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National Assembly THIRD DAY

Again being together as Religious in South Sudan has begun by celebrating Mass; here there is a brief summary of the homily

Extract on the homily:

Jesus gives a new commandment as he is the “new Torah”, the new way of salvation that why he can give a new commandment; he calls us to Love one another. Love is an act of the will and a concrete action; in any situation we found ourselves we are called to choose whether to love or not; and so offer love to all our brother and sisters and towards the whole creation.

St. Francis was not an ecologist; there was no such a concept in the 1200; he was a man deeply in love with Jesus Christ; with God. He recognises God as Creator and therefore all that has come into being is our brother and sister. The Creation has a value as it is the “first book” through which we understand the presence of God and can “go to him”.

As religious we have something more to tell the world; not only that our planet is in danger due to the abuse of it we have carried out for centuries; but that this world is a gift from a Father who cares for us and wants us to be co-creators of his handiwork.

This was how the Nile welcomed us this morning:

Work in the assembly and presentation of the Group works

Let it be... second day of RSASS Assembly

We have hit the second day of our annual meeting.

Fr. Daniele Moschetti has opened the day by presiding the Mass and during his homily reminded us all the importance of "remain" in Jesus in all what we do and not to lose hope in the future. He told us about St. Daniel Comboni experience for whom remaining in God  meant to keepfaith in all the difficult circumstances he'd found himself.

After Mass fr. Peter Nox enlightened us again on environmental and ecological issues. This morning approach has been more scientific revealing the important studies which lie behind Pope Francis Enciclical Laudato Si.

Enjoy the pics; more will be added later, just be patient ;-)

 

Pollution effect :-)

 

Group works!!









Opening Mass at RSASS Annual General Assembly 2016

The General Assembly has begun with the Holy Mass presided by H.E. Charles Daniel Balvo

This is a brief extract of his homily.

Act of the apostles, what was their identity? Who were they? Simply Jews or missionaries to the gentiles? To whom do they have to go? And they had the first gathering in Jerusalem to decide to see if they were something new but still recognising their origin.

They were both, rooted in the Jewish tradition, but they were bearing something new. We have inherited that “newness” of life and we keep preaching it all over South Sudan. The things that keeps us together is the Lord Jesus himself; he's the vine we are the branches. Whatever we face his life and love is present in our own lives; yet sometimes we cut off ourselves from him.

These are important days for South Sudan, maybe peace will come, but the best will come if we do not forget our mission, spreading the love of God remaining rooted in Jesus Christ. Paul was convinced that nothing can separate us from God, we shall not forget that.

Have a good work to all the participants

 

 

And these is just some Group Work after plenary session

 



RSASS General Assembly

CHURCH PERSONNEL TO ATTEND WORKSHOP ON 'LAUDATO SI' AND MINISTRY IN SOUTH SUDAN

The Religious Superior's Association in South Sudan (RSASS) will hold its annual conference later this week (April 27-30, 2016) in Juba, South Sudan. Some 76 Religious men and women from across the country are expected to attend this assembly.

During the workshop, participants will be looking into Pope Francis' Laudato si' guided by the theme "caring for our home: reflections on 'Laudato si' and its implications on Religious Life and ministry in South Sudan". 

After the three days workshop RSASS will held its Annual Assembly on 30 April.

The workshop will be facilitated by Fr. Manny Ginete. Fr. Peter Knox, the Principal of Hekima College, in Nairobi, and Sr. Rosemary Oduol of Wau, are among the speakers at this conference. 

The encyclical Laudato si' (literally "Be praised" or better, "Praise be to you"), dated 24 May 2015, was officially published on 18 June 2015 and is the second encyclical of Pope Francis. It has the subtitle 'On Care For Our Common Home'. 

For an overview of this Papal document, access the link below which offers a useful guide for an initial reading of the encyclical. It will help you to grasp the overall development and identify the basic themes of Laudato si': http://www.news.va/en/news/laudato-si-a-press-guide-to-the-new-encyclical

Also, get to know a study guide by CAFOD by clicking on this link: http://catholicclimatemovement.global/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Laudato-Si-study-guide-final.pdf

Three days prayer

CATHOLIC CHURCH IN JUBA TO HOLD A THREE DAYS PRAYER FOR PEACE IN SOUTH SUDAN

The head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro, has extended an open invitation to all faithful and People of God in the Archdiocese of Juba "to pray for a peaceful implementation of the agreement leading to a lasting peace in South Sudan".

 

The Secretary General of the Archdiocese, Fr. Gabriel Asida, has sent a letter to all parishes and religious communities in the Archdiocese to invite them to join this special prayer for peace.

 

This special triduum prayer for peace in South Sudan will be from Wednesday 20 to Friday 22 April 2016. The three days prayer will be concluded with a Eucharistic celebration held at St. Theresa Cathedral church presided over by the Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro on Saturday, 23 April.

 

A violent political crisis has engulfed South Sudan since 15 December 2013. The conflict that began in Juba rapidly spread across the country and soon became a brutal civil war with millions of people displaced, tens of thousands killed, entire villages torched, public and private properties looted and destroyed and communities divided. The country has also faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

 

A peace agreement was signed in August 2015 by the leader of SPLM in Opposition, Dr. Riek Machar, and the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir. Later on, President Kiir appointed the opposition leader, Riek Machar, as first vice-president of South Sudan.

 

Riek Machar is expected to return to Juba this Tuesday 19 April and is set to take up his post as first vice-president in the transitional government which both leaders are expected to form. The expectation is that South Sudan may finally be on the road to peace.

 

"With the glimpse of hope and peace over South Sudan... each parish is asked to dedicate a three days of special prayer for peace in South Sudan", reads the invitation to the three days prayer for peace in the country.

 

Following the three days prayer in the parishes, faithful will gather on Saturday 23 April at 9.00 am at the Assumption chapel, in Kelibala, and will proceed to the Cathedral in Kator for the Eucharistic celebration.

http://www.combonisouthsudan.org/index.php/1507-catholic-church-to-hold-a-three-days-prayer-for-peace-in-south-sudan

No recollection on Saturday

Dear sisters and brothers. Peace

As you have already read from the object of this email, we have thought to cancel the recollection day that was anticipated to 23rdApril 2016  at Comboni House and instead invite everybody to participate to the triduum of prayer for peace for South Sudan in the different parishes of Juba.

On 23rd at 9 am we shall gather at Assumption chapel in Kelibala before procession together to st. Theresa Cathedral where archbishop Paulino will celebrate together with the faithful a special mass for peace.

Let's participate in many to this important event for the Church and the entire country.

Let's keep each other in prayer.

Fr. Daniele Moschetti, MCCJ

Comment on third Sunday readings

3rd Sunday of Easter
(Acts 5:27-32, 40-41, Rv 5:11-14, Jn21:1-19)

Recognize the lord and live with faith

Introduction:
I greet all in the name of our lord Jesus Christ. We are all invited this third Sunday of Easter first recognize the Lord like John and to run like Peter to Jesus. Today's Gospel story is about God in search of man, even when man tries to evade him.  The fire of God's love has to burn within our heart. The Apostles failed to recognize immediately the Lord when he greeted them at the sea of Tiberius. Peter decided to return to his home district of Galilee, because he was discouraged and did not know what to do after the tragedy of Jesus death. He went back to his previous carrier out of despair and uncertainty. So the other Disciples followed him back to Galilee. After the miraculous catch, Jesus told to Peter that he would be "catching the people" for the kingdom of God.

1st Reading describes how the Apostles reacted when the Jewish leader tried to stop them from preaching about Jesus. This was the second time they had been arrested by the Jewish Supreme Court. The spirit of the risen lord transformed Peter, whom Jesus appointed head of the church, from being coward into brave witness to the Resurrection. 2nd Reading from the book of Revelation presents John's vision of the risen Lord as the glorified "Lamb of God" enthroned in heaven. Using the rich imagery, John explains that Jesus has done marvelous works and given us more than we deserve. Hence the Angels sing praises around God's throne. The Apocalypse of John is an expression of Christian hope in the Risen lord.

Message
An Old king was at the point of his death and he decided to help his entire kingdom before his death. So he called his entire people to gather in front of his palace.
He greeted them and said I want to make all happy today. The entire kingdom smiling is my last wish before I die. Therefore every needs and wants and things for your life are in my palace. Touch something it becomes yours.
The rich people entered inside touched beautiful Cars, Gold, Silver, and Money carried happily and the old King was happy. Now it was a time for the poor people to enter inside they touched where it was full of food like rice, sorgam, maize, water from the palace and king was happy. Everybody was happy and touched according to their needs. The King was moving around the palace and happy because entire Kingdom was happy now. Surprisingly, only a small boy did not tough anything. Now, the happy king went near the boy and said politely, for my happy life please touch something. At once the boy ran to the king touched and embraced the old King. The Boy said, If I touch you the entire palace is mine.
As the boy touched the king, we are invited this Sunday to touch Jesus through our way of life. When we tough Jesus the whole kingdom is ours. The Apostle Peter was called and given the mission to catch the people for the kingdom of God because he touched the heart of Jesus like the small boy in the story.
Jesus love is without limit, unconditional and everlasting. Jesus questions Peter's love and fidelity three times in front of the disciples. It must be caused Peter pain and sorrow since he had publicly denied Jesus three times. Now Peter full of remorse and humility stated that he loved his master and willingly to serve him whatever it might cost. The Lord calls us like the Apostles even in our weakness and sin, indifference, lose of hope to love him above all else. The triple confession and commissioning of peter gave him the readiness and willingness to work for God's mission. The Gospel gives us vivid picture of the reality of the resurrection. Jesus is real and true flesh, not just a spirit or ghost. The risen Lord is present in our pain and suffering. We know that we are all living in the dark time of the country (Power crisis, Tribal war, economical crisis, killing of innocents, woman is given as a salary to the soldier, etc). We have the uncertainty about the future like the Apostles but Jesus is our hope and we need to see God's love that is Jesus himself. Let us spread the mission of Jesus through our simple life and tough the heart of the people.

Prayer
Jesus the resurrection and the life, increase our faith in the power of the resurrection that we may never doubt your word nor stray from your presence.

For the personal reflection
The Lord reveals himself to each of us as we open our hearts to receive his words.
Let us recognize Lord's presence in our life and receive his word with faith.

Have a fruitful Sunday

Recollection day

Dear Brothers and sisters,

happy Easter! its my hope that you are doing well and still enjoying the new life that the resurrection of Jesus brings to us.

I wish to remind you of that the date for the day of recollection in the month of April is

23rd April 2016, at Comboni House.

This is because on Saturday  the  30th, we will still be in the Annual conference for RSASS , hence we have pushed the recollection a week earlier to enable us participate in the Seminar and the workshop on consecrated life.

my very best wishes of peace as we continue to unite our prayers for all the suffering people of the nuba mountains and in a spoecial way for the religious commmunities working in that area.

love and prayers to you all from Nairobi,

Sr.Anne

Comment on Second Sunday of Easter Readings

Second Sunday of Easter

Act of the Apostels 5, 12-16
Rev.1,9-11.12-13.17.19
Jn 20, 19-31

Today we celebrate the second Sunday of the Easter and holy Catholic church also celebrates it as Divine Mercy Sunday. This Sunday demands all Christians to experience the mercy of God (The God-experience) in our lives and share that experience to others (giving God to others) in every walk of our lives.
Jesus our master didn't send his disciples to the world just like that after the crucifixion or resurrection. But  Jesus  knows for  sure if and if only, they  experience him personally, the disciples will be able to  bear  witness to him with  total  conviction  even if the life is demanded. That is what  we see from  last week  starting  from  Easter vigil till  today, our  Lord  appears  to  the disciples and  strengthens  their faith. Jesus says, "As the father sent me,so am i sending you to the world" and breathes on them and gives prove to them.
☆ How can we experience God?
When I was doing my philosophical studies in India we had a young and inspiring  professor namely Mathew atumkal who used  to be with us even in recreation out side  the class . Once he told us "I am sure that you all will become  priests but  make sure before  becoming priest you must have an experience of God".and he  really  meant it. Because  after all we are going  to share  the people of God what  we have  experienced from him. If  we  don't have what  are going to share?
St.Thomas  the  forerunner  of system of catholic theology.
St.Thomas, being one among the disciple, had not got the experience of resurrected Lord but  all  the  other said, "we  have  seen the  Lord". This  should have  made  him so sad, and  that  was  why  he said with  great  faith of getting  the  experience  of  resurrected  Jesus,  "unless  and until  l see  and  put  my finger in his  wounded side I will  not  believe. And  he got  an  experience  of God and proclaimed, "my God and  my Lord" and  went  for  and wide in sharing.  That  is the  method  catholic  theology  follows till today ie..The  faith  seeking  understanding, not  understanding  seeking  faith. It is our doubt with great faith to understand mystery should  encourage us to  come  more closely and that  will naturally lead us to personal encounter with Jesus through prayer,study of the word of  God and as a frequenting of sacraments. Tus each one of us as disciple or son presenting our own sinfulness demand  the  experience  of  God in his  mercy and proclaim "My Lord and My God". 
How can we give that experience  to the people?  Jesus is the face of mercy of the father._ Holy Father Francis. 

The world  has  sinned  so much so it fell short of God's love and forgiveness . This way we also are deprived and made ourselves  not worthy  of God's grace,love and  forgiveness. forgetting  everting  He just lavishes on us the forgiveness and love in his  boundless  mercy . As a result  of His mercy, He sent his  only son for the redemption of the  world. Thus Jesus  our  Lord  became the face of mercy of God, the father to the people of the world. And that  face of Marcy  of father, Jesus commands us to be  the very  face  of  Jesus in mercy  to the  people of the world by saying, "be merciful as your heavenly  father  is  merciful". 
☆ To share  the  experience  of God,  deriving  from Holy Bible, our church teaches us to involve in works of mercy proactively.
☆ our  action in  every moment of our  lives  must  show  that we are  redeemed people. Must  become another Christ in word and  deed.

* Mercy is shown without deservedness, that is why this is called mercy. we have received mercy from God in this way, so in turn must forgive people in mercy. 
* received(mercy,forgiveness,love) freely from God ;give freely to the people in the name of God.
*use the blessings for  the good of people otherwise you will  lose the blessings.
Through all this  let  people recognise that you are  the face of  Jesus' mercy.

fr. Vijayakumar MMI