“Glorify the Lord with me; together let us praise His Name” (Ps. 34:4)
It is great honour for me to greet you once again in the Name of the loving God, in whom we move and have our Being.
In St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 5:5 – it says: “and hope does not disappoint, because the Love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us”. And to Titus 2:11-13: “For the grace of God has appeared, saving all…as we wait the blessed hope, the appearance of the Glory of the great God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ’. The latter quote from Paul’s letter to Titus rings out sonorously at our Christmas Midnight Mass, the former from the Romans, indicates our intimate union with the Father through Jesus in the Spirit. This message makes clear that we are advent people awaiting the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus, in order to transform our inner beings. We are people of the promise, people of hope. As people of faith, it is our joyful task to proclaim the Good News, the Gospel of hope, until the coming of the Lord in Glory, especially to the poor and the powerless.
We are witnesses and messengers of the power of a life that cannot be destroyed (Heb. 7:16). We are witnesses to life in all its dimensions. Therefore, as befits Ministers of the Gospel, we are messengers of eternal optimism: evil will not triumph (hatred, violence), life is about hope, and hope about victory which Christ won for us.
Our Lord’s incarnation bestows on human nature an immeasurable dignity. Our optimism, however, is grounded in realism. The vicissitudes of life are many; in many areas evil is apparently victorious. Therefore, the message of advent, the joy of Christmas, the newness of the New Year, call us once again to redouble our efforts to create a new world, to become the human vehicle for the Divine. We must immerse ourselves in the pain and suffering of our people – to name but a few, HIV/AIDS, poverty, hunger, rising number of orphans and violence against women and children, etc., in order to proclaim the presence of hope, the person of the Lord Jesus in our midst. Let us during this time of advent put away the long faces and put on the smile that only faith and hope in His Name can bestow! Shalom!
NEWS
Priestly Ordinations
I herewith would like to officially announce two Ordinations which will take place early next year.
Deacon Veranus Shiimi will be ordained as a Diocesan Priest on the 17th of February 2007 at Okatana Mission, and will celebrate his first Mass on the 18th of February 2007 at his home Parish of Omusimboti – Oshana Region.
Deacon Rev. Br. Benedict Kamushishi, OSB, will be ordained a Priest at RCM Anamulenge on the 14th of April 2007 and will celebrate his first Mass at his home Parish of Omalungwandjamba – Omusati Region. Who is he? Br. Benedictus Mwahindange Kamushishi, OSB, was born on the 13th of November 1976 in Okakekete (Ombalantu) – His father is Julius Kamushishi, R.C.C. (alive) and his mother is, Genofefa Lungameni, R.C.C. (alive) – Family of 11 children: 3 boys + 8 girls, all are alive. Brother Benedict is the sixth child. Primary School: Ombundamuti Combined School (Grades 1-6), Epoko Combined School (Grades 7-8), Oshikulufitu Combined School (Grades 9-10), Nuuyoma S.S. School (Grades 11-12) – Entering the Benedictine Community (Monastery) OSB Congregation in 1997. His first vows: 05-02-2000 at Inkamana Abbey (South Africa). Solemn Vows: 28-12-2005 at Inkamana Abbey – acquired a new Religious/Monastic name: Boniface. Priestly studies: 2000-2006 at Cedara (South Africa). Diaconate Ordination: 07-01-2006 at Inkamana, Eshowe Diocese by Bishop Gerhard Ndlovu.
Let us accompany them in our prayers.
Diaconate Ordination
The Oblate Provincial, Rev. Fr. Ph. Pöllitzer, OMI, has announced the diaconate ordination of Br. Matias Tshithigona, OMI, on the 10th of February 2007 in Döbra at 09h00. Let us also pray for him during this time of preparation and discernment.
Confirmation
During the last few months, I have administered the Sacrament of Confirmation at the following places: Okatana Pastoral Region: Ohakwenyanga (125), Oniimwandi (102), Omusimbothi (143), Emono (141), Oshakati (101), Omeege (156), Iwiyongo (113), Omahinda (43), Omagongati (77), Amutanga (152), Ongwediva (99), Onyati (81), Okatana (57), Ondjodjo (68). St. Boniface Parish (17), St. Augustine Parish Soweto (138), St. Joseph’s Parish Döbra (61), Waldfrieden (20), Omaruru (8), St. Francis + St. Barbara Parishes Tsumeb (129), St. Michael’s + Otjikondo (45), Tamariskia Swakopmund (25), Sancta Familia Mondesa (52), Aminuis (111), Fatima Parish Gobabis (67), St. Mary’s Cathedral (118), Walvisbay Parishes (64). Thank you very much to those who have participated in all preparations.
Labour matters in the Parishes and Missions
Since we are experiencing a lot of labour-related problems both in our Parishes and Missions, I hereby call upon all those in-charge of our Institutions to arrange and document all the agreements before you employ someone. Everything must be clear from the beginning: Conditions of employment, salary scale, benefits, etc. according to the Labour Act and Regulations. I call upon all to follow the procedures to avoid unnecessary tensions. Consequently, we are the ones who should give a good example regarding the way we treat our workers. If you are not sure, please seek advice from competent people.
General Information
New Apostolic Nuncio, his Excellency, Archbishop Patrick Green, will be coming to Namibia on the 3rd of February 2007 to participate in NCBC Plenary (4-7 February 2007). We have planned an audience with him for all Priests, Religious and laity on the 6th of February 2007 from 18h00 – 19h00 at the Holy Cross Convent Hall – followed by a reception dinner.
Rev. Fr. Aloys Kapp, OMI, has been appointed as the New Provincial Superior of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, on the 18th of September 2006. He will be installed at the end of January 2007, thus succeeding Rev. Fr. Ph. Pöllitzer, OMI.
Right Rev. Bishop Rudolf Koppmann, OMI, is going to celebrate his Episcopal Golden Jubilee on the 28th of May 2007 at the age of 94 (18-01-1913) in Hünfeld – Germany. Let us all remember him in our prayers in our Parishes.
Pastoral Allowance: This is to officially inform you that at its ordinary session, the Archdiocesan Finance Committee (15-11-2006), has approved the increase from N$ 400.00 to N$ 600.00 for all Priests and full time pastoral workers effective as from 1st March 2007.
Government subsidy to Hostel and Schools: A Government Circular has been sent to all our Institutions concerned. Please read it carefully and act prudently and transparently accordingly. Thus, proper bookkeeping must be done, and good records be kept – reports must be done as required.
The CCN-Annual General Meeting will take place from 16-19 April 2007 at CCN-Headquarters in Windhoek.
Our Archdiocesan Head-Office will close on the 15th of December 2006 and will re-open on the 15th of January 2007.
Important dates for meetings in the Diocese (2007)
A. Presbyteral Council Meetings
20/06/2007 – 08h00-12h30 – Bishop’s House
14/11/2007 – 08h00-12h30 – Bishop’s House
B. Archdiocesan Finance Committee Meetings
03/04/2007 – 09h00-12h30 – Bishop’s House
15/11/2007 – 09h00-12h30 – Bishop’s House
C. Deans’ Meeting
20/06/2007 – 15h00-17h00 – Bishop’s House
14/11/2007 – 15h00-17h00 – Bishop’s House
D. College of Consultors’ Meeting
21/06/2007 – 15h00-17h00 – Bishop’s House
15/11/2007 – 15h00 -17h00 – Bishop’s House
E. All Priests Meeting
04/12/2007 – 08h00: Spiritual Reflections
05/12/2007 – 08h00-12h30: Discussions/Sharing
Our Deceased
Rev. Br. H. Stommel, OMI, died on the 3rd of December 2006 in Mariental. He has spent all of his missionary life at Epukiro Mission. He is to be remembered for his kindness and care. It is indeed a great loss for our local Church. Rev. Br. Stommel, OMI, was laid to rest on the 8th of December 2006 – the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of our Lady at Döbra. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Rev. Fr. Manfred Förg, OMI, died on the 21st of November 2006 in Hünfeld/Germany and was laid to rest in Hünfeld. He has been working both in the Archdiocese and the Apostolic Vicariate of Rundu and we thank God for his life and contribution towards the building up of our local church in Namibia. Let his soul rest in God’s eternal peace.
Our Sick
Let us continue to pray for our sick co-workers in our Archdiocese.
Our Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Franz Houben, OMI, is currently in Germany for a special treatment lasting three months. Let us pray for him earnestly for a quick recovery.
Other members of our personnel who are hospitalized and recovering are: Sr. Erika Hango, OSB, Fr. Wayne Weinlader, MM, Sr. Genofefa Nankelo, OSB, Sr. Agatha Ipinge, OSB, Sr. Fransiska Kashuupulwa, OSB, Sr. Bernadette Asuncion, OSB, Sr. Bertha Bohitile, MSC, Sr. Brigitta Egumbo, OSB, Sr. Patricia Tuukondjele, OSB, Sr. Lidia Risto, OSB, Sr. Leoni Hasler, OSB, and Sr. Hildegard Schwegmann, MSC.
Conclusion
Let me take this opportunity to thank everybody in the Archdiocese for your dedication and care for the people of God during the course of this year. At the same time, I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year 2007. May God continue to shower His blessing upon you and your pastoral work.
Wishing you God’s Love
Sincerely yours in God’s Vineyard
+Archbishop L.N. Nashenda, OMI
Archdiocese of Windhoek, Namibia |
