Today, on 15th February 2024, we gathered to honour the memory of Paco on the 11th anniversary of his passing. Paco left behind a legacy of kindness, inspiration and service that continues to resonate deeply with the members, apprentices as well as friends and collaborators of the MCSPA.

The commemoration began with a moving Eucharistic cerebration, where we came together to reflect on paco’s life and the impact he had on the members of our community. As part of the ceremony, there was a special blessing of seedlings that symbolize growth, and the continued presence of paco among us. 

Following the mass, we gathered to revisit the original sources of paco’s inspiration. Those that had a physical contact with him in our case Fernando and Manolo, shared their experience. It was a time of reflection and gratitude for the blessings paco brought into the lives of many members of the MCSPA.

As the morning progressed, a group of enthusiastic men and women joined us to collect trees. Together, we participated in another ceremony for blessing of seedlings. Then, with hands united, we embarked on the noble task of planting fruit trees at the mission to symbolize abundance, nourishment and the growth of our collective efforts in honour of Paco.

In the evening, we shared a beautiful meal that was followed by a film in which various members of the MCSPA shared their experiences of our Founder.

By Stephano Sambiri Ziba

Apprentice of the MCSPA

On 15th of February 2024, we held a celebration at Muketuri’s Holy Family Chapel to commemorate the 11th death anniversary of Fr. Francisco Andreo, or Paco as he preferred to be called, the founder of the MCSPA. The Scouts Group and some friends and volunteers from Chile and Spain accompanied the members present from Muketuri and our mission in Mexico for the occasion.

The Liturgy of the Word was celebrated, and Lourdes talked about the life of Fr. Paco and the charism of MCSPA in the reflection. She remarked that for Paco it was important to be a group comprising of people from different countries and cultures, united in sharing in people’s suffering and searching for specific ways of alleviating the pain and suffering.

The celebration was also centered on the ceremony of planting a tree in memory of Fr. Paco as a way of emphasizing the idea that life must continue, and we grow by carrying on the values and teachings of those who have left us. 

This message also helped to transmit the importance of unity, growth and community involvement in preserving Paco’s legacy.

 After the ceremony, lunch was shared by all present as we continued to share memories of Paco.

By Tigist Mekonnen

Apprentice

MCSPA

The MCSPA at Manila, today, commemorated the 11th Anniversary of the passing of Paco whose original inspiration is fully alive in the vibrance of a life lived in common and with the charity. 

We began the celebrations with the blessing and planting of 3 trees: a pomegranate, a jack-fruit tree, and a rambutan, symbols of the universality of fruit trees mirrored in the MCSPA. 

At the Eucharistic celebration, we remembered Paco for his zeal and commitment to looking for vocations. In one of his profound letters that was read by Fr. Francis, Paco emphasizes the need for seeking vocations in our house and in the Church at large, fruits of our commitment to tirelessly calling others to follow Christ.

As a concrete symbol of our commitment in following Paco’s footsteps and example, we are planting these three different fruit trees here in the compound of the St. Joseph and St. Francis Xavier Formation House of Theology so that we may participate with him in receiving the graces of God in our lives. These trees are indeed symbols of fruitfulness, growth, and commitment – 3 important elements at the very core of our vocation. We remember Paco for his most passionate initiatives when he was in Turkana, Kenya, planting fruit trees whenever and wherever feasible and possible. 

For Paco, a concrete way to apply the gospel values was to transform the desert into a garden, a flourishing, fruitful garden.

May St. Paul the Apostle, our protector and guide, through the intercession of Paco, our shepherd in faith, strengthen and sustain us so that we may remain fully alive and humbly follow the charism of the MCSPA – Paco’s charism – to the full.

By Cosmus Onyango, Apprentice

MCSPA Manila, Philippines.