by Pete
As we complete our first year of
mission, I am filled with wonder and gratitude at the privilege we have to be
here. It is such a good experience for
our family, with so many new adventures, and we are meeting so many great
people. The work I am doing is very
fulfilling. I made it through my first
year of teaching Church Fathers at the seminary, and can’t wait for next
year. I enjoy teaching and giving talks
in various settings, doing some radio programming, and assisting the Archbishop
with certain projects.
Centenary Year in the Archdiocese of Bamenda
The
date of June 29, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, marked the date of the
arrival of the first missionaries to this area precisely 100 years ago. Can you imagine? Only decades ago, no one in this area had
ever heard of Jesus Christ! Our
archdiocese celebrated the centenary with a huge outdoor Mass, with the retired
Cardinal of Cameroon (age 84) presiding, along with our two bishops and
countless clergy, at the locale of where the first missionaries settled. And now we are following in their footsteps!
In his
homily, the Cardinal shared how he was the first child from his village to
become a Christian. By the way, his
mother turns 116-yrs-old this year, which possibly makes her the oldest person
in the whole world! (There is no
official record of her birth date.) I had
the opportunity to meet with her a few months ago. She was sharp, funny, and constantly knitting
(I have a scarf from her).
At the conclusion of the Centenary
Mass, the Archbishop blessed a beautiful, newly made crucifix, which will
travel from parish to parish throughout this coming year, until the conclusion
of the centenary celebrations at the cathedral parish (where we live) in May of
next year. In his prayer, he referred to
the cross as the “pre-eminent sign of God’s love and mercy” and the “symbol of
unity of nations, races and cultures.”
He said this coming year was “an invitation to conversion” for all of
us. Corresponding to this Year of Faith,
it is exciting to be here right at this moment in history!
“For we are God’s helpers”
The theme verse for Lay Mission
Helpers is 1 Corinthians 3:9—“for we are God’s helpers.” This phrase is inscribed on the outside of
the missionary ring we received at our commissioning, which I always wear on my
right hand (along with my wedding ring on my left hand). This same verse is the theme for the
Centenary Year—“we are fellow workers with God.” As a family, we all had outfits made with
special centenary cloth, something often done here for special occasions. It is so meaningful to me that God led us to
LMH, and here to Cameroon, to help with God’s work. We are all called to be God’s helpers
in the work of His kingdom!
Radio Evangelism
Joy and I both have regular radio
programs on the archdiocesan Catholic radio station—Joy has a daily five-minute
slot for “Catholic moms,” and I host a weekly half-hour program called “The
Missionary Eye.” The kids have joined us
on occasion, and I am so proud at how confident, articulate, and enthusiastic
each one of them is in sharing their faith.
It is exciting for all of us to be on the radio, with countless
listeners, and we pray that we are instruments of evangelization.
Centenary Prayer
We
have been praying the following prayer after communion at all the Masses for
the past year. I love saying this
prayer; it is so packed with meaning, so expressive of how we are blessed, so
significant in its petitions. Please
join in praying with us!
Loving Father,
You have made us good and beautiful in your own image.
We praise and thank you for calling us to be your children
And
to share in your life and love through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Gentle Savior,
You are the vine, and we are the branches.
May we be one with you as you are one with the Father.
Renew in us your call to be witnesses to you
As we
celebrate the centenary of the proclamation of your Good News in our
Archdiocese.
Holy Spirit,
Come to us. Strengthen us
in our response to our call.
Make us new in mind, heart and spirit.
Lead us to the fullness of truth and in the paths of the New
Evangelization.
Empower us and let us be gentle instruments to renew the face of
the earth.
Make
us fellow workers with God by building up communities of faith and love.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
St. Joseph,
husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us. Amen.
