CFC LINK. Easter have arrived and it is time for another edition of CFC Link magazine EASTER EDITION, 2018

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1 CFC LINK EASTER EDITION, 2018 Divine Word Missionaries Common Formation Centre, Nairobi, Kenya The greatest one among you must be your servant. (Mt.23:11) Inside this Issue: From the Rector s Desk: Love as Service Page 2 Emmanus Experience: Page 3 the Call of Every Missionary My OTP Experience in Austria Page 4 Community Picnic Page 6 Deacons Spotlight Page 9 Fraters admitted to different ministries Page 10 Editor Rev. Anthony Musonda Chisanga, SVD Contributors: Fr. James Mailady, svd Fr. Wojciech Szypula, svd Rev. Osei Asante Stephen, svd Frt. Francis W. Bakilatob, svd Frt. Benjamin Gadezouhoin, svd Frt. Simon Vire, svd Frt. Wycliffe Ogetonto Ogega, svd Tovonoely Jean Joseph Henry Joue Design & Layout: Rev. Osei Asante Stephen, svd Editorial Easter have arrived and it is time for another edition of CFC Link magazine 2018 edition. Every year we go through the Liturgical calendar and celebrate Easter season not as a routine, but a spiritual exercise that should renew our spiritual life and our journey through life. Easter Sunday, is very important for us, Christians Catholics, because is the day of the Resurrection of our Lord. St. Isidore tells us that it is a day of joy of our Lord s resurrection and it became our day of great joy and the day of worship. On this Easter Sunday, our Lord Jesus offers us the greatest gift of peace and we are to promote this peace everywhere and proclaim the Word of God without fear. He is not here, He is risen Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah We began the second semester of the school year 2018, with full of eager and enthusiasm, because three of our brothers (Deacon Alex Owino Omondi, Deacon Osei Asante Stephen and Deacon Musonda Chisanga Anthony) are Kpaghere T, Frt. Simon Vire, and Frt. Isèrè Agre Roger) are going for OTP experiences for the period of two years. We were glad to welcome brother, Br. Antony Nguyen Van Khoat, who was here in Ken Tan Province from assignment, currently studying English. In this Easter edition we have interesting articles that will edify and empower us with Easter graces and peace. We have the Emmaus experience - the call of every missionary. By the virtue of our baptism, we are all given the mandate to be missionaries. We also have articles on OTP experience in Austria, institution of ministries to our fraters who were instituted into the ministry of lectors and acolytes and also on the same date, the beginning of the second novitiate in preparation of the perpetual vows. Furthermore, we have articles on Christmas holidays experience with the Tanzanian Maasai, a language student shares his experience of learning a new language, his hopes, challenges and joys of studying English. As he prepares himself and the other two brothers to go for novitiate this year in Zambia we wish them well in their We thank our benefactors and all our well-wishers, for the continual our dear confreres working in Parishes for their assistance in many ways, and also all those who always accompany us spiritually in their prayers. For all your constant support we just say thanks so much, only God will reward you accordingly. We continue promising you of our prayers. We wish you a very Happy Easter and May God grant you, your families and communities an Easter Joy and Peace. Rev. Anthony Musonda Chisanga, SVD, Editor Published By: The CFC Link Common Formation Centre, P.O. Box ,Nairobi, Kenya, cfclink.ken@gmail.com Facebook: CFC Langata 1

2 It might have been midnight. He came to me with a bottle of balm in his hand, knelt down near my bed, and applied a little balm on my neck and forehead. Then he said, James, sleep now, you will be fine. I saw his smiling face in the dim night lamp that lit the dormitory. The light was blue. The memory is still quite fresh in my mind. It was an ordinary day back in I had just joined the SVD minor seminary. I had a very bad cough that night and was struggling to get some sleep. Imagine the feelings of a 12 year old, away from home for the first time in his life. It was one of my formators, who was on his knees by my bedside that night. I knew it was genuine love. Shiro came with a cake and her boyfriend to visit me just before Christmas. She said, Thank you for visiting me in the hospital. I felt good and your visit meant so much to me. I was touched by your kindness. I know Shiro for the past twenty years or so. As a child she had very good etiquettes and manners. She is gem of a person and I love her dignified behavior. She can really enjoy a joke and laugh heartily. She is a heart person who loves God. She is religious and spiritual. Yes, she is a gentle woman! And I knew it was genuine love. The other day we had a power-cut. It lasted practically the whole day. The power came back around eight at night. But my section of the building was in darkness due to some electrical fault. All except me had light in their rooms. It also meant that I would not have electricity the next day morning as well. Alex, the person in charge of the general maintenance asked me, Father, do you want me to get up in the morning and put on the generator for you? I told him No, 2 Love as Service By Fr. James Mailady,, SVD Thanks. I would be fine without it. Alex is a quiet and unassuming person. He is a man of few words. I was really touched by his concern for me. I knew it was genuine love. As a child I was taught, God is love. Jesus was the manifestation of God s love. Jesus was love personified. Jesus was love incarnate. Jesus life and actions were motivated by love. All those who came in contact with Jesus were forgiven, healed and transformed. To love was to serve for Jesus. He tried to drive home this idea of service to the disciple by his teachings and life- The greatest one among you must be your servant. (Mt.23:11) If anyone wants to be first he must make himself last of all and servant of all. (Mk.9:35) For the son of man himself came not to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many. Mk.10:45) If I, then, the Lord and master, have washed your feet, you must wash each other s feet. (Jn.13:14-15) The verb serve is not a very popular one today. All of us want to be served. I really believe in Jesus words, In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me. (Mt.25:40) Jesus identifies himself with the hungry, thirsty, sick, refugees and the migrants of today. The challenge for the disciples of Jesus today is to embrace love as service. Are you ready to be crucified at the altar of love so that you can resurrect with Jesus? Dear friends, I wish you all the joy of the love resurrected.

3 The road to Emmaus story narrated the encounter between two disciples and Jesus. This story perfectly describes the essential elements of the missionary vocation and ministry. There are two of them. First, the encounter with Jesus. The two disciples recognized a mysterious companion who joined them on the road as the Risen Jesus during the breaking of the bread. Prior to that they walked in his company seeking to understand what happened in Jerusalem during the last Passover. Encountering and union with Jesus begins with a Emmaus Experience: the Call of Every Missionary sincere search for his presence. In the long run and with the help of the Scripture this encounter leads to the Eucharist. Thus, and encounter with Jesus as the mystery stands at the beginning of the missionary vocation. Then, the encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist completes the missionary journey. This dynamic is continually repeated in the missionary life. Every missionary must be engaged in sustained and continuing search for a deeper understanding of Jesus, and, at the same time, in recurring encounters with him in the Eucharist. Second, the Scripture. The disciple walked in Jesus presence but were unaware of him, they did not recognize him. Those who read this story literary question how such ignorance could be possible since the disciples knew their master for years. But Luke tells the story in this way to make a point. The disciples were puzzled about what happened to Jesus and could not understand it. Jesus led them to understanding, explaining his life and fate in light of the Scriptures. Appealing to the Law of Moses and the prophets Jesus led them to comprehend the purpose God Easter, the priceless gift to the World By Fr. Wojciech Szypula, SVD had in allowing his Son and the Messiah to die on the cross. Only after they understood the Scripture they were able to encounter and recognize him in the Eucharist. In the same way, the Scripture is the essential tool of a missionary. Faith and personal encounter with Jesus can only happen when the heart and the mind are prepared and shaped by the Scriptures. After all it is there that God placed the knowledge one has to have and teaching one has to follow in order to understand God s ways and to recognize Jesus. The essential task of the missionary is to lead the people to Jesus, and the story of Emmaus reveals that the best way to accomplish this goal is through the Scripture. Authentic missionary life is a life in Jesus presence guided and sustained by the Scripture and the Eucharist. These are also the two fundamental aspects of the missionary work. Luke has purposefully placed the Emmaus story right before the commissioning of the disciples in his Gospel, in order to highlight these two foundations upon all missions rest. Every single year, as Christians we have not only the opportunity to celebrate the birth but also the death and most importantly the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the summit of the cycle of our Christian life as well. We may not be able to realize it, but what Easter brings to us is priceless. His sending and coming in the world was because, He, Jesus Christ and his Father loved us. For our sake, Christ paid blood and his life so that we may have life after death in sin. In what are you ready to die so that your sacrifice may give life to others? Living in a world whereby most of us expect more from other, most of us are eager to receive than to give, Christ through Easter remind us again the highest happiness and joy we get, is when we offer, when we are at the service of others, when we die in ourselves-may the resurrection of Jesus Christ brings peace in our heart, families, our world, countries, to the migrants and refugees and people around the world in difficult situation. Happy Easter. Felices Pascuas By Fr. Francois Sangupamba Kasiala SVD 3

4 4 My Overseas Training Program experience in Austria (Europe Central Province) The inside story of my OTP in the Austria Province which has become today part of the Europe Central Province remains for me an experiential kind of a transfer. Recalling vividly from the very onset when I conceived the idea, then met with the entire hullaballoo surrounding the complicated process I underwent through the acquirement of the visa. The both unique and somewhat challenging moments of having to learn the language, culture and ultimately the pastoral experience in its different phases of life, wtas for me another avenue of an opening of a new life horizon, essentially unique and particular in its kind and serving as a preparation for an unknown future. I do understand that the spectacular experiences that every individual makes in life at a given period, serves in one way or the other as a stepping-stone in the rediscovery and appreciation of the mystery of life. Looking back into the history of events, which gradually enfolded itself in different phases within the context of the given program, I will not hesitate to appreciate and acknowledge the absolute uniqueness of the Austrian people, culture, language and its social institutions. Given this serene environment, an atmosphere of acceptance and welcome gave me that spirit of docility, which eventually impelled me to get out of my comfort zone and reach out to the peripherals of the pastoral limits where I could share freely without intimidation the Church s understanding and implications of the Gospels for life. At the heart of my pastoral experience was this particular exceptional immersion program, called Familie Praktikum (Family Experience). It was basically a kind of seasonal mountain pasture experience. By Frt. Francis W. Bakilatob, SVD This seasonal mountain pasture experience gave me a clearer orientation of how an ordinary Austrian citizen works for the survival of his/her daily wages and thus an avenue of gaining an impression of how a local family lives and manages its affairs and what joys and sorrows its members might undergo. Against this beautiful environment of serenity, I would not also hesitate to add my personal reservations that religion, more specifically the Roman Catholic Church, has to a certain extend lost its traditional values, hence causing a kind of pastoral upheaval for today s Mission and Evangelization. Relatively young as I am, I saw myself having to work more with the old people than with the Youths, even though 50% of my time was spent in the school with the youth. My imaginations and fears for the Church in the future remains skeptical. But even within this context of pastoral challenges, I do firmly hold that it only requires one to remain focus to that spirit of perseverance. After all, it is the grace of God that abound in us and lead us in our ministries. I turn to conclude here by registering my appreciation to all and sundry who collaborated during this period of learning in the context of cross cultural experience. Among the many philosophies of life which I learnt during my stay with the people, one which practically goes with my daily life struggles as a seminarian in formation is that: Life is so! And life continues further! I, therefore, submit that the notion of OTP would forever remain a unique moment, either cloudy or sunny experiences in one s life. And I feel it also stands for hope, giving us another start of what we might call Das Leben (life).

5 Tanzania Mission Experience By Simon Vire, SVD Pastoral formation and training being one of the key pillars in the formation program of the SVD Common Formation Centre (CFC), last year Christmas season was an opportunity for we the second year fraters to have a unique pastoral experience in Tanzania. This is an important part of our formation program which aims to expose us to the different pastoral realities and challenges in the various cultural and social settings in the Province. It is to help one form himself adequately for the mission. Thus, on 22nd December, 2017, we travelled to Arusha, Tanzania. On the following day, we went to different SVD parishes where we celebrated the Christmas. I had the privilege to be at the Good Shepherd Parish, Emboret in Simanjiro district. It is more 185 km from Arusha. The people there are predominantly Maasai whose primary occupation is animal husbandry, e.g. Cattle, sheep, goats. It was my desire to go to the interior outstation where I could have the opportunity to live and interact more with the Maasai (the indigenous people). Thus, upon arrival, I went with one of the priests to one of the outstations called Oilorboseret where we stayed for the Christmas celebrations. While there we spent most of our time visiting other outstation and small Christian communities to celebrate the Holy Mass, interact and share the Christmas joy together as one Christian family. This was a moment of deep joy and enriching pastoral experience. The short period I spent there offered me invaluable pastoral insights. It indeed exposed me to the practical pastoral challenges involved in working in those areas. However, in the midst of such challenges is the joy of serving the people of God. They simple faith, hope and firm trust of the people in God despite the difficult live and economic situations left an indelible mark in my life. Their joy and enthusiasm to come together to worship and celebrate the Holy Eucharist, even under shades of trees tells volumes about the depth of their faith. In short, it was an enriching and a lesson-packed experience. 5

6 6 Community By Benjamin Gadezouhoin, SVD How good and pleasant it is, to see brothers living in togetherness! It is like the purest and precious oil on the head running down upon the beard (Ps 133:1-2) In order to exhibit beauty of its togetherness, the community of the Common Formation Centre Nairobi (CFC), with one spirit and one mind set off on February 24, 2018 for an extraordinary outing for each academic year with the view to relax and to release the stress in the mind and the body after braving the hardships of the first part of the academic year. Again it is one of the tremendous moments among the members of the community to reach to each other in different levels with the ideals to create a new and precious boundless unity far beyond the ordinary level of life in the community. This outing gathered together the entire community composed by formators and formandi (Students) without any exemption of none of the members. The outing of this year gave us the opportunity to discover the goodness and wonders of the National Park of Nakuru. The entire community reached there after a long journey more less of four hours. We were given the chance to discover the riches of that park. We also had the Picnic opportunity to eyewitness the variety of the animals that are making lively and amazing that park. We encountered many animals in the midst of our trip such as monkeys, zebras, gazelles, antelopes, buffalos, and rhinos and so on. The opportunity also was given to us to see the variety of the birds of different families which were enjoying themselves in the Lake Nakuru itself. This presence of the birds gives a beautiful image to the Lake when one gives a glimpse at it from far and near. Again looking at the Lake Nakuru from the top of a mountain, it gives an artistic view of it whereby people might come to refresh their minds and receive the natural healing from the nature itself. After a rich tour within the park, the community gathered once again to share the agape-meal or the meal of love, sitting around which the cracking of jokes, teasing one another and playing one other. These were the greatest moments when we surrender our selfish desires and reach for the virtues of selflessness and humility, and above all, we become more community minded.

7 All in all, we could say that the outing gave the opportunity to most of us who had never gone to a park to admire this natural beauty through which we could praise wholeheartedly the Creator of the Universe who sustains us. This outing was one of the greatest moments we have had since the academic year has begun. All this came to fruition because of the collaboration of the entire community. 7

8 By Tovonoely Jean Joseph Henry Joue, SVD My Language Learning Experience in Kenya Icame to Kenya on August 12, When I first arrived in Kenya, I remembered our first missionary Joseph Freinademetz who went to China for his mission. He did not understand Chinese but he spread God s love to all the Chinese, as he said love is the only language which is understood by everybody. So, me also, I was struggling to manage my life at that time, because everybody spoke English but, I could not. I even asked myself: will I get the English language? How can I communicate to these people with this new language. Some confreres had told me before I left my country that, many things will be new, so you have to adapt yourself, therefore, I managed to adapt myself with everything, living with new people, eating new food, speak new language, eat with a hand, etc. Eating with a hand shocked me, but I tried to take it easy, then after a while it became normal for me, actually I eat with my hands. Day after day, time passes, so far, so good. I am feeling at home, I am not alone, I can communicate with the people, even though my English is still not so perfect, at least I can express myself. I have been learning English which is not easy at all, but I am trying my best to catch it, my superior and also my brothers have been helping me as well as they can. I realized that I won t know the things unless I make a lot of efforts, it is tough but from that I can make 8 progress. On the other hand, happiness and suffering are inseparable, both of them are part of life, I am happy with everybody here, the thing that makes me happy is following the programs and namely. I feel happy when I am able to follow the programs in the community. In addition, I have a possibility to interact with my brothers. However, sometimes, I feel unwell, but I know that is a part of religious life, life without problem is not a good life, if I don t suffer, I will not be content either. When I make mistakes, my brothers correct me thus I thank them for that, then from that I try not to do it anymore next time, from my mistake, I learn a lesson, and I can stand up and carry on my life, I recognize that. Nevertheless, some of the activities in the house are not new for me like cleaning, sports, and variety of work including the washing up. I am trying to do my duty in this community with genuine and zeal so that it may be fruitful with the aids of my brothers. Therefore, I frankly speaking I can say, that so far, everything is going on well. If I don t sustain a woe, I will not have a good life; Jesus is my modal of suffering, he accepted to be crucified the save the multitude and was fasting in the desert for forty days and nights. Finally, I would like to thank the Common Formation Centre in Langata leaded by Father Rector and Father Prefect, all the brothers and the Kenya s province. Thank you for your help, for the thing you have done for me, I feel grateful, may God bless you all, may he will grant you good health, force. I wish you all the best.

9 DEACONS SPOTLIGHT In August 2012, three of our community members joined the Common Formation Centre (CFC), Nairobi, Kenya, to begin their theological studies. After ten to eleven years in basic formation, The CFC Link contacted them to share their experiences with our readers. We bring you some excerpts. Rev. Anthony Musonda Chisanga, SVD Like the common saying goes, a journey of thousands miles begins with a step. I came to CFC Nairobi in I had a wonderful and challenging experience, in that it was my first time to be in a big community, unlike in Zambia and novitiate experience in Ghana. I thank all the formators who journeyed with me from that time, also during OTP experience and now finally, the current formators who have made CFC Nairobi a loving home again. Thanks to my group mates for journeying together as brothers. Wishing everyone success in missionary life as an SVD. God bless each of you accordingly. Rev. Anthony Musonda Chisanga, SVD, is appointed to Paraguay Province Rev. Osei Asante Stephen, SVD Looking back, all that I can say is thank you God, for the gift of life and vocation to become a religious missionary Divine Word Missionary. I would like to register my appreciation to all who have contributed in diverse ways to helped me reach this far. May God bless you all! Rev. Asante is missioned to Brazil Central Rev. Alex Owino Omondi, SVD My formative years have been a moment of joy, challenges, learning and unlearning, encounters, physical, spiritual and psychological growth. It has been a moment for me to discovery things. Most of all to get back into myself. To sum up all these experiences, I may say it was a time for me to see the other side of the story. Am grateful for all confreres who journeyed with me through these years and guided, directed, formed, shaped, motivated and prayed for and with me. Special thanks goes to the C.F.C., Nairobi for granting me this opportunity to gather beautiful memories of a time well spent in a community that is so united, hospitable and prayerful. May God Bless all!! Rev. Alex Owino Omondi,SVD, is missioned to Germany Province Congratulations our novices in AFRAM The Common Formation Centre (CFC), Nairobi, Kenya, wishes to congratulate the novices in Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana who will be professing their first vows in July and August respectively. We wish them God s abundant blessings and graces in their endeavors. 9

10 From L-R: Issere, Simon and Tiyadjawin Fraters admitted to different ministries By Frt. Wycliffe Ogetonto Ogega, SVD From L-R: Vasco, Wyciffe,Benjamin and Celestino. The Vice Provincial Superior of Kenya /Tanzania, Fr. Justus Rottuk, SVD, has admitted seven fraters into different ministries during Eucharistice celebration on the solemnity of St. Arnold Janssen in the CFC Chapel. Those who were received into the Ministry of Acolytes were Frts: Issere Agre, Kpaghere Tiyadjawin and Simon Vireh. Those into the Ministry of Lectors were Frts.: Celestino Maria da Silva, Benjamin Gadezouhoin, Vasco Mario Joaquaim da Silva and Wycliffe Ogetonto Ogega. On that same day, two fraters, Francis Bakilatob, and Karo Deohomba officially began their preparation for final vows. We congratulate our fraters for the bold step they have taken and we wish them well. 10 Frt. Karo Deohomba Francis Bakilatob

11 As the formation/academic year is coming to an end, there are always such missed feelings in our community. Mixed feelings because some of our community members will be leaving for good while others will go for pastoral experiences. Priestly Ordination: Rev. Alex Owino Omondi and Rev. Anthony Musonda Chisanga will be ordained to the Catholic priesthood on 26th of May, 2018 in Kenya and 30th of June, 2018 in Zambia respectively. Rev. Osei Asante is slated in August We wish them God s blessing in their priestly ministry. Cross Cultural Program (OTP): The Formation/Academic Year is coming to an end The Provincial Superior and his council accepted the following fraters for Overseas Training Program (OTP): Frt. Issere Agre to Paraguay Province; Frt. Kpaghere Tiyadjawin to Brazil Central Province and Frt. Simon Vireh to Austria (Europe Central Province). We wish them fruitful experience guided by the Holy Spirit. Four fraters have successfully finished their Overseas Training Programme (OTP) and pastoral year experiences in their respective provinces. They are: Frts: Jerome John Asidigbe (Spain Province), Boris Randrianirima(Mexico), Lucien Razanadambo (Argentina South Province) and Courage Nordor Eric (Ghana Province). Brothers, Karibuni. The CFC community would like to thank all our visitors who visited us during this semester: Bishop Jerzy Mazur, SVD, Director, Polish Episcopal Conference, Mission Department; Fr Kazimierz Szymczycha SVD, Secretary, Polish Episcopal Conference, Mission Department; Fr. Zbigniew Sobolewski, Director Ad Gentes Fr. Jan J. Stefanow, SVD, general Secretary for Catholic Biblical Federation, Germany from 5th to 8th February, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, Bishop of Ho, Ghana and Fr. Moses Asaah Awinongya, SVD, working in Germany. They attended International Theological Conference on Integrity of Creation organized by Tangaza University College. From 13th to 14thb March, AFRAM EXECOM meeting was held in our community. They were Frs. Joseph Kallanchira; AFRAM Zonal Coordinator, George Angmor and Alpha Mazenga, EXECOM Chairperson and Vice Chairperson respectively. Earlier, Frs. George Angmor, Alpha Mazenga and John Alphonse Asiedu, Zonal Coordinator for Formation met the students and the formation staff. Frs. We thank you for your visit. * Mr & Mrs. Owino, the parents of Rev. Alex Owino. Grateful where is it Due We are grateful to the following people who facilitated our recollections and conferences for us during the semester: * Sr.Jacqueline Githini, IMH, on the theme: Developing Psychological Wellbeing in Religious Communities. * Fr. François Chanterie, S.J, on the theme: The Mystery of suffering and the last Seven Words of Jesus. * Jared Odhiamabo Adenyo on the theme: The Ordinary Life of an Average Kenyan Today. We thank all our benefactors and benefactress for your continuing support in our vocation journey. May God richly bless you all. 11

12 Fr. Fr. James Mailady Indian, Rector Fr. Hugo CALIS Argentinean, Prefect Br. Nicodeme Eluka Congolese, Bursar Fr. Wojciech Szypula Polish, Lecturer Fr. Marselus Anggo Indonesian, Student Rev. Alex Omondi Owino Kenyan, Fourth Year Rev. Anthony Musonda Chisanga Zambian, Fourth Year Rev. Stephen Osei Asante Ghanaian, Fourth Year Frt. Deohomba Honore Karo Togolese, Third Year Frt. Francis Bakilatob Ghanaian, Third Year Frt. Simon Vire Ghanaian, Second Year Frt. Isséré Agre (Roger) Togolese, Second Year Frt. Moïse Kpaghere T. Togolese, Second Year Frt. Celestino Maria Da Silva Angolan, First Year Frt. Vasco Mario Joachim Da Silva Angolan, First Year Frt. Wycliffe Ogetonto Ogega Kenyan, First Year Frt. Benjamin Gadezouhoin Togolese, First Year Franco Tombo Malagasy, Language Student Jean Joseph Hery Joue Tovonoely, Malagasy, Language Student Rolland Andriamampionano, Malagasy, Language Student SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM THE COMMON FORMATION CENTRE (CFC) COMMUNITY NAIROBI, KENYA They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.. (Luke 24: 2-3) From all of us at the Common Formation Centre, Nairobi, Kenya, We wish you all the joy of the love resurrected. 12