TABLE OF CONTENTS

Editorial: Lucie Pruvost

“A fire to be passed on!”

1. Sowing generously without counting the cost, Mia Dombrecht
2. All concerned, Cécile Dilé
3. MVA, a task full of nuances, Colette Joubert
3. A culture of vocations, Ingrid Hager
4. Sowing across the frontiers, Gratienne Ndizeye
5. An animation passed on, Rita Schrenk

Sharing Life

1. International pilgrimage in the footsteps of Lavigerie and St. Paul, A participant
2. World Congress for pastoral care of migrants and refugees, Amalia García
3. Missionary for Africa, with a difference, Carol García Murillas   
4. Our Lady of Africa, at the Pontifical University Urbaniana, Hildegunde Schmidt

Publication
Algeria, World of Encounters, Chantal Vankalck

Communications

Editorial staff

Editorial

     During their meeting of October 2009, the Plenary Assembly chose the theme for the next General Chapter, putting it “in the context of a global and interconnected world…in these days in which the fundamental notions and landmarks have undergone a radical change”. A document for working has been proposed to the whole Congregation to prepare this Chapter, whose theme has been defined in view of actualising our charism for Africa:

“God’s love is birthing a reconciled creation:
what an incredible challenge!
He sends us to hasten the coming of that longed-for Day.
As MSOLA, how shall we respond today?”

This theme is not without any link to the Objectives of the millennium for the development to which we have referred for more than two years. In fact, is that not their aim to open for Africa a way towards “the longed-for Day”?

     It is in the context of this preparation that take place the six contributions to the “Dossier” of this present issue of Sharing Trentaprile: “A fire to be passed on”, this fire which animated our Founder for the spreading of the Kingdom of God in Africa. How can we, in fact, approach the younger generations in implementing a Mission and Vocation Animation for today?  This has been a major concern of the Congregation since the Chapter of 1987. The Chapter of 1999 had insisted on the necessity to invest sisters in this essential task for the vitality of our charism. In February 2001, the sisters gathered in Nairobi together with the General Council took then an important decision: “For the next ten years, we wish to pursue a radical choice in favour of vocational animation, in the countries in which we are located today, and where MSOLA vocations are possible.”  No doubt, we are all concerned, whoever we are and whichever we are and which ever part we play in the mission of the Congregation. But this cannot be improvised! We need “animators” who accept to fully invest themselves for this activity.

     That is why a number of sisters have especially been assigned for this essential task. Several of them give us an idea of how they experience this animation. “Sowing without counting the cost” also demands a great display of imagination, and this is not lacking! One among them even shares with us the fruits of continuity in this animation, whose taste can be transmitted from parents to their children, parents who have known the Congregation in working together with our sisters in Africa or elsewhere…

     Other examples of these various forms of animation which concerns us all, are presented to us in “Sharing life”. We discover some experiences of a group of young people during their stay in Rome, when they wanted to deepen their knowledge of St. Paul, the Apostle to the nations, and of our Founder, whose mission for Africa spurred him on through the whole of his life.
You will find also the testimony of a young Spanish lady whom deficient physical health prevented from joining us. In addition, thanks to an African priest, Vice-Rector of the Pontifical University Urbaniana, a chapel of this University has been dedicated to Our Lady of Africa, our patron. You can also read a reflection on the World Congress for the Care of Migrants and Refugees, in which one of our sisters participated on account of her own apostolate.

     You will find more information, especially the one on the recent publishing of a book witnessing of our presence in North Africa. Also in the communications, several announcements which in their own way express how our participation in the saving mission of God is acknowledged by other organisations or even by States or public administration offices.

     When you receive this issue of Sharing, we will be well on the way towards Easter. Be assured of the closeness of each of the sisters of the Editing committee during this time of a deepening of our faith during Lent. And Happy Easter!

            Lucie Pruvost

  
SOWING GENEROUSLY… WITHOUT COUNTING THE COST

      Soon after my arrival in Mauritania in 2002, I was questioned by some of the children of our parish of St. Joseph at Nouakchott, who shared with me their desire to become priest or a religious sister. This happened while I was visiting their families or soon after the celebration of their first communion. I informed the parish priest about the request of the children, and in 2004, we started a parish vocational group.


The vocational committee
      Each month, the vocational committee meets to prepare the monthly encounter with the children and the young people. This committee consists of four religious sisters – one sister for each congregation present in Nouakchott – and a priest. Each year, we choose a theme for the whole year and we develop this in the course of 9 meetings. And during the last years, we have worked on the following themes: the Word of God, the sacraments, different ways of praying, the apostle Paul, etc. This always from the angle of deepening our faith and our vocation.

      This year we chose as theme “God calls us”.  We will present to the children the vocation to the priesthood, the religious life and marriage. During the months of February and March 2010, we shall have the joy to share our MSOLA charism with the children, with a visit to our community in the month of March. For some years, those children and the young people also take part in the liturgy of the feast of 2nd February, dedicated to the consecrated life, when the children act out the Gospel scene or bring the gifts to the altar in the offering procession.

The feast of Our Lady of Africa and days of prayer
      The last two years, we have requested to solemnly celebrate in the parish, the feast of Our Lady of Africa, on 30th April. Even when this day falls in the middle of the week, many parishioners join us for the celebration. At this occasion we have distributed pictures of Our Lady of Africa and recited the prayer together.  It was a great joy and we MSOLA were proud, to have this opportunity to celebrate the liturgy of the feast of Our Lady of Africa in the parish together with our friends!

      During the summer of 2005, we organised in our community two days of prayer for the young people of our parish whom I knew from our catechism lessons. These were two very intense days in which we have presented different forms of prayer which we then practised with them: praying with the Word of God, the rosary, adoration, rereading of the day… We were very touched by the desire of these young people who all had accepted the invitation.

At our neighbours of Senegal
      Since 2005, we also took every possible opportunity to go to neighbouring Senegal and take part in the various events organised for the young people by the Church of Senegal or by the region: World Days for the Youth, a pilgrimage to Popinguine.  So it happened that I had the joy to take part twice already in the WDY of the sub-region, once at Ziguinchor in Casamance, and once in Thies. Each time we distributed our MSOLA leaflets and contacted young girls on an individual basis. Sr. Anafrida, who last year was part of the team for the organisation of the WDY, was even so bold as to distribute our leaflets to the delegations coming from the Gambia, Mali and the 7 dioceses of Senegal!

      In 2005, we also met the university students from the chaplaincy of St. Louis in Senegal to present our MSOLA charism. At this occasion, we taught them our hymn “Our Lady of Africa, mother of Jesus…”

Other ways of sowing
      Each year, at the occasion of the renewal of vows of the sisters of our community, we see whom we could invite for the Eucharist and the festive meal in order to become better known by our parishioners. We do not only invite the young ones, but also parents who are committed in the parish and who can have an influence on the children or the young people.

      During the summer of 2009, we also welcomed a young French lady in search of her vocation. Through her life in community, her apostolic commitments, her participation in our community prayer, we have been able to help her in her personal discernment.

      It is through all these activities, that our community in Nouakchott feels called to take an active part in MVA, a priority within our Congregation. This is possible, even in an Islamic Republic! We believe that we are called to sow generously, without too much counting, so that the Master of the harvest can continue his work through our humble participation.  

Mia Dombrecht, Nouakchott, Mauritania

ALL CONCERNED

   In order to understand how we live MVA and the challenges which we are called to face, it seems important to describe the context of the church and of the congregation in France.

Context of the Church and the Congregation in France

    We had to wait twenty two years after the General Chapter of 1987 had declared: “MVA is an urgent priority in view of the mission”, then in 2001, during the meeting of Nairobi the sisters had made “a radical choice in favour of MVA” for a sister to be appointed in 2009, exactly eight years later, and that at part-time, for this service in France. In addition, in 2010, an international MVA-community will see the light in Paris. As Saint Theresa of Avila said: “with patience one obtains everything”!

   What did I discover following my appointment in the pastoral care of young people in France? First of all on the side of the Church, I discovered that the bishops were very much in favour of priestly and religious vocations. This became concrete through invitations we received to present our religious and missionary vocation in chaplaincies and vocation at groups. We are strongly encouraged to get rid of our complexes regarding vocations! “Speak about vocations, invite young people in your communities…!” Such is the slogan of the national authorities of the Church in France. It is no coincidence that the person responsible for the service of vocations on national level has been also put in charge of the service of the pastoral care for young people.

   Amongst the sisters in France and also in Belgium where I work part of the time, there are more mixed feelings! Some are happy to see that the Congregation invests again in MVA personnel in Europe, and they do encourage me. On the other hand, other sisters do not believe anymore in our ability to welcome European vocations in the Congregation. An astonishing hesitation knowing that there are 52 MSOLA younger than I am, and another 50 in formation!  Therefore my apostolate takes place within this ambivalent context.

Welcoming young people and new challenge

   Our community of Paris Gay-Lussac welcomes young people, girls and boys, who come for a time in view of preparing for a stay in Africa and for weekends to review their experience. We have good contacts with them. Mealtime-sharing is always a strong moment for them as well as for us. They are eager to know and understand our religious and missionary life. We also pray together.

   We just started a new way for MVA in France. We have to rebuild a network of relationships, and make ourselves known to the youth. Therefore we joined the “Réseau Jeunesse Ignatien” (RJI), which suggests spiritual activities for those aged between 17-30. In 2010, some of our proposals will be part of this network.  I also developed our site Internet with an “Espace jeunes”, which is quite well visited. I also work in collaboration with the Missionaries of Africa on European level, with, for instance, a trip to Niger, and a missionary camp in Lublin.

   We are confronted with many challenges: ahead of us:  building a community capable of receiving young people for the experiences “Come and see” and for the postulate; opening some of our community prayers to students; developing new initiatives; to drop some of the prejudices we have against young people; overcome some of the coldness regarding European vocations and develop a real and serene enthusiasm…

We are all invited to collaborate in this project of the Congregation.

Cécile Dilé, Paris Gay-Lussac, France

MVA? A TASK FULL OF NUANCES

      Since my return from Africa, at the beginning of 2009, I take part in Missionary and Vocational Animation (MVA). One discovers there all the seasonal colours, from the dullest to the brightest:

A variety of tasks

- Formation of lay missionaries, ours and those of three institutes with whom we have been collaborating for the past ten years;
- Occasional homilies with a personal witness;
- Encounters with different adult groups, social and Christian, for a talk;
- African art exhibitions, talks, tea “masala” (spice tea) in some of the homes where our sisters live with lay people;
- Talks or formal teaching in schools where Africa and our apostolate are introduced according to a specific theme;
- Presence and collaboration during certain meetings of the diocese linked to youth movements;
- Participation at an African art exhibition in the town of Winooski, in a certain social, intercultural context.

Difficult moments

      If you ask me, the most difficult is not so much the execution of the tasks, but rather:

- To make oneself known, to be bold enough to approach the managers, those in charge, the directors, etc.
- To make contacts and to build a network of parishes, social partners, diocesan personnel, etc. to awaken an interest in the Mission, this also for the benefit of the local population, to prevent them from closing in on themselves and become self-satisfied.
- To invent ways and means to be “visible”
- To encourage the collaboration of MSOLA companions to get in touch with others, get information for possible encounters, talks, etc.

      As the Missionaries of Africa also seem to embark on one or other form of MVA, I hope to be able to join them occasionally and to find new ways of working together, in suggesting, for instance, “missionary get-togethers”.

 Colette Joubert, Montreal – Av. Laval, Canada

A CULTURE OF VOCATIONS

Mission of the community
      MVA is the mission of the whole community and each sister shares in it. I was inexperienced and unprepared for doing MVA, but the members of the community initiated me to their approach. I followed a workshop on diocesan level which opened my horizon to a “culture of vocations”, which means to promote all the vocations in the country and to work for the good of the whole Church, not just exclusively for one’s own congregation. This vision is great; however, it is known, shared and practiced only by a small number. It requires working as a team and collaborating with religious, priests, seminarians, couples and lay people.

Reaction of the young people
      A number of young people wish to go to Africa, for instance to help poor children, but not as religious. They ask for short-term commitments as lay people, probably because of strong family and national bonds. The best promoters are the young women themselves, our postulants and those who come to meet and appreciate us, and also priests and friends who know us and our mission.

Collaboration with the Missionaries of Africa (MAfr)
      We have a good relationship with the MAfr, and they generously provide for us a space on their Website, a page in the mission calendar, and in an Africa-news-magazine. In the formation, they help us with a course or a session, we exchange personnel in giving a retreat to the young in formation, and we joined in celebrating the 20 or 25 years of presence in Mexico.

Importance of MVA
      In all truth, I feel the importance of doing MVA for the vitality of our mission in Africa. In fact, our friends and visitors sense our family spirit and appreciate our international community; surely, our way of being speaks for itself. We could be women apostles, who go beyond frontiers, who work with those who feel excluded from the institutional Church, like the drug and alcohol addicts, the HIV victims, the single mothers, the indigenous, etc.

      Last year, together with some lay missionaries, I entered for some time the world of the indigenous people, who suffer a lot of discrimination. They have many devotions and popular faith expressions, and it would be wonderful to walk with them encountering God in their own lives, culture and history. This would also require a peace and justice commitment, empowerment of the women, alphabetization, health education, etc. We would also need to be actively present in the Internet and spend time in writing and chatting, because most young people know us by this means. Could this long-term vision be realized?

Ingrid Hager, Morelia, Mexico

SOWING ACROSS THE FRONTIERS
             
      In West Africa, MVA is done in Burkina Faso where we are actually present as well as across the borders, in the neighbouring countries where we are not yet present, such as in Togo, Ivory Coast and soon also in Nigeria.

In Togo
      Since a few years, the MAfr from Burkina Faso go to Togo for MVA. They have already several Togolese fathers among them. One of them, who is ready to collaborate has accepted to welcome and gather young girls who are searching a missionary congregation and who take part in their meetings.  He forwards letters to us from those who desire information about our Congregation. Their letters were the start of a correspondence, followed by visits to Togo.

      One of he first ones contacted has regularly invited others who are also searching.  And so a small group has been formed. Some seem to take things seriously, others are simply curious. In Togo, the majority of the young people are interested in missionary congregations and do not hesitate to join them even if they are not represented in the country.

In Ivory Coast
      In Ivory Coast, a young girl was looking for a purely missionary congregation. After having met the MAfr in Abidjan, she asked one of them if there existed a similar congregation for women. “Yes, he answered, but not in Ivory Coast.” She then turned to the Internet to search for missionary congregations, and that is how in 2008, she discovered our address. She wrote immediately and asked for precise information. She was very happy with my answer. This was the beginning of our correspondence.  When I noticed how eager she was, and after having talked with the regional superior, I went to Abidjan in March 2009 to meet her and it was worth it. At the same time, she had informed other young girls who were searching, and I had the opportunity to meet four of them.

      The young girl in question is presently at the university doing studies in informatics, which she will soon finish. She is 20 years of age and seems to be well motivated. She has spent three months with the Ouagadougou Cathedral community to get to know us better. As she has to have a practical experience of three months and present her thesis, she returned to Abidjan. If all goes, she will come back after the defence of her thesis for her “Come and see”.

In Nigeria
      At our cathedral parish of Ouagadougou, a Nigerian priest is in charge of the English-speaking community. He willingly agrees to make us known in his country, and especially in his own diocese where there are many vocations.  As the sisters from Ghana have sent me their leaflets in English, the priest in question has accepted to take some. During the time of his holiday in the country, he is ready to speak about our Congregation, together with his cousin who has important responsibilities in one of the congregations of the country.  We shall see how to get there, when there will be some girls who are interested. The door into Nigeria is open!

      We must sow unceasingly, even across the frontiers, and the Lord will make the seed yield according to his will.

Gratienne Ndizeye, Ouagadougou Region, Burkina Faso

AN ANIMATION PASSED ON
     
Hand on what you received
      About more than 2 years ago, when I was in my home-parish in the Southern part of Germany, I met with our former youth who, in the years from 1980 to 1985, were active members of the Missionary youth group, who regularly met at the Missionaries of Africa in Haigerloch, and also took part in the “Route Missionnaire”.

      When they heard that I am involved in MVA, some of them said: “How we would wish our own children would receive what we received through this group, we would be so grateful!” or “That what we received has marked our life so much!” Indeed most of them remained active Christians. My spontaneous answer to them was “What about you? Why do you now hesitate to go ahead to hand on what you received?” The answer was: “We would, if you, missionaries, are ready to stand behind us, supporting, encouraging and reanimate us!”

Begin with a new/old missionary groups
      I reflected on this with my brother Hans, MAfr, who had planned to return to Germany/Haigerloch. We have seen this as a sign of our time and an urgent need, to work together with lay people and to begin with a new/old missionary group. I visited most of them in their family to see how they look at this idea. They all were happy and ready to go ahead. In May 2008, we could start with a “core” group of about 15 women and men at the age between 25–50 years, with a majority of about 40 years of age. The own wish was to be first reanimated and nourished in their faith. So they met each month for a Bible sharing and planning of activities. A Missionary of Africa animated the Bible sharing.

Reanimate youth groups
      In the meantime, we had organized other activities. We thought it was important to help to reanimate youth groups such as the scouts, altar servants, boys and girls and to help in the  preparation for confirmation and first communion etc. A great success was our Africa Info day in June 2009, on the occasion of the 50 years of profession of our sister Theresia (MSOLA) and  in remembrance of our brother Alex, who also could have looked back on 50 years as a Missionary of Africa, but who died in Tamale in January 2009. It was an unforgettable day for the whole parish. All were somehow involved as one great family.

Some other Bible groups
      Some more of the Bible groups hopefully will now come up. The preparation of it has been done; there will be family Bible groups or evenings of sharing with each other one’s life experiences. My brother Hans will animate these groups. We have to begin from the grassroots and our hope is to slowly reawaken new young missionary groups and other youth activities.

      This missionary group organized together with the scouts the traditional Advent bazaar, now for the second time, with self made Advent and Christmas decoration, in an atmosphere of a real Advent evening and all that is part of it. We have to go slowly and to be patient, but trusting, believing and hoping that God has everything in his hands and will bless these plans and dreams the way he wishes. It is his work we do with his blessing!

Rita Schrenk, Köln Thielenbruch, Germany

Sharing Life

INTERNATIONAL PILGRIMAGE IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF LAVIGERIE AND ST. PAUL – ROME

From 3rd to 8th April 2009, 12 young women visited Rome and walked in the footsteps of Cardinal Lavigerie and St. Paul. They were: Nikola from Germany, Sr. Cécile Dilé from France, two postulants from Poland: Kamila, Ania and seven other girls from Poland: Agnieszka, Ania, Adriana, Ania, Magda, Marta, Ludwika and Sr. Celina Natanek. Most of them belong to different missionary groups.

      After two days in a bus, the sisters of the Generalate of the MSOLA warmly welcomed us on our arrival in Rome. We felt immediately the international atmosphere among us. Through coming from so many different countries and the sisters having worked in different parts of Africa, we felt like one family.  It has been for us a new and a very important experience. The simplicity of the sisters touched us deeply. Here the words of Cardinal came to mind: “The missionary is a person of love; he must give a witness of love to all. The missionary is a brother of all”.

Places linked to our experience

      Among many important places, we visited the basilica of St. Agnes and the Church of St. Louis des Francais, where Lavigerie was ordained bishop. We reflected on our personal call in front of the famous picture of Caravaggio: The call of St. Mathew. In the church of Gesù, we learnt about the antislavery campaign of Lavigerie, where he declared: “I am a man, and nothing that is human is foreign to me” (Terence). It was a cry addressed to the whole world… “I am a man, he continued, and injustice towards other men revolts me. I am a man – oppression arouses my indignation…”

      St. Paul and his Damascus experience became one of the stepping stones for us and  deepened our desire to know Jesus. If you know the “why”, you will find the “how” - that was a conclusion of one our postulants touched by the zeal of St. Paul for Christ and his mission. His words accompanied us all along the way:

      ”Jesus Christ conquered me… I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Ph 3:12-14) “I am living in faith, faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” (Ga 2: 19-20).

At the heart of the Church and our missionary family

      On Palm Sunday we participated in the Holy Mass celebration with the youth of the world at St. Peter. There, we touched the heart of the Church and the unity in diversity. Our Polish group had prepared a banderol to greet the Pope. We visited the tomb of John Paul II, where we prayed for the youth of today. He has accompanied us throughout our pilgrimage, for we left Poland on the 2nd of April (anniversary of his death in 2005).

      For me as for my fellow postulants, this pilgrimage was very important because we had the possibility to meet other sisters of our Congregation. We got more information about the history of the mission and of our family. We appreciated very much the meeting in three groups and the sharing of Sr. Lucie Pruvost (North Africa), Sr. Nicole Robion (West Africa) and Sr. Francine Maas (East Africa).

      A great experience for us was the visit to the archives of the MAfr and the MSOLA, with items that belonged to our Founder Cardinal Lavigerie and to Mother Marie-Salomé. This experience was like “touching“ the real history of people’s life and the life of the Congregation.

 Thanks to the kindness of the Fathers, we prayed and offered a holy mass for the mission in Africa at the tomb of the Cardinal. We prayed for new missionary vocations. The visit to the Generalate of the Fathers and of the Sisters was very much appreciated by all of us. Cardinal Lavigerie became a concrete person of his time, full of zeal for Christ’s mission having so much in common with St. Paul. We take with us the words of Lavigerie:

      “You will experience an abundant joy, a joy of which the apostles have spoken a joy of taking part in the work of God.” And another: “Two things are required of a missionary sister to become holy. The first is detachment from human ties, and the second, a strong and ardent attachment to Our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Rich sharing of faith and culture

      Our Polish group had also the possibility to present our culture: music, songs, dances, and food specialities. We learnt more about culture and customs of peoples from other countries. This too was a valuable experience.

      In the name of all us, I would like to thank the sisters of the Generalate, the Provincial Council of Europe, the Fathers, for their presence, openness and readiness to share with us their faith and mission, with a great sense of humour. During our encounters, we felt a sisterly, simple and friendly atmosphere. Many thanks to our two accompanists during our journey: Sr. Celina and Sr. Cécile, who had prepared the programme and led us on this pilgrimage. The different methods of work have been very helpful and interesting.

      Thanks to all of you, who have walked with us in body or in spirit, it has been a special gift for which we are very grateful. We hope to meet again next year in a still bigger group. May Cardinal Lavigerie and St. Paul pray for us all!

A participant, Lublin, Poland

WORLD CONGRESS FOR PASTORAL CARE OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

      The 6th World Congress for “Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees” took place in Rome from 9th to 12th November 2009. Amalia García, from the community of Málaga took part in it. She shares her experience in “Sharing Trentaprile”.

Theme and participants

     Among the participants, there were 82 bishops, 6 cardinals and delegates of several religious congregations and of various Christian Churches: Patriarchs, Ecumenical Council of Churches, Anglicans, the Lutheran Federation and experts of international organisations.  The theme of the Congress was: “A Pastoral Response to the Migratory Phenomenon within the Era of Globalization, (five years after the Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi).”  The Congress started with the celebration of the Eucharist in St. Peter’s basilica, presided by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State at the Vatican.

     In the course of those three days, there were numerous papers, conferences, round table discussions and also workshops. Four languages were used: Italian, French, English and Spanish. The workshops were also organised according to the different languages.

Dominant question

     The dominant question was: How can we respond in a more appropriate way to this ever-increasing migratory phenomenon, how can we integrate the immigrant people within our Christian communities and answer their basic needs?  There are no ready-made answers, but some facts can challenge us.

Recurring points

     The following points came back very often during the lectures:

- There are in the world more than 200 million immigrants and refugees out of whom, 11 million are illegal.
- Immigrants and refugees are human beings created in the image of God; they deserve as much respect and dignity as anybody among us.
- The media give little information or cover up the dramatic circumstances in which the immigrants live.
- Racism and xenophobia are increasing.
- 50 million jobs will disappear in the coming year.
- Globalization adds to the suffering of the immigrants. It is a cause of exploitation a challenge for the Church. It increases free commercial trade, yet it stands in the way when people are concerned.  This is contrary to the basic right of the human person to live wherever she chooses. If there are no limits put in the search of capital, how many more limits are put up to welcome people!
- Concerning immigrants, there is a dichotomy: the receiving country needs them; yet society fears them.
- The integration of the immigrant is a permanent challenge. It is more than just a question of language or a refresher course.  Integration is founded on mutual respect, on the possibility of the dialogue, on the ability for the migrant to provide his own living, to participate and to get involved in the life of society.

Problem of young immigrants

     Father Gabriel Parolin, Regional Superior of the Scalabrini Missionaries spoke of the problem of the young immigrants. He underlined the suffering of those young people who are torn between two cultures: the culture of their parents and the one of the country welcoming them. From their parents, they received certain values, a religious sense. The first generation of those young people believed in God and needed to discover their own roots, the 2nd and 3rd generations planted their roots in a new reality: they keep their parents’ culture, but do not any longer believe in God. The breach between the religious and the cultural level is insurmountable. The young immigrant is attracted by the consumer society, the individualism and the atheism of our societies. How can we help young people to discover the presence of a loving God in their concrete life?

To be remembered

     So many things could be said concerning this congress! But I do remember especially this:
- For the Church, the pastoral care for migrant people is one of the major priorities, because the Church has to be present where people suffer.
- The Church needs to develop a theology of migration.
- The Church needs to be the voice of the voiceless and fight against human trafficking.

     This congress has helped me personally, to become aware of everything which has to be done, everything which is still needed for an effective commitment to favour the dignity of the person. I am grateful towards the General Council for their invitation to take part in this event of the Church, as I start my work with the immigrants. Thank you wholeheartedly!

Amalia Garcia, Community of Malaga, Spain

MISSIONARY FOR AFRICA … WITH A DIFFERENCE…

      Carol wanted very much to become a MSOLA. After an experience with us and a stay in Africa, she could not fulfil her desire because of poor health.  She had to return to Spain, her country of origin. Being attentive to the Lord’s call, she answered it by becoming a “Missionary for Africa” with a difference… Her witness, published in the magazine of her diocese by way of interview, features well in this issue of Sharing, dedicated to MVA.  We publish it here for your reading and your prayer.

* How did you know that you needed to express your desire in answering the Lord’s call to the religious missionary life?
     From childhood, fearless and decided as I was, I had a great interest for the very poor. At the age of 23, as I was working in an Institute for people with hearing problems in Madrid, I felt called to something else. In my relationship with the sick and the rejected, I felt the Lord very close, and it is they who showed me Jesus.  A beautiful job, a wonderful family and marvellous friends, nothing has prevented me to answer a call which however frightened me: “To leave everything and to follow him!”

     I felt within me two aspirations: on the one hand, a great love for Africa and its people; and on the other hand, the assurance of God calling me to this continent, giving my life to him, there where I would be needed.  I wanted to enter the family of the MSOLA!

* You lived in Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Algeria.  What memories do you keep of those years?
     Throughout my mission on this beautiful continent, each day, I did discover that here I had found the fulfilment of my great desire.  I accompanied the HIV-patients, especially those who had no means of going to the health centres. During my visits, I came across suffering, solitude and death. With time, I came to understand that even those who felt alone and were afraid, tried also to accept the following day with a different outlook.

* How do you see Africa’s future?
     With optimism! Before leaving, someone said to me: “This continent makes us sad. You will only find misery there…”  But today, I can say that it all depends on how you look upon Africa. I lived with many people who are striving for more just life, who desire to find recognition in this world. I also lived with ordinary people who continue to defend freedom and hope.

* Why did you come back?
     I had left thinking that it would be for good. But because of a serious illness I had to leave, and yet I was so happy. I refused to live this departure as a frustration, although at the beginning, it was very hard, almost impossible. For a moment I thought that every door was closing in on my plans, on my choice of life…

* And now, how do you face this situation?
     It has not been easy. But in silence and in prayer, I discovered that God had other plans for me… and that is enough. From being independent, I passed to being totally dependent… especially towards my family.

     My health has weakened, but not my faith. At present, I can hardly walk. But I realise that without those years spent in Africa, I would not have the strength to accept what I am living today.

* What are your expectations now?
     My diminished mobility does not prevent me from continuing to work for the Gospel. My dream, to live like Jesus, never left me. Jesus accepted his cross; he lived it and loved it until the end… I give my life for the African people. From my room and from my wheelchair, I continue to look forward to a more just world for all, without exception. More than ever, I am a missionary and faithful to the Lord’s call! I thank God, for His confidence in me.

Carol García Murillas, Parish of Belver de Cinca, Spain

OUR LADY OF AFRICA at the Pontifical University “Urbaniana”

      You might wish to know that a picture of Our Lady of Africa will be in future in one of the chapels at the “Urbaniana” here in Rome.  The staff and the students (many of them from Africa) thought of dedicating one of their chapels to Our Lady of Africa.

      Not knowing were to find a photo or an icon, the Vice-Rector, Fr. Emile-Martin Dibongue, from Cameroon, started searching in the internet and found our e-mail address. His request reached us on the eve of Christmas. 

      On 8th January, Srs Renza Spizzo, Odette Boillat and I took a big framed photo of the statue of Our Lady of Africa to the Vice-Rector who was happy and grateful that his search had finally been successful. He showed us the beautiful chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Africa. We hope to visit the chapel once again when the picture will finally be in its designated place.

Hildegunde Schmidt, Rome

Publication

ALGERIA, WORLD OF ENCOUNTERS

On 1st December 2009, Karthala Publishers (Paris) edited a book entitled, Algérie, Terre de Rencontres, a series of interviews between Laurence Ammour, a French Algerian sociologist and Lucie Pruvost, MSOLA, also born in Algeria. Lucie and Laurence met at the house of friends in Rome.  Laurence interested in hearing about the long journey of Lucie in her own country of origin, asked her to share this with her. With this in mind and considering her personal skills, Laurence had prepared a series of questions answered spontaneously by Lucie, letting herself be guided by the journey proposed to her. 

      “As we went along, Laurence summed up in her introduction, our interviews took on a more intellectual and political form. We took up the question of religion, Islamology, the interpretation of texts, the Algerian women, the family code and the struggle for its promulgation.  It is therefore not just a book of private conversations or witnessing, but also a reflection on current subjects of considerable importance. “ 
  
     It is a relatively voluminous book, in total 258 pages, including a preface offered by an Algerian anthropologist, M. Mustapha Haddab, professor at the University of Algiers; a postscript by Mgr. Henri Teissier, Archbishop emeritus of Algiers. Various appendixes, awell as numerous notes which enhance the work and give it a documented and academic character which corresponds to the formation Lucie received during her journey within the Congregation.

    The book is divided into four main chapters. The first one, more biographical, tells us how, what did become an apostolic itinerary, had slowly been developed, lived for the major part within the Church of Algiera “between trial and relationship”. These are an experience of aspects emphasised by Mgr. Teissier in his postscript.

      The second chapter suggests some aspects of the ‘encounter with the other’ different because of his religion, Islam, his culture, a type of humanism, etc. The third chapter reminds us how tradition and legislation are fused with more or less success in the setting up of a family code in a country of Muslim tradition. Finally, the fourth chapter gives an insight into the present intellectual evolutions in a Muslim world, which is looking for a place within modernity without loosing its soul.

     As explained by M. Haddab in his preface, this research is part of “the numerous and various works on Islam and Muslim societies.” And he adds: this research allows to feel how men and women belonging to Islam “search to open to Muslims of today who are caught up with the challenges of modernity, the access to a Word of God, a text, the Koran, which really speaks to them”.  What makes maybe the originality of this work is that this research calls for a “dialogue of conscience”, according to Mgr Teissier, a form which nowadays emerges from the research concerning “inter-religious dialogue” which the Church desires to promote.

      Chantal Vankalck, Rome

Communications

Dates of the General Chapter
For practical reasons, the dates for the General Chapter have changed: from Wednesday 13th July to Wednesday 3rd August 2011. 
Thank you for taking note of this!

On 13th February, three of our sisters have made their first profession and are appointed as follows: 
Bernadette Djekoye Kemleldel from Chad to, North Africa, Algeria, Ghardaïa
Elodie Somwaya Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso to Central Africa, DR Congo, Bukavu Kadutu
Georgette Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso to West Africa, Ghana, Gumo

On 2nd January 2010, Sabine Dakouo has made her final vows at Kalabankura, in Mali, her country of origin. We give thanks to God for her spiritual journey and her commitment in the Congregation and share in her joy.

SEDOS : Election of Piluca
On 4th December 2009,  our Sister María Pilar Benavente (Piluca) was elected president of SEDOS. Congratulations for the trust put in our Superior General!
SEDOS is a service of documentation and Studies (in English) started in 1964 during the Second Vatican Council. Seven missionary societies started then to come together for informal meetings in Rome in order to share information and vision about the Mission of the Church. The reflection of this group has had major impact n the elaboration of the Decree "Ad Gentes".
The mandate of the president is for three years. Most of the Missionary Institutes of the Catholic Church are members of SEDOS.

Sharing Trentaprile is published 5 times a year by the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, at Viale Trenta Aprile, 15 - 00153 Rome, Italy  -
E-mail: l.pruvost@smnda.org; pruvostlucie@hotmail.com

Editorial staff: Chantal Vankalck (G.C.), Lucie Pruvost (Editor), Madeleine Bédard (computer layout and printing), Hildegunde Schmidt (archivist) - Translations: Claire Bélanger - Doris Gastonguay – Mr. A.C. Robb - Mailing: Nicole Robion