by Nadia Ramoutar MMM Communications Coordinator Ireland 03.01.2022
Almost every year once the over indulgence of the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are wrapped up, the next tradition to face is the making and often the break of New Year’s Resolutions. Many people are so busy taking care of other people and doing good in the world, they have a hard time doing good things for themselves.
The heart may be sincere in the making of New Year’s Resolutions but the numbers are grim about actually sticking with it. Research shows that after one week, 25% of people are already done with their resolutions. By February 1st that number is increased again to 45 %. After six months, on average 46% of people who made a resolution will still be successful in keeping it.
By Sr. Cecily Bourdillon Zimbabwe/ Ireland 02.01.2022
I
had the great joy and privilege of being missioned in Malawi for 19 years. Malawi is a small land-locked country with a population of nearly twenty million, in the centre of Africa and has the name of ‘The Warm Heart of Africa’.
My first assignment was to Chipini in Zomba District in the southern part of Malawi. MMM had been invited to Chipini by the Diocese when the burden of taking pregnant women and the very ill to Hospital in the middle of the night became too great for the Comboni Missionary community in Chipini. The Health Centre was built and the MMMs were invited to administer it.
by Sr. Josephine Joseph Ezior, MMM Nigeria 01.01.2022
Christmas is a significant event in Nigeria and the most exciting periods of the year for most Nigerians. Everyone, both young and old, long for it. It is a season of change in the environment, change from the routine meals and businesses, but most of all, it also brings growth in the spiritual life. Christmas in Nigeria is a family event, a time when most family members come together to celebrate and have fun. Most people travel home, where other family members and relatives live. In all these, the cure is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
by Sr. Liana de Jesus Brazil/ Kenya 31.12.2021
During this past year we have experienced many situations that have influenced our lives in one way or the other. Events around the world, living pos-Covid19, has challenged our creativity and has helped us survive in many countries. Our compassion, solidarity, care and charity are values revived in many places, trying to release the pain and to bring hope to many people. During this Christmas season, the light which stands out around the shepherds and the light that Jesus is, fills our hearts. My hope is that this light which is Jesus may enlighten our minds so that we may truly direct our lives with the hope that our call holds for this Christmas.
by Sr. Sheila Campbell, MMM Ireland/ Brazil 30.12.2021
For several years I lived in Salvador, a seaside city in the Northeast of Brazil in Bahia State. New Year was a special time for us as it was a time to mix and mingle with people of other religious traditions.
New Year’s Eve begins in the usual Catholic tradition with the Vigil Mass for Mary, Mother of God. But it also celebrates the World Day of Peace so everyone comes to the church dressed in white. The liturgy is enthusiastic, often singing, dancing and waving banners promoting peace. New Year greetings are passed around among the parishioners, the final blessing given and then…..
Then a whole new celebration began!
by Sr. Margaret Anne Meyer, MMM USA 29.12.2021
Having celebrated Christmas in Ireland, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, how can I think of something special peculiar to the United States. There is a basic longing in our hearts for the coming of Jesus. Mother Mary knew this through and through and lived that longing for many years. It was part of her, and she radiated that Presence to all of us who knew her and those who followed through her letters and the stories we keep alive in our hearts.
by Sr. Jo Anne Kelly, MMM Ireland 28.12.2021
We were two MMM communities in Eleta, Nigeria. The novices and I were in one and, across the road, were the professed sisters who took care of St. Mary’s Hospital. Between the two, and on our side of the road, was the parish church and Christmas was for all of us.
by Sr. Genevieve van Waesberghe MMM Tanzania 27.12.2021
As a missionary, I owe a lot to the Women of Africa. They have opened my heart to recognize in day-to-day life, God, our Emmanuel who is always coming in often humble and unexpected ways, especially where there is great suffering and poverty.
As we journey to Christmas, three memories rise in my mind. It all happened in East and Central Africa.
One night, I was called to the maternity ward. A woman brought by her traditional attendant was having difficulty in giving birth. Women friends were anxiously waiting outside. Eventually the baby was born, all was well. When the women heard this good news, they burst into joyful ululations to let the world know!
by Nancy Hinds, MMM Associate, U.S.A. 26.12. 2021
Way back in 1981, I had been given the gift to care for terminally ill patients in my home. Each one had a life’s story. Some were leaving the world too soon with young family grieving. Others were sharing a lifetime of memories with a spouse; others were “alone”, but finding a caring family with the care being given.
by Sr. Cecily Bourdillon MMM Zimbabwe/Ireland 25.12.2021
Celebrating Christmas on a farm in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) remains for me a very special childhood memory. Christmas, in the middle of Southern Africa, came when the hot, rainy season was converting the dry, brown landscape to a lush green.
We were blessed to have Midnight Mass celebrated in our large living room by a Jesuit priest friend. A few neighbours might join us. Missed hours of sleep were made up in the morning – Christmas Day!
