Fr. Aidan Writes:
This weekend is our annual Josephite Mission Appeal. Your generosity in the past has been overwhelming. My sentimental side is moved to tears when I think of how your gifts will best serve our confreres laboring in Congo, Gabon and
Cameroon! I assure you that your gifts really help, especially in the area of fostering the vocations we have and training our new Josephites. Next weekend, as we celebrate the ordination of our own Br. Gerardo, we will also look forward to the priestly ordinations that will take place in Congo of Brothers Auriol, Bathélémey and Ruphin, with Br Simon’s ordi- nation to deaconate. Several men have recently taken their perpetual vows as Josephites. In the handout this weekend you will see our four new novices: Albert, Bernard, Marcel and Jean-Bosco. All their vocations and formation have been supported by your generosity.
These vocations are very important for the running of the schools and parishes and mis- sions we have in Africa, which you also support through your kindness. At this time, our African Province is entering into a new era of its growth. For the first time, we are seeing African confreres who are in their sixties and one in his seventies. Some are nearing the time to retire from frontline duties (mind you, Josephites never retire, we just change jobs)! Some are becoming infirm. Forming our young men takes money, and looking after our elderly also takes money. I simply ask you to please give generously as you have always done. Thank you
God bless Fr Aidan-Peter CJ
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter