Comboni Lay Missionaries

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Sister Angelique Namaika in Granada

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CARTEL DEFLast Friday February 7th, Sister Angelique Namaika, Fellowship Award 2013 granted by the magazine Mundo Negro published by the Comboni Missionaries in Spain, was in Granada invited by the Comboni Family to give her testimony and share her life and her work with the poorest and forgotten.

More than a hundred people gave us gathered at the Jesuit Center Suarez to hear a firsthand testimony of this strong and passionate about life woman. A testimony of hope amid so much suffering.

Sister Angelique works with victims of the atrocities of the greatest criminal of the recent history of mankind. Joseph Kony, leader of the vicious Lord’s Resistance Army, which roams freely in Congo, South Sudan and Central Africa. Tens of thousands of people are forced to flee from their homes, leaving their homes and families, sometimes losing their children converted into little soldiers.

This religious woman is a symbol of the work that the Church develops in one of the most dangerous corners of the African continent with a collective, the refugees, often more easily forgotten.

Among many other issues, she told us about her work in the field of training and accompanying psychological support to women who have experienced violence in the first person and how her work is focused on advancing the culture of reconciliation so that little by little go slowly disappearing the hate fruit of lived atrocities.

La hna. Angelique junto a LMC de Granada
Sister Angelique with CLM of Granada
La hna. Angelique durante su conferencia
Sister Angelique during her conference

A new candidate arrives

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THUS SAYS THE LORD: Behold my servant -I receive- in him my soul delights, I the Lord have called thee for justice and took you by the hand, have formed you and I did so as covenant of the people, starlight for nations, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison, shows those who live in darkness.

Valdir

 

After meeting the group of CLM, have made an experience for two months training in our community and mission of Ipê Amarelo in 2013, Valdir Moreira returned to his hometown to reflect and hear more clearly the call of God on his life.

Our reality is a challenge in every way, I think every mission field has its challenges! So do not always expect the return of those who come here for the missionary journey.

But when you put your ear to the heart of the Father who is always calling laborers into the vineyard, urban violence, work, community life, in short, the challenges are small compared to the baptismal commitment.

Jesus crossing the Jordan River leaves father, mother and begins his mission, Jesus stands in the queue of men.

In the footsteps of Jesus, after reflecting Valdir sets out to serve, passes through the State of São Paulo and reaches the state of Minas Gerais.

The footprints of Jesus in Ipê Amarelo

After the party receiving comes time to put their hands to the plow!

Starts training hike, the first meeting started already in the early days of his arrival.

Father Jorge Padovan, our spiritual director is made available to encourage and guide once again a new vocation CLM. Let us pray the God of hope and life under the intercession of St. Daniel Comboni and Our Lady Aparecida to continue pouring blessings on all.

Valdir has also begun working for financial aid, as laymen we live of our sustenance, not to mention those who help us in this way, including offering paying jobs.

Valdir con P JorgeBy Maria Lourdes Vieira

A nomadic population

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migracionIn our parish we are in constant contact with about  4,000 pygmy-Aka people who are nomadic by nature: cross borders and change of habitat constantly making difficult our work with them, but we must respect their vital rhythms dictated by the nature around them if you want to work with them. But in these times of crisis, more than ever, I realize that the Bantu population also has an unimaginable mobility: crossing borders without papers or passports, change of family, of village with an ease that makes me suspicious that it isn´t a desire to travel or sightseeing … they are moving from one place to another because of poverty, family instability or dramatic situation in the country.

An illustration will serve as a sample. In October 2010 we made the census of Christians in our communities; now, three years later, we are electing new leaders and we wanted to see that census. The community of St. Augustine had 178 baptized three years ago, today has only 76: 12 died in recent years, 25 has fled as refugees, 32 are moved to another region, 15 changed their religion … in every community something similar happens. St. Kizito had 173 and now there are 78, St. Charles Lwanga had 189 baptized and now there are 111. More than half of the population has changed housing and lifestyle in just three years.

At present about 20% of our population is displaced in neighbors Congo Democratic and Congo-Brazzaville or in another Province of the country … In the meantime we continue with the refugee camp of Batalimo that houses 7,500 Congolese for past three years.

The image that characterizes Africa is people on the go, people from one place to another… Migration is not new, and at the time our ancestors “homo erectus” and “homo habilis” they migrated from Africa to Europe and Asia giving rise to white and Asian people. Yes, although many do not like the idea, the origin of mankind is in Africa, from there we proceed… Africa remains a reserve of life. Let us see if the West would take a benign view on the land of our ancestors.

Africa is moving, Africa is a nomadic continent. Move with Africa!

Jesus Ruiz, MCCJ in Mongoumba. Central African Republic

I’m sending you…

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Among the many celebrations and important events that have recently experienced the Comboni Family, was also the official sending of father Maciej Zielinski, who finally is going in mission. He was responsible for the Comboni Lay Missionaries in Poland. Last Sunday Bishop Jan Piotrowski officially sent him and gave him his pastoral blessing for the time of missionary work. Father Maciej from January 1 officially belongs to the Province of Kenya, where he will spend the next few years, working and helping those who need it most.

The celebration of sending took place in his parish- in Tarnów, where family, friends, Comboni Missionaries and Comboni Lay Missionaries attained.

“If someone knows Christ cannot keep it for him or her, but must proclaim Him” – emphasized Bishop Piotrowski. Therefore, Maciek decided that he wants to share his experience of God with those who have not met Him yet, those who have not reached the Gospel yet.

Father Maciej was responsible for the animation of vocations and work with youth for the past few years in Poland. Looking at the number of young people involved in help for the missions, you can freely say that this stay was very fruitful. And although Father Maciej understood young people and you can see that was finding in this work, he still missed Africa, to work on the Black Continent. Now, finally, it fills. And although we are a little sad, we are happy with him.

Each of us owes much to Maciek. As Comboni Lay Missionaries Movement we want to thank you for the time and commitment to our Movement in Poland. For father Maciek kindled enthusiasm and love for the mission. We thank you for every smile, good word, because you were for us like a “father”. We could always come, talk and get a help and solution.

“If a missionary feels alone in the mission, it means that we are not a community, we are not the Church”- said during the homily Bishop Piotrowski. Prayer is very important in missionary work, because it makes you feel the unity of the whole Church and gives the feeling that we are a true community of believers. This call to pray for Fr Maciek, but also for the whole missionary work of the Church, let us will collapse deep in our hearts, and this request will not remain unanswered.

Polish CLM group