Christian Brothers June --July 2008
Christian Brothers
Wan Pot
African Province
West Africa District News
PREAMBLE
WANPOT sends you warm greetings.
District in Brief Local News
WANPOT will like to congratulate our New District
Leadership Team
Br. Chris Teh, Br.
Augustine Williams, Br. Ben Kamara and Br. Alex
Bangura.
We pray for God’s guidance as you stir the
Congregation’s boat in West Africa. We will also
like to thank Br. Victor Deen Kamara for his good work
during his tenure. As you move on we will always
remember you in our prayers.
A handing over ceremony took place in Tengbeh Town
three weeks ago.
Congratulations also to Brs. Prince Tarawalie and Titus
Kallon on making Final Vows.
L-R: Mr. Kallon, Mrs. Kallon, Mr. Tarawalie, Mrs.
Tarawalie (Parents of Brs. Titus and Prince
respectively)
Prince (left) and Titus
(right) pronouncing their vows
Thomas Leyland who visited Sierra Leone from England
had an opportunity to visit and spend time in all our
communities and Projects Sites in the Country.
Br. Benjamin Banya and Mr. Jonathan
Foday arrived safely from Australia after attending the
Edmund Rice Youth Programme.
Two Clusters were held in Freetown and Bo respectively
with regards the Province Chapter Document. Brothers
made very meaningful contributions.
The Present DLT together with Br. Victor Deen Kamara
paid a courtesy call on the new Archbishop of the Arch
Diocese of Freetown and Bo - Edward Tamba Charles.
According to Br. Chris Teh it was a fruitful meeting
with its main agenda being Collaboration between the
Christian Brothers and the Archdiocese. Amidst his very
busy schedule, the Archbishop availed of himself to
serve in the capacity as Chief Celebrant for the Final
Profession ceremony of Brs. Prince and Titus in Bo. He
has sent a formal letter requesting the service of the
Christian Brothers to be part of a team for Youth
Chaplaincy in Freetown and Bo.
Bro Charles Belmoh has been appointed by the DLT as
representative Freetown, while
Bro. Martin Vamboi is representative Bo.
READERS NOTE: The new Archbishop and Br. Chris hail
from Kono District and we have already started
experiencing a much needed collaboration between the
Christian Brothers and the Archdiocese.
Due to the availability of space for the Brothers for
retreats organised by the Conference of Religious
Superiors of Sierra Leone, two Retreats have been
organised by the District Leadership Team in Kenema for
the Brothers who have not been able to register for the
COR retreat. Both retreats will be facilitated by Rev.
Fr. Matthew Jusu Kanneh (Rector St. Paul’s Major
Seminary- Freetown)
District in Brief
International News
SIERRA LEONE.
Deputy minister of information and
communication has defended the position of the Ernest
Bai Koroma led government following what he described
as calumnies being carried by some sections of the
populace in the wake of the cocaine bust.
Mohamed Koroma told Concord Times that they have always
been a democratic government that respects the Rule of
Law, a principle that must be understood and adhered to
in dealing with the welfare and security of the
citizenry.
He stated that the Koroma government should not be
misunderstood and misinterpreted because of the
insightful way it has been handling investigations into
the US$200 million cocaine saga.
"We must not be misinterpreted as a cosmetic of a
military regime that does not follow the due process of
the law, but a civilised setup that should be
paralleled with other civilised nations in the world,"
he said.
GHANA
THE UNIVERSITY of Ghana (UG) Council
has appointed the former Secretary-General of the
United Nations, His Excellency Kofi Annan, as the new
Chancellor of the University, succeeding Nana Wereko
Ampem II, who died three years ago. He thus becomes the
highest ranking person of the university, and takes
precedence over all members of the institution,
including the University Council.
He would preside over all functions, and activities of
the school, and confer honorary degrees among other
Announcing the appointment to members of the media, in
Accra on Wednesday, the Chairman of the University
Council, Mr. Anthony Oteng-Gyasi, said H. E. Kofi Annan
graciously consented to the appointment Oteng-Gyasi
said, "We are proud that this distinguished son of
Ghana deems it proper to lend his name to the
University of our Country."
Adding, "we trust that having him, would add greater
credibility to the university, and as an institution,
we will do him proud in all our activities.
We invite the country at large, to accept his
appointment and rejoice with us."
LIBERIA
Following the holding of individuals
and thematic hearings in the counties and the Diaspora,
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will on
Monday commence Thematic and Institutional Hearings as
part of its robust inquiry process.
As part of the TRC Thematic Hearings scheduled to be
held at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia,
the hearings will focus on many cross cutting issues
including the Contemporary History of the Conflict
(1979-2003).
Under the theme: "Understanding The Conflict Through
Its Principal Events And Actors," the thematic hearings
on the contemporary history of the conflict are aimed
at gaining, through the perspectives of actors and
experts, insights into the root causes and the military
and political dimensions of the conflict, including
most precipitous events between 1979 and 2003, and the
national and external actors that shaped those events.
GAMBIA
Ade Adefye, the governance and
democracy adviser to the president of the Ecowas
Commission has praised the progress made by The Gambia
on governance and democracy.
Speaking in an interview with GRTS shortly after their
audience with the vice-president, Mr Adefye, however,
noted that there is still room for more to be done,
adding that they discussed matters of common concern -
both political and developmental, during a courtesy
call on the vice-president, Aja Dr Isatou
Njie-Saidy, on Tuesday, at State House, by
officials of Ecowas and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
He said the discussions revolved around economic and
political governance, the Ecowas country programme, as
well as decisions reached at the summit meetings and
how they should be implemented.
(Allafrica.com)
Communities in Brief
FORMATION COMMUNITY - BO
The Pre- Novices are back to Bo after eight (8) Weeks
of Pastoral Work at Boama Oil Mill few kilometres from
Blama. They seemed to have enjoyed the experience.
Br. Titus was in Ghana to give a lecture at Brother
Paul Noonan Formation House in Tamale- Ghana.
Br. is currently on holidays in Ireland.
Br. Martin is currently busy putting modalities in
place for the visitation of Potential Aspirants &
families for the Come and See Programme in September.
He has visited the Northern axis- Makeni, Port Loko and
very shortly he will hit the road for the remaining
areas he is yet to visit.
At the moment the Our Pre- Novices are on Retreat at
the Pastoral Centre in Kenema facilitated by Rev. Fr.
Lamboi. The will be out for a short break after the
Retreat.
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM
STELLENBOSCH
WHO DO PEOPLE SAY HE IS?
One of the basic and fundamental
questions asked by Christ of his disciples was
“who
do people
say the Son of Man is?” The disciples answered by saying
“Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still
others Jeremiah or one of the prophets”. But
Christ said to them, “But who do you say that
I am?” Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are
the Messiah, the son of the living
God”.
Equally so I can ask this living and challenging
question today “Who do people
say he
is?” Certainly many people would say he is
Paul Mark Luseni, a Sierra Leonean, others a Christian
Brother, still one of the Formators in the novitiate of
Stellenbosch in South Africa. But as Christ asked his
disciples “Who do you say I
am?” For me he is a good shepherd who has
led his flock to the best pasture. This extraordinary
quality of a good shepherd has been manifested over the
past one and half year in our community. As a Formator,
friend and tutor he has been able to find a greener
pasture for us in the light of his life. I have been
thoroughly nourished by his philosophy of life and his
brotherly love and care.
As Pope Paul V1 loved to say “our world will no longer
believe teachers unless they are
first and also
witnesses of what they teach”.
Paul Luseni is a true
witness of Christ and of Blessed Edmund Rice. He is
down to earth and relates to all of us novices as
friend and brother. His teaching and actions go side by
side. I have deliberately captured some of his sayings
in the community which are life-giving. After
performing a duty for the community and one of his
brother comes to affirm him by saying
“Well done
Luseni” his customary remarks include
“I have done my
best, but may be it might be the
worst.”, “Can’t you give
me a
break?!”, “Check it
out.” or “You have not yet
grown” – or sometimes he says
“You
have
grown”.
All these amusing slogans have been catching phrases in
our community. We sing them daily in our recreation
time, games and meal times as they serve as a strong
pillar in building our relationship as brothers living
for each other.
You have carefully taught us and led us to the finest
wheat. I strongly believe that what pleases God is not
the perfection of the gift but the willingness to give
the gift, imperfect though it is. So a very BIG thanks
to you for sharing the gift of shepherding. I
personally appreciate all that you have shared with me
over the past one and half years. I pray and wish you
all the spiritual blessings of Christ and of Blessed
Edmund Rice as you are taking up studies in Ireland.
Rest assured of my prayers always.
Augustine
Kamara
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HIV/AIDS TRAINING
– ORANGE FARM
South Africa: Benjie.
Br. Benjie is in South
African District, working with HIV/AIDS programme out
in Orange Farm. He studied Sesotho Language for three
months as a means to enable him settle with the people
in the community. Benjie is doing Home Based Care and
Palliative Caring as the ministry with the people
living with HIV/AIDS required. Basically he goes out to
visit the sick and dying people infected with HIV/AIDS
and other life threatening diseases. He helps with the
daily home chores particularly for the bedridden
clients. For the efficiency of the ministry, Benjie had
also done courses in Home Based Care and Palliative
Caring (Palliative Caring is the care and treatment
given to people who are identified with life
threatening illnesses). He had completed the theory,
sat to two examinations and passed with an
excellent result of 246/250.
Benjie is still to continue with his practical, which
goes for 50marks before he graduates. He had visited
the two novitiates in Cape Town and attended the
farewell party of Br Paul Luseni, who is
expected for a short break before he leaves for
Ireland.
(Br. Benjamin
Borniea)
When Mary visited Elizabeth the child
in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy. This was how
we felt the district team took time after the Africa
chapter held in Hortbeespoort near Johannesburg to pay
us a visit in Stellenbosch. The team comprises of Brs.
Christopher Teh, Augustine Williams, Victor Deen,
Benedict Kamara and Charles Belmoh.
Visitations are very important in the life and growth
of a family. It brings a lot of joy, hope, happiness
and strengthens the bond of relationships. The presence
of the team in our community created a lot of joy and
hope for us. This joy gave us another new energy; not
only fuels passion for our future but also keeps us
going as far as our discernment to the Christian
Brotherhood is concerned.
Hope! Why hope? Hope does not give us the assurance
that everything in the end will turn out to our good.
But it helps us believe that there can surely be
something good in everything we experience, and that it
is possible to extract at least a drop of joy from all
that happens and will happen to us.
They were able to share with us what is happening in
the district in terms of development as well as
politics in the various West African countries. Brs.
Charles Belmoh and Benedict Kamara had the opportunity
to celebrate Bonaventure’s birthday with him. It
was very beautiful and we believe that it surely
reminded them of their Novitiate days
We have also returned from our three months pastoral
immersion in four different places a month ago. It was
a nice and a learning experience for us as we engaged
ourselves in full time ministry and community living.
Paul Mendy was sent to La Rosselle community in
Johannesburg, Patrick Nuanah to Kimberley community,
Augustine Kamara to Tses in Namibia and Bonaventure
Adagiyele to Dysselsdorp a small Parish community in
the Western Cape Province.
However, we are in constant touch with our brothers in
Green Point Novitiate and they are all keeping well.
Although they are battling with the winter, we have the
belief that they are enjoying the weather and hoping to
see the end of winter.
We also remember our two Formators Brs. Titus .M.
Kallon and Prince Bai Tarawallie who are making another
commitment in their lives as Christian Brothers. We
pray for them that God will continue to empower them
with gifts and blessings as they commit themselves to
the life and mission of the Congregation. They are the
builders of our foundation in our discernment journey
of becoming Christian Brothers. We are with you in
prayers as you we look forward to seeing you. We ask
for your continual prayers as we also continue to
explore on our vocation to the life and mission of the
Congregation of Christian Brothers.
Bonaventure Adagiyale –
South Africa
MISSION COMMUNITY – BO.
Moses completed his Comprehensive Exams at the Njala
University College and now in Lusaka on his Final
Profession Preparation.
Jeremiah also completed his exams a week ago. Thanks to
the Bo Mission Community for taking the responsibility
to organise the Final Profession of Br. Prince and
Titus. Bravo Brothers it was a job well done!
BLAMA COMMUNITY
The Community DSTV was stolen by thieves who broke into
the house.
It has been quite busy for the Members of Blama
Community. We attended quite a number of Diocesan
Functions including the Visit of the New Archbishop to
the Diocese, The Ordinations of Two Spiritan Priests to
name but a few.
Martin left for Lusaka after intensive job on his
Reports Cards as Form Master.
Victor and Michael were very much engaged in conducting
exams in their respective schools whilst Desmond was
busy studying for his exams. He finished his exams a
week ago.
As a way of extending helping hands to some of the
Students who attempted the Basic Certificate
Examinations, the Edmund Rice Hall was made available
for study purpose.
Fr. Augustine Combey in collaboration with the entire
Parish Community received a container full of assorted
items for the Holy Rosary Parish Blama. Brothers were
very instrumental for the transportation and sharing of
the items. Br. Victor did all the transactions
including the clearing and transportation of the
container to Blama.
Victor and Michael were also involved in an accident en
route to Makeni to attend the Funeral of Pious’
late elder Brother. The van ran into a stationary
Vehicle which hit a man on its side. The victim was
rushed to Hospital in Kenema and responding well to
treatment. Thank God none of our men were hurt with
little damage on the Community Van.
MAKENI COMMUNITY
Makeni Community has been very hospitable to the
Brothers visiting their Community. They Community is
very grateful to the Old and New Leadership Team
Members for assisting to get a new Water Pump in their
bore hole and a new generator. Now the community can
boast of running water and electricity.
At the moment both Anthony and Albert are rendering
assistance in their respective schools, giving remedial
classes otherwise known as “Summer Schools”
Albert is also lending helping hands at the Pastoral
Centre in Makeni with the YCS, Bible Classes, Choir to
name but a few.
CALABA COMMUNITY
Br. Pious Conteh successfully completed Studies at
Tangaza College in Kenya and has been asked to join the
Calaba Town Community working with the Project as
District Mission Development Officer.
Brs. Andrew and Ambrose have also finished their Final
Exams at the University of Sierra Leone and are now
awaiting appointment to New Ministries.
Br. Charles Belmoh has been appointed to work with the
team of Youth Chaplaincy in the Archdiocese of Freetown
and Bo.
Br. Alfred will be travelling to Ghana soon.
Roof work together with the general renovation of the
Calaba Town New Community House is still in progress.
TENGBEH TOWN
Br. Pious Conteh spent couple of weeks with us after
his studies.
Victor had his goodbye to the Community before leaving
for Rome.
Sam travels to Lusaka for his Final Profession
Preparation and Sylvester also completed his Second
Semester Exams.
As the Host Community for the Final Profession of
Princes and Titus, Brs. Richard, Vivek and Prince spent
couple of days with us.
Paul Luseni arrived yesterday and will spend some days
with us before leaving for up-country.
HALMILTON
Br. Ben is alone in the Community. He was blessed with
some visitors from the Tengbeh. Br Victor Deen Kamara
spends couple of days with him.
CHOGGU COMMUNITY
Br. Benjamin travelled to Australia to attend the World
Youth Day. He returned back to Tamale last weekend.
COMING EVENTS
3rd
August Br. Chris leaves
for Zambia
16th
August Br. Paul Luseni
travels to Ireland for
One Year Course in Loreto House.
17th
August Br. Chris returns
from Zambia
20th
–
22nd
August First Official DLT
Meeting.
10th
–
14th
August First Retreat
17th
–
21st
August Second Retreat
SYMPATHY
We extend our sympathy to Br. Pious
Conteh and family who lost his elder Brother- Mr.
Daniel Dominic Conteh in Makeni.
Our sympathy also goes to Br. Sylvester Lahai for the
call to eternity of his immediate elder sister
Mrs.Patricia Nancy Fornah. Funeral ceremony and
interment will take place on August
17th.
May their Souls rest in Perfect Peace. Amen
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
We extend our Happy Birthday wishes to the following
Brothers for the months of May, June and July
Br. Anthony Bangura 15th June
Br Andrew Koroma 18th June
Br. Thomas Kpukumu 20th June
Br. Pious Conteh 23rd June
Br. Benjamin Banya- 5th July
Br. Michael Boima- 15th July
Br. Moses Koroma 15th July
Br. Prince Tarawalie 23rd July
Br. Titus Kallon 27th July
We continue to remind our numerous readers to send in
contributions to Brs. Andrew Turay and Victor
Alpha.