• First Professions

Mali: On 20th June, Novices Régine Ndaye and Julienne Tumone from the International Novitiate of Africa, Mali made their first profession. After a short holiday with their biological families in Congo, they will return to Mali as members of the Region of Mali.

Congo: It was then the turn of the Novitiate “Mére Hostia” Kimpese in the Province of St. Bernard, Congo. On 24th June four novices of Saint Bernard Province and one novice of Saint Vincent province made their first profession.

Rwanda: The vice-province of Rwanda is blessed with two more members as novices Francine Mukanyandwi and Janviere Uwimana made their first profession this week.

Ranchi : Four novices – Beronica Hembrom, Arti Soreng, Mary Suman Toppo and Anshu Lakra – of Ranchi Province took their first vows in Ashadeep, SCJM Novitiate, Hulhundu, on 3^rd July. The sisters from Fatima Convent and Sneh Sadan, Hulhundu were present for this joyful occasion.

Video of the profession : 

In joy and gratitude, we welcome them all into our SCJM family and congratulate them for their generous response to the Lord. May you all bloom and blossom in the spirit of the SCJM charism!

• This week, we also celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Sr. Joséphine Mavanga of the Region of Mali. We thank God for all that He has accomplished in and through her in the Congregation and in the world at large. We congratulate her on this occasion and wish her many fruitful years ahead.

• With gratitude to God we hear of the steady recovery of Sr. Yvonne Ngomba Lukusa, the Sister in-charge of formation in the Vice-Province of Rwanda, from a major surgery for brain aneurism.

• We join our Sisters in Pakistan who are now following, as one community, an on-line retreat. We wish them a very enriching time with the Lord and with one another.

• Generalate / Belgium

The 30th of June saw the 61st Independence Day of Congo. The Generalate community celebrated it with a meaningful prayer service. Added to this was a meal in the Congolese style, prepared by our Sisters Cécile and Angélique. A cultural evening took us to Congo with its natural beauty and rhythmic dances.

The nomination process in Mali, as you may be aware, is in progress now. The General Council is fully involved in this procedure of discernment. Your prayers are requested during this important time in the life of the Region.

Belgium is in a holiday mood now! The Covid restrictions are relaxed and everyone is out there enjoying the freedom of movement, the generous sunshine, the fresh air and the cool waters at the sea side. Churches are open with liturgical services, even though the number of worshipers will have to remain limited.

The European Football matches are going on. The Belgium team – the Red Devils – is a group to reckon with! As of now, they are in the quarter finals and, being hopeful of reaching the finals, you can imagine the excitement in the country!