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A Message From the National Director - July 22, 2008
“Good News” from Africa. That‘s what I heard from Sister Pauline Chirchirillo, PBVM, director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in New York, after her mission visit to Zambia in mid-June. A country of orphans and a place of extreme poverty, Zambia is one of the seven countries hardest hit by the HIV / AIDS pandemic. But there is hope amidst the suffering and poverty — through the service of local priests, Religious Sisters and Brothers, and lay catechists like those Sister Pauline met on her journey.
In several places receiving help from the young people of our country through the Holy Childhood Association, Sister Pauline marveled at the “excellent, loving care” offered to orphans and to physically challenged children, as well as to mothers and children.
At other stops — minor and major seminaries, and convents, all funded by the Society of St. Peter Apostle — she observed, “I am more convinced than ever of the importance of the summer appeal to our donors for support of this particular Pontifical Mission Society.”
Throughout her journey, Sister Pauline witnessed the faith-filled difference each of you who supports the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and those other Pontifical Mission Societies makes in the lives of the poor.
After reading each of her email updates to me, I said a prayer of thanks for the “Good News” from Africa — and for the loyal support from the “one family in mission” here at home and throughout the world for the Church on that continent, as well as Asia, the Pacific Islands and remote regions of Latin America.
Rev. Msgr. John E. Kozar
National Director Pontifical Mission Societies
in the United States
photo by CNS/Nancy Wiechec
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Mission Correspondence
August 20, 2008
My Dear Friends in Christ,
This is to inform you, that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Patrick Levy Mwanawasa, SC is dead. He died yesterday at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France. I am asking for your prayers during this trying period we mourn our president. Pray for all Zambians so that they remain calm and united behind the Acting President and the Government.
The Catholic Church is particularly touched because one of the last public activities President Mwanawasa performed in Zambia was to address the Catholic Bishops and delegates who were assembled for the 16th Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA) at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus in Lusaka 28th June 2008. In his official address, the President passionately spoke about the need for reconciliation in our lives. The opening Mass was presided by His Eminence Cardinal Ivan Dias, prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
President Mwanawasa suffered a stroke on June 29, 2008 on the eve of the African Union (AU) heads of state summit in Sharm-el-Sheik, Egypt. He was immediately admitted to Sharm-el-Sheik hospital until July 1, when he was evacuated to Percy Military Hospital in Parish, France where he had been admitted until his death.
His death is a blow to our country, to our people, to our struggles, and how much it means to no longer be able to count on his support, experience, his inspiration, the strength of his character and reputation. Pray for us and for our peace loving country, Zambia, that the Lord may guide us.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Bernard Makadani Zulu
National Director
Pontifical Mission Societies Zambia
Dear Bernard:
I was very saddened to hear of the death of your beloved President. This seems to be a particularly painful loss in light of the warm relationship the Church had with him and how his recent presence with the Episcopal Conference heralded much hope in the continuining dialogue between the Catholic Church and the government of Zambia.
Please extend to all the faithful our condolences, our prayers and our solidarity as your nation grieves the loss of your national leader.
May God grant him eternal rest and may He bring peace to the people of Zambia.
In mission solidarity and prayer,
Your brother,
John E. Kozar
National Director
Pontifical Mission Societies USA
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