Circular Letter of the Archdiocese of Windhoek/Namibia
KM324/04/2007 January-March 2007
"Glorify the Lord-with me; together, let us praise fiis name" (Ps. 34:4)
Dear Co-workers
It is time, once more, to share with you
some thoughts and information during this
time of Lent, even as we prepare for the
celebration of the resurrection of our Lord—
Easter.
This time, I would like to reflect with you
on "Lent as a challenge for change and
growth Towards New Life."
Prophet Joel writes (2:12-13) "Yet even
now, says the Lord, return to me with your
whole heart, with fasting and weeping, mourning.
Rend your hearts, not your
garments, and return to the Lord." We
began Lent with these words on Ash
Wednesday, words that are also echoed in
many other prophetic books - Isaiah,
Hosea, among others. Correspondingly, we
have the faithful promise of the Lord that
he will bring his people back and love them
freely. (Hosea 14:4-5) This Lenten
challenge represents a clarion call to all
Christians, to return to the Lord, not partly,
but with our whole heart. It is a call
for
conversion, for change of heart, attitude,
and indeed, of life.
The very length of Lent indicates that
the
change indicated above is a process
which
is on-going. We have been initiated
into
the Christian life through the Sacraments
of Initiation, and subsequently, there
is
a call for a quiet, though constant
commitment
to growth.
We must ask the Lord through fasting, prayer
and works of charity (=generous giving) to
aid us in this growth in the spirit- for
growth is not an accident, but the work of
the Spirit, poured into our hearts... "the
grace of God, freely given to us, this love
poured out into our hearts through the Holy
Spirit that has been given to us.(Romans
5:5).
Lent leads us through Good Friday to Easter
Sunday. The change indicated above leads
us to a Renewed Life in the Risen Lord. How
does this "new creation" -as the
New testament is fond of proclaiming—manifest
itself in our lives? It is simple and straightforward:
"For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice,
and knowledge of God rather than holocausts."
(Hosea 6:6)
Love of the brother or sister, we do
see
- coupled with a living generosity
-indicates
our love of a God whom we do not see.
What
a daily challenge! A personal relationship
with the Living, Risen Lord Jesus is
the
true knowledge that will fuel our life
in
the Spirit in this world of ours. It
is no
accident therefore, that the Christian
who
is so charged with the life of the
Spirit
in the Risen Lord is likewise passionately
interested in the progress of peace
and justice,
passionately interested in the development
of our civil society (decline of morality)
passionately interested in the "least
of the brethren"(Mt.25:31-26).Our
life
in the Risen Christ urges us on to
witness
to the Gospel, within the context of
our
lived experiences in our world. The
Ecumenical
Council, Vatican II, represents a call
for
every Christian to become actively
involved
in the affairs of this world towards
the
coming of the Kingdom of God (Reign
of God).
The hallmark of this renewed Christian
is
then a lively spirit of generosity
(e.g.-collections)
manifested in the Christian life, manifested
in our concern for and service to others
in our parishes, Christian communities
or
neighborhood. Lent, lived through Easter
then, has a profound meaning for all
of us.
The call to change, transformation
leads
to growth in the life of the spirit
which
finds energy (Holy Spirit) in the Risen
life
of the Lord; which in turn, has profound
implications for each individual Christian,
the community and indeed, the world.
'Remember:
"Good Friday leads to Easter Sunday"
"There is no Easter without Good Friday"
"For a Christian, suffering is an integral
part of a life lived in Christ"
"Hard work brings its reward"
"No gains without pains"
Blessed Easter to all!
News
Priestly Ordination
It was a moment of grace and joy when
I ordained
Fr. Veranus Shiimi to the sacred priesthood
on 17 February 2007 at Okatana Mission,
Oshana
Region. The celebration was well-attended
by priests, deacons, Religious and
the laity.
It was indeed spiritually uplifting
and herewith,
I would like to thank all those who
took
part both in the preparation and celebration.
On the 18th of February 2007, Fr. Veranus
celebrated his first Thanksgiving Mass
at
his home parish of Omusimboti in Okatana
Pastoral Region. He is currently helping
in Okatana, while awaiting his new
assignment.
Congratulations, Veranus, and may your
priestly
ministry be grace-filled and fulfilling.
Diaconate Ordination
On the 10th of February 2007, I had the honour
to ordain Rev. Br. Matias Tshithigona, OMI,
as a deacon at St. Joseph's Parish, Dobra,
in the presence of many clergy, Religious
and laity. The Eucharistic celebration was
remarkably well-prepared.
Brother Matias also conies from Omusimboti
Parish in Okatana Pastoral Region.
Many thanks
to this parish. Congratulations and
"vasbyt
asseblief."
Solemn Vows and First Vows
On 1 February 2007, eight Oblate
novices
took their First Vows at St. Joseph's
Parish
Church, Dobra.
Br. Melchior Ndemulonga, OSB made
his
solemn vows last 28 December 2006 at
Inkamana
Benedictine Abbey, Vryheid, South Africa.
Sr. Klara Nambwandja, OSB pronounced
her final vows at the Chapel of the
Missionary
Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing last
10 March
2007.
Congratulations to all of you and I
wish
you a very productive life in the Spirit
in the years ahead. May God bless you
all.
New Small Mission Centres
In view of developing Oshakati Pastoral
Region,
(= Ovambo Deanery, which includes Opuwo)
to become — one day- an independent
ecclesiastical
jurisdiction; and in the light of decentralization
programme (in order to provide effective
pastoral service to the people of God,)
we
have embarked upon a process of dividing
the whole pastoral area into small
units
which are manageable and affordable.
Of course in doing this, the biggest
challenge
is to have priests to manage these
units.
This is not an easy task but we shall
move
ahead. This idea started already in
the early
80's and has been on the table since.
The
original intention was to divide the
Oshikuku
Pastoral Region, Okatana Pastoral Region
and Anamulenge Pastoral Region in small
units.
Everything was not feasible from the
perspective
of both human and financial resources.
Nevertheless,
we would like to realize our dream.
The masterplan is to divide the Deanery under
question in the following centres:
1. Okatana Pastoral Region
1.1. Ongha Mission Centre
1.2. Omuthiyagwiipundi Mission Centre
2. Oshikuku Pastoral Region
2.1 Okalongo Mission Centre
2.2 Oshikuku Mission Station
3. Anamulenge Pastoral Region
3.1 Anamulenge Mission Station
3.2 lilyateko or Ruacana Mission Centre
3.3 Omuulukila or Ombafi Mission Centre
In the light of this masterplan, we
have
achieved the following:
1. Ongha Mission has been established and
is managed by the two MSFS Fathers and the
OSB-Tutzing Sisters. It has been cut off
from Okatana.
2. Omuthiya Mission Centre is being cut off
from Okatana Region. This project has been
started by Okatana Pastoral Region, originally
spearheaded by Vicar General Fr. Franz Houben,
OMI, when he was then a parish priest. It
had been completed and will be inaugurated
on 18 May 2007. It will be entrusted to the
Missionaries of Our Lady of La Sallette who
have, so far, given us two priests: Fr. Vitorino,
MS and Fr. Clement Mario, MS. The mission
centre will take care of fourteen Catholic
communities between Ondangwa and Tsumeb.
Anyone who wants to donate needed materials
(financial or in kind) please contact the
priests at the following telephone number:
060 800 4664.
3. Okalongo Mission Centre: This mission
will be strategically well-placed between
the Archdiocese of Windhoek and the
neighbouring
Angolan Diocese of Ondjiva (Kunene
Province).
The construction has commenced and
it will
be completed in the course of this
year.
The fund-raising campaign (both locally
and
internationally) continues. The new
mission
centre will contain: Church, Priests'
House,
Convent, Pastoral Centre (for 20-30
people)
and Kindergarten classrooms (also to
be used
for ADDS orphans programme). To this
centre
will belong more or less 17 Catholic
communities
to be cut off from the Anamulenge Pastoral
Region and Oshikuku Pastoral Region.
The
MSC Congregation (sisters) has agreed
to
be pioneers to this new mission. I
am still
negotiating to get two priests for
the mission
in a not-so-distant future. I hereby
request
you all to pray for the success of
these
projects. Let God's will be done.
World Youth Day - 2008: Australia
The NCBC has proposed at last year's (2006)
plenary session, to send 12 people to the
event: 2 youth from each diocese = (6) 2
young Religious, 2 young seminarians, and
2 young priests. If there is one parish which
would like to pay for their respective young
candidate, you can do that, provided everything
is done via the right channel. As Bishops,
we would like to send our people as one group
representing our local Church and not as
individuals. Please send all your necessary
inquiries or information via NCBC- Secretary
General, Br. Hermenigildus Beris, CMM. This
23rd World Youth Day will be held in Sydney,
Australia, from the 15th - the 20th of July,
2008. The theme will be:
"You will receive power when the
Holy
Spirit has come upon you; and you will
be
my witnesses." (Acts 1:8)
Centennary Celebration (100 years)
Two of our church institutions will
celebrate
their centenary during the course of
this
year.
1. R. C. Church - Gobabis will celebrate
it during the week-end of 30 June - 01 July
2007. We are all invited to pray and thank
the Lord for the gift of his care during
all these past lOOyears of mission and evangelization.
2. Roman Catholic Hospital — Windhoek, will
likewise celebrate its centennial with the
main festivities slated for October 2007.
The management of the hospital writes...
" With gratitude and joy, the Roman
Catholic Hospital celebrates its 100 years
of service by providing Christian based quality
nursing care service to the sick, as its
mission. The Hospital will officially celebrate
its centennial on October 2007.
The Roman Catholic Church which established
the Mission Hospital in 1907 invited the
Franciscan Sisters to take over the administration
of the facilities.
The same Sisters started the Holy Cross School
in 1906. In 1923, due to lack of staff among
the Sisters to direct the hospital and due
to the need for more Sisters to work in the
school apostolate, the Archbishop of the
Diocese of Windhoek handed over the management
of the hospital to the Missionary Benedictine
Sisters of Tutzing, who have managed the
hospital up to the present.
From its humble beginning in 1907, and with
the help of Divine Providence, the Roman
Catholic Hospital - with its current 87-beds
and its up-to-date facilities -continues
to accommodate and bring the compassionate
healing ministry of Christ to the sick. With
these services, it hopes to render physical,
emotional, mental and spiritual healing to
its patients, so that they may, consequently,
experience stability and peace. We wish to
extend our gratitude to all our patients
and clients who had patronized our services.
We recognize and thank our doctors, nurses,
administrative staff and support services
in the hospital who have helped us develop,
continue, and achieve our mission to the
sick. More so, our gratitude goes to all
the medical aid "fimders" and our
suppliers who had greatly contributed to
our success. Finally, to His Grace, Archbishop
Liborius N. Nashenda, OMI, and his predecessors
for entrusting the Management of the hospital
to the OSB-Tutzing Congregation. Archbishop
Nashenda's continued support in all our activities
is deeply appreciated. May God's sustaining
grace be our joy and reward! Amen."
May God make all our efforts a success,
while
thanking the Congregation of the Missionary
Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, who
are administering
the hospital on behalf of the Archdiocese
and their staff, for their love and
dedication
CCN Leaders Meet the President
On 14 March 2007, the Church leaders of Council
of Churches in Namibia met with His Excellency,
Hifikepunye Pohamba, the President of the
Republic of Namibia. This was to enable the
president to consult with them regarding
the situation in Namibia and the role of
the church in the Namibian context. The president
consulted us on the performance of the government
since he took over the leadership in 2005
(with its successes and shortcomings).
The council leaders also presented him with
some concerns which include, among others:
decline of morality in our society, processing
of legal papers of our expatriate church
personnel, and the church's partnership with
the government on Health and Education. The
sharing was open and frank. The president
welcomed us with humility and in a dignified
manner.
General Information
• Official Visits by different Superiors
or General Superiors: SMIC Superior
General;
Poor Clares Abbess; MM-General Superior;
OSB Abbot from Inkamana; OFM-Cap Provincial;
OFM —Provincial Superior and Archbishop
Dominic
Jala, SDB - (Shillong Archdiocese -
India).
Thank you very much for being with
us.
• Visitators: Fr. Robert, OSB - Zimbabwe
and Sr. Theodora, OSB - South Africa,
conducted
the visitation process for the Benedictine
Sisters of Oshikuku, from 15 March
- 31 March
2007, at my request. I would like to
thank
them wholeheartedly for their work
and I
also thank the sisters for their responsiveness.
• Rev. Fr. Werner Afunde, the Vicar General,
returned safely from the UN-
Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia (23
March-
06 October 2006. He has shared briefly,
his
priestly experience with all priests
at their
session last 5-6 December 2006 in Dobra.
Thank you for the mission well-accomplished.
Meanwhile, Fr. Afunde, published his
book,
entitled "Chaplaincy: Towards
Spiritual
and Moral Services Support" which
was
launched on the 26th of February 2007
by
the Vice-Chancellor of the University
of
Namibia, Prof. Dr. Lazarus Hangula.
The Catholic
Church was indeed well-represented.
Congratulations,
Chaplain. We are looking forward to
a second
publication.
• Transfers: The OMI Provincial has announced
the following transfers:
o Fr. Phillip Pollitzer, OMI, has gone
to
Gunichas. o Fr. Simon Malei, OMI, has
moved
from Gunichas (Omaheke) to Omega Mission-
Rundu Apostolic Vicariate.
• Archdiocesan Pastoral Council of
2007 will
take place from 23 - 26 August at Dobra.
The convocation letter will follow
in due
course.
• Retirement: Rev. DC. Franz Gabriel
Naimhwaka
has gone on early retirement on 31
July 2006,
having be en born on 25 October 1947.
He
studied at Anamulenge (1960 - 1966);
Dobra
High School (1967 - 1969). He started
teaching
in 1970, served as principal of Oshikulufitu
Combined School (1973 - 2006). He was
ordained
a deacon on 13 May, 1984 and is currently
ministering Ombafi parish. He is gifted
with
9 children.
• Rev. Beatus Abraham and Sr. Ottilie Inamutuhala
Aluvilu, OSB are
attending a nine-month course at the AMECEA
Pastoral Institute -Gaba-
Eldoret, Kenya.
They departed on the 06 February 2007
and
are expected back on 28 October 2007.
AMECEA
course is a Sabbatical/Renewal Programme.
Good Luck!
• I (Archbishop Nashenda) shall be out of
the country on the following times:
* 26 May - 15 June 2007: Europe
* 20 July -10 August 2007: IMBISA Conference,
Luanda - Angola
Our Deceased and the Sick
Our deceased
Rev. Fr. Paul Lootens MSC passed away of
heart attack on 21 January 2007 in Swakopmund,
at the age of 83. He was born in Zichem,
Belgium; he worked in now DRC - for 44 years.
He arrived in Namibia in 1992. In Namibia,
he worked most of his time in Swakopmund
Pastoral District. He was laid to rest in
Swakopmund Town Cemetery.on 27 January 2007.
Vicar General Fr. W. Afunde conducted the
proceedings on my behalf ( I was out of the
country). His confreres from South — Africa
and Rome were present. We thank Fr.Paul for
his simplicity and for the contribution he
rendered to our local Church. He was indeed
a man in touch with nature. May his soul
rest in God's eternal peace.
Our sick
Once again let me invite each one of us to
continue to pray for our sick co-workers
in the Archdiocese .
• Our Vicar General Fr. Franz Houben OMI,
is still continuing his therapy in AACHEN
- Germany. He asks for our prayers and support.
He sends many regards to us all. Fr. Franz,
we are praying for your recovery everyday.
• Other members of our personnel who are
hospitalized and/or are recovering are: DC.
Joel Johnson; Sr. Theophilia Aule, OSB; Sr.
Margaret Uutoni, MSC; Sr. Lydia Risto, OSB;
Mother Irmgard Poroto, OSB; Sr. Helena Araes,
SMIC; Sr. Maria Aimmelsbach, OSB; Sr. Amadea
Donadilla, OSB; Sr. Pelagia Evula, OSB; Novice
Eva Antsino, OSB Novice Matilde Shikongo,
OSB and Postulant Felicia Nuasiuzor, OSB.
Conclusion
Let me take this golden opportunity to wish
you a very Happy Easter and God's blessing in your Pastoral ministry.
May your hearts be filled with the love of the Risen Lord.
Wishing you God's unconditional and gratuitous
Love!
Sincerely yours in God's Vineyard
Rt. Rev. Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda, OMI
Archdiocese of Windhoek |
