Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing St. Benedict’s Windhoek, Namibia

WPN 67 January to April 2016 INTERNATIONAL STARTS IN WINDHOEK PRIORY

By Sr. Remedios delos Reyes OSB The new year started with intense preparation for the opening of the International Novitiate. But in retrospect, almost a year was spent on meetings and discussions on the setting up of the program and on application for visas of the foreign formandees. After three attempts, the visas of the Angolan formandees were finally obtained. This first step set into motion the realization of the international novitiate. Conceived by the General Council and approved during the International Formators Meeting in June 2015, the International Novitiate is a response to the formation concern of and regional houses that have few formandees and lack full time formation personnel. This is a new venture for our Priory but certainly not the first one in our Congregation. We call to mind the earlier International in Kenya and in Rome. The International Novitiate starts in Second Year Postulancy. This means that the formandee has already spent some time in her home priory before coming to Namibia. Technically, the formandee will stay until Canonical Novitiate and will return to her home priory or regional house for her Senior Novitiate year and prepare for first profession. On a case to case basis, however, the novice can also extend her exposure until Senior Novitiate.

Left - Right: (standing) Sr. Remedios delos Reyes OSB, Sr. Raphaela Mlwilo OSB, Sr. Margaret Mary Shintango OSB, M. Mary Thomas Prado OSB, Sr. Abraham Kang OSB; (seated) Nov. Immaculada, Nov. Ines, Nov. Ndapewa, Nov. Rosemi & Nov. Sophia. Left: Novices Ndapewa, Sophia, Ines & Immaculada receive the Constitutions during their initiation. Right: M. Mary Thomas OSB and Sr. Raphaela OSB (Novice Directress) puts the veil on Novice Rosemi

The first group of novices who make up the International Novitiate are: Novice Ndapewa Ngesheya (Namibian), Novice Sofia Leblo Paulo (Angolan), Novice Inês Tchikaleta Tchopetu (Angolan), and Novice Imaculada Cassinda Vissesse (Angolan). They were formally initiated on February 9, 2016. An additional member is Novice Rosemi Mariya Nakshathram (Indian) who bravely travelled alone from India to Namibia arriving on March 14, 2016. Even though she is a senior novice, she joins some classes of the canonical novices which she has not taken up in Punalur. It was deemed necessary that the group enhance their command of the English language and so their first months were spent with intensive classes in English under the tutelage of Sr. Roswitha Pelle, a Sister of the Holy Cross. Although it was agreed that this program will be evaluated after completion of one year, Mother Mary Thomas Prado OSB and the formators concerned think it best to do a mid-year evaluation of the program in order to address issues and concerns at an early stage. Likewise, Sr. Katarina Mutango OSB, formator of Angola, will come to the Priory to follow up the Angolan novices. This program certainly strengthens the internationality of our Congregation. Mother Angela Strobel OSB, our Prioress General, gives the wider perspective to this endeavor – “we should put in mind that we are accepting and forming candidates into and for the Congregation and not only for our respective priories.” Windhoek Priory certainly shares this objective and places itself at the service of the Congregation.

THREE ASPIRANTS ACCEPTED INTO POSTULANCY In preparation for our acceptance to Postulancy, we had our retreat in our Priory House By Helvi Matias, Justina Hairwa on February 5 to 8, 2016 facilitated by Sr. Agrippina and Marianne Sirongo Ashipala OSB. The retreat focused on the importance and primacy of our prayer life. The following day, the 9th of February, Mother Mary Thomas received us into Postulancy in an acceptance rite held in the chapter room in the presence of the Priory House community. We were also entrusted to our Directress, Sister Antonia Shilunga OSB, who will journey with us in this next stage of our formation.

2 Page As we place our trust in God, the author of

our vocation, we continue to ask for prayers knowing that the door that leads to life is narrow at the outset, as our Holy Father St. Benedict says. Page 3

giving giving - Dzikowicz Dzikowicz

GOING GOING

-

and and from the Year of Consecrated

”

” . refectory. Leave Leave all selfish thoughts and attitudes, leave behind all ’ “ s jubilarians came together for the joint celebration of their ’ By Sr. Elizabeth Haingura OSB Haingura Sr. Elizabeth By

This year FORMATION RENEWAL FORMATION By Sr. Margaret Mary Shintango OSB Shintango Mary Sr. Margaret By ANNIVERSARIES PROFESSION OF February February 9, 2016. Sr. Wilma Theophilus OSB renewed the vows she By By the grace of God I am what I am “ on professed 50 years ago while Sr. Shilengifa OSB, Sr. Elizabeth Eveline Nekongo OSB Haingura and Sr. Faustina OSB, Nauyoma OSB Sr. Marianne renewed their commitment of 25 years ago. The jubilarians firmly decided to renew their vows in Catholic the Hospital communities presence only, that of is, without the any them, outside Priory guest. their For Benedictine House community and is the the commitment to God one Roman in the last with 50 and whom 25 years. Fr. they Justin lived OSB presided in their the Jubilee Mass at 10:00 AM which was then followed by Sisters in the lunch golden and silver jubilees of religious profession at the Priory House chapel

JUBILARIANS CELEBRATE GOLDEN AND SILVER SILVER AND GOLDEN JUBILARIANS CELEBRATE

Year Year Cycle Renewal Programs by canonical groups started this year 2016. The first -

FIRST GROUP SISTERSOF FIRST JOINGROUP ON The The jubilarians thank God for their calling to religious life, especially in the Congregation of the This This first experience of a renewal by canonical group was greatly appreciated. Not only did it In his closing reflection, Fr. Swartbooi encouraged the participants to continue their self The The Three Fr. Fransiskus Swartbooi OSFS guided our Sisters in a series of reflection sessions using the The most participants, of them aged 60 between to 85 years old, graciously participated in all the Golden Jubilarian All 23 participants pose for a souvenir Fr. SwartbooiFr. OSFS photo facilitator, with Sr. Sr. Wilma Theophilus OSB three three Sisters gathered together on January 29 to 31, 2016 in the Priory House for a time of looking not destroyed by the changing seasons. seasons. changing the by not destroyed Missionary Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing. It is members because that of they Him have alone reached and through this parents who first planted the the seeds stage of faith, letting them fall on community good soil and of taking care that they are their journey. Likewise, they are grateful to their

follow our Lord with with our Lord follow hearts. expanded As our Sisters move on in on in move Sisters As our they journey, religious their to to continue are called provide provide a sense of prayerful gratitude and renewed enthusiasm but it also reconnected the Sisters with ends. never to discipleship call the growing in of challenge the Indeed, profession. in their companions kinds kinds of bitterness and envy, get well! that rid are be and you who Be attachments. ethnic of the poisoning mentality of prejudice, false pride and foolish and to grow in spiritual and human maturity: hope. hope. activities, came punctually to the sessions. the throughout and attentive active remained session room armed with their pens, notebooks and bible, and inspiration from 1 Cor. 15:10: Life: Gratefully remembering the past; living the present passionately; and embracing the future with - to looking of and journey, the ofpresent stock of taking life, religious their of on the years gratefully back the Lord. served have who those of joy the with years future the cluster was of composed Sisters Professed who Perpetually are 40 professed years Twenty and above. Their gratitude also goes to Mother Mary Thomas and the Priory Government for allowing them to celebrate their thanks- giving celebration with the community. All the prayers, preparations and arrange- ments done in the Priory House contributed to the joy of the celebration. Finally, the jubilarians look forward to still more fruitful years in the Lord’s service trusting that all things work together for the good of those who love God.

Silver Jubilarians (L-R) Sr. Marianne OSB, Sr. Elizabeth OSB, Sr. Faustina OSB & Sr. Eveline OSB

JUNIOR-INTENSIFIERS PARTICIPATE IN THE PAN-AFRICAN INTENSIFICATION PROGRAM By Sr. Matilde Shikongo OSB and Sr. Sabina Zolonimu OSB

We, Sr. Matilde and Sr. Sabina, had the privilege of participating in the Pan-African Intensification Program which was held in Ndanda Priory from November 2015 to March 2016. The other members of the group were: Sr. Joyce Nzuyu and Sr. Agnes Mrosso from Ndanda Priory, Sr. Pachomia Bongue from Angola, and Sr. John Paul Marunga from Jinja Priory.

We started our program with a pilgrimage to different places where our foremothers and fore- fathers stayed from the 1880s until the beginning of 20th century. We thank God that we have seen our mission stations in Pugu, Msimbazi, Nyangao and other places in Tanzania with our own eyes instead of just reading or learning about them from books.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Mother Terese Zemale OSB and all the Sisters of Ndanda Priory for the time we have spent together and especially for their hospitality. We have been greatly enriched by their guidance, support and care. They have been truly companions on our journey. We also acknowledge all our knowledgeable facilitators, teachers and the organizers of the program, especially the Prioresses and formators of our priories in the African continent. This experience indeed forms an integral part in our preparation for our future final commitment to God in the missionary Benedictine way of life. FORMANDEES CELEBRATE PATRONAL FEAST OF STS. MAUR AND PLACID By Novice Kathalina Nzaro

This maybe an annual celebration but formandees always look forward to this feast and never fail to experience fresh inspiration and joy. As usually practiced, the duties of the day in the Divine Office and in the refectory were divided among the formandees. Fr. Abbot Justin presided over the Eucharistic celebration and recalled to mind the virtues of the two young .

The formandees’ places in the refectory were well-prepared and decorated with gifts and flowers, thoughtful gestures from Mother Mary Thomas and the house council. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the formandees decided to have some physical game – they played netball in two teams - St. Maurus and St. Placidus. Sweets provided after the game were greatly appreciated. Simple joy for full hearts. An evening program with numbers from the different groups – aspirants, postulants, novices and juniors - concluded the evening. It was a joyful day with a 4 Page lot of experiences to be thankful for. May Sts. Maur and Placid continue to inspire and intercede for the perseverance of all the newcomers in our Congregation! MSC SISTERS JOIN JUNIORATE CLASSES By Sr. Joyce Iipakwa OSB

Following closely the recently-revised Formation Manual of the Priory, classes in the Juniorate are now regularly held every afternoon. Furthermore, the subjects or courses are spread out in two semesters – January to May and August to December. The teaching staff is composed of our own Sisters and outside professors.

As the classes progressed, two Junior Sisters of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) started to join some of the Juniorate classes – an arrangement made between Mother Mary Thomas and Sr. Letitia Andowa, newly-elected Provincial of the MSC Sisters. Sr. Verena MSC attended two classes - Moral Theology and Liturgy taught by Fr. Fransiskus Swartbooi OSFS. On the other hand, Sr. Permeria MSC attended Church History and Missiology taught by Hermenigildus Beris CMM. It is for certain that this sort of collaboration among religious communities is of important value in the formation of the young members of the two congregations.

PRIORY REPRESENTATIVES ATTEND BECOSA MEETING 2016 By Sr. Margaret Mary Shintango,OSB

This year’s meeting of the Benedictine Communities of Southern Africa or BECOSA was held at Lumko Retreat Centre in Benoni, Johannesburg, South Africa on February 15 to 20, 2016. Seventeen major superiors and formators of Benedictine communities in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, which comprise the regional coverage of the association, were present. Mother Mary Thomas was unable to attend the meeting because of her teaching commitment with the Junior-Intensifiers in Ndanda Priory in Tanzania. She sent Sr. Margareta Mary Shintango OSB, Sub-prioress, and Sr. Boni- facis Titus OSB, Priory Councilor, to represent her in this annual meeting. Special guests were Fr. Abbot Primate Notker Wolf OSB, Fr. Mark Butlin OSB who represented AIM, and Fr. Robert Igo OSB. Coming from Christ the Word in Zimbabwe, Fr. Robert was the speaker on “The Smoke of Satan”. He said that in the words of St. Benedict we enter the monastery to do battle for the true King Christ the Lord (Prologue 3) and we are trained to fight against the devil (RB1:4). Eventually, at the end of the meeting, a statement was released by BECOSA entitled: The Relationship Between African Religious Beliefs and Practices, Satanism and Monastic Profession. This statement will be discussed in communities and a feedback is to be given to BECOSA. The action points in this meeting were: reminding major Superiors of the importance of BECOSA and their attendance in the meeting, financial honesty or honesty of monks and sisters in matters concerning money, sharing information about vocations, formators and initial formation work- shops to be held later in the year. Among the highlights of this meeting were the election of the new secretary and an additional executive member of the organization. There was also a thanksgiving celebration for the 25th Anniversary of BECOSA (1991-2016).

FR. ABBOT PRIMATE NOTKER MAKES SURPRISE VISIT By Novice Reginalda Kamari

Arrival of guests coming to our Priory House happens often. But on the 19th of February, there was a surprise visit of a special guest. Fr. Abbot Primate Notker Wolf OSB called the reception phone that he was on the way to our Priory House. This was a Saturday morning when most, if not all, of the Sisters and formandees do heavier manual work than usual and are scattered all over the entire property as far as the fields

and animal farm. So in a speed of light, the community was Page 5 Page gathered together to welcome Abbot Primate who was

accompanied by his two relatives. After celebrating the Holy Eucharist in our chapel with some of the senior Sisters, Abbot Primate shared lunch with us in our refectory. After the meal, he addressed the community encouraging the Sisters to continue building up authentic Benedictine communities, to be always open and ready for new ways of doing mission work, and to reach out to the poor. He then met briefly with Mother Mary Thomas for some business.

As Abbot Primate expressed his appreciation for the work of our Congregation and our Priory, he also requested that we extend our help to struggling Benedictine communities especially in our part of the continent. He then blessed the community and concluded by saying, “Let us serve our Lord in joy. “

FR. DAVID BYARUHANGA TALKS ON “The Healing Ministry of Jesus and its Continuation in the Church Today” By Sr. Anselma Samuel OSB Our Priory was blessed to have Fr. David Byaruhanga from Uganda who talked on Jesus’ healing ministry and its continuation in our present time. Fr. David was in the country as the guest speaker of the priests’ conference which was held in Doebra. Fr. Thomas Manninezhath CMI, then Secretary General of the Namibian Catholic Conference (NCBC), offered his services to the Priory through Mother Mary Thomas.

Even with the short notice, there were more than 60 religious and lay men and women who came on February 19 at 3:00 PM to listen to his sharing. Besides our Priory House and RCH communities, also in attendance were the Holy Cross and MSC Sisters and our . A scripture scholar and a leader of the charismatic movement in his country, Fr. David rooted his talk on sickness and healing in Jesus’ healing ministry and power. He also shared in detail about the “powers of darkness” and the practices that continue on today such as witchcraft and satanism. He encouraged the audience to be faithful to prayer, to trust God and to get the spiritual strength and protection from Jesus. We thank Fr. David for his interesting sharing and the NCBC for sharing their resource with us.

FR. ABBOT GODFREY SUBSTITUTES AS RESIDENT CHAPLAIN By Novice Reginalda Kamari

Fr. Abbot Godfrey Sieber OSB, former abbot of Inkamana – South Africa, substituted Fr. Abbot Justin for almost 2 months as our resident chaplain. The latter is still in the United States for medical treatment. Fr. Abbot Godfrey arrived with Brother Bernard OSB and guests from Germany on February 24 driving all the way from South Africa to our Priory House. While in the Priory, he was completing the writing of the second volume of the history of the Missionary Benedictine Fathers of St. Ottilien. He also facilitated the retreat in German of our Sisters in Swakopmund on April 26-30, 2016 which was also participated in by some religious and priests from other congregations. Likewise, he presided over

the Holy Week and Easter Triduum services in our chapel. 6 Page

We are truly thankful to Fr. Abbot Godfrey for all his help and to Fr. John Paul OSB, of Inkamana Abbey, for allowing Abbot Godfrey to be with us.

WALK WITH CHRIST LENTEN PILGRIMAGE By Sr. Joyce Iipakwa OSB

On the 12th of March, a number of Sisters and formandees from the Priory House participated in the Walk for Christ, a Lenten pilgrimage organized annually. The pilgrimage started at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 7:30 A.M. Fr. Walter Juptner OMI led the opening prayer followed by the photo credit: https://resources.osv.com photocredit: opening remarks by Fr. Joseph Hatutale OMI, parish priest of St. Mary’s.

The 13-kilometer walk from the cathedral to the Poor Clares’ Monastery was organized by the Ambassadors of Worldwide Brotherhood. All religious congregations of men and women, seminarians, and different parishes in Windhoek were represented. Both old and young walked together. The City Police guided the procession as the pilgrims crossed the roads and streets while praying and singing. Sr. Bakhita Ameya, OSB read and led the Tenth Station prayer assigned to our Congregation. Vicar General, Fr. Werner Afunde, and seven concelebrating priests celebrated the Holy Mass at the Poor Clares’ Chapel. Sr. Antonia Shilunga, OSB read the Prayers of the Faithful which was assigned to us. Snacks were served to all after the Mass. The City of Windhoek buses were hired to bring the participants back to their respective places.

FORMATORS ATTEND HEALING OF MEMORIES WORKSHOP By Sr. Raphaela Mwilo,OSB

Sr. Margareta Mary Shintango OSB, Sr. Raphaela Mlwilo, OSB and Sr. Marie Therese Ameya OSB participated in the Healing of Memories Seminar-Workshop held at Greiter Conference Centre in Brakwater on March 11 – 13, 2016. The workshop was organized by Fr. Teddy OFM and the Franciscan community of Holy Redeemer Parish. The main facilitators were Lizette and Brother Sidney OFM.

The participants were led to process their own memories and life experiences that needed healing through activities such as drawing, sharing and praying. The participation was engaging and active. We thank Mother Mary Thomas for giving us this opportunity and Fr. Teddy for giving these three slots to our Priory in this fully-funded workshop.

OBLATES HELP PROMOTE VOCATIONS By Sr. Remedios de los Reyes, OSB

With the aim of helping promote vocations to our Congregation and Priory and to introduce the Benedictine Oblates’ way of life, our faithful Oblates attended the 9:00 A.M. Sunday Mass at St. Benedict Parish Church in Okatunda on February 21, 2016. Fr. Joseph Saju MSFS, parish priest of St. Augustine Parish in Soweto and St. Benedict Parish in Okatunda gave time after the communion to introduce our Oblates to the parishioners. Fr. Saju, Deacon Kletus and the Parish Council were grateful for our Oblates’ presence in these two parishes. Our Oblates have started to take more active role in working side by side with our Sisters. Aside from their regular meeting every 3rd Sunday of the month, they also do out- reach work, attend talks and workshops held in the Priory, and participate in the liturgical services and big celebrations of the Priory. The team in-charge of the formation of our Oblates are: Sr. Remedios de los Reyes OSB, Sr. Josephine Ebuluaja OSB, Sr. Lydia Risto

OSB and Sr. Antonia Shilunga OSB. 7 Page

Oblates with Sr. Antonia during a parish visit. Missionaries’ Comings and Goings By Sr. Joyce Iipakwa OSB and Novice Reginalda Kamari

We bade goodbye to two foreign missionaries who were recalled to their home priories. Sr. Margarida Seculo OSB was recalled to her home Priory – Torres Novas. She left for Angola on January 15, 2016 after almost 5 years in Windhoek Priory. Sr. Margarida helped in the Procura in our Priory House and in Bunya as the community treasurer. Like- wise, Manila Priory recalled Sr. Bernadette Asuncion OSB after 13 years of missionary service in Namibia. She left on Sr. Margarida Seculo March 8. Her last assignment was in the Archbishop’s Office as the secretary of Archbishop Liborius Nashenda OMI. We thank our Sisters for all their generous service to our Priory as well as to the Church in Namibia and to our people. May God reward you abundantly! Sr. Bernadette Asuncion

We happily welcomed Sr. Abraham Kang OSB who arrived on January 20. Sr. Abraham was the former Prioress of Seoul Priory and her last mission assignment was in India. She is assigned in our Priory House community and will help in the formation of our young members. Sr. Agnes Mulala OSB arrived on January 28 after 5 years of mission in Olinda Priory, Brazil. She stayed for some months in the Priory after which she left for her new mission assignment in Angola on April 7. Our Priory was blessed with yet another missionary in the person of Sr. Domingas Candimba OSB who arrived from Sr. Abraham Kang Angola on March 16. As a nurse, Sr. Domingas is currently assigned in our Roman Catholic Hospital community in Windhoek. May we share a time of grace with our new missionaries! Sr. Domingas Candimba SISTERS COMPLETE STUDIES AND TRAINING By Sr. Joyce Iipakwa OSB and Novice Reginalda Kamari

Sr. Scholastica Kaliki OSB arrived from Kenya after the successful completion of her studies in Social Communications at Tangaza University College in Nairobi, Kenya. She was away for three years. Sr. Scholastica is now assigned at the Social Communications Center of the Namibian Catholic Bishops Conference (NCBC) and is stationed in our RCH community.

Sr. Bernhardine Nepolo OSB and Sr. Marie Louise Munambabi OSB returned to our Priory on March 25 after completing their One Year Book- keeping Course at St. Scholastica’s College, Manila, Philippines. Sr. Bernhardine resumed her work in the Procura while Sr. Marie Louise returned to her community at St. ’s mission in Outjo.

Sr. Bernhardine & Sr. Marie Louise with Sr. Mary Frances Dizon OSB, President of St. Scholastica’s College & Mrs.

Virginia Fornias, Vice President for Academic Affairs Page 8 Page

Congratulations dear Sisters and welcome back! FIRST CLUSTER RETREAT: Mercy in the Gospel of Luke and the RB By Sr. Remedios de los Reyes OSB

The first cluster retreat held in our Priory House, which started on the evening of April 25th until the 30th, was facilitated by Fr. Abbot Joel Macul OSB. In line with the Year of Mercy, the theme centered on mercy and compassion as found in the Gospel of Luke and in the Rule of St. Benedict. Fr. Abbot Joel opened the retreat by saying that it is “Sabbath time” when we recover who we are, when we restore our energy and sense of shalom or well-being, and when we need to let go and let God come back to our lives.

Fr. Abbot led the retreatants to listen closely to the Gospel of Luke which is a Gospel of remembering, of mercy, of women, and a Gospel of prayer and mission. St. Benedict structures our life in the Gospel and to show this, Abbot Joel gave us references to the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles in the Rule of Benedict. There we see the parallelism on prayer, hospitality, meals, community life, humility, service, peace, ownership, compassion, the spirituality of place and many more. He ended the retreat with a conference on Mary who, as first disciple, represents the best of the community. We thank Fr. Abbot Joel for his calm and peaceful presence and for guiding us to renewal in these days of retreat.

Communities all over the Priory responded to Mother Mary Thomas’ challenge to celebrate our 95th anniversary of foundation by setting up projects for three advocacies: for the poor, for women empowerment and for care for creation. PRIORY HOUSE COMMUNITY: “Share-the-Warmth” Project and Projects for Care for Creation By Sr. Remedios de los Reyes OSB

“Share-the Warmth” project was raising money for buying blankets for our poor people. Winter in Namibia could be harsh and many poor people do not have heating systems in their homes. They build fires and warm themselves around the fire or cover themselves with layers of clothing. Last year, there were even reported cases of deaths because of the winter cold and the lack of warm clothing. Mother Mary Thomas spearheaded the project and donations came from friends and relatives of the Sisters from Germany, the United States, Philippines and Namibia. Likewise, the money we saved from our Lenten fasting was also put into this project. A total of 220 new blankets for adults and 220 blankets for The newly-constructed bio-sewage system children were given to our 11 communities or mission stations. The Sisters, in turn, distributed them to the poor people. at the Priory House property, Nubuamis. 9 Page

The Priory House community had two projects for care for creation. Water is an important and endangered resource in Namibia. With little rainfall, drought is a real threat to our life and sustenance. Our two projects concentrated on the conservation of water – water tanks and the bio-sewage system. Additional 10 water tanks of 5,000 liters each for collecting rainwater were put up. Thus, we are able to store 50,000 liters more of water for watering the plants and for cleaning. The bio-sewage was a project started during the time of Mother Maria Ignatius Glaser OSB but it took nearly 2 years for the municipality officials to approve it. This system recycles all our waste water in layers of filters which we now use for watering our plants and vegetables. Water tanks were added to collect the recycled water and pipes were constructed to bring the water to the vegetable greenhouse and the orchard for fruit trees that is soon to be cultivated when the winter season is over. The bio-sewage system is also in compliance with the government’s requirement for proper treatment and disposal of waste water.

M. Mary Thomas and Sr. Marita Haarmann giving blankets in DRC in Swakopmund.

SHAMBYU COMMUNITY: Project for the Poor By Sr. Imelda Shimbenda OSB

Shambyu community prepared a garden and planted Luzern, a kind of grass for food for cattle and pigs. The community plans to sell the grasses and use the money to help our poor people in their various needs.

Usually, we gather poor people and bring them in our car to the Ministry of Home Affairs and other offices in Rundu so that they can be registered for pension or can settle their other documents. This is a great help for our people who cannot afford to pay for their transportation in going to government offices in Rundu.

ST. MICHAEL COMMUNITY: Project to Empower Catholic Women By Sr. Felicitas Mufenda,OSB

Considering the distance between Outjo and St. Michael, it was not easy for our Community to decide on a project for the poor. In St. Michael only the Sisters, teachers and children of St. Michael Mission come to church. Except for visitors, people outside St. Michael do not come to the Mission for Holy Mass. Therefore, our Community went to Outjo and found some jobless women and discussed our ideas for a project with them.

The first project was to pray together as a group. The second aimed at helping them achieve

their goals: to sew, to bake “fat cakes”, to sell sweets and chips, to make dried fish, to plait hair, to Page 10 Page make braai meat and salad and sell them. We decided to help the women to buy the things they needed to start their small business and the total amount we spent was N$ 2302.27. We meet the women only once a month in Outjo because of the distance. Up to now the project is going well and the women are happy to have something to do that brings in income for their families. RUACANA COMMUNITY: Project for the Poor By Sr. Isabella Petrus OSB

A challenge our community faces is continuing the first evangelization in remote parts of our parish area. We joined our , Sr. Gertrud Akundungila OSB, on April 17 to visit Otjandjamuenyo, one of the small communities in our parish near the Ruacana waterfalls. The members of the community come mostly from the Ovahimba, Ovathimba and a few Ovawambo tribes.

Our first activity was to celebrate Communion Service with the people. Due to lack of priests we do not have Holy Mass in our parish regularly. We can really see our people’s desire to hear God’s word. It also seems that they do not have anyone to help them who can fully understand and speak their language. In spite of this challenge of communication, Sr. Gertrud was able to prepare the elderly and children to receive the sacraments. Although a lot of work still needs to be done to deepen their understanding of why they have received the sacraments, however, they seem to grow and remain steadfast in their faith.

After the Communion Service, we spent some time to listen to the people’s concerns. We then distributed the blankets given to us by the Priory House community. The people were very happy to receive these since winter has started. We, in turn, are grateful to Mother Mary Thomas and the Priory House community for this support to help our people. May we continue to put more effort at helping the poor in our midst.

Reflection on the International Juniorate Program (IJP) “When Jesus says “Yes”, nobody can say “No” By Sr. Likuwa OSB

I left Namibia on November 24,2014 and arrived in Rome the next day .The Sisters in our Casa Santo Spirito welcomed me well. I thank God that I was one of the seven Junior Sisters to attend the International Juniorate Program 2015. During my one year stay in Rome, I have experienced and learned a lot about our international congregation and community life. I enjoyed my stay in the community with different people from different continents, countries and cultures and different ways of thinking and understanding. I thank the Sisters of our Casa community for their love and care.

We were given an opportunity to attend different classes essential to our missionary Benedictine spirituality. I am grateful to all our teachers for their good input and insights. In our apostolate, we inter- acted with and assisted the refugees and the homeless. We participated in the pilgrimages held during the Weeks of Encounter. On our free days, we visited and prayed at many holy and famous places in Rome and outside of Rome. Through these pilgrimages, I have gained a deeper understanding of how God can work wonders to those who believe and trust in him.

On September 15-19, 2015, we attended the World Meeting for Young Consecrated Men and Women. We were encouraged to wake up the world, to be strong and faithful to our vocation, to be fruitful in our missionary work, to be joyful and courageous men and women of communion. On the 23rd of November, I bade goodbye to our Casa community. I am so grateful to God, to Mother Angela Strobel OSB, to Mother Maria Ignatius Glaser OSB and to Mother Mary Thomas for giving me this opportunity to participate in the 2015 IJP. Likewise, I thank Sr. Antoinette Adelman OSB, fellow Junior Sisters from different priories and regional houses and all the Sisters for the year-long journey shared together and for helping us grow in our spiritual life. We shall stay united in prayer.

That in all things God may be glorified!

EDITORIAL STAFF: Sr. Remedios de los Reyes OSB PHOTOS & LAY-OUT: Sr. Angeline Arceo OSB 11 Page

Sr. Joyce Iipakwa OSB CONSULTANT: M. Mary Thomas Prado OSB

Nov. Reginalda Kamari