Comboni Lay Missionaries

Logo LMC
LMCCentroafrica2
MisionenGuerrero2
Natal20162

America

Echoes of the Comboni Symposium

by

ComboniIt took place in Rome from 15 to 19 September the reflection on Comboni´s Plan for the regeneration of Africa after 150 years from the time it was written and inspired till the current time. For this reflection came representatives of the various provinces of the Comboni Missionaries (MCCJ) and was attended by representatives of the Comboni Missionary Sisters (MC), Secular Comboni Missionaries (SCM) and Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM).

Throughout this week of work, we have come to some conclusions that will “provoke” the next chapter of MCCJ and can also help us for a deeper reflection:

  • Comboni´s Plan keeps actualize as far as allows us to realize the urgency and priority of our time. We do many important things, but we cannot respond to all needs, so we must discern what is vital in today’s world and reshape our missionary service consequently.
  • Comboni receives the inspiration of the Plan because he places himself at the foot of the cross. Today the mission no longer has a “geographical” look. Therefore, at the foot of the cross, we must try to realize the movements of the Spirit and how we respond our world, no matter where we are called to be.
  • The motto “Save Africa with Africa” ​​cannot limit our action. Rather, it should lead us to take a renovated approach to the extent of our abilities. Consequently, the mission in Europe involves re-believe in the values of the European culture and adopts its language as a way of liberation and evangelization. The same applies to other cultures where we recognize so “vital” the Comboni presence.
  • “I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security”, says the Pope Francisco in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (# 49). The appeal of Pope Francisco challenges us to dare to grow and specialize in ministries that we believe are the most urgent priority in today’s world.

After a week of work and reflection, based on the Plan of Comboni and the demands of the Church itself, it was concluded that today’s mission will always pass, and above all, by the struggle for Life.

Thus, inspired by the charism of Comboni, we are called to rethink and reshape our being missionaries for many “have life and have it abundantly.”

Susana Vilas Boas

Mission in Guerrero (Mexico)

by

CarolinaOctober 15th, 2014, a month after the departure of Carolina Carreón Martinez to her destination in Mission where she took a commitment to work for 3 years in the mountains of Guerrero. In this community, where there is the presence of the Comboni Fathers, among Mixtec indigenous peoples (NAU SAVIL); place where they missed the presence of Lay Missionaries since previously they had been accompanied by the CLM Marcela Angeles, Olivia, Lety, Rosario and Alma.
Carolina, who said yes to God’s call to present Its Kingdom, revealing His love for humanity, trust and respect for indigenous peoples so that they become the protagonists of their own liberation. She counts on the support and prayer of the Comboni Lay Missionaries Group to where she belongs to.
Regards

Adriana M Salcedo Cabello

Service

by
Martha

Hello everyone. I am Martha, yes, a little similar to that of the Gospel, which had many things to concern and is disturbed knowing that only one is needed. I am originally from the state of Puebla, Pue., Mexico. There, I have a very beautiful family consisting of my parents, Martha and Fermin, four sisters and three brothers and almost twenty nephews. I am 33 years old and I work in the city of Mexico, in the education sector. I love languages, play basketball; my favorite music is the one where the guitar sounds (mariachis, trova, trios, bachata, street musicians, ranchera).

The reason for this message is for you to know a little about myself and share my joy at the appointment that I received last September 14 to assist the missions in coordinating the Comboni Lay Missionaries of Mexico. I consider the Comboni family as my spiritual family even I do not know everyone personally, it’s nice to know that my family is very large and we are united in the love of Christ and St. Daniel Comboni missionaries.

I thank God for this call to service and I join you in praying for unity in our missionary family. I would like to present the names of the team members who will serve the CLM of Mexico.

  • General Coordinator. CLM. Martha Morales Cruz
  • Ministry of Economy. CLM. Adriana Margarita Salcedo Cabello
  • Secretary of Education. CLM. Ma. Teresa Moreno García
  • Secretary of missionary animation. CLM. Manuela Valladares Esquivel

 

Martha Martha

Here I share two photos. On the left, I am on the mission field in the mountains of Guerrero, in the community of Buenavista, with Adomid a na savi smiling child. And on the right, on my last birthday with four of my nephews: Luz, María José, Cuauhtémoc and Guadalupe.

Martha Morales

New CLM Bulletin in Costa Rica

by

Costa RicaComboni asked the missionaries to be holy and capable.

Saints, for all who follow Christ should aspire to be a perfect image and likeness of the Lord, in everything, even the cross. A Christian, who does not want to be like Christ, is half on their spiritual journey. And capable, because, like Christ, the missionary must also perfected a work, with concrete actions to build the Kingdom of God here on earth.

In this missionary walking, every member of the community will discover their gifts and talents working together will refine their own skills, and placed at the service of others. And it is in this community effort, where everyone discovers it is essential to build the Church, and to be the Body of Christ.

Thus, little by little, the CLM of Costa Rica have seen the need –following the example of other CLM communities- to communicate and encourage the local church, with means and tools to raise awareness of the missionary charism, and attract more people willing to live the mission to its ultimate consequences.

The first project undertaken by Costa Ricans CLM in the area of communication is the missionary’s newsletter, which first came out in the month of missions. This bulletin is the result of a joint effort in which everyone developed one of the sections of the newsletter.

It is the first experiment which must get better, of course, but also a joy to see realized a dream that began earlier this year. The idea is that, through the bulletin, we may inform of important news of the mission of the whole Church, and more specifically of the work performed by the CLM worldwide.

In fact, we hope that everyone, as a single Comboni family, can be present in this newsletter, which will be monthly spread. For this reason, we encourage you to share your experiences or missionary projects in their various communities and missions to make them known in our country- printed and digitally- and develop, in this way, a strong missionary animation. Any writing or testimony you wish to share can be send by mail to the CLM in Costa Rica: laicosmisioneroscombonianos.cr@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy this first edition, and, with your prayers and comments we can improve it every day. United in prayer.

We leave you here a digital copy of it: BoletinCR

Christian Madriz

CLM Annual Retreat 2014 in Peru

by

Retiro PeruOn 26, 27 and 28 of this month of September the Comboni Lay Missionaries of Peru had the opportunity to live a spiritual retreat in the Foyer de Charité in Ñaña home, a district of Lima. There were present CLM from Trujillo, Arequipa, Lima and Huanuco. The occasion was propitious to reflect important points of our life as Comboni Lay Missionaries, share our life experiences on the mission especially with our foreign and national brother’s Ad Gentes.

Difficulties come and go in our lives, occur daily the economic, family, work… problems. But our strength is in our prayer and faith that we share in the midst of these storms.

Being a Lay Missionary in these times requires great dedication and passion. For this way of life St. Daniel Comboni sought missionaries “Saints and Able.”

This retreat comforts us and encourages us to make significant strides in our life as CLM and grow as a missionary family.

Fisher CLM Peru