CHRISTMAS AT THE ATELIERS ST. JOSEPH / NOEL AUX ATELIERS SAINT JOSEPH

This year Pre-Christmas Celebration took us to St.  Joseph Workshop, a non-lucrative centre of formation for children in difficult situation. This centre is founded by Rev.  Fr.  Claude, SMA. We were warmly welcomed by Mr.  Daye Kwame Frederick, the Project Manager who gave a brief insight of the centre. Our presence was not only to deepen the relationship that exists between St. Joseph Workshop and Centre Bresillac but to interact with them.

There was mass presided by Rev.  Fr.  Bruno Miyigbena, SMA Regional Superior of Benin/Niger. In a homily by Rev.  Fr.  Herve Abou Yepie, SMA, he said our gathering at St. Joseph was to express our gratitude to God. He also reminded all present that, as Christmas is near we should endeavor to manifest the joy and never forget that GOD is always with us.

Fete/feasr

After the Mass, we were taken round to know more about the centre. It was also an opportunity to ask questions about the centre. Food and drinks were shared together as part of the celebration.  Christmas chorals were sung and it was a joyous moment to see the whole community singing and dancing together.

Fr.  Claude, SMA together with a member of staff lauded the fraternal love that existed between the two communities. They appreciated our presence and time we spent with them.

Indeed, we spent good time with them which really rekindle our commitment to the most abandoned within our own vicinity. We thank the entire community of St. Joseph for welcoming us. It is our prayer that the joy of this festive season will always crown their efforts with success.

Participants at the celebration / Participants a la celebration

Cette journée du 18 Décembre 2013 est une journée particulière que nous avons passée aux ateliers St Joseph.

Les ateliers St Joseph sont une maison qui accueille les enfants de la rue et ceux qui sont en difficulté dans leur maison. Elle essaie de leur procurer un environnement familial dans lequel ils apprennent un métier. Elle est fondée parle P. Claude, SMA et dirigée par Daye Kwame Frederick.

PP. Bruno Miyigbena, Ysmael, Claude et Herve

C’est là que nous avons partagé l’eucharistie et le déjeuner avec nos amis du centre en anticipation de la fête de Noël. La messe qui a été célébrée par le P. Bruno Miyigbena (supérieur régional SMA Bénin-Niger) a été précédée et suivie par le mot de bienvenu, la présentation et notre visite des ateliers du centre.

Après le déjeuner, nous avons passé un temps en action de grâce au Seigneur à travers des chants. Nous avons ensuite entendu des mots d’encouragement de la part des pères Claude et Bruno aux égards des enfants du centre et aux nôtres., 

Ces instants que nous avons passés avec eux nous ont permis de découvrir ce que l’expression ‘les plus abandonnés’ de notre fondateur veut dire dans le monde contemporain. C’est aussi pour nous un avant-goût de ce que nous voulons nous engager à faire et c’est sans doute si notre supérieur général y a trouvé la présence du Royaume de Dieu après sa visite de ces ateliers. 

Community Excursions

On Monday 9th of December 2013, the community of the International Spiritual Year, Calavi had an excursion to Cotonou as part of the celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Foundation Day of the Society of African Missions (SMA).

The aim of the excursion included

1. A visit to the Regional House, Cotonou

2. A visit to the tombs of SMA missionaries buried at the public cemetery in Akpakpa, Cotonou

3. Visit to the Cathedral of Our Lady in Cotonou

4. A tour of the city of Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin Republic.

Fr. Chauvin reading the biography of one the deceased SMA

The activities of the excursions began with a Eucharistic celebration at the Regional House. Soon after the celebration, Fr. Andre Chauvin, SMA (Lyon), 54 years ordained, more than 40 years in Benin Republic, currently the eldest SMA in the country, enthusiastically guided us through our visit. 

At each tomb, he read a small biography of each missionary. It must be mentioned that the story of the life of each of them was inspiring to all, especially to those who are participating in this year's spiritual year program. It was just impossible to be indifferent to the commitment and zeal of our predecessors on mission who gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel, some in the prime period of their lives.

Although difficult to locate, and one necessarily needs the guidance of someone like Fr. Chauvin who knows the place, it is important to note that graves are well kept and the drawing of the chalice on each tombs makes it easy to identify where the missionaries where buried. 

At the end of the visit at the Cathedral, we spent some time to pray individually and collectively for the repose of the missionaries who are buried in Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Agoue, Ouidah and other parts of the country. Deceased Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) where also remembered. We trust that their intercession will keep the work of evangelisation in Benin Republic.

Group photograph in front of the Cathedral of Our Lady in Cotonou

Upon returning to the Regional House, Fr. Chauvin facilitated a session on the SMA in Benin-Niger Region. Beginning from the time of Fr. Borghero in 1861, he explained the growth of SMA mission in the Region until the present day. It was interesting for example to learn that the mission in Calavi existed before Cotonou.

Listening to the stories of the heroic witnessing of the early SMA and OLA missionaries both challenges and encourages in our desire to be missionaries from the bottom of our hearts. Contemporary and future SMA missionaries present at these tours and listening to the life of our ancestors on mission all felt proud to be SMA and were aware of the legacy that has been passed down through the years and that must be conserved, improved on and handed down to posterity.

Fr. Bruno Miyigbena SMA (Regional)
Fr. Raja Lourdusamy SMA (Vice Reg)

At the end of the time with Fr. Chauvin, it was the turn of the newly elected Regional Superior, Fr. Bruno Bruno Miyigbena, SMA to address us. He welcomed us to the Regional House. He wished us blessings for this new year. 

The list of SMA Missionaries buried in Cotonou cemetery

Name                             Date of death                        Age

GESLINIER Jules           15^th July 1912                        38 years

VACHERET Charles       30^th Jan. 1923                        58 years

JOLIF Toussaint             20^th March 1937                    64 years

BOURGET Michel          14^th October 1940                  55 years

COLINEAUX Firmin      20^th April 1942                      67 years

FECHTER Albert            2^nd August 1942                    53 years

LIEUTAUD Eugène        12th Nov 1949                      64 years

FERLANDIN Paul          23th March 1952                   41 years

DOUAUD Joseph            14^th Sept 1958                       37 years

FAVIER Jean-Marie        18^th July 1963                        37 years

May they and all the faithful departed rest in peace

New Academic Year: 2013-2014

Faithful to its vocation forming of missionaries, who,  can each one day affirm  to be a missionary “from the bottom of my heart” like the our venerable Founder, the Servant of God, Bishop Marion de Bresillac, the International Spiritual Year (ISY), “Centre Bresillac” Calavi welcomed its 26^th group of future missionaries on 1^st October 2013.

Keeping its international and intercultural character, the 23 participants in this year’s ISY are from nine (09) countries of Africa. Special mention must be made to a participant from Burkina Faso. The Formation Team is made of four (09) SMA priests from France, Côte d’Ivoire, India and Nigeria.

Fr. Herve and a faithful in the USA

Fr. ABOU Yepie Hervé from Côte d’Ivoire is the new arrival in the team. He brings with him his gentleness and experiences from the Formation House in Sowotuom, Ghana; years of ministry in the USA and qualifications in spirituality. He has quickly settled into the life of the house.

The breakdown of the community is as follows:

STUDENTS
1.      AGIDA  Awugo Augustine                                 DFBB                Nigeria

2.       AUGUSTINE Bitiong Jeremiah                         DFBB                Nigeria

3.      BONOU Mahutondji Charlemagne                   DFBB                Bénin

4.      CHIKONTWE Deotacious                                  DFGL                Zambia

5.      DAUDA Choji Isaac                                            DFBB                Nigeria

6.      GBOLOHOE Yao Mawuko Parfait                     DFGG                Togo

7.      GNIOU Laurent Yacoubou                                Strasbourg      Togo

8.      GUDDAH Paschal                                               DFGG                Ghana

9.      KALIMA Rodgers                                               DFGL                Zambia

10.  KONZAWO Hézouwé Séraphin                        DFGG                Togo

11.  LUNGIEKA Kepala Odomard                            DFGL                RDC

12.  MONGEZA Peter                                                DFGL                Zambia

13.  N’GUETTIA Thibaut Raoul                               DFGG                Côte d’Ivoire

14.  OCHAI  Zachariah                                              DFBB                Nigeria

15.  ODIMBA Jean Jacques                                       DFGL                RDC

16.  OFOSU Nimoh Edmund                                     DFGG                Ghana

17.  ONDWARI Josephat                                           DFGL                Kenya

18.  OUEDRAOGO Bruno Windpanga                     DFGG                Burkina Faso

19.  SALISU Sabo Yakubu                                         BFBB                Nigeria

20.  SENOU Schimea Emen Jacob                            DFGG                Togo

21.  SINDA Peddy                                                      DFGL                Zambia

22.  YAKUBU Andrew                                               DFGG                Ghana

23.  YASHIM Abel                                                      DFBB                Nigeria

FORMATION - TEAM

1.      ABOU YEPIE Hervé                                            BFGG                RCI            (+229)65602828

2.      GARREAU Pierre                                                LYON                France      (+229)65177936

3.      LOURDUSAMY  Raja                                          IDF                   India         (+229)66641799

4.      SOYOYE Basil                                                      BBDF                Nigeria     (+229)65111364

The ambiance so far is quite fraternal with each one in the programme settling down to journey with God and the missionary spirit of the Founder, Fr. Augustine Planque and our ancestors who have passed this extraordinary rich missionary tradition of total commitment to the “most abandoned” to us. The same values that the ISY is committed to transmitting to all SMA candidates who are sent here by the Superiors and Councils of the various Units in the SMA.

There are some significant SMA events that will mark this year’s spiritual year program. They are:

v The Bight of Benin District in Formation’s Assembly from 11^th -22^nd November 2013; we are looking forward to hosting these great missionaries and leaders of the Society who will be sharing in the quiet atmosphere of “Calavi”. Particular mention most be made of Very Rev. Fachtna O’DRISCOLL, SMA, our Superior General. We are in joyful expectations of the message of hope that he will bring to us in the name of the SMA Family. We also look forward to seeing all the Unit Superiors, both District in Formation and Regions. We congratulate them on their various elections; thank the various emeritus who will also be present. To all, especially to Fr. John Dunne, our one time Superior, we welcome with a thousand “ mi kuabo”.

v On 23^rd of November 2013, all roads from Cotonou, Lome and why not Lagos will lead to Calavi, for the closing ceremonies of the jubilee celebration of the establishment of Centre Bresillac by our Superior General. Together with all our supporters, we are going to pray at the blessing of the Grotto in memory of the bicentenary anniversary of the birth of our Founder. Following local tradition, both the “pagne” cloth and gallons of Holy Water indispensable for the occasion are ready.

With Faith, Hope and Charity, we have faith that this year will also bring lots of blessings.