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
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?