The Tamale Novitiate community

Standing L -R: Nicholas, Brian, Sunday, Chris, Sydney, James, Otieno, Likisi, Cornelius, Paul, Vivek
Sitting L-R: Frank, Denis, Henry, Peter.

Ghana Republic Day

Ghana gained its independence from the British on the 6th of March, 1957 with Kwame Nkrumah as its first Prime Minister.
Today, the 1st of July, marks the 50th anniversary of the day Ghana became a Republic gaining complete autonomy with Kwame Nkrumah taking over as its first President.

We take this opportunity to wish all Ghanaians a happy Republic Day and may the celebrations flow into tomorrow when the country has the opportunity to become the first African nation to reach the semi finals of the football World Cup! It will be a mighty weekend if and when Ghana do reach the semis!! Go Ghana!!

Workshop with Presentation Brothers' Novices

From the 14th to the 19th June we had a joint workshop with our fellow Presentation Brothers’ novices. The first phase of the workshop looked at the Prophetic Dimension of Religious Life. The second phase dealt with Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy.
As we entered this second phase of our seminar, the following questions seemed to have been permanently glued in my mind. “How is man a sexual being? How is everything done by a human sexual?” These are some of the questions I have asked myself whenever the word sexuality is mentioned.
Initially I thought that sexuality is all about getting a man or a woman of one’s own preference and falling in love, only to realize that it is not as I thought! It is more than just being in the company of the opposite sex.
It was a time of discovery about the forces that drive the human sexuality. I noticed that the same energy is behind one’s human spirituality. There is no way an integrated human being can be active in his or her interactions with others and yet be dormant in his or her spiritual life and relationship with the Divine. One is either active in both or dormant in both. It is out of human sexuality that an individual’s relationship with God can be defined
At the end of the day I came to understand and appreciate how greater saints like St Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross were able to express their love. They did something beautiful for God just as Mother Teresa did when she expressed her love by dedicating her life to the poor of the poorest.
(Otieno Oyugi)

The Feast of our Lady of Perpetual Help

This Byzantine icon was painted by an unknown artist in the 13th Century. The picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is painted on wood,with background of gold. The painting isn't meant to be one of beauty but holds a message instead;"You can come to me". With an open hand and a gaze fixed on the viewer Mary invites the faithful to Jesus.

A bit of forgotten history

(Taken from our Educational Record of 1919 from an account entitled A bit of Forgotten History written by Br J Ward.)

In 1875 a National Synod of the Irish Hierarchy, held in Maynooth, issued decrees binding on ‘Brothers who conduct schools.’ The decrees, aimed specifically at our congregation, were of such a nature as to destroy traditions and long-standing customs of our Institute, and in the opinion of the Brothers, to alter materially our Constitutions.’

When the decrees were published in 1877 the Superior General, Br. Aloysius Hoare, sent two Brothers, Anthony Maxwell and Austin Grace to Rome. Among clerical friends they met there were the Redemptorists, Frs Douglas and Morgan who were both strong promoters of devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. Fr Morgan was very active in helping with the presentation of our case and both priests insisted in placing the whole case under Our Lady’s protection. The Superior General directed all Brothers to make a novena to Our Lady. Subsequently Fr Morgan wrote to Br Anthony urging him to: ‘Have real confidence in Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and, if you think well to do so, make her a promise to put one of her pictures in every one of your schools, and to promote devotion to her among your pupils if you win your cause- and it will succeed.’ This course was pursued and on Dec. 3rd. 1878, the appeal was decided in our favour.

However, early in 1879, the Bishops reopened the case. Fr Morgan’s faith did not falter: 'Our Lady of Perpetual Succour will take care that you do not lose. She will protect the good cause, so confidence.’ Again ‘Try to weather the storm bravely under the mantle of Our Lady. She will protect you and bring all things right.’ Again Our Lady won the day and, on March 14th. all former decisions were reconfirmed.

‘Glory be to God in the highest, and everlasting thanks to our Lady of Perpetual Help.’

The day Hector was killed - In the words of his sister Antoinette.

We were told there was going to be change at our school, that we would do maths and geography in Afrikaans. We were surprised, and the teachers weren't pleased about it. That winter in 1976 we thought, let's see what the first term is like. We did the first term tests, and they were disastrous.
The African National Congress and Pan- Africanist Congress were banned at the time but sometimes we would discuss the issue together and eventually they told us there would be a demonstration on June 16. Obviously everyone was thrilled.
The night before, we were so anxious, trying to come up with some banners that would have a big impact. We didn't have many, though "to hell with Afrikaans" was one example. We didn't want to tell our parents.
The day itself started normally, there was no sign of anything. Every day there would be an assembly, and we would be there singing and praying. While we were praying I saw students from Morris Isaacson high school.
I was excited but because we were praying I had to restrain myself. They were singing and chanting, they put us in the mood. Soon we threw our books down and got out our placards. Everyone was waving and singing in the streets of Soweto.
Our leader told us that the police were around the school and emphasised that we weren't to provoke them, otherwise the mission would not be fulfilled. As I was having a discussion with my friends, "bang", there was a shot. We had never thought there would be violence and we ran amok in confusion, hiding ourselves in nearby houses. Later on, when it was calm, we sneaked out again. It was like hide and seek - as soon as we heard shots, we'd hide and then when it calmed down, we came out.
I told my brother to stay next to me while I figured out how we could get home. While I was talking to him there was another shot. We ran back into hiding. When I emerged, Hector wasn't there. I said to myself maybe, because he is young, he is still hiding. The best thing to do, I thought, was to wait there, where I was talking to him, so that when he emerges, he will find me. Meanwhile, students were gathering at a scene. I wanted to go and see but couldn't because I was still waiting for Hector. But when I looked closer, I saw him there with the crowd, as if he was fetching something from them, because he was very tall. I was anxious. I could see the body frame and then I saw blood coming from his mouth. I tried to let them know that this was my brother: I have been waiting for him, can't you see he is hurt? We ran to the clinic, but we could see he was finished.
There and then I understood he was dead.
I tell myself now that I have forgiven but I won't forget. It's a part of me I cannot run away from, but I want to move forward in life. I always say those who died did not die in vain. Obviously there are going to be a few hiccups before we get there, but we are now in a process and I am hoping for the best.
(Antoinette Sithole – Sister of Hector Pieterson. Sithole,then 17,is the schoolgirl in the picture running alongside Mbuyisa Makhubo who is carrying the dying Hector, aged 12, in his arms)

June 16, 1976 - Soweto Student Uprising

In 1974, the National Party led South African government passed the ‘Afrikaans Medium Decree’ which mandated that all schools be taught in both English and Afrikaans. Afrikaans had to be used for mathematics, arithmetic, and social studies from the 7th grade. English would be the medium of instruction for general science and practical subjects (homecraft, needlework, woodwork, metalwork, art, agricultural science). Indigenous languages would be used for religion instruction, music, and physical culture.
A 1972 poll had found that 98% of young Sowetans did not want to be taught in Afrikaans. The association of Afrikaans with apartheid prompted black South Africans to prefer English. The 1974 decree was intended to forcibly reverse the decline of Afrikaans among black Africans.
The decree was resented deeply by blacks as Afrikaans was widely viewed, in the words of Desmond Tutu, "the language of the oppressor". The resentment grew until and children went on strike, refusing to go to school. The students formed an Action Committee (later known as the Soweto Students’ Representative Council) that organized a mass rally for June 16 to make themselves heard.
On the morning of June 16, 1976, thousands of black students walked from their schools to Orlando Stadium to protest against having to learn through Afrikaans in school. The protests were intended to be peaceful. The students began the march only to find out that police had barricaded the road along their intended route. After scuffles between marchers and police, the police opened fire into the crowd. Colonel Kleingeld, drew his handgun and fired the first shot, causing panic and chaos. Students started screaming and running and more gunshots were fired, killing 23 people, including children.
This incident triggered the uprising, which lasted for days and resulted in the deaths of between 200 and 700 people, with over a thousand injured. Photographs from the uprising were broadcast around the world and the event is seen as helping fuel the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s which eventually brought down the racist apartheid regime.
Today as we recall the memory and sacrifice of these young people marking Youth Day, we remember the many in the world that continue to live under oppressive policies and governments. G.B Shaw once said, “We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.” Scenes such as depicted in the photograph showing the dying Hector Pieterson cradled in a fellow student’s arms continue to this date as is indicated by another similar photograph taken in Palestine.
Let us allow ourselves to be inflamed by the spirit of those students and may their courage, their awareness of injustice, their desire to do away with oppressive structures continue to fuel our own passion to fight for justice.

World Cup 2010

Let the games begin!!!! One month of football fever!!!!

Happy Birthday, Vivek!

It is yet another day - very bright day indeed and a sign of a new beginning in our midst. The birds are singing their melodious songs in honour of this great day and so am I.

Here is a phrase which comes into my mind as I struggle to depart from my bed; “I feared failure but I realize that I only fail if I do not keep on trying”. Today is the birthday of Br. Vivek, the Director of novices here in our Novitiate in Tamale.

The phrase highlighted above is how I can summarize my entire experience with Br. Vivek here in the novitiate. He has always encouraged us (novices) not to fear making mistakes in life. Through this, I have unveiled the beautiful being inside me. This is just one of the many good insights that I have received from you Brother!!

Thanks for your giftedness and your creativity which is above measure. May God bless you and your family abundantly. On behalf of the Dagombas and the community we say;
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
(Otieno)

Welcome Revy!

“AMARAABA” (welcome) REVY
Br Revy Hangandu is a member of the Mater Dei District leadership team. We are happy to have him here in our midst for a few days. We wish he has a pleasant stay and the weather stays kind to him!
In Tonga the community say; ‘Mwatambulwa Taata