Irish-British Province

LARAMANAYE - CHAD
New Year begins in a tough mission

Our pioneers in Chad have resumed their activities after the rains. Fr. Antony PUTHUMANA wrote about the launching of the programmes for the coming season:

“The climate here is very rude. We had rains for three months. Now hot weather is slowly picking up; it can go beyond 50 degree C.!

The pastoral year has just begun with the parish assembly. There were more than 500 people for the three-day assembly. They came from villages as far away as 65 km. covering the distance on foot! People are keen to learn and grow in faith.

Formation of laity especially catechists and animators is our priority. We have 42 villages under our care. There are many new villages asking us to visit them. It is a thrill to announce Jesus’ Good News to these people.

In every sense we are in the frontier mission. Indeed, a great challenge. But there is great joy as well.” Soon a fourth confrere is expected to join the team of three-man team in Chad.

Meanwhile, many neighbouring bishops are asking the SVD for help in their dioceses. Fr. Puthumana says, “As Divine Word Missionaries we have plenty of opportunities to bear witness to our missionary charism here in Chad. No doubt life here is tough and hard with plenty of challenges. But then there is grace, there is joy, there is fulfillment.”

Source: Arnoldus Nota