Comboni Lay Missionaries

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1st Christmas celebration in Piquiá da Conquista, a symbol of struggle and hope

by
Brasil

On December 25, the first Christmas celebration took place in the community center of Piquiá da Conquista, in Açailândia. Comboni priests, lay missionaries and the local community, made up of the neighborhood’s new residents, gathered. Piquiá da Conquista is the result of more than a decade of struggle by the people of Piquiá de Baixo, who faced unhealthy conditions and rights violations due to industrial pollution. This mobilization resulted in a historic victory: resettlement in a dignified space, where today the families are building a new life.

Marcelo Moutinho, a psychologist and Brazilian CLM, who took part in the celebration with his wife Adriana, says: “On a visit to Maranhão, I longed to return to Piquiá da Conquista, after the construction work had been completed, to witness and together celebrate this great victory, which will become an inspiration for the various challenges that Christians face in their day-to-day mission and struggles for human rights. The CLM in Brazil, through the different presences over the many years of the struggle of Xoáncar, Ilária, Federico, Liliana, Flávio, Gabriel, Anna and other supporters, together with the community of Comboni Fathers of this parish, have actively participated in various stages of this achievement”.

The Comboni Lay Missionaries, as part of the Comboni family, work in partnership with communities to evangelize and build social justice, being signs of hope and solidarity in the most challenging contexts of the Church, such as the indigenous cause, the challenges of the urban peripheries, Restorative Justice in the prison system (APACs) and the struggle for decent housing.

The celebration was a moment of deep spirituality and fraternity, symbolizing the rebirth of life and faith. May the example of struggle and resilience of this community inspire more people to join the Comboni mission of spreading the love, justice and peace that Christmas invites us to live. After all, the true meaning of Christmas lies in building a more just and humane world together.

Adriana and Marcelo Moutinho, Brazilian CLM couple

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Echoes of the CLM International Assembly in Maia

by
Asamblea Maia 2024

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.

All together for the mission!

Felipe Mora, CLM Colombia

Rejoice, the Lord is coming soon…

by
LMC Costa Rica
CLM Costa Rica

December 15, 2024

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.

CLM Costa Rica

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.

CLM Costa Rica

CLM Costa Rica.