Sunday, November 18, 2007

Parish Ministry


I am getting a few more calls this week, as the parish priest (pastor) is on vacation with his sisters. I am more aware of the day-to-day existence of some of the people. A young man came to get assistance for transportation to the Copperbelt. He had come to Lusaka to see his grandmother and get help for school fees. He did not finish grade ten because he was unable to pay the fees. He wanted to beat the rainy season home, because he was concerned that his lodging was not waterproof and that his textbooks might be damaged. He clearly wanted to finish his education so he would not land up on the streets. Wisely, the parish has an active St. Vincent DePaul Society that provides assistance. The young man will have to return to speak to them, but hopefully, they will be able to help.

Being the new or least-experienced person on the block presents opportunities. I am working on a number of mini-retreat days. I will help with the “Come & See” day for young men interested in the Jesuits. They are expecting a dozen men to attend. Fortunately, I know that the candidates are most interested in meeting and hearing from the 16 novices. It will be a good opportunity to meet them. I will give a half-day retreat to CLC members who are making their commitment to Ignatian spirituality, and that will be a chance to see the impact of the CLC in Zambia. Then the eight day retreat for about eight Jesuits which will be at the Novitiate and the last project is a two day conference sponsored by the Ignatian Spirituality Center on spiritual leadership. I met with the Josephine Shamwana Lunga today to talk about the conference and we will collaborate on the talks and the workshop. She has twenty six years as an active member of CLC and has headed the Zambian Council of the Laity. Once again, these are great opportunities. Keep them in your prayers.
I took the picture during the skit performed at the children's liturgy. Those in white are the king and two angels with the sheep and the goats in the background.

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