Magazine Brothers CMM 2020/3

BROTHERS CMM 3/20

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| READING THE BIBLE | STORIES OF THE PAST: CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF THE BROTHERS’ SCHOOL IN ZWOLLE | IN THE SPOTLIGHT: PAINTINGS BY MICHAEL MBOGO | IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE: FOUR DAYS OF VACATION | CONCERNING JOANNES ZWIJSEN: PORTRAITS | FAREWELL TO DE VUURHAARD | SEE MY PEOPLE: A CRY FOR HELP

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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NEWS IN BRIEF

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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 Michael Mbogo, Brother Elijah Agilo, Harry Koopman, Nelleke Verstijnen, Foundation ‘I stand for Peace, Freedom and Friendship’, Charles van Leeuwen, Brother Agustinus Farneubun.

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

Design: Layout: Printing:

Heldergroen, The Netherlands DekoVerdivas, The Netherlands 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 Photograph front cover: Brother Michael Mbogo (Kenya) with one of his paintings.

The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt.

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Photograph back cover: Waterfall Zell am Ziller, Austria.

Photo: Brother Ad de Kok

STORIES OF THE PAST: CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: MICHAEL MBOGO

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FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD The General Chapter 2020 had to be postponed again, so we cannot write about it yet. Fortunately, there is much more to report. With the ‘Portraits of Joannes Zwijsen’ in this issue we say goodbye to the section ‘Concerning Joannes Zwijsen’. With thanks to Charles van Leeuwen, because for the contributions in this section we could always draw on his historiography. And for the people with a special interest in history: don’t worry!

In this issue we present the first article of the new section ‘Stories of the Past’. Harry Koopman is the first contributor and his article reminds us of the brothers’ school in Zwolle in the 1950’s. Do you also have a nice story? Then please contact the editors. The ‘In the Spotlight’ section shows paintings by Brother Michael Mbogo from Kenya, whose work was ‘spotted’ on Facebook by the editorin-chief. It is always nice to discover again a creative talent in the Congregation. In the series ‘Images of Apostolate’ this time, you get a good impression how people enjoyed a short vacation in Kloosterhotel ZIN, taken care of by brothers and volunteers. On the pages 16-17 you will read about the farewell to the brother house in Udenhout, but especially about what happened in that brother house during the past 120 years. In ‘See my People’ on page 19 Brother Agustinus Farneubun speaks about a heart-breaking cry for help that incited him to act.

IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE:

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FOUR DAYS OF VACATION

CONCERNING JOANNES ZWIJSEN: PORTRAITS

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FAREWELL TO DE VUURHAARD

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IN MEMORIAM

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SEE MY PEOPLE

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CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

On 4 October 2020, the Vatican released the third encyclical by Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers and Sisters). You have read already the entire text, could you share with us some of your thoughts on it?

Recently, I reflected on the Magnificat, and the words of Mary clearly resonated with those in Fratelli Tutti.

Like the encyclical, Mary’s song has strong moral, social, and economic threads throughout.

When Mary says: “He puts forth his arm in strength and scatters the proud-hearted”, she is speaking about a moral revolution, about the death of pride. Also, in Fratelli Tutti we find such moral appeal. We tend to turn a blind eye to those in need and refuse to ask for help when we need it. We must humble ourselves for us to see the poor, to hear them, touch them, feel them, smell them, to be among them. Pope Francis refers to our vulnerability and limitations exposed by the pandemic currently plaguing the world. No matter what we have achieved, this pandemic shows that we are all vulnerable. What is your shortcoming? Where could you use some help?

When Mary says: “He casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly”, she is speaking of a social revolution. Mary knows she is nothing special

in the eyes of the world. And yet, God has chosen her to bring the greatest gift to mankind. Our society today is so much focussed on prestige and wealth, and thus we limit ourselves in sharing only a little of what we have with those in need. To God, the world’s labels and prestige are not important. He is looking at the heart of a person, as He did with Mary. What is your focus, when you look at people? What do you see? And how would you like others to see you?

When Mary says: “He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty”, she refers to an economic revolution. Also, in this regard, the encyclical is very rich but also deeply challenging. Having wealth is not a bad thing. The issue is how we choose to use our wealth to glorify God. It requires thinking about how to organize our society together. If we consider ourselves to be real Christians (or any other believers), why is there so much hunger, homelessness and injustice in the world? If God created us in his image, loves us and cares for us, what does this ask from us?

What could be the purpose for us to be here?

Brother Lawrence Obiko in an interview with Nathalie Bastiaansenn

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NEWS IN BRIEF

GENERAL CHAPTER From 18 May until 7 June 2020, the General Chapter was planned to take place in the Generalate in Tilburg. Because of the Covid-19 global crisis this had to be postponed. The General Board had hoped to organize the General Chapter in November of this year. However, in view of the situation in the various countries and the restrictions regarding international flights, celebrating a General Chapter in November 2020 in Tilburg (or any other country) was also not possible.

would have liked the situation to be different, but that we should “humbly accept that God’s ways are not our ways. Let us remain united in these challenging times and let us pray together for better times.”

The General Board considered for a moment whether the General Chapter could be organized online.

However, the guidelines of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life do not allow a General Chapter to be organized through online means of communication. “The secular tradition of the Chapters calls for physical presence, as a way to protect and promote the constant search for the common good.”

Thus, the General Board decided to postpone the General Chapter again, provisionally until May/June 2021. With the consent of Rome, the mandate of the current boards (general board and bursar, and provincial and regional boards and bursars) will be extended until the day of the elections in May or June 2021.

Superior General Brother Lawrence Obiko wrote in a letter to all brothers in the Congregation that he

JUBILEES IN 2021 75 years 29 August: Brother Hermenegildus Beris.

65 years 29 August: Brother Kees Hems, Brother Frans Janssen.

60 years 29 August: Brother Theo Adams, Brother Ad de Kok.

50 years 11 February: Brother Antonius Kodoatie, Brother Lukas Mandagi.

40 years 11 June: Brother Daniel Telaumbanua.

15 June: Brother Mathias Borlak, Brother Vinsent Bahan Tewelu, Brother Ronald Randang.

1 July: Brother Johannes Kojongian.

25 years 1 May: Brother Richard Nyaanga Morumbwa.

5 May: Brother Damasus Dobat, Brother Mikael Migo Ojan, Brother Yulius Kadang, Brother Antonius Gokok Kean.

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KENYA

READING THE BIBLE Statistics show that most people professing faith in Jesus have never completely read their Bible. Many people start reading, but then become overwhelmed by the number of chapters (1.189) and verses (31.102).

Some may say that it should not be difficult: just start at page one, read some pages daily, and in the end, you will have finished the whole book. However, when reading the Bible you do not just read the words like you do in the case of a novel; instead you have to let in the message, meditate on it word by word and make it part and parcel of your life. This might require a lot of time to accomplish. The big question is, “is it possible to read the whole Bible? ” Once I visited a barbershop where an argument started regarding the above question and many people responded in line with the findings by the Bible Study Tools.

Pillars of Christianity Yet, one gentleman rose to the occasion to suggest that reading the entire Bible was not difficult.

According to him, all we needed to do was to simply summarize the books of the Bible into the three theological virtues: faith, hope and love, and put them into practice. This is because these virtues are the pillars of Christianity as they dispose Christians to live 6

in a relationship with the Holy Trinity. This propelled me to explore deeper into the above ‘trio’.

Faith This is a virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that He has said and revealed to us, because He is truth itself. By faith man freely commits his entire self to God. Look at the patriarch Abraham. He is regarded as the father of faith because he put all his belief and trust in God, and as the book of Genesis states: "By myself I have sworn, says the Lord: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice” (Gen. 22:16-18).

Faith comes with blessings from the Lord and fulfilment of his promises. We are therefore urged to stand firm in it and continue to seek the face of God. Inadequate faith has its consequences, for instance, when Peter saw the strength of the wind and waves, he was overcome with fear and he began to drown.

“Why did you doubt Peter? ” Jesus asked (Matthew 14:31). Our doubts might make us drown when challenges come our way, but the reward for those who keep faith is in abundance.

Hope The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Hope as the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit (CCC. 1817). In hope we do not have to know what the future holds for us, although, we should remain optimistic and persevere in prayer. Pope Francis encourages all the faithful to say no to ‘sterile pessimism’ and to put our hope in the Lord, who gave himself to us as a source of living water (Evangelii Gaudium no. 86).

Sometimes people get overwhelmed by the wounds of the past or tribulations of the present, and they tend to give up on life. In these situations, we are called to be living sources of water from which others can drink as we journey together towards a better tomorrow. In my opinion hope is the bridge between faith and love, we should never allow ourselves to be robbed of it!

Love

Conclusion

Jesus Christ summarizes the Ten Commandments into one (Love). “Love God with all your heart and with all your soul; Love your neighbour as you love yourself.”

St. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, describes the divine characteristics of love as “patient and kind; rejoices in the truth, hopes all things, endures all things…... Love never ends” (1 Cor.13:4-8a).

Knowing and doing God’s will is the easiest way to read the entire Bible. The three virtues play a big role in enhancing our relationship with God. A lot of practice is demanded from us in order to grow in them. What I have learnt today is that I should select one virtue at a time, set a goal to change my attitude, and I will be able to grow in it. As Father Denis Omae OCD puts it, “repeated behaviour leads to habit and repeated habit gives birth to character.”

And what love is we have learned from Christ. In the Rule of Life our founder Bishop Joannes Zwijsen invites us to live this love out in our own Congregation, starting from the community in which we live (Const.

I, 150,155). And that we may keep our heart open for a love that is as wide as possible. In loving, one starts living the freedom of the kingdom of God. Love calls us to sacrifice and let go of our treasures for the sake of others. It also enables us to appreciate God’s gift of mercy to us, and the need to extend the same to others.

Brother Elijah Agilo CMM (Kenya)

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STORIES OF THE PAST

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF THE BROTHERS’ SCHOOL IN ZWOLLE In the years 1953 - 1959 Harry Koopman attended primary school in Zwolle at St. Aloysius School of the Brothers of Tilburg. A retrospect.

The school report of my first class was limited to seven subjects; in the sixth grade there were thirteen. The fact that in the year 2020 I am aware of such details is a merit of my mother, who carefully kept all school reports. Browsing through these reports spontaneously evokes all kinds of good memories for me. At the time there were five brothers assigned to this school.

St. Aloysius School Zwolle, fifties, Brothers Arnold, Alfried, Felicius, Odo, Walter Catechism, reading, writing, math, history all.

(Harry Koopman)

Second class St. Aloysius School Zwolle, 1955, with Harry Koopman, the blond boy in the back row, second from the right.

Creatures of God The final level of this education formed a solid basis for my further development. The brothers in elementary school worked according to the image Bishop Zwijsen had in mind in 1844 when he founded the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy. He saw children as “creatures of God, who

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had to be led into life with a strong but just hand, along safe paths, in order to prepare themselves for life in the hereafter.” This view was still very noticeable at my Roman Catholic elementary school. That religious doctrine was the most important subject was obvious.

The Catholic element was also not lacking in the fabric

of the other subjects. This integrated approach to subject matter, in which the subjects are interwoven with each other, is also highly recommended by educationalists in the year 2020!

books in one day. Afterwards I could not reproduce what the title of the book was and who had written it, nor what the exact name of the protagonist was. But I had enjoyed the excitement and the plot.

Bonus points

Advanced computing

Religious doctrine specifically meant knowledge of the Catechism. Weekly hearings were held, and the accomplishments were kept up to date. Personal assessment was translated into a grade, which could be higher than a ‘10’, namely 10 + 1 (!). This approach did not apply to other subjects and only concerned the flawless reproduction of prescribed answers to the standard questions in the Catechism. The compulsory test always took place on Friday mornings. The person who applied before Friday to be tested immediately and gave faultless answers scored an ‘11’ instead of a ‘10’. You would have scored a bonus point, to compensate for lower scores. The highest possible score of course remained a ‘10’, but as a result of the bonuses, the possibility of reaching that highest score was increased. Only when writing this article, sixtyfive years later, did I realize what the second learning goal must have been that was hidden behind this special scoring system. In this way, the pupils learned to look ahead at an early age and to anticipate what was inevitable. I take my hat off for this approach! The fact is that in my later life the skill ‘sharp planning’ reached a high level.

In the fifties all calculations were made on paper, with a notepad next to it. Of course, not a single student had a calculator at the time. At some point a guest brother appeared in ‘my’ sixth grade to introduce us to 'advanced math'. This arithmetic expert was on tour through all kinds of elementary schools. Among other things, this brother taught us a simple trick to develop a feeling for the correctness of the outcome of a multiplication. In the jargon of arithmetic this technique is called the ‘cross method’ or 'casting out nines'. This ‘hocus pocus’ way of estimating whether an outcome is correct I enjoyed still for many years to come, both in high school and afterwards in physics.

The education of the Brothers of Tilburg has prepared me well for life in the ‘here and now’; I do not yet have an opinion about the quality of the preparation for a next life in the hereafter…

Harry Koopman

Nihil obstat The influence of the brothers extended beyond the door of the classroom. I am thinking of the youth magazine ‘De Engelbewaarder’ (The Guardian Angel), which was published by the Roman Catholic Boys’ Orphanage Printworks of the Brothers of Tilburg. Even before I mastered reading simple words in the first class, the brothers had convinced my parents of the usefulness of a subscription to the publication with the subtitle ‘for the younger readers’. What type of reading assignments this entailed is shown in the picture on the right.

This magazine was an excellent springboard to reading as an opportunity to discover the wide world. Soon I was a member of the library, but most books were not considered suitable for me. Books were recommended to me, describing the lives of saints who died young.

Initially interesting reading material, but after three or four such pious examples, I needed something more solid. The library wanted to lend me a range of books, provided they had the designation ‘Nihil obstat’. After some time, I learned to read so fast, that I read three

A page from De Engelbewaarder, (The Guardian Angel) 1953.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PAINTINGS BY MICHAEL MBOGO Brother Michael Mbogo.

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 9 in this series highlights the paintings of Brother Michael Mbogo from Kenya.

I started drawing when I was in primary school. When my mother discovered my interest in drawing, she always bought me drawing books, colored pencils and watercolours. Whenever I drew a picture she knew how to appreciate and try to give me ideas on what to draw next. At that time, I never took art seriously, I was just doing it for fun. In high school I still made illustrations but not as much as I was doing in primary.

Dreams

The right place

Brother Michael Mbogo CMM (Kenya)

Recently I started practicing digital art, using blender software, my goal is to be able to communicate using comics and animations. I don’t want to limit myself only to drawing and painting. In the future I would also like to practice sculpting. My dream is to preach the Gospel through my art. Art is a language that everyone can easily understand.

When I joined the Congregation, I discovered that there have been many brothers who practiced arts.

I felt encouraged and at the right place. In my room there has always been a drawing book to make sketches. Last year I decided to take my art a notch higher after watching documentaries of other artists on social media. I started to research different types of paints and how to use them. I moved from using watercolours to acrylic paints. Acrylic paints are new to me and I have learnt a lot through YouTube on how to use them. The Covid-19 lockdown gave me ample time to learn how to make portraits. So far, I have created six portraits; five are in the Umoja community and one I gave as a gift to my mother.

Inspiration Generally, I am inspired by people who work hard to make the world a better place, e.g. St. Vincent de Paul, Mother Teresa and many others. I have also been fascinated by the paintings prisoners create. I try my best to encourage them to continue since it is good for their mental health and in the future, they might make a living from it.

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I tried to paint a joyful African lady, but when I was done, she appeared to be running from something.

My love for birds inspired me to paint this.

Two gazelles.

On the road to Emmaus.

‘Mansuete et fortiter’, the motto of Joannes Zwijsen.

Flowers.

Kikuyu women in pre-colonial times.

Guardian angel in Maasai style.

St. Francis (a gift for my mother).

In honour of our Mother Mary.

Shirikisho (sharing).

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IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

FOUR DAYS OF VACATION FOR EVERYONE 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 sixteenth episode of this feature we present the mini-vacation in Kloosterhotel ZIN in Vught, an initiative of the Eleousa community (the Netherlands).

Every year during the summer time, when the hotel is empty anyway, the brothers in conjunction with a group of volunteers organize two weeks of vacation time for people who otherwise would miss out on vacation and relaxation. The guests stay for four days in Kloosterhotel ZIN, where they are fully taken care of, including meals prepared with loving care by volunteers. A variety of activities are available such as ornament making, baking cookies, and sandstone carving. A retired barber offers free haircuts and relaxing massages are available for one and all. In addition excursions are planned. This year we made a boat tour on the Binnendieze in Den Bosch, we went swimming in the IJzeren Man (Iron Man) in Vught, and we enjoyed a delicious meal at a local pancake house.

A brand new activity was planned this summer by the Foundation ‘I Stand for Peace, Freedom, and Friendship’. The guests together with the volunteers and the staff of Kloosterhotel ZIN created a ‘Tapestry for Peace’. The theme for the project was: ‘Sing, Fight, Cry, Pray, Laugh, Work, and Admire’, a song the

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Dutch singer Ramses Shaffy wrote for all of us who feel sometimes lonely and unhappy. The participants reflected on the following questions: What does your heart sing about? What does your heart fight for?

What does your heart cry about? What does your heart pray for? What does your heart laugh about?

What does your heart work for? And, what does your heart admire? The responses were recorded on large coloured plates, which together with other plates formed a beautiful tapestry in the garden around the statue of Jesus.

The two mini-vacations were made possible by a few loyal sponsors who support the project financially or with goods, like the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a catering company, a wine shop, and a supermarket chain. The guests were selected in cooperation with organizations which have good insight in the target group clientele. These organizations are: Foodbank Tilburg, Foundation Quiet in Tilburg and Den Bosch, Refugee Support Eindhoven and the Vacation Bank in Delft.

The Tapestry for Peace.

Workshop flower arrangement.

Bike-trip.

Workshop flower arrangement.

Boat-excursion in Den Bosch.

The Tapestry for Peace.

Boat-excursion in Den Bosch.

The Tapestry for Peace.

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APOSTOLAAT IN BEELD

Movie about the ‘Tapestry for Peace’,

by Abdulrahman Nourallah.

Brother Johannes Kojongian in the kitchen.

Volunteers, Brothers and associate prepare the meal.

The estate invites you for a nice walk.

Golden plates with heart-felt responses.

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CONCERNING JOANNES ZWIJSEN

PORTRAITS OF ZWIJSEN

From left to right: Portrait of the Founder of the Sisters SCMM, by J.F. Huts, 1939; lithography by W. Chimaer, 1847; Founder’s portrait Brothers CMM, by W. Chimaer, 1848: photo by L. Stollenwerk, 1863.

7 August 1848. Portrait painter Willem Chimaer van Oudendorp (1822-1873) tries a to make a new appointment with Bishop Zwijsen for the creation of his Founder’s portrait. The painting is already largely ready but cannot be completed until the bishop has time to pose. This has not yet happened due to Zwijsen’s busy agenda. In a subordinate clause, the artist quite politely asks when Zwijsen thinks of paying the bill of another portrait made at the end of 1847.

Zwijsen was not an easy client, but the Founder’s portrait, which remains in the Congregation makes it clear that the bills were finally paid and that the busy church administrator had found the time to pose. The painting shows us Zwijsen in a pose that is characteristic of a Founder's portrait. In the background we see the brother house. The Founder bears all the signs of episcopal dignity: bishop’s cross, ring and purple soli deo. In his left hand he holds his biretta, with the right hand he makes a blessing gesture. Zwijsen has lifted his eyes to heaven as if to say, we can rely on God for the success of this foundation. In the top left corner we see Zwijsen’s coat of arms depicted, with lion and lamb and the logo saying: mansuete et fortiter, gentle and strong.

Chimaer’s lithography of 1847 also shows us Zwijsen in bishop’s attire, in a more relaxed everyday setting, but with ring, cross, soli deo and episcopal sash. He is

sitting at his writing table, has some letters in his hand and a biography of St. Vincent within hands’ reach.

The caption mentions all official functions that Zwijsen held in 1847.

In addition to the study portrait from the end of 1847 and the Founder’s portrait from the end of 1848, we can we also place a third Zwijsen portrait, namely the portrait as Founder of the Sisters’ Congregation.

It is the oldest known Zwijsen portrait and was made in 1839 by the Tilburg painter Johannes Franciscus Hutten (1811-1891). It shows us a 45-year-old, selfconfident Zwijsen in cassock, his daily clothes as a parish priest, with the sisters’ convent of the Oude Dijk in the background. Zwijsen points with his left hand at the Rule of the Congregation, while holding an unknown book in his right hand. Fierce in stature and proud, the Founder looks at the viewer.

In her history of the Sisters SCMM, Sister Lauret remarks in connection with this painting: “Anyone who compares the portrait of the handsome, roguishlooking pastor Zwijsen, painted in 1839, with the image of the ashen, grumpy face of the elderly bishop, in which the half-closed eyes accentuate fatigue, realizes that he had to bear too much in life.”

Charles van Leeuwen

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THE NETHERLANDS

FAREWELL TO ‘DE VUURHAARD’ ‘De Vuurhaard’, (The Fireplace) community in Udenhout, The Netherlands, has been closed. The brothers who lived there moved to their new homes on 7 July 2020. Brother Frans van de Meulengraaf presented an unique gift to the residents of the ‘De Vuurhaard’ community in 2001, during a festive commemoration of the brothers’ 100 years work in Udenhout. It consisted of copies of the Directory CMM of the Congregation with details of the brother house in Udenhout. It covered the years from its foundation in 1901 to its jubilee year 2001. With the help of those details we would like to give an overview of a few interesting items in the history of this house that gave it its special identity and meaning.

How it started In 1901 the brothers started a boys’ school with 68 students. They added a program in 1911 that was quite unique for them: a course in agriculture. In 1934 they added a program for 20 students teaching them how to raise pigs.

Chimney with soldiers’ names.

Activities

St. Petrus School in Udenhout with Brother Arnold Lathouwers. Time period: 1944-1951.

Wartime German military forces occupied the brother house on 19 May 1942. The brothers took up residence in ‘Huize Vincentius’ in Udenhout. We found an interesting reminder of the war years in the attic of the brother house. Three English-speaking soldiers had written their names on the chimney in 1944. Obviously they lodged in the brother house during the time leading up to the country’s liberation.

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Starting in the 1960s the brothers, in addition to teaching and involvement in extra-curricular activities, became engaged in youth work and social work.

Brother Joannes Baptist and Brother Emilius started a soccer club in 1960, RK-SSS: Rooms Katholieke Sport Staalt Spieren (Roman Catholic Sport Builds Muscles).

Many years Brother Ger Oomens continued to support the club enthusiastically. Some years later Brother Servatius founded the boys’ choir Gaudeamus, which was known, famous rather, for its musicals. People still speak highly about the musical Het Bloemenparadijs (The Flower Paradise). Brother Servatius also became conductor of the choir of the Sisters of Charity.

Three brothers with temporary vows joined the community in 1970 and it became a place for their further training, in which Brother Kees Paanakker played an important role. Brother Ad de Swart also

Musical ‘Het Bloemenparadijs’, written by Brother Servatius and performed by the boys’ choir ‘Gaudeamus’ at the St. Petrus School, 1950. came to Udenhout in 1970. He was the last brother to teach at the school, located behind the brother house.

He can tell many stories about it.

Another target group The year 1985 was a significant turning point in the history of the house. The brothers’ attention changed from their familiar tasks to address other issues that demanded attention. ‘De Vuurhaard’ in Udenhout became, under the direction of Brother Simon van den Broek, a shelter for the marginalized: former drug addicts, runaway youth, persons in broken relationships, refugees with and without residency permits.

Refugee shelter In 1999 only two brothers remained in ‘De Vuurhaard’.

In that year the Congregation decided to suppress the Salvator community in Scheveningen, The Netherlands, and the Brothers Kees Mateijsen and Ad de Kok chose to move to Udenhout. Together with the brothers there they made a new beginning of ‘De Vuurhaard’ and took in refugees with no prospect of a residence permit. For twenty years refugees found shelter in ‘De Vuurhaard’. Some 750 of them from many countries had a place where they could rest, reflect and work towards a new future. The shelter received public support, first from the foundation ‘Vluchtelingen Opvang Tilburg’ (Refugee Shelter Tilburg) and later from ‘Vluchtelingenwerk Midden Brabant’ (Council for Refugees Middle Brabant).

The eatery.

Departure The brothers closed the refugee shelter in January 2020. It was a difficult decision. When people asked why we ended the program I, Brother Ad de Kok said: “We became too old and the refugees too young.

Furthermore, the house with fifteen rooms had become too big and too expensive.” The Brothers Johannes Kojongian and I moved to the Generalate.

Brothers Ger Oomens, Rinus Romme, and Kees Mateijsen moved to the Joannes Zwijsen community.

And so the brothers’ presence in Udenhout ended.

For almost 120 years the lives and the work of many brothers did leave its mark on the Udenhout society. It was good, for the people of Udenhout and also for the brothers.

Brother Ad de Kok CMM (The Netherlands)

Eatery The eatery represented one of the most important activities of the community and also of the refugees.

Thousands of people enjoyed meals there from recipes of countries where the refugees had come from. The guests could also listen to stories by and about the refugees: about their problems, and what would be possible or impossible for their future.

The last residents of the brother house ‘De Vuurhaard’: Brothers Johannes Kojongian, Ad de Kok, Ger Oomens, Rinus Romme, and Kees Mateijsen.

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MEMORIAM

Associate member

BROTHER

Frits Aarts

Godfried (G.A.) Kanen

He was born in Liessel on 18 April 1929. He passed away on 1 August 2020 in Kerkrade. On 7 August 2020, family members, friends and brothers said their goodbye to him in a closed ceremony. Afterwards he was buried in Kerkrade.

He was born in Luyksgestel, The Netherlands, on 3 February 1922, and entered the Congregation of Brothers CMM in Tilburg, on 8 September 1938. He died on 2 July 2020, in the residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg. On 8 July, his fellow brothers, family members and friends took leave of him in a private ceremony. Afterwards he was buried amidst his deceased fellow brothers at the Estate Steenwijk in Vught.

For the past twenty years Frits was closely associated with the Congregation of the Brothers CMM. As a young man Frits was a member of the Congregation for several years until he realized that it was not his vocation. He met his future wife Tina and subsequently his life centered on marriage and family. However, religious life kept tugging at him. Later on in life his desire to be connected with the Congregation took on a clearer shape and he became an associate member of the Congregation. He maintained a close relationship with the brothers, especially with the community in Vught. In his own area, especially in his local parish Frits was involved in pastoral ministry.

This was the way he lived, and he acted in the spirit of the Congregation. We are grateful to Frits for the unique and personal way in which he expressed his membership in the Congregation and how he was a blessing to his people in Kerkrade and environs. We also know that his membership in the Congregation meant a lot to Frits. Frits enjoyed a long life, more than 91 years. Now that he has left us, we his brothers, will miss him too and will treasure the good that came from him. We entrust him in God’s hands, our merciful Father, in the confidence that he will rest with Him in heaven.

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Geoffrey attended the teacher’s training college and started his formation as a religious brother. He was teaching already at the age of 19. At the end of the 1960’s the Congregation sent him successively to Congo, Namibia and California. The circumstances in Congo and Namibia required a great deal of adaptability. He remained, however, calm and steadfast. In consultation with his superiors, he made the best choices that suited the situation, and then he was ready again to accept a new challenge in another country. At the age of 80 he returned to The Netherlands. Brother Geoffrey was a committed religious. Maintaining the relationship with his Creator was the foundation of his life and work. At the same time, he attached great value to solidity and professional competence. He gladly contributed to a good community life. Almost to the last he served his fellow brothers in small things, for example as a driver or as a barber. He found relaxation through his social contacts. After moving to Joannes Zwijsen, for example, he could still enjoy an asparagus dinner in Reusel. Geoffrey became 98 years old. We now entrust him to the Merciful God, on Whom he put his trust all these years.

‘SEE MY PEOPLE’

A CRY FOR HELP 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’. organization) in the Diocese of Sibolga, and together with some benevolent people active in the healthcare sector, we formed a team: the Baksos (social work) Team Perdhaki Diocese of Sibolga. We collected funds, medicines and resources for personal hygiene.

We provide health education, consultations and medication. Since its foundation in 2016, we have been able to help many people, even in remote areas, and that is truly a gift from God. Brothers Antonius Ditubun (left) and Agustinus Farneubun (middle) distributing food during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Brother... Brother...! Please help...! Please heal our child...!” Early in the morning a mother and grandfather came running, heartbreakingly shouting, into the St. Lukas policlinic in Aek Tolang. A little girl was carried inside. The mother returned home, because she didn’t feel well either. The girl was severely dehydrated. For two days she had suffered from diarrhoea, vomiting, and fever. I could not save her anymore.

I brought her body to her grandfather’s house.

“Brother, we have no money, but please examine my other grandchildren, otherwise they will die like this little princess. The girl had two brothers, 7 and 11 years old. I took the boys to the clinic and also had the mother taken to the clinic. I gave them a drip because they also had dehydration symptoms. In the afternoon they recovered.

The disease that affected this family had two underlying causes: lack of knowledge about hygiene and health, and poverty. “Something like this can happen to more people”, I realized, “and only because of a lack of information. What can I do? Not only for this family, but also for other vulnerable families? ”

During the current Covid-19 pandemic we hand out masks and offer green bean porridge - which is very nutritious and healthy - and eggs to health workers.

We also distribute food packages to about 200 needy families. We continue to work steadily, together, in joy and in sorrow, and our slogan is “Caring and Sharing”.

Providing food assistance in Aek Tolang.

The event with which I started this story reminds me of the story of Jesus’ healing of ten lepers: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us” (Luke 17:13). The cry of the lepers is like the cry of the family that lost their daughter and begged for help. I cannot do anything else but listen to it and try to give an answer.

Brother Agustinus Farneubun CMM (Aek Tolang, Indonesia)

I was moved by this situation and wanted to do something. With the help of PERDHAKI (a healthcare 19

WE ACCEPT THE INVITATION TO WITHDRAW IN OURSELVES AND TO PRAY TO THE FATHER IN SECRET. (from the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM)

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