E-NEWSLETTER OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE BROTHERSOF CHARITY
ROMA ON-LINE
Edition N° 129/2011; January 15, 2011
(Please, always try to reduce the length of your reports for ‘Roma on-Line’ to maximum 1 page.)
(Copies of the texts to be published have to be sent before the 10th of the month.)
(We kindly ask the local superiors to print a copy for the Brothers who don’t have an e-mail address.)
(Messages with less or not importance according to me, may be important for others!)
Administratio Generalis – Roma
MEDITATION
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine!
“HOW HAPPY WE ARE, inhabitants of this earth that Jesus will remain among us in the signs of
bread and wine. When we are in need, misery or suffering, the Lord is always present to take
care of us. When you have a distressing conscience and sin is weighing heavily on your mind, the
Lord will be there to forgive you. Prostrate yourself before the throne of this Divine Lamb, and
He will be close to you with his mercy.” (Canon Peter Joseph Triest)
Seven and half centuries ago, the feast of the holy Sacrament was celebrated for the first time.
Herewith one wanted to emphasize the reality of the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharistic
bread. As from then, beautiful processions of the sacrament - of which a lot disappeared in the
last decades - were held in the rural communities and followed with large respect. History goes
on and every period has its uses to express faith. However, what Father Triest emphasized in his
small text concerning the holy Sacrament continues to apply, also in our time. Thus it is
important that we value this gift and be grateful that the Lord Jesus will remain with us so closely
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and intensely. In faith we know that we are never alone and that we will be sustained by God’s
grace for which we may pray.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, You are in our midst in the signs of bread and wine. Let these signs
become real food which can sustain our life in hunger. Make room in our heart so that You can
be present in us with your love. And let us radiate this love to all those we meet, today and all
the days of our life. Amen.
News from the Superior General
The 7th of December 2010 we left for India, where we first spent some days in Mumbai with
Prakash Goossens in function of the starting of our office and the follow-up of the program with
the Tata-institute for social work. Than we travelled to Sivagangai where we visited our house
and where we accepted Bro. Yaswant and Bro. Ambrose for their final profession, in the presence
of the bishop of Sivagangai. It was the first time that the brothers could manifest themselves so
openly as religious brothers in Tamil Nadu and we hope that the identity of brotherhood became
clearer. We were pleased to meet the Sisters of Charity and also other brothers who are living
and working in that part of India.
After our visit to India, we left for Zambia, where we visited our new formation house in Lusaka,
where for the moment 8 brothers are living. We did the official installment of the community
that received the late Pope John Paul II as its patron. Bro. Constantino Kaunda, who did his final
profession during our visit, was also installed officially as the local superior, responsible for the
brothers in study and also with the mission to explore for the new apostolate that the brothers will
develop in Zambia.
From Zambia, we had a very short stop in Nairobi, where we met our 47 postulants who are
preparing themselves to start the novitiate end of February 2011, and than we moved to Congo
where we guided a retreat for our brothers and associate members from Kinshasa and
environment, good for 32 participants in the very nice retreat house run by the Fathers of Scheut.
We celebrated Christmas in the community of Kinshasa with the brothers who were there, and
than we spent some days in the retreat house for a personal reflection period which gave me a
deep rest, ready to continue our mission in Congo with the preparation of the opening of the
jubilee, that was officially opened on the 2nd of January during the celebration of the Eucharist in
which 11 associate members expressed their first promise. During that celebration, we could
present to the provincial and regional superior the first edition of the book about the history of the
Brothers of Charity in Congo: “On the way to Congo” and also a nicely framed picture of the first
brothers who left for Congo in June 1911 and arrived the 8th of September as our first
missionaries in Lusambo. We have chosen the 11th of September as the closure date of the
“centenarian” with a celebration in Lusambo itself. So we congratulate the Our Lady of Africa
region with their jubilee and we hope that it may be a very fruitful time for all the brothers, their
associate members and the co-workers, a time of deepening their dedication and real link with
our charism as Brothers of Charity.
The 3rd of January we left Congo for Tanzania, where we arrived in Dar es Salam and the next
day we travelled to Kigoma where we are visiting for the moment the several houses. The StDominic region is going to a time of transformation and we have the impression that it is a quite
fruitful time of growing on the several levels. We will end our one month stay in Africa with a
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short visit to Addis Ababa where we opened a house to guide some candidates from Ethiopia. It
is not yet an official community, but a formation house of the St- Dominic region.
After this period of visits we will return to Rome where we will have our general council meeting
and the follow-up of what has been waiting during the past months.
To all the brothers, associate members and friends, we wish a blessed 2011 and we hope that the
centenarian of the Brothers of Charity in Congo may inspire all of us to deepen our mission all
over the world.
Bro. R. Stockman, Superior general - rene.stockman.fc@fracarita.org
The General Superior’ Visit Schedule
12.01.2011
15.01.2011
17.01.2011
06.02.2011
15.02.2011
20.02.2011
27.02.2011
Addis Ababa
Brussels
Rome
Brussels
Abidjan
Nairobi
Bangui
News from the Casa – Rome - 2011.01.15
Jesus comes! - Certainly, at Christmas. - No, he comes already on December 11… It lasted some
moments before realizing that it was about Bro. Jesus Beluso, commonly called Bro. Jess, from
the Philippines and studying in his last year at the International Institute of Canon Triest in SintMaria-Aalter. We are happy to accommodate one of our younger brothers in our Roman
community for three weeks and he surely will be grateful to have been able to discover Rome,
centre of Christianity.
From time to time, our lift still keeps a surprise in reserve. On Sunday 12, Linda was locked in it
for the second time. Fortunately, Bro. Willy Schelfhout could open the doors. Another misfortune
was that the central heating had broken down during the night. All the 24 tubes of the boiler had
to be replaced, which left us without heat until Wednesday evening.
Though seldom, Rome knows days of snow. On Friday 17, it started to snow during lunch-time.
A rare occurrence, and the following day L’ Osservatore Romano published a photograph of the
Vatican gardens covered with snow.
While finishing our exposition of Christmas cribs - I counted 33 of them in the corridors and
community rooms - our Linda abruptly fell from the ladder. Fortunately, she had no serious
injuries, but her fall damaged the head of a statue of the Virgin Mary. The skilful hands of Sister
Nandanie, on a visit during the Christmas days, restored the statue.
On Christmas Eve, the day of birth, Mrs. Lucienne Segers, the mother of Bro. Willy Schelfhout,
had her birthday in heaven, after 91 years of earthly life. A Holy Mass was celebrated in the
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community for the happy repose of her soul and we thanked the Lord that Bro. Willy could keep
his mother for such a long time.
By experience, we know the zeal of the Sisters to have a seat in the front row when the Pope
presides at a ceremony. The Brothers did not succeed in obtaining tickets for the Midnight Mass
on December 24, but Sister Angela Fernando had found the way to receive Holy Communion at
the hands of the Pope. Congratulations. In his homily, the Pope, as a Pastor, helped his faithful to
penetrate more deeply into the splendor and the majesty of this great event in which God became
a little child. Moreover, he did not fail, as a professor, to define some concepts thoroughly, for
instance “the first-born son”.
“Mary gave birth to her first-born son” (Lk 2:7). In this sentence Saint Luke recounts quite
soberly the great event to which the prophecies from Israel’s history had pointed. Luke calls the
child the “first-born”. In the language which developed within the sacred Scripture of the Old
Covenant, “first-born” does not mean the first of a series of children. The word “first-born” is a
title of honor, quite independently of whether other brothers and sisters follow or not. So Israel is
designated by God in the Book of Exodus (4:22) as “my first-born Son”, and this expresses
Israel’s election, its singular dignity, the particular love of God the Father. The early Church
knew that in Jesus this saying had acquired a new depth that the promises made to Israel were
summed up in Him.”
On Tuesday 28, we celebrated a double commemoration. Firstly, we commemorated the
foundation of the Congregation in 1807 for which we lit a large candle in front of the statue of
Father Triest and secondly we celebrated the feast of the Holy Innocents. Bro. Séraphin Tshijika
accepted with resignation but smilingly the presidency in the refectory, but when he wanted to
finish with a prayer, the prayer booklet proved to be untraceable. An impatient confrere came
quickly to his assistance, but most important was the fact that Bro. Séraphin was not disconcerted
by it. That promises well for the future. The booklet made its appearance later.
“The right to religious freedom is rooted in the very dignity of the human person, whose
transcendent nature must not be ignored or overlooked.” This is what Benedict XVI proclaimed
to the whole world in his message for the World Day of Peace, January 1, 2011. He reminded the
Christians that they have the right to defend and to profess their faith publicly. In his
introduction, the Pope said: “It is painful to think that in some areas of the world it is impossible
to profess one’s religion freely except at the risk of life and personal liberty. In other areas we see
more subtle and sophisticated forms of prejudice and hostility towards believers and religious
symbols. At present, Christians are the religious group which suffers most from persecution on
account of their faith. Many Christians experience daily affronts and often live in fear because of
their pursuit of truth, their faith in Jesus Christ and their heartfelt plea for respect for religious
freedom. This situation is unacceptable, since it represents an insult to God and to human dignity;
furthermore, it is a threat to security and peace, and an obstacle to the achievement of authentic
and integral human development.”
An old tradition decrees that on New Year's Day we take lunch in a restaurant; thus the cook has
one day of rest. Bro. Superior chose the restaurant “Seadas”, originating in Sardinia, with popular
and lively personnel. It was a tasty beginning to the New Year.
Bro. Eugeen Geysen
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ST. AUGUSTINE PROVINCE – AFRICA
Provincial Administration – Saint Cyprian Community - Abidjan (Ivory Coast)
Région Saint-François-Xavier, Rwanda – Burundi
Our Lady of Africa Region – Democratic Republic of Congo
Saint Dominic Region, Tanzania
St. Paul’s Region – South Africa
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE - AMERICA
Provincial Administration – Washington DC – Brazil
Brazil
We had a snowless Christmas. We were celebrating in a simple but warm way with 3 youngsters
staying with us that time. The last evening of 2010 the major part of the population is going to the
central place of the village to ‘celebrate’. An orchester is present and often there is also a fire
work. At midnight they are wishing each other a happy new year. I take this opportunity to wish
you all a happy and healthy new year. “Feliz e santo ano novo!”
Bro. André
Peru - San Martin de Porrès Region
San Martin de Porrès Region counts four communities whose superiors Victor Hugo, Bernard
Houle, Richard Bardier and Jimi constitute the regional council.
Granada and Ayacucho
For the time being Bro. Richard Bardier and Kadiodehoua Yeo Emmanuel form the community
in Nicaragua. Bro. Jimi was there for a while to give a professional advice on the program to be
implemented step by step for the two groups of children cared for in the Home ‘Cristo Sana’ and
the Day Center ‘Jesus Amigo’. On his return from Granada and after his perpetual profession on
12 December, he went together with Bro. Alfred Kiza to form the community of Ayacucho and
take over the apostolate on a daily basis.
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Officially we took over the program of COSMA (Mental Health's Commission of Ayacucho) the
5th of November 2010. The community of Ayacucho is called Pedro Joseph Triest and the
superior is Brother Jimi. Soon another member will be appointed at that community. For this
moment they are living in an apartment in the center but in the future we will have another place
for the community because this apartment is really small. We are thinking to have the postulants
in stage there. In January the postulant Salvador will be living there for a while.
Lima and Comas
In Lima we still have two communities: Saint Juan Macias in Comas... with bros. Bernard Houle,
Bernard Boulay and Johnny Apéstegui. In this community of Chacra Cerro the leader of the
prayer mentions at the moment of the intercession the brothers who celebrate their birthdays on
that day. The regional and formation house Saint Martin of Porres in Lima... with bros Victor
Hugo Merino, Benjamin Aska and Roli Marín.
Perpetual Profession of Bro. Jimi
The celebrations of such an event that had not been seen in the Province since the last 18 years
were held in the parish of the regional house in Lima and witnessed by a hundred of brothers,
parents and friends. Remarkably some ten candidates associate members actually in formation
assisted.
On Television
Thanks to relationships the CePeTri was chosen by the TV channel America to benefit from
special Christmas donations. A very popular TV program presents a non profit organization and
challenges the donors. TV audience is attracted as a media star expresses some art in which
he/she is NOT specialized (a singer would dance, etc). After a week the representatives of the
NGO are called in the studio to be handed over the prizes collected from the donors. Donations
surpassed the expectations. Two lorries had to be loaded to carry the furniture, complete kitchen
set, TVs, etc to be officially given to the community of the CePeTri under the spots and flashes of
the television cameras.
ST. THOMAS PROVINCE – ASIA
Saint Thomas – Asian Province - Provincial Administration – Lahore – Pakistan
Father Lievens Region – India
News from Tamil Nadu, Sivagangai, South India
The start of the Advent Season brought a smile on our face. It was a real blessing this year as we
got a lot of rain in our Tamil Nadu. On the 8th December 2010, Rev. Bro. Isidore Kiro arrived
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safely in our home. It was his second visit to our community. From now on he is our new
Regional Superior, so therefore, he was happy to see us. On the 10th December Rev. Bro. Dr.
René Stockman, the Superior General arrived and he was given a warm welcome. On the same
day Rev. Bro. Ambrose Tirkey arrived in our midst. On the 11th December 2010, Bro. Ambrose
Tirkey and Bro. Yashwant expressed their final commitment in the presence of our General
Superior. Our Bishop J. Soosai Manickam, blessed the Brothers and 15 other priests, sisters,
brothers and also thepPeople of our parish assisted in the celebration. They all left on the 14th
December 2010. It was really wonderful that they were with us. The Christmas celebration went
very well and sometimes it was raining very much. We wish you a happy Christmas and a
Blessed New Year 2011.
The Blessed Alphonsa Community - 182, Kanke Road, Ranchi
On the 5th December 2010, Bro. George arrived from Sri Lanka. The community of Param Mitra
Sadan warmly welcomed him. He was very happy to see us back after such a long time.
On the 7th December 2010, four M. Sc. final year nursing students from the indoor nursing
university came to Param Mitra Sadan for one day internship. On the 8th December another five
1st years M. Sc nursing students came to P.M.S for one day internship.
On the 12th December, four brothers went to Namkum for a brotherly Christmas gathering and
recollection. Brothers from all the religious congregations of Ranchi came to Namkum. It was
really a great opportunity to pray, see and chat with many brothers of different congregations. On
the 13th December, four brothers’ students of international health care and special education
arrived in P.M.S. from Maria Aalter, Belgium. The following day they departed for a home visit.
On the 28th December, they returned back and they left P.M.S. for Delhi and Belgium on the 30th
December 2010. On the 13th December, there was also the birthday anniversary of Bro. Praful
Surin. So, the community of St. Alphonsa invited all the communities of the Brothers of Charity
of Ranchi to take part in the birthday celebration.
On the 15th December, there was a special welcoming program of the new Regional Superior and
two newly final professed brothers, Bro. Yaswant and Bro. Ambrose. The community of St.
Alphonsa heartily welcomed them with singing and dancing from the gate to the recreation room
for the reception. The final profession was being held in Tamilnadu (South India) on the 11th
December. It was a pity that the family members and relatives of Bro. Ambrose couldn’t join the
precious ceremony in Tamilnadu due to late reserving train tickets. On the 28th December, five
brothers went to Bro. Yaswant’s house in Chatisgarh to take part in the thanksgiving ceremony. It
was a long journey for the brothers from Ranchi to Chatisgarh. The people were very happy to
receive us there. The same day four brothers went to Bakrakona, the house of Bro. Ambrose to
join the thanksgiving ceremony there. On the 24th December Bro. Anuranjit came from Belgium
and went home for a home visit on the 27th December.
On the 25th December, brothers and workers from all the communities of Ranchi gathered in
P.M.S. for a Christmas celebration. There was a big party and a presentation of Christmas gifts.
At New Years Eve, all brothers waited until 00:01 to wish each other a happy New Year 2011.
The next day two communities came together to celebrate New Year in P.M.S. Some brothers
with residents of P.M.S went for a walk to the Sindhu Khanu Park. There was also a small New
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Year celebration party. We all wish you a very happy New Year 2011. May the good Lord bless
us with happiness and good health.
Pradeep_lomga@yahoo.com
Triest (Formation) House Ranchi
Bro. Praween left for the Philippines to attend the 1st Asian regional superiors and formators
meeting on the 14th of November. He came back on the 2nd of December. On the 3rd of
December, the feast of St. Francis Xavier, Patron Saint of the Jesuits, we joined in the evening
celebration at the St. Xavier’s community in Ranchi. On the 10th of December, Bro. Ambrose left
to South India for his final religious commitment. It took place on the 11th of December in the
presence of the Superior General, Rev. Bro. René Stockman and the new Regional Superior, Bro.
Isidore Kiro. On the 15th of December they came back to Ranchi with Bro. Isidore and Bro.
Yashwant.
We stopped our lessons on the 17th of December and the same day Bro. Ambrose went home for
the preparation of a thanksgiving Mass. He came back on the 22nd of December. On the 22nd of
December all of us participated in the Christmas gathering celebration in Simalia. We went to the
Vigil Mass in St. Anne’s Provincialate. After the Mass we had a short entertainment. On the 25th
December we had a fraternal dinner in St. Alphonsa Community. As it is our tradition it
expresses a sign of unity. On the 26th December our postulants and candidates together with Bro.
Ambrose went for the family visit. Bro. Praween and our cook Mr. Bulkan stayed in the
community. On the 28th December our Regional Superior Bro. Isidore, Bro. Praween, Bro.
Subodh, Bro. Dayal, Bro. Alphonse (Binay) and the candidates Rohit and Praveen went to
Bakrakona to participate in a thanksgiving Mass and in the Inauguration of St. Francis of Assisi
Ashram. Our Regional Superior gave a short speech, a short history of our hermitage. How we
started our hermitage.
On the 1st of January 2011 Bro. Praween and the cook, Mr. Bulkan went to Param Mitra Sadan to
celebrate New Year. Some brothers and our best friends went for a walk in the park. After
coming back we shared our meal. On the 4th of January Bro. Ambrose came back to Ranchi. We
started our lessons again from the 10th of January. We wish you all the best in New Year. May
God always bless you.
Bro. Ambrose Tirkey - am_brose3@yahoo.com
Blessed-Joseph Vaz Region – Sri Lanka
Regio Rama Sandjaja – Indonesia
On December 14, Bro. Florianus Sugiarto of Wonosobo community was admitted to the ‘Panti
Rapih Hospital’ in Yogyakarta due to a minor stroke that he suffered from. After several days, he
was discharged from the hospital and his condition is much better now. On December 19, our
eldest brother in the region of Indonesia, Bro. Sebastianus Klima passed away in our community
of Purworejo at the age of 81. Bro. Sebastianus was actually one of the first Indonesian Brothers
of Charity who joined our Congregation in Purwokerto in the year 1955. Throughout his life, he
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dedicated himself as a talented cook in various communities of our region. His funeral mass took
place on December 20 at the parish church of Purworejo. Let us pray for the eternal repose of his
soul in the Lord’s peace. For those who are interested to see his funeral photos, please click the
following link: http://caritasindonesia.blogspot.com/2010/12/bro-sebastianus-klimo-fc.html.
After some delay for his departure from Belgium to Indonesia due to severe weather in Belgium,
finally on December 24 morning time, Brother John Ganti arrived safe and sound in Yogyakarta,
although his luggage was not arriving on time. On December 26, all the brothers of the
community of St Paul, Nandan, Yogyakarta, took part in a family visit to the house of Bro.
Aloysius Saptana. They celebrated together the 86th birthday of Bro. Aloysius’ mother, Mrs.
Theresia Sridadi Suratiyo, together with his family relatives. As many as two hundred people
took part in the thanksgiving mass and the reception to mark the event. Mrs. Suratiyo gave some
donation for our community of Nandan.
On December 27, a reunion of the initial formation class of 2001 was held in Klaten, Central
Java. Bro. Patricius Kurniawan joined in together with his former fellow classmates of as many
as six religious congregations. On December 30, we organized an annual meeting of our
Indonesian confreres at our community of Wonosobo. The main topic of our meeting was
actually a follow-up of the recent formators meeting held in the Philippines about our new
formation program and the vocation animation program of our Congregation. During the
meeting, a new formation team of our region was established, consisting of five brothers with the
following functions: Bro. Thomas Prasetyo as our regional formation team coordinator; Bro.
Leonardus Paimin as our regional coordinator for vocation animation; Bros. Patricius Kurniawan,
Gerardus Ridwanto and Martin Mardimpos as formation team members.
After spending about two weeks holidays in his home island of Flores, our junior Bro. Peter Wadi
returned back safe and sound to Belgium on January 2 in order to continue his studies at the IICT.
From January 2 to 8, Brother Patricius Kurniawan did his personal retreat at Our Lady of the
Sacred Heart Retreat House in Parakan. The theme of his retreat was “Discovering the virtues of
Our Founder in the light of the Vincentian Spirituality”.
Correspondents: Bro. Thomas Prasetyo; Bro. Yoanes Suhakto; Bro. Martin Mardimpos; Bro.
Peter Wadi; Bro. John Ganti; Bro. Gerardus Ridwanto; Bro. Patricius Kurniawan
Sacred Heart Region – Philippines/Japan and Vietnam
Holy Face News - Tabaco City, Albay
What a year it was! The ‘Holy Face project’ faced the highest challenge in the previous year. We
pray that this year, the year of the Rabbit according to Chinese astrologers, should bring peace
and stability to us all while the Center is continuously progressing.
The year – ender was a memorable one. Holy Face annually celebrates the ‘Meaningful Day’
always in the month of December. It is called so because this Christmas celebration brings sense
and hope to patients and their families. It is the month of sharing unconditional love responding
to the love of Christ born in this time of the year. Despite challenges, difficulties and pain, the
joyous celebration went ahead. The usual program of songs and dances was presented and the
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festive mood remained intact in the celebration. Parents, facilitators, family support groups,
Brothers and co–workers all were one in this joyous affair.
The nursing department of the Bicol University Polangui Campus (BUPC) actively participated.
The nursing students and their mentors contributed in singing and dancing. The BUPC nursing
department has a standing ‘Memorandum of Agreement’ with Holy Face as these students need
to be exposed and experienced in the real life programs of persons with psychosocial disabilities.
Later on this year the Acquinas University nursing department will also send student nurses for
the same purpose. A memorandum of agreement has already been signed by the Holy Face and
the Acquinas University dean of the department of nursing.
Part of the end–year activity was the ‘soul care’ program for the families of the patients. Some of
the mental health program facilitators also participated in this one day recollection which was
given by Bro. Vic. The spiritual activity focused on the family with the theme: ‘Doing, Believing
and Feeling God’s Love’, a theme very appropriate for this season of love and sharing. The group
watched a film about family conflicts in a Philippine setting. There was also the sharing of
problems in groups facilitated by Chona, Lala, Norma and Jessa. It was an emotional adventure
for the participants as they told their own stories and shared their own burdens with others.
Afterwards everyone felt a relief as they unburdened themselves and experienced that they were
not alone in their difficult journeys. God is always there.
May God give us the strength and inspiration we need to continue the work and face the
difficulties that go together with our work. Happy New Year to all!
Bro. Victor Manuel
Fatima News - Tabaco City, Albay
Bro. Nathan and Bro. Vic went home for vacation. Spending quality time with families can be
therapeutic. Bro. Nathan had to travel several miles to reach home. Bro. Vic visited a good friend
up to the north and then joined his family during the New Year’s celebration. Bro. Andy stayed in
the community during the holidays nursing his injured left arm that was debilitated partially due
to a car accident that happened last December 21. He was taking it up easily and he is slowly
recuperating. No matter how prudent and careful people can be an accident just happens
inevitably.
One of the challenges of a small community is to life together in maturity. The apostolate has
never been put into second place with the full time involvement of the Brothers taking care for
persons with psychosocial disabilities. Taking part in the different night shifts has become a daily
life for the Brothers not under obligation to do so, but to be visible and present for the patients in
reassuring them that the Brothers are taking care for them.
With the coming of 2011 we pray the Spirit that He moves us on towards unconditional love and
service for the poor. Luckily, the Brothers found allies with the good Tabaco Mayor Krisel
Lagman – Luistro and with the Tiwi Mayor Jaime Villanueva in the pursuit of quality mental
health care for the people of Albay. Happy New Year to All!
Bro. Victor Manuel
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Andre Phu Yen and Lavang Communities - Vietnam
From November to December two Brothers from our communities went to the Philippines for the
formation meeting, Bro. Dominic and Bro. Nicola. They said that the meeting was very good and
meaningful for them as formators in Vietnam. They also visited the different communities. It was
a nice experience.
From the 7th to the 9th December Bro. Dominic our Superior and an aspirant went to Can Tho in
the south-end of Vietnam for recruitment. There is a possibility to get candidates there. They met
some priests and sisters who were willing to help us to introduce our congregation to youngsters
who seem interested in religious life.
We congratulated Bro. Nicola as he passed the exams to enter the university. We were very
happy. He will study to become a social worker. It is 4 years to get the diploma. Bro. Ignasio is
going to finish his studies on traditional medicine. For his free time he also takes English lessons
in the university for 4 years to get a bachelor degree.
On the 10th of December we welcomed the 3 young brothers from Belgium after their long
professional studies there. After the meal in the community they went to visit their family for a
week. Bro. Joseph Son will work in the HIV center and Bro. Francis Tinh in the blind center.
Before Christmas, the Andre Phu Yen community was very busy helping to decorate the parish
nearby our community with Christmas lights. As usual in the evening of the 24th of December all
of us went to the mass. After mass we came together wishing each other a good Christmas and
sharing our special feelings. In the Lavang community they had Christmas feast with the
Dominican Sisters who are our neighbors. On the 25th our two communities came together to
celebrate together in the Lavang community in the presence of Brother Joel. We had a meal and
sang many Christmas carols. We danced and exchanged Christmas gifts. It was a nice day for all
of us.
On the 28th December, the foundation day of our congregation, the two communities came
together in the Lavang community. They organized a kind of competition on the knowledge of
the history of our congregation. It was very exciting because all of us participated. Afterwards we
played football and had our prayer together.
The Brothers also need regularly spiritual fruit. So we went for a retreat in the abbey of the
Benedict Sisters from the 2nd to the 4th of January 2011. The first day our speaker was professor
Tuan who spoke about the history of Vietnam based on Eastern Philosophy and Spirituality of the
Religions. The second day was a silence day. We had time for God and for God alone. The last
day we had a meeting to orientate and update our spirituality about the Brothers of Charity in
Vietnam.
Bro. Ignasio Vu Sang - ignasiovu@yahoo.com
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ST. BENEDICT PROVINCE – EUROPE
Provincial Administration – Moerzeke – België
Again we showered one another with many beautiful wishes. Yes, 2011 is launched under God's
blessing and we all continue to get involved in the great movement of Caritas around the world.
A big thank you is suitable here for all the encouraging and friendly wishes!
Meanwhile, the new regional leader of the St. Mary’s region, Bro. Jos Mathijssen (December 16
this year) started well. The regional council is reconstituted and a series of regional councils have
already taken place. Also at the provincial level, the provincial councils can be held again.
On Friday, February 4th and Saturday, the 5th, the European Committee “Identity” will meet in
the community of St. Eduardus in Merksem (Belgium). Among other subjects we will share
about what has been done around this theme in the different regions during last period. Besides
mutual encouragement we will also study what may be undertaken jointly in the future.
And so we move further on into the new year hoping for each one of us that all the stars of
goodness, happiness and deep joy continue to shine in 2011.
Bro. Luc Maes, prov. Superior
Bro. Jef De Wit, prov. secretary
Saint Joseph Region – Ireland and United Kingdom
St. Mary’s Region – Netherlands
Nomination of the New Regional Superior: On December 16th Bro. Jos Mathijssen was nominated
as the new Regional Superior of St. Mary’s Region. The nomination took place during the
Eucharist at the Brothers House in Eikenburg. Afterwards there was an opportunity to meet with
a communal meal for all the Dutch brothers and associate members.
Deceased: On December 16th Bro. Sjef Spijkers died suddenly in the community in Roermond.
The day before he celebrated his 85th birthday in the presence of his family, friends and brothers.
The announcement of his death mentioned: “If you let go, you have both hands free”. This text
had apparently a strong significance for Bro. Sjef. The funeral service was held in the chapel of
Eikenburg in Eindhoven. Bro. Sjef was buried in the monastery cemetery of Eikenburg.
Donations: The parents of the baptised in the Petrus parish in Eindhoven in late December
donated a sum for the missions of the Brothers of Charity. The same did a card club from
Oirschot. The brothers are grateful for these gifts and are looking to find a good use.
Christmas Meetings at Eikenburg: The annual Christmas meeting in the ‘Pannenhoef’ (day care
centre for people with a mental disability) was again a success. The celebration in the chapel, led
by Pastor Werner vd Wal was attractive and impressive. Afterwards everyone had a snack. Also,
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brothers, staff and volunteers attended the Christmas gathering. During this meeting, they said
goodbye to Thea Friedrich and Maria van de Ligt, both of the housekeeping department. In
particular, Thea has worked many years at the Provincialate.
Region Netherlands: Brothers Wout Lips and Toon van Bergen moved to the community of
Roermond in early January. They are going to try together with the resident brothers to start a
new ministry and Bro. Wout assumes the ultimate responsibility.
Sick: Bro. Kees Korthout was briefly hospitalized in Leiden. He received treatment for his
dyspnea. We wish him much strength.
Three Kings Celebration: Residents and staff of the ‘Broederhuis’ (Brothers House) in Eikenburg
celebrated the Three Kings with the theme: "Which is your star that you follow this year." The
brothers of the Provincialate were invited to this meeting.
Regional Council: Bro. Piet Mommen was nominated as member of the Regional Council
Bro. Jos Mathijssen – Regional Superior
Saint Vincent’s Region – Belgium/België/Belgique – Rumania – Ukraine
Personnel: Since last time, some of our brothers moved to one of our nursing homes: Bro.
Gustave Goverde to Zelzate, Bro. Adrien Devos to Beernem, Bro. Joseph Carlens to Beernem.
Bro. Johan Van Raemdonck left for Burundi on 03 October in order to start an apostolate in
Gitega. For the moment he is still part of our region. Bro. Anton van Bergen will assume office in
Roermond. He spent some time with us at Our Lady of the Throne in Vorselaar but as member of
St. Mary’s Region.
Since November 1st, Joseph Deepak Mehra started as candidate. He will follow for one year a
program in several of our communities to experience the life as a Brother of Charity. He is
currently a guest in our community in Leuven.
Didier Moray left our congregation on December 1st.
Emile Brasseur, Josette Destree, Gaspard Musabyimana, Albert Nsanze Hubin and Janine did
their promise as an associate member on November 13th in Jambes. The region has for the
moment 75 associate members and 152 Brothers.
Unaccompanied Minors: Jonah. We just started in Knesselare a welcoming project for
‘unaccompanied minors, seeking asylum’. The intention is to welcome 20 youngsters in the
coming weeks. Currently there are already six people, by early January 2011 we could work at
full occupancy. The Sisters of the Childhood of Jesus’ convent in Eeklo has also offered to give
shelter to a group of asylum seekers. From January 2011 youngsters will find a home again.
There is room for 30.
We chose the biblical name ‘Jonah’ for this initiative. The meaning of the name 'Jonah' is
'pigeon'. The youngsters are arriving like pigeons in our country, stranding here, far away from
their familiar surroundings, stopping to wander, fleeing, ... To these youngsters, we offer an
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asylum, a home where they can regain strength and find power for their wings to reach out for
new horizons, to a new future.
The story itself deals with the themes of the multicultural existence. Everyone is entitled to a
dignified existence, everyone is entitled to salvation. We like to welcome young people from
everywhere, with their own background, their own religious tradition, and we want to guide them
to a new future.
Aartrijke and Handzame. Recently, two facilities for people with a mental disability have been
acquired from the Sisters of Charity of Kortemark. These are two facilities where adult men and
women have been given a home and for whom the care demand is very high. Handzame is a
provision of 60 beds and Aartrijke has a recognition for 120 beds and 10 places as day care.
Ziekeren and Sancta Maria in St. Truiden. The two psychiatric hospitals will combine into one
non-profit organization for which we chose a mixed government wherein the Brothers of Charity
have a majority. The cooperation has been running for some time and the hospitals will formally
be brought together from January 1, 2011.
(Source : Recent News)
ROMA ON LINE
Casa Generalizia dei Fratelli della Carità
Via Giambattista Pagano 35, I-00167 Roma, Italia
Phone: *39-06-660.49.01; Fax: *39-06-663.14.66
Email: aime.peirsman@tin.it or aime.peirsman.fc@fracarita.org
Web-site: www.brothersofcharity.org
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