A Word for Lent: WHAT SIZE IS YOUR STONE?T

Lent is almost upon us again. Traditionally, it is the time given over to preparing for Easter. For many of us, this preparation usually begins with what we might call a “spiritual stock-taking”. We refl ect on our lives to see where we have lived up to the expectations of God and others – and we give thanks for this.

We also look honestly at those moments when we have fallen short of the mark – and this is usually accompanied by feelings of remorse and the wish to repent, to experience
forgiveness and to forgive in turn. I would like to share with you a story on the theme of repentance that I came across a few days ago. The story was written by the famous Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy.

Two women seeking wisdom went to a holy man. One of them considered herself a big sinner. She never stopped blaming herself for having betrayed her husband when she was young. The other had lived her whole life in accordance with God’s commandments; therefore, she did not reproach herself for having committed any particular sin and felt relatively good about herself.

The holy man questioned both of them about their lives. The fi rst women tearfully confessed her sin, huge as it was. She considered the sin so big that she did not expect to be forgiven. But out of desperation, she spoke it out anyway. The second women said that she could not think of any particular sins she had committed, at least not any worth mentioning.

The holy man told the first woman, “Go, servant of God, beyond the city walls and fi nd the largest stone you can carry and bring it to me.” He said to the secondwoman, who was unaware of any particular sin, “Bring me stones also, but small ones, as many as you can carry.”

The women departed and carried out the holy man’s command.
The first woman brought him a large stone, and the second woman, a sack full of small stones. The holy man looked at the stones and said, “Now here is what I want you to do. Take the stones back and put them in the same place where you found them. Then come back to me.”

The women went to fulfil the holy man’s command.The first woman easily found the place where she
got the stone and put it back where it was. The second woman could not remember where she got all the little stones and therefore returned with a full sack to the holy man. The holy man told the fi rst woman, “You easily returned the big, heavy stone, because you remembered where you got it.” But to the second woman, he said: “You could not return the small stones, because you could not
remember where you got them.”

So it is with sin. The holy man said to the first woman, “You remembered your sin. Because of it you felt the pangs of your own conscience, and how sin hurts others.

Therefore you repented and in repenting you freed yourself of the burden of your sin.” He said to the second woman, “You, however, tried returning small stones.

Because you committed small sins, thinking little of them, you could not remember them. Therefore you could not repent of them. Instead, inside you learned to condemn the sins of others, like that of this other woman, while sinking deeper and deeper into your own. Certainly your burden is far heavier.”

'A LIGHT ON JERUSALEM:’

Father Michael O’Sullivan, M.Afr. is the director of ‘Abraham’s House’, a centre of hospitality in the heart of Jerusalem, run by the French charity ‘Secours Catholique’. Michael shares with us something of his background, and his enthusiasm for his work in Jerusalem. He also invites us to go there and see the place for ourselves.

OPENNESS TO CULTURES AND RELIGIONS

Michael hails from Kilrush in Co. Clare. According to him, he was given a ‘traditional’ education. However, his personal ‘life journey’ has been anything but, and bears witness to an extraordinary openness to cultures and religions. Michael received his primary and secondary education at the Christian Brothers Primary School in Kilrush and The Cistercian College in Roscrea. After one
year’s work experience he joined the White Father in Dublin and studied philosophy. He made his spiritual year (novitiate) in Friburg, Switzerland, and then spent two years in Algeria. After his theological studies in Toulouse (France), he was ordained to the priesthood in his home parish of Kilrush in 1991 and returned to Algeria.

After spending a few more years in Algeria, Michael went to Rome where he studied Arabic and Islamology. He was then appointed to the Sudan where he worked as a parish priest in the heart of the refugee camps in Khartum. While there, he also taught Arabic to foreign missionaries and to Sudanese priests. After spending six months in an orthodox monastery in Lebanon, he arrived in Jerusalem and now lives in the Missionaries of Africa community in St Anne’s.

A HAVEN OF PEACE.

In November 2004, Michael was appointed as the new Director of ‘Abraham’s House’. This centre of hospitality has already welcomed many people associated with Secours Catholique, (volunteers, employees, or peoplein difficulty), who have come to make a pilgrimage, to have a time of rest, or
to undertake a little voyage of discovery.
For Michael, it is a challenge: “In a Muslim quarter, Christians welcome Christians, close to a Jewish
settlement. This centre is a true haven of peace, in a situation of confl ict and violence. It is a light on Jerusalem, a place where everyone feels at home”. ‘Abraham’s House’ also supports a dispensary and other solidarity activities for Palestinians and for Israelis.

IT IS YOUR HOUSE;

“Jerusalem, the Holy Land, is full of history and meaning for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The very existence of a centre like ‘Abraham’s House’ whose vocation it is to facilitate encounters, coexistence, dialogue, presence to the poor, is highly symbolic”. Michael O’Sullivan insists:
“It is also your house. Pilgrimages of hope and biblical sessions can be organised here in order to allow the people who work in the Secours Catholique to make a spiritual journey, but also to understand the history of the country, and to meet the people of today. We will be here to welcome you with great joy!”

A Word from Those you have helped:

Br. Trevor Robinson
(Wheel Chair Project Ghana)

This picture was taken in the workshop yard when the 700th tricycle was completed in August 2005. He continues ‘At this time of Christmas and on behalf of the 725 wheelchair users who now have mobility and can move around with dignity, I would like to say a big thank you for your continued support.’

From Niger: Fr. Callistus Baalaboore (M.Afr) sends us these words;

Preparing to distribute food aid

We wish to express our sincere thanks and gratitude for your help during the food crisis that affected Niger this year. Your help came at an opportune time and we were able to save some lives.

Our beneficiaries are continuously expressing their gratitude to all our dear donors.
A village chief after receiving food aid said “I never thought once in my life that we are considered in this world, and that people who do not know us can be more concerned about us in our difficult situation.

I would have liked that one of the donors be here to see our expressions of gratitude, but I know with the solidarity they would feel it even if they are not physically present with us; we are grateful to them. That is real solidarity, thank them for us.”

Your help was able to save many malnourished children, prevented a mass exodus of people to places they don’t know and where they could become more vulnerable to social vices. We were alarmed when thecrisis started but we were given hope and were able to express our solidarity with the suffering population through your aid.

We cannot really get the exact words to express our gratitude. However, we hope our simple thank you, together with that of the benefi ciaries, expresses that for us.

Parish Promotion/Mission Awareness:

Every year through the auspices of the Irish Missionary Union (whose principal aim, is to advance the Kingdom of God through the spread of the Gospel), missionary congregations and Societies
are designated a particular diocese to preach in, to share their experience of mission and to solicit funds for their work.

This year we extend special greetings to all our friends and benefactors in the northern part of the
Archdiocese of Armagh whom we will visit this year to speak about our work. We are looking forward to meeting old friends and making new ones.

If you are in one of the parishes where we will be visiting please make yourself known to us so that we can thank you personally for your support over the years. See you soon.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Bishop Christopher Jones, the priests and lay faithful of the Diocese of Elphin for their wonderful support in 2005. Through the Parish Promotion/Mission Awareness programme we raised over €72,000.00. Thank you.

Our Mission – As seen by Strangers Fr. Eddie Brady – Tanzania

Three tourists arrived to visit our Mission Hospital. As next day was Sunday we arranged for the visit to take place after Holy Mass. Mass was at 9 am so they figured out getting to the Hospital
shortly after 9.30 am. They forgot they were not in Europe now. At 9.30 am Mass had not yet started. There was a marriage so the arrival of the bride and groom was still awaited.
Nobody seemed to mind the delay. People chatted and laughed. Finally Mass started at 10.30 am. It was very long. The people were singing, clapping and dancing. When the groom started putting the ring on the bride’s finger he let it fall into a narrow hole. All efforts to retrieve it failed. Finally a man (who earlier in his life might have had practice as a pickpocket) managed to recover it. Everyone cheered and the ceremony proceeded.
After Mass the wedding procession began. Everyone joined in. The entire ceremony took two and a half hours. “It’s longer when we have baptisms as well,” the priest told them. “I’ve seen it take four hours. But people like it.”

Hospital:
After a welcome cup of tea, the matron showed the strangers around. The hospital was overcrowded – people with malaria, TB and other infections, dysentery, fractures, - even leprosy. There were refugee patients from Congo and Burundi too. “The sick here have great patience and trust in God” the matron commented. “The Christians pray a lot and visit them often. Moneyis a big problem for many who cannot pay. So they do not come.” “We have a Nursing Training Unit” she
added, “and the whole staff is devoted and caring, Thank God.”

A Meal:
The visitors strolled around the scattered village and were warmly greeted by everyone. They had a meal with a local family – maize porridge and beans. The host told them “We don’t eat in the morning; just now and in the evening. If the rains don’t come right, we can have food scarcity. And water has to be boiled”

Preparing for Baptism:
A large group were singing hymns. They were the catechumens preparing for Baptism – a long period of instruction and practical Christian living, praying, helping those in need and giving a good example. “We try to build good relations and practical love between them all – Catholics, other Christians, Muslims and Traditional Believers. We all get on well together and all are respected” the priest said.

Departure:
Next morning our guests left. They were evidently pleased. “We envy those people,” they said “for their relaxed and peaceful life style”. “It’s true” the village leader told them. “We are not troubled by all the modern attractions you have. We don’t rush around. Maybe that’s why we hardly ever get heart disease or blood pressure. And the Christians do their best to radiate the love of Christ to all” he added.
“But why don’t you stay longer?” the villagers asked. “Maybe we will come back again”, our visitors said. “Do so. We will be delighted.”
Soon they had gone – but the memory of their visit remained with the people – and with the visitors.

African Proverbs to Ponder

Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet.
The earth is a beehive; we all enter by the same door.
There are 40 kinds of lunacy, but only one kind of common sense.
Rain beats a leopard’s skin, but it does not wash off the spots.
If you wait for tomorrow, tomorrow comes. If you don’t wait for tomorrow, tomorrow comes.
You can outdistance that which is running after you, but not what is running inside you.

OBITUARY: THE SAD PASSING OF COMMON SENSE

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come
in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, why life isn’t always fair, and maybe it
was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned, but overbearing regulations were set in place.

Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer paracetemol, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your
own home, and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense fi nally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion;
his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know
My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I’m A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because
so few realised he was gone.

NEW MISSIONARIES OF AFRICA:

Every year through your support of the St. Anthony’s Burse we are able to contribute towards the
formation costs of students for our Society. Last year our Society welcomed 15 new members. Please remember them in your prayers. They are:

Pierre Petitfour, France
Bruno Ssennyondo, Uganda
Mariusz Piort Bartuzi, Poland
Felix Kamunenge, Zambia
Pierre Kabwa Lukasa, Congo
John Biju, India
Deusdedit Mjankwi, Tanzania
Simon Ouedraogo, Burkina Faso
Sylvain Yameogo, Burkina Faso
Magloire Essoyodou Bamali,Togo
Antoine Dembele, Mali
Michel Yves Comlan AyetanEzih, Togo
Pascal Ubemu Jawotho, Congo
Jean-Jacques Mukanga Sumaili,Congo
James Calder, Canada

 

HAVE WE YOUR CORRECT POSTAL ADDRESS? Can you please let us have your correct postal address when you reply to us as An Post assures us that it will enhance delivery? Many thanks

RAFFLE With this issue of the Newsletter you will find some Raffle cards for our annual raffle. This year we are running the raffle to benefit a fund that we are establishing for the care of our elderly missionaries, most of who have spent many years of their lives in Africa and who may one day require special care. We hope that our elderly friends and those who already help us in other ways will not be offended by being sent raffle cards.The cards (2) are automatically put into the envelopes.We would like to assure you that if you cannot sell the lines yourself, you should not worry. However, selling lines is an ideal way of enlisting the help of a wider circle of people who are not regular contributors. We thank all of you for your faithful support of our missionary Society.

 

Please Pray for our Friends who have Died

Lynch Mrs. Eileen, Dublin 7 Hegarty Mr. Charles, West End, Buncrana, Co. Donegal Quinn Mr. William, Gobnascale, Convoy, Co. Donegal Gallagher Mrs. Teresa, Manulla, Castlebar, Co.Mayo Donnelly Mrs.Margaret, Beragh, Co. Tyrone Gallagher Mr. John, Castlehill, Ballina, Co.Mayo Lee Mrs. Mary, Harbour Row, Longford. O’Donoghue Mr. Patrick, Mitchelstown, Co.Cork Stewart Mr. Martin, Springfi eld, Enniskillen, Co.Fermanagh Martin Mrs. Mary, Kinkeel, Killeshandra, Co.Cavan O’Meara Mr. Michael,Greyford, Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary Ferguson Mr. Forest Park, Celbridge, Co.Kildare Walsh Mr. John, Gurtard, Ballylongford, Co. Kerry Kellegher Mrs. Rose, Drumlark, Cavan. Browne Mr. Sean, late of Meelin, Co. Cork who died in London. Morris Ms. Nora, Meenvane, Schull, Co. Cork McKenna, Mr. Francis, Belfast Briody, Mrs. Mary,Boyle Road, Roscommon. O’Kelly, Mr. Denis, Clonskeagh, Dublin O’Kelly, Mr. Edward, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare Crimmins, Mrs. Kathleen, Beechmount Park,Newry (Aunt of Fr. G. Murphy) McAleavy, Mrs. Mary, Newry Ball, Miss Christine, Dublin (Sister of Fr.F.Ball) Dillon, Mr.Ambrose, Whitegate, Co.Clare. Walsh, Mr. Jack, Derradda, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim Mr. F. Morris, Templeogue, Dublin 6W No longer will you need the sun or the moon to give you light, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light. (Is. 60:19)

May they rest in peace with the Father

PLEASE REMEMBER THE MISSIONS IN YOUR WILL Our legal name is Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers). A suitable formula is: I give to the Society of Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) the sum off €........... free of duty. And I declare that the Provincial of the Society who now resides at 148 Wainsfort Road, Dublin 6 shall be in good discharge. Carry on the good work you have been doing during your life by helping to spread the Gospel after you have gone to the Father.