Vatican names two Bishops in South Africa

Bishop Jabulani Nxumalo, OMI, new Archbishop of Bloemfontein

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, has named Bishop Jabulani NXUMALO, OMI, Archbishop of Bloemfontein in South Africa. The Vatican made the announcement on Monday, October 10, 2005. Since August 2002, the new archbishop has been the Auxiliary Bishop of Durban and Titular Bishop of Ficus.

Archbishop-elect Jabulani was born on 27 January 1944 in Lamontville, Durban. As a young Oblate, he studied in both Lesotho and in Rome. He holds a Licentiate in Sacred Theology with a specialisation in missiology from the Gregorian University in Rome and a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1974, he served as parish priest of St John's Parish and Mission, Estcourt, Inchanga Mission, St Joseph 's Parish, Cedara and St Mary's Parish, Pietermaritzburg.

He has also held various leadership positions within the Oblate Congregation. In 1977 he became Dean of Studies and Vice Rector at St Peter's Major Seminary, Durban. From 1978-1984, he was Professor and Dean of Studies at St Joseph 's Scholasticate, Cedara. A period of parish ministry then followed. In 1998 he was appointed Provincial Superior of the Natal Province of the Oblates before being elected, in that same year, as the Oblate General Councillor for Africa-Madagascar. 

On 8 July 2002, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Durban and assigned the Titular See of Fico (Mauritania). He was ordained a bishop at the archdiocese's 150th Anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving on 25 August 2002.

When he was named a bishop in 2002, the Archbishop-elect was 140th Oblate to be ordained a bishop since St. Eugene de Mazenod OMI and the sixth Oblate to serve as a bishop in the Archdiocese of Durban. He will now become the sixth bishop of Bloemfontein. His immediate predecessor was Archbishop Buti TLHAGALE, OMI, now Archbishop of Johannesburg.

Historical records show that the first Mass was celebrated in the former territory of the Transvaal in 1854. Bloemfontein became a diocese in 1951 and all of its six bishops have been Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

New Auxiliary Bishop of Durban : Bishop-elect Barry Wood, OMI

On 10 October, 2005, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, appointed Father Barry WOOD, OMI, as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Durban, South Africa. Bishop-elect Wood will become the seventh Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate to serve as a bishop in Durban. The current Archbishop of Durban is Wilfrid Cardinal Napier, OFM.

The bishop-elect was born on 13 June 1942 in Port Elizabeth. After his ordination in 1968, he was sent to the Archdiocese of Durban where he served in a number of parishes. From 1977 on, he held leadership positions within the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, including Pre-novitiate Director, Novice Master, Superior of St. Joseph's Oblate Scholasticate at Cedara. From 1992 until 1998, he was the Provincial Superior of the Natal Province.

In 1999 he was appointed Vicar-General/Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Durban, parish priest of Sacred Heart Parish, Woodlands-Montclair and subsequently St. Louis ' Parish, Clairwood. As Vicar-General Fr. Wood was responsible for overseeing a number of major events in the Archdiocese, including the Jubilee 2000 year celebrations, the reception for Cardinal Napier at the International Convention Centre and the sesquicentennial celebrations of the Archdiocese in 2002.

In January 2003, Auxiliary Bishop Jabulani NXUMALO, OMI, became Vicar-General and Chancellor. Fr. Wood's services to the Archdiocese were however retained and he was appointed Episcopal Vicar for Youth, Liturgy, Diocesan events and Justice and Peace. He is also the Archbishop's representative on the Diakonia Council of Churches and Vuleka Trust.

General Admninistration

Fraternal concern following the earthquake in Pakistan

On October 8, 2005, a major earthquake rumbled parts of South Asia, from central Afghanistan to western Bangladesh, shaking the capitals of three nations and bringing down homes and highways alike. The epicentre was about 100 km north of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Entire villages were destroyed and the death toll is expected to be in the tens of thousands. It is considered the worst earthquake in the history of Pakistan.

On October 9, Fr. Wilhelm STECKLING, OMI, Superior General of the Oblates, sent the following message to Fr. Alex JOSEPH, OMI, Superior of the Oblate Delegation in Pakistan.

Dear Father Alex,

As news is breaking about the earthquake in your part of the world, we at the General House want to express to you our communion in prayer for all the victims and their relatives. I hope that our Oblates, especially those in the north, have not been touched by the catastrophe; they also are in our prayers.

Here in Rome, yesterday we finished our month-long plenary session; soon almost everybody will be on the road again.

With fraternal greetings to all of you.

Fr. Wilhelm Steckling, OMI
Superior General

Fr. Alex replied on the very same day:

Dear & very Rev. Fr. Steckling

Thank you very much for the message of concern. We appreciate it very much.

Thank God the areas where the Oblates are working are not affected by the earthquake. The areas affected are the northern hills starting from Islamabad. In Multan too we felt the tremors and we ran out of the house. But there are no damages to lives and property neither in this area nor in the Quetta area.

Here we all are keeping fine and busy with our work.

I remain.

Yours in X't & Mary Immaculate,

Fr. Alex, OMI.

Solidarity with the Oblates in Guatemala

Hundreds have died in Guatemala, and hundreds more are missing and feared dead, in a wave of mudslides and heavy rains during the first week of October, that have devastated parts of the country in the wake of Hurricane Stan. Entire villages were buried in mud, according to reports from officials and rescue workers in the region.

On October 8, 2005, Fr. Wilhelm STECKLING, OMI, Superior General, wrote to the Oblates of Guatemala about the concern of the whole Congregation for their brothers working in Guatemala and for their people. His message went to Fr. Gerard LE STRAT, OMI, the Delegation Superior for Guatemala.

Gerard Le Strat, OMI
Superior of the Guatemala Delegation

Dear Fr. Gerard,

Greetings from Rome! I just saw on television pictures from Guatemala. I want you to know that we are remembering all of you in prayer and that we are ready to help in any way that might be necessary. How are the people doing in the area where the Oblates work?

With a greeting for all, in Christ and in Mary, our Mother,

Fr. Wilhelm Steckling, OMI

On the next day, Fr. Le Strat sent the following reply:

Dear Father General,

Many thanks for your message and your willingness to help. I think that for now, it won't be necessary until we know the extent of the situation. Right now I am in Calgary, AB, spending a few days with my family and with my mother who is very sick. I will return to Guatemala tomorrow. The people where the Oblates work in Chicaman and Playa Grande are fine although the rains did affect them. Some of them cannot get out of their communities. All the roads are involved, bridges destroyed, and many landslides. I will have more news after I get back.

Thanks for your prayers. Until later…

Gerard Le Strat, OMI

Post-Chapter Commission on Government meets

The 2004 General Chapter, in Witnessing to Hope, stated the following: “In view of the fact that over the past 30 years the Congregation has moved from expansive growth to overall decline, with some areas experiencing growth and others rapid decline; that the tasks and goals of government in the Congregation have changed and that given the need for better organizational structures that would facilitate our life and mission, the General Chapter recommends that: A Post-Chapter Commission on Government, representative of the different sensitivities present at the Chapter, be established…” (Par. 32)

To begin this work of reviewing the structures of the Congregation at all levels and to make recommendations to the 2010 General Chapter, the Post-Chapter Commission on Government, appointed by the Superior General and Council, held their first meeting at the General House in Rome, September 12-16, 2005.

The committee members are Ryszard SZMYDKI (Poland), Filadelfo ESTRELLA (Philippines), Jean-Marie BULUMUNA (Congo), Victor SANTOYO (Peru), and Seamus FINN (United States). James ALLEN of the Oblate Information Services is secretary to the commission.

Much of the work during the first meeting was concentrated on coming to a common understanding of the key structural, governmental, and administrative issues facing the Congregation at this time, some 33 years after the 1972 chapter. At that chapter, there was a far-reaching change in the Congregation's structures: term limits for the Superior General; the new position of Vicar General; two Assistants General; and six General Councilors for the regions that were also established at that meeting.

Questions of centralization vs. decentralization; the impact of globalization and technology on our life and mission; recent and projected demographic changes within our Oblate family, and other related issues will be important topics to study in future considerations of the commission. The commission will also find appropriate ways to consult the members of the Congregation within the next few years about these issues.

The committee believes that Constitution 72 must be the guiding principle for any suggestion of structural change: United as brothers in one apostolic community, we are all equal before God our Father who distributes charisms and ministries so that we can serve his Church and its mission. Our organizational structures, accordingly, are set up in function of that mission. Following the guidelines of the Constitutions and Rules, those in authority will make sure that the structures are flexible enough to evolve with our lived experience.

INFORMATION
New websites come on line

From time to time, the Information Service office receives notice that an Oblate unit has placed on line a new website. Of course, these websites are in various languages, but they are a marvellous way for Oblates throughout the world to learn more about their brothers on other continents. The world-wide web has become a fascinating and refreshing new way to share our Oblate community life and mission.

In the past few weeks, we have received notice of new websites for the Philippines (www.omiphil.org); MAMI in the Austrian-Czech Delegation (www.mmw.at) and a website that will serve the entire Latin American region (http://www.oblatos.org).

These links are listed, along with many others, on http://www.omiworld.org. Simply click on the OTHER OBLATE SITES tab on the right side of the home page and a long list of links will be displayed for your browsing pleasure.

Asia-Oceania

AUSTRALIA
The Oblate cross returns to Laos

Brother Somphone VILAVONGSY made his perpetual vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 26 June, 2005, at St John Vianney's Parish, Springvale North, Vic., Australia, and was ordained a deacon on 3 July at Our Lady's, Sunshine, Vic. Somphone was born in Laos in 1973 and grew up there.

Over one hundred Oblates, mainly French and Italian, worked in Laos from 1935 to 1975 when the communist Pathet Lao took over the country. A small but vibrant Christian community developed under the care of the Oblates, with some villages becoming almost entirely Catholic. During the war with the communists, seven Oblates were killed and, with the communist victory, the remaining Oblates were expelled. One Laotian Oblate remained, however, and he is now bishop of Vientiane, the capital of Laos, Bishop Jean KHAMSE VITHAVONG. He has laboured long and hard in a hostile environment for the last thirty years. At present, he has only one old priest to help him. For him, Somphone's perpetual vows and deaconate are signs of hope for the future. God has not forgotten the poor, small, struggling Church in Laos.

Somphone's family was caught up in the turmoil of the war with the communists. His father, being on the losing side of the war, was made to do forced labour and had to shift from his predominantly Catholic village to a village with no Catholics. His mother, six brothers, and two sisters eventually moved to the same village and the family has lived in this village ever since. To attend Mass, the family had to travel forty kilometres into Vientiane. The children studied catechism with some nuns in Vientiane over their holidays to prepare for their first communion and confirmation. In 1988, Somphone moved into the Bishop's compound in Vientiane and completed his high school education in 1992. He then helped Bishop Khamse in various ways for several years before asking about training to be a priest. After another six years helping the Bishop and learning English, Somphone came to Australia to study with the Oblates at St Mary's Seminary in Melbourne.

People came from near and far for Somphone's perpetual oblation and ordination. The Laotian Catholic community in Sydney and Canberra sent representatives. The Laotian Catholic community in Melbourne helped with the arrangements, especially with catering. It was a source of great joy for all concerned that Bishop Khamse could come from Laos to ordain Somphone a deacon. The Superior of the Oblates in Thailand, Father Pricha THAMNIYOM, also came to receive Somphone's perpetual vows and to present him with an Oblate cross.

“The Oblate cross which is received at perpetual profession is a constant reminder of the love of the Saviour who wishes to draw all hearts to himself and sends us out as his co-workers,” says the Constitutions of the Oblates. There is a tradition in the Oblates of passing on the Oblate cross of another Oblate. Somphone's Oblate cross was that of Father Pierre CHEVROULET, a French missionary who worked for many years in Laos and was expelled when the communists took over. He worked for the rest of his life in Thailand and died last year. Father Thamniyom brought this Oblate cross to Australia to present it to Somphone. While Father Pierre was forced to leave Laos with his Oblate cross, Somphone has taken this Oblate cross back to Laos. Somphone's ordination to the priesthood is scheduled for December in Laos. (Australian Oblate website: www.oblates.com.au)

PHILIPPINES
Missionaries to the mountain peoples

Brother José ADUANA, OMI, Director of the elementary school in the mountain village of Pangipasan, on the Philippine island of Mindanao, describes some of the special problems faced by the Aborigines peoples in the remote mountains.

The Aborigines of the Philippines, today a minority group, consist of a dozen different small tribes that live in remote mountain regions. They have been very little influenced in the course of history by western civilization, by Christianity or by Islam. Working with these tribal groups is a priority of the Missionary Oblates, because their needs are many.

The missionaries defend the claim of these peoples to their traditional homeland which is being threatened by political and economic development and special-interest groups. The protection of their homeland is their guarantee for keeping their culture alive. However, this concern is outweighed by the many problems of daily life and survival itself, primarily related to food production and the use of suitable agricultural methods. In this regard, considerable progress has occurred through the development of the water supply and of our model farm at Bugwak.

On-going tasks centre on provision of health care and possibilities for further development. The two principal aspects of Oblate work in the mountains of the Kidapawan District are education and health care. In 1997, we built an elementary school in Pangipasan. In the current school year, we have five full-time teachers and 177 students from the Manobos tribe. To celebrate the seventh anniversary of the school, last autumn we had a celebration that brought numerous visitors from the surrounding villages. There was a colourful program with sporting and musical presentations according to the traditional cultures of the tribes.

Two former elementary schools run by the government had been closed for some time, for financial reasons and because it was difficult to get a long-time commitment from teachers for this remote area. The mission has the same problems. The main reason teachers do not last long is the difficult travel involved. The teachers can go home no more than once a month. Because of the lack of public transportation, travel for the teachers is expensive. If the teachers can visit their families no more than once a month, they do not last long in our schools.

We must also concern ourselves with the medical needs of the people because the nearest hospital in Barangay Lampayan is about 80 km away. The roads are bad and normally passable only by motorcycle. Because there are hardly any cars in our area, the seriously ill must be carried in hammocks to the hospital, thus losing precious time in emergencies.

BANGLADESH
Indigenous peoples under attack

Fr. Joseph GOMES, OMI, of the Lokhipur Mission, Kulaura, Bangladesh, writes of recent assaults by government offices on the indigenous peoples of the country and some of the efforts of the Oblates to support those being attacked.

I will try to highlight some of our efforts that we have undertaken during past months. On Monday the 25 th of July, together with some journalists, we attended a protest demonstration against the government's decision to create a model village project on indigenous peoples' land. The government had demolished seventy indigenous houses and cleared the ground in order to implement the proposed project. We held a protest meeting on the spot, in the presence of the victims, and then met the District Commissioner, the Thana Nirbahi Officer and other government officials. Recently, the representative of the European Union to Bangladesh visited the project area and officially declared the cancellation of the project.

There were more troubles in the Kulaura area during last month. On the 27 th July and 3 rd of August, the Forest Department hired two big elephants and hundreds of Bengalis and destroyed at least two hundred acres in Nooncherra and Cholitacherra Punjee. They cut down all the betel leaf plants and a good number of trees. I was desperately seeking help to stop the attack on Khasi property and their livelihood. Finally Sanjeeb Drong came to our help and rescued us. He contacted the Forest Ministry in Dhaka and the divisional forest officer in Sylhet. Meanwhile I managed to convince the Kulaura police officer to send police for the security of our people. The national daily newspapers have given a lot of coverage to those incidents. As a result, the government administrators such as the District Commissioner, the Thana Nirbahi officer and the Assistant Land Commissioner showed a lot of concern for the victims and even made official inquiries.

A few days ago another movement started against the Khasis living in the greater Sylhet area. There was a handout distributed in the town of Kulaura and later on in the Khasi villages. The pamphlet says that the Khasis are illegal occupants who have come from India. They are called traitors of the liberation movement without the right to live in Bangladesh. They supposedly earn millions of Takas from the mountain by cultivating betel leaves and then deposit the money in India. Their way of cultivating betel leaves is said to be against biodiversity and the cause of natural disasters. The pamphlet says that the Khasis are not indigenous but new settlers. The Bengalis are the original inhabitants of Sylhet; therefore the Khasis should be evicted and the Bengalis must be given the hills and mountains.

We are very much afraid of this false and provocative propaganda. The Khasis are so badly represented in that pamphlet that the ordinary people could be easily provoked and led against them.

Even beyond our expectation, the United States Embassy in Bangladesh decided to make an independent physical inquiry into the affected area on the 28 th of August. Two officials visited the affected Khasi village of New Cholitachora. They took great trouble to get to the place in spite of bad roads. All the Khasis and Garos from neighbouring Punjees (villages) gathered around them and described the devastating attack on them by the mob led by the Forest Department. Prior to that, these officials had met me personally at the Lokhipur Oblate parish for detailed information on the matter. They took almost 45 minutes for the meeting, and afterwards, the indigenous children studying in our mission school received them with a welcoming song and flowers. The officials were very happy to see our activities and service for the deprived tribal peoples. These embassy officials assured us that they will try their best to follow up on this matter and do whatever can be done.

Last Tuesday the Khasi leaders of Moulvibazar District met the District Commissioner and presented a written statement about what has been happening to them during the past few months. Twenty of us attended the meeting. The District Commissioner was very pleased to listen to our struggles and problems. He said that it took years to arrive at this challenging situation and that it will also take time to resolve it. He assured the Khasis, saying that he will look into the matter soon and call both Forest Department and the Khasi leaders to hear their grounds to claim the same land.

At the same time, he proposed making a survey within 15 days to produce the statistics of the Khasis living in the hills and mountains of Moulvibazar district. At the same time he called the Assistant Superintendent of Police and asked him to engage his intelligence branch to find out the source of the handout published against the Khasis from the Kulaura area. The leaflet is so provocative that it might inflame the ordinary Muslim majority and cause casualties on the lives and properties of the Khasis at any time. The District Commissioner was very much concerned about it and took immediate precaution against it. After the seventeenth bomb attack in the country, our Khasis are afraid of a severe assault on them by the local self-interested leaders and the Forest Department. Our Khasi leaders are happy and satisfied with the initiative taken by the District Commissioner.

Canada-United States

UNITED STATES
Blessing of “Guadalupe Hill” at Belleville Shrine

Five years ago, Fr. Raúl SALAS, OMI, received a new assignment from his superiors. He was asked to become part of the staff of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL, with the task of focusing his ministry primarily with Hispanics who come as pilgrims to the Shrine. A native of the warm Rio Grande Valley in Texas, he moved to Belleville to encounter not only the cold of Midwestern winters, but also the growing Hispanic population in the Greater St. Louis area.

In the Diocese of Belleville, for example, made up of 28 Southern Illinois counties, the Hispanic population grew from 8,000 in 1990 to 13,000 in the 2000 census.

On September 3, Fr. Raúl was part of a particularly exciting moment in this new ministry, the blessing and dedication of the newest devotional area at the Shrine: the Our Lady of Guadalupe Hill.

Prior to the dedication, the Shrine church was the site of a festive Mass, presided by Bishop Michael PFEIFER, OMI, of San Angelo, TX. The blessing of Guadalupe Hill was done by Fr. Rufino NAVA, OMI, who succeeded Fr. Raúl last year in this ministry when the latter became Director of Youth Ministries for the United States Province.

Participants in brightly colored and stunningly embroidered clothing filled the church with their prayers and their hymns, sung to the music of a mariachi ensemble of guitars, drums, trumpets and maracas. The mariachi and choir came from San Juan de los Lagos Parish in San Antonio, TX.

On hand for the dedication was the Oblate provincial of the United States Province. Fr. Louis LOUGEN, OMI. He emphasized the significance of the event: “Today is historic. There are cultures coming together here today, and the shrine stands in a prophetic way where we remember we are all children of God. No matter the color of our skin, our celebration says to us that we are one people; not to separate or build walls or fuss at each other.”

The new outdoor devotional area attempts to recreate the stark beauty of Tepayac Hill, the spot near Mexico City, where the Virgin of Guadalupe is reported to have appeared several times to the peasant Juan Diego, on December 12, 1531. Life-sized statues of the Virgin and of St. Juan Diego were the work of a company in Austin, TX.

From its beginning in the early 1960's, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows has offered different areas where pilgrims might find a place for their personal and favorite devotions. The first devotional area built was a replica of the famous grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. Then came the outdoor amphitheatre for the novena in honor of Our Lady of the Snows. People are able to walk the Stations of the Cross (or even drive around them). In recent years, small devotional areas have been added: Our Lady of Knock (Ireland), Our Lady of Czestochowa (Poland), Our Lady of Peñafrancia (Philippines), and even a children's playground where the centerpiece is a statue of Christ welcoming the little ones.

During the course of the year, there are festivals celebrating various cultural expressions of the Catholic faith (e.g. Hispanic, Polish, Irish, etc.)

CANADA
Episcopal ordination of Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie, OMI

Approximately 600 family and friends gathered in The Pas, MB, on Tuesday, August 29, 2005, to witness the Episcopal Ordination of Most Reverend Sylvain LAVOIE, OMI. The Principal celebrant was Most Reverend Peter A. SUTTON, OMI, who was assisted by Most Reverend Blaise Morand, D.D. and Most Reverend Gerald WEISNER, OMI. Most Reverend Luigi Ventura, D.D., Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, gave a greeting from Pope Benedict XVI. Sylvain is the first Archbishop named by the new Pope. There were approximately 16 Bishops and 30 priests in attendance. Marcel DUMAIS, OMI, General Councillor for Canada-United States, spoke on behalf of Wilhelm STECKLING, OMI, Superior General.

The Saskatchewan Local Community Leadership Team was represented by Nestor GREGOIRE, Paul FACHET and Lucie LEDUC. Lucie said the ordination had many very moving moments. One moment she described was during the procession when Sylvain appeared and the community applauded spontaneously then went quiet and rose in applause once again when Peter Sutton appeared. Another moment was during the ordination when Peter Sutton anointed Sylvain with the oils. He poured the oil and affectionately rubbed it on Sylvain's head much like a father would welcome his son.

It was estimated that half of those in attendance were Metis and First Nations people from all parts of Saskatchewan and other Provinces. A special blessing and acceptance ceremony for their new Archbishop was given by a group of Elders. The drumming and singing added to the already moving ceremony. Sylvain has ministered to the Metis and First Nations community for most of his priesthood.

Due to the large number of people in attendance, not everyone could be accommodated in Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral. A closed-circuit broadcast was set up a few doors down at Guy Hall. Many people generously contributed to this wonderful celebration. (Saskatchewan Local Community “Sights and Sounds” September 1, 2005)

CANADA
Alberta Oblate honoured by government

Fr. John MALAZDREWICH, superior of the Brother Anthony Local Community and member of Lacombe's Provincial Council has been honoured by the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.

Fr. John received the “Alberta Centennial Medal” during a reception at the Chateau Louis Hotel – Crown Suite, on Friday, September 23, 2005.

The Alberta Centennial Medal celebrates Alberta's first 100 years by paying tribute to Albertans who “have made significant contributions to their fellow citizens, their community and to Alberta”. Representatives from provincial organizations, governments and other groups were asked to submit nominations for the medal earlier this year. Fr. John is receiving this medal in recognition of the way in which he exercises leadership.

Africa-Madagascar

BOTSWANA
Special pastoral challenge

One of the main challenges that we are facing here in Botswana is that of the dissolution of marriages. Last year alone, 6,000 marriages were dissolved country-wide. Given that the Botswana population is only 1.6 million, this is not a small number.

The Church is not just standing-by, doing nothing. Efforts are being made to remedy the situation. For example, the Diocese of Gaborone has introduced a three-month pre-marital counseling program. The purpose of the program is to clarify and deepen the understanding of marriage before the couple can commit themselves. We try to bring to their attention that the marriage union is permanent and that is possible.

The government of Botswana is also playing its part in an attempt to bring stability into the institution of marriage. For example, in February this year, it brought to completion and started implementing the Abolition of Marital Power Act of 2004. This means that, since February, in Botswana, the headship of the husband in the family has been abolished by law. Husband and wife are now equal. Each of the spouses now requires the consent of the other in all family affairs.

While the married couple may see divorce as a solution to their daily squabbling, this move often leaves a permanent scar on the children. It is for this reason that we, the Oblates at Goodhope mission, have devised a plan aimed at bringing back hope into these devastated young lives:

We encourage them to take part in the various activities in the parish. They come together to share their life experiences and future dreams. Together with them we are walking towards the realization of Botswana Vision 2016. By the year 2016, we shall be a healthy, educated, prosperous and compassionate society. (Fr. Khosi Makubakube, OMI – Botswana Mission)

NATAL
The last French Oblate in Natal

Isidore FRÉOUX was the last French Oblate to work in Natal. His death on June 27, 2005, in Durban, was the end of an era which began in 1852 when the founder sent five Oblates to establish a mission there. These words from the funeral homily by the provincial, Fr. Stuart BATE, OMI, at his funeral mark this historic event.

In many ways Isidore is our ancestor. He has gone before us marked with the sign of faith and we are called to learn from his witness. His was the witness of an ordinary man the Lord called, who did his best to respond to that call and who remained faithful to the end. He persevered. And in that way he becomes an ancestor of faith for those of us who remain. But he is a special ancestor in a particular way because he belongs to a very special group of men who built the Church in this part of God's vineyard.

Indeed he is the last of a group of our Oblate ancestors who brought the life of Christ to this part of the world. He was the last French Oblate missionary in Natal and indeed, as far as I know, in Southern Africa.

He was the last of a long line that began in 1852 when Bishop ALLARD arrived with four Oblates to begin the work of evangelisation and establish the vicariate of Natal. Among them was Father SABON, founder of the Church in Durban. They were followed in 1854 by the second group, which included Father Justin BARRET, founder of the Church in Pietermaritzburg and Father Joseph GERARD, who became Blessed Gerard, apostle to the Basotho. In the third party, which arrived in 1856, was Father BOMPART who laboured most of his life in establishing the Church in the Free State.

Through 150 years, these French Oblates laboured so that today the vicariate they established comprises some 42 dioceses throughout Southern Africa.

So today, as the French connection ends, history is created in the life of the Natal province. And as we thank Fr Isidore for his life, work and witness, we remember all of them. Indeed they are a holy assembly, which gathers today to welcome him among them on that holy mountain. And they look at us and pray that God will give us the courage and perseverance to continue the work they began. We must continue the great mission of God which Christ has confided to the Church and which has been passed on to us through our congregation.

Today, then, is a celebration of life! We celebrate the life of Father Isidore Freoux and we celebrate the life of all of those French Oblates who worked amongst us through these past 153 years.

It is a celebration of the life in all of these 42 Churches which vibrate with the pulse of faith.

This is the life that is Jesus. It is a life which enlivens all those who live by faith in the power of God to transform our world and who commit themselves to journey upon this way.

Yes, there are difficulties. Yes, there will be trials and tribulations as we journey along the way. That is also a truth of our life as it was of the life of Jesus and of the life of all these French Oblates who journeyed along the way here to bring the truth of God's life to our people.

But God works miracles. He multiplies our efforts by the power of his Spirit so that our small efforts done in faith are reformed into a great harvest for the kingdom. This is what He did with all these French Oblates working through 150 years to establish and build up the local churches of Southern Africa.

But how many were they in all? How many French Oblates came to Natal during these one hundred and fifty three years? My first guess before doing the research was about 500. When I thought about it a bit more I revised my number to perhaps 300. When I found the figures in Joy Brain's book, Catholics in Natal, I was very surprised. For they were less than 200. Less indeed than even 150. In fact, from 1852 until today about 120 French Oblates worked in the Natal Province. About 120 men have been sent from France to mission here.

And here too we see the power of the Spirit of God to transform a human work of faith. For look how much 120 can do, and see how we sometimes complain about our own problems and difficulties. I really thought it would have been more.

But they were enough. And by their perseverance and life commitment to us, they give glory to God for their missionary activity done by frail weak human beings. They inspire us to not be afraid when we see how much we have to do today.

Trust in God always; trust also in me. There are many dwelling-places in my Father's house; if it were not so I should have told you; for I am going there on purpose to prepare a place for you. Jesus speaks these words to Isidore today. He has spoken them to all the French Oblates who worked here to establish this church and whose line ends today.

He speaks to all who remain to commit themselves to the great mission to evangelise all nations and bring good news to those who suffer, are sick, oppressed and abandoned today.

May Isidore rest in peace and may we rest assured that the power of God is with us as the way the truth and the life for us who remain.

Latin America

PARAGUAY
80 years: the Oblate Mission in Paraguay and in South America

On February 12, 1925, the Holy See erected the Apostolic Prefecture of Pilcomayo, in response to requests from both civil and ecclesiastical authorities in Bolivia. One month later, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate were placed in charge of the Prefecture.

The first Prefect to be named was Father José ROSE, an Oblate from the German Province who at that time was working as a missionary in Texas and in Mexico. He left that mission for Buenos Aires to meet with the other Oblates who were coming from Germany to set up the new mission. These first missionaries were Fathers Enrique BREUER and Enrique LAMBERTZ and Brothers José KREMER and Federico WIDMAN. From Buenos Aires, they set out for Formosa and from there, to Las Lomitas. Then they travelled by horseback to the former Bolivian Fort Esteros (Chaco), arriving on December 23, 1925. There they established the Mission of San José de Esteros and launched a permanent presence of the Oblates in Paraguay and in Latin America.

Since December in the Chaco is the rainy season and the roads are usually in bad condition, often flooded and impassable, it was considered more practical to celebrate our 80 years of missionary work in July, taking advantage of the meeting of the VAP District in Fischat.

Therefore, on July 27, we had a solemn Eucharist in San Leonardo Parish in Fischat. Before Mass, presided by Fr. Miguel FRITZ,a huge mission cross of quebracho wood was blessed and placed in the cemetery of the Nivaclé community, next to the tomb of Brother Federico Widman who died in the mission. The celebration concluded with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament.

The final part of the celebrations took place at the Mission of San José de Esteros on the following day, July 28. The liturgy began with a procession led by girls from Nivaclé toward a large cross, also made of quebracho wood. Father Provincial blessed the cross and then presided at the Mass. During Mass, there were two baptisms and several children received their first Holy Communion.

In both communities, Fischat and Esteros, large groups of people participated. On the previous evening, just as we were beginning Mass, a group arrived from Asunción. They included members of the MAMI, the Mother Provincial of the Teaching Franciscan Sisters, some Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception from Volandem, and Brother Carlos María BARRETO, the only representative of the Southern District.

In this way, with great simplicity and solemnity, we thanked the Lord for allowing us to carry out our mission these past 80 years, especially among the poorest and most abandoned. Counting on the help of our Lord Jesus Christ and the intercession of Mary Immaculate and St. Eugene, we hope to continue our missionary work with renewed enthusiasm and hope, trying to respond to the great missionary challenges that the future will present us. (From Comunicaciones, August 2005)

PARAGUAY
First Guarani from the Chaco ordained a priest

On June 4, 2005, history was made for the Church in the Chaco of Paraguay. Early on a grey morning, tractors, trucks and buses brought about 2,500 persons together for the first ordination of an indigenous Guarani, Fr. Lino Flores, a diocesan priest. The ordaining bishop was the Vicar Apostolic of Pilcomayo, Mons. Lucio ALFERT, OMI. The ordination took place in the Mission of Santa Teresita, about 520 km from the capital.

After 468 years of Catholic missionary presence in Paraguay and 80 years after the first Oblates arrived in the Chaco, there is a priest from the area. The Missionary Oblates have had a role in the vocational journey of this new priest. Fifteen years ago, he entered the Oblates' preparatory seminary in Independencia. He was already considering the priesthood at that time.

Independencia is over 700 kms from Lino's home in Eastern Paraguay, so very different from the Chaco with its arduous life style. Lino's family encouraged him in his pursuit of a priestly vocation. He spent one very important year ministering in an indigenous village, where he learned the local language and helped prepare people for baptism. “They helped me persevere in my vocation,” Lino says today.

Now, on the very place where Pope John Paul II had spoken 17 years earlier, three bishops and 16 priests waited for Lino Flores. The 33 year-old Guarani could now put 15 long years of study and various pastoral experiences behind him. His family accompanied him in the entry procession. Musicians and others dressed in traditional clothing lead the procession. The 15 seminarians of the Vicariate were in the procession too, carrying photos of the earlier Oblate bishops, VERVOORT, LUCAS, and SHAW, as well as that of Father SEELWISCHE and of Lino's ancestors who had worked with the Oblates to establish the mission 60 years earlier.

The Vicar Apostolic of Pilcomayo, Mons. Lucio Alfert, OMI, displayed his own pleasure during the homily. Fr. Miguel FRITZ, OMI, the Vicar General, officially introduced the candidate for ordination. Then, following an old Guarani custom, Lino's father performed the ritual cleansing of his son with sacred smoke. After the bishop had anointed Lino's hands with the Sacred Chrism, the new priest rubbed the oils into his hair just as the local Shamans would do.

At the end of the ceremony, Lino expressed exactly what the Oblates, after 80 years in the mission, were feeling: “It is a gift from God!”

URUGUAY
A cooking pot for 5000

I've seen a lot of spectacular things till now, but this one beat them all.

In the shadow of World Youth Days in Cologne, in which a million youth met with the pope, in Uruguay too we had our day, on a national level, certainly smaller than in Cologne, but not in everything.

We met with the youth under the same slogan as WYD: “Bread of Life, a life to be shared.” It was certainly Christ, the Bread of Life, who was the celebrity of the day, as highlighted in the words of the hymn: “Blessed Sacrament, who gives me life and fills my spirit with strength, you make yourself so little, I take you in my hand and you come within me to extend your own work.”

I believe I lived a bit the experience of the disciples of Jesus when, even though they were hungry, they could not finish all the five loaves and two fishes that they had.

After an all-night trip, we set out at three in the morning, to challenging weather predictions of strong rain and wind all over the country. After a great welcome as soon as we opened the bus doors, we began the meeting.

All 4,500 of the young people seemed to be wrapped in joy. The music and the words of the bishop of Melo (the diocese that hosted the event) opened our hearts to this experience.

In the air, not only beautiful sounds touched our hearts, but also the delicious smells, especially of the risotto that the cook was preparing.

The gaucho/cook, wearing his typical cap, used a common mason's trowel to stir into a gigantic pan 150 chopped onions and more than 100 litres of oil before adding 500 kg of rice.

It was a great idea to have everyone sit down in small groups, with a wonderful warm plate in hand. How beautiful to see our bishops with their little knapsack and gym shoes stand in line for lunch. What a wonderful sign of unity to have with us almost all of our shepherds, and to have the youngest of them preside at the Eucharist. It was a powerful and touching moment.

It really was a beautiful day, a beautiful environment, beautiful weather, just a great celebration. We fully lived the motto, “ A life to be shared.” We shared everything: dinner, the feast, the Eucharist, our weariness, our joy, the journey, everything, with the confidence that September 4, 2005, for many will be an unforgettable date. Jesus made himself known just as He is, offering us a challenge: to be bread and life for others. Will we succeed? The 5,000 have been fed. (Fr. Antonio MESSERI, OMI, from Uruguay)

Anniversaries - December 2005

1935.12.08

06033

Fr. Jean Colas

Grandin

60TH Anniversaries of Vows

1945.12.08	08097	Fr. Pierre Kerzoncuf	France
1945.12.08	08594	Bro. Philip Nkuna	Natal
1945.12.08	08098	Fr. Henri Reignat	France

60TH Anniversaries of Ordinations

1945.12.21	07051	Fr. John O'Brien	Northern S. A.
1945.12.23	07518	Fr. André Rinchon	Belgium-Netherlands

50TH Anniversaries of Vows

1955.12.08

10597

Bro. Anton Raab

Germany

50TH Anniversaries of Ordinations

1955.12.08	09378	Fr. Bernard Rivoal	France
1955.12.10	08980	Fr. Albert Danker	Natal
1955.12.17	09305	Fr. Guy Fortin	Notre-Dame-du-Cap
1955.12.17	08957	Fr. Johannes Luhrenberg	Germany
1955.12.17	08621	Fr. Max Risse	Germany

25TH Anniversaries of Ordinations

1980.12.20	12283	Fr. Carlo Andolfi	Italy
1980.12.20	12376	Msgr. Joseph Shikongo	Namibia
1980.12.30	12407	Fr. Patrick T. Casey	United States

Suffrages for our Deceased

Name	Province	Birth	Died at	Date
Fr. Louis de Gonzague Magnan	Manitoba	29/12/1922	Manitoba	04/09/2005
Fr. Vernon Engele	Lacombe	15/05/1928	Saskatoon	05/09/2005
Fr. Armand Clabaut	France	22/02/1927	Lille	05/09/2005
Fr. Zygmunt Musielski	Assumption	07/04/1932	Toronto	07/09/2005
Bro. René Saint-Onge	N.D.-du-Cap	08/01/1913	Ottawa	08/09/2005
Fr. Michael Deis	USA	17/01/1921	Belleville	10/09/2005
Fr. Jean Mégret	Lacombe	29/07/1922	Black Lake	14/09/2005
Fr. Jean-Claude Zeltner	Cameroun	31/08/1921	Bry Sur Marne	16/09/2005
Fr. Joachim Campagna	Grandin	18/01/1915	Foyer Lacombe	17/09/2005
Fr. Joseph Trifiro	N.D.-du-Cap	26/07/1926	Richelieu	19/09/2005
Fr. Robert Pouliot	N.D.-du-Cap	29/08/1920	Richelieu	19/09/2005
Fr. Joseph O' Brien	USA	20/06/1928	San Antonio	22/09/2005
Fr. Bernard van Roosmalen	Namibia	21/06/1921	Tondoro	22/09/2005
Fr. Jean-Marie Chuffart	France	24/01/1930	Pontmain	26/09/2005
Fr. Ramon Pomaville	USA	15/02/1929	San Antonio	28/09/2005
Fr. Clément Couture	N.D.-du-Cap	09/10/1917	Richelieu	03/10/2005

"We will keep alive the memory of our deceased and not fail to pray for them,
faithfully offering the suffrages prescribed on their behalf." (Const. 43)


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