Lanomé in celebration

 

 

Lanomé in celebration

 

The parish of Mary Mother of God is located in the village of Lanomè, 35 km from Bangassou.

An important village, years ago, when roads existed and it was possible to go to Bangui, the capital, in a couple of days.

Now it takes more than two weeks for a truck to get to or from Bangui: transport prices have risen so much, and many products no longer find a market. This is the case with coffee, which is produced in abundance in the region, and particularly in Lanomè.

The little church, built over the years by an Italian missionary, Fr Fedele Villa (from Turin), is small and no longer sufficient for the community.

With the help of the Pontifical Missionary Works' (with donations collected on World Mission Day in October) we have started the construction of the new church.

During these weeks, Alessio Vada, a fellow villager from Priero (Cuneo), has been with us. Together with Dieubeni and his team of local masons, Alessio worked hard and was able to finish the reinforced concrete pillars.

Also here, thanks to a family from Bologna, we were able to finish building the primary school: from September, the children will be able to work in the beautiful, large and bright classrooms instead of the thatched roofs used until now.

During the week, I went to Lanomé on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

On Friday, I met 224 boys and girls who were preparing to receive Confirmation. Meeting, catechesis, explanations, to help them understand the gift of the Holy Spirit and the importance for their lives!

On Sunday 27 July, we celebrated Mass in the open air: in addition to Confirmation, today was also the wedding of Prosper and Clarisse.

There are lots of people, not only from the village, but also from a dozen neighbouring villages.

At the end of Mass we move to the new school, for a prayer and the blessing of the classrooms.

The doors and painting on the walls are still missing, but in September everything will be ready. The family that donated the school wanted to christen it with this name: 'Source of Hope'. And it will be, for hundreds of pupils and parents!

The Mass, which began at 8 a.m., ends at 12.30 p.m.!

And the wedding party follows, with a simple lunch... and hundreds of guests!

 

 

Catechesi nella vecchia chiesa di Lanome
Catéchèse dans l'ancienne église

 

Il cantiere della nuova chiesa a Lanome
Le chantier de la nouvelle eglise de Lanome

 

Benedizione della nuova scuola di Lanome
Bénédiction de la nouvelle école

Build...

 

I bambini del Centro Maman Tongolo in gita!
Les enfants du Centre Maman Tongolo en sortie!

 

 

 

Build...

 

Work on the new church in Lanome is progressing well. Alessio, with the fine team of local masons, is progressing well, despite difficulties due to rain and lack of materials and tools.

16 side pillars have been cast. This week he will continue with the façade pillars.

Building a church!

 

On Friday afternoon, I leave with him for Ouango, a parish 75 km from Bangassou.

The road is beautiful, and we are in good company: with us are the children from the diocese's "Maman Tongolo" Orphan Centre. About thirty of them, all overjoyed to be going on a trip! Dressed well, with a Santa hat, they make a good impression. And during the trip they sing, talk, sleep, laugh and joke!

We arrive around 4.30 p.m. in Ouango, where we will celebrate the Jubilee of Hope.

On Saturday morning I meet the Christians of the parish and neighbouring villages, for a catechesis on the meaning of the Jubilee. Then we go to confession until noon, me and two other priests: the Jubilee is a time of grace and reconciliation!

In the afternoon, Alessio and I go to Bema, some thirty kilometres away. We get there after an hour's drive, and here we meet the two priests who work there, Eugène and Placide.

A few chats, a ride by the river, which forms the border with Congo, and then we return to Ouango, around 6pm.

On Sunday morning, before Mass, I meet the leaders of the Mission school, and then the catechists.

And at 8.30 we begin a short pilgrimage, which opens the Jubilee in this parish. Arriving in front of the church, the faithful mark themselves with holy water, a sign and reminder of baptism, and then enter in procession, to pass later into the open space in front of the Mission, where we celebrate Mass in the open air.

During the Mass, Estella and Bienvenu celebrate their marriage.

The parish of Ouango has gone through some difficult times, with accusations and many rifts. With patience, prayer and work, the parish is slowly being reborn.

Building the Church. This is also a big building site!

 

Around 11.40 the Mass ends, and after a quick bite to eat, we load the cars. The children from the Maman Tongolo Centre are ready: the little ones lend a hand, the slightly older girls act as mothers...

On the way we stop at a small village, where the father of a baby girl a few months old, whom we took in a few months ago, lives. The mother had died, and the baby was dying. After a couple of months, she is now fine. When we stop by they come to see her and say hello... and fill our car with corn, peanuts and what they can!

Building humanity...

 

Ouango

Sul fiume a Bema
Le fleuve à Bema

Lanome

 

Bricklayers and Confirmations

 

Bricklayers and Confirmations

 

This week arrived Alessio Vada, mason, fellow countryman and friend. He is also vice-president of the 'Friends of Father Aurelio' Association, and with his coming to Bangassou, the first project begins!

Thursday morning was the Bangui-Bangassou flight. But it was raining! I feared they would cancel the flight (as they did on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday), but then the bad weather passed and the plane left, arriving in Bangassou at around 10.30 am.

We immediately went to do some urgent shopping and prepare for the next few days' work. In the afternoon we go to say goodbye to the children of the Maman Tongolo Orphan Centre.

Alessio came for the construction of the new church in the parish of Lanome, a village 37 km east of Bangassou.

On Friday morning, I take him to Lanome, and he immediately sets to work, together with Dieubèni and the local masons.

I return in the morning, but the work continues. Saturday afternoon Alessio returns to Bangassou, and 2 pillars have already been poured, while for 4 others the reinforcements are ready.

Saturday morning it rains a lot, but around 9 am I manage to leave for Nyakari, a parish 15 km away. I meet the confirmands (about thirty), for a short catechesis and preparation for the ceremony.

On Sunday morning, together with Alessio, I return to Nyakari, and here I administer Confirmation during Mass.

For many parishes, the celebration of Confirmation concludes the pastoral work, which diminishes somewhat during the rainy season to leave time for people to work in the fields.

Scuola di musica
Ecole de Musique

I piccoli del centro Maman Tongolo
Les petits du Centre Maman Tongolo

Parrocchia di Nyakari
Paroisse de Nyakari