+ Most Rev. Archbishop Liborius N. Nashenda, OMI
Dear Co-workers,
29 June 2008 – 29 June 2009 marked the Pauline
year which allowed us to see and reflect
more on the significant imprint St. Paul
had made on the Christian world. As the Holy
Father concisely put it, “It has been truly
a time of grace…” since his (St. Paul’s)
“vibrant message has revived - in Christian
communities – a passion for Christ and the Gospel.”
Mine was the privilege to celebrate the conclusion
of that jubilee year in Khomasdal Parish
on 27 June 2009. On the same day, I officially
inaugurated the year of the Priest in the Archdiocese, in
accordance with the declaration made by the
Holy Father on the Feast of the Sacred Heart
– 19 June 2009. This is also in conjunction
with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the death of st. John Mary Vianney – the patron saint of
priests engaged in the pastoral ministry.
The Year of the Priest is being celebrated,
if only to enable us to become more aware of the
role and mission of the priest in the Church
and in our contemporary society. One can remarkably see the connection of
this year’s celebration with that of the
Pauline year, in the sense that St. Paul
could be considered as “an example of a priest who was completely
identified with his ministry, ever conscious
of possessing a priceless treasure – that
is, the message of salvation…”
Personally, I invite you to join me in examining
or thinking about the ways as to “how best
the Year of the Priest can be used to deepen – in our priests and
in our faithful - their appreciation of God’s
sublime gift of the Sacred Priesthood. Indeed,
this is a challenge to our creativity and
missionary zeal as a church so that together, we may experience
this time as one of spiritual renewal: both
for the priests and for those entrusted to
their pastoral care. For the priest himself, this is a year of
deepening his personal relationship with
Christ, in whose ministerial priesthood he
shares.
As in the past, I do pose the challenge to
the different Christian communities: deaneries,
parishes, families…to come up with meaningful
activities so that we could keep the momentum
of this celebration throughout the year –
until its conclusion on 19 June 2010.
I would like to wind up with an appropriate
reminder, as precisely expressed by our Holy
Father, Pope Benedict XVI: “The priest must belong totally to Christ
and totally to the Church; to the latter,
he is called to dedicate himself with an
undivided love, like a faithful husband to
his bride.”
To all our priests, rest assured of my prayerful
support, today and always!
News News News News News News
1.
Diaconate Ordination: Br. Evaristus Hinanane:
The College of Consultors has approved the
Diaconate Ordination of Br. Evaristus Hinanane,
to take place at St. Francis Parish – Tsumeb,
on 09 August 2009. May we accompany him with
our prayers during this time of discernment
as this serves as a transitional ministry
towards sacred priesthood. I wish him courage
and perseverance in his vocation. I invite
all those who can, to participate in this
religious event.
2.
Confirmation:
In May, I had conducted a pastoral visit
to Anamulenge Pastoral Region whereby I also
confirmed 1,232 Catholic faithful. That was
a chance for me to encourage them to be faithful
to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to live
out their Christian witnessing accordingly.
I made them aware of the challenges facing
the youth today: HIV/AIDS, crime, violence in our society
– Catholics leaving the Church and joining
other Christian denominations and sects.
Hence, the need to be serious about continuously
consolidating our spiritual life and faith.
Likewise, I had to assert that Confirmation
is not the end of the Christian journey,
as many might think.
My gratitude goes to the Parish priests, Catechists and Parish Councillors
for their tireless effort in organizing the
administering of the above-mentioned sacrament.
3.
CCN - Annual General Meeting (AGM):
The Annual General Meeting of the Council
of Churches in Namibia took place as scheduled
(14 – 17 June 2009). We got the rich chance to discuss and exchange
ideas about our role as an ecumenical body
within the context of Namibia today. Some
salient points for reflection were:
§
Are we still living out our prophetic role
as Council of Churches body?
§
Are we still moving with the signs of the
times, or are we lagging behind?
The discussions also involved redefining
our role as a facilitating body and enabling
respective CCN-member churches to be implementing
institutions. During this AGM, we elected
a new Secretary General namely, Mrs. Kapere.
More over, we held a closed-door meeting
with all political party representatives
(especially in the light of the conduct during
the campaign for the up-coming elections).
It was in that venue as well, that Bishop
Z. Kameeta of ELCRN took over as the new
President of the CCN. Despite some hiccups,
as a whole, it was a success. Thanks to your prayers.
4.
Jubilee Celebration:
The CMM Brothers celebrated the Golden Jubilee
of their missionary work in Namibia. Such
event was highlighted with a Eucharistic
celebration which I presided over at the
Holy Redeemer Parish Church in Katutura,
on the 1st of May 2009. On the same occasion, Brother
Wilbard Amulengele cmm, made his First Profession,
while four other brothers renewed their vows
in the presence of Brother Broer Huitema,
cmm - the Superior General.
We thank the CMM brothers for their presence
in our local church, and for their contribution,
especially in the field of education: Döbra
High School, St. Paul’s College, St. Boniface
College and Canisianum High School which
are undoubtedly top Church schools in Namibia.
These have been under the initial supervision
of the CMM Brothers and have flourished through
the years, not only in number but also in
quality.
May the Lord continue bless your work among
us and may he daily grace you with his abiding presence.
5.
Transfers and Appointments (Installations):
5.1. The Parish of Maria Assumpta in Otjiwarongo
witnessed the installation of its new Parish
Priest, Fr. Mathias Tshithigona omi, as well
as its new Parish Council - on 21 June 2009.
I was there to preside over this event.
5.2. Likewise, I have installed Fr. Linus Ngenomesho
omi as the new Parish priest of the St. Mary’s
Cathedral Parish, together with its new Parish
Council – on 28 June 2009.
5.3. Furthermore, mine was the privilege to install
Fr. Joseph Hatutale omi, and the new Parish
Council of St. Boniface parish in Pionierspark on 05 July 2009, thus
constituting a new Parish Leadership Team.
5.4. I have instituted three seminarians of our
Archdiocese to the Minor orders of Lector and Acolyte at St. Charles
Lwanga Seminary on the 13th of June 2009. They are: Benjamin Sheelongo,
Erasmus Amushembe, and Johannes Kanana. Currently,
Johannes and Benjamin are doing their internship
programme for six (6) months at Opuwo Mission
and Oshikuku respectively.
5.5. Fr. Vitorino Undongo ms, who was the parish-in-charge
of Omuthiya Pastoral District, has been recalled
by his Provincial, effective 30 June 2009.
He has served our Archdiocese since 2002.
Thank you, Fr. Vitorino, for your priceless
contribution to the local church of Namibia.
Fr. Clemente Felix Mario ms, will take over
as priest-in-charge in due course. Thank
you, Fr. Clemente, for accepting this challenging
task.
6. General Information:
§
Br. Gottlieb Sheimi omi, celebrated his 80th birthday at his home parish of St. Peter
Canisius – Anamulenge, on the 16th May 2009. It was indeed a grand celebration
as a gesture of gratitude to our almighty God for the gif t of life, or in
his own words, “…for the graces I have received
from Him.” A belated Happy Birthday and wishing
you more fruitful years ahead.
§
The Prioress General of the Benedictine Sisters
of Oshikuku has announced the appointment
of two officials to the general administration:
o
General Bursar:
Sr. Kredula Hitewa, OSB
o
General Secretary: Sr. Mary Immaculate Iipinge, OSB
§
Fr. Wilhelm Eita, who has served as the Parish
Priest of Oshikuku for the past few years,
has been admitted for further studies at
the Pontifical university (Urbaniana) in Rome, Italy effective
from 30 June 2009 until the end of 2011.
He is registered for a two-year Licentiate
in Dogmatic Theology. This move is in line
with working towards self-reliant church
through the training of our local clergy
and our human resources for the enhancement
of our local Spiritual Leadership.
Meanwhile, Fr. Veranus Shiimi will be taking
charge of the Oshikuku Pastoral Region.
For Fr. Willy, we wish you the Lord’s guidance
and your success, for the Church of Namibia.
(His contact email: wilhelm_eita@yahoo.co.uk He will certainly appreciate few lines from
us. Your words of encouragement could serve
as a motivating factor and an impetus for
his performance amidst the academic demands.
§
Deacon Adalgott Fransiskus, has retired as
a teacher after 38 years of service (1970
– 2008). Born on 10 November 1948, he was
ordained deacon on 1 September 1985 and is
currently the Parish Leader of Okathiku Parish
in Oshikuku Pastoral Region. Thank you very
much for your contribution as teacher, especially
in the educational sector. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.
§
The Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing
(St. Benedict Priory) has announced the election
of the new Prioress – Sr. Maria Ignatius
Glaser osb, on 05 July 2009. She succeeds
the present Prioress, Sr. Marita Haarmann,
osb, at the end of this year.
§
Visits: Superiors General/Provincials:
Our local church was blessed with the visit
by the following Religious Superiors, in
the course of the last three months.
o Brother Broer Huitema, cmm – Superior General
of the Congregation of the Brothers of our
Mother of Mercy (Netherlands)
o Sr. Stanislawa Murawska ssnj – Superior General
of the Sisters of the Sacred Name of Jesus (Poland)
o Rev. Fr. Venâncio Nunda ms, Regional Superior
of the Missionaries of our Lady of La Salette (Catumbela,
Benguela, Angola)
o Rev. Fr. Thomas Jacob ofm – cap – Provincial
Superior of St. Jopseph’s Province –Kerala,
India (03 June 2009 – 29 June 2009)
o Sr. Christy Arackathottam sh, Provincial
Superior of Sacred Heart –Jyothi province, Kothamangalam, Kerala, India.
(Canonical Visitation from 11 – 29 May 2009).
o Sr. Maria Margarida Bartolomeu sss – Provincial
Superior of the Sisters of the Divine Saviour
– Luanda, Angola.
Thank you for gracing our local church with
your presence;
counting on your continuous support.
§
The following Sisters of the Sacred Heart
(both teachers at Canisianum R.C. High School) have been recently transferred by the provincial to their home Province in India:
o Sr. Elsy Francis sh – (arrived: 16 May 2003, until 29 May 2009)
She was teaching Mathematics [grades 8 -12]
and is being replaced by Sr. Gisa Rani sh,
who arrived 11 May 2009 and who will take
over the same above-mentioned teaching load.
Hearty Welcome, Sr. Gisa.
o Sr. Regi Manuel SH (arrived: 30 May 2005, until 29 May 2009).
She was teaching Computer studies (grades
8 – 12); Religious and Moral Studies (Gr.
8 – 10) and Information Studies (gr. 8).
To Sr. Elsy and Sr. Regi, our Heartfelt Thanks for your years of service/contribution
to the R.C. Mission – Anamulenge.
Ø
reminder: The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Meeting
will take place at Döbra, from 27 – 30 August
2009. Please be reminded to revise our last year’s Resolutions and
Recommendations and see the extent of their
implementation, so far. ONLY the elected
participants or alternate are expected to attend as per Convocation
Letter.
Ø
My whereabouts:
§
Holiday: 13 July – 10 August 2009
§
SECAM Conference and Synod of Bishops:
25/26 Sept. – end of October 2009 – Rome, Italy
7.
Our Sick:
Let us continue to pray for our sick co-workers
in the vineyard of the Lord: Fr. Bernard Nordkamp omi, (who needs our prayers very much); Sr. Birgitta Egumbo osb; Sr. Foibe Iiyambo
ssj; Bro. Johannes Nangoro omi; Sr. Irene
Tshavuka osb; Sr. Rhabana Hausiku, osb; Sr.
Sieglinde (Sharon) Tjavanga hc; Sr. Maria
Kredula Kanguloshi osb; Sr. Josefa “Kapika”
Reidl osb; Sr. Erwina Frans osb; Sr. Lucia
Bekeur smic; Seminarian Frans Kuutondokwa.
8.
Our Deceased:
Sr. Udalrike (Anna) Wiedemann OSB – who passed
away in Tutzing, Germany, on 27 January 2009. Born on 03 September 1923, (Augsburg – Germany),
she worked for many years in Namibia, specifically
in the Windhoek Priory. May her soul rest
in peace.
9.
Conclusion:
As the forthcoming Second Special Assembly
for Africa of the Synod of Bishops invites
us to reflect on our situation of being a
Church in Africa, in service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace, we are being challenged consequently, to be the Salt of the earth
and the Light of the world (Mt. 5:13,14).
We are being called upon to self-evaluation
as to how we live this out daily. The spiritual journey with St. Paul has made
us aware of the need to critically look into
ourselves in the light of the crucified Christ.
May I, therefore, take this opportunity to
wish each one of you courage as we continue to face different challenges
in our pastoral engagements, knowing in faith,
that the Lord will never leave us orphaned.
Shalom!
Sincerely yours in the Lord’s vineyard,
+ Most Rev. Archbishop Liborius N. Nashenda,
OMI
Archdiocese of Windhoek