100 Years of Faith in NW Cameroon

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.