Ordinary Ministry

 

 

Ordinary Ministry

Back in Central Africa, life resumes with all things, big and small.

On Saturday, April 22nd, in the afternoon, I celebrated Mass in Zoungbe, a very small village 38 km from Baoro.

On Sunday I was in Dobere, a very large village. In a few weeks we will be celebrating Confirmations, and therefore we are preparing the boys, girls and adults for this sacrament.

After Mass, at around 1 pm I left for Bangui, where the construction site of our new convent awaited me.

Monday morning was occupied with reviewing the various jobs that were completed, we had the carpenters take measurements for the door and window frames, which we will be manufacturing in our Baoro carpentry shop.

On Tuesday morning I returned to Baoro.

Here the school of catechists is drawing to a close: 15 families from all over the diocese have been studying and forming since November, to soon return to the Christian communities for which they are responsible.

Le donne della scuola dei catechisti
Les femmes de l'école des catéchistes

 

 

Zoungbe

 

 

Zoungbe

 

 

Dobere

 

Il cantiere di Bangui
le chantier de Bangui

 

 

 

 

Here I am at home!

 

 

 

Bawi

Here I am at home!

I will be resuming blogging more regularly: in these two months spent in Italy I have "unplugged" a bit, but from today I will resume my regular pace.

I returned to Central Africa on Friday, April 14th: from Turin to Paris, and then from Paris to Bangui.

Travel brought me back to "normal" mode. It was nice to spend these weeks with so many friends, family and confreres. I am always moved by the affection and sympathy, and attention towards a world as different and demanding as Central Africa.

I'm sorry that I couldn't do everything I had wanted, and above all for the short time, and for the missed meetings. But thank you for so much affection, prayer and communion, with so many.

I had left Bangui on February 14, with the terrible news of the mine that had destroyed Fr. Norberto's car, who lost a foot in the accident. I arrived in Bangui, and a couple of days later another mine exploded as Fr. Arialdo passed, in the Niem area, about 190 km from Baoro. Father Arialdo (83 years old, in Central Africa since 1986) survived, but there were 4 dead and 6 wounded!

The country is still very unstable. In addition to security, there is a shortage of fuel, there are many strikes, and life becomes complicated.

It's Easter here too: the rainy season has just begun, and everything is green!

On Saturday morning, after the meeting on the construction site, I left Bangui at around 12. I had hoped that in these two months they had fixed the roads: in February 2 companies (ONEM and LA SEMENCE) had started the works between Bossembele and Bossemptele. Unfortunately the work continued slowly (for ONEM), while the other company (whose name I won't mention) limited itself to filling one hole out of a hundred, and albeit badly!

Here in Baoro I met the confreres, Fr Michael and Bro Wilfried, and the Carmelite nuns, as well as my people.

On Sunday I went to celebrate Mass in Bawi, 35km away.

Now I'm picking up on the backlog of work: from schools, to villages, the mechanical school, pastoral care, and Caritas.

Full speed ahead!

 

Cuneo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Easter!

 

 

Happy Easter!

Today is Holy Thursday. We are at the heart of our faith and of the liturgy: these are the sacred days of the Last Supper, the Passion, the Death and the Resurrection of Jesus.

This morning I took part, together with more than 100 priests from Fossano and Cuneo, in the celebration of the Chrism Mass, which brings together the priests around the diocese. It is one of the strongest and most evident moments of priestly fraternity: let us remember Jesus who instituted the priesthood to remain and continue to act in the world. The bishop consecrated the oils that will be used for Baptisms, Confirmations, priestly ordinations and for the sick. Mass was celebrated in the cathedral of Fossano.

Yesterday, Wednesday 5 April, I was in Bologna to help Fr. Norberto who left the city to get closer to the confreres. He has been in Varazze since yesterday, in a facility where he will continue his convalescence and begin his rehabilitation. He is quite peaceful, and our prayers help and support him.

Next Friday, April 14, I will be leaving for Central Africa.

I've been here in Italy for almost two months and time has flown by, between meetings, conferences and much more.

I was able to speak in churches, schools, radios and many other places, always finding a lot of sympathy and a lot of collaboration.
On Sunday I even attended a volleyball match between the Cuneo and Reggio Emilia teams: the proceeds from the sale of the tickets were used to build a house for a poor family in Bozoum! (And the Cuneo team also won!).

Happy Easter to all: God's strength is His Mercy and His tenderness, which overcomes every wound and every death. Happy Easter!

Lecco

Cuneo

Cuneo Volley

Lecco

P.Norberto

Messa Crismale per la diocesi di Cuneo-Fossano