MCSPA members and apprentices are thrilled to announce the blessing of a new mission of our community in Dakuna, Eparchy of Emdibir, Ethiopia (200km approximately west from Addis).

1 year ago, Bishop Musie Gebregiorgis, from Emdibir, invited two of our missionaries, Josephine Amuma and Lydiah Obok to begin a mission in this area.

The occasion was blessed with several diocesan priests, a deacon and a good representation of the religious communities of the Diocese and the local community. Also were present a sound number from the MCSPA communities from Ethiopia, Kenya, Philippines and Spain.

They travelled all the time way from their places to celebrate and accompany Josephine and Lydiah in their new mission.

The feast nicely coincided with the Solemnity of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Since it is placed on a high hill, the bishop compared Dakuna mission to Mount Tabor; a place where people come to pray and to receive the love from God through his Son. Bishop Musie started the celebration by blessing the house and followed with the Eucharist which took place in the hall of the community complex.

St Scholastica, being the patron saint of the mission, blessed us with a rainy day. A portrait of the saint was also blessed by the bishop.

Josephine Amuma

MCSPA

On Sunday, June 4^th, 2023 the Catholic Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The importance of this Solemnity was well embraced in Benga parish where people from all walks of life gathered as we blessed the renovated Holy Trinity, Chikowa Church. The church which was officially established in the year 1965 is located in the hilly areas between Nkhotakota and Ntchisi districts and it is a center for about 13 outstations. The church building has been under renovation beginning in mid-2022.

The celebration was presided over by Father Steven Ochieng of the MissionaryCommunity of St. Paul the Apostle, the Parish Priest of Benga Parish. In his homily, Fr. Steven emphasized the love that the Triune God shows to us human beings. He encouraged the people of Chikowa to remain united as the Holy Trinity, though in 3 persons, remains one God. “As people who are guided by the Most Holy Trinity, we must always beunited asthe Holy Trinityis oneGod. When we are united we will be identified as true Christians. We cannot accuse one another of witchcraft if we are united. We earn favor in God’s sight if we live in harmony with one another”  said Fr. Steven.

Also in attendance were some notable figures of theNkhotakoka and Ntchisi districts. Chiefs, Traditional Authorities Mwansambo and Kasakula, and a representative for the member of parliament for Nkhotakota South constituency did not miss out on such a great event . In addressing the people gathered,  Traditional Authority Mwansambo acknowledged that the church and the local government work hand in hand in promoting development. He said that construction of churches and other religious institutions is one of the signs a society needs when it comes to development. “When the number of churches increase in an area it means that people are not only focused on the worldly things but also on their relationship with God. It also shows that morality will be promoted in the area as the church isalso the source of moral code.” He, therefore, urged the people of his area to act in a way the church teaches them. The T.A. said that generosity is one of the acts that we as Christians ought to portray at all times even to strangers for God loves every individual without looking at their status. He further said that a Christian should always follow the footsteps of Christ who was crucified for the sins of all.

Indeed, it was a beautiful occasionfor the people of Chikowa Centre. The celebration was rounded up with lunch for all the congregants.

Daniel Jepter, MCSPA Apprentice.

Members of the Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle and Mary Mother of the Church, have recently started a presence in the Eparchy of Endibir. Located 4 hours southwest of Addis Ababa, a place inhabited by people from the Gurage community, and where there is a big number of Ethiopian Catholics, who follow the Ethiopian eastern rite.

On 16th April 2023, hundreds of catholics, young and old, gathered at Holy Trinity Church, in the village of Dakuna, to celebrate Easter Sunday. During the feast, people celebrated the resurrection of the Lord as well as breaking from the 55 days fasting from animal and dairy products.

Apart from its unique mix of fascinating history, deep-rooted identity, incredible natural wonders and rare wildlife, Ethiopia is well known of maintaining the use of its own calendar which is very similar to the Julian calendar. Most of the Christians in the world celebrated Easter Sunday a week earlier, following the Gregorian calendar.  However, things were different in Ethiopia. Their Easter followed one week later.

Prior to Easter, many Christians commit themselves to extended periods of both personal and communal prayers. This is done with the sole purpose of growing closer to God and to remember Jesus’ life and death.

On Easter Vigil, all Christians of Dakuna had their candles lit to express their faith. Then drums came. And then, the joy of the Risen Lord illuminated the face of all the faithful who were gathered at Holy Trinity Church.

Following the Ethiopian tradition, most people invite their family and friends for a common meal on Easter Sunday. And of course they cannot miss the presence of traditional dishes like injera, dorowot, kitfo and kocho, which altogether give a sweet fragrance to the celebration.

By Lydiah Obok.

La Pascua estuvo llena de vida en la iglesia de Mombo, parroquia de Benga, Malawi. Los cristianos cantaban con alegría que “Ha resucitado”. “Ya no está en la tumba”! Luego tuvimos 37 bautismos que incluyeron confirmaciones. Fue emotivo ver a una pareja de ancianos recibir los sacramentos. Sus débiles rodillas me recordaron nuestra fe floja. Pero con la alegría que vibraba en la iglesia abarrotada, nuestra fe se elevó y los sacramentos dieron a esta pareja de ancianos una esperanza renovada. Que la luz pascual nos fortalezca en nuestra fe débil.

P. Steven Ochieng

MCSPA

Benga parish lies to the east of Nkhotakota district in Malawi. The area is adversily challenged with deforestation and constrained water resources. Parents and children walk long distances to access water points.

In some instances, community members draw an safe water in rivers and wells which have health implications.  Children absentism in Nkhotakota Schools was high as children could spent long time on the queue to access and draw water.

In addition, some Schools did not have boreholes thus affecting the in School feeding program and lowered hygiene and sanitation.

MCSPA through engagement of community members, head teachers, teachers’ advisors, district education managers together; identified the needs of granting safe and clean water to communities and Schools around Benga parish.

Water is life and a recipe for smooth running of MCSPA in School feeding program. efficient and effective delivery of the in School feeding program, MCSPA has complemented the feeding program in Schools by drilling Boreholes. Kacheula School plus 8 other Schools have clean water now. Quality and clean water in its entirety for an integral part and development of Schools and the communities.

The community has the ownership of the boreholes and through their financial contribution manage to maintain the boreholes and are trained in WASH program to heighten hygiene and sanitation in Schools.

P. Steven Ochieng

MCSPA

On 12th February 2022, in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, was the official opening and blessing of MCSPA chapel and house. The ceremony was led by the newly installed Archbishop of Lilongwe George Desmond. The function was also attended by Fr. Martin of St. Patrick’s Missionary Society; the parish priest of St. Kizito, Chigoneka, in whose territory the MCSPA house is located, Fr. Hodges Mzunga who is the bishop’s secretary. The celebration was also attended by family and friends of the members and Apprentices of MCSPA in Malawi.

This was the second time the new Archbishop pays a visit to the MCSPA. The fist was few months back when he presided over a ceremony to commission 24 catechists were graduating from a three-years training course at Benga Parish.

In his homily at the blessing of the chapel and house in Lilongwe, Archbishop Tambala emphasized on transforming our houses into homes where the virtues of love and reconciliation prevail. Furthermore, he exhorted all to be ready and willing to go out of their comfort zones and be present to the needs of others.

Speaking during the celebration, Fr. Manuel Hernandez, MCSPA, said, “It is significant that we should always have a decent house for God in wherever we are, both for prayers and personal meditation”. In addition, Fr. Fernando Aguirre, the president of MCSPA, thanked family and friends of MCSPA in Malawi for the constant support rendered to the community since its arrival to the country. He said that there is a lot of hope for Malawi and that the future is bright.

In his speech, Archbishop Tambala said, “my relationship with MCSPA did not start yesterday; I knew them back in my Nairobi days when I was a student.” He recommended the works of MCSPA and wished them good luck in Lilongwe Archdiocese as they continue to spread the gospel through their various activities.

This year, MCSPA will be cloaking 10 years since its establishment in Malawi.

By Innocent Letasi Phiri, MCSPA apprentice.

I have been lucky enough to spend ten days in Ethiopia working with Luz, Lourdes, and Blanca. Although the socio-political situation is not entirely hopeful. Ten days in which I have not worked on the usual, ten days of preparing the new government agreement, and the entire 2021 audit, because even though there is COVID-19, the years continue to pass. Ten days in which we continue to see that insatiable desire to try to give the best of each one. Ten days after nine years of “his hand” I continue to see people move forward. Bearing in mind that education is the most powerful thing we could offer to the generations that follow us; that human rights, in many places, are scarce; and that communities who fight for it remain unbreakable.

Zena and her mother continued without giving up. Life awaits them while they eagerly await life, but they do not sit down and wait. They wait while moving, going to and from hospitals. From the program for the malnourished to hugging Lourdes, to thanking Tigist, who are proud of what they have been achieving.

Abebe is calm, happy, doing puzzles (doing and undoing boxes too), walking, eating alone and well, enjoying his classmates, teachers, and mother. Soon, he will be taller than all of us and will no longer be able to sit on our laps as he enjoys doing while crossing his legs as Alemu does.

The other Alemu, the builder, has made a handrail for Zenabu to walk on. At the end of the exercise, he got a bench to rest and laugh, while the teachers applauded him for his great effort.

With a great effort just like all of them, Enat never left them behind. She is the head and the feet of the program for the malnourished; she knows the babies and their families. She weighs, measures, and advises them. She feels so much joy when she releases those who achieve ‘the green’ from the program. She encourages them to continue fighting to go from black to red, from red to yellow, and to reach that much-desired green. 

Many families are so grateful and happy to see us. We have spent all these days eating in the homes of workers, and friends from the center. Shiro, Kai wot, Alicha, Dinich, Kefto… nonstop. The families were so grateful to see us, be with us, and share with us. We are filled with so much gratitude (not so much our stomachs).

The wells continue to generate and improve life. It is necessary to check that they do not break, that they are maintained, and that the structures remain strong. There is Debelo´s area, and now Jesus who will be working with him hand-in-hand to give each other strength and energy.

The special need room, the classes, the kitchen, the dairy (with two pregnant cows), the great team of watchmen, the adolescents who are now scouts, and all the gear at Muketurri continues to turn well as a team, with respect and desire to continue to grow in this great community that all of us have formed.

Warm hugs!

Popy García-Ramos

Since November 2021 we invite the children who participate in the activities that we carry out in El Paraiso, Xochimilco to write a letter to send to the Three Wise Men, asking for what they would be very excited to receive.

When we received the letters we saw that most of them asked for clothes, shoes and some simple toy….. we were surprised that they were not just toys… But what caught our attention were letters where they put: Whatever they want to bring me, whatever… .

When we asked these children why they didn’t ask for something they would like to have, they replied: “I don’t want to get my hopes up, I don’t even know if they are going to read my letter… whatever arrives is good if something arrives at all.”

There was a part where we asked what was the greatest wish for 2022 and almost everyone put that their greatest wish was, speaking of members of their family, the health of chronic patients, the rehabilitation of addicts, the improvement in family relationships, reduce the violence in their homes

When looking for sponsors for the 180 letter we had received, we explained that the most important thing in this activity was not the toy or the clothes themselves, but the commitment to restore hope to these children who, because of the place where they were born, make it difficult for them to believe in goodness. of people.

Finally the day came….. and it was wonderful!!! The faces of enthusiasm and hope could be seen in everyone: the children, their parents, the volunteers who helped us distribute them and of course the joy of all those who in one way or another supported us to make this possible.

I believe that the Three Wise Men arrived in El Paraiso this year to leave us all gifts that feed our souls and strengthen our spirits.

Blanca Beltrán

MCSPA

On 10th December 2021 took place the 16th graduation of “Furrows in the Desert” Programme of St. John the Evangelist-Lobur Catholic Mission, with the Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle (MCSPA) within the umbrella of Caritas Lodwar of the Diocese of Lodwar.

Once more, one more course has ended with an exciting graduation to celebrate the good work of the 13 new farmers. We counted with the presence of representatives of World Relief who have been partnering with the programme for many years and other members of the MCSPA of Kokuselei mission, who are supporters of Furrows in the Desert, were also present. The guest of Honor this year was Eva Laukamp, representing Kindermissionswerk from Germany, accompanying us after six years being one of our major benefactors to thex programme. We want to thank them all and also to the ones that were not able to come but are so important for the programme as TIPA, Rotary International, Foundation Emalaikat, New Ways UK and many others at the local level.

Also, taking advantage of the graduation, many of the members of SITFA (Saint Isidore Turkana Farmers Association) had theor yearly assembly and an ongoing formation workshop to improve and motivate the farmers to continue persevering and giving hope to Turkana showing that to produce food is possible and real.

Congratulations to all the team who makes this program possible and specially to the new farmers!!!!!

Maque Falgas

MCSPA