Monday 13 February

Monday 13 February

Monday of week 6 in Ordinary Time
First reading – Genesis 4:1-15,25
“The Lord asked Cain, Why are you angry and downcast? If you are well disposed, ought you not to lift up your head? But if you are ill disposed, is not sin at the door like a crouching beast hungering for you, which you must master?’” The Lord did not look with favour on Cain’s offering because he brought “some” of the produce of the soil. The Lord looked with favour on Abel’s offering because he brought the first-born of his flock. The offering of the former were insignificant ones. But the offering of the latter were significant ones. Then without recognizing his fault, he became angry, and the Lord asked the above question. Why are you angry and downcast? This happens a lot in our life also. We are responsible for our failure but without accepting the responsibility we become angry and moody. This is what the Lord calls as predisposition for sin. When we don’t accept our fault and become angry at others, we are ill disposed. What happens then? The Lord explains, in that moment the “sin is at the door like a crouching beast hungering for you”. The ill disposition opens the door of your heart for the sins. The anger and bad mood take control of the entire person. That’s the Lord warns, “you must master that”. We must master the ill disposition by accepting our fault and by following the good example of others. Let’s reflect: Do I go into a bad mood when I am angry, or I master the situation by accepting my faults?

OFFICIAL OPENING DAY OF THE ST. BAKITHA’S GROUP IN CHIKUKWE – TANZANIA REGION

HISTORY OF THE GROUP OF ST. BAKITHA

The group started on 14/09/2022, with two daughters from the same family, Anna and Prisca.

After a few days on 25/09/2022 they increased and reached six young girls.

It is a group that aims to continue the Spirit of our Founder Father John Schneider, with the slogan “Have mercy on the problems of innumerable daughters” It was the order of our Founder Fr. John Schneider.

The intention is to help girls and women to recognize and believe in themselves, to know their worth, not to see themselves as a tool to be used by anyone as they wish.

They learn work skills such as sewing, cooking, and making Rosary and other things in order to rise their status and life style of living, which can help them to be independence and to avoid mentality of some of them to  use their bodies for illegal trade.

It is called the group of St. Bakitha because we are comparing the life of slavery she was living St.Bakitha and then be freed to become a Nun and finally Saint, let us help our daughters who are taken as intellectual slaves by being deceived and abused by those who take them as an example of body trade. We teach them various jobs so that they can be independent and liberating them from bad thinking.

So, the group has been officially opened today on 12/02/2023 with 23 members. With their mistress Sr Helena Chialo assiting by Sr. Alyocia Ulanga.

The guest of was Sr. Agnes Mwanajimba, the Regional Superior of Tanzania – Region

 

Prepared by – Sr. Helena Chialo

Tanzania Region

Sunday, 12 February

Sunday, 12 February

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First reading – Ecclesiasticus 15:16-21
Today’s first reading shows us the importance of choice in our life. “ …to behave faithfully is within your power”, says the Word of God. We make our choices in our life. It’s not about the circumstances or realities we find ourselves. But it’s about our attitude and reactions towards these circumstances and realities. It’s about our actions regarding these circumstances and actions. It’s like the hand placed over fire and water. “He has set fire and water before you; put out your hand to whichever you prefer”. So, our preferences or our choice make the difference. Challenging or difficult situations and realities do not mean that we must sin. “He never commanded anyone to be godless, he has given no one permission to sin”. But it’s enough to be close to God and He will watch over us. “For vast is the wisdom of the Lord; he is almighty and all-seeing. His eyes are on those who fear him, he notes every action of man”. So when we are close to the wisdom of the Lord who is almighty and all-seeing, we make the right choice irrespective of the circumstances and realities. Let’s reflect: am I close to the Wisdom of God to make the right choice in my freedom?

Because it’s always the person who is more important

Because it’s always the person who is more important

Pervasive culture of efficiency often becomes our standard of judgement of others and of even ourselves. What is not efficient becomes worthless. This is a wrong vision of life. Because it’s always the person who is more important. Human frailty is part of our human life. We must see beyond the human frailty to the truth of the person. Only a true fraternity can go beyond the human frailty to achieve an authentic relationship between persons.

Don Giorgio

Saturday 11 February

Saturday 11 February

Our Lady of Lourdes
XXXI World Day of the Sick
First reading – Genesis 3:9-24
“The Lord God called to the man. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ he replied, ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid”. God is searching for man. Lord God created man in his image and likeness. The He put him in the garden of Eden. He is not anymore there. And God is searching for man. The first thought is this: God puts us in places. When we go away from those places or responsibilities because we did not want to do what God wants, God is coming in search for you. You try to hide, and He comes in search of you. Another thought is about the answer of man. “I am afraid because I was naked”. Yes, once you are away from God, you are naked. You are not more covered by the Grace of God. And when we have no grace, naturally we are afraid. You find your emptiness without God. That emptiness is frightening. Let’s reflect: Am I running away from the place God has put me and losing the Grace of God?