On Tuesday 19th December, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), had a meeting in Farm Street for the people who are welcoming refugees into their communities, presbyteries or homes. Three Holy Family sisters were present. It was an opportunity to share our experiences, to ask questions and to receive updates on the work of JRS. It was a good experience to meet with other “Hosts”.
This was followed by a carol service at Farm Street Church. The church was packed for this very joyful occasion; many of the JRS’ refugee friends had travelled long distances to join the supporters and volunteers.
Highlights of the service were specially prepared contributions from two groups of refugees who attend the singing and drama groups at JRS Day Centre; these initiatives are designed to develop skills and confidence. The choir was trained by Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir and the drama group by RISE Theatre (a professional Christian theatre company). They worked with the respective groups over a period of six weeks.
The drama group performed an original Nativity play called “Home”. The script, songs and poems that were part of this drama were created by the group. They described their own experiences and life stories through songs and drama. They spoke movingly of Home being “freedom”, “unconditional love”, “forgiveness” and also “where the journey begins”.
This group received financial support from the Holy Family Limited Trust. The choir of twelve performed three songs in beautiful harmony, including a Zulu hymn in which the audience participated. They were very enthusiastic and drew us all into their performance.
Fr Thomas H. Smolich SJ, International Director of JRS, gave the homily. He spoke movingly about the limitation of the statement: “yes, but…” stating that this was a phrase refugees heard often, and that most of us use all too regularly.
He invited the congregation to gaze upon the nativity scene and embrace the phrase “yes, and…” a phrase which sums up the unconditional love of Christ, and His welcome of all without exception.
This message is echoed in Pope Francis’ New Year message for the 2018 World Day of Peace in which he says: “In a spirit of compassion, let us embrace all those fleeing from war and hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation to leave their homelands”.
The service in Church was followed by snacks in the hall and the atmosphere was one of great joy. It was a truly special Christmas experience for our refugee friends. Then, on 21 December, there was a Christmas meal at the Centre in which over 200 hundred participated.
Sr. Margaret Muldoon, St. Gabriel’s Road
December newsletter (Britain & Ireland)

John and Andrew followed Jesus at the instruction of Prophet John the Baptist. They spent that day with Jesus. They had an unforgettable experience with him. While expressing it in his Gospel, John says: “It was about the tenth hour, (Jn 1:19).
We the 7 Pre-novices were introduced to the Novitiate during our stages of “come and see” period and pre-novitiate. 20th of November 2017 was the day when we were accepted as Holy Family Novices. It was about 3.30p.m.
When we arrived at Bolawalana in the morning along with Sr.Francisca we had a cordial welcome by the novitiate community. Three symbolic signs for 3 different cultures, Sinhala, Tamil and Pakistani made us feel at home in an intercultural house. At 3.30 p.m. our official entry into the Novitiate took place. The Provincials of both unit and the Councilors responsible for basic formation had come for this memorable event. We responded our desire verbally and individually, saying that we feel called by God and requested the association to show us the way of the Holy Family discipleship in prayer. Sacrifice. Generosity and a life centered on Jesus and his mission. Thus our life started to know each other and to become connected to Jesus Christ.
The atmosphere of Novitiate itself enables silence and calls for solitude, reflection and meditation. The various classes introduce gradual interpersonal relationship with Jesus, more self-awareness and initiate us to Holy Family consecrated life.
The Good Lord who has begun to lead our lives will complete in his own way. We are open to God’s ways in order to find lasting happiness.
1st Year Novices – Sri Lanka
from Sangamum (The publication – Jaffna unit)

“The Son of God came on earth to found a Holy Family and he wanted the first three persons in this family to serve as models for all those who would become part of it…..  Could we have chosen more powerful protectors than Jesus, Mary and Joseph?”
May these words inspire all of us as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, so that like them we may be united to God and to one another in Love.
“For Love is a fire which cannot exist without giving signs of its presence.  Love in practice means offering a service which is attentive, undivided and self-sacrificing….”
 
HAPPY FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY!

This is the reason for our joy and gladness: this Child has been “born to us”;
he was “given to us”, as Isaiah proclaims (cf. 9:5).
The people who for two thousand years has traversed all the pathways of the world
in order to allow every man and woman to share in this joy
is now given the mission of making known “the Prince of peace”
and becoming his effective servant in the midst of the nations.
(Pope Francis)

Water is Life !
Recently I came across a story -to be told. It said that in February more than 2,000 poor Brazilian farmers walked to the remote jungle town of Anapu for the funeral of a Catholic nun whom they called the “angel of Trans-Amazonia”. One of the mourners whom she was helping after a logging accident he endured said he had lost a mother and “I feel like a river without water, a forest without trees”.
The police said at the time that a group of Brasilian landowners may have pooled $24,000 to hire the gunmen who carried out the killing. Apparently the “angel” was murdered while walking on a forest path. Two gunmen had fired six bullets into her. The author then gives some reasons as to why the 73-year-old nun from Ohio, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, engendered such hatred. The Sister had spent the last 23 years of her life defending poor settlers against powerful logging and ranching interests in the Amazon rainforest. She had struggled to protect the rainforest trees, often wearing a T shirt saying:
“The End of the Forest is the end of our lives”.
Rainforests, the author says, are very important for absorbing carbon and reducing the impact of climate change. She then goes on to say that Sr. Dorothy was inspired by the life of Jesus, who showed great love for the poor and vulnerable, and by Catholic Social Teaching which urges is for the poor and for God’s creation. Many ‘green’ Christians regard her as an environmentalist martyr.  The Church’s Social Teaching theme of Safeguarding Creation – (and water now being a precious commodity to be used sparingly,) has been picked up by Catholic agencies, dioceses, parishes and schools.
Catholic parishes and schools are joining the Eco-congregation and Eco-schools initiatives.  Our Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference, in its formation of A new Pastoral Plan, has made Care for Creation one of its priorities – which urges us to see ourselves as stewards of God’s creation and to safeguard natural resources for future generations. We also need to take heed of Pope Francis’ words: l Take good care of creation. People occasionally forgive, but nature never does…… ”
Sr Melanie – from  “Weavings” (The publication of the Holy Family of Bordeaux in South Africa)

On 15 November Sr. Paul (Mary) Gravin celebrated her 100th birthday. And since the joy of one is the joy of all we – her family, sisters, her blood family, to the third generation, and friends – celebrated with her.
Saturday, 8 November at 10 a.m., saw her in Tougher’s in Naas surrounded by almost 80 well-wishers for what was truly an agape, a love feast in thanksgiving for God’s boundless love for Sr. Paul. Though physically bowed under the weight of her years, she was unbowed in spirit greeting all with her loving and lovely smile. Her brother Patrick, also a religious with the Christian Brothers, and with the sum of 96 years, was the chief guest.
The Eucharist, at which several priest friends, concelebrated, was presided over by Bishop Denis Nulty of the Kildare and Leighlin diocese. Bishop Denis is no stranger to the Newbridge community and would not have missed the occasion such is his appreciation of the life vibrating within the convent walls. Love, communion and blessing were themes that ran through the different parts of the Mass. The bishop’s homily was light-hearted in keeping with the prevailing atmosphere of simple joy. Before the final blessing, Sr. Frances read a message from the General Leadership Team.
Communion continued with food and companionship at the excellent festive meal, at the end of which the birthday cake was cut. Before that, however, Sr. Esther took the guests through a well-researched account of Mary Gravin’s Birth Family Story and Sr. Paul Gravin’s Holy Family Story. To read a version of this on our website, follow the link… Another link worth visiting displays some of Sr. Paul’s paintings, a talent she developed in her later years in Newbridge. Several were sold at exhibitions and the proceeds went to the Holy Family Pakistan missions.
Not surprisingly, energies began to flag after the meal but they revived miraculously at the sound of music. Sr. Annie had brought her accordion and soon had everyone, including Sr. Paul and Bro Patrick in their wheelchairs, singing along.
There is a time for everything under the sun so, when 4 p.m. came, it was time to leave that place and Sr. Paul, who had remained serene and smiling throughout.
The actual day of her birth is 15 November and it remained for her to have a quiet celebration in the intimacy of her community. Not surprisingly, news had filtered out to the students of Holy Family Secondary School. The school choir, whose members had on other occasions come to entertain the sisters, asked to come and sing for Sr. Paul.
Newbridge

 
John Mpaliza was born in Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is a software engineer.  He is forty five years of age and has been in Italy for the past twenty one years.
Until May 2014, he worked as a programmer in the municipality of Reggio Emilia, in the north of Italy.  He decided to leave his work for a much more important reason than personal fulfilment and earning a salary.  He set out to walk for peace, especially in the DR Congo, but also in the world.  He became the ‘Peace Walking Man’.
John is an energetic activist with very ambitious aims.  He knows that “walking for peace” will bring physical, psychological and moral suffering, not to mention the heat, cold, rain and snow.  It is very important for him to keep on walking even if he has no money or is tired because he has to reach his destination. As he goes along he meets people who like to hear his message of peace. He travels 35/45 km each day.
Why does he do it?
John wants to conscientise people about peace. He says, “I began to conscientise people about the traumatic situation of the Congolese people.  Their country is very rich but they are dying of poverty”.  Congo-Kinshasa is a country rich in fresh water, fertile land and biodiversity.   It is so rich in gold, cobalt, diamonds, tin, etc. that it could almost be called scandalous.
The lack of media interest in the DR Congo drove John to set out walking in order to conscientise the media, investors and politicians too.  After visiting the country in 2009, John exclaimed, “I was devastated by what I saw and heard and I decided I could no longer be silent.  I lost several relatives during the wars. Eight million Congolese died, about four million women suffered violence and nobody was doing anything about it. I did not want to be part of this death-dealing silence. Other African countries also have the same problems caused by the tyranny and exploitation of multinationals and industrialised countries, often in collusion with local leaders whom they have chosen and imposed on the people. I think that walking and speaking about the daily problems of these countries as well as of my own country helps people to see how unjustly they are treated and gives hope that Congo, and Africa in general, will experience a new dawn tomorrow”.

 John walks quietly and joyfully.  He says, “I like to think that my way of bringing the message of peace to the people I meet on my journey shows them that, in spite of all the corruption, wars, famine and injustice which we experience every day, the world is not doomed.  I am convinced that the search for peace will lead to a socially just world”.
It is four years since John began to walk for peace in the DR Congo and in the whole world.  He keeps going by thinking of the thousands of people who are suffering in his own country and throughout the world.   His walking is the result of his own personal suffering, the suffering of a people and the lack of democracy.
Over the course of a month in 2016, John walked from Italy, (Reggio Emilia, where he lives) to Belgium (Brussels) to denounce the EU for the massacre in Beni (East Congo) especially and the alarming situation in the whole of the DR Congo in general.
From 1 to 29 October this year, John Mpaliza walked from Reggio Emilia (in the north of Italy) to Rome to let the world know that the situation in the DR Congo is getting worse. During the last week of this walk (23 – 29 October), he organised a lot of things to give information about Congo – conferences, sharing of experiences etc. – while still continuing to walk.  These activities were always open to all people of goodwill.
I took part in two of the events: First of all, the walk on Friday, 27 October when we walked from Piazza del Popolo to the entrance of St. Peter’s Square.  For security reasons and the safety of the group, we were accompanied by the Italian Police.  As we walked, we sang national songs in several of the languages of our country to express our sympathy for the people.  I was reminded of Psalm 136, “By the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept when we remembered Sion”. We were accompanied by a guitar as we walked and sang.
On Sunday, the last day of the programme, I went with the group to St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus.   John wanted us to tell the world and the Church about the urgency of finding a rapid solution to the Congolese crisis by means of flags of the DR Congo and armbands on which were written “Peace – Pace”.
Dear sisters and brothers, please pray for the alarming situation in the DR Congo.  On 23 of this month at 17.30, in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope will pray for South Sudan and the DR Congo.
 
Marie-Pierre
Local Community, the Generalate.

In Indian Unit, Ramanakkapeta community organised Children’s day and Girl Child day. There were 350 Children from 10 Villages Participated. Children were very happy and actively participated in the competition. Local Panchayat Secretary, VRO,NavaJeevan Child safety net program Coordinator and other Panchayat leaders were the Special invitees. Oath was taken by all the participants to protect the Children from different abuses. We thank our PBN Foundation who helps our School dropout Children to have Evening Coaching Classes. We wish them to have a good future.
               

 
In Mokolo Nazareth, August 9 was a wonderful day for the large Family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles and especially for the Unit of Cameroon-Chad.   It was a joyful day of celebration because  Peedi Fernande responded to God’s call to give her whole life to the service of her sisters and brothers as an Apostolic Sister.   At the same time, Srs.  Nadège, Violette, Tabitha and Gwladys renewed their vows.
In his homily, based on John 15: 1-9, Fr. Paul Matakon,  Priest Associate, emphasised the importance of the branches being attached to the vine in order to bear good fruit. A fruit tree may have beautiful branches and leaves but they are worthless if they do not bear good fruit.
Before inviting Peedi Fernande to make her vows and giving her the cross, a sign of her belonging to the Institute,  Sr. Solange Graka, Delegate, reminded us that we are called to follow Christ and to share in his mission of communion.    Fernande then made her vows in deep thanksgiving for the gift received.                                           
 “On this blessed day, I am happy to thank the Lord who has called me to serve God in the large Family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles. Surrounded by my Sisters and all who have come to take part in this celebration, how could I not give thanks to God and sing my Magnificat? I heard the Good Father saying to me, ‘Nothing can now hold you back’”.   Fernande went on to say that she relies on the love and fidelity of the Lord to enable her to grow in her commitment each day.  She also counts on the support of her Sisters and the people  the Lord will put in her life to live the mission of communion for God Alone in the footsteps of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
This lovely day ended with a meal shared in the joy of the Lord.
 
Sr. Nadège  Nguiko, HFB
Communications Service

The Inter Vocational team in Indian Unit organized the 2nd Common Formation for the four vocations, especially for the Youth. It was held on 10.11.2017 at Life Centre, the Claritian’s house the Institute for the Lay people, Dindigul. The themes were:
 
1. “Promotion of Youth in the Families and Society” 
2. “Founder’s writing on Communion”
 
Rev. Fr. Benedict Anelin, the National president of the Priest Associates, Rev. Fr. Victor, the secretary of the National Committee of the Priest Associates and the treasurer of Bicentenary team, India conducted the sessions for the youth of the Holy Family.
The Youth (Boys and Girls), Secular members, Priest Associates, Lay Associates and Apostolic Sisters, all together 78 members participated and gained the Common Formation.
The following next two days 11 and 12th of November, the 12th National meeting for the Lay Associates was organized by the National Committee members. They were 45 Lay Associates from Kaliakkavilai, Chennai, Madurai, Ramanakkapeta and Ramakuppam present in this two days’ programme.
The 7th Asian Convention for Lay Associates was transmitted to all the Associates. Input sessions on ‘Emerging world view’, the ‘Ten Universal Powers’ ‘Health Care programme’ ‘Herbal medicine’ and ‘Home Garden’ were taken by Srs. Alice, Kamazh, Vimala, Mrs. Lilly and Mrs. Mini respectively. Apart from this, a view on Bicentenary celebration and Humanitarian project were shared by Sr. Rosilin and Mr. Amal Raj.
As a souvenir of the preparation of 200 years of the foundation of our Holy Family, laminated pictures of our Ven. Founder PBN were distributed to all the participants by Sr. Mary the Unit Leader.
 This three days programme was ended with vote of thanks by Sr. Gracy the coordinator of the National Committee of the Lay Associates and meaningful prayer by Chennai Associates.