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KM331 / 12 / 2009 August – December 2009
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“Glorify the Lord with me; together, let us praise his name.” (Ps.
34:4)
Dear
Co-workers,
As a
shepherd of the flock entrusted to me, mine has been the privilege and the gift
to oversee the Archdiocese at a wider perspective. Aside from the growing family
of God – a “synodal” way of viewing the Church - I, too, have the joy of seeing
the growth of faith in the youth at every Confirmation experience…even at
funerals. Although the latter might confront us with the reality of death,
encountering the expression of hope and trust among the bereaved families and
the wider community, enables me to see more deeply my responsibility to care for
and nurture the faith in the hearts of our people.
Since this year is also dedicated to all our Priests, I am made aware
of my basic priestly calling which we altogether share. We are definitely
reminded of our fundamental vocation to faithfully encounter (Lectio Divina), to live and to share the Word of God, to celebrate
the Sacraments for the enhancement of our Christian Life and to stand out as
witnesses to our loving, forgiving and compassionate God. More especially, let
us take to heart one invitation: to wholeheartedly pray for our priests, support them with our
more active involvement in the parishes and make them feel they
belong.
As
one Family of God, we are inevitably challenged to help make real the coming of
our Saviour so that others too, may believe in God’s promises. This is what
Advent invites us to do: reach out and nourish the hungry, offer hospitality to
the homeless and the unprotected, show compassion to the elderly and the
sick…bring hope to prisoners, comfort those who mourn the loss of their beloved.
Here is Faith in action and enfleshed this Advent.
Having been to the Synod of (African) Bishops in Rome and having had
the chance to see the wider picture of the Church in Africa and its concerns, I
can only be grateful for the entire process and I can only have one desire: that
the presence of the Lord may be more palpable or concrete in our very lives,
that he may truly find a home in our hearts and in our lives this Christmas
Season, into the New Year 2010 and beyond.
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… NEWS
NEWS
NEWS NEWS
NEWS
NEWS ….
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1.
Priestly Ordination: Deacon Evaristus hinanane
Deacon Evaristus is scheduled to be ordained to the Sacred priesthood
on the 16th of January, 2010 at RCM- oshikuku and will celebrate his
Thanksgiving mass on the 17th of January 2010 at his home community
at Okalele in Oshikuku Pastoral Region.
Let us all accompany him with our prayers.
2. Second General Assembly of Bishops in
Africa / Synod of Bishops in
Bishop Joseph Shikongo OMI, and I represented the
a)
the Message to the
World – addressed to different peoples and levels of our society; and
b) the Propositions to be presented to the Holy
Father – for him to reflect on, so that he can eventually come up with an apt
Post-Synodal exhortation.
One fundamental thought which clearly came out of the synod was this:
“Reconciliation, Justice and Peace are gifts from God and this spring from a
converted heart which flows into action.”
The crucial challenge that lies ahead of us therefore, is to carry
out the fruits of the synod in our daily situation – in our personal lives, in
communities, parishes, in villages and in the society at large. I am convinced
that you and the universal church were one with us in such an ecclesial
undertaking through prayer.
3.
Confirmations:
For
the last few months, I have administered the sacrament of Confirmation at the
following parishes/mission areas around the archdiocese:
|
Place |
No. |
Place |
No. |
Place |
No. |
|
St. Conrad – Gobabis
|
17 |
Holy Redeemer (Kat)
|
54 |
Arandis |
22 |
|
Holy Family – Modesa |
52 |
Epalala - Ongha |
60 |
Okongo-Ongha |
13 |
|
Eembo – Ongha |
32 |
Omafo - Ongha |
28 |
Oshikango - Ongha |
44 |
|
Onyati |
105 |
Omutsegwonime |
37 |
Onyavie |
59 |
|
Omahinda |
58 |
Ondangwa |
38 |
Ongha |
31 |
|
St. Francis –
Tsumeb |
37 |
Walfrieden
school |
13 |
Fatima Parish – Omaruru, Usakos and Karibib |
43 |
|
St. Mary’s Cathedral |
69 |
St. Boniface – Pionierspark |
26 |
Stella maris – Walvisbay, Narraville |
18 |
|
Gd. Shepherd -
Walvisbay |
41 |
St. Michael’s R.C.Mission |
40 |
St. P. Claver –Okahandja |
38 |
I
wish the newly- confirmed youth, the grace of courage and perseverance in
meeting the challenges of the world and in witnessing to the Lord’s love as
spirit-filled disciples of Christ.
4.
Centennial Celebration of the SMIC Congregation.
The
4th of October 2009, marked the SMIC Sisters’ culmination of their
centennial celebration - an occasion which was commemorated with a Eucharistic
celebration at Fatima Parish in Gobabis. The year-long celebration took on this
theme: “ Rooted in Christ – Sharing God’s love, Embracing the Future.” The event
was graced by the representatives of the congregation from different parts of
the world.
The
SMIC Sisters are currently serving in Gunichas, Epukiro and Aminuis. Theirs is a
service that encompasses a wide scope of the Omaheke
Region.
We
thank the SMIC Congregation for their contribution to the local church in
general, and to the Archdiocese in particular. May the Lord provide you with
more local vocations.
5. Appointments /
Installations
5:1
The SMIC Congregation has announced the appointment of
Sr. Erika Amukologa, SMIC as the new Provincial Co-ordinator. She
succeeds the now late Sr. Lucia Bekeur, SMIC.
The Council members are: Sr. Beatrix Mokwena, SMIC – Assistant; Sr. Clara
Oaes, SMIC and Sr. Antonia Merch, SMIC, - (Councillors.) We wish all of you, God’s guiding wisdom
in your new challenging responsibility and be assured of our
prayers.
5:2 Likewise, the MSC Congregation has announced the
appointment of Sr. Susanna Endjala, MSC as the new Provincial Leader of the
province in
The
new Councillors are: Sr. Heinrika Vossmöller MSC, Sr. Letitia Andowa MSC, Sr. Veronika Iita MSC and Sr.
Margaret Uutoni
MSC.
Sr.
Susanna was officially installed in Mariental on the 1st of November
2009, on All Saints’ Day. Thus, this relevant wish: May all the saints intercede
for you as meet the demands of your new ministry.
5:3 The
Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, has announced the appointment of
Fr. Linus Ngenomesho oMI, as the new Provincial Superior, effective end of
January 2010. He succeeds Fr. Aloys Kapp OMI, whom we sincerely thank for his
contribution during his term of office. Fr. Linus is currently the Parish Priest
of St. Mary’s cathedral Parish –
until the necessary replacement has been found.
6. General
Information:
·
Visits: Superiors General/Provincials:
Once more, our Archdiocese has been blessed with the visits of the Leaders of
some of the congregations serving in our local church. In most cases, they came
to primarily do their Canonical Visitation. They were as follows:
- The MSC
Congregational Leader – Sr. Mechtilde Schnieder, MSC within the period of
October / November. She was accompanied by Sr. Helena MSC and Sr. Barbara
MSC.
- The CMI Prior
General, Fr. Jose Panthaplamthottiyil CMI also paid a visit to the CMI Fathers
during the month of November.
- The SMIC
Co-ordinator General, Sr. Veronica Lee SMIC had her visit coincide with
Centenary celebration of the Congregation.
- The Superior
General of the Holy Cross sisters, Sr. Alma Köhler HC, came as well, to visit
her community at the beginning of December. She was accompanied by Sr.
Antoinette Hauser HC (Assistant) and Sr. Monica Madyembwa HC
(Councillor).
- The MSFS
Provincial Fr. Francis Thadathil MSFS visited us and participated in the
blessing of their new house on the 17th September 2009.
- The OFM
Provincial, Fr. Makhomba Khanyile OFM visited us from the 7th to the
17th of November2009.
·
NCBC: The next NCBC Plenary Session
will take place from 31 January – 4 February 2010. The Nuncio, His Excellency
Archbishop Patrick Green who will be joining us is arriving on 30 January 2010
and will preside over the opening Eucharistic celebration at St. Augustine
Parish -
·
Elections:
The Presidential and
National Assembly Elections took place on the 27-28 November 2009 as scheduled.
We thank the Namibian people for having participated so well in this democratic
exercise which turned out to be very peaceful. Upon the issuing of the official
results, the Electoral Commission of Namibia had declared the whole process free
and fair. Now is the time to join hands and work towards peace and unity in our
beloved land. Let us therefore continue to play our prophetic role in this
regard.
·
The Missio
representative from the
·
Two
Diocesan Seminarians
have
completed their philosophical and
Theological studies required for priestly ministry. They are:
o
Apolinarius Martin
–
who is slated to do his pastoral experience in Swakopmund, under the guidance of
Frs. Reinhold and Julius MSC.
o
Johannes Nghikevali
-
who has been assigned to do his pastoral engagement in Omuthiyagwiipundi
Pastoral District under the guidance of Frs. Clement and Benjamin MS.
Let
us accompany them with our prayerful support.
·
“Journeys” – Pastoral Counseling
Programme: The Archdiocese is
pleased to welcome the opening of the new centre for Pastoral Counseling located
within the compound of St. Mary’s Cathedral, next to the Cheshire Homes Office.
We especially would like to thank the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers for
assisting us in this project. Appropriately names, “Journeys”, it has been
developed to accompany the Clergy, Religious, Laity and couples facing personal
challenges along the path towards Christian wholeness and emotional health.
Appointments are requested and can be made with the staff through Fr. Edward
Shellito MM, at (264) 081-381-5679.
Please utilize and maximize the opportunity offered by this programme for
continuous personal growth and on-going formation. I hereby request all Major
religious superiors and Parish Priests to
encourage those under your care to take advantage of this
chance.
·
The
Archdiocesan Office
will
be closed over the Christmas festive season and will only be open on 11 January
2010, to enable the Staff to enjoy their well-deserved rest and vacation. You
may reach me via the Oshikuku Sisters at the Bishop’s House or you can reach me
at my after hours telephone number.
7.
Our Sick:
Let
us continue to pray for our sick co-workers and those recovering: Sr. Symphoria Damases HC, Brother
Wilhelm Dickmann OMI, Sr. Andrea Haver OSB, Fr. Walter Jüptner OMI, Sr.
Margaretha Bandenbacher and Sr. Gieselinde Shikongo OSB
8. Our Deceased: The last few months have made us
deal with a comparatively big number of loss among our church
personnel:
+ Fr. Bernhard Nordkamp OMI
passed away in Borken
old age home in
+ Sr. Irene Nakale
Tshavuka OSB
passed away peacefully at the
+ Sr. Maria Lucia Bekeur
SMIC,
was born in Karasburg on the 29th August 1958. She died on 25
September 2009 in
+ Sr. Brigitha Egumbo OSB passed away on the 24th
of October 2009 at
+ Fr. Gerhard “Kaishara
kanangombe” Heimerikx
OMI,
who served for many years in Namibia, and later, during the liberation struggle,
ministered to the Namibian exiles in Zambia and Angola – died on the
25th of October 2009 in Hünfeld old-age home – Germany, at the age of
86. He was laid to rest at the
Oblates’ Cemetery in Hünfeld (
+
Fr. Jose Mwaamenange Mateus OMI passed
away on the 6th of November 2009 in Medi-Clinic Otjiwarongo at the
age of 43 and after having served
the Lord as a priest for six (6) years.
He was laid to rest on the 13th of November at Döbra,
accompanied by 27 priests, seven (7) deacons, Religious and the lay
faithful.
+ Sr. Bernolda
“Kapika” Riedl OSB
passed away peacefully in our
+ Rev. Deacon Ignatius
Johannes,
from
Omagongati Parish Community in the Okatana Pastoral Region, died on the
23rd of November 2009, at the age of 73. He was ordained Deacon on
the 17th of August 1997. He is survived by his wife, Maria Ilonga,
children and grandchildren. He was laid to rest at
+ Rev. Deacon
Michael Naunyango who
hails from Omalungwa-ndjamba in Anamulenge Pastoral Region, passed away at his
village on 3rd of December 2009. the late Deacon was born on 01 October
1950 and was ordained to the sacred Diaconate on the 28th of
September 1986. He was laid to rest at his home parish, on 5 December 2009.
+ We also
remember in our prayers, Fr. Venancio Cavaco MS, who lost his brother, Mr.
Elizeu Himi Soma on the 22nd of November in
v
To
all our deceased co-workers and family members, may they rest in God’s eternal
peace. We sincerely extend our condolences to all the bereaved co-workers,
families and friends.
v
Let
me take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for
what our deceased co-workers have contributed to the missionary endeavor in our
local Church.
9. Conclusion:
Advent teaches us to be people of hopeful expectation that our
liberation is near; in fact, it is here and now. We could aptly ask ourselves:
“Am I ready or prepared to receive the Lord daily in my life?” As the prophet
Jeremiah says: “The ruler shall appear, one of themselves, a governor shall
arise from their own number. I will myself, bring him near and so he shall
approach me, says the Lord. So, you shall be my people and I will be your God.
(Jer. 30: 21 – 22). With this promise of the Lord, I wish you all a very merry Christmas and I commend you into
the blessings of the New Year 2010. May it bring you fruits of reconciliation,
justice and peace in our beautiful land and its people.
Thank you to all your missionary efforts and involvements in the
course of this year – under the guidance of our Creator who is ever faithful to
his promise.
Sincerely yours in the Lord’s vineyard,
+Most Rev. Archbishop
Liborius N. Nashenda, OMI
ARCHDIOCESE OF