Saturday 29 March 2014

New Mission in Angola

After years of internal struggle and civil war from 1974 – 2000, Angola, the neighboring country north of Namibia, is facing an enormous task and challenge to rebuild its communities and society. The Church has a significant role in this process.

A few years ago, the Namibian Province was giving serious consideration to sending sisters to Angola for mission with the hope of beginning a new foundation there.

Because of various circumstances this did not happen. Recently the new Bishop of the Ondjiva Diocese, invited the province to send sisters to Kuvelai in Southwest Angola.
The community of Kuvelai is struggling to establish itself after the war but there is a school, clinic and housing for a priest and also for the sisters. The Bishop has asked for sisters to assist with the pastoral work, especially to engage the women and youth through projects. In April 2014 Sr. Maria and Sr. Agnes will be missioned to Angola.



New Mission

Sacred Heart School in Kurugodu, Bellary, India

A significant project which the district has undertaken is the development of Sacred Heart School in Kurugodu, a Hindu village in the Bellary Diocese approximately 330 km from Bangalore. Since 2007 the sisters began this mission in response to a call Sisters in front of the school in Bellary
from the Bishop of Bellary to come to his diocese, to live and work among the Hindu people in order to establish good relationships with the local people and to support the few Christians who are living this area.  The hope and intent is not conversion of the people but rather to promote a dialogue and better understanding among people of different faiths and cultures.  With the tensions and persecution going on in certain parts of India, our sisters’ mission in Kurugodu is both relevant and challenging.
After living among the people for some time and gaining their trust, the sisters slowly introduced a pre-school program.  At first there were few children attending but gradually the numbers began doubling. Each year the sisters added a grade and over five years Sacred Heart School steadily evolved. Today they have an enrollment of over 300 children in pre-school through Grade 6.