Jan-Apr-2009
“Glorify the Lord with me;
together, let us praise his name.” (Ps. 34:4)
Introduction:
Dear Co-workers in the Lord’s Vineyard,
As the Church still relishes or enjoys the triumphant message of the
Resurrection, the Liturgy continues to help us see the significance of the movement
from the cross, from our acceptance and glorification of it, on to a
disposition of courageously embracing whatever crosses we encounter in life and
deriving strength from them. This attitude of brave acceptance and being one
with the Lord in his suffering would eventually lead us to the nourishment of
our spiritual life since such experience can truly educate our heart, and
enable us to discover the blessed value of suffering in our lives.
Indeed, Easter is the process of Christ’s death and life that goes on in
each one of us- just like the transformation that makes the caterpillar emerge
from its dark cocoon into a beautiful butterfly. The dying and the rising
proves that, what we have experienced during the Lenten journey and culminating
or ending in Easter, is a continuous process throughout our lives. Because of
this reality, we cannot help but recognize and acknowledge the people who come
into our lives to touch and help us fearlessly endure the demands of the dying
and rising process.
Hopefully, such resurrection experiences in our lives - such opportunities
for new life- would make it possible for us to be ambassadors of hope to our
broken, wounded world, to many perplexed families, in our struggling parishes, and
even to troubled individual lives.
With this reflection, allow me to greet you and the whole
of the Archdiocese:
The visit of Pope Benedict XVI - Africa
The Holy Father’s
visit to Cameroon and Angola,(17 – 23 march
2009) takes on a significant note on these three levels/areas:
- First, to confirm and affirm
the African continent through his apostolic visit, thus calling the
African Christians to take ownership of the Church as ambassador of peace,
reconciliation and justice. In this manner, he also expressed his
communion with the African Church.
- Secondly, he came to Africa to present the “instrumentum Laboris”( working
document) in preparation for The Second Special Assembly for Africa of the
synod of Bishops, which will take place in October (5 – 26 October 2009) in the Vatican. The theme will
be: “The Church in africa in Service to reconciliation Justice and Peace:
You are the salt of the earth …you are the light of the world.” (Mt.
5:13 - 15)
- Thirdly, he calls the African
continent to rebuild itself in the Spirit of peace, justice and
reconciliation, in order to fight all evils affecting our human condition:
(i.e. lack of education, health,
housing, etc.) The Pontiff warns the continent against war, violence,
corruption and HIV/AIDS infections. He calls agencies, groups, governments,
and diplomatic representatives to unite forces in helping to rebuild
Africa, if only to make it a place of peace and harmony. The Holy Father was warmly received by
more than 50 Bishops from Southern Africa.
Let us continue to pray for our Holy Father for the gift of courage and
good health.
Confirmations:
Confirmation had been conferred at the following places, during the Easter
celebrations; Dornfeld = 15; Holy
Redeemer Parish = 47, (including the catechumens from Khomasdal, Katutura and St. Mary’s
Cathedral.)
Year of the Priest
The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has declared as from 19th
June 2009 (the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus) to 19th June
2010 as the Year of the Priest. The Holy Father stresses the fact that
the purpose for this celebration is in order to encourage the priests to strive
for spiritual perfection, for it is on this, above all, that the effectiveness
of their ministry depends. Necessary ideas will be discussed with the priests
so that we can appropriately and profitably celebrate this year in our
Archdiocese. Meanwhile, I call upon all the faithful in our parishes to pray
for our priests, especially as we convene during the Sunday masses.
CCN – Annual General
Meeting
The CCN- member Churches will hold its Annual General Meeting on the 14 –
17th June 2009. We shall deliberate on the role of the CCN into the
future, the election of the new Secretary General and our role in the upcoming
Presidential and national elections. This will also be a venue and an opportunity
for the CCN to meet the representatives of all political parties in order to
share with them our expectations from them, assuring the democratic process
without intimidation and violence from all sides. We would like to maintain our
hard-earned peace in our motherland.
Meeting with the
President of the Republic of Namibia:
His Excellency
L. Nghifikepunye Pohamba
As CCN-member churches, we had the golden opportunity to meet our President
on the 2nd April 2009 at the State House. With an open mind and heart, the
President received us, as he does annually, to consult us on national issues
and to report about the achievements or shortcomings as far as the government performance
is concerned. Moreover, we were given the chance to share with him our various
concerns as leaders of the different CCN-member churches and vice-versa,
singling out the devastating floods which befell both the northern and
north-eastern part of our country, expressing our solidarity with those
adversely affected .
Jubilee Celebrations:
v Silver Jubilarians: Sisters Friedberga Akawa osb,
Sr. Cecilia Shikesho OSB, Maria Leopoldine Shivolo OSB, Theophila Shikongo OSB ( all of OSB-Oshikuku); Sister Bonifacis Titus OSB and Sr. Venantia Kavindja OSB (both from
OSB-Tutzing)… have celebrated their Silver Jubilee on the 06th
January 2009 in Oshikuku and Nubuamis, respectively.
v Ruby Jubilarians: Celebrating their 4oth anniversary of Monastic Profession were Sr. Dorothea
Emmanuel, OSB and Sr. Josephine Shikongo, OSB.
v The recent Golden Jubilarians
were: Sr. Angela Abraham OSB (on 06
January 2009 at the Oshikuku Parish); Sister Angela Haver OSB and Sr. Ortrud Schwer, osb at the St. Benedict Priory – Nubuamis, also on 06 Jan.
2009.
v First Profession/Vows: the following young religious,
from different Congregations, have pronounced their First Vows at different
places:
1) On the 06 January 2009 – at R.C.M. Oshikuku Parish :
Sr. Sylvia Negumbo OSB; Sr. Wilma shikongo
OSB; Sr. Rosalia Hishiningwa OSB and Sr. Agnella Nangolo OSB. All belong to the
Benedictine Sisters of Oshikuku
2) On 10 January 2009, Sr. Lovis Erastus,
MSC pronounced her First Vows in the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of
the Sacred Heart at R.C.M. – Okatana.
3) On 29 January 2009, five Oblate Novices
took their First Vows at St. Joseph Parish, Döbra: Brothers Daniel Chanda omi,
Sefatsa Qopane omi, Benny Lipalata omi, John
Kariza, omi and Paulus Modupe omi.
v
Final Profession
1) Srs. Anna shilongo OSB and Christiana Alweendo celebrated
their Final Vows on the
06 January 2009 at St. therese of
the
child Jesus Parish
in Oshikuku.
2) Srs. Giselinde Shivolo OSB -tutzing and francis Nambala OSB-
tutzing,
made their Final Vows on 06 January 2009 at the
Priory in Nubuamis.
3) Sr. Lucia Daniel MSC and Sr.
Maria Ndahafa Christovõ MSC
celebrated their Final
Vows on the 10 January 2009 at
Okatana – Christ the King
Parish.
Transfers and Appointments:
§
Fr. Augusto Dionisio had been appointed as
the new Dean of Otjiwarongo / Omaruru Deanery. Thank you very much for
accepting this reaponsibility. The appointment holds for a three-year period
and is effective from 01 May 2009.
§
The Provincial Superior of the
Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Rev. Fr. Aloys Kapp omi – in consultation with the Archbishop has announced the following transfers:
o
Fr. Linus Ngenomesho omi, has been appointed as the parish Priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral
Parish effective as of 01 May 2009. Fr. Deing retires and will help him whenever
he can.
o
Fr. Joseph Hatutale omi has been appointed as the Parish
Priest of St. Boniface Parish – Pionierspark – effective 01 May 2009.
o
Fr. Mathias Tshithigona omi is the newly-appointed Parish
Priest of Otjiwarongo (+District) effective 01 May 2009. Logistically, he will
be assisted by Bro. John Nangolo omi.
o
Fr. Edmund omi has been transferred from the Cathedral parish and is assigned to do special
ministries in tsumeb.
o
Fr. Heinz Ernst omi, has been transferred from
Otjiwarongo and has been assigned to help in St. Michael’s pastoral district.
He will be working with Fr. Augusto, the Parish Priest.
o
The MSFS Regional Superior has announced the transfer of
Fr. Luke from Soweto and Okahandja to Ongha Pastoral Region and has been
appointed as Parish Priest there, effective 01 May 2009. Meanwhile, the Vicar General, fr. Werner Afunde and I, will take over St. Peter Claver Parish and the Okahandja
Pastoral District, with immediate effect.
On the other
hand, Fr. Thomas Joseph msfs, has been transferred from Ongha for other
assignments. Thanks a lot, dear Fr. Thomas, for the great missionary
contribution you have made in ongha.
God bless!
Another MSFS missionary, fr.
Phillip Purayidedhil msfs, has newly-arrived from Kerala, India and will be
assigned in St. augustine Parish
- Soweto. Welcome, Fr. Phillip, to the
Archdiocese of Windhoek!
…………………………………………………………………………………………
News from the Vicar
General’s Office:
Ø Insurances, Statistics
and Financial Reports
·
We request you to adhere and to respond to the correspondence
from the Secretariate of our Head Office if only to facilitate our processing
matters for your sake. The indifference and non-response makes our work very
difficult.
·
Resources are being spent (i.e. phone calls, etc.) to no
avail and unnecessarily, simply because the people concerned fail or refuse to
co-operate regarding the above-mentioned issues. One should respond not only
when you are confronted with difficulties – i.e., respond before due dates, pay
your insurances promptly and give your due reports on time.
·
Pension Fund: An urgent request comes from our insurance
company, “Old Mutual” – requesting all employees of the Church who are
registered in the Fund, to open a bank account (i.e., for those who don’t have
yet) because the company will no longer
issue cheques in the future, in favour of the beneficiary. Only direct
(electronically) deposits will be employed. All missions/ Parish
Directors/Leaders should see to this matter.
·
Strict measures will be applied in the future for those
who don’t adhere to the instructions laid out regarding the processing of
certain payments; for instance – paying for your own repairs if an accident
occurs…no claims will be done. Your co-operation along this line will be highly
appreciated.
Please note: Insurance for vehicles
and buildings 2008 were as follow:
a.
Motor fleet (Santam) insurance company
-
Total paid by the Church = N$696 250.00
-
Claims made: N$790 979.27
-
Number of claims (accidents) 31
b.
Buildings (Multimark Insurance Company)
-
Total amount paid by the church: N$408 389.17
-
Claims made: N$ 45157.75
-
No. of claims: 10
As you can see, many
accidents were reported. Consequently, the premium will go up this year again.
Please drive extra carefully and preventatively. The quotation for 2009 financial
year issued now stands at N$1,444,929.99 as compared to 2008 payment of N$1, 185, 609.25.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Information
o
The MSFS Assistant Superior General arrived in Namibia in
the 15th April 2009 for his scheduled visitation of the MSFS mission
area. Thank you for visiting our Local Church.
o
As part of their on-going formation as married deacons,
four have been selected to participate in the Pilgrimage to Lourdes (France)
and Rome (Italy) from 1 -28 May 2009. They are: Dc Joseph Damaseb, Dc. Adalgott
Franziskus, Dc. Herman Klemens and Dc Isidor Kanyangela. We wish you God’s
blessings and may you come back renewed and invigorated.
o
Rev Fr. Avelino Sangameia ms, has been transferred from
Opuwo to Rome for further studies. I also would like to thank you from the
bottom of my heart, on behalf of the Archdiocese, for your immense contribution
toward the building up of our local church especially Opuwo Pastoral District. Meanwhile, Fr. Domingos chipindo ms, has been appointed Parish
Priest of the said Pastoral District.
o
Diocesan seminarians
- Two seminarians
have finished their academic studies at the end of 2008 at St. Charles Lwanga
National seminary: 1) Br. Gaby
Josefino has decided to go back to his home diocese of Malange, Angola. 2)
Br. Evaristus Hinanane is currently doing his pastoral work in Tsumeb
and will be ordained to the Diaconate after all the necessary arrangements have
been finalized.
- During this academic year 2009, the Archdiocese has got
12 students: four (4) Orientation year, three (3) Philosophy year, and five (5)
Theology year. Let us pray for them, that they may grow in the spirit of
careful discernment and perseverance during their years of formation. Also, let
us continue to encourage young people in our parish communities to take up
these different vocations in order to consolidate the local church. Encourage
also for good Christian families because it is there where the seed of the call
is being nurtured.
Our Sick
Let us pray for our sick co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord: Sr. Maria
(Godwina) Himmelsbach, OSB; Sr. Agnes Eibl, Fr. Joseph Mateus omi, Sr. Rhabana
Hausiku OSB, and Sr. Klara Nambwandja OSB.
More so, we remember Fr. Bernard Nordkamp omi, who is quite sick in
Germany. Let us fervently keep him and all our ailing brothers and sisters in
our daily prayers.
Our Deceased
à Sr. Lintrud Kiermeier OSB, passed away on 04 April 2009 in R.C.Hospital
and was laid to
rest at Döbra, on 08 April 2009. She was
turning 92, being born on 21 April 1917.
à Sr. Verena Tshirengitha Katusha OSB, (who was born on 29 January 2009) died in Oshikuku
on 09 January 2009 and was laid to rest at RCM Oshikuku on 15
January 2009.
à Sr. susana Nuule OSB – has passed
away on the 30th of April 2009 in St. Martin Hospital – Oshikuku.
Funeral arrangements are still yet to be made.
à Fr. Augusto Dionisio has announced the death of his dear father, Mr.
Dionisio
Ndaitavela… (born in 1928) passed away on 09
March 2009 and was laid to rest at his home village on 10 March 2009.
àSr. Celestine Shakungu OSB has reported her father’s death – Mr. Mingeli
Shakungu on
11 December 2008 and was laid
to rest at his home village in Ohangwena Region, on
16 December 2008. He
was 66 years old (having been born on 09 October 1942.)
To all the bereaved families, please accept our heartfelt condolences.
May the soul of our faithful departed rest in peace.
Conclusion
As we journey
through this Easter season, we are challenged by the Word of God to be ambassadors
of the Risen Christ by living an exemplary life of joy and love towards the
people we are serving. Moreover, let us recognize the risen Lord in the
“breaking of the bread,” in our daily Eucharistic celebration as did the two
disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24: 13 – 35). The word of God should
continue to nourish us spiritually to be able to carry out our ministry with
inner peace and deeper dedication.
As we look
forward therefore, to the descending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we pray
for the guidance and wisdom of the Spirit to strengthen us in our
faith-commitment.
“Alleluia - the Lord has risen indeed. Let us rejoice and
be glad.”
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
+Most Rev. Archbishop Liborius N. Nashenda, OMI
ARCHDIOCESE OF WINDHOEK