Beginnings
Saturday September 12th is a big day for the small village of Bokongo, 15km from Bozoum, on the road to Bangui. Today we inaugurate the new chapel, and it is a great celebration for everyone!
As we prepare for Mass, I see some new faces among the people, and people who have come from nearby villages. There are also pastors from various Protestant churches, and many others.
Father Matteo blessed the chapel from the outside, and then we all entered together in procession. It was nice to see the space filled with people praying, singing, dancing and joyfully celebrating God's grace.
People were very happy. We arrived with some people from Bozoum (catechists, the choir, bricklayers and carpenters). Today there were two offertory processions. The first was for the community of Bokongo, and the second for the poor of Bozoum and the village. At this point we saw, with surprise, that the Peul also entered. Even though they are Muslims they also wanted to give a small sign of gratitude.
After Mass, there was an air of celebration: while people danced, talked and met, some of the mothers finished preparing lunch for guests, catechists, bricklayers ...
The following day, Sunday September 13, in the parish we celebrated the start of the pastoral year. After the slowdown in activities, due to the coronavirus, it was time (with caution) to resume catechesis and daily activities.
They also, today, presented themselves with gifts for the poor and orphans of the parish. In Bozoum people are very generous!
On Monday I went down to Bangui with some confreres: in these days our Provincial Superior, Fr Saverio, was visiting. We are at the beginning of the three-year period, and it is time for travel and new destinations for many of us. During these days we meet and try to see what is best to do, to respond to the needs of the people and the Church in Central Africa, and, above all, to understand what God's will is.
Saturday September 12th is a big day for the small village of Bokongo, 15km from Bozoum, on the road to Bangui. Today we inaugurate the new chapel, and it is a great celebration for everyone!
As we prepare for Mass, I see some new faces among the people, and people who have come from nearby villages. There are also pastors from various Protestant churches, and many others.
Father Matteo blessed the chapel from the outside, and then we all entered together in procession. It was nice to see the space filled with people praying, singing, dancing and joyfully celebrating God's grace.
People were very happy. We arrived with some people from Bozoum (catechists, the choir, bricklayers and carpenters). Today there were two offertory processions. The first was for the community of Bokongo, and the second for the poor of Bozoum and the village. At this point we saw, with surprise, that the Peul also entered. Even though they are Muslims they also wanted to give a small sign of gratitude.
After Mass, there was an air of celebration: while people danced, talked and met, some of the mothers finished preparing lunch for guests, catechists, bricklayers ...
The following day, Sunday September 13, in the parish we celebrated the start of the pastoral year. After the slowdown in activities, due to the coronavirus, it was time (with caution) to resume catechesis and daily activities.
They also, today, presented themselves with gifts for the poor and orphans of the parish. In Bozoum people are very generous!
On Monday I went down to Bangui with some confreres: in these days our Provincial Superior, Fr Saverio, was visiting. We are at the beginning of the three-year period, and it is time for travel and new destinations for many of us. During these days we meet and try to see what is best to do, to respond to the needs of the people and the Church in Central Africa, and, above all, to understand what God's will is.
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| P.Matteo |
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| Bozoum |
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