WPN 74 page /

Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing

May to August 2018 WPN 74

St. Benedict’s Priory Windhoek, Namibia

Vocational Training Center Breaks Ground By Sr. Maria Johanna Nakshathram OSB

The groundbreaking ceremony and blessing of the construction site of the Vocational Training Center in the compound of the Priory House took place at 4:00 P.M. on June 27, 2018. After leading the opening prayer, Mother Mary Thomas Prado, OSB informed those present that planning this project took about 2 years. This training school is meant to assist the poor who are unemployed and do not have skills. M. Mary Thomas also introduced the construction team composed of the architect, engineers, contractors and representatives of the workers. Sisters from the Roman Catholic Hospital Community were also present.

Fr. Abbot Justin, OSB, our resident chaplain in the

Priory House, presided over the ceremony. He remarked that the work we begin in this Vocational Training Centre will contribute to the building up of God’s Kingdom and will lead us to faith and love of Christ who is our Cornerstone.

To page 2

RCH Launches Heart Attack Center By Sr. Remedios delos Reyes OSB

The Roman Catholic Hospital (RCH) in Windhoek formally launched the Heart Attack Center on July 1, 2018 at 2:00 pm. The center, part of the improved services of the hospital, aims to provide emergency services to patients with suspected or confirmed heart attack. Heart disease and heart attack are the leading causes of death worldwide and Namibia is no exception.

Reverend Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nash-

enda, OMI, chair of the board of directors of the RCH led the opening prayer. He quoted passages from the book of Psalms affirming God’s compassion to all creatures. He said God’s love and care have no boundaries. He pointed that the addition of the Heart Attack Center is the Roman Catholic Hospital’s commitment to reaching out to more people and save lives.

To page 3

WPN 74 page / 2

Vocation Training Center… from page 1

Mother Mary Thomas, assisted by members of the Priory Government and the Priory House council, lowered the time capsule which contained the building plan, newspaper of the day, names of the Sisters in Windhoek Priory, a small statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Benedict Medal, and a small statue of the sleeping St. Joseph who is the Patron of our property. The ceremony concluded with the hymn “Christ is made our sure foundation.” Snacks were served after the ceremony.

A day after the groundbreaking, Mother Mary Thomas shared some of the pictures taken during

the occasion. One of them seemed to reflect “an almost clear image” of the Blessed Virgin Mary with her hands extended in a protective way over the ground being blessed. This was taken to be a sign that this priory-wide initia-tive and project meant to provide various skills-training for the poor and disadvantaged is in accordance with God’s will.

May the Blessed Mother continue to intercede for our

Vocational Training Center, the builders, workers, teachers and learners who will study here.

A Journey of Self-Surrender to God By Sr. Mary Celestine Ngesheya OSB

I pronounced my temporary vows in a Eucharistic Celebration with the Rite of First Profession at our Priory House Chapel on May 19, 2018. Rev. Fr. Abbot Justin Dzikowickz, OSB was the main cele-brant with Vicar General Fr. Werner Afunde concelebrating. It was a joyful day for me to remember forever. The liturgy was well prepared by our Sisters and fellow Formandees. Family members, the Sisters and guests attended the Holy Mass and joined the festive lunch in Mary’s Hall. I have gained knowledge and emotional growth during the two-Year Novitiate. It was a time of discerning my vocation, asking God to show me the way to follow Him and responding to the call of Jesus through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Making profession to me is not the most important but how I am going to live the vows I have made and participate in the mission of Christ. I thank God for His unconditional love that sustained me up to this day. I owe much gratitude to: Mother Mary Thomas and the Priory Government for allowing me to make my First Profession of Vows, Fr. Abbot Justin, my Retreat facilitator and the main celebrant of the Holy mass, immediate past prioress, Mother Maria Ignatius for welcoming and accepting me as an Aspirant and Postulant, my family, my formators, teachers, work officials, the Sisters and fellow For-mandees for their help and support. I humbly ask you to continue to pray for me.

Left to Right: Contents of the time capsule; Close-up of sealed time capsule; M. Mary Thomas lowering the time

capsule, assisted by House Council members - Sr. Margaret Shintango, Sr. Abraham & members of

Decora Construction Team

WPN 74 page / 3

RCH Launches Heart Attack Center… from page 1

Dr. Simon Idris Beshir, head of the team delivered a brief orientation on how a heart attack may occur and how by-standers, even those without a medical background, can intervene to save the victim. He gave tips on how to recognize the onset of an attack and what to do. He also said the causes of heart diseases in Namibia are due to unhealthy lifestyles like choices of unbalanced diets (meaning high cholesterol, less fiber and vege-tables, etc.), physical inactivity, alcohol intake and smoking.

He also shared that the imperative to push through with this project was the fact that in Namibia, a high percentage of patients who experience an attack die before reaching a hospital. He deemed it important to create a system that would extend professional help and services to patients even without coming to the RCH which is in the capital. Thus, the center also launched a 24-hour hotline for emergencies and together with promotional items, and aggressive media campaign, they hope to broaden information dissemination.

The keynote speaker, the Honorable Dr. Bernard S. Haufiku, Minister of Health and Social Ser-vices, thanked the RCH Administration and the Heart Attack medical team for initiating such a project in Namibia. He stressed that the heart is one of the most important organs of the body. He said that 17.5 million people die of heart attacks and strokes worldwide. The data from the USA reports that every 34 seconds, death occurs from a heart attack. The mortality rate of heart attack varies from 32% to 42%. Reiterating what Dr. Beshir shared earlier, Dr. Haufiku added that many patients, especially those living in the bush have died before appropriate treatment. Thus, the Heart Attack Center and its services is timely not only for Windhoek, but for the whole country as well. Dr. Haufiku expressed his gratefulness to the team, to the Administration and all the staff of the RCH for this brilliant initiative.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, Sr. Sarah Gocela OSB, hospital administrator gave the closing remarks. She took the opportunity to acknowledge all the doctors, nurses, and other medical staff involved in mounting the event. She also extended the invitation to guests and members of the media for a guided tour of the facilities.

The hotline of the Heart Attack Center, available 24/7

throughout Namibia is 085-911.

Secretary of Propaganda Fide and Apostolic Nuncio Visit the Priory House By Sr. Sylvia Shingwanda OSB

Just after our Midday Prayer on May 3, we welcomed His Grace Archbishop Protase Rugambwa, Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the Vatican, Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells, Apostolic Nuncio to Namibia and Fr. Linus Ngenomesho, OMI, Secretary of the Namibian Catholic Bishops Confer-ence. We were privileged to share lunch with them at the Priory House refectory.

Photo source: https://neweralive.na/2018/07/02/

Top: Dr. Beshir in action at the Cath Lab

Left: freebie magnet with hotline

Right: Dr. Haufiku, Archbishop Nashenda OMI,

Dr. Beshir & nursing staff

WPN 74 page / 4

Secretary of Propaganda Fide… from page 3

In his uplifting words, His Grace Archbishop Protase Rugambwa thanked the community for the service we render to the Universal Church and he encouraged us to continue our dedicated service. Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells on the other hand, shared that he feels at home with the Benedictines since he grew up and studied with them. He exhorted us to continue to live out our particular Benedictine charism, not only in Namibia but in the whole African continent. As a parting shot, he also assured us this would not be his last visit and that we should expect to see more of him in the future.

Fr. Victor Facilitates Second Cluster Retreat by Sr. Mercy Gabriel OSB

Fr. Victor Chavunga OSB from Inkamana Abbey, South Africa facilitated the Second Cluster retreat from May 2 (evening) to May 7 with the theme: “I will lead her in the wilderness and speak to her heart.” What a wonderful theme!

Fr. Victor began with the introduction on what a retreat is and the reasons why we come. He

mentioned the three classes of retreatants: 1) those who are forced to come for retreat; 2) those who come because of friends, food and next door companionship; and 3) those who come to pray and be with God, to listen and to talk to Him and reflect on their own life. He challenged the retreatants to find ourselves among these classes and clarify our personal motivations in attending this retreat.

We came to this retreat to renew ourselves and to be transformed into God’s own likeness. We

came to be with God by allowing Him to speak to our hearts and ask for His mercy and pardon where we failed to do His will. This retreat was mostly based on how to live in community with one another, with our failures, strengths and weaknesses. In order to live a happy life, Fr. Victor reminded us to let go of our old self and embrace a new life and to live always in union with Jesus Christ and to bear good fruits that will lead us to everlasting life. We were given scripture passages to reflect on everyday life e.g. Luke 15: 11-32 and Genesis 3: 8-13.

As one who completed these days of retreat, I would like to say, “Let’s try to live our life to the

full so that we may attain eternal life and be in union with Jesus Christ.”

Clockwise: Archbishop Protase & companions visit the Blessed Sacrament in

the chapel upon arrival; Sharing the table with Archbishop Peter Bryan are

Abbot Justin OSB, Fr. Victor OSB of Inkamana Abbey & Fr. Linus OMI;

Archbishop Protase with M. Mary Thomas OSB

WPN 74 page / 5

Windhoek Priory welcomes Sisters for Short-term Inter-priory Sharing of Personnel

By Sr. Remedios J. de los Reyes OSB

After a long travel from Manila, Philippines, Sr. Mary Frances Dizon OSB and Sr. Mary Samuêlle Formoso OSB arrived in Windhoek on July 1. Both are serving a short-term missionary assignment, part of the Inter-priory sharing of personnel.

Sr. Mary Frances was a Mathematics teacher and holds a doctoral degree in Organization Development from Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary Development Institute (SAIDI). Before her mission assignment abroad, she was assigned various administrative positions and as superior to a number of communities in the Philippines. Her immediate past assignment was as President of St. Scholastica’s College, Manila during the school years 2014 to 2017. Sr. Mary Frances asked for a rest but now she is with us generously sharing herself in our Procurator’s Office to help out until a replacement comes.

Sr. Mary Samuêlle is a teacher by profession, a licensed librarian, and holds a Master’s Degree in Library Science. She was head of the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) of St. Scholas-tica’s College Manila. She also had supervisory tasks in the College library and the Audio-Visual department of the same institution. Sr. Mary Samuêlle is on loan from the Manila Priory for three (3) months until the end of September. While here, she will accession the books in the Priory House library and help organize the Archives. Upon her return to Manila she is expected to immediately resume her school administrative tasks.

We sincerely thank Mother Adelaida Ygrubay, OSB and the Manila Priory for sharing Sr. Mary Frances and Sr.Mary Samuêlle with us. May God reward you abundantly!

Blessing of new Guest House in Swakopmund and Outing of Priory House Community

By Postulant Martha Ndala and Aspirants Christiana Mungeli and Mirjam Johannes

The journey from Windhoek to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund started at around 5:00 A.M. on 21st July 2018. We stopped three times at Okahandja filling station, Usakos filling station and our Sisters’ house in Swakopmund before reaching the first destination for our community outing - Sand Dune 7, a few kilometers off Walvis Bay. Two buses accommodated the 40 Sisters and Formandees. Divine Office was prayed throughout the day inside the bus.

For many of us, the trip was a first time experience visiting these tourist destinations in our

country. Wow! It was nice and wonderful! It was not easy neither difficult to climb Dune 7, but many of us tried our best to reach the top. From there, we went to the lagoon in Walvis Bay where we saw jelly fish, flamingos and star fish, and different kinds of birds. On the way back to Swakop-mund, we stopped by the beach where some of us had fun collecting sea shells and stones. We saw camels along the way near the mouth of the Swakop River. We also strolled the famous Jetty, a pier or breakwater pro-tecting the harbor along the Swakopmund town coast.

WPN 74 page / 6

Nearing lunchtime, we proceeded to our new house where we met our guests: Fr. Rufus Nekondo OMI, the two Holy Cross Sisters and our Sisters from Swakopmund Community. Fr. Rufus blessed the house and then we had lunch together with our guests and two drivers.

Our journey back to Windhoek began at about 3:00 P.M. and we arrived safely in the Priory

House at Nubuamis at around 8:00 P.M. We thank God for our safety and the blessings of the day. We are also grateful to Mother Mary Thomas and the House Council for an enjoyable and a well-organized community outing. May God bless us all!

Priory House Hosts Namibian Outreach Visit of the Philippine Embassy

By Sr. Raphaela Mlwilo OSB

The Philippine Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa conducted its our-reach visit to Namibia on May 26. Ambassador Joseph Gerard Angeles, his wife and a member of the Philippine Embassy staff met with the Filipinos who are residing in Namibia. This consular outreach mission is conducted yearly among the ten (10) African countries under its jurisdiction to provide passport renewal services and consularization of documents.

This year, having a number of Filipina missionaries in our community, Mary’s Hall in the Priory

House was the venue for this activity. Filipino families living and working in Windhoek and some towns in the north came and prepared a sumptuous potluck lunch which they shared with the Priory House Community. Mother Mary Thomas, Sr. Angeline, Sr. Raphaela and some Formandees were in attend-ance. Together, they extended our Benedictine hospitality to the guests and helped in preparing and cleaning up the hall.

L - R: Racing to the top at Dune 7; Picking-up shells along Walvis Bay; Lunch at the new house in Swakopmund.

M. Mary Thomas OSB and Philippine Ambassador Joseph Gerard Angeles & his wife (seated, center) with

members of the Filipino Community in Namibia.

WPN 74 page / 7

Keeping the Grateful Memory of IWE 2018 By Sr. Remedios de los

Reyes OSB and Sr. Theresia Shilongo OSB

The International Weeks of Encounter (IWE) 2018 took place in Rome from April 12 to May 17 and in Tutzing on May 18 to May 28. There were 33 participants from the 12 priories and the Generalate District. As we look back at our IWE experience, we are most grateful to Mother Angela and her General Council, to Mother Maria Ignatius, Sr. Antoinette and the CASA Community, Sr. Aquinata, Sr. Monica, Sr. Cecile and Sr. Maria Bruno, to Mother Ruth and the Sisters of Tutzing Priory for their hospitality, support and understanding during our stay in the CASA and the Motherhouse in Tutzing. Our feet have trodden many historical places in Italy, where aside from taking pictures, we also spent prayerful moments with other tourists and visitors. From May 18 to 28, we were also able to visit places that were part of our congregation history in Germany.

Sr. Remedios was touched by the unity and love among fellow Encounterees. Each one was a gift of person to each other. As the IWE 2018 was going on at Eastertime, it was an encounter with the Risen Lord through the Liturgy, day to day activities and community interactions. She felt the Holy Spirit has been guiding our Mother Angela and General Councilors, Sr. Antoinette, the Casa Communi-ty and household staff and Mother Ruth and the Sisters of Tutzing Priory to organize the pilgrimages and sessions.

For Sr. Theresia, going to Rome and Germany was a different experience to be together with

our Sisters from different Priories and Communities. She said, “Even though we had different personal-ities, we were like one person. This group is a blessing since we were like coming from one mother”. From this experience, she realized that even though the encounterees do not understand each other’s language, what is important is love.

In the CASA, Sr. Theresia was also impressed to see Sisters showing their love to the visiting

encounterees, and they, too, were happy to welcome them. She was impressed to see the Namibian Sisters missioned in Rome as well as the missionaries sent to Namiba or are now in other mission areas. The eleven of us were overjoyed to meet each other in Rome after a long time. We were also happy to meet the Sisters we know and those whom we have met the first time.

Before the plane landed at Munich Airport, Sr. Theresia said a prayer for Germany, “God bless

this country and the people in this country.” What surprised her was she was so much touched while the plane was landing in Germany. From the beginning, she didn’t know what that feeling was. To the end, she realized that it was compassion toward our pioneering German Sisters who came to our country, Namibia. They came to an unknown country but they were really united with our people and loved them. She remembered asking our late Sr. Lidwina Wurm and Sr. Benedikta Schmitt, whom she admired with this question.” How do you adjust with people you don’t know and people of different cul-ture in a new place?” Both Sisters answered, “Because of our love for the people of Namibia, this was possible.” They shared that first of all, they learned the culture of the people and tried to understand them. They adapted themselves with the people. When she reached the Motherhouse in Tutzing, she was also happy to meet our Sisters there and was moved by the love they showed to us. Every Sister wanted to help us. When she saw the Sisters in Tutzing and our Brothers in St. Ottilien doing the hard manual work, this reminds her of the hard work of our German Sisters when they were teaching the young Sisters about balance of work and prayer. She remembers the words of Sr Alfrida Pluckthun to the Sisters, “Remember you are in Namibia where people are working hard, please teach them how to work.”

We thank Mother Mary Thomas and the Priory Government for giving us this wonderful opportunity.

WPN 74 page / 8

Sisters Complete Studies and Training

Sr. Bernita Shilikomwenyo OSB and Sr. Mary John Paul Hosea OSB recall when they bade goodbye to the Sisters in front of the Reception five years ago; they did not know what to expect, but had hope. Looking back now at those years, they are counting their blessings, naming them one by one, even those which came disguised as struggles. Their travel to Manila as well as their returning flight to Namibia on June 15, 2018 was smooth.

The first challenge to endure was the hot and humid weather compared to the freezing cold

weather of Namibia. The Sisters of Manila Priory welcomed them well. The initial idea was for them to study at St. Scholastica’s College in Manila, but the courses they were to take were not being offered. Sr. Mary Paul Baul OSB, Juniorate Directress, offered her much needed help and were admitted at Holy Angels University, the first private Catholic institution owned and run by a lay person. It is also the first Catholic co-ed school in the Philippines.

It was not easy being full time students and formandees at the same time, but they thank God

for a wonderful formator who understood and helped them grow. During summer holidays, they joined the activities of fellow Juniors in the Priory House. The programs varied each year like classes, directed retreats and outings where they had beautiful experiences.

Sr. Bernita completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education major in English. Sr. Mary

John Paul completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education major in Biological Science. Her thesis entitled “Development and Validation of Strategic Intervention Material in Science 10 based on least-learned Competence” was awarded the Best Thesis in the Education Department.

With grateful hearts, Sr. Bernita and Sr. Mary John Paul write, “We would like to thank Mother Maria Ignatius Glaser OSB and the Priory Government at that time for the opportunities to experience, endure and finally conquer. We thank as well the Sisters of Angeles Community who shared their lives with us, the Manila Priory House Community and Juniorate Community for always welcoming us and all those whose paths have crossed ours and have been instrumental in our lives. Our studies in the Philippines were adventures that we cherish. Today we are enjoying the overflowing graces, happy that through His faithfulness and love, He sustained us.”

Sr. Maria Rita Musungu OSB took up the Care Giving Course at Riverside College in

Bacolod City, Philippines from October 2, 2017 to June 18, 2018. The caregiving program is specific-ally developed to equip the learners with relevant skills in care giving such as providing care and support to infants/toddlers and children, fostering social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional development of children, providing care and support to elderly and to people with special needs, main-taining healthy and safe environment for these people and responding to emergency situations.

The eight-month Care Giving course constitutes of classes, practicum at the college’s hospital

and a chosen public hospital. Students are also required to pass the assessment given by the Tech-nical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). This is the government agency tasked to manage and supervise technical education and skills development in the Philippines. A student -examinee receives a national certificate upon passing.

Left: Sr. Mary John Paul Hosea (L)

and Sr. Bernita Shilikomwenyo (R)

after their graduation rites at Holy

Angel University, Angeles City,

Philippines

Right: Sr. Maria Rita Musungu

reporting for practicum duty at

Riverside College Hospital, Bacolod

City, Philippines.

WPN 74 page / 9

Prior to going back to Namibia, Sr. Rita also spent some time with the Sisters at St. Benedict’s Home, Marikina, the retirement house of the Manila Priory to get to know the Sisters and to practice her newly-learned skills and knowledge. Among the learnings she will treasure, she says, “A caregiver needs a lot of patience, love and self-emptying so that the love of God may prevail in him/her who gives this love to other people. Sometimes, people suffer inwardly, and in the end this is what causes them to be sick and need care and attention.”

Sr. Rita is grateful to Mother Adelaida Ygrubay OSB and all the Sisters of the Manila Priory. In particular, she mentions Sr. Vicenta Anuran OSB and the Bacolod Community, and Sr. Ma. Luisa Villanueva OSB and the elderly community of St. Benedict’s Home, Marikina for the generosity, care and the joys she shared being with them. She also thanks the Priory Government and the Sisters of Windhoek Priory for giving her this opportunity.

FORMATION NEWS Workshop on Care for

God’s Creation By Novices Selma Shatipamba and

Sylvia Korbinian

To deepen the awareness and understand-ing on the fourth direction of the 12th General Chapter, Sr. Angeline Arceo OSB facilitated a workshop for the Novitiate and Pre-Novitiate members on June 20. Scriptural readings about God’s Creation were provided for reflection: Gen-esis 2:15, Isaiah 58:6-7, and others. She gave a question to reflect upon and to ask ourselves: “What Benedictine value can we cultivate to help us towards being in right relationship with God, others and creation?” She also referred us to the three action points which we have been doing, but need revisiting: Reduce, Re-use/Recycle and Reform and encouraged us to practice them.

She showed a video entitled “Home” on how people in the world are misusing and destroying the earth without care of what will happen in the future. In this video, we saw how God created the earth out of love and everything was good, but human beings gradually destroyed it. Human be-ings have exploited the world’s natural resources, producing chemicals that have distorted the natu-ral order of plant and animal life in order to gain more money. We heard about genetically modi-fied foods which in the long run have negative side effects on people’s health. We also learned that the socio-political and economic situation in every country is tied to the well-being and care for God’s creation.

We thank Sr. Angeline for this informative workshop and her generosity to prepare and open our eyes to the ecological situation of the present world.

CORLIN Workshop for Formators and Formandees

By Novices Selma Shatipamba and Sylvia Korbinian

The Formators and Formandees in the whole Archdiocese of Windhoek attended a workshop based on Formation at St. Mary’s Cathedral Hall, Windhoek from June 22 to June 24. The workshop started at 3:00 P.M. with Brother Sydney, OFM leading the prayer. Since this is a Commission of Religious Leaders in Namibia (CORLIN)-sponsored workshop, Fr. Lukas Mosemedi OMI, CORLIN President, welcomed the Formators and Formandees. The main speakers were Fr. Maxi-milian Jacob, OSB and Sr. Ottilia Kutenda of the Secular Institute.

Fr. Maximilian emphasized on Penance, Forgiveness and Reconciliation. He said that one will only become a complete person if one turns away from one’s sins and evil wrongdoing, exer-cises humility, asks God for forgiveness and re-ceives the Sacrament of Reconciliation. One can-not just be the same every year; one needs to re-pent in order to believe in God. Faith is not just a feeling, but it is a personal act. Fr. Maximilian stressed the importance of going to Confession.

WPN 74 page / 10

He said that once we confess, the crown is granted for pardoning sins and whoever covers-up a sin shall never prosper. He enumerated the seven capital sins: Pride, Envy, Wrath, Gluttony, Lust, Sloth or laziness and Greed. Anger (wrath) is like drinking poison that destroys a person’s life. Actually, no one makes one angry, but only oneself who decides to be angry. The world tells us to seek success, power and money, but God tells us to seek humility, service and love.

Sr. Ottilie Kutenda explained Sexuality as an integral part of who we are, what we feel, and what we believe (our personal values and how we respond to God and others). Sexuality also refers to the biological and physical reproductive function, body parts, gender identity, gender roles or orienta-tion and body image. The physical aspect is the physical manifestation of love, trust and care while the emotional aspect is how we experience intimacy, touch, love, compassion, joy and sorrow. We are called to accept our sexuality as a gift, to accept that we are human and to integrate our religious voca-tion with our humanness. Sr. Ottilie also spoke of the vow of chastity or celibacy of the Religious and Priests.

We hope there would be similar workshops like this in the future.

Celebrating the Feast of St. Benedict By Aspirants Sabine Mwendera and Tuuliki Iyambo

As newcomers to the convent, we learned that St. Benedict was a man of miracles and he passed on the faith to all Christians in the Valley of Subiaco which the Benedictines spread all over the world. The celebration of the feast of St. Benedict on July 11 was really a happy feast from the delicious meals prepared by Sr. Cecilia, Sr. Sabina and the kitchen staff to the beautiful projects on display in the refectory which were made by the Priory House Arts and Crafts classes . At the evening program each age group presented a number - the Final Professed Sisters, Junior Sisters, Novices and Pre- Novitiate. We learned new information from the questions which the emcees asked between the numbers of the program, for example, the titles of the Chapters of the Rule of St. Benedict. The emcees invited us to dance in our places and all danced including our 101-year old Sr. Sofia.

We really appreciate the gift of community as we know that seeking God in community is the only way to Christ and this helps us to be followers of Christ and be united with Him.

OBLATES NEWS Oblate Candidates Marry in Church

By Sr. Remedios de los Reyes,OSB Oblate Candidates Joseph Ndingi and Sabina Haingura have been frequent mass goers in our Priory House Chapel on Sundays. After Holy Mass one Sunday morning in 2015, Oblate Candidate Redemptus Limbere introduced them to me. I invited them to our monthly Oblates’ Instruction and they came. Since then, they have faithfully attended the Oblates’ instruction and actively assisted the Sisters when the latter visit the families of Okahandja Park.

In 2016, Sr. Margaret Mary Shintango OSB, our Subprioress, asked them whether they would like to get married in Church. After thinking about it, they expressed to Sr. Margaret Mary their desire to get married in the Catholic Church. They were married in a traditional court in 1997 (21 years ago). Sr. Margaret Mary started to prepare them diligently for the Sacrament of Marriage with the consent of our Parish Priest, Fr. Teddy Lennon OFM. She concluded her marriage preparation classes to both Oblate Candidates Joseph and Sabina on June, 2018. Deacon Cletus of St. Augustine Parish, Soweto officiated the wedding rite in Holy Redeemer Church at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, July 2, 2018. The entourage was composed of the couples’ children and a niece in blue ensemble.

WPN 74 page / 11

Mother Mary Thomas gave her consent to the Oblates’ request to hold the wedding reception in the Priory House Mary’s Hall on Saturday, July 7. Oblates and Oblate Candidates worked hand in hand to contribute for the food, cool drinks, cakes, etc.; for the preparation of the venue, i.e. setting up the tables and chairs, and putting up decorations and sound system, and for making order afterwards.

The next day, Sunday, at Mass, Fr. Abbot Justin called the couple to the front and gave the

newlyweds the nuptial blessings. Fr. Abbot said this was a good catechism for the other mass-goers. On July 15, 2018, the newlyweds were among the five Oblate Candidates who received their Final Ob-lation from Mother Mary Thomas. This year, God gave them two gifts in July, the month of the Solem-nity of St. Benedict: the Sacrament of Matrimony and their Final Oblation. Best wishes and Congratula-tions on your Wedding Day and Final Oblation, dear Oblates Joseph and Sabina Ndingi!

Final Oblation and Renewal of Oblation

By Oblate Maria Mutota

I would like to thank our Almighty God for His

unconditional love and mercy, Mother Mary Thom-as for her kindness, our beloved Oblate Forma-tors: Sr Remedios, Sr Josephine and Sr Antonia, and the Sisters and Formandees of the entire Windhoek Priory for their love, guidance and time to carry us through for another year. On behalf of fellow Benedictine Oblates, I would like to express from the bottom of my heart the importance of be-ing an Oblate. Personally speaking, I have grown closer to God and learned more about our Catho-lic faith and the Saints. This boosted my spiritual life which I share with my family and friends. I found it very fruitful and I am very much proud and thankful to have joined the group as an Oblate Candidate in 2015, until I became an Oblate in 2017.

On July 15, Mother Mary Thomas accepted

five Oblate Candidates to receive their Final Obla-tion and 12 Oblates to renew their Oblation in the presence of the Priory House Community at Mid-day Prayer. I was one of the three Oblates who received the St. Benedict medal which is given to first year Renewalists. I feel so much blessed and protected whenever I am wearing these powerful medals of St. Benedict.

I have gained more confidence in myself that

I volunteered to give a conference on Hospitality in the Rule of St. Benedict to fellow Oblates during the Oblates’ Meeting on 15th April 2018. I am now a full-fledged Benedictine Oblate and a part of this wonderful Windhoek Priory of the Missionary Ben-edictine Sisters of Tutzing in Namibia. Therefore, my wish and prayer is to live and spread the good news of being a Benedictine Oblate. I wish and pray to St Benedict and Mother Mary that I can attend the Benedictine Oblates’ Congress in Rome and visit Rome in the future.

Two More Oblates Renew their Oblation

By Oblates Hertha Nashenda and Kristof Ndunga

Oblates Hertha Nashenda and Kristof Ndunga would have joined their fellow Oblates on their renewal of oblation on July 15, 2018, but due to family and work responsibilities, Oblate Hertha begged to renew her oblation on August 5 and Oblate Kristof on August 19. Both were very grateful to Mother Mary Thomas, Sr. Margaret Mary Shintango, Fr. Abbot Justin and the Priory House Community for their prayers and loving support that kept them faithful all these eight years. (Oblates Hertha and Kristof are among the first Oblates of Windhoek Priory in 2010.)

Top: Oblates receiving their Benedictine medal from

M. Mary Thomas; Bottom: Oblates with Oblate formators

having fun during the reception.

WPN 74 page / 12

Oblate Hertha writes her reflection on this day of her renewal of oblation: “I posed the question to myself, ‘What does Jesus want from me as an Oblate of St. Benedict?’ I realized that the answer was concealed in this Sunday’s Gospel of John 6:24-35 (Eighteenth Sun-day Year B, August 5): ‘This is working for God: you must believe in the One He has sent.’ Jesus wants me to surrender entirely to Him and work for Him. I realized that once I have surrendered will I feel the joy and peace that can only come from God. In the words of St. Augustine, ‘Our souls are restless till we find rest in God’. Giving my-self totally to God allows me to enter into communion with Him and others. In giving myself to God, I become His servant. I become His hands and feet.”

Oblate Kristof shares, “I feel good seeing a lot of Sisters witnessing my renewal of oblation. Our Oblates group is good and they are doing well. Since I started as an Oblate, I began to read the Rule of St. Benedict and discovered that this is the way of Christian life. For example, ‘To make peace with one’s adversary before the sun sets’ RB 4: 73. I want to continue being an Oblate to get more knowledge of the Christian life.”

Top: Oblate Hertha Nashenda reading her Oblation card; Bottom: Oblate

Kristof Ndunga showing his newly signed Oblation card before the

Sisters’ Community.

NEWSbriefs Sr. Sofia Tshavuka OSB turned 101 years old on April 19. The Priory House

Community and the Oblates greeted her with much fun and joy.

The Consecration of His Grace, Bishop Willem Christians took place in the Diocese of Keetmanshoop on May 5. Five Sisters from the Priory House and

RCH Community represented the Windhoek Priory in this event.

Sr. Mary Martin Likuwa OSB and Sr. Joyce lpakwa OSB left Namibia on May 16 to study in the Philippines. Both are enrolled at the Holy Angels University in Angeles, Pampanga. Sr. Mary Martin is taking degree studies in

Nursing while Sr. Joyce is enrolled in Secondary Education.

Fr. Reu Galoy OFM, Vice-Provincial of the Order of Friars Minor of the Philippine Province, came for a short visit to Namibia on June 29 after his meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.

He departed for the Philippines on July 9.

Aspirants Sabine, Christiana, Mirjam and Tuuliki joined the RCH Community on July 1 to sell clothes with reduced prices to help the families of the Mix location. The Sisters needed to sell the clothes in this bazaar (not higher than N$25 each) because if they gave the clothes for free, those who are not given the same will not be happy.

Our sincere condolences to Fr. Abbot Justin who left for the United States on July 11 to be with his

family and the family of his late brother, Kenneth who died on July 10. He returned to Namibia on July 25.

Editorial Team: Sr. Remedios de los Reyes OSB Sr. Antonia Shilunga OSB Sr. Maria Goretti Nekaro OSB

Photos & Lay-out: Sr. Angeline Arceo OSB