LARAMANAYE (TCD): Chad Mission
On March 15, 2009, Fr. Estanislau CHINDECASSE arrived at Laramanaye for a special visitation of the Chad Mission. He met with Fr. Teofilo PEREY, Superior of the Chad Mission, Fr. Atakpame Jean ALOULA, Fr. Frederic Djagre KOUBI and Fr. Mumbayungu Achille MPILA, all working in the mission. The main objective of the visitation was to discuss and clarify the continuity of the mission as the contract between the Diocese of Gore and the SVD is ending in 2010. The SVD mission in Chad started in 2004. Fr. Chindecasse made it clear to the SVDs in Chad that before renewing the contract, the General Council needed an assurance of stability for the next three years. This is necessary to lay down a strong foundation for the Chad Mission. It will allow the new missionaries to be well inserted into the mission and, through their various talents, be able to work as a team for the development of the mission. The four confreres agreed on a commitment to the mission in Chad. For them, it means remaining in place for the next three years. The confreres in Chad also expressed the importance of sending more missionaries to the mission, including those who want to have OTP experience. They recognize the need to share and communicate more about the work and mission in Chad.
Fr.Estanislau ChindecasseVIANA (ANG): Centennial Celebrations
On January 27-29, 2009, the Divine Word Missionaries and Holy Spirit Sisters gathered at the Divine Word Seminary in Viana to celebrate the closing of the centennial celebration of the deaths of St. Arnold Janssen and St. Joseph Freinademetz. One of the highlights of the celebration was a conference given by his Excellency Rev. Damiao Franklin, Archbishop of Luanda, entitled “The Church of Angola and her New Challenges.” The closing of the centennial year was finally marked by a Eucharistic celebration at Christ the King Parish presided by Bishop Antonio JACA, SVD, bishop of Caxito. Other concelebrants included Bishop José Manuel Imbamba, bishop of Dundo and many SVD priests. Fr. Zeferino Zeca Martins
Silver Jubilee YearOn January 15, 2009, on the occasion of the Feast of our Founder, St Arnold Janssen, confreres from Kenya and Tanzania trooped to CFCLangata for the provincial assembly and the official launching of the Silver Jubilee Celebration of SVD Kenya-Tanzania. It must be recalled that our Society came to Kenya in 1984. Having turned Silver this year, the province would like to pay tribute to the pioneering efforts of missionaries in this part of Africa, and to give thanks to God for the humbling missionary responsibility and the gift of mission He has entrusted to each of the members. The theme of the Jubilee celebration is: Silver Deeds, Our First 25 Years in Kenya.
BULAWAYO (ZIM): A pioneering work of art
Since 2006, Bro. Oscar MELENDREZ has been presenting his works in different galleries in Africa. His art works include masks and drawings that depict African culture. In 2006, Bro. Oscar launched his collection of masks at the National Gallery in Bulawayo. The exhibit was called “African Feeling, a Gift of God.” During the opening of the exhibit, Bishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo applauded the pioneering works of art of Bro. Oscar. He cited him as a true missionary with the vision of an artist willing to express the people’s sentiments, feelings, strugggles and experiences. Bro. Oscar also exhibited a collection of drawings and art works in Nairobi. A DVD featuring the opening of the exhibit in Bulawayo is in the Generalate’s photo archive.
LUANDA (ANG): Mission Secretaries Meeting
Last March 8-13, 2009, the AFRAM Mission Secretaries gathered for their Workshop on the upper floor of the Provincialate House. All the provinces and regions were represented: Fr. Denis PEREIRA, (ANG), Fr. Sunny VATTAPPARAYIL (BOT), Fr. Franciszek WOJDYLA (CNG), Bro. Rudy Kwame CHAMENYI (GHA), Fr. William ODEKE Owire, (KEN), Fr. Seraphim KPAKPAYI (TOG), Fr. Pawel GALLA (MAD) and Fr. Rolando REYES (MOZ). They were accompanied by the Zonal Coordinator, Fr. Xene SANCHEZ, and the Generalate Mission Secretary, Fr. Pio ESTEPA. Reflection on the Mission Secretary’s roles and functions, the challenges of animating confreres in the mission, the search for ways to look for funds and the involvement of the laity in the SVD today were among the important points discussed. The majority of the mission secretaries who participated in the workshop are newly appointed. Fr. Xene Sanchez