dina, who belongs to the first group who completed primary school in Murra\u00e7a. He said a few words at the end of Mass speaking warmly of our first confreres and their successors. All had a great day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t