MY TIME IN AFRICA: Ms. Cheryl Sullivan (NCC – Australia)
In June of this year I had the opportunity of visiting several of the countries in Central Africa – Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Cameroon. Each of these countries have a significant Pallottine presence and it was wonderful to enjoy the hospitality of and meet members from all aspects of our UAC family. In this article I will attempt to provide a snapshot of some of the experiences that are embedded in my mind.
My stay in Rwanda coincided with the feast of Mary Queen of Apostles. This was celebrated at the Marian Shrine in Kibeho. The care of the shrine is in the hands of The Pallottine Fathers and Brothers. After a very beautiful Eucharist, we were invited to a lunch at the Pallottine Missionary Sisters. Here, all of the facets of our Pallottine Family celebrated with great food and dancing. In particular I met two lay UAC members – Immaculate and Florence who, over the next week took me around the city of Kigali. Rwanda were remembering the 25th Anniversary of the genocide during my visit and these women took me to the Genocide Memorial, certainly a sobering experience, especially when they spoke of their father, Florence’s husband and Immaculate’s parents in law, who all lost their lives in the Rwandan genocide.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Keshero. As many know is where the orphanage supported by the Australian UAC – Flame of Divine Love is located. Visiting the orphanage was the primary reason for going to Africa. Entering DRC was an experience in itself, one of the first things I saw when going over the boarder were the Blue Beret UN peace keeping forces with their guns on hand. The orphanage cares for 87 children of pre-school, primary and secondary school age. Our Australian UAC contribution is the only regular donation that they receive. Having received a capital grant from Rotary they now have dormitories, a laundry, dining room and a kitchen (the kitchen is only used when they can afford coal). On the day of our visit a group of young men were separating the grass from the dry beans for the children’s meal. One wonderful sight was to see the chickens, goats and rabbits that had been purchased with the money raised over the last three years by the children at Queen of Apostles School in Riverton. The eggs collected ensure one egg each day for the pre-school children and when they have a hundred eggs each child is given an egg – it may not sound like much but it is a wonderful source of protein. Now the rabbits are starting to reproduce so some more good protein for the children.
In Tanzania I stayed in Arusha with the Pallottine Fathers. Here – as in other places – we visited the student houses, of which there are many in Africa. One of the visits was to the Missionary Sisters International Novitiate. About 20 young women from different African countries are completing their novitiate together. They asked many pertinent questions regarding UAC in Australia and amongst other things were amazed that single women could safety live on their own. The Sunday Parish Eucharist – well the mass commenced at 6.30am and finished at 8.45am! There would have been about 1,500 people present. Following a later mass many went in a four hour procession in honour of the feast day Corpus Christi!! The next day I visited a centre for severely physically and intellectually disabled children which is supported by the SAC. An Irish physiotherapist educates local women to work with the children and their mothers implementing a modern exercise regime. While most of the children are non-verbal, seeing the light the eyes of many of the children was heart-warming.
Then to Cameroon when I stayed with The Pallottine Missionary Sisters. I learnt that the patron saint of Cameroon is Mary Queen of Apostles! The Pallottine Fathers and Brothers were the first missionaries in the country and naturally have a significant place in their history. In Cameroon I had the privilege of speaking with 33 people who had recently made their formal UAC commitment, with another 17 people, interested in joining the UAC present. An ordination of 18 religious order priests (4 SAC) and 16 deacons was also held during my stay. The basilica, which holds about 3,000 people was full and many more were standing outside. I was particularly struck by the young African church which was in front of me – young: seminarians, religious sisters, leaders of congregations – and all African. I recognised that the future of our church is in the hands of African and Asian countries. Gone are the days of a European dominated church.
Much more I could write and share but this gives you some idea of my experience. Cheryl Sullivan
An addition to the Pallottine Family Newsletter article - The first stop on my journey was Canada. Here I also had the joy of travelling around Alberta with Maria Domke and meeting many UAC members.
My stay in Rwanda coincided with the feast of Mary Queen of Apostles. This was celebrated at the Marian Shrine in Kibeho. The care of the shrine is in the hands of The Pallottine Fathers and Brothers. After a very beautiful Eucharist, we were invited to a lunch at the Pallottine Missionary Sisters. Here, all of the facets of our Pallottine Family celebrated with great food and dancing. In particular I met two lay UAC members – Immaculate and Florence who, over the next week took me around the city of Kigali. Rwanda were remembering the 25th Anniversary of the genocide during my visit and these women took me to the Genocide Memorial, certainly a sobering experience, especially when they spoke of their father, Florence’s husband and Immaculate’s parents in law, who all lost their lives in the Rwandan genocide.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Keshero. As many know is where the orphanage supported by the Australian UAC – Flame of Divine Love is located. Visiting the orphanage was the primary reason for going to Africa. Entering DRC was an experience in itself, one of the first things I saw when going over the boarder were the Blue Beret UN peace keeping forces with their guns on hand. The orphanage cares for 87 children of pre-school, primary and secondary school age. Our Australian UAC contribution is the only regular donation that they receive. Having received a capital grant from Rotary they now have dormitories, a laundry, dining room and a kitchen (the kitchen is only used when they can afford coal). On the day of our visit a group of young men were separating the grass from the dry beans for the children’s meal. One wonderful sight was to see the chickens, goats and rabbits that had been purchased with the money raised over the last three years by the children at Queen of Apostles School in Riverton. The eggs collected ensure one egg each day for the pre-school children and when they have a hundred eggs each child is given an egg – it may not sound like much but it is a wonderful source of protein. Now the rabbits are starting to reproduce so some more good protein for the children.
In Tanzania I stayed in Arusha with the Pallottine Fathers. Here – as in other places – we visited the student houses, of which there are many in Africa. One of the visits was to the Missionary Sisters International Novitiate. About 20 young women from different African countries are completing their novitiate together. They asked many pertinent questions regarding UAC in Australia and amongst other things were amazed that single women could safety live on their own. The Sunday Parish Eucharist – well the mass commenced at 6.30am and finished at 8.45am! There would have been about 1,500 people present. Following a later mass many went in a four hour procession in honour of the feast day Corpus Christi!! The next day I visited a centre for severely physically and intellectually disabled children which is supported by the SAC. An Irish physiotherapist educates local women to work with the children and their mothers implementing a modern exercise regime. While most of the children are non-verbal, seeing the light the eyes of many of the children was heart-warming.
Then to Cameroon when I stayed with The Pallottine Missionary Sisters. I learnt that the patron saint of Cameroon is Mary Queen of Apostles! The Pallottine Fathers and Brothers were the first missionaries in the country and naturally have a significant place in their history. In Cameroon I had the privilege of speaking with 33 people who had recently made their formal UAC commitment, with another 17 people, interested in joining the UAC present. An ordination of 18 religious order priests (4 SAC) and 16 deacons was also held during my stay. The basilica, which holds about 3,000 people was full and many more were standing outside. I was particularly struck by the young African church which was in front of me – young: seminarians, religious sisters, leaders of congregations – and all African. I recognised that the future of our church is in the hands of African and Asian countries. Gone are the days of a European dominated church.
Much more I could write and share but this gives you some idea of my experience. Cheryl Sullivan
An addition to the Pallottine Family Newsletter article - The first stop on my journey was Canada. Here I also had the joy of travelling around Alberta with Maria Domke and meeting many UAC members.
