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Fransalian International

"Be what you are, Be at its best!"      - St. Francis de Sales

Editorial  SFS  Fr. Mermier  General Curia  SFS Publications      News from the Provinces Brazil   East Africa England Franco-Swiss North-east India Nagpur  Pune   South-west India Visakhapatnam     Hearty Congratulations Fr. D. Kuzhupil  Fr. E. Mayoraz Fr. A. Fernandes Fr. A. Mookenthotam Fr. A. Mangatt  New Priests   Vol. 3  May 2001

Fransalian International

You wouldn't easily forget: MAYBOMBAY diocese of Doba

Mgr. Michel Russo, our Bishop, made his pastoral visit to our parish in January 2001. The 69 villages of the parish are divided into 8 sectors. The pastoral visit took two weeks, 4 days a week to 4 sectors. The programme is quite interesting.

A large area under the shade of the mango trees in a sector is prepared for the people to assemble. The Bishop, the Fathers and Sisters reach the place at 8.30 or 9.00 a.m. depending on the locality. In Africa all have plenty of time. No one is in a hurry. We wait for the people to reach. Those who reach or the choir may begin singing. In some sectors, the choir may be there to welcome the Bishop when he reaches. As we wait for the people, the reception committee may offer us a cup of tea.

By 10.30 or 11.00 a.m. the people of the sector assemble. The Bishop has the Gospel read and gives an instruction for one hour. Then the catechists on behalf of the people present to the Bishop both the positive and negative aspects of their life. They are very honest and sincere. It is almost like a general confession. The Bishop invites the people to ask any relevant questions concerning the parish, their problems etc. They freely put questions. The Bishop responds. After this, the people offer gifts to the Bishop, grains, fruits, eggs, chicken, sometimes a lamb or a goat or two. Then the Bishop gives his final instructions and imparts his blessings. It is already 3.00 or 4.00 or even 5.00 p.m. when the session is over. The dialogue between the people and the Bishop depends on the sector and the crowd. People begin to leave. We are offered lunch, a big ball-shaped millet-flour well cooked with chicken-sauce as accompaniment. We sit around and share the same.

An encouraging visit 

Fr. Emile Mayoraz, our Superior General, was very eager to open a mission in Francophone countries. He encouraged the South-West Province to undertake this task. This dream of his became a reality when Maybombay mission in the diocese of Doba in Tchad was taken up by the South-West Province in November 1999 after three years of reflection and discernment. Fr. Mayoraz had never been to this area. So the confreres working in Maybombay and Yaounde invited Fr. Mayoraz, and Fr. Augustine Mangatt, co-ordinator of African MSFS Missions to visit Yaounde and Tchad.

Fr. Mayoraz, though suffering from Hernia, reached Yaounde on 4lh February 2001 and Doba on 9th afternoon. Accompanying him were Fr. Augustine Mangatt, Fr. Jose Parapillil, Provincial of the South-West Province and Fr. Thomas Cherukat, the former Provincial now at Yaounde.

During their stay from 9th to 14th February, they visited some mission stations and had discussions with the Bishop of Doba on taking up a new mission. It was decided to open a new centre Beti by 2003 around 17 kms from Doba. By the time, the confreres appointed to Francophone missions are expected to be proficient in French.

On 14th February, we left for N'Djamena by road and 15th reached Yaounde by air. On 16* morning we met the Archbishop who gave us a very warm welcome. We explained to him the need of a TYansit House for us in Yaounde. Our missionaries have to learn French. Our candidates from Francophone countries need a contact house. We expressed our readiness to undertake ministry in a suburban parish. The Archbishop was very happy and promised to grant our request. On 19th February the visitors left to their own destinations.

Maison Mermier 

The new rented house in Yaounde baptized "Maison Mermier" will be blessed and opened on 29lh June.   It will serve as a transit house for our confreres learning French to work in Francophone missions and a formation house for our candidates from French-speaking countries. Already 25 candidates are on the waiting list while we have accommodation for only five.

Fr. Thomas Cherukat deserves our appreciation and thanks; for he braved all problems and pains to realize it in a very short time. Our sincere thanks are due to Fr. Mayoraz and benefactors for their whole-hearted support and cooperation.

 Fr. Antony Mookenthottam msfs