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MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL SUPERIOR
Today is a time of mission and a time of courage. Courage to strengthen the tottering steps, to commit ourselves to the Gospel, to regain confidence in the strength that mission brings. It is a time of courage, although courage does not mean having no guarantee of success. What is required of us is courage to fight, not necessarily to win; to announce, not necessarily to convert. We are required to have the courage to be willing to not always conform in the world, but without ever becoming argumentative or aggressive. Required of us also is the courage to be open to all, to never belittle the absoluteness and uniqueness of Christ. We are required to have the courage to stand up to belief, without becoming arrogant. We are asked to be missionaries of hope, continually reviewing and placing before God and our membership the life of our Mill Hill Society, with its yearnings and challenges, so that it is He who gives us light and hope. We are called to create, with our presence in the midst of the world, a society capable of recognizing the dignity of every person and of sharing the gift that each one is to the other. We gather from different countries but share a common culture linked to our experience – a long tradition and a strong desire to listen to the same voice. It is not about expending a huge amount of effort or performing ‘super-human’ acts. All it takes is just one person carrying out one simple loving act of mercy every day to start a revolution and stamp out the virus of indifference. These ‘Powerful Witnesses’, make us think of our own lives and how to respond to situations of need all around us. For us as Mill Hill Missionaries, it is a priority to go out and to meet the outcasts and the marginalised of our world, and to make felt the tender and merciful touch of Christ. Though we have a long and powerful legacy in many of the countries where we have worked and which I have experienced on recent visitations to Uganda and Cameroon, we do not have the luxury of resting on the fruit of what Mill Hill Missionaries before us have built. We cannot be a Church of maintenance. We are a Church and a Society ‘permanently in mission’, His disciples to all the nations, as He commanded. Hence our new missionary out-reach to Cambodia over the next few years.
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If we are going to make disciples in mission, we need to become signs of contradiction. In today’s world, that means we are called to embrace friendship, beauty, goodness, truth, weakness, suffering, joy and hope. If we are going to become the missionaries of this moment, it will be because we embrace the reality of human life, living fully and freely, because of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Becoming a sign of contradiction is not the same as being rebellious. Evangelisation is not a war with the world. Nor does becoming a sign of contradiction mean withdrawing from the world. The world is already mired in conflict and fractured. Becoming a sign of contradiction means witnessing to something more delightful, more profound, and more meaningful than what our world offers. Evangelisation is an invitation, expressed in love, to encounter and serve the living God and God’s people. Mission is God going out. You, too, must. Des, Andrew and Jimmy join me in wishing you every blessing in your ministry during this Lenten time as we move towards the celebration of Easter. Michael Corcoran MHM General Superior
The General Superior with MEP students in Cameroon.
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REPORTS ON GENERAL COUNCIL VISITATIONS Cameroon The General Superior visited Cameroon in January 2017. His visit was in the middle of strikes called by the Anglophone leaders in protest against the discrimination experienced at the hands of the Francophone majority. The protests took the form of ‘ghost-towns’, whereby there was no business, no transport and no schools. The government blocked the internet and social media providers. With the closure of schools including the Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC), our Mill Hill Formation program is very much affected by this turn of events. Our students may not be able to finish their courses in CATUC this year. Alternatives are being looked at by our formation staff. Currently, there are 36 students in formation in Bamenda, 26 in 1st Cycle and 10 in Basic Formation.
In spite of the strikes, Michael was able to visit our Members in their respective mission places and he noted their high level of dedication, commitment and missionary enthusiasm. Our MEP students coming from different parts of Asia and Africa contribute in their own way to the vibrant missionary activities in the area and are appreciated by both the Members and the local people. Fonfuka mission is being handed over to the Archdiocese of Bamenda at the request of Archbishop Esua and our Mill Hill team there headed by Fr. Tiberius Vuni will move to a new mission in Kembong, Mamfe Diocese. The Local Council is also looking at the possibility of starting an urban apostolate in Douala as recommended by General Chapter 2015. The Philippines Jimmy visited the Philippines in January 2017 and he felt the insecurity everywhere due to the extrajudicial killings that were happening in the country since President Duterte started the ‘war on drugs’ in June 2016. Since then, more than 7,000 people, mostly poor people, have been killed either during police raids or by unidentified killers. The Catholic Church has been outspoken against this lawlessness and in return received expletive-filled tirades from the President. 4
Our Mill Hill presence in the Philippine Islands particularly in the provinces of Iloilo, Antique and Palawan continues to contribute to highlighting the missionary dimension of the local church. Our mission among the ethnic people in the eastern part of Calamian Islands with our base at Turda, Coron continues to expand its pastoral outreach even to far-away islands. Livelihood empowerment, formation of lay leaders, youth, catechetics and Basic Ecclesial Communities compose the main pastoral focus of the parish pastoral team.
In Antique, we still work in two parishes of Sta. Teresa de Avila in Casay and San Juan de Nepomuceno in Anini-y. Both parishes also serve as pastoral placements for our formation students. Fr. John Ambrose (see above) who has been the pastor of Anini-y since 1998 and has been faithfully serving in various parts of Antique for 54 years will retire to Ireland in April 2017. He handed over the care of the parish to Fr. Benny Quinto in March this year. Bishop Romeo Lazo of Antique Diocese initiated a commendable and trailblazing missionary project for his local clergy by partnering with the Diocese of Lodwar, Kenya. In January 2017, two of his diocesan priests took up a mission appointment in Lodwar. The Missionary Sisters of the Lord’s Table or also better known as Mensa Domini Sisters, founded by Bp. De Wit, will also send three pioneering Sisters to Lodwar in June this year. Development Workshop While in the Philippines, Jimmy conducted a three-day workshop on project writing and fundraising for missionary projects in Mill Hill Central House, Iloilo. This was attended by 18 participants including the 4 Mensa Domini Sisters and two local priests from Antique Diocese who are now missionaries to Lodwar Diocese in Kenya. The feedback from the participants was positive. Similar workshops will be conducted in various countries in Asia and Africa. Jimmy will communicate to the Society Representatives regarding dates and venues.
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GENERAL COUNCIL: SCHEDULE OF VISITATIONS, EVENTS AND MEETINGS VISITATIONS MICHAEL CORCORAN
4th to 28th March 2017 31st March to 22nd April 2017 30th April to 22nd May 3rd to 20th July
Malaysia German-Speaking Region Kenya Ireland
DESMOND MCGILLICUDDY At base in Maidenhead ANDREW MUKULU At base in Maidenhead JIMMY LINDERO 26th to 28th February 2017 1st to 26th May 2017 July – August 2017
Regional Assembly, Ireland Pakistan India plus Development Workshop 6
EVENTS AND MEETINGS 24th – 28th April 2017: Society Editors Meeting, Maidenhead (Jimmy) 29th May – 2nd June 2017: Society Finance Council Meeting, Oosterbeek (Des) APF-MILL HILL REGIONAL MASSES
Hexham & Newcastle – St Joseph’s Gateshead – Sat 3rd June - 11am: Michael Salford – Salford Cathedral – Sat 10th June – 3pm: Andrew Liverpool – Freshfield – Sun 18th June – 2pm: Andrew Cardiff – Llantarnam Abbey – Sun 2nd July – 3pm: Michael Southwark – Southwark Cathedral – Sat 8th July – 2pm: Jimmy Plymouth – Plymouth Cathedral – Sun 9th July – 3pm: Des Birmingham – Birmingham Cathedral – Sun 23rd July - 11am: Des
APPOINTMENTS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Thomas Yellavula, appointed Rector of St. Joseph’s Formation Centre, Pune, India, for three years, effective 2nd April 2017. Bhaskar Gangavarapu, withdrawn from Vocation Ministry in India and appointed to the Formation Staff at St. Joseph’s Formation Centre, Pune, India, for three years, effective 2nd April 2017. Sudhakar Meka, appointed Vocation Director in India, for three years, effective 2nd April 2017. Sudhakar Meka, appointed Rector of St. Joseph’s House Ramanthapur, for one year, effective 2nd April 2017 Dilip Tirkey, appointed Rector of the Mill Hill Formation House, Karunapuram, for three years, effective 11th April 2017. Joseph Thangaraj, appointed MEP Coordinator in India, for three years, effective 2nd April 2017. Roy Pierce, re-appointed Society Representative for Islamabad - Rawalpindi for three years, effective 6th March 2017. Hillary Awiti, appointed Consultor to the Society Representative for Islamabad - Rawalpindi, three years, effective 6th March 2017. Abner Dimo, re-appointed MEP Coordinator in the Philippines, for three years, effective 2nd April 2017. Charles Okata, appointed to the Formation Staff of the Mill Hill Formation House, Jinja, for three years, effective 1st July 2017. Charles Okata, appointed MEP Coordinator in Uganda, for three years, effective 1st July 2017. Gabriel Barasa, appointed MEP Coordinator in South Africa, for three years, effective 1st June 2017. Hans Burgman, withdrawn from the East Africa Area and appointed to retirement in the Dutch Region, effective 1st May 2017. Elvis Shudzeka, appointed Bursar in Cameroon, for three years, effective 1st September 2017. Nol Verhoeven, re-appointed Rector of Mill Hill House, Bamenda, for three years, effective 1st June 2017. Emmanuel Omollo, withdrawn from the Diocese of Kroonstad, South Africa and appointed to the Archdiocese of Juba, South Sudan, effective 1st September 2017.
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• • • • • • • • • • •
Stephen Botto, re-appointed Bursar of the British Region, for three years, effective 14th February 2017. Stephen Botto, re-appointed Rector of Tenter House, Durham, for three years effective 14th February 2017. Stephen Botto, re-appointed Consultor to the Regional Representative in Britain, for three years, effective 1st January 2017. Terry Lee, re-appointed Rector of Hartsdale, for one year, effective 1st January 2017. John Ambrose, withdrawn from the Philippines and appointed to retirement at St. Joseph’s House, Dublin, effective 1st May 2017. Donie O’Connor, re-appointed to the British Region for APF-MH ministry for one year, effective 15th February 2017. John Nevin, appointed Consultor to the Regional in the Irish Region, from 1st May 2017 until 30th June 2019. Tom Keane, appointed Consultor to the Regional in the Irish Region, from 1st May 2017 until 30th June 2019. Maurice McGill, appointed Consultor to the Regional in the Irish Region, from 1st May 2017 until 30th June 2019. Stan Bondoko is the contact person for Democratic Republic Congo. Michael Ochwo is the contact person for South Sudan.
RELEASED FROM TEMPORARY OATH Linus Gabriel Kawuondi was released from the Temporary Oath, as of 17th February 2017.
RENEWAL COURSES Place
Name
Duration of Course
Loreto, Dublin, Ireland
Arul Nirmal Raj
Sept. 2017 – June 2018
Loreto, Dublin, Ireland
Dominic Nyachoti
Sept. 2017 – June 2018
Loreto, Dublin, Ireland
Devadas Sannaki
Sept. 2017 – June 2018
John Mary Vianney Galilee Development and Retreat Centre for Priests, Tagaytay
Rex Fedelicio
April – August 2017
NEW TEMPORARY MEMBERS AND RENEWAL OF TEMPORARY OATH The General Council has accepted the applications for Temporary Membership of: 7 students from Karunapuram, India 6 (3 Filipinos and 3 Malaysians) students from Iloilo, Philippines 9 students from Bamenda, Cameroon 6 students from Jinja, Uganda Twenty-nine (29) Temporary Members were accepted to renew their Temporary Oath.
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CANDIDATES FOR PERPETUAL MEMBERSHIP
BATONDOBI Placide Elia St. Peter & Paul Cathedral Parish, Basankusu, DR Congo
KIMBI Alexander Toaghang St. Agnes’ Parish, Mbesa, Bamenda, Cameroon KODATI Chanikya Arogya Matha Church, Andra Pradesh, India
OWOR Mark St. Wilbrod Catholic Church Tororo, Uganda
NTEBAN Thomas Ngong St. Joseph’s Parish, Djottin Kumbo, Cameroon
SUUH Elvis Mbangsi St. Jude’s Parish, Fundong, Bamenda, Cameroon
ONGANY Mathew Juma Consolata Catholic Church, 9 Mombasa, Kenya Likoni,
RAM Rainu Catholic Ashram, Ekamba Jashpur, Chhattisgarh, India
The General Superior will accept their Perpetual Oath in Nairobi, Kenya on 19th May 2017 and they will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate on 20th May 2017 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya by Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa, Bishop of Ngong. Congratulations! Ad multus annos!
FUTURE OF FORMATION PROGRAMME IN CONGO In the previous edition of the Central Newsletter, it was announced that the Society’s formation programme in Basankusu was being closed due to its non-viability. In the meantime, Fons Eppink, with the help of Stanslaus Bondoko, has been appointed to carry out a feasibility study to see if it is possible to re-establish the formation programme in Kinshasa, in particular the phases of Orientation and Basic Formation – but possibly also First Cycle. Fons will initiate the study later this year. The results may be ready by end of January 2018. The feasibility study will cover a range of areas, including identification of an appropriate residence for our candidates in Kinshasa and dialogue with other Congregations concerning the possibility of joining a consortium.
65+ Seminar in Rome The 65+ Course will take place at the Benedictine Monastery at Bevilacqua, Rome on 9th – 30th September 2017. The organizing team is composed of Bernard Fox, Liam Cummins and Sr. Sally Hyland, MSHR. Resource persons are invited to give input on a range of themes. Please get in touch with your Regional/Society Representative or a member of the General Council if you wish to participate. There are still a few spaces left. MISSION TO CAMBODIA In follow-up to the study of Brendan Mulhall in 2014, Jimmy Lindero and Nico Schipper visited Cambodia from 5th to 14th December 2016. In the conclusion of the report of their visit, Nico and Jimmy proposed to the General Council the implementation of the recommendation of the General Chapter 2015 to open a new mission in Cambodia particularly in the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang. The bishop and the vicar general, both Jesuits, stressed the need for priests and would be very happy to welcome Mill Hill to the Prefecture. Battambang Prefecture covers almost 2/3 of the geographical area of the whole country and presently has only three local priests ordained. The General Council approved this proposal. It is envisaged to open the new mission in 2018 - 2019. The General Council is now in the process of forming a pioneering team. It understands the importance of team Members undergoing at least one year of formal study of Khmer language in Phnom Phen followed by two years of immersion in Battambang before being assigned to a particular mission area within the Prefecture.
PRAYING FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD C19 In charity we pray for one another, both for those who are living and for those who have died. We also pray in gratitude for all those who help and support us in our missionary apostolate. In our communities we pray for living Members, Associates and benefactors during the month of June, and in November we pray for deceased Members, Associates and benefactors. We also pray during the Holy Eucharist, in accordance with our status, for any Member or Associate who has died.
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OBITUARIES We remember in our prayers:
Bishop Colin Davies who died on Sunday 8th January 2017 in Freshfield, aged 92 Bro. Martijn (Ben) Snoeren who died on Monday 13h February 2017 in Missiehuis Vrijland, aged 87 Fr. James Fanning who died on Tuesday 28th February 2017 in Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool aged 66 Fr. Joop Deen who died on Tuesday 28th February 2017 in Grootebroek, Netherlands, aged 83 Fr. John Rooney who died 5th March 2017 in, Nazareth House Care Home, Cardonald, aged 81
CORRECTION TO SOCIETY NECROLOGY 2017 EDITION: Please insert the name of Fr. Peter (Toon) Jacobse who died on 24 June 2016. Sincere apologies for this omission.
“Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.” 11
The General Council wishes all the Members, Associates and Mission Partners the gladness of Easter which is Hope, the promise of Easter which is Peace, and the spirit of Easter which is Love. Happy Easter!
Editor: Jimmy Lindero, MHM Contact: gc-asia@millhillmissionaries.com Society Website: www.millhillmissionaries.co.uk 12