Marist Mission in Africa

The meeting of the African Mission Commission was held in Kumasi, Ghana, from 30 August to 2 September. Those taking part were Brothers Rémy Mbolipasiko (PACE), Ifeanyi Mbaegbu (Nigeria), Michel Mami (Madagascar), John Kusi Mensah (District of West Africa), Fortune Francis (Southern Africa), Chris Wills (CMI), Jim Jolley (FMSI) and João Carlos do Prado (Secretariat of Mission.

The first day was devoted to Children’s Rights and the support the Administrative Units of Africa can offer, together with FMSI. Br. Jim Jolley co-ordinated this session. For his part, Br Chris Wills worked on the  International Volunteer Service. The other days were given over to considering other topics : Marist Youth Ministry in Africa, formation of directors, formation and co-responsibility of lay Marists in the mission, and sharing of information about the II International Marist Mission Assembly (Nairobi 2014) and the International Marist Youth Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro. We took one afternoon to acquaint ourselves with the Marist works of Kumasi, visit the novitiate and take part in the traditional ceremony of the installation of a new chief of a local community.

On 2 September, we welcomed Br David Hall (Australia) and Mr Gary Norton who, along with Brs Michel Mami, John Kusi Mensah, Fortune Francis, Jim Jolley and João Carlos do Prado, have continued the preparation of the Programme of Formation of Directors of Marist Schools in Africa. We shared the project proposal with the African Mission Commission in order to receive its suggestions on the topic. The work of this group continued until 4 September.

The two meetings went off well. Important progress was noticed in the projects being implemented in Africa. There is a good understanding between the members of the Commission and those of the Working Group. Many thanks to the District of West Africa for their excellent and warm welcome, especially the communities and novitiate of Kumasi and Accra.