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REGION OF EASTERN AFRICA INAUGURATED ON PENTECOST

Regional Superior Chola Mulenga (center) presents Provincial Stephen Glodek (left) and Superior General Fr. Manuel Cortés with gifts from the new Region of Eastern Africa. Photos courtesy of Bro. Mike McAward and Liz Ramey

The Region of Eastern Africa was officially inaugurated on May 23 during the liturgy of Pentecost at the Dimesse Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Superior General Fr. Manuel Cortés presided at the Mass. “Brothers, today is Pentecost for you,” said Fr. Cortés in his homily to the congregation. “It is the day in which this great Family, which is the Society of Mary, recognizes your maturity. Open the windows and doors, so that you, yourselves, may face your life and your Marianist mission. Be not afraid! You are confirmed in the Holy Spirit. The maternal presence of Mary accompanies you.”

Bro. Mike McAward, secretary general, presented the official decree of the establishment of the Region, and Provincial Stephen Glodek presented the memo of understanding which describes the future relationship between the new Region and the Province of the U.S. Representatives attending from other districts and regions included Bro. Max Magnan (regional superior of Togo), Bro. Dominique Le Brenn (district superior of Ivory Coast), Bro. Christophe Muyuka Kholele (sector coordinator for the Congo) and Bro. Darwin Joseph (District of India).

“It is a bittersweet moment for the Province of the United States as one of our elder sons prepares to ‘leave home,’” said Provincial Stephen Glodek in his letter to the Province. “Many have given so many years of dedicated ministry in the Region to see this day. Some have even given their lives and are buried there … Dear brothers of Eastern Africa, know that we continue to walk with you, to pray for you, and to carry you in our hearts.”

A gathering of Marianist religious in the District of Eastern Africa - 1973

Annual retreat in Malawi Game Park, 1973. Front, Bro. Bob Bulanda, Bro. Jim Schmitz, Bro. Dick Olsen, Bro. George Dury and Bro. Frank Annunziata; middle, Fr. Ralph Pranger, Fr. Charles Bergedick, Bro. Vincent Rathbun, Bishop Jobidan (bishop of Mzuzu), Fr. Tom Stanley, Bro. Ed Dury and Bro. John Bertone; back, Bro. Carmine Annunziata, Bro. Clarence Renk, Bro. Raymond Gohring, Bro. John Gilfether, Bro. David Schmitz, Bro. Thomas Oster, Bro. Joe Fagan and Fr. Eldon Reichert

Region of Eastern Africa Assembly - 2010

The Region of Eastern Africa and guests gather for ”The Magnificat Assembly.”

During Mass, the new Regional Council was installed. The council members are: Bro. Chola Mulenga (regional superior), Fr. Callistus Jeje (assistant regional superior), Fr. Gabriel Kirangah (assistant for religious life), Bro. Frank Annunziata (assistant for education), Bro. Godfrey Ssenyomo (assistant for temporalities) and Fr. Michael Jun Otieno (councilor).

Fr. Manuel Cortés (far right) installs council members Bros. Godfrey Ssenyomo, Frank Annunziata, Chola Mulenga and Frs. Callistus Jeje and Gabriel Kirangah

The celebration capped a week of events that began with an assembly of the Region facilitated by Bro. Bernie Ploeger, president of Chaminade University of Honolulu. The gathering focused on the activities of the communities and ministries of the Region and recommendations for the future.

After the assembly, the brothers entered into a four-day retreat. Presenters included Fr. Joe Lackner, who spoke on consecrated life; Fr. Jim Fitz, who discussed the mission of the Society; Bro. Stephen Glodek, who spoke on the SM alliance with Mary; and Fr. Manuel Cortés, who led a session on gratitude and joy. During the retreat, 17 temporary professed brothers renewed their vows, and Bro. Joseph Mwaura was approved to continue the steps for ordination as a priest. He was installed as an acolyte by Fr. Jim Fitz.

Marianist Provincial-designate, Fr. Martin Solma, who served in Eastern Africa for more than 25 years and was district superior from 2004 to 2007, is very encouraged by the progress in the Region of Eastern Africa. “I am immensely grateful to God, our Blessed Mother and the many Marianists who have served in Africa that the Society of Mary has a growing African face to enrich the wider Marianist Family.”

Read more from the latest issue of Via Latina.

Congratulations and blessings to the members of the Region of Eastern Africa!

Clockwise from top, Fr. Martin Solma and Bro. Chola Mulenga; Novice Frank Sandiko and Bro. Steve Grazulis; Fr. Joe Lackner receives a gift from the Region; and Fr. Tony Jansen renews his vows in the name of all the perpetual professed present on the last day of the retreat.

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