In the midst of much struggle, demonstrations and death, Jesus is born in Mozambique. The people struggle to emerge from oppression. The pain of seeing friends suffering, mourning the loss of their loved ones also hurts me like a sharp sword. While some cry, others laugh. It’s not good to feel this pain, it’s not good to see people dying for the ambition of others.
He is our hope, the child God who is born is the hope of a people tired of suffering, of being oppressed.
We do celebrate Christmas, we rejoice at the news of the Savior’s arrival. But let’s not forget our responsibility towards those who suffer.
This is a different Christmas, with a strange feeling that mixes the joy of the arrival with the pain of a population marked by suffering.
Mozambique. Oh, my Mozambique, a land I’ve learned to love, people who make me feel Mozambican, how I wish for all this to end and for peace to come.
The Savior is born, may he come to save the Mozambican people and so many others who suffer.
With a renewed missionary spirit, we concluded the Assembly of the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) held in Maia, Portugal. This meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the challenges facing our community and to renew our commitment to the mission entrusted to us by St. Daniel Comboni. During these days, we have addressed, among other issues, the economic challenges we face as a community, our missionary methodology, the revision of our governance structure and our responsibility towards the international missions.
In a world with great inequalities, it is crucial to manage resources in a responsible way, guaranteeing the sustainability of our missionary activities. In this regard, the Assembly stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the use of funds. It also stressed the importance of diversifying our sources of financing and exploring new strategies that allow us to improve our finances to put them at the service of the mission.
Financial sustainability depends not only on external resources, but also on the creativity and commitment of CLM members. We are committed to actively engage in the planning and execution of initiatives that will ensure the long-term financial stability of our mission.
Mission should not be limited to evangelism, but should be a holistic process that promotes spiritual and human well-being. In an increasingly diverse world, we must work closely with local communities, empowering them to be protagonists in their own process of change.
It was emphasized that our mission must address not only spiritual needs, but also social, economic and justice issues. As Comboni Lay Missionaries, our commitment is to be active witnesses of the Gospel and from our example of life, to work for human dignity and social justice.
The revision of the governance structure was also a central theme. In a globalized context, we need a flexible organization that allows for good coordination and encourages the active participation of all members in decision-making. It was proposed to have an inverse pyramid organization chart, which contemplates the general assembly as the highest governing body, in the same way, from this general assembly, the country committees are formed, which are unified continentally in a single committee to be grouped into a single central committee; this central committee is accompanied, as an advisor, by a member of the MCCJ.
The CLM must be co-responsible with the international missions where poverty and social injustices are most evident. This commitment involves not only material support, but also spiritual and formative support. Collaboration with other organizations and support networks is essential to maximize the impact of our mission.
At the conclusion of this Assembly, we renewed our commitment to the mission of the Comboni Lay Missionaries. We feel more united and strengthened in our vocation, guided by the example of St. Daniel Comboni. We move forward with hope, courage and a strong sense of solidarity and justice, committed to the poorest and most needy.
As in all the country meetings, our assembly concluded with an integration meeting in which each country shared the best of its joy, with dances, typical food and drinks of the region, we joyfully exchanged part of ourselves and what characterizes us as one family; the most respectful, joyful and delightful closing of an assembly that unites us.
May the Holy Spirit continue to enlighten our path and may our mission continue to be faithful to the charism of St. Daniel Comboni.
On this date, the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudette Sunday, Sunday of Joy, International Comboni Lay Missionary Sunday, the readings of this Sunday invite us to rejoice, to be attentive but joyful because the Lord, our savior, is coming soon.
With the same joy in Costa Rica we gathered in the Parish of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, in Barrio Cuba, San Jose, with great enthusiasm, the CLM continue to grow internationally and here is no exception, since our candidate Jorge Arturo Zamora Viquez, a resident of Perez Zeledon, south of the country, took his commitment, becoming the second Comboni Lay Missionary in Costa Rica.
Ignacio Marin, Comboni Missionary, presided at this celebration, and together with the assembly, listened to the reading of the commitment of the now CLM Jorge, also taking the opportunity CLM José David Rojas made his renewal of commitment, then both and together with Father Ignacio proceeded to sign on the altar what was read as a sign of sealing this commitment to God Himself. Let us continue praying so that the owner of the Harvest continues sending workers to his fields willing to give everything to put their service, dedication, love, courage and effort in and for the Mission Ad Gentes.
As signs of commitment, Brother Jesus, Comboni Missionary and advisor of the CLM in Costa Rica for the CLM, gave Jorge a ring as a covenant with God, a cross as a sign of the Christian and a rosary so that prayer will not be lacking in his life. After the Eucharist we went to the Martyrs of Uganda Seminary, in Sagrada Familia, San José, which is the center of our meetings and formations, to share lunch with some friends of the Mission.
In the meantime we continue working, forming ourselves, serving so that when we meet with the poorest and among the poorest, we can spread the same joy that invites us on the third Sunday of Advent, and that our testimony may serve as an example to bring many souls to the foot of the cross of that God of mercy and love.
Me, Tobiasz, together with my wife, Adela, have spent already a few years on mission: two years in South Africa and over two years in Ethiopia. We came back to Poland when our son was about to be born. Five years has passed since that time and three children appeared. With our family increased by Leo (5 years), Jeremi (almost 4 years) and Beniamin (1 and a half year), we decided to refresh our missionary vocation and came back to Africa, this time for a five weeks.
We visited international CLM community in Kitelakapel, Kenya, where we were hosted by Pius, Linda and Marzenka. It was great to see such a beautiful community, having good relationship with local people and among themselves. They welcomed us warmly and made us a real part of their community for that time.
It was beginning of school holiday and we organized activities for children from the neighbourhood. They were eager to spend their time playing, and were excited to see white people the same size as they are, i.e., our children. We took part in jumuias – meetings of small communities, where they read the Bible and speak about that. After Sunday Masses we had meetings with parishoners, where we shared our understanding of God, marriage and raising up children. The words always mean less than example of life, and we hope that being there even for a few weeks only would inspire some of them to pursue the Christian vision of family.
Realities in West Pokot region are very different than those we know from Europe. Men don’t participate in the family life – people were shocked I carried Beniamin in a carrier and played with my children. Most of them don’t come to the church, sometimes not allowing their wives to come, knowing that the church don’t approve polygamy which they practice. Small children are often left alone, with the only care of their not much older sisters. On the other hand life there is beautiful in its simplicity. People are joyful and very hospitable. Surely there is much to be inspired from them and they can learn much from us as well.
We are coming back to Poland with more just good memories of exceptional trip, but with our missionary vocation refreshed. It’s possible to be a missionary staying in your home town. But staying in your home town it’s very easy not to be a missionary. We are so happy we could experience the mission again.
From December 9 to 15, 2024, the VII General Assembly of the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) was held at the Comboni Community House in Maia. The theme of the assembly was “All together for the mission!”.
The 29 participants – 20 CLM and 9 Comboni Missionaries – came from 16 countries from three continents: Africa (9), America (9) and Europe (11). Alberto de la Portilla (Spain) and Marco Piccione (Italy), as well as Fr. Arlindo Pinto (Rome), the CLM General Council reference person.
The morning of the first day was dedicated to prayer. Father Fernando Domingues, Provincial Superior of Portugal, presided at the opening Mass.
On Wednesday 11, an online meeting was held with the representatives of the General Councils of the Comboni Family. On Thursday afternoon, the participants went on pilgrimage to the Marian Sanctuary of Fatima. On Tuesday and Friday, testimonies were heard online from CLM working in international communities, in Mozambique, Kenya, Central African Republic, Peru and Brazil.
The main topics discussed during the Assembly were: the presentation of the path followed by each CLM group in the different countries during the last six years, at all levels (formation, mission, economy and organization) and the reflection and approval of the CLM statute, which will be presented to the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life at the Vatican. The last two days were dedicated to deepen the common responsibility for the mission, especially the mission outside our borders, as well as the Missionary Methodology document that reflects on spirituality, lifestyle and model of CLM intervention.
On Saturday 14, the members of the new Central Committee that will coordinate the CLM for the next six years were elected: Flavio Schmidt, from Brazil, Mukami Anne Mutheede, from Kenya, Anna Obyrtacz, from Poland, and Alberto de la Portilla, from Spain, who was re-elected, and who will also continue to be the general coordinator. Father Arlindo Pinto will continue in his position as MCCJ General Council referent.
Alberto, in the message he addressed to the CLM and the whole Comboni Family, underlined the hopes that are born from this new assembly: “an assembly that we hope will help us to mature and deepen our vocation in every corner of the world, and to acquire responsibility in our journey of autonomy at all levels”. Regarding his re-election, he added: “I hope that it will not only be a service of continuity, but a consolidation of the important aspects and advances that we need as an international movement. The real protagonists are each and every CLM, each and every one of our communities and groups, listening to and at the disposal of the Holy Spirit’.
The work concluded on Saturday afternoon, December 14, with a Mass presided by Father David Domingues, Vicar General. The following day, Third Sunday of Advent and International CLM Day, Father David also presided the Mass in the presence of the participants in the assembly, together with the people of God, in the chapel of Maia House.
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