On the 7th of December 2023, the eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, seven Postulants were accepted into our International Novitiate: Clara Peter Okutu, Regina Charles Msele. Stella Dismas Mtai, Grace Christopher Saikodi, Eunice Yohana John, Patrisia Marseli Sarajeck and Tecla Raphael Shemdoe. As they begin this new journey in their vocation, we pray that God may accompany them towards a deeper understanding of their vocation through our Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate. We are grateful to God for the gift of these vocations to the Church.
On 8th we celebrated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception with great joy as seven other novices who had completed their two-year novitiate made their First Profession in Polisingi’si Parish, Arusha. Our Superior General Sr. Josephina D’Souza accepted the vows of the sisters. In her speech, Sr. Josephina congratulated the sisters for their self-giving and thier readiness to serve the Lord in our Congregation. She stressed that the sisters should be joyful witnesses to the world as Pope Francis has repeatedly invited the religious to be people of joy. She also invited the sisters to be faithful in living their vows and assured them of the support of their fellow sisters in the community.
In his homily, the main celebrant Rev. Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD encouraged the newly professed sisters to be responsible for the growth of their spiritual life, following the motto, “My Vocation, my Responsibility.” In the modern world, with the advancement of technology the sisters need to be attentive in living their call and cherish the values of consecrated life. He asked the sisters to commit all their gifts and talents to God and to serve Him in gladness. Moreover, the sisters were advised to avoid the occasions which may jeopardize their vocation in the modern world. In doing so, a deep prayer life is fundamental so that the Holy Spirit may inspire and guide them to follow the right path as they take up new responsibilities.
Rev. Fr. John Onna, the Regional Superior of the Pallottine Fathers in East Africa, congratulated the newly professed sisters for their courage in answering God’s call. He insisted that they should remain firm in their vocation by giving his life experience when he was undertaking army training before he joined the Pallottine Society. He said. “Like soldiers of Christ, today you have made a total commitment to follow Him. Remember that you are always on mission.” To be successful in mission the sisters should remain faithful in prayer, and always seek the assistance of our holy founder St. Vincent Pallotti and that of our Mother Mary, Queen of Apostles, as we were entrusted to her from the beginning.
Among the Sisters who were professed, Sr. Florentine Uwayezu, Sr. Francine Dusenge, Sr. Olive Uwayezu and Sr. Verene Mukaseti are from Our Lady of Kibeho Province, Rwanda and Sr. Bertha A. Peter, Sr. Getrudi J. Momburi and Sr. Paulina P. Jacob are from Queen of Peace Province, England-Tanzania. In addition to the presence of our Superior General, we were blessed with the presence of Sr. Alda Isa Paes and Sr. Marie Claire Mukeshimana, General Councillors from Rome, the Provincial Superior of Our Lady of Kibeho, Rev. Sr. Angeline Kambugu, accompanied by Sr. Mary Grace Musabyimana, our Provincial Superior, Rev. Sr. Gernoveva Salanga and our former Provincial Superior, Sr. Mary McNulty who came from England. The novices from Precious Blood Sisters, St. Elizabeth Sisters and the Conventual Friars graced the celebration with their enthusiastic choir and dances. We wish our new sisters every blessing and promise to accompany them with our prayers, so that they may be happy and successful in their new mission. Together we journey, together we serve.
Text and photos: Sr. Ernestina Patrick Lasway SAC
