The 2022 Bethesda session in Jerusalem
Ongoing formation, part and parcel of our two Institutes (PE nr. 1088 – 2018/02)
How do you see Ongoing Formation today?
Ongoing formation has become part and parcel of our two Institutes. I do not know much about the formal Ongoing Formation in the M.Afr way of life, but as for MSOLA, we live through the Noviciate before first vows, the Juniorate before final vows and the Tertianship after about ten years of final vows. Continue reading “Ongoing formation, part and parcel of our two Institutes (PE nr. 1088 – 2018/02)”
The Bethesda session (PE nr. 1088 – 2018/02)
Overview
This session began in 2013. It runs for 13 weeks (two are only partial). The aim of the session is to give a general insight into the Bible from a pastoral perspective but based on modern research. Reading lists are given out and our libraries are at the service of the participants if they wish to do some additional reading or do some more personal research. Continue reading “The Bethesda session (PE nr. 1088 – 2018/02)”
Taking time out regularly to look deeper into our life (PE nr. 1088 – 2018/02)
Like other missionaries, I have been engaged for many years in Ongoing Formation programmes for our confreres and for many other individuals and institutions. I would like to thank God because of the wonders I have witnessed by Him among very different kinds of people. On being asked to write on this subject, I realised that I had so much to say…so I will limit myself to some major points. Continue reading “Taking time out regularly to look deeper into our life (PE nr. 1088 – 2018/02)”
To know when to brake when everything is going faster… (PE nr. 1088 – 2018/02)
The future of Ongoing Formation.
“In a modern and changing world, the Chapter invites us to be creative in our missionary approach and commitments, bearing in mind the need to adapt to new realities.”1
Basing myself on this statement of the last Chapter concerning our Mission today, I plan to consider the challenges facing Ongoing Formation in our Society. Continue reading “To know when to brake when everything is going faster… (PE nr. 1088 – 2018/02)”
The necessity of constant renewal (PE nr. 1088 – 2018/02)
Seniors’ Sessions
I was asked to write an article for the Petit Echo. I have already published six articles about IBLA (Institut des belles lettres arabes) in Tunis: in 1972, on its library, in 1977, commemorating the 40 years of the journal, in 1987, celebrating 50 years of the journal, in 2008 an overview of the work of the Institute, and again in 2008 on its 70th anniversary without forgetting an article on my journey to the Sahel in 1991. Continue reading “The necessity of constant renewal (PE nr. 1088 – 2018/02)”
Ongoing formation (PE nr. 1088 – 2018/02)
“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves.” (Mark 6:30-32)
For many years now, our Society has placed great emphasis on the whole question of Ongoing Formation. Very deftly over those years our confreres, Marcel Neels, Guy Theunis, Continue reading “Ongoing formation (PE nr. 1088 – 2018/02)”
2nd Term Confreres’ Meeting (PE nr. 1084)
Kasisi Center in Zambia
From 2nd to 23rd July 2017
Introduction
“God our father source of life, we thank you for the gift of our Founder to the African world and to the Church. Through his inspiration we cherish a message of faith, hope and love for all people to whom you send us” (the 28th General Chapter, 2016). It is very evident that God called us to work in his vineyard though unworthy we are. He called us from all corners of the earth to be his witnesses of faith, hope and love.
The General Council, through the office of ongoing formation, invites every year, missionaries of Africa in their 2nd term for a session on renewal. The Southern Africa Province (SAP) hosted the event at Kasisi, in Lusaka, Zambia, 2nd to 23rd July. The meeting took place in a nice and serene environment. Two facilitators were on board to journey with the participants, enhancing smooth running of the program: Bernard Ugeux (D.R Congo) and Timothee Bationo (Zambia). The meeting being a Society project, we came from all over. The participants were as follows: Bukelembe John (D.R Congo), Ekka Filiyanus (India), Haile Gazena (Ghana), Itaru John (Zambia), Kanto Hembram (D.R Congo), Kawama Virgilius (Nigeria), Kawisha Jones (South Africa), Kientga Joseph (D.R Congo), Konkobo Camille (Zambia), Meraba Philip (Malawi), Nana Daniel (Tanzania), Sawadogo Florent (Mozambique), Shehu Victor (Nigeria). We were all between 5 and 9 years of priesthood in the named countries of mission from 8 nationalities.
The idea behind such a meeting is to invite missionaries of Africa in the mission to come together and share their experiences in confidentiality. This gives them a platform to meet, discuss, encourage and learn from one another after years of missionary work. Some were even meeting for the first time. We started our meeting with a recollection in which we reflected on the encounter between God and Moses, “the burning bush” (Exodus 3: 1-15).
Sharing
We, in our missionary life, strive to bring faith, hope and love to the people wherever we are planted. It is very evident that we selflessly render our services to God’s people who are entrusted to our care. In our attempt to serve them, we encounter joys and challenges. Our joys in service to God’s people have boosted our morale to move ahead courageously to work for the kingdom of God. It appeared very vividly in our sharing that challenges have never pulled us aback, rather have strengthened us even more to be radical witnesses of God’s mission, because in those challenges we have seen the hand of God. We have strong faith that God is journeying with us. No one regretted to be a Missionary of Africa.
It is true that when we share our difficulties of life, half of the problems are already alleviated. There were moments, while listening to the challenging experiences of confreres some of whom were emotional, later on got relieved. We cherish wholeheartedly the openness in the sharing of confreres who had total trust in the participants.
“Transparency never jeopardizes the life of human, truthfulness wins all the time” (Mahatma Gandhi). Transparent and truthful sharing about the challenging experiences of confreres, brought great encouragement to confreres, which prompted us to go ahead in order to fulfil the messianic vision of our founder Cardinal Lavigerie.
Session
We also had time for inputs on issues related to our personal, human, pastoral and spiritual growth. The sessions gave us enough material for our missionary life. In the sessions, we tackled: Building strong relationships with all through our affectivity for an integral ministry, boundaries to avoid conflicts, Addictions and the dangers around them, pastoral ministry, the spirituality of the priest and leadership, community life, media, Justice and Peace, Encounter and Dialogue, and Finances.
Our Community life is in relationship with Christ. Let Christ be at the centre of our life. The following should be our guide in the way we live in our communities as Missionaries of Africa:
- What aspects of community life has helped me to be fulfilled in missionary life since my ordination?
- What aspects of community life did I find challenging since my ordination?
- What kind of community life I aspire realistically?
These challenging questions must lead us to deeper reflection and sharing in our community life.
According to the nature of our vocation, media is regarded as means of evangelization. Nevertheless the dos and the don’ts of the media have to be respected at all time to avoid abuse.
In financial matters, it is important that the dignity and credibility of a priest is preserved. This will avoid denting his own reputation in the parish/institutions.The word of God states that “Spiritual leadership should oversee the treasury of the Lord’s house” (Neh 13:12-13), should be the basis and the guide of our attitudes towards the proper use of finances.
Time For Relaxation
The meeting was not only session, talk and work. We had opportunities to relax, recreate and refresh our minds and celebrate various birthdays and priesthood anniversaries. We visited the game park and the town. We also visited our two parishes within Lusaka. It was well appreciated by confreres and parishioners seeing the diversity of young Missionaries of Africa from all over the world for the Mission of God. As affirmed by some parishioners, our presence in their parishes strengthened their faith and gave them joy. We had a full day at FENZA (Faith and Encounter center Zambia). This was a good time for us to discover what the confreres are doing in the center. We ended the day with a fraternal meal with confreres of the sector and novices on their way to stage in their various countries. On the 15th of July, we joined the Catholic Church in Zambia for the celebration of the 125 years of Catholic faith. It was a great moment for us Missionaries of Africa, being the founding missionaries of Catholicism in Zambia. Our presence was indeed appreciated.
“Be not only United but One!”…
… our founder Cardinal Lavigerie insisted on this principle. We, the present missionary disciples of Jesus Christ, inspired by the teaching of our founder should strive to live these words. The spirit of oneness was very much felt by each one of us, as our Superior General, Provincial of SAP and the Archbishop of Lusaka came and shared their joys and challenges with us.
Appreciation
We sincerely appreciate the General Council for granting us this opportunity in which we met and shared our missionary lives and experiences. In a similar way, we thank our various Provincials of our mission provinces for making it possible for us to attend this important meeting. We extend our gratitude to the hosting Provincial, the organizers, the animators and the participants of the meeting.
Camille Konkobo and Filiyanus Ekka, M.Afr.