Comboni Lay Missionaries

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Comboni Family

IV Continental meeting CLMs of America (18-24 September)

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LMC America

Our CLM’s Gathering began Sunday 18th with the presentation by the Continental committee and by Father Erasmus, Provincial Comboni Missionary in Mexico.  Then we had a very original Dynamic directed by Leticia in order to learn more about each other as a group.  We then assigned group activities and practical responsibilities for these remaining days.  We started Monday with a very colorful mass that the Latino missionaries organized.  The Eucharist is the center and force of all missionaries, this was presented through words and gestures in the offerings that were presented.

LMC America

The activities of the morning were marked by the memory of our previous meetings and our commitments that were made especially in the meeting in Guatemala, which served to remind us of our lay community and our commitment to it. We reviewed the agreements previously made in order to live better our commitments in our various countries.  Achievements in these past years have been remarkable, especially in the area of communication.  Nevertheless, more commitment of our CLM and provincials are required in order to ensure a good follow up in all provinces.  The Central Committee updated and specified what their function and role are within the International movement. Alberto, Coordinator of the Central Committee exposed its operation and clearly presented and reminded us of the various agreements that had been made by the different Continental Assemblies in a very concise and clear manner leaving no room for questions. In the Maia Assembly, the base of its performance was set, and it recalls for much coordination between the different agents within the mission of the CLM’s.

The CLM are present in 20 countries.  Today we have various challenges as CLM in different continents.  One of the challenges is that is necessary to clarify our relationship within the MCCJ at all levels.  Another aspect that was emphasized on was the economic contribution that each member and country can give in order to help facilitate economic resources to those who have less.  It is necessary for all MCCJ and Provincials to have the capacity to accept and collaborate with the CLM in those countries.  We have major challenges today as a group in various levels and it is important to be conscience of them and be more coherent.

LMC America

Alberto de la Portilla recalls the challenges

  • Consolidate those groups (CLM) in our countries and promote vocations of same.
  • Involve everyone in a systematic way so that we all are an International CLM family.
  • Achieve a smooth communication process and be more corresponding in the decision making.
  • Carry out the challenges and commitments of Maia.
  • Enable a stability in the international coordination.
  • Enhance further knowledge and background that will help us grow.
  • Procure a style of Comboni family that Comboni would have liked.

The reflection of the evening was to care for the creation of the vocation as laity in the church and to protect it, this was presented by Cristina from the Central Committee.  The Comboni Lay Missionaries are called to continue the Kind of Life that Jesus led as well as Comboni.  We are also called to continue and with the making of Missionary animation. In the afternoon each country presents its responses according to the previous questionnaire that was sent to each coordinator: Columbia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, NAP, Brazil and in the evening Peru presents with two very interesting testimonies by Arequipa and Trujillo.

(Fr. Valentín García and Yessenia de la O)

 

What title?

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Marisa LMC

What title should I use? “one week has already passed” or “it’s only been a week” (since I came here)?

I arrived in London on September 3rd. It was almost midnight when I entered in “my new house.” Sometimes (yes, sometimes), this is not just my house, it’s more than that: it’s my home – I can feel it. [“It’s only been a week” and I’m fine here, in this community.]

Normally, we are seven persons at home – me; four priests (Father Angelo, Father Rogelio, Father Louis and Father Patrick); and two others (Paul and Amir, who joined us few days ago). But this number often changes: sometimes priests from other communities, or family / friends come to pass the night or some days with us, in our community. [“It’s only been a week” and I’ve met so many people!].

This community allows me to learn, grow and mature. We start the day together in the Chapel – for Morning Prayers and Mass. In the evening, before dinner, that’s where we return for the Evening Prayers. Slowly, I’m feeling abler to pray without peek constantly to the books (all in English!). [Sometimes I think that “it’s only passed a week and I can say a prayer without read (well, occasionally, I look to the book…); other times, if I feel some frustration for the language, I think: “one week has already passed and I still need a guide.”] Yet, the priests are very patient and encourage me to not lose the will to learn. Sometimes, they even invite me to do the Readings.

Usually I leave home 10 or 15 minutes before 9am to go to school, for the English lessons, where I spend the rest of the morning. In the same class as I am, there are other people of many ages and nationalities (Turkish, Brazilian, Argentine, Mexican, Peruvian, Japanese and Chinese).

The (moments of) meals are made in community, with the Fathers. It’s another moment of sharing. More than share food, we share life with each other. It’s also an added time for affection and learning, a privileged space where relationship flows. [“it’s only been a week ” but our relations are growing gradually and every day we know more and more of each one].

In my spare time I have the opportunity to visit London (like the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Southbank Museum, London Eye, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Portobello Road (market), Royal Parks (Hyde Park, Diana – Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, Serpentine Lake, Kensington Gardens, Albert Memorial, …). [“it’s only been a week ” but I could see so much!]

I also take some time to read, to know/ talk with someone or to help with something at home.
Here I can learn with anything, no matter what. But I’m observing that it’s important to be available, predisposed, to let it happen – make some (or many) mistakes without fear and then, accept all the corrections with humbly. Read, watch television, hear all we can, study, … it’s also important to learn [English], but I’m recognising that I can learn more every time that I make a mistake and someone corrects me. I’m learning that the correction has, in some way, a relational dimension – because needs a generous opening, spontaneousness and empathy – and it also help to grow and construct life between who corrects and who let be corrected.

Marisa LMC

Yesterday, on Sunday, something wonderful happened! According to the Ethiopian calendar, the September 11th is the first day of the year – it’s called «Enkutatash» (“gift of jewels” – I’m not sure of the translation or the meaning…). Father Frasa, who’s with us only for few days, invited me to celebrate the New Year with the Ethiopian Community. It was delicious, a paradise experience, at least! The Eucharist, with the Ethiopian Ritual took about 3 hours (the Mass was celebrated in ge’ez, Amharic, so, I had serious difficulties to understand «anything» of what they’re saying or praying or singing…).

Marisa LMCIn the end, the Father introduced me to the Community and they welcomed me with pleasure and huge hospitality, inviting me to a traditional meal with them. I shared the dish with 4 other children and a mom: I understood that it’s a sign of friendship, hospitality, loyalty (“those who eat the same dish will not be betrayed”, they told me). I taste injera and gursha (when someone rolls a piece of injera, soak in wot and feeds us directly to the mouth – feed someone is a sign of friendship (“I like you, so, I food you”); receive someone’s food is a sign of hospitality and acceptance (it’s like a hug between friends) [“it’s only been a week ” and I already have been blessed with a little from “Ethiopia”!] it was the promise of a reunion on Sunday. On next Sunday, I’ll return there. it’s curious to repair that one of my first contacts, where I tried an experience of intimacy, and where I felt like «as baptism» to the Ethiopian culture and people, in deed, happened at Mass and with the sharing of meal. What a blessing!

I’m ending. But not before noting that was not “only in Ethiopia” that the new year started. In some way, it’s how I feel also: starting something unique, ushering a new cycle and making the first steps on the Mission that God trusts me.

What title should I use? Love – the Community; the sharing; the service; the correction; … – Love is the title (and all the rest).

[Note: “one week has already passed,” and I (was/ have been) blessed with so many miracles, with so many meetings, so many experiences… and I’m confident that more things are coming because, in fact, ” it’s only been a week ” – ” I’ve come that they may have life, and have it abundantly. “(John 10:10)

Marisa Almeida, CLM in London

XX General Chapter of the Comboni Missionaries Sisters

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Comboni sistersFrom 05 to 30 September will take place in Verona (Italy) the XX General Chapter of the Comboni missionaries Sisters under the theme: “DARING THE MYSTERY OF ENCOUNTER IN ORDER TO LIVE COMBONIAN MISSION TODAY”.

“…Our missionary life consists of encounters: encounter with God, with people, with ourselves, with reality and with all that is created. But it consists also of clashes and, sometimes, also of indifference. In the context of a globalized and pluralistic world, we are challenged to cultivate and nurture the mystery of encounter, so that the other becomes a companion on the journey, a sister, a brother, and not a threat to be eliminated or from whom to flee. “Today, when the networks and means of human communication have made unprecedented advances, we sense the challenge of finding and sharing a “mystique” of living together, of mingling and encounter, of embracing and supporting one another, of stepping into this flood tide which, while chaotic, can become a genuine experience of fraternity, a caravan of solidarity, a sacred pilgrimage”. (EG 87). Considering the challenges for our missionary life, yesterday and much more today, we realize that these focus on relationships, on the encounter with the great diversity in our world, through a pluralistic mission, through being mission more than doing mission”. (Taken from the letter of the General Council)

As Comboni family, we join in prayer with all the sisters and ask, through the intercession of St. Daniel Comboni, that this time become a time of grace and listening to discover the challenges that the mission poses to the world today.