Along the way... the way is long

 

A 10 km da Bozoum
A 10 km de Bozoum

Along the way...
...the way is long

These days I am in Baoro, my first contact with the community and, above all, to get to know the villages and schools, in this next Mission of mine.

Since the father I am replacing, Fr Maurice, has to leave in the next few days for Bangui, his new destination, I have to take advantage of his presence to have my first meeting with the villages.

In this area we work in 17 villages, spread over 4 roads: Walo and Kouisso Baguera on the road to Bouar; Dayanga and Gaba on that of Bozoum, Dobere, Balembe, Barka Bongo, Zoungbe, Bawi, Mbormo and Ngoumbou on the road to Bangui, and Bayanga Bode, Pate Bonamboro, Samba Bougoulou, Igwe, Yoro, Bayanga Didi and Sinaforo on that of Carnot.

Visiting the villages allows us to meet the catechist, counselors and Christians of every Christian community. There are many children: and in 9 of these villages we have elementary schools and 5 nursery schools.

It is interesting to observe the communities, which welcome us with joy. In some there are beautiful churches, in others a simple canopy. But Faith is not lacking!

There is a lot of work to be done to bring the Gospel, and at the same time, thanks to the Gospel we are here to help the people of these areas that have been abandoned by most,  but not by the Church!

I carefully observe chapels and schools, noting the work that needs to be done (painting, roofs to be repaired, benches to be completed), and dreaming of other schools and other nursery programs ... With the certainty that Providence is never stingy!

Some roads are asphalted, but the sidwalks are rather difficult. Already on Monday, starting from Bozoum, I was stuck and lost almost an hour at 10 km, due to the river that overtook the road. Today, going to the most distant villages (90 km from Baoro), the sidewalks were a succession of sand and mud: walking the 7 km between Yoro and Sinaforo took an hour and twenty minutes!

The fatigue of the journey also holds some nice surprises. In Yoro, before leaving, the people of the village approached Fr Maurice with great emotion and offered him some chickens and other gifts, as thanks for the work he has done with them in these past 3years.

Thanks!

Andare a scuola, sotto la pioggia. Con orgoglio.
Aller à l'école, malgré la pluie. Avec un peu d'orgueil

La scuola di Samba Bougoulou
L'école de Samba Bougoulou

Sinaforo, la cappella
La chapelle de Sinaforo

Saints, sports and new paths

 

Saints, sports and new paths

On early Saturday morning I left for Bouar and the Pastoral Session of the Diocese. Sunday was Mission Sunday, all over the world.

In Bouar, the Bishop concluded the Pastoral Session with a great celebration. During the Mass, he consecrated the whole diocese to the Infant Jesus of Prague, represented by a cloak and royal insignia, as an Emperor.

Here in Bozoum, however, we moved to one of the 3 chapels of the city, that of Santa Teresa d’Avila. Her feast was on the 15th, but we celebrated it today, together with the Christians who live in this area. Thank God it didn't rain a lot so we could cross the river together, with a lot of people.

Sunday afternoon I set off for Baoro, and then Bangui. Here we are starting the preparatory work for the construction of a new convent. The project is now ready, and in these upcoming days surveys are being carried out for this construction site.

I received great news: Caritas of Bouar has a sponsor! This is the men's team (in A2) of Cuneo Volley! Here's what a friend wrote to me:

“With the away match in Bergamo, Cuneo's path in the men's A2 volleyball series began. This season on the game jersey of the Cuneo club (formerly "Campione d'Italia" in the 2009/2010 season) stands out (among other partners) "Caritas Centrafrique - Diocése de Bouar" with which Cuneo has started a crowdfunding project for the construction of a house for one of the poorest families in Bozoum. " 

I returned from Bangui on Tuesday evening, and the following day we had the visit of the new superior of the Carmelites in Central Africa, Fr Federico Trinchero. The new community of Bozoum is beginning to take shape, which will be composed of Fr. Norberto Pozzi, Fr Matteo Pesce and Fr Marco Poggi.

In these upcoming days Mario and Luigina are also with us, a couple from Pegognaga (Mn) who work (a lot and well) for our Missions. Mario, among other things, is working on a large gate for the Kpari chapel, while Luigina helps us, with cooking and sewing.

La maglia ufficiale del Cuneo Volley
La tenue offcielle de l'équipe Cuneo Volley

Riunione dei responsabili delle Scuole della diocesi
Réunion des responsables des écoles du  Diocèse

Cattedrale di Bouar
Cathédrale de Bouar

Festa nella cappella di Santa Teresa - Bozoum
Fete dans la chapelle Sainte Thérèse - Bozoum

da sinistra: P.Marco Poggi, P.Norberto, P.Federico, P.Norberto, P.Dieudonné
de gauche à droite: P.Marco Poggi, P.Norberto, P.Federico, P.Norberto, P.Dieudonné

Mario & Luigina

 

 

Moving forward!

 

 

Moving forward!

This week was almost entirely occupied by the diocesan pastoral session. It is a meeting that happens every year, at the beginning of pastoral activities, bringing together priests, religious men and women, catechists and people involved in the various parishes, for a few days of reflection and exchange.

I take advantage of the trip to return to Baoro, where I spent the day on Tuesday with Fr Maurice. He introduced me to the work that awaits me: there are 17 villages followed and accompanied by the priest. In 9 of these there are village schools, organized by us missionaries, in collaboration with the parents of the children. These schools allow 1,700 children to receive a minimum of school education in the Baoro sector. Besides these schools, there are also 5 kindergartens (with 170 pupils).

We discussed with him and with the coordinator, Simplice, how to organize the reopening, and how to involve parents and villages so that they can come quickly and in large numbers to enroll the children.

With Fr Maurice we also discussed the Mechanical School, which trains about sixty young people in this sector. It is a 2-year program, and at the end the young people come out with a good preparation to be able to repair cars, motorcycles and other means.

Wednesday morning I moved to Bouar, where I participated in the pastoral session. We were many (about eighty), for 4 days of work. There were some big issues (integral ecology, according to Pope Francis' encyclical "Laudato Sì", and the economic autonomy of parishes). We then continued with the presentation of the various activities of parishes and commissions, trying to read what is happening in the country, and to fill ourselves with faith, hope and charity for the communities that await us.

On Sunday 18 October, world mission day, the Session will conclude with a great celebration, in which the Bishop will consecrate the diocese of Bouar to the Child Jesus.

Moving Forward!

Baoro

Session Pastorale - Bouar 2020

 

 

Fuma ch'anduma (Let's go!)

 

Fuma ch'anduma (Let's go!)

Some small news, and then the biggest news, which many have already received by email, or read on Facebook, or elsewhere.

Small news:

In these upcoming days, the final exams are taking place. The students from St. Augustin High School are also involved. The tests are all written, and the evaluations will be made in the capital. In 3 or 4 weeks the results will be announced on National Radio.

On Tuesday I went to Bouar and Baoro. In Bouar we had a meeting with the bishop, together with other priests of the diocese. I went to Baoro because… it is going to be my permanent new home in a few weeks, so there it is!

Big News:

Seventeen years.

I have been in Bozoum for seventeen years: parish priest, but not only.

And in the next few weeks, I will be leaving Bozoum for Baoro, another Mission, about 180 km from here.

This is what the superiors have asked of me, and I gladly obey, even if it is not easy for me.

Willingly, because I rely more on Him than on myself: God is not wrong, and putting oneself in his hands is one of the most intelligent and exciting things a person can do.

Gladly, because staying too long in one place runs the risk of making you lazy, turning off your imagination and surrendering to routine.

Gladly, because it is a new experience: I will work in the villages and small Christian communities, in the schools of these villages, and in every place where I can be of service.

It's not easy, because they've been 17 nice years, even if, at times, difficult. The parish of Bozoum is a demanding community, over time, so many realities have grown that the locals, and so many friends around the world, have made it possible to dream, and to see those dreams become reality.

It's not easy, because I'm going to miss Bozoum.

It is not easy, because of the relationships formed with so many people, children, young people and adults. And it will be hard to say goodbye.

It is not easy, because many have come to know Bozoum and Fr Aurelio as if they were one and the same...

I have great faith in the one who will replace me as parish priest, and slowly the community, together with the people of Bozoum, and with the help and support of your prayers , will continue in what we have started.

Bozoum does not end with the departure of Fr Aurelio! Not at all!

However, I will continue to lend a hand, to follow some projects (in the first place the Agricultural Fair) and other initiatives.

But it's right, it's good, it's nice to turn the page and write another one. Indeed, others!

And then: fuma ch'anduma (as we say in Piedmontese). Let's go!

And a prayer for me, and especially for Bozoum!

 

THE PHOTO OF THE CHILD WITH THE ROOSTER REMINDS ME OF A GOOD MOMENT IN 2017:
50 km for a chicken!
One Sunday afternoon (August 2017), as I entered the parish office, a child approached, encouraged by his mother. He was between 2 and 3 years old, and walked proudly with a chicken in his hand (which was almost bigger than him!). I didn't understand if she wanted to sell it, or what she wanted to do with it, and then his mother intervened and explained to me. She told me that the child had been wanting to see Fr Aurelio for months, and that he had even begun to throw tantrums if they didn't bring him! Then she saw an opportunity with Father Noberto, who had been in the village (50 km away) to celebrate Mass, and asked for a ride from him to finally take him to Bozoum! Chicken? It's a small sign, but a great gift! I am touched!

PS: I will be moving to Baoro in November, so there is still time!

P.S.2: A heartfelt thanks for the avalanche of affection, messages and prayers that I have received these past few days. God is good!

P.S.3: I plan, if possible, to keep writing the blog ...

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Baoro

Baoro