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…
MSOLA at Montreal intercultural center
Srs. Rita Toutant and Monique Bonnefoy, members of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, are often referred to as the “White Sisters” under the protection of Our Lady of Africa. This post is from an article in the National Catholic Reporter, here is the link to the article After many years spent as missionaries on the African continent, Toutant and Bonnefoy are back in Canada. However, the sisters’ contribution is far from over. They reside with the Missionaries of Africa, also known as the “White Fathers,” in a provincial missionary home in the heart of Montreal, where they continue to serve African immigrants as well as people of other nationalities who visit Centre Afrika. Our first activity is to welcome people without the need for an appointment. When our pioneers started the center, it was first to welcome Africans, but the mission has progressed to…
One invited… many came…
Sr. Margret (left) with the journalist who made the interview Shared by Sr. Margret Tovar, Trier, Germany The birthday of my cousin was celebrated in a splendid setting near Frankfurt / Main on May 1st, 2024. In the invitation he had requested that instead of gifts people could make donations for the missionary work of the White Sisters. At the reception in the park of the golf club, I had a conversation with a journalist who wanted to find out more about our community and our different activities in Africa. We agreed to meet after lunch to discuss this. But then another opportunity presented itself. My cousin gave a speech during lunch in which, among other things, he briefly mentioned our African mission and asked me to say something about it. I spontaneously thought of the journalist among the guests who wanted to know more about the…
Silver jubilee of Sr. Marie Kanyoni
A very beautiful atmosphere of joy and solidarity marked this celebration. Everyone took the success of this party to heart as if it were their own family. Sr. Marie at the centre From Sr. Marie Kanyoni Bangaya Ndusha, Bamako, Mali The day chosen to celebrate my Jubilee was 04/14/24 because this year, 03/27 (the date of my first vows) fell on the Monday of Holy Week. The second Sunday of Easter being Mercy Sunday, there were many activities planned at the parish; so only Sunday 14 remained. Once the date was set, the community (Sr. Vicky and I) saw how to organize the celebration before submitting the proposal to the council office of our Christian community. A week before the feast, Sr. Vicky and I were worried. But, three days before the planned date, I was pleasantly surprised to see the entire Christian community in motion for the…
Center for the promotion of Women
Sr. Elisabeth Herkommer (in the pink cardigan) taught women to produce a precise and beautiful work in kabyl embroidery. Sr. Franceline Hien from the community of Hydra/Algiers, visited Sr Elisabeth in Larbaa-Nath Iraten The presence of the White Sisters in Kabylia has had a positive impact on the population who still value our presence, as a congregation, at their side. For around twenty years our sister Elisabeth has remained alone in Larbaa-Nath Iraten where she started this Berber embroidery and sewing training center. Training at the time lasted three years, to obtain a diploma as craftsman or instructor. Several women benefited from quality training which offered them work. Currently, the center operates with 14 women (Artisans and Instructors) Sunday April 21, I went to visit the center with the intention of writing this article in honor of our sister Elisabeth without realizing that shortly afterwards she was going…