Present Magazine, December 2014

 “At Christmas, we celebrate the great truth that our God entered human history. At the heart of Christianity is the belief that the most loving word God spoke became a person, Jesus… We rejoice in Emmanuel, God with us!”

This year 2014 is closing with a lot of good events. PRESENT would like to highlight some few points among many.

‘’Vocation is a gift, it is a call.’’ We are all invited to share, talk, and encourage vocations from all the various corners of our apostolic service.

This year, from 13^th January to 12^th June, we had in Kolibo centre our aspirants from Kasama, Samfya, Chingola, Ndola, Lusaka, Chipata, Chadiza for the Candidacy course. The experience was very nice and enriching, with a colourful cultural mixture. Beginning of September, they went to Balaka, Malawi, for Philosophy and they are flourishing, full of joy. (Up: Horris, Ivor, Patrick and Innocent; down: Evans and Francis).

The 2^nd years and the 3^rd years are supporting the 1^st years in terms of integration and knowing the culture and realities of Malawi since they are veteran.

2^nd year: John, Saviour, Alfred and Leonard. 3^rd year: Emmanuel, Peter, Biness, Benjamin and Grant

From 14^th to 20^th July 2014, and 13^th to 20^th October, we had ‘Come and See’ program in Kolibo. In total, nine aspirants attended. For both, we ended the session with a prayerful recollection day and picnic. We thank God for the gift of our aspirants!

On the 2^nd August 2014, in Minga, we were blessed with the priestly ordination of Fr. Emmanuel Chisanga Mubanga of Kalichelo Parish, Chipata Diocese. The first mass took place in his home parish on 3^rd August. Blessed mission in Mali Fr. Emmanuel! Fr. Emmanuel and Deacon Remy (from Malawi, now priest in Uganda).

On the 10^th of October, Fr. Francis Kangwa took off for his new mission in Uganda. Always smiling! Continue with the same spirit. Thank you for the work done in the vocational ministry and blessed apostolate in Katakwi Parish, Uganda!

24^th October 2014, we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Zambia. The celebration took place in Lusaka at the Heroes Stadium. We pray and wish that we may remain: “One Zambia, One Nation” and show signs of good leadership not only in the southern African region but in the rest of the world. Happy Jubilee!

To all the candidates, aspirants and those who are searching for their vocation, the Missionaries of Africa are there for you. Don’t hesitate to “Come & See” for yourself. You may be misled by other friends and pear group.

From January to June: Candidacy course in Kolibo, Serenje. 9 aspirants are expected! In February, a “Come and See” program will be held for those who have completed Grade 12, with full certificate.

May this Christmas bring peace and joy in our heart. Happy and fruitful year 2015!

All the best and See you soon. Fr. Camille Kolibo, Vocation Director, Vocation Centre, Zambia.

Newsletter South Africa No 46 – 25th December, 2014

My dear Friends, HAPPY CHRISTMAS! May the birth of the Son of God among us (Emmanuel) fill you with hope and joy!

On 28^th November, most of the M.Afr were in Merrivale to witness the missionary oath of one of our students from DR Congo, Serge Boroto. By taking his oath, Serge has become a full Missionary of Africa! The following day, Saturday morning at Henley Parish, he was ordained a deacon by our confrere Jan De Groef, Bishop of Bethlehem Diocese. Many of his relatives and friends came for the occasion and rejoiced with him and all of us for these happy events! Congratulations, Serge! We all pray for you to be a good and faithful servant of the Lord and of his Church in Africa!

On 2^nd and 22^nd December, I took part in two meetings to prepare the great vocation youth rally which will take place on 7^th February in Johannesburg, to celebrate the YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE. This special year proclaimed by Pope Francis on the 1^st Sunday of Advent (30^th November) has for theme Wake Up the World! Yes, all consecrated people – we all are, as per our baptism – , especially the religious priests, brothers and sisters, we ALL have to pray and work very hard in order to wake up our world to the reality of the presence of Jesus in our lives. This Year of Consecrated Life will last until 2nd February 2016. It is a golden occasion to pray more and reflect on our vocation…

From 11^thto 20^th December, I was in MariaTrost Pastoral Centre in Mpumalanga, giving a retreat to some Religious Sisters. I took the occasion to go to pray on the tomb of late Fr. Sebastian Ndrutsomi, M.Afr, who was killed in a car accident last January 5^th. Let us pray for his eternal rest and for some young people generous enough to pursue a vocation to replace him in his work in the vineyard of the Lord. (See his profile on this PDF file)

This month, I had a few contacts with some youth interested to join us. One who used to search his vocation with us, has abandoned the idea and is pursuing some other studies. Another one has gone to another religious congregation who are not missionaries. Two others have showed some interest, but are still unsure. Let us pray for them all.

And those of you who have just written Matrics, we wish you all some good results.

Wishing you all a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. Above all, let us remember the real reason for Christmas!

“God so loved the world that He gave his only Son” (Jn. 3: 16)

God bless you all! Fr. Michael Meunier, M.Afr