Together we can make a new world
A report from our Nouakchott Community On Saturday, October 26, we organized a planting of twenty trees in a neighborhood of Nouakchott called Basra. There were 19 of us, including, among others, 6 people from the Islamo-Christian Group including Sr. Mia and Sr. Elyse, three priests, the president of a Mauritanian association for Education and Culture, the president of the association Soleil des Enfants, the president of the association Ensemble Pour un Avenir Meilleur and his team. We went to get the trees from the gardener to bring them to the neighborhood of Basra where the action took place. The young people from the association had raised awareness among the families in the neighborhood about the benefits of trees and some of them asked for a tree. Each family had already dug a hole in front of their door and had prepared the manure and the fence to…
Cleaning up the Indian Ocean – a gesture to our Mother Earth
“Laudato si’, mi’ Signore” – “Praised be you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful hymn, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our Earth is like a sister with whom we share our life, and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.” Caring for our Mother Earth should be our priority every day, because all our actions, good or bad, have an impact on Her. We are called to be responsible for what we do and to take care of our Mother Earth. I am happy to share with you the way we helped to clean the Indian Ocean because it was really a beautiful experience to do such a gesture. We in the Dar es…
The “Visitation” of Our Lady in the refugee settlements
It was a rare occasion in our refugee settlements. Far away from the town, somehow isolated, the refugees of Maaji and Agojo – settlements in the North of Uganda, have rarely seen such great events and opportunities to gather and pray. Ten days before its arrival in Maaji, the people of the settlements were informed that the image of Our Lady of Kibeho was on its way. The time to prepare for her arrival was very short and all the leaders of the Catholic chapels that we, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and the Missionaries of Africa, are in charge of, rolled up their sleeves to start the preparations. Drawing up the budget, collecting food, cleaning the houses to receive those who would accompany the statue of Our Lady, clearing the ground around the chapel that would be the main venue for the welcome, building the podium,…
“Thank you for everything”
From our Srs Franceline Hien and Valérie Sibdou Kaboré of Hydra-Parmentier “Thank you for everything” This word was spoken a few days ago by the little girl, barely 3 years old, of a work colleague. We were returning from a beautiful day spent in the mountains, in the middle of the forest. That evening, while reviewing my day, I was challenged about my capacity to live gratitude in depth. Am I able to say, at the end of each day: “Lord, Thank you for everything”? At the end of this month of September, I take the risk of saying “Thank you for everything” Spiritual retreat Thank you for the time of spiritual retreat lived at the monastery of Thibhirine with our brothers the Missionaries of Africa. Led by the brothers and sisters of the Chemin Neuf, it was an intense moment of personal and community prayer…
Our Community Experience in Gumo
Postulants NIYOMWUNGERE Evelyne, TEBABO Philogène and AFUA Mediator Dear sisters, we are happy to share with you our community experience and our learning of the English language for two months. First of all, we are very grateful for the welcome of our sisters who allowed us to spend our time in Gumo in a good atmosphere. We were touched by their availability, their attention and their encouragement in our learning of the language. When we arrived, the sisters showed us the house and the community program. This put us at ease and we felt at home by sharing the community tasks. What struck us during the lessons was the fact that our teacher did not understand French. We did not understand each other’s English either. The teacher did his best so that we could understand him. We do not forget the help of our sisters who encouraged us…
Our Lady of the Assumption in Santa Cruz
Sr. Clementine Mukampabuka at Santa Cruz in Oran, Algeria From Sr Clementine Mukampabuka in Oran, Algeria In the parish of Sainte Marie of the Cathedral of Oran, the approach of August 15 was characterized by the invitation to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, our Mother, in Santa Cruz under the esplanade of Living Together in Peace. There is the chapel of the Marian sanctuary of Our Lady of Salvation. At the very beginning of August, there was a call to register as a participant for carpooling in order to be able to go there. Those who have a car were asked to indicate how many places they offered. We think it is good to point out that in August the Pierre Claverie Center (diocesan center) is closed. All activities stop except for masses on Friday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. Most of the permanent…
Back to Teichott after 12 years
Sr. Mia with Srs. Marie-Ange, Elyse and Olive From Sr Mia Dombrecht in Teichott, Mauritania July 1 to 31, 2024 Dear sisters and dear readers, It is with great joy that we share with you this experience of meeting our Muslim brothers and sisters. “You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.” This sentence from the Acts of the Apostles has touched me since my childhood. It is undoubtedly at the origin of my missionary vocation. In 2011, during my first stay in Mauritania, with my sisters, we had the joy of discovering one of these ends of the earth, in the villages of the Imraguen, along the Mauritanian coast between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou in the Banc d’Arguin National Park. With our sister Marie Cécile Baffier, we stayed there for two months. She was in Rgeiba, to teach sewing, myself in Teichott, to teach…
Young People Need Our Guidance
From Sr Xaverine Mukatabaza, Malindi, Kenya Allow me to begin with the words of our superior general, Sr. Angela Kapitingana during the official opening of the new community in Morocco. She said, “We may be few in number, but history has shown us time and again that even a small group, united by a common purpose can produce a profound witness.” She continued: “Let us carry out this mission with joy and determination, knowing that our strength lies in our unity and our faith. We are mission and our presence here today is a witness to the transforming love of the Risen Lord who calls us to journey together as we expand our tent.” When I read this article that our sisters in Morocco shared, it reminded me of our reality in Malindi, Kenya, a place of primary evangelization. Indeed, our presence in Malindi as well, is a…
Missionary Month 2024
We start the Missionary Month 2024 with a prayer The most beautiful wedding between Earth and Heaven, is offered to us through Jesus. The Father invites everyone: “Come to the banquet!” Despite any indifference or refusal, let us go out tirelessly, let us reach out to people, to those who are far and distant: “Everyone is invited to the banquet!” Where we find joy and justice, sharing and fraternity. “Come to the most desired banquet!” Unconditional love calls us to be in communion with Him and with each other. Fr. Yoland Ouellet, OMI, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies Francophone Canada Inspired by Pope Francis’ Message for World Mission Day 2024
Vocation animation in a residence for our Sisters
Vocation animation in our residence consists in keeping alive the missionary fire that will animate us until the end, remembering that we are MISSION by all that we are and do. We are fortunate to have a lay animator in our Cartierville retirement home in the person of Mrs. Josée Beaudet who organizes activities to animate meetings. She recently organized an African party where we were invited to wear our African dress (boubous), to dance to the sound of songs and drums, to have a drink of hibiscus and sweet doughnuts… all the residents were invited. The atmosphere was lively and it was a real treat for all. For Valentine’s Day, we draw pictures of Our Lady of Africa and hearts, and tried out our skills in modeling clay! Birthday gatherings are an opportunity for us to reminisce about our mission experiences which are always interesting. There are also…