Jubilarians in Montreal

Last weekend, the following Jubilarians were celebrated in Montreal :

  • Guy Vezeau – 60 years
  • John Boos – 50 years
  • Michel Fortin – 50 years
  • Gilles Barrette – 50 years
  • Michel Meunier – 50 years
  • Michel Lavoie – 50 years

Congratulations to all of you.

Celebration of the 150th in Ottawa (AMS)

The Missionaries of Africa, brothers, sisters and fathers, were the guests of Ottawa’s Catholic Cathedral on May 11 and 12 to celebrate their 150th anniversary of foundation. Indeed, Cardinal Lavigerie founded the Society of Missionaries of Africa in 1868 and the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa in 1869.

“They left, without knowing what was in store for them, they signed a blank cheque and they did it with their hearts and for life. Strengthened by the word of Christ: “I am with you always…” They had confidence! And they were not disappointed. “These words spoken by Sister Jacqueline Picard resonated within the cathedral enclosure from the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration. “We also say THANK YOU to Africa who has given us so much, who has enriched us with her incredible human values. Africa has loved and transformed us,” she added. »

The main reason for the missionaries’ testimony was to thank the Church of Ottawa, Christians and ecclesiastical authorities, “for their material and spiritual support during all these years. We missionaries have the joy of fulfilling our dream when we are leaving, but for the parents, it is a sacrifice they have to make every time we retrn to Africa after a leave of absence,” added Sister Jacqueline.

Cardinal Lavigerie wrote to the first nuns: “Despite the zeal of the missionaries (men), their efforts will never produce sufficient fruit if they are not helped by women-apostles among the women. Women must be the most powerful missionaries of the African people.”

Fathers Serge St-Arneault and Gilles Barrette animated the liturgies while appreciating the appropriate decoration, including a banner illustrating the different countries where the missionaries work in Africa. The mission continues with the arrival of young girls and boys, mainly African, who continue their formation in order to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, all of whom are committed to witnessing to their faith in the name of Jesus Christ.

Many thanks to the Archbishop of the Diocese of Ottawa, Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, S.J. for his hospitality.

It is worth noting the presence of Father Walter Vogels, M.Afr, who is visiting Ottawa. Father Vogels has taught for more than 40 years in the universities of Ottawa. He now resides in Belgium.

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Jubilee celebrations in AMS (corrected v.)

Jubilees of 65, 60 and 50 years of missionary commitment in the province of AMS

CORRECTED VERSION

On Saturday, May 18, the jubilee celebration of the Sherbrooke House took place.

There were five of them: two of them with 65 years of oath: Pierre Aucoin and Victor Grégoire. Fernand Chicoine and Jean-Marie Tardif celebrated their sixtieth and Pierre Benson, 50 years of commitment. What struck me during the presentation of each of them was the great diversity of their commitments to the mission in Africa and for Africa. That’s impressive.

It was a beautiful day of thanksgiving, which brought together several confreres, relatives and friends. Once again, on behalf of the mafr.net website, my congratulations and thanks to all the Fathers and Sisters of the Society of Missionaries of Africa for their contributions to the emancipation of Africa in this year of the 150th anniversary of their foundation.

Denis-Paul Hamelin

From the Website of the AMS – https://mafr.net

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Interviews Gilles Barette & Rita Toutant (in French)

Born of the spirit of World Youth Day in Canada, “Salt and Light” is a unique instrument of evangelization. It is dedicated to being – and helping to be – the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the world. Our mission is to proclaim Jesus Christ and the joy of the Gospel in Canada and around the world by presenting stories that inspire hope and bring people closer to Christ and the Catholic Faith. 

https://seletlumieretv.org/apropos/

This week in the magazine “Église en Sortie”, we are having a conversation with Father Gilles Barette on the history and work of the fathers and brothers of the Society of Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers). (…) In the third part of the program, Francis Denis receives Sister Rita Toutant from the missionary Sisters of Notre-Dame d’Afrique to talk about the history and mission of this community at the time of the celebration of their 150th anniversary.

Interview Gilles Barette : from 0:00 to 11:50
Interview Rita Toutant : from 19:54 to 28:32