Volunteers' Day

 On Friday, December 13th, 2013, the Consolata Missionaries celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving and Luncheon for all of the people who have and continue to help us in our work at the Mission Centre. Fr. Fernandes, the local superior, and F. Peter con-celebrated the Mass. The other fathers had previous commitments preventing them from being present.

During the homily, Fr. Fernandes thanked the volunteers for their years of service. Their presence is important for us missionaries because they form part of the history of this mission on Islington.

Their work varies from doing the laundry, cooking for fundraising events, packing clothes for the poor, holding garage sales, maintaining the grounds and raising funds for external missions. All of this is important because everything is done for the Lord.

After the Eucharist, we continued our celebration in the Dining Hall with a delicious meal prepared by our new volunteer friends from Italy. After the blessing of the food, we had a leisurely lunch while talking with each other.

Thanks to the generosity of Emma Foods, we were also able to give out fresh Milan panettones to each of the volunteers. Unfortunately, some of our volunteers were unable to attend the celebration due to ill health. However, we are certain that the prayers offered for them during the Mass will lead to their rapid recovery.

We thank the Lord for the grace and privilege of serving Him as missionaries and for always sending us collaborators to work with for His Heavenly Kingdom.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

Father Peter Turrone IMC

First Consolata Missionaries' deacons in South Africa

On December 14, 2013, Mgr. José L. Ponce de León - Bishop of Manzini, Swaziland - ordained Deacons four Consolata missionaries at St Martin the Porres' parish in Woodlands (Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal). (from left, in the photograph):

Mrosso Patrick Francis IMC (Tanzania)

Onyango Samuel Francis IMC (Kenya)

Mwanake Josephat Mwendwa IMC (Kenya)

Kidane Ashuro Abebe IMC (Ethiopia)

They belong to the first group of Consolata Missionaries' professed students sent to South Africa in 2008 for their theological studies. The finished studying at Cedara a year ago and were then sent for their "year of service" to Osizweni (Newcastle) and Daveyton (Johannesburg).

Mgr. José L. Ponce de León is a Consolata missionary who was ordained Bishop on April 18, 2009 at Mtubatuba (South Africa) and headed the Vicariate of Ingwavuma until the second half of November 2013, when the Holy Father Francis appointed him Bishop of Manzini, Swaziland.

Seniors Celebration at St. Andrew Parish

St. Andrew parish Pastoral council in conjunction with the social committee organized the annual seniors' luncheon on Saturday December 7, 2013. This celebration was open to those who are 65 years of age and older. We had entertainment and always a wonderful meal to share. 

The program began with the Eucharistic Celebration: Fr. José Fernandes IMC celebrated the Mass at 11:00 am. Fr Jose preached an inspiring homily to the Congregation by encouraging the seniors to be the Good news to their children, grand children and everyone they encounter in their community.

Soon after the Mass the seniors were greeted warmly in the parish hall. It was really an enriching, meaningful and entertaining adventure to the senior citizens.

The luncheon program began with a prayer and vote of thanks from the pastor Fr. José.

Many volunteers helped the seniors by serving a sumptuous home cooked turkeys prepared by the members of the parish and drinks. The background Christmas music made the Advent season alive and enriching.

On this wonderful day one could witness the enthusiasm and energy of the senior citizens as they celebrated the day that the St. Andrew community honors them and indeed belong to them.

The 12:30pm Mass Children's choir entertained the community with their beautiful Christmas Carols. Later one the seniors Mr. Fernandez extended a gratitude to all those who contributed in various ways towards making the event a grand success.

We wish all the seniors in our Parish and around the world a happy and holy season of Advent.

 

Paul Mageto

To see more photos, click here

"Let us now sing the praises of famous men"

CATHOLIC CHURCH'S LETTER OF CONDOLENCE ON THE SAD OCCASION OF THE DEATH OF ROLIHLAHLA NELSON MANDELA

Mama Graça Machel and the Mandela Family

President Jacob Zuma and the Government of South Africa

Fellow South Africans

We heard of the death of Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela with great sadness. Nonetheless we cannot help but call to mind the words of Scripture:

 "Let us now sing the praises of famous men, great men in their generations... They ruled their governments wisely, were known for their valour. Their counsel displayed wisdom, they saw things from afar." (Ecclesiasticus 44:1-3)

With these words we, the Catholic Church in Southern Africa, express our gratitude to uTata Mandela for the sacrifice he made for all peoples of South Africa and for the leadership and inspiration he gave in leading us on the path of reconciliation. He never compromised on his principles and vision for a democratic and just South Africa where all have equal opportunities, even at great cost to his own freedom. Despite great suffering throughout his life he did not answer racism with racism and his words at the treason trial still inspire:

 "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities".

When Tata was released on 11th February 1990 the country was in turmoil and blood was being spilt almost daily. Through his leadership at that time, reinforced when he became President in 1994, he led the country on the path of reconciliation and peace, calling on South Africans to throw all arms of destruction into the sea. For this we shall always be indebted to him.

As with all people he made mistakes and had shortcomings – we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (cf. Romans 3:23). Thus, we commend him to the Lord and pray that he will rest in peace. May perpetual light shine on him.

We assure you, his family, friends and colleagues - as well as all South Africans - of our prayers for you and for our country. May you be consoled.

The greatest way we can acknowledge the life of Nelson Mandela is to strive for the ideals he cherished: freedom, equality and democracy, and to defend these ideals from those who would corrupt them.

Lala kakuhle Tata, sobonana kwelizayo.

 

+ Stephen Brislin

Archbishop of Cape Town

President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference

 

THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL

Pope Francis' first Apostolic Exhortation has been published: the Exhortation has five chapters of which the first one is "the missionary transformation of the Church". The Holy Father Francis asks the faithful the "courage" to find new signs and new symbols in a new flesh for the transmission of the Word.

THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church's journey in years to come.

I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since "no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord".

Read the Apostolic Exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium" - THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL

World Mission Sunday at Consolata Missionary Centre

Make disciples of all nations

Not long ago in 2004, the Consolata missionaries took a responsibility of working in the parish of St. Andrew. Today, new missionaries from Portugal, Kenya, and Columbia have been sent to work in the Mission Center and the Parish.

 

Today, World Mission Sunday, we are invited to reflect on our vocation as Christians and as missionaries by the virtue of our Baptism.

 

Blessed John Paul II writes in his encyclical Redemptoris Missio that the "The mission of Christ the Redeemer, which is entrusted to the Church, is still very far from completion…and that we must commit ourselves wholeheartedly to its service."

 

As the Church celebrates once again World Mission Sunday, we are reminded that this mission of the Church is not yet completed. As a matter of fact, Blessed John Paul II reminded the Church that the need for missionary activity is more urgent than ever.

 

During his midday audience on October 20, 2013 – World Mission Sunday – Pope Francis, once again reminded the faithful that the mission of the Church is "to spread in the world the flame of faith, which Jesus ignited in the world."

 

In a local setting, the Consolata Missionaries celebrated Holy Mass in the Missionary Center: about one hundred and fifty people attended. We were privileged to have Fr. Peter Turrone as a main celebrant, Fr. Michael Munywoki and Fr. Fernandes concelebrated, with Seminarian Yair Ligardo serving at the altar.

 

In his homily, Fr. Peter thanked the congregation for their continued spiritual and material support to the missionaries around the world. He also reflected on the generosity of all who contributed on the stain glass windows depicting the Founder of Consolata Missionaries, Blessed Joseph Allamano, and the first native North American Saint, Kateri Tekakwitha. He urged all the faithful to keep their work always in their prayers.

 

After Mass, all gathered for lunch to celebrate the occasion. It was a good opportunity for the community to share their experiences and in particular thanked the missionaries for their dedication and faithfulness in spreading the Good News.

 

But the Mission of the Church to announce the risen Christ and present among us does not end in our own parishes and dioceses. Christ commanded his disciples and, by extension, us, in the gospel of Matthew: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28: 19-20).

 

Now it is our challenge to respond to this call to bring the Gospel message every time and everywhere we are, through our words and deeds.

Paul Mageto

Allamano and Tekakwita

The Chapel of the Consolata Missionaries Centre, in Toronto, has been enriched with two new stained glass windows: one dedicated to our Blessed Founder Joseph Allamano, and the other one dedicated to Kateri Tekakwitha, the patron saint of the native Americans.

This stained glass project started in 2003 and came to a close this past Tuesday, October 15th, 2013, with the installation of the two last windows.

We are very grateful to all the benefactors who contributed to make this possible: now everyone can pay homage to Blessed Joseph Allamano, the Founder of the Consolata Missionaries, and to the Flower of the Algonguins - the Lily of the Mohawks.

The work was completed by Joseph, a German artist from Artistic Glass Company who had also completed the previous windows.

The stained glass window of our Blessed Founder, Joseph Allamano, is particularly striking: We are pleased that it was installed prior to World Mission Sunday which we will celebrate this coming weekend.  Even though his feet never touched Canadian soil, his obedience to the Holy Spirit eventually led to arrival of the Consolata Missionaries in this country, bathed with the blood of the first Canadian martyrs.  

The window dedicated to Blessed Joseph Allamano is a small tribute to a man deeply in love with both God and humanity.

Fr. Peter Turrone