Magazine Brothers CMM 2020/2

BROTHERS CMM 2/20

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| CONGREGATION IN TIMES OF CORONA | WHO WILL CRY WHEN YOU DIE? | IN THE SPOTLIGHT: GUSTI DESIGN | IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE: BEING NEAR IN SITUATIONS OF CRISIS | CONCERNING JOANNES ZWIJSEN | SEE MY PEOPLE: “I WAS IMPRISONED AND YOU VISITED ME”

Take a look at the website www.cmmbrothers.org

CONTENTS Mission statement Mercy belongs to all times and places.

Mercy is at the centre of all world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The movement of mercy has left traces throughout history.

The various forms in which mercy appears, are expressions of the society in which it arose, and of the spirituality that carries it.

The Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, is rooted in Christian mercy.

CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

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CONGREGATION IN TIMES OF CORONA

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COLOPHON Brothers CMM appears three times a year and is a publication of the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy. A subscription is free of charge.

A voluntary contribution is appreciated: ING Bank Account for Fraters CMM Tilburg IBAN: NL30INGB0001068517 (BIC: INGBNL2A). ISSN 1877-6256 Editorial Board: Nathalie Bastiaansen (executive editor and editor-in-chief), Brother Edward Gresnigt, Brother Ad de Kok, Brother Benyamin Tunggu.

Contributors: Brother Nobertus Dake, Brother Paul Damen, Nelleke Verstijnen, Brother Caspar Geertman, Brother Jan Heerkens, Brother John H. Grever, Brother Augustinus Monari, Brother Agus Farneubun, Brother Rosario de Jesus Martins, Brother Agustinus Nai Aki, Brother Peter Narwadan, Charles van Leeuwen, Brother Henrique Matos.

Translation: Nathalie Bastiaansen, Brother Edward Gresnigt, Peter Huybers, Father Jan van der Kaa AA, Tony Verhallen.

Design: Heldergroen, The Netherlands Layout: DekoVerdivas, The Netherlands Printing: Franciscan Kolbe Press, Kenya Contact: Brothers CMM, Rhapta Road, P.O.Box 14916 Nairobi, Westlands 00800, Kenya E-mail: Brother Leo van de Weijer: brotherleo42@gmail.com Contact: Brothers CMM, P.O.Box 89, Windhoek, Namibia E-mail: Brother Athanasius Onyoni: atonyoni@yahoo.com E-mail: magazine@cmmbrothers.nl Website: www.cmmbrothers.org

The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt.

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Photograph front cover: Brother Agus Farneubun, nurse in protective gear because of Covid-19, at the policlinic in Aek Tolang. Photo: Brother Nobertus Dake.

Photograph back cover: Icon of Friendship. This icon is a reproduction of the old Coptic icon in Egypt from the sixth century. Christ lovingly places his arm on the shoulder of Abbot Menas. Photo: Brother Ad de Kok.

WHO WILL CRY WHEN YOU DIE?

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: GUSTI DESIGN

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IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE: HERA

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CONCERNING JOANNES ZWIJSEN

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IN MEMORIAM

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SEE MY PEOPLE

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FROM THE EDITORIALBOARD A few months ago, everything was turned upside down by a virus that spread all over the world at lightning speed. The Congregation has not been spared either. The province of The Netherlands was hard hit by the death of four fellow brothers, including Brother Harrie van Geene, Superior General from 1990 to 2002. On pages 5-8 you can read how brothers around the world are coping with this crisis and how they are trying to do their bit. The many deaths caused by the virus made young Brother Kevin Ochoi Mairura think. “Who will cry when you die? ” He wrote a nice reflection on this question, see page 9. Just before the corona crisis there was another state of emergency in Timor Leste. The area was hit by heavy rainfall, making many outlying areas difficult to reach.

That could complicate the apostolate of the brothers in Hera, but they just went... on foot.

You can read it in ‘Images of Apostolate’ on the pages 12-14. The brothers’ rule of life requires them to always try to understand the signs of the times. Brother Agustinus Nai Aki applies this rule literally in a creative way: he has mastered digital design to provide the Congregation, brother schools and others with logos, T-shirts, cards and posters.

Some examples of his work can be seen on the pages 10-11. The General Chapter is provisionally scheduled for November of this year. We hope to be able to report on it in the next issue (in December 2020).

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CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

Under normal circumstances we would have published at this time some information about the outcome of the 2020 General Chapter, including the results of the elections for the General Board period 2020-2026. The Chapter was initially scheduled in May/June 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic it had to be postponed.

We are now in the process of organizing the General Chapter in the month of November of this year, and we don’t even know if it will be possible by then.

We find ourselves in an unforeseen situation. We were preparing ourselves for the General Chapter of 2020 and we were looking forward to a new beginning, but suddenly this was disrupted by the corona crisis. We do not know when it will end and when we can move on.

We were also forced to change our lifestyles and our way of working and we are still trying to adapt to this new situation.

It might cause uncertainty and unrest, but I prefer to see this as a period of ‘living in expectation’: living by faith, not by sight. By faith we hope to achieve certain things, a ‘new tomorrow’. From old Biblical times, the prophets lived with expectation to see the Messiah who was promised and revealed to them. Proverbs 23:18 says: “There is surely a future for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Living in expectation gives one a positive mindset.

Our current situation also reminds me of the first Christian community, feeling lost after the farewell and ascension of Jesus into Heaven. How could they continue their work for God’s Kingdom? They were living in expectation, waiting for the Holy Spirit they

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expected to come but they didn’t know when and how. And then God’s merciful Spirit descended on them. The Holy Spirit filled them with enthusiasm and encouraged them to go on, sharing the Good News.

We are beginning to hear some good news in our own challenging times too. In several countries the physical distancing measures (e.g. maintaining 1.5 meters) started to flatten the curve of infections.

At first glance, this rule seemed to be hindering our community life, but it also challenged us to move towards a deeper understanding of ‘living together in community’. Living in expectation reminds us of what is expected of us in living together. What can we do for others that can give them hope and thereby live in expectation of a better future?

I invite you to start living in expectation, and “to accompany all those whom we meet on their way to the future, characterized for all by uncertainty and hope” (Const. I, 83).

Brother Lawrence Obiko in an interview with Nathalie Bastiaansen

COVID-19

CONGREGATION IN TIMES OF CORONA The coronavirus outbreak [COVID-19] is a worldwide problem. It affects all of us, and the challenges we now face require a commitment from all of us.

Covid-19 in the Netherlands

Connectedness

From March 2020 onwards the brothers in the Netherlands were confronted with the consequences of the coronavirus for our community. In a short period of time four fellow brothers died from this virus: AndrĂŠ de Veer, Joop van Dooremaal, Harrie van Geene and Louis Mommers. Some others fell ill but they fortunately recovered. It made a deep impression to have to lose four fellow brothers in a short time because of this one virus. The sadness and loss that death always brings with it, came with the unrest of the treacherous nature of that virus.

As a community we felt more connected with each other than we would otherwise. The compassion was great. Care and attention were intense and provided support, in the period before death, but also from the time of death up to and including the funeral. There was also the connection with the world around us.

The entire society was - and is - under the spell of the coronavirus. We also share the pain and consternation that many others experience.

Dealing with restrictions Three of the four funerals could not take place from the chapel in the residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen. We moved to Kloosterhotel ZIN in Vught.

However, fellow brothers could not come to Vught from Joannes Zwijsen. There it was limited to thirty persons who could attend the celebration. This was partly solved by livestreaming the celebration. In Joannes Zwijsen and at the Generalate everyone was given the opportunity to access the livestream. We are very grateful to the care workers at Joannes Zwijsen for making tablets and laptops available for all the brothers there, so that they could follow the farewell of their fellow brothers from a distance in their own rooms.

Funeral of Brother Harrie van Geene in Vught.

Visiting brothers in the hospital was very limited. From Joannes Zwijsen no fellow brothers could come; from other communities only a few brothers could visit their sick fellow brothers. Looking back on life together with a fellow brother and describing precious experiences: it often takes place when someone is dying, but now it happened several times in a short time.

The obligation at Joannes Zwijsen to stay for several weeks in one’s own room was unprecedented. For some of us, this was a tough ordeal. Consultation with care organization De Wever and with the KNR (Conference of Dutch Religious) about the psychological burden this measure entailed, led to the conclusion that although this was extremely severe, the measure was necessary because of the risk of infection. Only after some time the measures became less strict.

Brother Paul Damen CMM, Provincial Superior CMM (The Netherlands) 5

COVID-19

Isolation When I look back on this ‘corona period’, there is a difference for me between the period before the strict room isolation and the period of the strict room isolation itself, which by the way ended several weeks ago. When before we were still allowed to leave our room, we were able to create a few community activities, albeit only in our own part of the building.

We prayed together in the small chapel, shared our meals in our own living room (which at the time functioned both as a refectory and a recreation room) and had refreshments. We weren’t allowed to leave our floor, let alone go outside, but at least we could still see and meet each other. Until one of the management officials came on a Friday morning telling us that we really had to stay in our own room. This was referred to as ‘strict room isolation’.

Ordeal These weeks have been an ordeal for all of us; for some more than for others. I myself tried - preferably daily - to visit my fellow brothers in protective gear.

Brothers frequently called each other by phone.

Fortunately, several people from outside also called regularly to show their interest and empathy. Several times a day staff walked in and out of the rooms to provide us with meals and refreshments.

Caring

Social distance of 1.5 meters, also at Joannes Zwijsen’s living room.

It also happened that brothers among us became ill: some of them had to be hospitalized because it was no longer safe to keep them at home. I would like to pay tribute here to the nursing staff who, compulsorily dressed in protective gear with gloves, goggles and mask, tried to provide the best possible care. They, too, have been sorely tried. We are now trying to pick up the thread together step by step.

Brother Caspar Geertman CMM, Community Superior Joannes Zwijsen

Music Brother John H. Grever informed that the brothers and other residents of Joannes Zwijsen were surprised with a concert in the courtyard by Sil van den Hout, conductor of the Tilburg Byzantine Choir, and his wife.

Normally the choir has its rehearsals every Wednesday evening in the chapter room and in the chapel of the Generalate, but due to the corona measures these rehearsals will not take place for the time being. From their rooms in the residential care facility the brothers could now enjoy the music and the singing: a welcome distraction in these difficult times. The brothers of the Generalate also enjoyed it.

Music at the courtyard between the Generalate and the residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen.

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Brother Placius Perang, teacher in Makassar, Indonesia, keeps contact with his students from his room.

Food packages in Timor Leste.

Brother Albert Nyantika (Kenya) teaches mathematics online.

Social distance of 1.5 meters in the chapel.

Apostolate Many brothers work in education, but in many countries the schools are temporarily closed. Wherever possible, lessons continue as usual, for example via an internet connection. The brothers also make use of these possibilities.

In Indonesia, brothers used part of their household budget to make purchases for people in financial need by Covid-19, or they held fundraising campaigns for this purpose. Also, in Timor Leste the brothers cooperated in providing food for economically affected people. And together with the sisters they made many masks.

Social distance of 1.5 meters at the meals in the community of Mosocho.

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COVID-19 Brother Agus Farneubun.

Health care In the policlinics of the brothers in Indonesia strict precautions are taken to prevent the spread of the virus. You will not recognize him, but the person in the yellow suit on the photo is Brother Agus Farneubun, nurse at the outpatient clinic in Aek Tolang, Indonesia, examining one of his patients. At this time of the year the temperature in Aek Tolang reaches 30 degrees Celsius.

General Chapter 2020 ‘Called to be merciful brothers joyful and courageous in today’s world.’

Normally speaking we would have shared in this publication information about the results of the General Chapter, which was supposed to take place between May 18 and June 5. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Congregation had to postpone the General Chapter. Currently it is scheduled for November of this year, in the hope that it will then be possible.

Commemorative plaque in Brazil.

Prayer The brothers in Brazil made a "commemorative plaque and a prayer for the living and the dead, one of the seven spiritual works of mercy", Brother Rosario de Jesus Martins says. “What can we do as religious in these times of social distance? ” One of the answers to this question is that we can support the world through our prayer, as stated in our Rule of Life: In our prayer we are united with all people. We remember the great needs of the world and the Church. The small world in which we live should bring us continuously to fervent intercessory prayer for one another and for all who have a special place in our hearts. We also faithfully continue to remember in our prayers our deceased fellow brothers and relatives. (Const. I, 296-299).

The brothers in Brazil commemorate their deceased fellow brothers.

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KENYA

WHO WILL CRY WHEN YOU DIE? Currently, we are dealing with many death announcements, more especially the death of our fellow brothers, close relatives and family members. Some are due to this global virus and others from common illnesses, but still, all in all death remains the same. The current situation in the world made Brother Kevin Ochoi Mairura write this reflection on death.

had a sincere interest in. After reading such a story, I often feel challenged and ask myself who will read my story, and if it is being read, will it inspire anyone?

Joy and strength

Necrology CMM, volume 3.

Who will cry when you die? This question triggers me to reflect on our deceased fellow brothers. Some we have lived with and others who lived long before us. In our CMM communities we have a book called Necrology CMM. From the moment I joined the Congregation, I have read it several times. In some communities it is read in chapel after night prayers and in others after supper. This book carries the wonderful and inspiring history of the lives of our deceased fellow brothers.

Reading this necrology might be just a routine. To some it is meaningful, while others might see it as a waste of time. Nevertheless, the life story is written and if one really has the spirit of our Congregation, I have no doubt it brings joy. It also brings hope that we too can make a difference in our apostolates, despite the hard times and challenges we encounter. Many of the brothers whose lives we read give us strength and a reason to keep on serving in the vineyard. If all our deceased fellow brothers made it in serving the Lord until their last breath, then we who are also called in this Congregation can do the same, without complaining too much. With all this I put a full stop by quoting an unknown writer: “When you lose someone you love, you gain an angel who knows you.�

Brother Kevin Ochoi Mairura

Heroes I am very sure that the book is too limited to accommodate all our deceased brothers, since almost 1600 brothers have gone before us, but that does not mean that those who are not in it, are less important.

The book is about heroes, our ancestors in the Congregation. Most of our deceased fellow brothers worked tirelessly and put the continuation and life of our Congregation first, before anything else they also

Brother Kevin Ochoi Mairura

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

GUSTI DESIGN In the past and today, there are quite some brothers with creative skills. They make paintings, drawings, sculptures, or beautiful craftwork. It gives a different, sometimes unknown insight into the makers. This feature puts a selection from this work in the spotlight. Part 8 in this series highlights the digital designs of Brother Agustinus (Gusty) Nai Aki. He also tells about imagination and creativity, and he shares with us his dreams for the future.

A human being is an imaginative and creative creature.

I love art and design. It is a way of expressing myself, to share my creativity with others and fill my free days with useful activities.

Inspiration I have seen a lot of beautiful and artistic images made by digital designers using Photoshop or other software.

Nowadays, digital design is a major specialization for making banners, brochures, cards, and posters. But also, architects use digital programs to design houses or apartments. This made me curious about how to create or make my own designs. Thus, about five years ago, when I lived in Tarakan, I asked my former high school student Angelo Albini to show me how to use Photoshop. I found it very interesting to work this way, and I fell in love with digital designing.

Card at the 175th anniversary of the Congregation.

Dreams I like to make banners, logos, posters, cards, t-shirts and hat designs. My dream is to assist the work of the brothers and other people with digital designing. When I am asked to design a banner or a t-shirt for an event, I am always willing to do so. God freely gave me this talent or this ability, so I also want to share it freely with others. I would like to take an advanced course in digital design to develop and increase my skills and my creativity. I also dream of starting a new printing office in our Congregation, like we had in the past.

One day I hope we can achieve this.

Brother Agustinus Nai Aki CMM (Indonesia)

Self-portrait.

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T-shirt with Brother Novatus Vinckx, Superior General 1957-1976.

Football shirt Don Bosco School.

Cap for the football team of Don Bosco School.

Logo design Don Bosco School football team.

Logo design Don Bosco School football team.

Design for a congregational card.

Design for an anniversary poster.

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IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

CLOSENESS IN CRISIS SITUATIONS Worldwide the Congregation is being confronted with all sorts of material and spiritual needs. The brothers, together with others, are trying to alleviate these. In the fifteenth episode of this feature we present the apostolate of the brothers and postulants in Hera, Timor Leste As soon as the rain stopped, the brothers and postulants in Hera and their neighbours began to work together to clean the area and repair the walls and electricity lines. Good teamwork, but there was more to do…

Walking is the only way

The brothers and postulants of Hera on their way.

In March 2020, heavy rains hit Timor Leste. The people are used to this rainy season, but this time the rainfall was more than usual. The rivers overflowed and brought water and mud along the road, damaging vehicles, houses and electricity lines.

Reparations.

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Outside Hera, the brothers usually carry out the ministry of love by bringing Holy Communion to the sick and elderly, who are not able to go to Church. Two days after the flood struck the parish area of ​​Hera, the brothers were eager to carry out their mission.

Because many roads were not accessible for vehicles, the brothers decided to walk. One of the advantages of travelling the distance on foot is the opportunity to meet and greet the people along the way and experiencing the living conditions of the people you meet along the way.

Flooded roads.

The brothers and postulants decide to go on foot.

Visiting the sick.

Praying together.

Holy Communion.

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IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

Praying together.

Visiting a young family.

Mission The brothers had asked some postulants, aspirants and several young boys to accompany them. They wanted them to experience that other people (especially the sick) still need attention during hard times like these, and maybe even more than usually. In an emergency, many people tend to focus on what can be done to fix the damage. They might have less attention for the people that needed their help anyway. The sick and elderly people in the outstations that cannot go to church themselves feel comforted by the feeling of belonging to a religious community, especially in challenging times. That is exactly what the brothers can give by visiting them, by bringing Holy Communion, and by praying with them. This is very much worth a long walk on muddy roads.

Brother Peter Narwadan CMM (Timor Leste)

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Take a look at the website www.cmmbrothers.org

CONCERNING JOANNES ZWIJSEN

IN SILENT HOMAGE was to leave the brother house after a sixteen months’ stay to move back to ’s-Hertogenbosch, the brothers and students of the teacher training college had prepared a festive farewell for him. Zwijsen, however, left quietly the day before, so the brothers and student teachers were unable to perform their plays in his presence.

Neither did the bishop wish to accept a gift from the brothers on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his episcopal ordination, in 1867. He kept the delegation of brothers who brought the gift waiting for a long time and then sent them home without having received them. They were told that they could leave their beautifully decorated prayer book with the housekeeper. Zwijsen obviously did not know how to deal with such personal acts of admiration.

The breviary Zwijsen received in 1867 as a gift. It contains a beautiful drawing of the five brother houses at that time.

The brothers and sisters had to consider that Zwijsen was not keen on celebratory gatherings, especially when they were in his honour. They made him feel very uncomfortable. For example, if Zwijsen was going to visit one of the parishes of his diocese, he would make it clear in advance that he did not want a special welcome or an elaborate dinner. He regarded it a waste of time and was afraid it would adversely affect his reputation of strictness.

Zwijsen also feared that becoming too popular with the Catholic population would have negative political implications. In religious circles he avoided any celebrations his brothers and sisters tried to organize for him, such as birthdays, name days or jubilees. He would give his brothers and sisters a day of recreation, but rarely showed up himself.

On festive occasions in his honour, Zwijsen could be quite indecorous. Much to the disappointment of the brothers and sisters who had put in all the effort, he would withdraw before they even had a chance to express their gratitude with a song or a play. For example, on 20 November 1864, the day the bishop

These few anecdotes show that the relationship between the brothers and their founder could also be complicated. In his own circles Zwijsen did not want to appear too vulnerable or human. He did not want to be celebrated but appreciated silent homage as in the following example. Zwijsen made sure that every brother and sister house and every school they established had a bust of him as founder. In 1857, with that purpose in mind, he commissioned a large number of busts from the well-known ecclesiastical art studio Stoltzenberg in Roermond. And, of course, the founder also ensured that his official portraits were allocated a prominent place in both mother houses.

Based on ‘Bishop Zwijsen and his First Brothers’, History of the Brothers of Our Lady Mother of Mercy, part 1, by Charles van Leeuwen (Valkhof Pers, 2014).

The bust of Zwijsen, made in the ecclesiastical art studio of Stoltzenberg in 1857.

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IN MEMORIAM

BROTHER

HARRIE (H.J.M.) VAN GEENE Harrie was born in ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, on 9 February 1940 and entered the Congregation of the Brothers CMM on 29 August 1957. He made his profession for life on 15 August 1963. He died at ElisabethTweeSteden Hospital in Tilburg on 19 April 2020. His fellow brothers, family members and friends took leave of him in a private ceremony on 25 April. That same day he was buried among his deceased fellow brothers at the Estate Steenwijk in Vught.

Mercy and brotherhood were the core values in his life. This was especially evident in the way he led the community for the older and sick fellow brothers during the last years of his life. Brother Harrie van Geene had a kind word and a keen eye for each and every one. He was always swift in providing the required care and very demanding both of the organization and of himself. He acted accordingly during the covid-19 days by tending to the sick and dying. As a result he himself became infected with the virus and died quite unexpectedly at the age of 80.

taking care of the Catholic education system, it had to promote the spirit of mercy and brotherhood in the younger generation. Imitating Vincent de Paul, the brothers should give preferred attention and priority to the poor and vulnerable in our society and they should be constantly alert to the ever-changing needs of the contemporary world. Every generation had to rethink and rebuild its mission in loyalty to the Gospel and faithful to the intentions of the founder, Joannes Zwijsen.

Resourcing

The brothers realized a new stage in their mission in The Netherlands when they created the Movement of Mercy and the conference center Zin in Werk. For Brother Harrie however, the most important mission was to imbue the depth of the Biblical core word mercy, which expresses itself in the deep involvement of God in our world. It challenges us to do whatever we can to make God present and to do good.

The death of Brother Harrie is a great loss for the Congregation. He played a seminal role in the community during the time of resourcing and renewal, which started during the years of crisis in the 1960’s. He was a member of the General Board for twenty-four years, including twelve years as Superior General (1990-2002). Together with other brothers he led the resourcing process and guided the Congregation into the 21st century.

New charism and new Constitutions Brother Harrie contributed to the preliminary Rule of Life of 1969 and the new Constitutions of 1990.

The key mission of the Congregation went beyond

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Mercy

How appropriately that on Divine Mercy Sunday, 19 April 2020, Brother Harrie surrendered his life to the God of Mercy. The feast day of Mercy was his final day and Mercy, which he loved so dearly, had the final word.

BROTHER

BROTHER

Louis (L.A.J.M.) de Visser

André (A.W.A.M.) de Veer

Louis was born in Rossum, The Netherlands, on July 25, 1935 and entered the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy in Tilburg on August 29, 1952. He made his profession for life on August 15, 1957. He died on March 9, 2020 at the community Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg. On March 13 we took leave of him during a Eucharist Celebration and he was buried with his deceased fellow brothers at the Estate Steenwijk in Vught.

André was born in Tilburg, The Netherlands, on 19 September 1933 and entered the Congregation of the Brothers CMM on 19 March 1950. He died on 21 March 2020 at the Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital in Tilburg. On 27 March we took leave of him in a Eucharistic Celebration. Subsequently he was buried among his deceased fellow brothers at the Estate Steenwijk in Vught.

Louis joined the brothers after primary school and decided to attend the teacher training college of the Brothers CMM. For a few years he worked in primary and secondary education in The Netherlands and Belgium. He excelled in foreign languages. In 1963 he was sent to California. This period was very enriching for him: he studied to his heart’s content languages, pedagogy and psychology. He was a passionate teacher at secondary schools. In 1984 the Congregation sent him to Kenya, where he worked as a teacher and held administrative positions. Here he started writing the Necrology CMM, which is still read daily in many communities. In 1993 he returned to The Netherlands, where he was appointed bursar general in 1996. He meticulously fulfilled this task until his retirement in 2011. Brother Louis worked hard and a lot, as long as he could, but never lost sight of his fellow brothers.

“He will go through fire for you, if necessary,” one of them testified. He found relaxation in long walks and in meditation. Louis was 84 years old. We may now know him safely with God, our merciful Father, and wish him the peace he has been looking for in recent years.

Just under 12 years old André went to the brothers’ primary school and at the age of 16 he entered the Congregation of the Brothers CMM. He worked as a teacher in Tilburg, The Hague, Utrecht and Amsterdam.

In the meantime, he made his profession for life in the Congregation of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy in 1955. He enjoyed his years in Amsterdam, where he taught in the Jordaan. In addition, he was skilled in handicraft, an activity he enjoyed practising. His desire to go to the mission was fulfilled in 1971, when the Congregation transferred him to Indonesia. He would stay there for thirty-five years. He worked there as a teacher, dedicating himself to the formation of boys interested in religious life. Several times he held leadership positions within the Congregation. He found relaxation by working with his hands on beautiful objects: crucifixes, candleholders and ornaments on altars and tabernacles. He also enjoyed taking photographs. This he continued after his return to The Netherlands in 2006. He lived there with his fellow brothers in the community of Joannes Zwijsen. His photographs were used for cards on birthdays and anniversaries. André was 86 years. We entrust him into the hands of God, our merciful Father, in the belief that he is safe with Him. 17

IN MEMORIAM

BROTHER

BROTHER

Joop Louis (J.F.M.) van Dooremaal (L.A.B.) Mommers Joop was born in Tilburg, The Netherlands, on 19 November 1930 and joined the Congregation of the Brothers CMM on 29 August 1948. He passed away on 17 April 2020 at Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital in Tilburg. Fellow brothers, relatives and friends took leave of him in a private ceremony on 23 April. He was buried among his deceased fellow brothers at the Estate Steenwijk in Vught.

He was born in Tilburg, The Netherlands, on 8 April 1931 and entered the Congregation of the Brothers CMM on 19 March 1948. He died on 25 April 2020 in Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg. On 1 May his fellow brothers, family members and friends took leave of him in a private ceremony. Next he was buried among his deceased fellow brothers at the Estate Steenwijk in Vught.

The brothers who taught at the elementary school inspired Joop to become a brother and a teacher. He taught in Tilburg, Goirle, Sint-Michielsgestel, and The Hague. On 15 August 1953 he made his profession for life. In The Hague he also worked in pastoral ministry.

He continued that work at parishes in Joure and at the Reeshof in Tilburg. Those who got to know him through his work characterize him as a man with a great heart who was not dogmatic in his thinking and his life.

Joop was devoted: he did not forget people and he stayed in contact with them. His presence radiated strength. Among people he was a beacon in a troubled world. He was devoted also to the Congregation. He was a superior in several communities and promoted community life with fervent dedication. Joop’s interest in history and in people made him a living encyclopedia providing information about individuals and about the Congregation. Joop became 89 years of age. He now has traveled his last road to his Maker, the Lord of Life. May he rest in peace.

After primary school with the Brothers CMM in Tilburg, Louis opted for the teacher training college to become a religious brother. As a primary school teacher, he continued his studies in Religion and German. On 15 August 1952 he made his profession for life in the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy. Louis had the gift of dealing well with difficult children. He worked at secondary education in the Hague, Tilburg, Ootmarsum and Joure. He spent a lot of time preparing his lessons and in his ongoing studies and often worked till the small hours of the night. Despite dedicated assistance and guidance given by the Congregation he finished up with burnout both physically and mentally. A long period of recovery began. Working with his hands suited him.

Volunteer work with the Telephone Help Service was remedial both for himself and for others. He received appreciation from former students and others. Sensing himself to be falling short, he learned from others that he was all right the way he was. In 2011 Louis moved to the community of Joannes Zwijsen. There he enjoyed community life. He cared for those who needed extra attention, both brothers and other residents. Louis was 89 years. We now entrust him to our merciful God.

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‘SEE MY PEOPLE’

“I WAS IN PRISON AND YOU VISITED ME” (Matthew 25:36) Mercy and brotherhood are two key concepts in the charism of the Brothers CMM. Beautiful words. But what happens in the reality of the everyday life of the brothers? That’s what is highlighted in this feature ‘See my people’.

Personal contact

Brother Henrique autographs his book “Mercy: The Beating Heart of the Gospel” (2016). During the book presentation he spoke about how his vision on mercy changed when he started working in prison ministry: “where mercy is the only way to deal with each other”.

Prison chaplaincy is relatively little known in the entire range of the Church’s pastoral services and apparently achieves few results. Among the faithful it is generally unattractive. It cannot be compared to youth chaplaincy, which easily attracts attention. The opposite often happens with prison chaplaincy. One often hears people say: let them pay for what they have done; criminals should be locked up. That is why it is difficult to get volunteers interested in this work and it is also hard to obtain the necessary resources for it.

The greatest suffering in prison is the feeling of being abandoned, even by the family, as well as being considered as a number. The main purpose of prison ministry is getting to know the people in their depression, but also in their urgent practical needs such as health and hygiene. Not infrequently, contact is possible on a spiritual level and the living word of the Bible appeals to them. It is striking that many detainees are engaged with God. One of them said to me the other day full of conviction: “He never leaves me.”

Visiting God Working in prison is a challenge with few successes and sometimes lasting disappointments. Pastoral prison workers are strongly affected by their contacts when entering the world of the suffering of others.

They often become emotionally involved with the prisoners. Increasingly more they experience the sentence from the Gospel: “I was in prisoned and you visited me” (Matthew 25:36). Within them the conviction grows that they are visiting the Lord Himself in the person of the prisoner. Who is enriched the most by this work: the prisoner or the pastoral worker?

Brother Henrique Cristiano José Matos CMM (Brazil)

APC In November 2009, a working group in São Joaquim de Bicas started visiting prisoners every week. It was the first time, since the opening of the ‘Professor Jason Soares Albergaria Prison’ in Brazil, that the Catholic Church officially presented itself there.

Over the years, prison ministry developed favourably, especially after the establishment of a special service center called Apoio à Pastoral Carcerária (APC). The care for prisoners consists in visiting them and paying attention to their personal story.

Logo of the APC (Apoio à Pastoral Carcerária), the prison ministry in São Joaquim de Bicas

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WE HOPE TO LIVE TOGETHER AS BROTHERS IN SUCH A WAY THAT OUR FRATERNAL AFFECTION CAN ALSO BE EXPERIENCED BY OTHERS AS A PROPHETIC SIGN OF THE BROTHERHOOD OF ALL MANKIND. (from the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM)

Magazine of the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy