NOUVELLE VEHICULE POUR LA PAROISSE ST JOSEPH MOUKASSA A FRANCEVILLE, GABON 

PREMIERS VOEUX, ET RENOUVELLEMENT DES VOEUX

Dimanche 14 Septembre 2005 trois de nos novices ont émis leurs premiers vœux dans la chapelle du Scolasticat à Kimwenza (RD Congo).
Prions pour les trois :
CHRISTIAN KUMAKUMA LELE
ARNOLD BWENZI NZONDO
JEAN KAPUYA AMBAYABA

On the 14th of September 2025, the Josephite Family (the African province) received three new professed brothers; Bro Christian, Bro Arnold and Bro Jean. Having successfully completed their canonical year (novitiate) which is a focused period of spiritual discernment, they made a conscious decision to embrace the Josephite family life in full, by  professing their temporary vows which are the tripartite principles of Evangelical counsel (chastity, poverty and obedience), in accordance with the constitution of the Josephite institute. 

The Mass started at 10: 24am and  was presided by the provincial superior of the African province, Father Eric Nkoko CJ. The occasion marked a great historical event in the lives of the newly professed brothers and the Josephites family in general. They are considerered the last set passing through the novitiate after the closure of recruitment by the general council.

In his homily, the provincial superior admonished the newly professed brothers to steadfast in their decision to follow Christ and also focus on their chosen path, rather than following some groups who might lead them astray. He also challenged the brothers who renewed their vows to remain firm in faith and as model to the younger brothers who have  just newly embrace the life, to commit to mutual respect and fraternal charity. 

The rite of profession took place just before the homily were professed brothers were called upon to advance towards the altar with a response of "here am I". After the homily, the brothers were invited to approach the altar, where they knelt and publicly pronounced their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience before the people of God. A moment of special significance occurred as each brother placed his hands in the hands of the superior as a sign of personal and communal commitment to his vows and obedient to to the superior.

After pronouncing their vows, the brothers signed the official profession document, which was also signed by the superior as a witnesses and fatherly role to the professed brothers. This act formally binds the newly professed to the congregation for the specified period of a year before renewal. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of symbols of their profession, which is the constitution of the congregation and the Mass continued to the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The ceremony was a deeply spiritual event, witnessed by many priests and brothers of the congregation, family members, religious sisters and brothers and friends who came from far and near to witness and share in the joy of this wonderful occasion.

We extend our warmest welcome to our newly professed brothers as they begin the next chapter of their formation and service to the Church and humility, within and outside the community. Their commitment is a profound sign of fidelity to their call and a source of great hope for our congregation's future. We equally thank all who grace this occasion to witness and share in our joyful moment. 

CEUX QUI ONT RENOUVELE LEURS VOEUX

RETIREMENT OF ANTONY HUDSON

On 31 July 2003, Fr Martin, Headmaster of St George’s College Junior School, handed over the keys of the Junior School to his successor as Headmaster, Mr Antony Hudson.  
On 31 March 2025, Antony Hudson retired after almost 22 very successful years as the Headmaster of the Junior School. During his time Antony continued to build on the success of his predecessor, maintaining the status of the Junior School as the largest co-ed Roman Catholic Independent School in the United Kingdom. During his time, the school received many national accolades. 
The new Nursery and Early Years building, known as The Ark, will be one of the legacies of Antony’ s headship. 
During his tenure as Headmaster, Antony was also for a time the Chairman of the Catholic Independent Schools Conference and was a driving force for the meetings involving the Heads of the Josephite schools in Europe. He also visited St Étienne, the Josephite School at Limete, Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As a way of thanking Antony and marking his immense contribution at the Junior School, the Josephites in England hosted a meal for Antony and his wife, Helen. During the meal, Antony was presented with an icon of Constant Van Crombrugghe which had been written by Sr Annette Lawrence DMJ.

ATTAQUE PAR BOKO HARAM

Suite à l'attaque de Boko Haram dans la nuit du 6 au 7 septembre 2025, une attaque terroriste a endeuillé les villages de Modoko, Ouzal et Mandoussa, dans l'arrondissement de Mayo-Moskota et Koza, département de Mayo-Tsanaga, à l'Extrême-Nord du CAMEROUN.

Le bilan est lourd : 4 personnes tuées, plusieurs blessés graves évacués d'urgence à l'hôpital adventiste de Koza, des enfants portés disparus, le camp militaire attaqué, la paroisse partiellement incendiée, le véhicule incendié, les vivres du magasin paroissial et de leconomat du presbytère emportés, des maisons, boutiques, magasins et ruminants détruits par les flammes. 

Le centre de santé d'Ouzal a été saccagé et vidé, le magasin de la paroisse Saint Jean Baptiste d'Ouzal ainsi que la voiture de la paroisse ont été incendiés. Le Père Barthemy, curé de la paroisse et d'autres personnes ont échappé de justesse à la mort. Des bétails ont été emportés et des champs de plantation ont été détruits.

Chers confrères, cette nuit du 6 au 7 septembre 2025 a été un véritable cauchemar pour les populations de Modoko, Mandoussa, Ouzal et ses environs. Boko Haram a frappé avec violence, détruisant tout sur son passage, semant la terreur et la désolation. 

Finalement, rendons grâce à Dieu pour la vie du Père Barthemy. Ça n'a pas été facile. Les Boko Haram ont essayé de casser portes et fenêtres, sans succès. Dieu était au contrôle.

DECES DU PERE EMMANUEL TSHIYOMBO

Apres une longue maladie le Père Emmanuel nous a quitté le 30 juin 2025, pour être enterré le 05 juillet 2025. Que son âme repose en paix.

VŒUX PERPETUELS

Le 3 aout notre confrère Joseph Bilier Malain à eu la joie d’émettre ses vœux perpétuels dans les mains du P. Eric Nkoko, Supérieur Provincial, dans la chapelle du Scolasticat à Kimwenza.

CONSEIL GENERAL ELARGI / ENLARGED GENERAL COUNCIL

Le 22 au 27 aout le Conseil General Elargi a eu lieu à Kimwenza (Congo) avec la participation du Conseil General, les Supérieurs Régionaux et quelques confrères invités. Nous étions au Centre Spirituel « Manresa » des Jésuites.

From the 25th to the 27th August the Enlarged General Council was held in Kimwenza (Congo) with the General Council, the Regional Superiors and some invited confreres. We were at the Jesuit Spiritual Centre "Manresa".

Les membres.
Premier Rang: Membres d’Office.
P. Martin Ashcroft - Supérieur de la Délégation Anglaise; P. Eric Nkoko – Supérieur de la Province Africaine; P. Joseph Bampembe – Conseiller General; P. Jacob Beya – Supérieur General; P. Aidan Rossiter – Vicaire General; F. Michael Powell - Conseiller General; P. Ed Jalbert – Supérieur de la Région Californienne.
Deuxième Rang: Invités.
P. Georges Minga; P. Jean-Marcel Mwimba; P. Gerardo Toscano; P. Auriol Okingha; P. Théophile Mingashanga

ORDINATIONS

Samedi 23 aout nos confères Théophile Mingashanga, Jean Mbuyi et Boniface Bitwapa ont eu la joie de recevoir l’ordination sacerdotale des mains de Monseigneur Stanislas Lukumwena, évêque émérite de Nkole, à la Paroisse Sainte Marie de Kimwenza.

On Saturday, 23rd August, our confreres Théophile Mingashanga, Jean Mbuyi and Boniface Bitwapa had the joy of receiving priestly ordination at the hands of Monsignor Stanislas Lukumwena, Bishop Emeritus of Nkole, at the Parish of Sainte Marie in Kimwenza.

IMAGES DES MESSES DE PREMICES