Missionary Congress in October 2014 in South Africa

Greetings in our Lord!

“The pilgrim Church is missionary by her very nature” (Vatican II)

Indeed, this striking statement is found in the Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church, Ad Gentes, N^o 2. This should propel us into action with the realisation that such is our Mission in the Church: to go out of our sacristies and our rectories together with our parishioners and reach out to those at the peripheries, to use a favourite expression of Pope Francis.

About two years ago, a group of Missionary Congregations/Institutes started to meet together in order to prepare the annual Mission Month (October). This year, with the approbation of his Grace Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, we have started planning for a Missionary Congress to take place on the last weekend of Mission Month, (Saturday & Sunday, 25^th & 26^th October). It will take place at St. Benedict’s School in Bedfordview.

We have decided to use the theme of this year’s Lenten Season: “Belonging to Christ Committed for Mission”

Our confrere Bishop Jan DeGroef has been a real source of inspiration for many aspects of the Congress (he is the Bishop in charge of the Department of Evangelisation for the Bishops’ Conference). Seán O’Leary will also give a conference on the situation of South Sudan.

“Enlarge the space of your tent” (Isaiah 54:2) will be our main sub-theme. We shall base our presentations (talks, group discussions, liturgies, testimonies, PowerPoint/films, etc.) on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. We will have very interesting and fiery testimonies by Missionaries (religious and lay) who are already very committed in their parishes here in South Africa or outside (ad extra).

For the time being, I think these few pieces of info will give you an idea of what we are planning. I will write more later on.

Michel Meunier, M.Afr

The Eastern Star Newsletter – Diocese of Chipata

The Eastern Star Newsletter. March-May 2014

Chrism Mass and study day at St. Anne’s Cathedral Parish.

This year’s Chrism Mass was celebrated together with our brother priests from Lundazi deanery unlike last year when they had their own in Lundazi. Close to 60 priests were in attendance at this year’s chrism mass.

 

The Eastern Star Newsletter. May- August 2014

Ordination of 7 priests at Minga Parish.

There was no better way to describe the joy that characterised the mood at Minga Parish during the ordination of 7 priests. This year’s ordination included 3 of our brother priests from other congregations; Missionaries of Africa, Comboni Missionaries and St. Patrick’s Society. Over 100 priests from different congregations and countries attended the ordination including Sisters and religious brothers.

The liturgy was well prepared and the mass was well attended. Those ordained included; Fr. Andrew Pumula Phiri Diocesan, Fr. Simon Banda Diocesan, Fr. Martin Mawazga Chirwa Diocesan, Fr. Mark Landilani Mwale Diocesan, Fr. Emmanuel Mubanga Missionaries of Africa, Fr. Raphael Mwenda St. Patrick’s Society, and Fr. Brighton Multiply Zimba Comboni Missionaries. Congratulations dear priests and we wish you all the best!

Fr. Jacob Zulu, Communications Director.

Ground work at the Preparatory Centre in Chipata, Zambia

At about 600 km from Lusaka to the east of Zambia and 20 km or so from the Zambia-Malawi border, is situated “one of Zambia’s most beautiful towns”, Chipata, ‘decorated’ with escarpments and mountains.

And it’s in this beautiful, quiet and prayerful environment, and at the foot of one of its mountains, that the Southern Africa Province has thought it right to put up the Preparatory Centre with a view, as its name indicates, to welcoming and preparing our missionary candidates for the first phase of formation, philosophy.    

It’s a big project! The Centre, being built on the plot of about 18 hectares and currently monitored by Father Jaya, the assistant provincial bursar, has just seen its foundations being put up not more than two weeks ago. The Centre will comprise, at its completion, the house for Formators, two dormitories endowed with 10 rooms each for the total number of 20 candidates, a dining hall, two conference rooms, a chapel, a playground, and of course a garden and an orchard. The Centre is expected to be operational by September next year, with the enrolment of the first in-take.

Maybe the question that may come to one’s mind is: why in Chipata, a town so far away from the Capital city, Lusaka? The reason is that the Centre is meant to welcome all the candidates originating from the Province, meaning candidates coming from Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa. In this case, Chipata qualifies as the best location, for it is the centre.

We wish courage and God’s blessings to the Province of SAP in this and many other projects for Mission’s sake!

See PDF file

By Albert Chilufya, M.Afr

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The Ordination to Priesthood of Itungabose Benjamin, M.Afr, on July 12, 2014

My ordination took place in the parish grounds of Jene Parish in Ngozi Diocese. The Mass started by a long procession which began from the main church. Many priests and religious as well as thousands of Christians were present to witness the event. Mgr. Gervais Banshimiyubusa, Bishop of Ngozi, ordained nine young men to priesthood, eight to diaconate, six were instituted acolytes and ten received the ministry of reader. The ceremony took about four and half hours. A number of Missionaries of Africa attended the ceremony; Bigeziki Francois Xavier, the Assistant Provincial of PAC, Jean de Dieu Bukuru, Boguslaw Zero, Jean Bosco Nibigira, Bernard Lesay as well as some missionary candidates. The MSOLA Sisters were represented by Sr. Victoire Niyonzima.

It was a joyful day. In his remarks the Bishop expressed his gratitude to the Missionaries of Africa who gave him the chance to ordain a Missionary of Africa for the first time. The Mass ended at 15:00 hrs and was followed by a reception.

My mother Leoncie, my brothers Bosco, Bernard and Renovat as well as my sister Jeanine, my two aunts, Generose and Aloysia, my cousin Evelyn and my godfather Alexandre and his wife were present. It was a memorable event and I had never felt such a great joy in my heart. After the reception we went back to Nyamurenza, my home parish, to wait for the thanksgiving Mass which took place the following day.

I give thanks to Almighty God who has chosen me to be his servant and sent me to share my missionary joy with the people of Kasamba Parish in Mansa Diocese in Zambia.

Itungabose Benjamin, M.Afr

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FENZA Welcome to Zambia Course 2014

Welcome to Zambia 2014 course attracted eleven participants: six students of the Missionaries of Africa who are appointed to Zambia for two years of pastoral experience in parishes; two Comboni sisters who have been working in Zambia for some time; a Fidei Donum priest from Poland who has just taken up an appointment in the Catholic Diocese of Kabwe and finally a couple from the USA.

An input on intercultural communication was added to the program this year. It aims at helping the participants to mitigate the cultural shocks they might experience.

The speakers were the staff of FENZA and invited professionals or experts in topics covered. They enthusiastically came to share insights with the participants to help them deepen their knowledge and appreciate better the dynamics of life in Zambia.

Beneficiating from an active participation of the attendants, the updated insightful presentations from the speakers and the chance to encounter or interact with different people, we are glad to say that the program has been successful. 

 

Picture: Daniel and Andrea Kaiser