NUNTIA Newsletter of the Congregation of the Mission

2021 FEBRUARY WE HAVE BEEN LEFT WITHOUT CARNIVAL...

Two years ago I participated in the quickly to needs and understand However, our gaze cannot remain Carnival in the north of . It that a simple virus can bring down only here. The Church gives us a was a party atmosphere with typical the entire world economy. time to rediscover ourselves in truth dresses and an environment full of The mask of “care of the planet” before the Lord, without masks, joy. People painted each other’s faces disappeared, as we could witness the without disguises, and perhaps with with colors and gradually formed true oxygenation of the world when the only mark we need on our faces – a mask so that it was difficult to human beings stopped invading all that of the ashes of conversion. recognize each other from so much spaces. This time invites us to rediscover paint or chalk. But, as usual, when the masks fall our true face, the one that marks This year, due to the well-known off, we can begin to see the faces, our identity as children of God, as pandemic, we have been left without which showed us, perhaps, those followers of Jesus Christ, Evangelizer carnival and in many places this who would have wanted to continue of the poor, as a missionary absence was felt. We are left without covering the faces of the poor, of community. He invites us to take off the music and joy of “Rio,” without those who were left with nothing, our costumes and put on the Spirit of the glamour of “Venice,” or even without even the possibility of Jesus Christ. without the dances and colors of our feeding their children; the face of We have the challenge to look at the own places. the sick, of those who were not face of those at whom no one looks, But thinking a little further, the “priority” left in the waiting with the poor, those who have no face for pandemic not only removed the their pain; the face of the elderly in society. The challenge is to remove masks of the carnival, but it also solitude, many of them spending the masks that cause so many social was able to remove so many years in this situation, bearing injustices, to bring God to those other masks from our societies. It silence and depression; the face empty hearts. removed the masks from the health of those who have died in extreme True, we are left without carnival, systems, where we have realized solitude, without a hand to sustain but not without joy. We are their precariousness in many of our their departure, like that of relatives witnesses and bearers of the true countries, and that health was not for who had to resign themselves with Joy of the Gospel. “all” but for a chosen few. just a few ashes between their It removed the masks from economic fingers without the possibility of models that could not respond saying goodbye. P. Hugo Marcelo Vera, CM The vocation of a brother in the CONGREGATION OF THE MISSION

Narrow definitions of rich realities are live out the purpose and lifestyle of to testify that “they accepted a brief of often not helpful. They restrict our the Congregation in full equality with this kind and submitted themselves to understanding rather than amplify it. the priests and clerics, while doing so it.” The number of brothers who signed Here, rather than define, I will attempt in a lay manner. at Sant-Lazare over the course of a few a broad description of the vocation days was almost equal to the number of brothers in the Congregation of 2. In the footsteps of Christ, they vow of priests. Brothers made up 1/3 of the the Mission today, leaving room for to serve the poor for their whole lives, Congregation at that time. further developments in the future in community, and to live in chastity, just as there has been considerable poverty, and obedience. 3. They are committed to a life of daily evolution in the past. From the start, brothers in the prayer in common with the priests Below, I offer seven key elements in the Congregation, like the priests, and clerics of the Congregation. vocation of a Vincentian brother today pronounced vows. In fact, the brothers In his comments about brothers, and tomorrow. As is evident, some of showed up in force on October 22, Vincent spoke again and again about them were key elements in the past 1655, when Vincent asked the confreres their prayer. He told the priests, the too, even if with different nuances. to gather at the Motherhouse for a sisters and the seminarians how reading of the papal brief Ex Commissa impressed he was by it. Personally, 1. Brothers in the Congregation of Nobis, approving the four vows of the over the years, I have been struck by the Mission are lay men living in Congregation. It was quite a day! The the same phenomenon: some of the community, together with priests brief was read aloud in and then, most prayerful confreres whom I have and clerics, following Christ the for the brothers, in French. Those ever known (as far as one can judge Evangelizer and Servant of the Poor. present was asked to sign a document externally) have been brothers. The emphasis here is on the lay vocation of brothers. While Vincent in his time strongly accented the lay aspect of the brothers’ vocation, he did so within a highly clericalized framework. For him, explicitly, the dignity of priesthood far outshone that of being a brother. Though Vincent treated the brothers well and most of the brothers loved him, they were often regarded as servants of the priests in the Congregation. In the twenty-first century, the dignity of the lay vocation has received a new emphasis, with particular stress on the universal call to mission, the universal call to holiness, and the universal call to create a civilization of love. Brothers are full members of the Congregation, called to embrace and On the bottom line, a life of prayer, service, and mutual friendship is what draws people to communities. As Vincent often noted: someone who prays can do everything; someone who does not pray is empty. In this context, Vincent’s statement that the brothers exercise the office of Martha clearly needs considerable nuancing. While brothers often joyfully assume Martha’s servant role in community, they also eagerly take on the listening/praying role of Mary. Today, I know brothers who bring of the Congregation. Mutuality is 4. In responding to the universal creative competence to setting indispensable. The formation process call to holiness, they strive, in their up websites and animating local for a candidate for brotherhood will lay vocation, to grow in the five communities through song and art. flow from this dialogue. characteristic Vincentian virtues of Brothers serve as treasurers, provincial simplicity, humility, gentleness, self- planners, heads of local comunidades 7. While the general outline of the denial, and zeal. de base, instructors in high schools Congregation’s formation of brothers Francis de Sales had an enormous and universities, translators, leaders is described in the Ratio Formationis, it influence on Vincent. Today, many say of prayer, catechists, presiders at must be creatively adapted to the age that Vincent was more “Salesian” than services of the Word of God, ministers and talents of candidates. “Bérullian.” Vincent often referred to to the sick in their homes and in As with all members of the Francis’ book The Introduction to a hospitals, and, directly or indirectly, as Congregation, formation for brothers Devout Life, where the universal call servants of the neediest. is a lifelong process. Here, however, to holiness is described in detail. let me offer a precision. Sometimes If the five virtues are central in the life 6. Their age of entry and their we think of ongoing formation as an of all members of the Congregation, educational level at the time of entry obligation to continue our formation they seem (if one may say this) all will vary. after the period of initial formation the more characteristic of the life As in St. Vincent’s time, much will has ended. Written from that of brothers, since so much of their depend on when a candidate hears perspective, the Ratio Formationis service is often humble and hidden. God’s call, on the gifts God has given treats ongoing formation in its eighth him, on his attraction to and ability to and last chapter. But it is really the 5. The scope of their service to the poor live the Vincentian vocation, and on other way around. Ongoing formation and to their Vincentian community is the discernment process into which should be first! Lifelong formation is extraordinarily broad. he will enter within the community. the basic, underlying obligation for It embraces “traditional” forms of In other words, there is no single type all of us. It is crucial for our growth manual labor that enrich daily life in of brother, no mold. This creates a and continued renewal. The various community, as well as a remarkably challenge. In the vocation of a brother, stages of formation (what we call broad variety of other services. perhaps even more than in the vocation “initial” and “ongoing”) should fit into Today, a huge number of ministries of a priest, reciprocal discernment a coherent lifelong process. Someone lie open to brothers. In my lifetime, about how a brother might best serve who at any time stops being formed I have known brothers who served is essential. The Congregation is stagnates and dies. joyfully as farmers, cooks, electricians, called to listen to the gifts and desires plumbers, carpenters, drivers, of the candidate. The candidate is P. Robert P. Maloney, C.M. teachers, and computer specialists. called to listen to the hopes and needs SYNTHESIS OF THE WORK in the meetings of brothers

On January 21, 2021, the Brothers of the we present below. We are aware that missionaries. Clerics and laymen are Congregation of the Mission and other they do not collect all that was reflected equally missionaries, consecrated interested confreres met in a webinar and said in the meetings. We believe by vows to the evangelization of the in two sessions. The first session was that this synthesis can serve to indicate poor. And being equally missionaries, aimed at missionaries from COVIAM, to us the continuity of the work of the sharing our faith and life in a way that CEVIM and APVC, and was attended Commission, as well as of the Provinces clearly answers the question, why enter by 45 confreres. The second session and the entire Congregation, in the the Congregation to do what I can do as was reserved for CLAPVI and NCV implementation of the Plan for the a Lay person outside of it? missionaries, 44 confreres attended. Promotion of the Vocation of Brother. Vocational Ministry is pointed out as The main subject addressed in the one of the most important areas to online meetings was the analysis of 1. Of the different sections of the Plan begin this change in mentality. The the Plan for the Promotion of Vocation for the Promotion of the Vocation Brother’s vocation must be made of Brother, which was carried out by of Brother, which elements do you known with force, if possible with language groups. In these “chat rooms” consider most convenient in the current the presence and participation of questions were answered that helped to situation of the Congregation? the Brothers themselves, making reflect on the Plan, and many relevant There seems to be a general consensus visible to the upmost the variety of points were also dealt with about the on the need for a change in mentality and ministries that the Brothers develop, actual experience of the vocation and to value the vocation of Brother, which from the most humble services to the the reality of the Brothers. is the task of the entire Congregation, most modern ones. The Commission for the Promotion each Province, all the Communities and In this sense, it appears as a great of Vocation of Brother has made each missionary. The current emphasis concern and a challenge for the a synthesis of the answers to the on Vocational Culture can help us to do Congregation, how to carry out this questions posed in the groups, which so by insisting that we are all Vincentian vocation promotion in the Provinces where there is no longer a presence missionary, equally attentive to all The Domestic and Provincial Assemblies of Brothers. candidates, appears again, a formation must be attentive to promote the As another priority area there appears in which we can learn to dialogue and input of the Brothers in all decision- the importance of the formation of treat each other with simplicity. One making, reflection, work and pastoral our own. There is a need to introduce proposal appeals for an initial formation ministries (vocational, formation,…). the possibility of being a Brother into for all, a pastoral time for all and a later This is how the Brothers can also be the the initial discernment phase of all election for priest or brother. protagonists of this change in mentality. candidates. Several reflections point to We must reflect and take into account The General Assembly should reflect an equal formation of all candidates, the economic dimension of the on the clerical character of the which would help a lot to bring about ministries carried out by the Brothers. Congregation. The common vocation a true change of mentality. And other This aspect is closely related to the is that of missionaries, which baptism answers point to a truly integral training received. gives us all and our vows underline. formation of the Brothers. It has been noticed that congregations And understand that the Brother of brothers attract more vocations vocation is a complete vocation in 2. Of the different sections of the Plan for today. One proposal called us to itself. Today, Saint Vincent, would you the Promotion of the Vocation of Brother, create a local Community made up just want us to be a congregation that what elements are missing in the current only of Brothers. And assess whether, is only clerical or a congregation that is situation of the Congregation? over time, it becomes a focus of clerical and lay as well? Every effort must be made so that this vocational attraction. Several contributions refer to the Plan is carried out, so that it does not It would be appropriate to meet language used to speak of the remain only on paper, and true equality other communities with brothers to Congregation and its members. can be lived among all missionaries. help us develop the identity of the Although an inclusive use is advocated, In order for the Brothers to be true brother in 2021. with the expression of Vincentian protagonists of this process, they need missionaries, there is a proposal to make to have more frequent encounters. This 3. Of the different sections of the Plan the double reality explicit, changing the will promote good communication and for the Promotion of the Brother’s name to “Congregation of Fathers and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. Vocation, what elements do you think Brothers of the Mission”. The emphasis is on fostering a broad should be dealt with in the domestic vocational discernment, of the call to Assemblies, so that they could be dealt be a Vincentian missionary, not biased with in the Provincial Assemblies and towards the priestly vocation. could reach the General Assembly of The formation, integral, of a Vincentian the Congregation? BROTHER LÁZARO DIAS

A native of Patrocínio, Minas Gerais, How did you get to the Congregation What is it like to be a vowed Brazil, Brother Lázaro Dias turned of the Mission? Vincentian Brother? eighty years old in 2020. On the occasion of the Missions I To be a vowed Vincentian Brother is For almost 60 years he has been met with Father Ézio, Father Dásio to fulfill one’s commitments to the serving God and the poor in the and Brother Meirelles. I talked to Br. Province: what he is asked to do and Congregation of the Mission, now Meirelles and on Friday I decided to what is best for him to do. We learn it he is living in Casa Dom Viçoso, in go to Belo Horizonte and to Petrópolis as we live and participate. It is in this Belo Horizonte. In this interview, he the next day. We got there and the sense that we develop our vocation. shares when he became aware of his first superior I met in the house Good books help us to understand vocation and talks about the specific in Petrópolis was Fr. Guimas who what the consecrated life of a brother nature of being a religious brother. welcomed me very well. I prepared is, remembering the “I” of Christ. for my perpetual vows there. My first He said that he was the brother of Where were you born and do you assignment was to Rio de Janeiro. the apostles, of the disciples. Jesus, remember when you became then, put himself in this way. Jesus aware of your vocation? When did you become assured of put himself as a brother, living to I was born in Patrocínio, on March 9, your vocation? serve, assuming commitments in 1940. I always attended the Church, When I left home for this purpose, the house and not forgetting the the Mass and the Conferences. When I didn’t even know what a brother’s pledge of evangelization. Through I had such contact with the poor, life was. There was one thing I this participation, we learn to be I always saw that image of Christ always said, to God and to myself. a brother who serves God and his in them. The sick Christ, the sick Someone asked me: Are you going neighbor, especially the poorest, the Christ. And then I offered assistance to the seminary to become a priest? I despised or the sick. working in a hospital. Once a nun said: no. I am going to serve God in a asked me: “Wouldn’t you like to be different way. So I started to figure it a brother? I told her: “I don’t know. out and to this day I am continuing to But eventually, the grace of vocation find out what a vocation is and what a came to me through that awakening. brother’s vocation is. In this regard, I have been carrying out the will of the How did your family live out religion? Congregation of the Mission, the will I have always had fond memories of of the Church and the will of God. praying the Rosary with my mother. The confirmation of my vocation was She used to put my nephews and to assume the commitment, saying nieces underneath me, all praying. “yes” to God and to myself, always Sometimes we would pray on our repeating: I am in God’s hands, I am knees, together, in the silence of God. in God’s will. There are moments In that sense, in my heart, in God’s of joy, moments of sadness, but heart, I understood this grace. And, we do not let them toss us around. in that sense, attending the Church Here, what we do before God is and taking part in the Conference synonymous with a commitment. held that union. Out of that union, Because vocation is a gift. And one came the sense of loving God and responds to that vocation, to that neighbor, as I have already said and I commitment of ours on a daily basis. repeat, especially the poor, whom we work with in the Vincentian spirit. What is the great Vincentian How do you feel celebrating 80 Creator. So I was learning to pray, legacy in 200 years of their years here in the Vincentian to be in tune with God, to be quiet. mission in Brazil? community at Casa Dom Viçoso? In the silence of God, so that we live It is to love the poor and the despised. This 80th birthday reminds me of the with the confreres and live according This is the meaning of the work of past: how I have lived these 80 years, to God’s will, discovering it day by the Vincentian confreres, carrying my daily life and these more than day, through prayer, good reading, out the evangelization according to 50 years of consecrated life. Thus, especially the life of St. Vincent and the will of God, as St. Vincent did. I have learned, in living together, the life of Jesus Christ himself. In Christ, he discovered love for the to endure, to love, to forgive. And poor. Thus, in this way, he was able to so I am continuing to walk, despite What do you wish for the world establish the Congregation and the the difficulties of age and health in 2021? structure of the work of the confreres problems, but I do not let myself get More unity. As the law of God says: in his lifetime. Now then, we always carried away. What I can do, I will do. I love God and love your neighbor as speak, share with the confreres about will not leave it for later. But do I miss yourself. What enriches us very much, humility, about charity - which is not the past? Yes, one thing reassures what pleases us very much and what only the basket of donations that me: I didn’t stay for nothing. What I encourages us is this phrase. God is we offer - but the charity is to live could do, I did, serving the Church, so divine that he is human. God is as together, supporting one another entering the Congregation. human as he is divine. To live without and walking side by side to discover fear, with courage, because we are and help one another, which is our What do you like to be most made for this. Vincentian vocation. These poor, we engaged in these days? are sometimes one of them, are how I am going to take a moment to by seminarians Yuri Jesus we live the Vincentian life. distract myself a little, to get out of and Sacha Leite These retreats and gatherings that my room, out of my house, watching rise and wake up the vocation in nature, especially the one next to the us, the love for the poor. To love Mineirão stadium. Just by looking at God is not enough. We have to nature we keep in mind the Creator love the other, this is the second and this makes me reflect, it makes commandment of God. me raise my thoughts to God the Learning from a vincentian Nobel Prize Nominee A Vincentian priest has made literally in a huge garbage dump. A city built from a question it his life’s work to “go out to These “garbage people” were among the margins” of society and the “throw-away” society left by “I saw hundreds of barefoot and try to restore dignity to the the wayside in a world fixated on the dirty children, perhaps thousands, “living scraps” of a “throwaway “good life”. competing with pigs, rats and culture”. Pedro Opeka CM, has other vermin for food scraps in the been nominated for the Nobel “Akamasoa” is a “solidarity movement garbage”. He knew he could not pass Peace Prize… again. to help the poorest of the poor, has them by. So he went to learn what he “God’s Mason,” “Mother Teresa with provided homeless people and could do. Pants,” “God’s Soldier,” “the Apostle families with 4,000 brick houses”. It But the locals asked: “Hey, white man, of Garbage” and “the Revolutionary has also helped to educate 13,000 what do you want?” The bias against a of ” are but a handful children and young people, according “white” person in a country that still of the nicknames given to Father to Catholic News Agency . remembers the suffering caused by Pedro Opeka. He is also a recipient of white colonizers was palpable. ’s Legion of Honor and several He certainly should be an inspiration He told those confronting him that he papal awards. on steroids for the Vincentian Family’s was a missionary priest and that he “13 Houses Project”. Vincentians are wanted to speak with them, but not “13 Houses Project” on steroids. in the midst of a world-wide effort “out here, invite me into your home.” to emulate St. Vincent’s 13 houses By home, he meant a cardboard He has been the “Good Samaritan” or projects for the homeless in every structure that was some three feet for so many in Madagascar living country or region. tall. He had to crawl on hands and knees to go in, and when they sat on pavers) to build or repair the roads • and building relationships the floor -a carpet of garbage- the roof and bridges to help communities takes time was barely inches above his head. in the villages and all over the • time, in this case decades Certainly not what Vincentians think country. They have set up their own requires inspiring people with a of as a “home visit”! local government. common dream That is when he asked the question • dream, in this case the future of that started it all. “Do you love Homes built by those formerly living in their children. Enabling people your children?” “Of course!”, they a garbage dump and forty years later to accomplish that dream said and began telling him of their the unfolding of this collaboration has dreams for them. been movingly told in a Beverly Hills John Freund Building on that sliver of common Golden Palm award documentary. Oh ground, “Let’s work together, give yes, he was a student of Pope Francis. them a future.” (1967-1968). Father Pedro Opeka then taught the people how to divide and sort Lessons from a Nobel prize nominee the rubbish, to sell the compost created from rubbish, and to create Systemic change starts with small agricultural farms. Akamasoa meeting people where they are also trains construction workers (bricklayers, carpenters, cabinet • no matter where they are makers, operators and street physically or spiritually The congregation of the mission is present in the parish of boganangone, diocese of m’baïki, central african republic RWANDA-BURUNDI REGION OF THE PROVINCE OF COLOMBIA

On 7 February 2021, at 8:00 a.m., and the Daughters of Charity in 400th anniversary celebration of three confreres from the Rwanda- that country. The Superior General’s our Charism, the Rwanda-Burundi Burundi Region, Province of response was to commit himself to Region desired to associate itself with Colombia, flew from Kigali, Rwanda speak about this with the confreres the Vice-Province of Cameroon in to, Central African Republic in order of the Cameroon Region. accepting the pastoral responsibility to respond to the missionary call of the Parish of Saint Daniel Comboni, made by the Bishop of M’baïki and In 2012, the Daughters of Charity Boganangone in the M’baïki Diocese. approved by the Superior General of of the Central African Province For this purpose, two young confreres the Congregation of the Mission. responded to this missionary call and were chosen to work with two other sent four Sisters to begin a mission confreres from Cameroon. This The long story of the mission’s in the M’baïki Diocese. Thanks missionary adventure started at the preparation was placed humbly in to them, we had the opportunity beginning of 2017. the hands of the Lord, under the to see this diocese’s needs. Our protection of the Virgin Mary. In Rwanda-Burundi Region wanted to During the send-off celebration, fact, in 2005 our Superior General, collaborate quickly in responding to our Regional Superior highlighted Father Gregory Gay, received a this missionary invitation. these points: letter from a bishop of the Central African Republic, also signed by With the agreement and • Saint Vincent shared emotionally different branches of the Vincentian encouragement of the Superior the testimony of the first Family, requesting the presence of General, the Visitor of Colombia and missionaries who worked for the Congregation of the Mission their Councils, in the context of the reconciliation through the means of the missions. • The Diocese of M’baïki’s reality needs our help, associated with the Cameroon confreres. • The Church always calls us to the mission and Pope Francis reminds us in a special way of a “Church which goes forth.” • Our mission is community involvement. We are sent by the Church, the Congregation, the Province, the Region. Those who leave are sent and those who remain accompany them with prayer and affection. • We are celebrating our the delay due to the pandemic and Nshimiyimana and Juan Ávila will charism’s 400th. the war in that country, the trip was go to a parish of the M’baïki Diocese possible on Blessed Rosalie Rendu’s for a period of two months in order This first experience had a lot of feast is not without meaning. to begin to get used to the language, difficulties and, in the end, it was culture, and pastoral work before interrupted. God’s blessings are beginning going to the Saint Daniel Comboni Today, after many doubts and to become evident through the Parish in Boganangone, which the difficulties, we respond again, various graces received: the fraternal Bishop entrusts to the Congregation convinced of the M’baïki Diocese’s support of our confreres and the of the Mission. pastoral needs and of the grace of Daughters of Charity in Rwanda; having received a missionary vocation. the welcome of M’baïki’s Episcopal We confide ourselves to your prayers The Superior General and the General Vicar and the Daughters of Charity so that we may know how to follow Curia, as well as our Visitor and his of Bangui; the meeting and welcome Jesus Christ, evangelizer of the poor, Council, support this commitment. of Bishop Guerrino Perin, Bishop of under the Virgin Mary’s protection There is no doubt that the fact that a M’baïki, and His Eminence Cardinal and at the school of Saint Vincent, Region as small and limited as ours Dieudonné Nzapalainga. seeking to love from now on the is giving this missionary response, brothers and sisters whom the Lord however small, is already a gesture Our Regional Superior, Father Néstor has wished to give us in this country. and an expression of our Christian Gómez, has committed himself and Vincentian identity. We do so in body and soul to the realization of the context of the 150th anniversary this mission and accompanied us of the arrival of the first Vincentians on the journey and the beginning Father Juan Ávila in Colombia. The fact that, despite of the mission. Fathers Innocent February 2021 Bulletin What’s Cooking in Sierra Leone?

It was another rainy morning at kitchen which is so dilapidated and Leone. The missionaries serve several the Vincentian missionary house. A has become impossible to make use thousand faithful at the parish, four puddle was forming on the kitchen of whenever it rains. This has become parish schools with 1,500 students floor from the rain. The cook struggled a matter of concern and needs urgent ranging from pre-school to secondary to keep the fire alive on the floor of the attention.... I request that you use school, and several outstations. The kitchen. The priests moved their chairs your good office to assist the Province VSO team was impressed by the to keep the rainwater from disturbing of Nigeria, to build a better and more management skills of the confreres their breakfast. The cook looked down decent kitchen for our confreres.” and the final renovation. The confreres to avoid seeing the missionaries’ sad The confreres put together a cost- had quickly advanced the project. faces. The two Vincentian missionaries effective plan for the renovation of They managed costs effectively, couldn’t imagine another rainy season the decrepit kitchen. They elaborated and presented photos of a colorful, in this shanty of a kitchen. Fr. Cyril the project and budget in neat well-equipped functioning kitchen. Mbata, C.M., provincial superior of handwritten script, scanned the It led us to comment, “What’s for Nigeria wrote a letter of support, dated pages, and sent it to the VSO. The dinner in Sierra Leone?” The project July 28, 2020: “In my last discussions list included construction materials, transformed the kitchen from with Fr. Jeremiah Agada, C.M. kitchen utensils, small appliances, dilapidated to delightful. Frs. Agada and Fr. Princewill Uche, C.M., they and labor costs. Renovations included and Unche have a dignified kitchen complained about the nature of their electrification, masonry, painting and to live community and receive guests. carpentry. As the project progressed, The cook, too, observes the changed they frequently shared messages and morale of the Nigerian Vincentian photos of the renovation work. Each missionaries - happy for the support of dispatch showed the confreres with the VSO and building God’s kingdom wide smiles. The messages included in Sierra Leone. In the months words of appreciation to the VSO and ahead, the Vincentian missionaries benefactors, “Thank you for keeping are planning with the VSO to dig a our hopes alive.” The final report borehole well to introduce water to contained photos of the project and the parish and 15,000 locals. an inventory of the purchased articles. Each budget item and cost was neatly recorded by hand: a grand total of Water is Life for Village in under $5,000 USD. Vietnam In September 2017, Frs. Agada and Uche were sent from the Province of The Vinh Vincentian Community of Nigeria to Sierra Leone. They were Lang Nam Parish, in the province the first ever Vincentian missionaries of Vietnam has a water problem. assigned to the parish of St. Columba’s Aluminum and other heavy metals , Moyamba, Sierra contaminate the land and water. The GENERAL INFORMATION

water is not safe to drink. It causes New Sprinter Van Means seminarians. So now only one vehicle all sorts of health problems for the Reliable Transport for Seminário needs to make the trip, saving 3000 inhabitants here. Buying water Vicentino Nossa Senhora das money on gas. And since it is new, is possible, but too expensive for Graças, Curitiba, Brazil it is certain to make the whole trip people who are mostly rice farmers. and the seminarians are sure to be at They suffer from skin and stomach The seminarians of Seminário their classes on time. The seminary issues and even cancer. The local Vicentino Nossa Senhora das Graças community also uses the new bus Vincentians proposed putting Curritiba Brazil live 15km (9.3 to get to events like weekend parish together a water purification system. miles) from where they take their ministry, retreats, special Masses, The parishioners volunteered time classes. The area in which they live is and social outings. and effort. The rectory was able to industrial. There is heavy traffic and clear out a room for the tanks and no sidewalks. Public transportation they hired an expert to manage the from this area is difficult to access. set up. He will be monitoring the Also, the busses do not run on a system to make sure all is well in the reliable schedule. Using it can make future too. Local youths plan to help the seminarians late for class and can with deliveries of the clean water even be dangerous. The seminary to locals who need it. The water is had two older Volkswagen busses available to the entire community that they used to make the trip. But all day for free. The people are being these only have capacity for 9 people taught the benefits of clean water. and break down often. So, they asked Improvements to health and well- the VSO for assistance. We were able being are sure to start soon. to help with the financing for a new Mercedes Sprinter bus. This vehicle seats 20, and right now there are 18 GENERAL INFORMATION

NOMINATIONES / CONFIRMATIONES

BARTA Szabolcs 24/02/2021 Regional Superior Hungary

24/02/2021 HOLC Paweł Janusz Visitor Poland (starts 07/04/2021) 24/02/2021 MROCEK Jozef Director HC Slovakia (starts 22/07/2021)

ORDINATIONES

MARTINEZ Diego Sac ARG 21/02/2021 NECROLOGIUM

Nomen Cond. Dies ob. Prov. Aet. Voc. PALMA PALMA Alfredo Sac 03/02/2021 COL 83 64 ADHANOM Mezgebo Sac 04/02/2021 AET 61 34 MORKIS Jorge Sac 07/02/2021 CUR 82 65 RÍOS ATENCIO Teodoro Sac 07/02/2021 ORL 73 51 SANTOS NOGAL Maximiano Sac 08/02/2021 POR 79 62 MONTALVO MARTÍN Emilio Sac 15/02/2021 COL 89 69 DIALA Richard Ikechukwu Sac 19/02/2021 NIG 67 45 MARINO Calogero Sac 20/02/2021 ITA 90 73 ACCIARRI Tommaso Sac 21/02/2021 ITA 77 59 ABETRIA Raul Sac 22/02/2021 PHI 67 45 KANGLER Franz Sac 23/02/2021 AUG 70 52 AGUILAR NINAPAYTAN José Marino Fra 25/02/2021 PER 59 19 SOMMELLA Riccardo Sac 27/02/2021 ITA 97 78 GRILLO Filippo Sac 28/02/2021 ITA 97 79

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