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Our Mission Statement :
Gathering together around the person of Jesus Christ, We the
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the Zambia Delegation, see
our mission as a call to establish and maintain a vital and
culturally integrated missionary presence in Zambia, one that will
be resourceful to the Church in its mission of evangelization,
particularly in its outreach to the poor, the most abandoned and the
youth.
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Launch of the silver Jubilee Celebration
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On the 25th May, 2008 we celebrated the
launch of our Silver Jubilee celebrations
at Mary Immaculate Parish.
Continued |
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The main
celebrant was the Right Reverend Bishop Paul Duffy, OMI who
is the Bishop of Mongu Diocese.Amongst many Oblates who came
for the launch was Fr. Pat Gitzen, OMI who was among the
first Oblates that came to Zambia. Fr. Raymond Mwangala, OMI
represented St. Josephs Scholasticate in Cedara, South
Africa. Lay people from their respective communities in the
Western Province were also present for this occasion.
In his
homily, Bishop Paul Duffy did not forget to acknowledge the
fact that the launch of the Silver jubilee celebration
coincided with the feast of Corpus Christi.
He described the feast of Corpus Christi as being a
beautiful feast, a feast of Gods’ love for us whom God
created out of love so that one day we can be united with
him in the eternal kingdom. Hence the significance of us
beginning our celebration on the feast of the Blood and Body
of Christ.
The bishop further said that if we always remember that we
are that one family, sharing that one love, then we can face
the future with confidence.
The procession of the word comprised of visitors from the
Western Province and Parishioners of Mary Immaculate. They
were carrying seeds to represent the word that the
missionaries brought to the people of the Western Province,
Seedlings to represent the growth of that faith that they
planted fruits to show the fruits that they have given birth
to in their works in the different areas of their different
ministries. At the end of the procession, a Lectionary in
Silozi was presented. |
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Fruits of labour being carried
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“We are always looking for
our next Mission”
Fr. Pat Gitzen was one of the first four missionaries who came
to Zambia in1984 from Texas. He is currently a member of staff at
Our Lady of Peace Novitiate in Doebra, Namibia.
The twenty four years for him have gone by quickly, “With the
twinkling of an eye”. When he was coming to Zambia there was nothing
to prepare for, he remembers very well the words of one Nigerian
Professor at the University of Noterdamm who once told him that all
he needs to do is to be there for the people, be with them and
listen to their needs. He did just that and it has worked very well
for him. He said often one would go with his own agenda and forget
about the peoples’ needs.
Twenty five years for Fr. Gitzen means “we have just begun, we have
made some progress and we are still going on, we are always looking
for our next mission.” |
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Be Enthused in Christ
Bishop Paul Duffy urged all to live the present with enthusiasm just
like we were doing during the launch. We must be enthusiastic about
the graces and the gifts that God has given us to enjoy and be
enthused about all that He does for us. |
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