Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing

St. Benedict Priory Windhoek, Namibia

April- -July 2021 WPN 84

A HEALTHY, HAPPY SOLEMNITY OF ST. BENEDICT!

Peaceful greetings to all on this month of St. Benedict. We are ever thankful that technology allows us to share with one another our Priory’s highlights and activities regardless of the global pandemic.

April to July were festive months of the Easter Season, big Solemnities, the Solemnity of St. Benedict and Feastdays of Mother Simon, Formators and Sisters. With our festive celebrations, the pandemic has simultaneously strengthened its osmosis in Namibia especially Windhoek which is currently the epicentre in the government’s fight against COVID-19. We have been on lockdown since midnight of 16 June and hopefully it is lifted by the end of the month. On 11 July 2021, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle spoke on the TV program, Word Exposed these encouraging words, “We are probably thinking of new ways to conduct our lives in this so called “new normal.” Perhaps we can find inspiration from St Benedict who gave us three directions: to live our day as a prayer, to glorify God in our work and to be a good and holy example to others. In the new normal, may everything that we do is for God and not for self- adulation. St. Benedict reminds his monks of the importance of humility as stated in the gospel, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11 ) We have witnessed how pride has destroyed relationships, families and communities. As we continue with the new normal, it is time to honour God back to the centre of our life. St. Benedict, pray for us.”

Pentecost Sunday, 23 May 2021 Solemnity of Corpus Christi, 06 June 2021

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A Joyful Feastday of dear Mother Simon Lee, OSB by Postulant Azariah Ndinondjene Over the past months of gloom and thorns caused by the pandemic, our Sisters and Formandees in the Priory House were longing for some good news and positive vibes. On the 29 th day of June, Solemnity of Sts. Simon Peter and Paul, we celebrated the feastday of our dear Mother Simon Lee. The day began with the of a beautiful Holy Mass. Our Liturgy groups really collaborated together to prepare this day. Angelic voices could be heard from every corner of our small chapel, seasoned dancers showed their creative steps and Fr. Abbot Godfrey, OSB gave us an awesome homily. It seems like the sky was the limit of our joy; the day was filled with a message of love and restoration. We got a prerogative to go and enjoy our lunch outdoor at our newly blessed braai/camp kitchen (barbecue place). It was very exciting to eat our delicious lunch outside the refectory. After supper, we had a short program to congratulate Mother Simon on her feastday. It was well-prepared, short but still enthusiastic. The numbers were all about showing our gesture of love and appreciation. All the Sisters and Formandees presented their talents in amusing ways. We all pledge to remember our dear Mother Simon in our prayers always and support her in everything.

Celebrating Sr. Bonifacis’ Feastday by Aspirant Dagmar Mweneni

We gathered together in the refectory after lunch to sing for our Subprioress, Sr. Bonifacis Titus, OSB for her feastday on 05 th June. The Pre- Novitiate, Novices and Junior Sisters sang their songs and chorus which were about the blessing and thankfulness to God. The chorus that touched Sr. Bonifacis most and made her to also dance was the one from the Junior Sisters which says in Oshiwambo, “Kahuhwane hadhela nyoko nyoko onale ekuhadhele” (Little chicks, it is now your turn to dig food for your mother because she has been doing it for you.) This day was very enjoyable and unforgettable to everyone because every Sister and all the young ones were very happy. Everything was well done and the most important thing was: the Junior Sisters cooked a lot of very nice, delicious and well-baked homemade doughnuts for Sr. Bonifacis and the Community. 2

Priory House and RCH Communities Mother Simon co-facilitates General attend First Cluster Retreat Chapter of the Congregation of the Benedictine Sisters of Oshikuku Twenty-five Sisters (20 from the Priory House; 5 from the RCH Community) attended the first M. Simon assisted in the General Chapter of the Cluster Retreat in the Priory House with Fr. Benedictine Sisters of Oshikuku as co-facilitator Abbot Godfrey as facilitator. The retreat with the of Dominican Sister Mary Tuck, O.P. from 30 April theme, Faith took place from the evening of 30 to 10 May. She also prepared and showed a April to 05 May. Being a historian himself, Fr. PowerPoint on Benedictine Leadership and Abbot Godfrey began to recall our Salvation assisted the Financial Report of the Oshikuku History with Abraham, the Father of Faith Sisters. She shared that “I had a good impression followed by his son, Isaac whose faith gave him of their development in their various apostolates Esau and Jacob. The other faith-filled men chosen and educational attainment. It was a fruitful time by God to lead his people were the prophets and to learn and support one another as Benedictine judges. God chose us, descendants of Abraham Sisters in Namibia and perhaps in the future, the and we are the children of the promise of God to Oshikuku Sisters and our Sisters would come Abraham. One retreatant shared that Fr. Abbot together to share with one another our formation Godfrey gave a simple retreat of 30 minutes or and other activities.” less per session. He gave the retreatants more time to relax and pray.

Blessing of the Priory House Monastic Bell

In the presence of the Priory House Community, Fr. Abbot Godfrey blessed the common monastic bell near the refectory on 8 June. This bell was originally attached to the gate of the house of late Dr. Rüdiger, the former owner of the lot where our Priory House stands. His house is now our present Subiaco House in the Priory House compound. During the pandemic especially at lockdown, when one can hardly hear vehicles on the road and airplanes in the sky, the sound of the bell brings us to renew our life of prayer together and personally, spiritual reading, sisterly interaction in community and a deeper appreciation of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict.

UPDATES FROM COMMUNITIES

Priory House Community

Juniors experience God in nature by Sr. Mercy Gabriel, OSB

On 14 April 2021, the ten Juniors on Intensification Period travelled to Swakopmund for the seminar to experience God in nature. This was connected with the class we are learning from Sr. Germana Kim, OSB about the Desert Fathers, who experienced God in the desert. Swakop is a quiet desert place with interesting creatures, where one can really experience the presence of God in the beauty of nature. I found it a good place for those who love swimming like myself because of the big sea. It is also a place full of mountains, which is a symbol of God. This brings me back to the life of St. Anthony of the Desert who made

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himself a cave on the mountain just to experience God. I learned that the Desert Fathers were living in the desert because it is a good place to pray and experience God. This is what happened to us in the Seminar. This time was also our Easter Emmaus. After lunch on the first day, we went to Dunes 7 where we all wished to climb up to the top. But this was not easy as some gave up on the way and some tried their best to reach it. This was so enjoyable and I came to understand that life cannot be done all alone. We need others as when we were climbing, some Juniors were holding hands to support one another. This also reminds me of when He was sending his disciples two by two with the aim to help and support one another when one falls. The second day, we went to the Southern Cross at Henties Bay at the place for the seals (Please see insert photo.) This was awesome to see thousands of seals in and out of the sea which we enjoyed looking at. This was a good trip indeed which gave us good memories as we experienced God in different ways. We returned to the Priory House on 16 April.

Dr. Giorgio Bordin and family help the poor by Sr. Remedios de los Reyes, OSB An Italian family, Dr. Giorgio, his wife, Yolanda and two sons, Leonard and Gregory met our Sr. Theresia Shilongo, OSB in Windhoek in 2018. After Sr. Theresia introduced to them the missionary work of our Congregation, he and his family wanted to help the poor in Namibia. But because they live far, they asked Sr. Theresia to do this for them. Sr. Theresia made it clear to them that she is doing this for the missionary work of our Priory with the consent of Mother Simon. The beneficiaries of Dr. Giorgio’s little help are the prostitutes and those who are selling the grass and camel thorn tree pods in the neighbourhood. They collect the pods in the deep bush and sell these on the road from 5:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sr. Theresia buys the sacks of millet meal for 23 or 24 recipients and they come to collect with their face masks on while observing social distance in the Priory House parking area. Sr. Theresia tells them about the , Catechism and prayer when they come. Some are eager to pray. She also talks, listens and gives them advice. They write and sign their “Thank you” letter addressed to Dr. Giorgio and family every time they receive a sack of millet meal. Dr. Giorgio and family are always happy to receive their letters, photos and videos on them and accounting report from Sr. Theresia. The recipients consider the Sisters as their “mothers”, Dr. Giorgio as their father and his family, their family.

Guinea Fowls stroll freely in the Priory House by Sr. Remedios de los Reyes, OSB Guinea fowls are birds of the family Numididae in the order Galliformes. They are endemic to Africa and rank among the oldest of the gallinaceous birds. Many of them stroll happily in our Priory House compound. One day, while weeding the grass, the women workers found eggs of the guinea fowls in the field and brought them to Sr. Margareta Maria Kakololo, in-charge of the animal farm. She warmed them under the heating machine. The eggs hatched and lo and behold! came out small guinea fowl chicks. At present,

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there are 13 growing “teenager” guinea fowls inside the chicken net. One morning, one guinea fowl flew out and escaped. Sr. Prisca and Sr. Ottilia, assigned in the animal farm, could not catch it because it perched on a high branch of the nearby tree. That night, our security guards saw it looking for a hole where it can enter the net. They put it back inside. The prodigal “guinea fowl” chose to reunite with its domesticated fellows and chickens instead of joining the several wild guinea fowls running in the compound. Its return must be the assurance of food inside the net. The insert photos show our Sr. Ottilia feeding them and the guinea fowls in the compound. We don’t harm them (even our cats don’t chase them), that is why, they found a home inside our compound. Here is an info from Google, “Do Guinea fowls eat snakes? Thanks to their noise. Guineas are an excellent way to protect the yard from uninvited snakes. In a flock, guinea fowls will sound out loudly to alert you of the presence of a snake. If a snake is small, a flock may encircle the snake and may even kill it.”

Bethanie Community

Short Report from the Bethanie Oblate Candidates by the Oblate Candidates of Bethanie Community

Dear Mother Simon and dear Sisters in the Priory of Windhoek,

We, the Oblate Candidates of Bethanie send you greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father, who in His merciful love called us to follow him as Benedictine Oblate Candidates. We thank Him for this great blessing. We, the Benedictine Oblate Candidates here in Bethanie are still new members, but we can say that we have received already many graces since we were invited by the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing to join the group. We are still new but very eager to serve the Lord wherever we are needed. Every third day of the month, we pray the in one of the houses of our parishioners. The prayer is always well attended. Miss Maria Visser, one of our parishioners, fell sick. She called our Oblate Candidate Miss Erica Brandt and asked for prayer. Miss Erica informed all the members of the Oblates group and on 10 May 2021, we Oblates decided to pray the Rosary in the house of Miss Visser. Coming to her house we met also another sick woman who was waiting for us to join the prayer. She was very happy to be invited. Together we prayed the Rosary and sang some songs. The two ladies thanked us for our immediate response and were very happy. It was a blessed day as the Lord gave us the grace to join others in their need of prayers. We, the Oblate Candidates are very happy to be candidates of the Saint Benedict Group in Bethanie. May the Lord bless us all!

Yours in St. Benedict, The Oblate Candidates of the St. Benedict Group, Bethanie: Elizabeth Regina Shikongo, Veronica Zacharias, Erica Brandt, Regina Dorina Kooitjie, Laurentia Frederick, Vivian Hangula, Magdalena Marubela, Yvon Mara Goliath, Marietjie de Clerk.

Note: The insert photo was taken during the visit of Mother Simon in Bethanie on 03 March 2021.

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Namuntuntu Community

Sisters’ mahangu field saved from locusts by Sr. Beate Schröter, OSB

On the Third Sunday of Easter, 18 th April 2021, Sr. Beate, Sr. Venantia and Johnnie (worker) went up to our field to see our beautiful and big mahangu (pearl millet which is the major staple food for over 50% of the Namibians). When we came back from the field at around 4:00 p.m., we saw that many people have started making fire and we saw many locusts in the sky. We started making fire and made noise with anything we could find to keep the locusts away from coming to our field. The locusts did not like the smoke when we made fire and burned some old car tires. The locusts were going and coming and this happened until 8:00 p.m. After this, the locusts settled or quietly slept on the bushes by the riverside. Fortunately, Sr. Venantia had to talk to her cousin about a cow and she mentioned to him about the locusts. She got the cell number of the people in the government who were responsible for the locusts. They promised to come at 6:00 the next morning and true enough they came and they sprayed on the locusts. We still needed to make noise and make fire. When Midday came, many locusts were dead and the rest were gone. Looking at the heaps, it was a big number of locusts coming and going. We are grateful to the Lord that our field was saved but for safety reasons, we put around our fields used tires in case the locusts come back. Some days later, the locusts came back but attacked other fields and the government came again to eradicate the locusts. The insert photo shows Sr. Venantia Kavindja, Superior of Namuntuntu Community in the mahangu field.

Okongo Community

Sr. Wilma Theophilus, OSB turns 80 by Sr. Mary Clemens Hamukoto, OSB

On 06 June 2021, our Okongo Community had a joy of joining Sr. Wilma, OSB in thanking God on the occasion of her 80 th Birthday. She is the eldest and one of the pioneers of this community that was established in 2017. We had a festive lunch with a birthday cake cutting. At Vespers, Sr. Wilma made a thanksgiving petition thanking all those who helped her this far, especially her parents. During recreation she was asked to share some sentiments regarding her 80 th birthday. She recalls that she was close to both of her parents who are now gone ahead of her. When asked if her parents were happy for her decision to enter the convent, her answer was “Is there a parent who was totally happy for that choice…?” When asked how many they were in her batch, she answered with a smile that they were 12 candidates, and she was canonically the youngest of the group under Sr. Ehrengardis Wehrmeister, OSB. According to her, she enjoyed her nursing career very much which she is thankful for and owes much gratitude to Sr. Dr. Gabriela Dress, OSB and Sr. Marita Haarmann, OSB, from whom she learnt a lot specifically on midwifery. The community congratulated Sr. Wilma and wished her well as we ended the Day with Compline. 6

Roman Catholic Hospital Community

Centenary Patient, The family was very grateful and the mother sent Stefanus Simbenda can see again! a huge pumpkin and spinach for the Sisters. We by Sr. Augusta Kunz,OSB are all happy about the outcome and thank God wholeheartedly. In connection with our Centenary project, we received a call from Sr. Elizabeth Bikers pray at Windhoek Hospitals Haingura that a young boy had by Sr. Augusta Kunz, OSB an injury on the 23.12.20. By working with thorn bushes in the field a thorn penetrated his left eye. A full week later they came to Tondoro and asked Sr. Elizabeth for help. She phoned Sr. Oranna immediately, it was already late afternoon. Sr. Oranna phoned Dr. Brandt, one of our ophthalmologists and inquired, whether it is worthwhile to send the patient down after that relatively long time. Dr. Brandt said: "Yes, it is worthwhile and I will try to help him.” Sr. Oranna phoned Sr. On Saturday, 26 June 2021, a group of 60 motor Elizabeth and told her that the patient with the bikers from different clubs from Windhoek and father should come immediately and they Okahandja came to visit 6 hospitals in Windhoek climbed into the bus on the same evening and to pray for patients, healthcare workers and reached Windhoek at 7:00 a.m. The patient was family members. One organiser, Ms Natasha v. told to fast. Sr. Oranna brought them to the eye- Heerden was inspired and motivated by Matthew clinic; Dr. Brandt examined the eye and was 18: 20:"For where two or more are gathered in shocked, the thorn had gone right through the my name, there I am with them". They came to lens of the eye. The doctor had a serious talk with the RCH at about 7:50 in the morning, about 60 the father and suggested an immediate operation. bikes of all makes and sizes, filling the parking At 9.00 a.m. Stefanus was on the theatre table; he area in front of the hospital and the Church. They was operated under a full anaesthetic. On the had beautiful music for the whole hospital and following day he went back to the doctor and he whoever was on the way, windows opened and was prescribed different eye drops. The doctor people came out to see what was going on. We was hopeful that he could save the patient's went out, watched, listened and admired so many vision. He was allowed to go back to Tondoro on drivers with their motorbikes. After the soothing 29.12.20. The doctor was very concerned, that music the organizer said a long prayer, reminding the boy would not play soccer or any all of us that God is with us and that we can trust uncontrolled game that a ball could land in his in him. As an "Amen" for the prayer all motor eye. He had to come back in the middle of January bikers started their engines. to remove one stitch and to have his eye While the music was playing, a lady came with a examined and measured for the lens. He had to beautiful red protea with this flag on: “This we come again end of April to have the lens declare upon you: GOD is for you, mighty warrior, implanted. It was a successful operation and 2 nothing can be against you! From the Prayer days later the patient could go back to Tondoro. Warrior Ride.” Because this was such an extra-ordinary case, the The whole ride was well organized and at the end doctor wants to see him once a year. He will get they let 3 balloons into the air. We were all touched glasses 6 weeks after the operation; that can be by the music and the attempt to cheer up the done in Rundu. The father learned how to put the patients and the nursing staff and tell them, they drops into the boy’s eye and he was very are not alone. We all appreciated their visit and meticulous about it. That helped the boy a lot. waved them Good bye and See you again !

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Shambyu Community ARRIVALS: Hearty Welcome Home!

A Spiritual Weekend with the 18 June- Sr. Wilhelmine Iita arrived from our Youth Motherhouse in Tutzing, Germany for her by Sr. Peregrina Kandere, OSB and Sr. Bernita Shilikomwenyo, OSB homeleave. 14 July- Sr. Pia Iita arrived from the Priory, Philippines after finishing her studies.

IN MEMORIAM- May you rest in heavenly peace with the Blessed Trinity surrounded by our Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven, all the angels and saints singing and dancing for your coming and presence in everlasting life.

Our dear Sr Peregrina In celebration of Good Shepherd Sunday also known as Vocation Sunday, Shambyu Kandere, OSB peacefully held a spiritual weekend for Maria kind, passed on to eternal life at Bloukring and Jongwag from 30 April- 02 May the Roman Catholic Hospital 2021. The spiritual weekend was held under the in Windhoek on 04 July 2021. theme, “St. Joseph, a man of DREAM, SERVICE AND FIDELITY”. The participants in the workshop hailed from different outstations of Shambyu. Sr. Peregrina and Sr. Bernita also Our dear Oblate participated as resource speakers. Sr. Peregrina Hildegard Sheyavali enlightened the youth on the Liturgy with focus “Meme Hilde” on the Celebration of the (Pls. see Sr. returned to her Peregrina in the insert photo.) Sr. Bernita talked about DREAM (careers and vocations) in loving Creator at the relation to the life of St. Joseph (The husband of Katutura State Mary). Hospital in Windhoek on 03 July 2021. HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS,

SR. PIA! Our dear Oblate Candidate Sr. Pia Iita graduated with Ouma (Grandmother) the degree of Bachelor of Veronica Zacharias was Science in Nursing at St. called home to God in Paul University in Manila, Bethanie, of Philippines on 22 June Keetmanshoop on 25 June 2021. We wish to express 2021. our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Mother Adelaida Ygrubay, Mother Mary Thomas Prado Many thanks to all our Contributors! and the Manila Priory for their hospitality, guidance and prayerful support during her The Editorial Team: Sr. Remedios de los studies. May the good Lord bless and reward Reyes, OSB, Sr. Stephanie Zamoras, OSB, Sr. you all abundantly. Antonia Shilunga, OSB and Sr. Maria Goretti Nekaro, OSB

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