FALLING FOR KINTAMPO

Tamale is a mostly Muslim city, so the number of Catholic religious is relatively small.  Recently the male and female religious decided to form one representative group, and one of the first things done by the new association was to invite all religious and novices for a picnic day at Kintampo Falls, nearly three hours south of Tamale on the main road to Kumasi.  The Falls are found just beyond the limits of the savannah country of northern Ghana, in hilly, green countryside.

The highlight of the day was enjoying the falls by getting under them!  At this time of the year, as the rainy season approaches, Tamale is usually hot and sweaty.  Frolicking under the falls and enjoying the cool, fresh water was a delightful change, and great fun as well.  Of the other religious, only two of the Sisters and one priest went in, so the Christian Brothers’ group certainly led the way.

All this aquatic activity developed a good appetite, so we did justice to the lunch that followed.  It was a great first outing for the year. 

The lush, green beauty of the Kintampo Falls reserve. 

Checking out one of the higher falls.

At the lower falls – from left, Lawrence, Dominic, Philip and Emmanuel.

Almost as good as surfing!  Br. Titus with Sisters Margaret and Donata.

Getting seriously soggy!  

Paul and Lawrence trying to persuade Sisters Rejoice and Mary to come into the water.

Season of Workshops

Since the official start of the novitiate, about seven weeks ago, three workshops have been a prominent part of life here at Br. Paul Noonan Formation Centre.

Immediately after the Reception, Fr. Mike Heap of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) led us in Basic Communication Skills, an appropriate way to begin our learning programme.   Listening skills received much attention, and his descriptions of the way certain “types” of person don’t listen and hinder effective communication seemed to echo with the experience of many of us.

A few weeks later we were at the Tamale Institute of Cross-Cultural Studies (TICCS), conducted by the Divine Word Missionaries, having a week of Cultural Orientation.  A variety of interesting presentations on Ghanaian life and culture were complemented by excursions.  These included visiting the local chief; seeing the characteristic garment of the Dagomba people (the smock) being woven; sharing a meal with a local family in a village compound near Tamale; and sampling the local brew (‘pito’).  There was much comparing and contrasting with the novices’ own cultures in matters of food, hospitality, welcoming and other customs.

 

Pito Brewer Distributing Pito Brew

 

Having a taste of the Traditional Brew - Pito

Cephas, Emmanuel and Paul look on as young apprentices
demonstrate how to weave a Smock.

A Visit to the Chief

 

Final Day at TICCS and Ghanaian Ladies from Tamale

 putting out a Traditional Dance.

 

In Easter week we joined Divine Word seminarians, Presentation and FIC Brother novices, and FMM and MSOLA Sister postulants, for a workshop on Psycho-sexual Development.  This was presented by a Ghanaian, Sister Rejoice.  She was able to open up an area of life that is so important but often not much openly talked about.  She gave us a ‘vocabulary’ for talking about sexuality, and provided information and raised questions that have ensured that the discussions continued long after the workshop finished.

The workshops were each quite different, but all were rich and valuable and helped provide a foundation for what we will be doing during this two year journey of novitiate.

 



 

ORIENTED, RECEIVED AND READY

Orientation time is over and the core work of the novitiate has begun.  On Saturday, February 23, the nine new novices completed orientation and were formally received into the novitiate.  They were received on behalf of the Africa Province by the Formation Team – Br. Tony Shanahan (Director), Br. Conrad Cerejo and Br. Titus Kallon.

The reception was witnessed by an encouraging attendance of the other religious from Tamale, especially those in our own parish neighbourhood.

In the photos here we see the novices in the chapel during the reception; Br. Titus presenting copies of the Constitutions of the Christian Brothers to each of the novices; and some of the novices, Brothers and guests at lunch after the ceremony.

Novices In Chapel During Reception

L-R: Emmanuel Nonde, Philip Kwena, Desmond Taboeya and Paul Kakulunda



Novices In Chapel During Reception
L-R: Martin Fofanah, Cephas Bwalya, Francis ToLiman, Lawrence Aglo and Dominic. K. Kargbo

Formator, Br. Titus Kallon (Right) presenting the Constitutions to Novices during the reception.
Looking on is the Formation Director, Br. Tony Shanahan (Second from Right).

Religious around the Parish enjoying the
Recreation and Lunch after the Reception

 

Another journey begins

Following the profession last November of the ten novices who completed the novitiate journey of 2011-12, we have received a new group of nine novices from Africa and Papua New Guinea.  The novices of 2013-14 are from Kenya, Sierra Leone and Zambia within Africa, as well as PNG.

Here we give you a first, brief introduction to the nine new arrivals:

Cephas BWALYA

I am Cephas Bwalya from Kasama, a town in the northern part of Zambia. I was born in 1986 in Kasama and I came to know the Christian Brothers in 2009.  My interest grew and I was accepted to do pre-novitiate at Moreau House in Mazabuka last year.  Now I have been accepted for the two years of the novitiate, and so I am here in northern Ghana, at Tamale.

Desmond TABOEYA

My name is Desmond. TABOEYA and I am from Papua New Guinea, just north of Australia. I’m happy to be in Tamale and believe it will be a home to me for the two years of my discerning process during novitiate. Meeting new friends among the other novices is a great blessing, as it`s knowing people from other parts of the world. May the spirit of brotherhood lead us through these two years of Novitiate?

Dominic Konkoro KARGBO

I was born Dominic Konkoro Kargbo, in August, 1988, in a small village called Kamakobor in the Bombali District of Northern Province in Sierra Leone.  I am Limba by tribe but am also fluent in Temne.  I attended St. Augustine Senior Secondary Agricultural School. At present I am at Br. Paul Noonan Formation Centre, in Tamale, Ghana, for my two year novitiate programme.  I came to know the Christian Brothers through Br. Solomon Jojo Karimu and Abu Steve Kargbo who is presently a novice in Lusaka, Zambia.



Emmanuel NONDE

My name is Emmanuel Nonde from Zambia and I was born in 1989. I came to know about the Christian Brothers when I was young, during my kindergarten at St. Anne’s parish. The people who are in charge of the school are Dominican Sisters. I interacted with a good number of Christian Brothers who worked at this pre-school during my time. When I went to the secondary school I was privileged to be taught by the brothers. I did my pre-novitiate in the southern part of Zambia in Mazabuka. I am in Ghana (Tamale) doing my novitiate programme.
 

Francis ToLiman

I’m Francis ToLiman from Papua New Guinea (Oceania Province). I first came to know the Christian Brothers when I was in Secondary School in my home province, East New Britain. I was attracted to the Congregation through reading about the life of the Founder, Edmund Rice, and then getting to know the Brothers and learning about their various charisms and ministries, so I became a Candidate. After completing university studies, I was teaching Religious Education and Science in one of the prominent secondary schools, and then worked as a scientist in one of the largest gold mines located in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. After pondering about the life of a Christian Brother, I decided to take the next step into further discernment of Religious Life by coming to the Novitiate here in Tamale, Ghana. Through these coming two years of discernment, I pray that by the grace of God, I may find my true call and also become a good brother to all. 
 

Lawrence AGALO

I am Lawrence Agalo, 26 years of age, and am at Br.Paul Noonan Formation Centre, Tamale, where I am stepping into the novitiate programme to help me discern my vocation by further experiencing the life of Christian Brothers.

Born in1986, in Kisumu, Kenya, I attended both primary and secondary schools within the locality. In 2007 I enrolled for a two-year teaching course at International TTC, Nairobi. It’s at this college that I first came to know about the Christian Brothers through Br. Cole, the East Africa Vocation Director, and his team who came for vocation promotions.

In February, 2012, I began this journey as a postulant in Arusha, Tanzania. The programme ended well and I was accepted to proceed into novitiate training.Though I am only a few weeks old in Tamale, I am very enthused that I am settling in smoothly and hope sooner than later to adapt to the various unfamiliar things such as weather, important places in the town, culture and more. 

With open mind and heart I’m looking forward to a successful exploration into finding new expressions of Edmund’s Charism. ‘N puhiya’ (‘Thank you’ in Dagbani, the local language).

Philip KWENA

 My  name is Philip  Kwena and I  was  born  in 1987  into a  family of ten  children, nine   boys  and  one  girl. I completed  my  primary  level  of  education  in  the  year  2005  and  my  high school level   in  the   year  2009. I  came  to know  about  Christian  Brothers in the year  2010, through my neighbour  who  was  a Seminarian at  Consolata Seminary in Nairobi. I was attracted  to them  so  much  that  in  the 2011  I went for  Come  and  See and I was  accepted  to join  pre-novitiate in 2012 in  Tanzania. After pre-novitiate I was accepted to join the Novitiate programme in Ghana. I am happy to be here in Ghana to continue with my discernment. May the almighty God be with me always..

Paul KAKULUNDA

Paul Kakulunda is my name and I come from Zambia. I was born into a family of six children, two males and four females. By God’s grace I am the second born in the family. I grew up in the parish of Sancta Maria in Lukulu, where I met the Christian Brothers first, and later again at St Columba’s secondary school where I was educated.  I did my pre-novitiate in 2012 at Mazabuka and am happy to be here in Tamale for novitiate.

From Novices to Brothers

Victor steps forward to make his vows.

Novitiate is a time of initiation, discerning and preparation.  By definition, it leads to a decision and a commitment.  The Tamale novitiate group of 2011-12 took the final step in their journey of initiation on Saturday, November 24, when they made their First Profession as Christian Brothers at Sts. Peter and Paul church. 

Special guests, Br. Chris Teh from Sierra Leone (2nd from left) and Br. Alfred Banda (right) from Zambia.
 

This public and solemn act of self-giving took place, fittingly, in the setting of a Eucharist, the celebration of Jesus’s giving of himself in perfect love to God.  The Archbishop of Tamale, Philip Naameh, presided at the Eucharist, and linked the step being taken by these ten young men with the Year of Faith being celebrated by the Catholic Church.  

After the profession comes the moment for congratulations.

The vows were formally received on behalf of the Congregation Leader by Br. Chris Teh, the District Leader of the West African District within the Africa Province.

Ten men, eight from Africa (one from Sierra Leone, three from Kenya, four from Zambia) and two from Papua New Guinea (part of the Oceania Province), took the vows of Evangelical Poverty, Chastity and Obedience for one year.  They have at least six years of annual profession to experience the life of a professed Brother and to be confirmed that this is where God is calling them.  They then will have the chance to ask to make a life commitment through Final Profession.

The ten new Brothers at the reception after the Mass.

By the end of the day they were all experiencing a mix of joy, excitement, relief and satisfaction.  The novitiate is over, and now begins the new challenge and adventure of life as a professed Brother in their countries of origin.  We say Thank You for the way they have entered into the novitiate experience and offer blessings for the year ahead.

Br. Tony Shanahan CFC (Director)

Saying Goodbye, Saying Thanks

  Hazeley presents to Yahaya while Con looks on.

As the novices of 2011-12 moved towards the end of their novitiate journey, it was time to take stock of two years in Tamale, to prepare to leave and so to say goodbye.  However, saying goodbye also involves recognizing and giving thanks to those who have supported and encouraged us along the way.

Foremost among these are our workers at Br. Paul Noonan Formation Centre, and on the Wednesday before the Profession roles were reversed.  Our workers were the ones being served as the novices prepared a special lunch for them and made presentations to express our thanks for the loyalty, hard work and friendship of Yahaya and Mariam in the kitchen, Gifti in the laundry, and Mohamed and Baba at the gate.

  Daniel presents a gift to Mariam.

Language barriers and the usual Ghanaian courtesy prevented us getting frank comments about the somewhat non-Ghanaian food that was presented, but it seemed to be enjoyed.  The workers honoured us with their festive dress, and Lewis’s speech of thanks to the workers included some sentences in Dagbani – to the delight of the workers!  It was clear from the broad smiles and warm feeling at the lunch that this group of novices and the workers had forged bonds across language and cultural boundaries.

    Romano and Madam Gifti.

THE TREASURES OF TAMALE – Part 2

 

ISLAMIC FAITH

Tamale is a city of mosques.  Their number is overwhelming.  They far outnumber the churches of the Christian denominations put together.  The faith of Tamale people is deeply rooted in God.  They don’t seem to see any necessity to have modern buildings as mosques.  They are simple people and they can pray in places which might seem a last option to others.  When my Friday ministry involved moving around town to distribute food to the destitute, I saw packed mosques on every corner during afternoon worship.  Those who could not get a space inside found a space outside the shops or under the trees and performed their prayers there.  What great faith!  (Kutwa)

CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS UNDERSTANDING

During my two years in Ghana, I have come to realize that people are friendly regardless of religion.  There is a difference in terms of cultural practices compared to Zambia, but it has helped me to value different cultures as well. I have learnt something of culture of the people in Tamale, especially the Dagombas who are the majority.

Tamale has Christians and Muslims, though the latter are the great majority, and I am very impressed to see the relationship between these two religions. I have seen both religions showing sincere respect and love for each other. It was a valuable opportunity for me to interact with Muslims because in Zambia there are few Muslims.

These experiences in Ghana have been tremendous and have helped me to understand what Internationality means in our Congregation of Christian Brothers.  ( Belamino)

 

Many times I have heard of countries and situations where there are hostilities and tensions in people’s lives due to their religious beliefs, with Christians against Muslims, Muslims against Christians, accusing each and praising their religion as the best. That is not the case in Tamale where the great majority of the population (over 90%) are Muslims and a small minority are Christian.

During my stay in Tamale, I have been impressed by the way the Muslims and Christians live in harmony. I have made many friends and the most are Muslims. It is in Tamale that I entered a mosque for the first time and this showed the willingness to accommodate others’ religions. The inhabitants of Tamale are not divided by religion. For example, parents in a family can be Muslims while their children are Christians, or vice-versa. I have witnessed Muslims and Christians children attending the same school. Muslims and Christians attend each other’s religious and traditional celebrations and this has created freedom of interaction and intermarriage.

 In all there is freedom of expression about where one is to worship and this has developed respect and peace in the people’s lives.  If we could let go of our religious differences and know we all belong to and worship one God, we would be living peacefully, as I have experienced the people of Tamale doing. (Romano)

 

I have been inspired by the life lived between Christians and Muslims.  The love, unity and sharing between the two religions, as one family and one Ghana, is amazing.  I think the Inter-Religion Committee in the country is really helping to bring people together in understanding God.  This committee consists of Muslim and Christian leaders.  This has helped me to see that Ghanaians seem to understand that God is one, and is beyond and bigger than religion.

I have had many good relationships with Muslim families and friends in this mainly Islamic part of the north.  This has made my life in Tamale exciting and enjoyable.  The Christians living here are living happily, without complicated issues that would cause loss of life.  Their leaders from both religions meet from time to time, to nourish their relationships and love as people of one family, Ghana. (Nature)