The vocation of being approachable
Sr. Zawadi Barungu with a young mother From Sr. Zawadi Barungu, in Burkina Faso As I began writing this article, someone rang our doorbell. I dropped everything and went to open the door. It was a veiled woman, visibly elderly, looking for a teacher who works at a center near our house. I went with her to show her the entrance to the weaving center. As we started, she thanked me and wished me twins: “May God give you twins”. No doubt that was the best she thought she could give me, the best she could wish me at that moment. Poor people offer us more than we think we give them. The “poor” give everything, they give themselves. Thus, we all have this potential within us because we are rich in love to give and very often poor in love because of sadness, worries, and false…
Sr. Maamalifar Joins Meeting with Queen Camilla
Photo: Buckingham Palace Representatives of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) recently met with Her Majesty Queen Camilla at Clarence House in London to share the work of Catholic Sisters serving vulnerable communities around the world. Their discussions focused on human trafficking, conflict, climate change, and the protection of women and girls. Among the UISG delegation was Sr. Maamalifar Poreku, MSOLA, Executive Co-Secretary of the UISG-USG Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation. During the meeting, she highlighted how climate change is already affecting the lives of millions of people, particularly the poorest communities, forcing many families to migrate and increasing their vulnerability to human trafficking. Sr. Maamalifar also shared how women religious are responding through environmental education, sustainable agriculture, access to water, and livelihood initiatives that strengthen the resilience of communities and promote human dignity. She emphasized that caring for creation must always go hand in hand…
Understanding “Magnifica Humanitas”
Image Vatican News Article extract from the Dicastery for promoting Integral Human Development https://www.humandevelopment.va/en/magnifica-humanitas.html The dignity of the human being is the criterion to orient technical progress Pope Leo XIV, in presenting to the world and to all the people of God, his first Encyclical Letter, focused on the care for the human person in the time of Artificial Intelligence, said “I invite all members of the Church and of the human family: let us learn to listen to one another, face the present challenges with courage, and cooperate in building a more human and fraternal society. […] Please take with you a commitment to stay awake and, as ‘artisans of hope’, to keep on building the worksite of our time. May the Spirit of the Risen Lord Jesus sustain our work together.” In the time of Artificial Intelligence, humanity is faced with a choice. Whether to let…
Let’s get ready for the Season of Creation 2026
Season of Creation is a time (September 1 – October 4) for Christians to come together in prayer and action for Creation Our Biblical text for this year is drawn from Ezekiel 47: 1- 12, which portrays God’s life-giving water flowing from the temple of God. The river grows deeper and deeper restoring barren land, reviving waters, and sustaining flourishing ecosystems. The vision invites human responsibility: recognising ecological damage, embracing interconnectedness, we are called to immerse ourselves in the water, and actively safeguarding and working for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well-being may flourish together. Every act of care for creation becomes part of a global stream of hope. Prepare your community with the Guide that you can dowload at this link Season of Creation Celebration Guide 2026 After you can share how your parish, school, community, or organization is celebrating the Season…
Message of hope about the global debt crisis
“I have hope as a Christian, as a follower of Christ. And my hope is in you people, the organizations that have heard the cry of the people: those who are affected by the climate crisis and the debt crisis”. That’s the message from Sister Maamalifar Poreku, a Missionary Sister of Our Lady of Africa from Ghana. Ghana is one of the countries most vulnerable to the debt crisis, with its government spending a quarter of revenue on servicing debts in 2023, according to the UN. Sister Maamalifar, who is the Co-Executive Secretary of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of the Union of Superior Generals, spoke to the Turn Debt into Hope campaign about how the debt crisis has affected communities in her home country. How people have been affected by the debt crisis in Ghana Sister Maamalifar said: I have seen the suffering of the people…
The Story Behind the Canonization of the Uganda Martyrs
The relics are taken on procession in the celebrations of 3rd June This article was composed with information taken from our archives et from the website of the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugogo On the 3rd of June we celebrate the Ugandan martyrs, a group of Christians who were killed because of their faith between 1885 and 1887 under the orders of King Mwanga of Buganda. In particular we remember the Namugongo Holocaust, that broke out on 25th May 1886 and lasted until the 3rd of June 1886, on the feast of the ascension, where martyrs were tortured and burned. Their remains were long left unburied by the King’s orders as they were considered traitors. Six months later, three Christians, amid fears of being charged with treason, in cover of the night went to Namugongo and collected some remains. The relics were hidden by the White Fathers and…
Zero trafficking in Burkina-Faso
From Sr Pascaline Katungu of the Cathédral, Ouagadou, community For a Lasting Peace : The role of women in restoring human dignity On 8 February, we commemorate Saint Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of the Talitha Kum network, ‘Young Girl, Arise’. It is a Day of Prayer and Reflection against human trafficking. We have included in our prayers the men, women and children who are victims of modern slavery, of all kinds of abuse and exploitation, and who are treated as tools for labour or pleasure and are often tortured and mutilated. This is an active network in Burkina Faso. It brings together all those concerned to be the voice of those whose dignity has been trampled upon. Our cathedral community is part of this network and is represented by Sister Pascaline (in the photo), who works actively within it alongside other lay and consecrated persons. Since July 2025, we…
10 Actions You Can Take on Laudato Si’ week
Hope would have us recognize that there is always a way out… that we can always do something.” Laudato Si’, 61 Laudato Si’ Week is a global moment when Catholics turn hope into action for our common home. Whether you are an individual, parish, school, religious community, or institution, you are invited to take one concrete step for integral ecology and make it count through the Laudato Si’ Action Platform. Choose one action that fits your context and begin this week! Responding to the Cry of the Earth 1. Reduce your community’s energy use this week Identify one immediate way to reduce energy consumption. Examples: • Turn off unnecessary lighting in unused spaces • Adjust heating or cooling slightly • Launch a commitment to reduce electricity use for the next month Parishes, schools, and institutions can begin reviewing energy usage and setting a reduction goal. 2. Restore local…
Celebrate the Pentecost
What is Pentecost? Pentecost 2026 falls on Sunday, May 24. In the Catholic Church, Pentecost is one of the great solemnities of the liturgical year and marks the close of the Easter season. The word Pentecost comes from the Greek pentekostē, meaning “fiftieth day” as it is celebrated 50 days after Easter. It’s often called the “Birthday of the Church” because it marks the start of the Church’s mission, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Virgin Mary fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pentecost is important because it reveals the Holy Spirit’s mission in the life of the Church. Jesus did not leave his disciples to carry out the gospel by their own strength. He sent the Holy Spirit to guide, sanctify, strengthen, and unite them. The first Pentecost The event is described in Acts 2. The Apostles, along with Mary…
Activities at the Worldhouse
By Marina Van Dalen, SMNDA Coordinator – Netherlands The four Dutch sisters based in Boxtel are involved in the activities at the Worldhouse, sharing their vision of a life lived out in mission every day. Iftar meal for everyone This year, Ramadan and Lent began on the same day, namely Ash Wednesday, 18 February, and we thought it would be a good idea to organise an Iftar meal for all residents during this period. Most of the Muslim residents at the Worldhouse are of Moroccan or Turkish origin; the others are Dutch or Indonesian, and they usually eat their meals separately. Two ladies from the Muslim community promised to prepare a simple Ramadan meal suitable for the older residents, not all of whom are used to Arabic cuisine. Before the meal, we gave a presentation on Christian fasting during the 40 days of Lent and another on fasting…