::April 2007 issue :: News Archives::

 

Message from the Superior Dear Brothers and Associates, I am filled with joy as I write because of the blessings God continues to shower upon us through our ministry and through our collaborators. The months of May and June have been months of joyful activities. On 5th May, 2007 we celebrated the ordinations to priesthood of Fr Chibesa Chishimba Peter, OMI and to deaconate of Deacon Francis Litebele Kabika at Mary Immaculate in Lusaka by Bishop Paul Duffy, OMI. We thank Bishop Duffy, OMI who has always been so gracious and fatherly in sharing his priesthood with OMI family in Zambia. At the same venue on 29th May, we inducted 11 women and men as Missionary Associates of Mary Immaculate. This marked a new chapter of being missionaries in Zambia. As a delegation, we are convinced that this way of being missionaries will bring vitality to the Church in Zambia. On 24th June and 1st July, I was delegated by Bishop Paul Duffy OMI of Mongu Diocese to install Fr Kennedy Sampa OMI and Fr Valentine Kalumba OMI as Parish Priest of Sancta Maria in Lukulu and St Lawrence of Brindisi in Limulunga respectively. It is always gratifying when one sees the joy on the faces of the faithful at these celebrations. All these celebrations brought joy and life to the Delegation. In this issue though, our staff writer Ms Benetria Milambo, shares her experience from the missions. She toured all our missions to collect stories of our missionary activities. These stories are her first hand experience of being missionaries in Lukulu, Kalabo and Limulunga as she accompanied the priests to out stations. I am thankful to her, for she brings out the experience of missionary life in a vivid way. I see this as an effort to share with you how daring and committed our missionaries carry out their missionary activities. There are a lot of challenges but with your support and prayers we are able to meet them. Therefore, continue to keep us in your prayers. May God bless you! Enjoy reading the ordinary activities of being missionaries in rural Zambia.

Reflections on my stay in Zambia - Fr. David Kalert, OMI

At the 2004 General Chapter in Rome , Fr. Joseph Phiri, OMI, the Zambia Oblate Delegation Superior, invited me to come and assist in various needs of the Zambian Oblates. I felt honored at this invitation. I said to myself that I would help in whatever way I could.

I had visited Zambia a number of times when I was provincial of the United States Province .  Therefore, I was somewhat acquainted with what the Oblates are doing here.

I was always impressed with the Zambian Oblates on my visits, and my stay here has only strengthened my admiration. While I do not want to canonize them and make them saints, they continue to remain committed to our Oblate ideals of community and ministry with those most in need.

When I arrived I told Fr. Joseph that I would do whatever he needed me to do…maybe I should have offered a few qualifications.  When I finished my last assignment, I told the provincial in the United States that I would do anything except formation and seminary work.  I should have learned by now after all these years that when one says “I don’t want to do something”, God takes that as a hint to do some stretching and giving.  Guess what Fr. Joseph asked me to do? - to live and work at the pre-novitiate formation house in Lusaka !  While I would not have chosen that ministry, I found it to be very rewarding.

I was impressed with the generosity of the young men here at the pre-novitiate. They are willing to participate in whatever they are asked to do.  In fact, they do not wait to be asked - they spontaneously offer their assistance.  Their prayers offered at various times indicate an awareness and sensitivity to the needs of the Church, the world and the community. Their ministries are certainly among the poorest: the various hospices, the parishes and the University Teaching Hospital (UTH). I find them to be full of life and interested in life!

Fr. Ron Walker, OMI, was also part of our community at the pre-novitiate, but among many other jobs, he is the Mary Immaculate Parish Priest. He invited me to help with masses at the parish, penance services, and other ceremonies. I found the people to be very committed to their faith and to the parish.

This new parish has many challenges, but that does not seem to slow them down. The tent developed a few holes and had to be taken down for some repairs. That task seemed to be done without too much complaining or hesitation. It was accomplished promptly. When I first came, I told the parishioners that I hoped they would never finish the church because, as “tent people”, they seemed so alive.  However, I do wish them blessings so that they will be able to finish the hall and eventually the church without too much delay. I am convinced their faith will not diminish.

One of the other assignments Fr. Joseph gave me was to be an observer for the Board of Directors for Our lady’s Hospice.  Half way through the year, the board suggested that I become the administrator of the hospice! I thought they were joking, and I laughed. They were not joking! So I agreed to take on the task with the assurance that they would help and also that Sr. Kay O’Neill, FMDM, would assist. After all, what do I know about medical issues or medicines? I barely know the difference between an aspirin and a cough drop. Sr. Kay saved the day!

The experience at the hospice has been a real challenge but also a wonderful blessing. The challenges did not seem to stop, and some of them still continue. Funding was a very serious issue, but thanks to many organizations and also our religious communities, the initial problems were addressed.

One of the problem areas was the payment of the workers. Certainly, some were poorly paid, and the working hours were too long. The hospice is still working at resolving those issues, but it will take a while longer to satisfactorily deal with that problem. The labor laws themselves are confusing and unsatisfactory, at least in my estimation.  I admire and appreciate that the employees at the hospice are so willing to keep on working, regardless inconveniences!

The motivation for the employees and staff at the hospice is definitely the ministry to those afflicted with HIV/AIDS, especially the poor. The stories of some people who come to the hospice are heartbreaking. If crying with and for them would help, that could be done.

I was also asked to help establish a group of Oblate Associates here in Zambia , lay-people who are interested in the charism of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and who wish to learn more about the founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod. After several months of introductory sessions, eleven members committed themselves as Oblate Associates on Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2007 . They become part of the international group, known as Oblate Associates belonging to the worldwide Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate (MAMI). Fr. Vincent Sakala, OMI, the director for the group, and the Zambian Oblate Associates come with a lot of zeal and energy!

As I return to the United States for an assignment at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio , Texas , I feel so enriched by all that I have received. I take with me many memories, and I will always feel a member of the Zambian Oblate family and the many people with whom we minister.  Zambian hospitality cannot be beat! My prayer is that God will continue to bless abundantly their dedicated and generous efforts. May Our Blessed Mother and St. Eugene de Mazenod always accompany them!

Lukulu Oblates shine Christ’s light

“The parish is the centre of attraction for everyone in Lukulu district. People look up to the Oblates for a number of things; accommodation, shopping, transportation, spiritual guidance,) and a lot more,” said Fr. Kennedy Sampa, OMI Sancta Maria Parish Priest.

It is as though the parish centre is the reason for the existence of the town.  Besides the more than seventy outstations being served by the Oblates in Lukulu district, the Oblates are partners with a number of institutions in agriculture, health, education and social justice. 

The Leprosarium, one of the many projects under the care of the Oblates, takes care of about nine lepers who are in constant need of medication, food and shelter.  The parish has come up with a number of initiatives to raise funds for such projects locally such as renting out the houses at the Leprosarium village to be used for daily upkeep of the lepers.

In Lukulu, everything has to be bought in advance as there are no supermarkets and gas stations.  The parish priest, his assistant and regents always have to be on the run to ensure that things are moving.

One or two punctures in one journey are normal to have because of the change in the condition of the road.  By the time one reaches the destination, it is also normal to have the colour of ones clothes and hair changed to brown because of the dusty road…that is besides the bumps that will wear and reduce one to nothing in terms of strength.

The Oblates play host to a number of visitors that come in the district.  For example, the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) who were in the district to distribute relief food to remotest villages affected by flood stayed at the guest house.  They were going to air lift food to these areas which are almost impossible to reach by road and water.  (The Oblates play a huge role in the distribution of relief food.  They are highly respected and trusted to deliver whatever has been given to them to the intended recipients. )

Also, the Oblates in Lukulu have started a gardening project and Brother Ephraime Chisumbe is in Charge.  This project is meant to help out with home Based Care, St. Vincent de Paul.  In the past, the Oblates have not been directly involved in the Home Based Care programme and the Hospital. They feel that the vegetables and bananas to be harvested from the garden will be a way of contributing materially to the two. 

In the outstations, one can never fail to notice the happiness of the people at the visit of a priest.  Though poor, they still give from their poverty.  Those who did not have money to offer brought some of their grains.

Every week, at least three vehicles go into out-stations on Sunday.  Fr. Kennedy noted that it very costly to run the outstations in Lukulu saying that each vehicle needs about K200, 000 to go to one out-station on Sunday alone, whilst the weekly contributions from all outstations come to K30, 000.  This makes the Oblates constantly rely on other sources of income to cover up the costs of vehicle maintenance and fuel.

 “People are faithful here.  They walk long distances to listen to the word of God and they do appreciate what we are giving them.  It is an honour to serve them.  The workforce is not enough though,” he explained.

The dormitory project in Lukulu is almost coming to an end.  The dormitory will house over one hundred school girls who have no place to stay during the time when they are attending school.  The project was built with contributions from the community and took five years at the cost of K100 million for it to be at its present stage. 

Father Kennedy said as soon as the bathrooms are fixed and electricity is put, the girls will start moving in slowly.  Then they will start looking at buying banker beds, lockers and mattresses.  Plans are underway to build a second hostel for girls.  He said that even though boys also need a hostel, there is still need for another girl’s hostel because they are more vulnerable to bad vices as compared to boys.

In Lukona, the Oblates have a farm where they grow maize for St. Vincent de Paul lay group.  There is also a farm house.  However, there is no water and whichever group goes there has to carry drinking water whilst the bathing water could be fetched from some shallow wells around the village.  Even though the house is not in good condition, some parishioners, such as St. Annie’s lay group, have used the house for retreats and workshops as it is central to some outstations.  If this house is renovated and water available, it will be an excellent retreat centre for the parishioners.  It will also be a good place for Oblates to rest whenever they are off as it is quiet and far away from the parish centre.

Currently, the members of Lukona outstation meet at the farm house as their church building collapsed. 

Zambian youths celebrate Oblate week

The youths at St. Lawrence Parish in Limulunga ended the Oblate week, on May 26, 2007 , with numerous youth activities.  The youths were in a mood of exercising. They spent most of the time being active physically and mentally.  Competitions were held regardless of age.  The group seemed to be enjoying each other’s company.

The youths led by Regent Wankie Mbuzi, OMI, performed a number of sporting contests such as relay, eating and needle races.  Other game included high jump, soccer and netball.

The youths later went to the parish centre where they divided themselves into two groups for the battle of wits in a bible quiz.  They had 60 questions which they had to answer during this segment.  Each group chose one un-attempted question and had two chances to answer, failure to which the question would be transferred to the other group for extra points.

The two groups were well informed and managed to answer most of the questions. 

Later, they had lunch together and then danced the rest of the day away.

One of the youth leaders, Kaluwe, said that the youths would be more united if they had such an opportunity to meet and share the word of God.  He, however, stated that it is not possible because the youths come from poor families and can not afford to contribute towards such gatherings.

In Lusaka , the pre novices also had a number of activities.  Everyday in the evening, the pre-novices staged a number of presentations in form of sketches and plays.  The presentations centred on the most influential figures in the congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate such as Joseph Gerard.

At Mary Immaculate Parish, Fr. Ronald Walker, OMI distributed a brochure that called upon the youths to answer to the challenge of religious vocation.  He also displayed a number of pictures and a wealth of information on Oblate missions in Zambia .

Three days in remote outstations in Kalabo mission

It was going to be a three-day camping trip. The following three days were to have a very tight schedule; traveling, Mass, looking for and preparing a place to sleep.  Fr. Patrick Chiso,OMI and Mr. Moses Mwamba, the Pastoral Coordinator at St. Michaels Oblate Parish, prepared everything needed for the trip; Mealie meal, Relish, drinking water, beddings, mosquito nets and repellants.  The journey started at 09:45 hours in the morning. 

It took a tiring and exhausting  three and half hours to reach the first  place where Mass was to be held at 14:00 hours that day, Friday the 18^th May 2007, the faithful were already waiting and the moment they saw the fathers car, they started running towards the church building to receive him.  Fr. Chiso says the car is the bell for these people.

Mr. Mwamba, had to constantly remind the liturgical leaders what needed to be done at each particular moment during Mass.  

After Mass, Fr. Chiso and his group went to Luusa primary school where we were to spend our night.  The people were very hospitable; they did every thing to make sure that we had a comfortable stay in their village.  The evening meal was served though it was difficult to enjoy it because of the many mosquitoes, which spared no rod for the tired visitors.

That evening, the members both young and old, came round to the hut where the parish priest was to spend his night, built a fire and sat round the fire as they listened to Fr. Chiso and the pastoral coordinator sharing the word of God. 

A number of questions on the church. (to be expanded)

Four people from New Apostolic Church were converted and were asking for baptism.  Fr. Chiso explained to the four that they needed to learn and understand the Catholic faith before they could be baptised.  The pastoral coordinator taught them how to say the sign of the cross.  Father advised the leaders to teach the new converts the Catholic faith.

At this time the writer surrendered to bed but the Priest and Pastoral coordinator continued feeding the people with the word of God until late in the night.

The coming of the new day meant another phase of travel, packing and looking for people to prepare meals.  But first things first, a hot water for bathing and breakfast was prepared before we could finally start off.  Some people came to greet the priest and to bid farewell as he left for another outstation.  Some of the members escorted the priest to the new outstation in order to show him the way.

Mr. Monde Namakando, the Zone leader (who is also the head teacher at Luusa Primary school ) explained that the trend of people coming to church changes according to seasons.  There is a time for planting crops and tilling the land, a time for scaring away birds from crops, a time of harvesting and a time for looking for food during famine times.  He noted that because the villages are scattered, people find it difficult to walk long distances to church because it will mean leaving the birds to finish off their crops in the fields.

Day two was another tiring journey of cross cutting where there is no road.  Some area looked so bushy that if one was alone and not familiar with the place, they would get lost, and probably never be found again!  At Sipako, the next outstation where mass was to be celebrated on the second day, the members were not ready as they thought they were going to have Mass the following day - Sunday.  Fr. Chiso told them to quickly organize themselves for Mass at 16.00 hours in the afternoon because the following day, he was to have Mass at another outstation. 

The Catholic Church in Sipako meets outside because there church structure collapsed.  They are in the process of building a new one.  Father Chiso heard confessions before mass.

For this day, because the crowd was small, mass was held in one of the class rooms at Sipako community.

And so it was, Mass was held at 16.00 hours and people were there to pray. This outstation is more organized and its leadership looks stronger.  The music was so good and members both young and old danced throughout.

Another big fire was made in the evening, at Sipako there was a lot of singing and dancing.  From time to time, Fr. Chiso would not resist standing up to join them in the singing and dance.  Mr. Mwamba also took time to teach the choir new songs.

On Sunday the 20^th, the group traveled to N’uma.  Some parishioners from Sipako still wanted to be with Fr. Chiso and they traveled with him to N’uma.  It takes three to four hours for them to walk back to their village, but they did not mind.  They were singing all the way and because we did not find the choir prepared in N’uma, the Choir members from Sipako took hold of another opportunity to sing to their God.

After mass, Fr. Chiso had a meeting with the church leaders.  The entourage then started off back to Kalabo Boma after having lunch.  At this point, the vehicle was full; people going to town for some errands and pumpkins!  These pumpkins were gifts to Father Chiso from parishioners in the outstations.

Unlike most times when missionaries stuck in the mud and when they have to stay longer on the road because of tire punctures, this journey hardly had any such hassles … of course except for the biting mosquitoes, bumpy roads, spending nights on reed mats and sitting on uncomfortable tree logs used as benches during mass.

Fr. Chibesa’s first mass in the outstations

On Pentecost Sunday ( May 27, 2007 ), it was Oblate Father Peter Chibesa’s first day in the outstation since he was ordained priest on May 5, 2007 .  The three Oblates; Fr. Chibesa, Fr. Valentine and Brother Wankie Mbuzi were up early in the morning to push-start the vehicle to be used.  It was going to be Nalinanga, with one alter server and the writer, he set out.

The road to Nalinanga, is no exception as a hurdle but it is not as bad as it gets in the rainy season.  It was in this same road to Nalinaga that a Limulunga vehicle drowned in a stream.  Even though it is dry at present, there is still a lot of water in this stream and it takes a courageous mind to go through it. 

Even though Nalinanga outstation is the only place where Fr. Peter was to say mass, the neighbouring outstations (Ikwichi and Mombo) organised themselves, walked to Nalinanga, camped to have mass the following day.  The three outstations took this as an opportunity to give thanks to God for the gift of the newly Ordained Father Chibesa. 

Upon arrival, it was very clear that there was activity the night before because there was a big fire.  Some choir members, who probably had spent the night at the centre, were playing drums inside the church building.

During mass, there was dancing and singing and after mass, speeches were made by church leaders from the three outstations.  They kept on referring to the Father as deacon and later correct themselves.  They showed a lot of gratitude to Fr. Chibesa for choosing to serve them.

In his homily Fr. Chibesa explained that the Holy Spirit guides people to do the right things all the time.  He involved the members by asking them questions on the Holy Spirit

The more permanent church structure at Nalinanga that collapsed some years back and since then, the church built a temporally structure where they meet every Sunday.  To some extent, the collapsed building has become a blessing in disguise; people can sit on concrete blocks!  It is much comfortable.

 “Since the church collapsed, people here have failed to rebuild it because they are too poor to afford the materials needed for renovations.  The new structure leaks a lot during the rainy season.  Sometimes we might be in the middle of prayers, but as soon as it starts to rain, we run towards the trees for shelter,” said Inonge Wakumelo, a youth from Nalinanga Catholic Church.

She said the church council passed a decision to get donations from members which were to be used to buy plastics to cover the roof of the church building before the rainy season comes.

After many donations from members, the church managed to buy six of the twenty metres required to cover the whole roof top.

“One metre costs K15, 000.  So we still need 14 metres more to finish covering the roof but at the moment people have already started complaining that they have given too much and they can not manage to make any more donations because they are too poor,” said Inonge.

Inonge answers question very intelligently.  She speaks English well.  One tends to wonder what she is doing in the village instead of being in school.  She is in grade twelve, but she is not in school because she did not manage to pay her school fees.  Fr. Chibesa’s trip provided an opportunity for her to speak with him on the possibilities of her being assisted with school fees.  She might just be one of the many young people under education assistance programme by the Oblates.  However, this education assistance is not guaranteed.  The Oblates only help these young people as and when they can.  There are some young people who would not be able to go back to school if they were not assisted. 

These are just but a few of the many problems the church faces in Limulunga.  That is besides poverty and illiteracy. The church here is trying as much as possible to be self sustainable.  They have involved themselves into a number of fundraising projects such as cassava and rice farming which they sell.  However, these projects do yield as much as they ought to because they initial capital is not much.

The Oblates are also involved in a number of projects for the church in Limulunga.  The parish Hall, will be completed by the end of this month (July, 2007).  Fr. Chibesa said that the hall will be used for various meetings and as a youth centre.  The parish offices, which are currently located in the main church building annex, will shift to the parish hall as soon as it is completed.

There is also a Piggery project at Limulunga.  There are twenty five pigs currently and the number is expected to multiply.  Fr. Chibesa said that it is not costly to rear pigs as feed is readily available and is affordable.  The Oblates plan to sell some of the pigs along the way.

Just like Fr. Chibesa said during his speech at his ordination, the journey as a religious has just started.  The road of service is always at the begging for him.

Twenty seven invited for 2007 come and see

Twenty-seven (27) prospective Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) have been invited for a “Come and See” experience at De Mazenod Formation house in Lusaka .  The first group of four consisted Paul Muchechesi, Cornelius Tukuta Mulenga, Fabian Nsenje and Robby Banda.

The four said that they enjoyed the lifestyle led by the OMIs and the pre-novices at de Mazenod formation house.  They could not help but comment on the hospitality they received.

“The reception from our friends already in the formation house was good and encouraging.  I was scared at first but the celebration of Mass wiped that fear away.  Our presence was highly recognized by the Oblate priests.  The pre-novices integrated freely with us and oriented us to the way of life in the house.  I saw a lot of team work and cooperation amongst them. The accommodation and food was at its best,” said Paul.

They also talked about the many lessons that they learnt whilst at the formation house.  “I leant that community life brings a sense of unity and family through sharing, working together and enjoying free time together.  It strengthens and builds a group.  The time I spent at the pre-novitiate, sharing the word of God through communion and prayer made us share our happiness in Christ.  However, the Oblates made us realise that even if they live community life, vocation as a priest is personal,” said Robby.

The “Come and See” experience also made some of the candidates feel more at peace. “This place is a spiritual healer.  During my three days at the pre-novitiate, I started understanding myself better.  I have never felt more at peace than now.  I was made to understand why certain things happen in my life.  I learnt new ways of praying and new hymns,” said Fabian.

And Cornelius said that he was happy that they were fed spiritually during their time at the pro-novitiate. He said that they were taught to listen to the Holy Spirit as they answer the call.  He admitted that the group learnt a lot about religious life stating that the information is sufficient enough for anyone to make a decision on what they want to do in life.

“I thank every one who participated in showing us how to live community life, working together as a family, self discipline, punctuality (doing the right thing at the right time), humility, perseverance, courage, dedication to God and to Mary,” he said.

The 27 candidates have been divided in five groups to be spread through a period of five months.  The first group came in for the experience from the 5^th to the 8^th of June, 2007  

 

Last updated on July 18, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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