Synodality as Mission in mission
Our recently professed Sisters wanted to share with us how they understand the novitiate was an experience of lived synodality. For us, synodality means a journey traveled together through attitudes of listening and discerning the will of God. Walking together is the call that the bishops invite us to live. In this same sense, the theme of our general chapter of 2023 invites us to walk together without fear, to expand our tents in collaboration with others. Our journey together has been marked by several things. First, we all felt one day the Lord’s call to follow him in a radical way following the example of the first disciples. We have been on this journey on a personal level and as a group. We also did this discernment with our accompanists who helped us to better understand the Lord’s call. Then, during our journey through the novitiate, we learned…
A Tree Planting Holiday
The children in the Pope Francis Home were excited about planting trees (Their faces cannot be shown in order to protect their identity) From the Malindi community, Kenya The Kenyan government announced a surprise public holiday on 13 November 2023 for a nationwide Tree Planting Day. In a gazette notice dated November 6, Prof Kindiki said President William Ruto would lead the country in the tree-growing exercise in line with his administration’s ambitious plan of growing 10 billion trees by 2032. This is a government’s response to the climate change crisis which is a global issue and which is, in particular, causing worsening droughts in the Horn of Africa, including Kenya, where rains have failed for five seasons in a row. Kenya has lost nearly half of its forest cover since independence. Several factors, including agriculture, logging, and charcoal production, drive deforestation. The loss of forests has contributed to…
Synodality, our common path
The community of Trier Seniorenzentrum in Germany. Sr. Theresia Flesch, in front on the left, died on 26th December 2023. From our Community in Trier Seniorenzentrum, Germany In February 2024, some of our sisters celebrated their jubilee. They remember their common journey: We walked the path together years ago. We were sent out on mission to spread and live the Word of God. Together with people of different cultures and religions, we built something. For us sisters, there was no difference between the peoples, everyone was and is equal. We listened and respected the opinions of others. We also accepted and supported their way of life. In the words of Mother Salome: “Love and help one another” Our life was and is always a life in community. It is our synodal way. “We are travelling together with the aim of gaining Christ” Even today, in our old age, we…
Episcopal Ordination of Mgr Victor Ndione, Mauritania
The Nouakchott Community, shares with us some echoes of the episcopal ordination of Mgr Victor Ndione. Testimony by Mr Serushago Wellars (layman) Father Victor Ndione, Vicar General of the Diocese of Nouakchott, was appointed on February 10 by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, bishop of the same Diocese. He succeeds Mgr Martin Happe who retired due to his advanced age. On the first day of receiving the news, the entire Catholic Christian community, that of Nouakchott in particular, gave thanks to the Lord for the choice and the precious gift of the new shepherd. In general, Christians in the ecclesiastical region of West Africa as well as the Muslim Community and other religious denominations showed their joy with messages of congratulations and encouragement to the new Bishop. All the Christians of the diocese, priests, religious and laity were mobilized for this gigantic preparation through the various commissions: logistics,…
Good Shepherd Sunday in Arusha
The parish priest lit the candle of each child who then made a promise Our Arusha Community celebrates Vocation Day in the St. Simon the Apostle Parish, in Arusha, Tanzania “I am the good Shepherd, I know my own and my own knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for them Jn 10, 11-18” It was a tremendous and beautiful morning of Good Shepherd Sunday for our community and the Vocation Club ‘Chama cha miito’ which was begun by our postulants in previous years. We had been preparing how we could make the day colorful since it is Vocation Day. So we and the vocation club shortlisted our suggestions such as having a thanksgiving Mass, a meal together, entertainment, a fashion show, and having all the members of the club make a promise during Mass. At the beginning of the Mass, we…
International Women’s Day in Ghana
Sr Agathe Ngendakumana shares her celebration of International Women’s Day in Gumo, Ghana It was a first in Gumo! For several months, I had dreamed of going to see the women of Gumo, to get to know them and celebrate their international day. Questions came to me from the bottom of my heart: Agathe, is this possible in Gumo? Agathe, are you ready to take a step? To risk? The answer was “Yes, Courage!” He is with you who sends you.” After a time of observation, listening and meditation, I informed my community of this project. Then I informed the women of our Christian community. They received the news very well. One of them volunteered to continue the reflection with me and find two Muslim women who would help us inform groups or small associations here in the village. I also informed Mr. James, the leader of the…
Eid el-Fitr: The end of Ramadan in Bobo
Our novice, Divine Cyrisma, shares her joy for the End of Ramadan Feast April 10, the date marking the breaking of the fast in the month of Ramadan, was a day of celebration for our Muslim brothers and sisters. I learned that for Muslims, Eid el-Fitr is, above all, a celebration of sharing and solidarity, and this is what our Muslim friends’ families concretely confirmed by inviting us to share with them the joy of this celebration. That day, in our community, we divided ourselves into two groups to join all the families who invited us for the occasion. Being invited by Muslims to their celebrations for us Christians, especially for us the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, is very significant. This desire reflects the relationships of proximity, respect for the faith of others that exist between people of different religious faiths. It was an…
Lenten Retreat
Our Sister Justine gave a lesson on the qualities of good leaders In our Diocese of Moundou, all Christians go on a retreat in the bush every year during Lent. It is a time of contemplation and reconciliation awaiting the joy of Easter. At Notre Dame de la Trinité High School with all the students, we went to devote this time to prayer. The theme of this year is “People of God of the diocese of Moundou, let us work together for our Liberation”. This theme aim to see together what makes the population slaves and what oppresses them. These are among others: conflicts between farmers and breeders, lack of cooperation, lack of charity for one’s neighbor and betrayal. Together teachers and students, we have seen that for this liberation to be effective, we need solidarity, love for each other, transparency, mutual aid and always be guided by the…
Invitation for the Missionary Camp in Uganda
Girls from a previous camp Invitation for the Missionary Camp 2024 in Uganda The Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA)/ White Sisters invite you for their yearly Missionary camp of their aspirants in Adjumani Arrival: Tuesday 3rd September 2024 afternoon Departure: Saturday 07th September 2024 morning Venue: Redeemer Primary School Theme: “COME AND SEE” (Jn 1, 39) What to bring? A Bible, book, pen, your toilet Items: soap, tooth paste, body oil Contribution: You can contribute to your stay with whatever you have in kind or cash you want for share with your friends Contact us: 0760107480 / 0700697930 Kindly confirm your participation by a message by the 15th of August Girls from a previous camp
Sport and International Women’s Day in Tchad
Schoolgirls in Tchad At the Notre Dame de la Trinité school, where two of our sisters work, there was a soccer match between the girls of this school and those of another neighboring school in preparation for the International Women’s Day. On the very day of this beautiful celebration, our students demonstrated their talents through songs, poems and sketches. It was a good opportunity for women to express their desire to collaborate with men in the administration as they recognize that most people in the public service are men. This is because there are many who still have the mentality that women should be at home taking care of children and doing housework. Here is the coordinator’s message on behalf of all the women of Deli: “As a result, women were once neglected by their husbands, their brothers, their parents and even the State in decision-making, in the workplace,…