Wishing you all a Happy and Grace-Laden New Year 2014!

Transcription

1 St. B e n e d i c t P r i o r y Windhoek, Namibia WPN 59 September to December 2013 When children see many dolls and many gifts bought, then Christmas is near. When they see shopping-bags carried in the house, then Christmas is around the corner. And surely when they see new clothes for a vigil mass, then Christmas smells good. But, what about our children from the different locations of our neighborhood? They have none of these. After the Christmas Morning Mass, our Mother Maria Ignatius, Sr. Marie Johann, Sr. Bernhardine, Sr. Dagmar, who organized the children, Sr. Margarida and Sr. Monica distributed packed goodies, biscuits and sweets to the elders and children of our neighborhood. They walked home smiling and the children were jumping with joy carrying their Christmas gifts. This sharing of gifts with our poor neighbours will become rich memories of love and thoughtfulness at Christmas in their and our lives. We, too, are blessed with gratitude in our heart being the Christ Child s instruments of sharing His love. Touched by the deep meaning of Christmas, Postulant Reginalda Kamari wrote this poem entitled, Christmas Before and Christmas Now. The time has come to look for a gift for a loved one. It is the time to clean up the house and polish it. Now it is high time to decorate the Christmas tree and put on some flowers from the entrance to the inside doors. Put on new attire and off we go for Mass. Awake from sleep. St. John the Baptist cried out, Prepare a way for the Lord. Spirit in me, why prepare for something unessential rather to prepare for the coming of Christ? What is in my shopping bags for my soul? What kind of suit is on top of my soul? Am I a new person ready to meet the new person who is Jesus, my Lord? This is a season to make myself a gift for Immanuel God with us. It is the season to make myself clean inside and get myself polished by the peace of Christ. Come on, Christians, let us change and put on the armour of Light and off we go to meet Christ. Wishing you all a Happy and Grace-Laden New Year 2014! 1

2 Christmas with the Poor at RCH by Sr. Augusta Kunz For almost 20 years now, the Roman Catholic Hospital prepares a meal for the homeless people in Windhoek on December 26. Many years ago, we started this custom in the old parish hall, which was a useful and decent place to seat the people, had paper table cloths and the chinaware and cutlery from that place, all of which made a nice setting for a meal. In the beginning came about 20 customers; now they are over 40. Most of them are grown-up males, all thin with torn clothes. With the demolishing of the parish hall and when the new Hospital construction began, the Christmas setting and flair has also gone, as we have now only our front garden with the benches under the trees to seat the people. They know the time and place, and by 10h00, the first ones are sitting around and waiting for food. We come after holy Mass that is round about the same time. We have already prepared plastic plates, forks and teaspoons, and the kitchen cooked 3 big pots of food: meat, noodles or rice, and vegetables. Juice in a 20-liter bucket, serving spoons and mugs are ready. When we come with our food pots, they all come to the fence, and each one wants to be served first. Telling them to stand in one row is useless, each one is a row. After some Christmas carols and Our Father we start. Everybody gets equal portions of noodles, vegetables and meat; but some say the vegetables are not good for them. Yet, they still get them and eat them because the gravy makes them tasty. Often they come for a second portion, and many say thank you. This year, we had pudding for dessert and after the question: Do you want pudding? they said, No. But one took it and, thereafter, the others also tasted it and finally all wanted some. We did not know that there is food like that, was the reply. Scarcely, come the old demanding or rude youngster. When the pots are empty, all sit in expectation of what is coming. They know they get some clothing, and that is important for them. Little papers are distributed, with numbers to prevent one getting two pieces and the last has nothing. The principle is: You give me your number, I give you some clothing. This year, 2 like most years, they received T-shirts, nice green ones with a round collar. Size is immaterial, an M fits most, few need an L. Children get a small size, for women and girls we usually have some extras. Last year, all were given a proper pair of jeans, but not a single one wore them this year. Sold? Changed for liquor? This is all possible, we don't ask. Once we distributed the clothing which we got from the Sisters in Nubuamis, from the German container, but that was all far too big for them. After having received the T-shirt, they walk away. Thank you, Sisters, thank you... We don't know where they stay, sleep, wash, and eat. There are many, increasing every year in number, especially more youngsters. It makes you sad and worried to see them. Remembering Year 2013 with Gratitude Senior Postulants Share about their Formative Activity Postulant Beauty Kambazembi: I was enjoying my mission in Ongha. Every Wednesday, we used to go to pastoral work to visit the elderly people and prayed the rosary with them. We encouraged them to have a strong faith in whatever they asked from God as we were in the Year of Faith. We need to walk by faith not by sight. They used to be happy when they saw us always telling us to come back again to them. (The insert photo was taken during the St. Benedict Kindergarten Graduation in Nubuamis, Windhoek, on 30 November Postulant Beauty is one of the teaching staff.) Postulant Marianna Joseph: I decided to join the children of St. Michael Mission in playing football and it was my first time to see girls running with the ball like boys. It was very good and I enjoyed it. I

3 joined Fr. Erasmus and Sr. Felicitas to visit the people in the farm and they welcomed us with songs, joy, happiness, love and delicious food. I was touched by last Sunday s gospel on prayer. One of his disciples said to Jesus, Lord, teach us how to pray and I have this question: Why did John say to Jesus, Lord, teach us how to pray? Well, the answer is: because his disciples saw him praying and talking with God, his Father. We also have to follow the examples of his disciples, to ask Jesus to teach us and to show us the way that leads us to salvation. Let us pray for one another because prayer is a key to open any door to go in. Thank you very much. (The insert photo was taken during the St. Benedict Kindergarten Graduation in Nubuamis, Windhoek on 30 November Postulant Marianna is in the teaching staff.) Postulant Reginalda Kamari: The good zeal in Chapter 72 of the Rule of St Benedict became a reality in me as I experienced my first mission in Shambyu. Seemingly, mission experience means a fulfillment of God s plan as Jesus commissioned the Church to evangelize. As a young Christian and as a young missionary, I am glad to take hold of our formative activity given by Mother Maria Ignatius. Having been accompanied by five experienced Sisters in my mission experience, I tried by all means to associate with every sister by looking at the needs of the community and to each individual s needs. However, being the youngest in the Community of Shambyu, I gave a hand with love to my elders in every kind or another. I did it by taking over some tasks and to assist where I could. So far my tasks were: to help in the kitchen, cleaning, practicing the children for the Sunday and Thursday s readings, preparing for holy mass and helping in the laundry, hostel and greeting every soul I met. Above all is my personal prayer s which I compare to a murmuring stream flowing deeply 3 inside of me. I believe that this stream will never dry up or fade. Now this murmuring stream is accompanied by the common prayers for the Church. If it is His will, God will never leave our prayers unanswered. In conclusion, I always reflect on this quotation that Our disabilities do not make us unable people. Although at times life seems to be tough, the challenges are that we move on from this and turn them into opportunities. Opportunities do not necessarily mean that one gets famous but that I can make a difference in little areas where I find myself. Respect towards each other is essential for us to grow toward a common vision mission. Therefore, love for mission will enable me to rise from where I am now to a deeper relationship with Christ. My Apostolic Experience in Bunya Community by Sr Anselma Samuel, OSB As I reflect on my apostolic work in Bunya Community, what comes to my mind is chapter 3 of the Book of Ecclesiastes where there is truly a season to everything I do. There is a season for everything; from the 18 th of October 2011 until the days before leaving for the Juniors Program in Rome, in September, my years were full of rich experiences in Bunya. I am glad I had this opportunity to be sent as a missionary to this Community as a cook and to share the good news of the love of Christ with others. I do not stand in the streets and preach out, but what I do, I strongly believe that it makes a difference as St Therese of Avila says, Christ is also experienced in the pots. There is a time to plant and a time to harvest; apart from cooking, I also visited the poor. During my visits to the homes in the surrounding, I have met many Christians who

4 inspired me in my religious life with the way they live. Most of the women are in the group of Legio Maria; they come to church every Tuesday and Thursday morning to pray and praise the Lord. What inspired me most is the long distance they travel to come to church. I see their strong faith as they come to worship and adore the Lord. They are indeed planting the seed of love of our Lady and harvest the fruits of joy among themselves. There is a time to speak and a time for silence; I also visited the sick at our health centre. They do not say much, but bear their pain silently. Above all, I experienced the love of Christ from our little girl Paulina Karungu, who is 3 years old now. The Sisters had been taking care of her from birth, since her mother had rejected and tried to kill her. She visited me in the kitchen and stayed there almost the whole day. When she was with me, she either asked me to sing for her or teach her how to make the sign of the cross. Despite her young age, she is attentive and would remind me to go and ring the church bell for Angelus at noon. There is a time to seek and a time to lose; my service helps me to grow in faith. I realized that in community with a few Sisters, one should be alert and take initiative and not wait to be always told what to do. Readiness to serve where needed helps the individual to learn new things and ways of doing things. That in all things, God may be glorified. Who is going to be my witness to my God? by Sr. Gabriella Pangeni, OSB Thinking of witnesses, I always thought of them to be my friends, my family members and fellow Sisters as well as people from my surrounding, those who see my work and hear me when I am talking. Coming to the deep sense and consciousness of heart, I felt sorry for myself and for those who have the same answers as mine. The wise find out that my work here on earth and works are the witnesses. A profound heart speaks carefully knowing that whatever I say, do, and think will contribute to my witnesses. St. Benedict counsels in Prologue 17 of the Holy Rule, If you desire true and eternal life, you must keep your tongue free from evil. Do good, seek after peace and speak the truth, do no wrong, and act with justice. To afford all these qualities, one can free her heart from hatred and free her mind from worries so that one can live simply. Learn to expect less in giving more; this is how to live in the kingdom of God which asks us to give up something in order to gain it. National Youth Day August 2013 by Sr. Joyce Iipakwa, OSB and Sr. Grace Kakweno, OSB The theme: Go out and make disciples of all nations. On Friday 21 st August, The Archdiocese of Windhoek welcomed a number of about 617 youth from all over Namibia. The following were represented: Windhoek Deanery, Western Deanery, North West Deanery, Central Deanery, Omaheke Deanery, Apostolic Vicariate of Rundu (Zambezi), Apostolic Vicariate of Rundu, Kavango and the Diocese of Keetmanshop. This was a blessing to our youth for coming together to share the faith to each other. The National Youth Day opened officially with an opening mass presided by Bishop Phillip Pollitzer, OMI of the Keetmanshoop Diocese. Due to a big 4

5 number of youth, religious, priests, seminarians and the faithful, the holy mass was celebrated outside the St Mary s Cathedral. What a good Christian and Catholic family! The mass led by the youth was well-prepared. In his homily Bishop Pollitzer said, Many of our people today refer the word DISCIPLE to the Priests, Brothers and Sisters but as Christians we are called to discipleship, therefore, each one must take part in it and go out to proclaim the good news. After holy mass, the youth in their excitement continued with the singing, dancing and of course chatting and greeting each other. The next day Saturday, 22 August was filled with so many activities. As it was well explained, the youth will gather for Catechesis at different parishes because we were many to be accommodated in just one place. For us, we joined Fr Richard, MM at St Mary s Cathedral, whose lecture was based on discipleship. Fr Richard MM began with this question to the youth. What are you looking for as youth of the Church today? Is it for a comfortable life? To have a good family with all that you want in life? NO, Jesus is calling us to give up everything and follow him. Fr Richard challenged us to understand who we are by asking us this question again, what is maturity? And what is religion? He said maturity is the ability to be at the service of others, to change for the better when you have realized your mistakes and the one who is able to pick up his cross and follow Jesus in all circumstances of life. Religion is to keep oneself unspoiled by the world or work. Sometimes, we neglect our selves and others; we call ourselves Christians but the work we do and how we relate to our neighbors is far from God. Then, we ask ourselves why do I kill and keep revenge? Hating others for no reason? Why shouldn t I change my attitudes to love my neighbor where Jesus is dwelling? We got also a chance to have confession. One of the youth expressed that we are the luckiest to bring our sins to the Lord and ask for pardon because there are many people in our country especially in hospitals who want to confess but there is no other way, therefore, they are in the darkness. This was followed by the cultural dances and presentations at St Mary s Parish Hall on the theme Religion and Enculturation facilitated by Fr Maurus Kantana, OMI. He said we must love, respect and appreciate our culture because it makes us who we are. We cannot separate culture from religion; we integrate them in our daily living. All the deaneries and parishes got an opportunity to present something on culture like drums, dancing, singing and it was very exciting. After the cultural presentations at around 17h00, we began the Way of the Cross from St Mary s Cathedral to St Paul s College, Klein Windhoek. The city police helped and guided us in crossing the roads and streets. Though the journey was long, everybody managed to reach the place. The exposition of the Blessed Sacrament was held at St Paul s College sports field. The Seminarians and religious Brothers and Sisters led the intercessory prayers and songs during the Adoration. At this time, it was already dark, the chilly weather and the wind started beating up, but this awakened our hearts to feel the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Sunday, 23 August was the closing of the National Youth Day. The closing mass held at the same sports field of St Paul s College was presided by the Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda, OMI. In his homily he said, Proclaiming the Good News does not only mean going out of your village, town, and city or out of parish, but to start where you are. Start with your family, friends, and peers and in your parishes. He encourages the youth to be disciples and to learn from Jesus himself taking him to all. Before the final blessing, the Archbishop commissioned the youth to go and make disciples of all the nations. Greetings, lunch and departure followed the closing mass. The National Youth Day was indeed organized and prepared. Appreciation to all organizers and contributors!!! 5

6 My Apostolate with St. Philomena Group by Sr. Peregrina Kandere, OSB I started to share the Devotion to St. Philomena and the Living Rosary from parish to parish in Kavango in St. Philomena is the Patroness of the Living Rosary. Mary, Queen of Martyrs was holding Jesus when she appeared to St. Philomena loaded with chains in her prison cell awaiting death. Our Lady told her not to end her sufferings but to prepare herself for greater sufferings which lay ahead. At present, I have a group of St. Philomena men and women in every parish of Rundu Vicariate. They pray the rosary everyday and come together weekly for bible sharing. On Saturdays, they go to the bush and teach Catechism. Some share with the people the way of St. Philomena who sacrificed her life to preserve her virginity. St. Philomena s great mission is to help the innocent remain pure, protect and defend priests in their heroic calling to live the vows of their consecrated life. With the grace of God, our group returned many Catholics to the Church who went astray. They came back to us and many of them received the Sacrament of Marriage and repented. The members of the St. Philomena group receive Communion and the Sacraments regularly. If single, he or she follows the Church teaching on chastity. We need to reach our youth and teach them the way of St. Philomena: her ardent faith, perfect charity and absolute confidence in God. The Future of the Church of Namibia Depends Upon the Faith and Virtue of the Youth. Tondoro Community By The Tondoro Community c/o Sr. Marie Louise Munambabi, OSB As Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing at Tondoro Mission, we are working mostly with the poor, the orphans and the youth. During the Lenten Season, we try to be with the poor to feed them and to be with them sometimes to share with them and enjoy so that they may feel our presence. The Bushmen were so happy and made funny things while dancing and joking. Some of them come anytime they need help especially when they are hungry and we do try to help them with what we have. But most of time we realise that we are not really close to the Sans (or Bushmen), that s why, in Lent we take time to be with them. When they come before eating we do ask them if they know God. Some say Yes but some answered, Yes, he is there in the church. They were so happy even we and Fr. Timotheo, OMI who joined us were very happy. Until now they still ask, When are you calling us again, Sisters? It is a good pastoral work as well. We sincerely thank and appreciate Mother Maria Ignatius and our benefactors for helping us and enabling us to help the students who cannot afford their school fees, hostel and the material things. We are very glad to help some clever kids but poverty makes them not to perform well. 6 In October, the month of the Holy Rosary, we do pray the rosary every day. As a missionary Community, we take some days to move in the

7 village to pray with the old people as we know that some are no longer able to reach the church. It was a privilege for us to find them ready and eager to pray. When we go in the house, the neighbours come and you find the house full. We used to go with some youth especially the Bloukring group (Mother Mary s Youth Group) who are dedicated to Mother Mary. Celebrating the Foundation Day in a New Year, in a New Way By Sr. Mary Martin Likuwa, OSB It was on the 21 st of September, the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, when the four Communities (Bunya, Namuntuntu, Shambyu, Tondoro) of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing in Kavango Region came together to celebrate our Foundation Day at St. Scholastica s Convent, Namuntuntu. We celebrated it on this day because the Sisters could not come together on the 24 th of September because of their office work. The celebration was totally different from the way we used to celebrate it every year. This day was a day of prayer and reflection on how we are living our vocation as Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing today. The Sisters arrived in Namuntuntu between 9:00 A.M. and 9:30 A.M. At around 10:30 A.M., the Sisters gathered in the Church. The organizer, our dear Sr. Beate Schröter, OSB heartily welcomed and thanked the Sisters for coming and wished them a joyful day of prayer and meditation on the Word of God and our vocation. Ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. Sr. Beate encouraged us that our call to follow Christ as MBS Tutzing is based on the daily prayer and reflection on our vocation. If we want to be transformed, we must be willing to listen to the Word of God and ponder it until it transforms us. We are to keep in mind that our main bread in this vocation is the Holy Bible. We have Mary the Mother of Jesus as our model. Let us look at her and learn from her. She is a woman of faith, who listened with her whole heart, humbling herself in obedience and receiving the Word of God with joy. We, too, if we want to persevere in our vocation, we are to have courage so that we may have true love that takes away fear from all difficult situations and humiliations we encounter day by day. Each Sister then was given a time for private meditation and prayer. At 11:30 A.M., we had Holy Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Krumsheid, OMI. In his sermon he said as a religious called by Jesus and like St. Matthew, we are all called to follow him, to be strong in our faith. We should stand firm in our vocation, not to be occupied by this material world so that we will be true witnesses to the Word of God. After Holy Mass, we had lunch which was so delicious. At around 2:30 P.M., we went back to the Church and we were divided into three small groups to share what touched us most from the Scriptures and the life of Mother Mary together with our vocation. On behalf of all the Sisters, Sr. Thekla thanked Sr. Beate for making this day special and she thanked God for Sr. Beate s presence in our Communities in the Kavango Region. This day was indeed a day of renewal when we could reconcile with fellow Sisters. We deepened our religious vocation through praying and sharing on the Word of God. We concluded our day with a braai (barbecue) at early supper followed by 7

8 the departure of all the Sisters for their respective communities. THE BLESSING OF THE MEMORIAL HUT OF THE LATE ARCHBISHOP BONIFATIUS HAUSHIKU by Sr. Beate Schröter, OSB In the compound of our Sisters convent in Namuntuntu, at the western part of Kavango Region, stands a hut where the late Archbishop Bonifatius Haushiku used to spend his holidays from 1987 until his death in June The faithful of the Vicariate of Rundu have long been asking for a memorial place of the late Archbishop Haushiku, the first Namibian Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Windhoek, Namibia. Having asked the permission of Archbishop Liborius Nashenda, OMI of the Archdiocese of Windhoek, and Bishop Joseph Shikongo, OMI of the Vicariate of Rundu, the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Windhoek Priory in Namibia undertook the necessary repairs of this hut which would be the Memorial Hut of the late Archbishop. (Please see above insert recent photo of the hut.) At the end of the Eucharistic Celebration was the blessing of this Memorial Hut on the 16 th of November In his homily, Father Maurus Kantana, OMI, celebrant, emphasised that it was faith which brought us together in this gathering. The late Archbishop Haushiku was himself a man of prayer and faith. He personified the above two elements making him radiate peace and light to all. The little and simple Memorial Hut standing on a little hill at Namuntuntu facing the Kavango River should be a monument reminding the Namibians of their great son of 8 FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. Everyone whether old or young, Christian or Non-Christian, Namibian or Non-Namibian, Lutheran, Anglican or Catholic is cordially invited to visit this simple Memorial Hut and join us pray the following prayer written inside: Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer, we thank you for the gift of Archbishop Bonifatius Haushiku as our shepherd. He proclaimed the Word of God to us as a source of joy and salvation. We bring our petitions to you and through his intercession, we ask you to hear our prayer. Amen. 80 th Birthday, Jubilees, Profession Sr. Elreda Klein, OSB celebrates 80 th Birthday by Sr. Augusta Kunz, OSB Our community in Swakopmund is a very quiet community and presumably the smallest one in the priory, certainly the oldest one. The only feast days they know are jubilees, and the jubilees are celebrated. On 21 August 2013, it was Sr. Elreda, the second youngest, who celebrated her 80 th birthday. (Sr. Elreda is second from the right in the insert photo.) Mother Prioress Maria Ignatius and Sr. Augusta from Windhoek drove to Swakopmund to help celebrate this day. Sr. Elreda was still in the process of recuperating from an operation for a perforated appendix (a ripe age for an appendix!), but was well enough to enjoy the day and go for a leisurely walk along the beach. When you are 80, you know that you don't need many gifts any more. Prayers are more important, but some sweets and your favourite

9 food (in this case it was Leberkaese) brighten the day. The absolute crown of the day was an arrangement of flowers, almost 80 roses and some orchids sent from her sister, Irmgard from Switzerland. What a beauty and surprise! And with Swakopmund s climate, it will be beautiful for a long time. We, Sisters from Windhoek and gradually also some of our Namibian Sisters go there on holidays and, therefore highly appreciate the Sisters; we always find a welcoming community and the best place to stay there. To all four of you many thanks for your service delivered with joy and a smile, and we are glad that you keep the place always ready for us, visitors. God bless all of you and keep you well. Hearty Congratulations, dear Sr. Benedikta Schmitt, OSB on your Diamond Jubilee of Monastic Profession in Swakopmund, 05 October 2013 What Marvels the Lord Worked for Us by Sr. Emma Aindongo, OSB 9 26 October 2013 was the day the Lord made for us, Novice Emma Aindongo (now, Sr. Emma, OSB), Novice Letisia Kakweno (Sr. Grace, OSB), Novice Marina Gabriel (Sr. Mercy, OSB) and Novice Ester Andowa (Sr. Ester, OSB). It was our First Profession of Monastic Vows, a day of joy and happiness from the Lord. Indeed, it was a memorable day both for us and our Congregation, the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, the local church, our family, relatives, guests and friends. We began our preparations with Mother Maria Ignatius Glaser, OSB, our Prioress, giving us input on our monastic vows and how we live our charism on 17 October The retreat continued with Sr. Marita Haarmann, OSB as our facilitator. With her effort and God s grace, she made it interesting and informative. We got much spiritual guidance especially on serving God in community, how to love others as our neighbors, silence, and how prayer fills our whole being and others. Fr. Rick Bauer, M.M., our current chaplain, came specially to hear Confession. We thank them all and our Formators, teachers and work officials for helping us to become new persons. With God accompanying us in the journey of faith, we enter a new stage ready to take up our cross and follow Him. We are most grateful to our Vicar- General Fr. Werner Afunde, the main celebrant and the concelebrating priests of the Eucharistic Celebration of our First Profession. Fr. Afunde entrusted these words to us: To follow Christ is not easy, but if you have a strong faith, your cross will be lighter. We must have the courage and motivation to live our vocation. Fr. Afunde compared our religious vocation to an uncooked egg. If we drop our vocation, it will break like an egg and we cannot pick it up anymore because it is spread all over the ground. Thank you, Fr. Afunde for your good teaching and homily. It was a surprise to see our St. Benedict Priory House Chapel in Nubuamis full of witnesses to our First Profession of Monastic

10 Vows. Many thanks for their coming to celebrate with us especially all the Reverend Priests, Brothers, Sisters from the different religious congregations, our parents, relatives and friends. THE GOLDEN DAY THE LORD HAS MADE! by Postulant Reginalda Kamari On the evening of 06 December, all the Sisters and Formandees gathered together with great joy and thanksgiving for a vigil meditation for our Golden Jubilarians: Sr. Agatha Leonhard, OSB and Sr. Elisa Akapeke, OSB. As morning broke the next day, 7 th December, Feast of St. Ambrose, a group of Sisters awakened the Jubilarians with a song. The main celebrant, Most Reverend Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda, OMI, concelebrating priests and our Sisters accompanied the Jubilarians in the entrance procession of the Eucharistic Celebration with a song and dance by the Formandees. Before giving a short biography of each Jubilarian, Mother Maria Ignatius thanked and welcomed all who were present. She began by saying, An African proverb goes saying: Kill not a chicken that lays a golden egg! Have you ever ruminated what it is like to be such a chicken and how much it takes to produce this precious product, so to become a valuable? Looking at our two Jubilarians, we understand what it means: to dedicate a long life-time for bringing out the golden fruit through dedicating this unique life-time to somebody else s project! It means that they dedicated their life-time to somebody else s project God s - and to follow him, to bring out such golden result which makes them precious and lovable in our eyes and, for sure, in the eyes of God. 10 In his homily, the Archbishop said that children learn from the wisdom of old age according to the African culture. He addressed the Jubilarians that they have proved to be redeemed and have received God s grace of endurance. He affirmed them as an example of what it means to endure. He also admonished them to embrace God and prefer nothing to Christ as St. Benedict wrote in RB 72. In their thanksgiving speech, the Jubilarians thanked all who touched their lives and humbly invited everyone for a cup of cold water in St. Mary s Hall which meant to be a meal. With songs and dance, everyone moved to the hall for a delicious lunch prepared by our Sr.Cecilia Asser, OSB and the kitchen staff. While everyone was enjoying the cup of cold water, our Sisters, Formandees and the Jubilarians family and guests shared their talents in the program for the Jubilarians. Finally, the family members and friends of the Jubilarians gave their gifts to the Jubilarians who happily received them with both hands. To our dear Sr. Rosalia Hausiku, OSB, Hearty Congratulations on your Golden Jubilee of Monastic Profession, held at Shambyu Mission, Kavango on 14 December 2013 REQUIESCAT IN PACE Sr Alypia Returns Home by Postulant Hendelina Musungu It was on the 08 th of November 2013, when our Sr Alypia Tomas left this world for a new world which God prepares for us. Our Community was sad for losing one of our members, but we accepted and prayed for her to reach God. It is true what people say, Our life is a journey and not a destination. Remembering Sr. Alypia in the infirmary: not many words did she utter except: I am fine,

11 and she would smile. But one could see that she was in agony. I knew her as a quiet and prayerful person. At the homily of her funeral mass, Vicar General Fr. Werner Afunde, main celebrant, said that we are in sorrow now because our beloved Sister is gone, but God saw that what Sister has done is enough. When the owner of the land is harvesting, he is very happy but the birds are sad because it is where they feed themselves. Now Sr. Alypia is gone; she used to work for us in the harvest. Our plans are not God s plans. We can remember her as one who liked working in the garden; whatever she planted, it grew. How will people remember us? Sr. Alypia finished what she started. May her soul rest in peace and may she be an example for us all. It was a smooth trip from Entebbe to Johannesburg - Windhoek. The officer accompanying me for the passport control and visa had already signaled to me that there was a big group of Sisters waiting for me outside. That added to my joy. It was such a welcoming gesture of Mother Maria Ignatius, three Perpetually Professed Sisters and six novices. On the highway, the beautiful roads and the green mountains of Windhoek made it more pretty. Arriving to the Priory House in Nubuamis, I felt so small when I saw a big group of Sisters and Formandees with a banner, drums and all kinds of African instruments welcoming me. I am now feeling at home two weeks after my arrival here. I have been impressed by the graceful atmosphere of Ora et Labora in both young and old. I have already celebrated my first Christmas here. The liturgy has been beautiful blended by both Namibian and European music. HEARTY WELCOME! 26 November 2013 Welcome back, Sr. Oranna Franke, OSB and Sr. Lucia Gabriel, OSB, who returned to Namibia after completing the RB Course in Tagaytay, Philippines. My First Impressions of Namibia by Sr. Monica Nabirye Our Hearty Thanks and Appreciation to our contributors in Sr. Remedios de los Reyes, OSB Sr. Joyce Iipakwa, OSB Postulant Reginalda Kamari Photos: Sr. Maria Ignatius Glaser, OSB Sr. Dagmar Romanov, OSB Sr. Angela Bock, OSB Sr. Marie Johann Lee, OSB Sr. Theresia Shilongo, OSB It was on 18 December 2013, when I set off for my new mission to Windhoek Priory. As the South African Airline landed at Entebbe Airport in Uganda at 6:30 A.M., then my heart calmed that indeed I am going to my mission. 11