Autumn/Winter 2018 - Mill Hill Missionaries
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Autumn/Winter 2018
The
General
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2
Contents
Page 5 Celebrating Uganda Martyrs Day
Page 8 Crisis in Cameroon
Page 11 Herbert Vaughan –
Editorial
Communicator
Page 14 Mission in India
Page 16 Sango Matthias
Fr. Bill Tollan, mhm,
Page 18 Second World Day of the Poor Editor
Page 19 The Reality of World Poverty
Page 20 We Have Only Five Loaves
Page 21 Mill Hill News
Page 22 Share the Journey
“I am a mission on
Page 25 World Meeting of Families
Page 28 Coming Events; Silver Circle
earth; that is the
Page 30 Obituaries
reason why I am
Acknowledgments here in this world.”
Contributors:
Fr J.P. Bangsi mhm Evangelii Gaudium, 273
Fr Francis Makuba mhm
Fr Bernard Fox mhm
Fergal Martin
“Please, may I have a penny for the black
babies?” Many of us older people will
Photo Credits: remember often making such a request
Main photos - MHM archives
of our parents. Without fully realising
Cover photos: it we were fulfilling our missionary
Front: Filipino MHM Fr Edson vocation. Vaguely we understood
with children and donkey, that our pennies would contribute to
Sindh, Pakistan. spreading the Good News in faraway
Back: Fishing boat, Philippines. lands, and help to build up the Church
St. Joseph’s Advocate in Africa and elsewhere. Our Catholic
is the magazine of the Mill Hill Missionaries in primary schools were taking part in the
Scotland, published from St. Joseph’s House, Holy Father’s missionary organization
30 Lourdes Avenue, Cardonald, Glasgow G52 3QU.
Tel: 0141 883 0139. for children – ‘The Pontifical Missionary
Email: tollanmhm@yahoo.co.uk
Childhood Association’, which this year
Registered Charity Number: SCO39809
Produced by:
celebrates its 175th anniversary. We
Burns Print Management Ltd., were also encouraged to pray for ‘the
Caledonia Business Centre,
Thornliebank Industrial Estate, Glasgow G46 8JT
missions’, and to perform ‘small daily
Tel: 07799 645 420 gestures of love and service’.
Email: frank.burns@burnsprintmgt.co.uk
This year’s message for World Mission
Day (October 21st) is addressed
3
particularly to young people, inspiring witnesses testified to the
encouraging them to ‘bring the vibrancy of their Catholic Faith.
Gospel to all.’ Also in October Pope Francis writes of ‘the varied
is the Synod of Bishops – to be expressions of missionary service.’
held in Rome – which will be He has a particular concern for
devoted to young people, and will immigrants and refugees – seen
hopefully spur the whole Church by so many in the West as only
to a new sense of ‘mission.’ ‘problems.’ Our MHM’s in the
In his Apostolic Exhortation Netherlands offer a more Christ-
‘The Joy of the Gospel’ Pope like response to these people in
Francis writes of mission as the their time of need.
very reason for our life on earth. At the end of his Mission Sunday
Especially when we are young we message Pope Francis repeats an
experience two movements in our appeal he made earlier this year to
hearts: ‘to be attracted’, and ‘to be young people in Chile: “No one is
sent’. These are the movements of so poor as to be unable to give what
love that hold out promise for the they have, but first and foremost
future, and give direction to our what they are… Never think that
lives. “The Church can share with you have nothing to offer, or that
you young people the way and nobody needs you. Many people
truth which give meaning to our need you. Think about it! Each of
life on this earth.” In Jesus we find you, think in your heart: many
the treasure that fills life with joy. people need me.”
In this edition of the Advocate
we can read of our young African
MHM’s as they follow in the
missionary footsteps of their
European and American elders.
We read also of the teenage boys
numbered among the heroic
Uganda Martyrs. The young
can find inspiration in the
lives of people like
Matthias Efiem, catechist
in Cameroon, and
Herbert Vaughan, ‘the
shy communicator.’
Fr Bernard Fox writes
about the World
Meeting of Families
where many other
4
Celebrating
Uganda
Martys
Day
5
An estimated two million people to death on the orders of the King of
took part in this year’s celebrations Buganda, Kabaka Mwanga II for
of the Uganda Martyrs, which their refusal to accept his sexual
climaxed at the Martyrs’ Shrine at advances and denounce their
Namugongo, near Kampala, on June Christian faith. Joseph Mkasa was
3d. Hundreds of thousands of people the leader of the King’s page-boys;
had set out many days before from he was a Catholic and a catechist.
all corners of Uganda, and beyond, For resisting the King he was
to reach the Shrine for the big day. beheaded on 15th November 1885.
Our MHM’s in the parish of Mbikko, Charles Lwanga was the first to be
near Jinja, provided overnight burned to death, on June 3d 1886.
accommodation, food and drink for Altogether 22 Catholics and 24
thousands of weary pilgrims en route Anglicans or Protestants were killed.
to Namugongo. This year they also honoured the
They gathered to honour and draw two catechists from Gulu, in
inspiration from these heroic Northern Uganda, who were
martyrs most of whom were burned martyred for evangelizing their
Journey of MHM pioneers.
6
relatives; these young men were
killed in October 1918. Blessed
Daudi Okelo and Blessed Jildo Irwa
were beatified by Pope John Paul II.
Starting on 26th May pilgrims
began to throng the shrine at
Munyono, the place where St Denis
Ssebuggwawo, St Andrew Kaggwa,
and St Pontianus Ngondwe were
killed on that date. From there
Martys Shrine.
pilgrims joined a 10 kilometre ‘Walk
of Faith’ to the parish of St Matthias
Mulumba. On the way they made The first group of Mill Hill
stopovers for prayers at strategic Missionaries arrived in Kampala in
spots where some of the other 1895, having walked all the way
martyrs were killed. The last stage from Mombasa on the coast, just
was to the great Shrine-Basilica at nine years after the ‘fires of
Namugongo. Namugongo’ were lit.
Mbikko stopover night for pilgrims.
7
CRISIS IN
CAMEROON
On 20th July 2018 Fr Alexander Sob Nougi, a parish priest in the Diocese of
Buea, Cameroon, who was also the diocesan education secretary, was shot
dead on his way from Buea to the town of Muyuka which is 25 kms away.
Some say he was intentionally over 40,000 people fleeing their
targeted, others that he was simply homes and taking refuge in
hit by a stray bullet in a clash between neighbouring Nigeria. (A World
the military and separatists who seek Council of Churches report says as
independence for the English- many as 160,000 civilians have been
speaking part of Cameroon. Bishop displaced.) The official United Nations
Immanuel Bushu of Buea insists the refugee agency has offered some
killing was deliberate, not accidental. limited assistance to some of the
Sr Hedwig Vinyo, a Cameroonian refugees, but the majority have
Franciscan Sister, wrote earlier about received no such help – and it is to
this escalating conflict that has led to these that the Sisters have directed
Bishop Nkea surveys the destruction.
8
their efforts. A team of
Cameroonian Franciscan Sisters
has been providing food,
clothing, and medical assistance.
As in so many conflicts, violence
disproportionately affects women
and children; they become
especially vulnerable when law
and order break down. Many of
the refugees are pregnant and
require special help. The refugee
camps are widely scattered, so the
Sisters have difficulty in getting
from one camp to the next. At great
expense they have to hire a minibus
to carry medicines and clothes.
They then spend three days,
Fr Alexander Sob Nougi.
working from early morning until
9.30 p.m., before moving on to the
next camp. certain degree of autonomy was
Cameroon is rarely mentioned in guaranteed. The inherited (British)
the media here in Britain – partly education and judicial systems were
because on the whole the country has to be preserved; the new country was
enjoyed peace. Some years ago the to be officially bilingual, with the
national team did well in the world English language to be used in the
cup, and this made many people Anglophone Provinces in schools,
aware of this West African country for civil administration, and courts.
the first time. Otherwise, the British Between October and December
media generally ignore news from 2016 English-speaking lawyers,
this part of the world. When, earlier teachers, and students staged peaceful
this year, I wrote a long letter to our demonstrations protesting against
local (SNP) MP about the deteriorating the central government’s erosion of
situation in the country, it was not their rights and traditions. Security
even acknowledged! Why should we forces responded to the protests with
in Britain be concerned? violence – arresting hundreds of
The modern Republic of Cameroon demonstrators, including children,
was formed when French- wounding many, and killing at least
administered Cameroun was joined four. In early 2017 the government
with British-administered Southern negotiated with the lawyers’ and
Cameroon and became an teachers’ unions, and claimed to have
independent Federal Republic in agreed to their demands. Then many
1960. Anglophone Cameroon forms of the prominent Anglophone
about one eighth of the whole negotiators were arrested, and the
country and about 20% of the repression intensified. More extremist
population ; at independence a elements then were emboldened to
9
screaming. And then,
smoke billowed into the
atmosphere. Then I saw
villagers running into
the forest, and I followed
them. My neighbour
told me that my house
had been burned and
my son shot by the
soldiers. I strapped my
baby on my back and
A victim of the violence. we trekked in the forest
for two days. I have
nothing but the
form armed groups, attack the forces clothing I’m now wearing.” Another
of law and order, and advocate victim of violence spoke of how the
complete independence for soldiers came to the house he had
Anglophone Cameroon; the two taken ten years to build. “They came
anglophone provinces were to create and burned our compound.
the new country of ‘Ambazonia’. Everything was burned. Now I live in
These extremists have also attacked misery. I am lost. I have no job, no
those who are thought not to be money, no house, no food, no
cooperating with their aims. As a clothing.”
result, schools have been forcibly The Catholic Bishops have appealed
closed; one priest-headmaster was
for all sides in the conflict to lay down
kidnapped and released only when
their arms to avoid the country
the school was closed. Traders,
sliding into all-out civil war. “We, the
shopkeepers, taxi and bus operators,
Bishops of Cameroon, believe there is
live in fear of the insurgents;
businesses have closed-down, social urgent need for mediation as a way of
life greatly restricted. getting out of the crisis. Let us stop all
Harrowing stories have emerged of forms of violence, and let us stop
the suffering of the ordinary people. killing each other.” Cardinal Christian
Peter Nde described how he fled his Tumi, the greatly-respected retired
village after soldiers stormed the area. Archbishop of Douala, appealed for
“I ran into the forest. When they left, dialogue,. “As long as there is no
I came back and my house had been dialogue, the crisis will continue.”
burned. I lost everything: money, a The Cardinal has been an outspoken
generator, and chemicals I had bought critic of President Biya and his
to treat my cocoa farm…everything is government. Biya has been in power
gone.” Rebecca Ngonde described since 1982 and has announced that
how she had gone to her farm to he will be running for a seventh term
harvest cassava. “Then I heard in presidential elections to be held on
gunshots in the village and people October 7th 2018.
10Herbert
Vaughan
The shy,
gifted
communicator
by Fergal Martin
In the timid, intelligent eyes
of a rather tall, handsome
and rather stiff-looking
Victorian clergyman, I see
determination. Yet these are
the eyes of someone who
longed to be a missionary all
his life but ended his long
and furiously energetic life as
Cardinal Archbishop of and his entire life was marked by
Westminster from 1892 to 1903. unstable health due to a weak heart.
These are the eyes of the person who He was painfully shy and upset
founded the organisation I work for colleagues and contemporaries with
150 years later - the CTS. his apparent brusqueness. He was a
Herbert Vaughan renounced a genuinely pious and holy man,
considerable inheritance and a warm, spending two hours a day in prayer,
loving family to pursue his vocation and was painfully aware of his many
as a priest. From a wealthy, established faults.
Catholic family that survived penal He learnt his faith from his mother.
times, he was the eldest of 13 siblings Missionary life fascinated him from
11an early age - he was overcome with found his great mission for life.
the impulse to bring the good news But he was a marked man. At only
of the gospel to those who were 40 he was made Bishop of Salford,
entitled to hear it. where he remained for 20 years,
He was schooled by the Jesuits and founding the Children’s Rescue
Benedictines and enjoyed a long Society and countless similar
association with the Carmelites. He initiatives.
was a man of the Victorian age, with Just a few years earlier he founded
a broad international view developed the Catholic Truth Society, which
by travel. became known as “the CTS” and
Vaughan, it seems, was never a continues to this day as an active
parish priest or even a curate and publishing charity. It began as a small
after training for the priesthood in pamphleteering outfit, inspired by
Rome became vice-rector at the new seeing the power of the Protestant
seminary at Ware, where he was printing press in America.
popular and spent time investigating Vaughan went directly to his
priestly training. audience in the parish churches
He co-founded a missionary society throughout the country and the
of diocesan priests, the Oblates of St “CTS boxtender” was born - laypeople
Charles, and a new missionary order, with a small, portable wooden box
the Mill Hill Missionaries. He opened up to display and sell
absorbed himself in his first love - halfpenny booklets to educate and
evangelisation- and the order grew support the faithful.
and prospered under his care. He had Vaughan’s CTS produced thousands
of inexpensive, accessible
and popular
tracts that put
Catholicism
back in the
frame. They
were a source
of knowledge,
spiritual food,
catechesis and
n o v e l t y .
Catholics at last
b e l o n g e d .
Readership
boomed between
the 1920s and
1940s as two
12horrific wars took their ghastly toll was no way out, at the age of 60, he
on the human spirit and psyche. threw himself into the role with all
CTS’s benchmark was the best his energy, despite increasing illness.
authors writing on the things that As a great fundraiser, he was able to
mattered. Readers were encouraged build Westminster Cathedral,
to leave the publications on buses, surprising everyone by the sheer size
park benches and train seats after of the project. He wanted to put
reading them. The movement’s army Catholicism back on the map and to
then was, as it remains today, a inspire and encourage his flock after
combination of readers who could centuries of being forced into the
buy CTS booklet very cheaply and shadows - as Christ had been.
donors who gave generously to He died at Mill Hill among his
support the mission to evangelise. missionary order confreres on June
There are now 7,000 booklets in 19 1903 at the age of 71 and the first
CTS’s archive. Those I have read all liturgy in the almost-finished
whisper the same forceful truth, that cathedral was his own requiem.
God loves each of us deeply and On CTS’s 150th birthday this year,
without reserve, no matter who we we should all be grateful to Herbert
are or what we have done. Jesus Vaughan for his impulse to
demonstrates that all forms of death evangelise, his commitment to the
have been conquered by his passion truth and his life of love and service.
and resurrection. There is nothing to A recent CTS research project
fear in this life. among London University students
Vaughan bought the Tablet and revealed that one key question
was at the heart of Catholic persists in an age where we are
communications, writing and editing drowned in information - what is the
long into the night. His motto was purpose of my existence? Who will
that the truth must be communicated provide them with a considered,
no matter how unpopular it might logical, accessible and truthful
seem. People may reject it, grapple answer?
with it or accept it, but they have the
right to hear it. He was fully engaged
in the political, social and Fergal Martin is the CTS General
ecclesiastical issues of his day and Secretary
was ready to modify his views where
he saw the truth was better served for For more information on the 150th
doing so. anniversary of the Catholic Truth Society
Then bad news came - a request visit onefifties.org or to purchase the set
from the Pope to become Archbishop of 25 limited edition onefifties titles
of Westminster. He begged to be (£30) drawn from the CTS archives go
excused but when he could see there to: www.onefifties.org/
13Mission
Fr John Paul Bangsi
mhm was recently
ordained priest and
in India is now working in
our mission in the
Philippines. He did
A Cameroonian part of his studies
for the missionary
Missionary’s priesthood in India,
Reflections and writes about his
five years experience
India has the second highest population of this fascinating
in the world (China has the highest.) It country.
is home to most of the world religions
like Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism,
Sikhism and Christianity. In some places
one can even spot Jewish synagogues.
All these great religions have their own
traditions and heritage; in addition
there are vast cultural variations from
one state to the next, from north to
south, and east to west, producing a
multicultural rainbow nation, and a
bewildering linguistic diversity.
Recent decades have seen rapid
economic development, but also a
growing divide between the extremely
rich and the extremely poor; there is
also a growing middle class. Along with
the increased wealth secularism and
materialism are gaining ground,
especially in the expanding urban areas.
Organized crime, vandalism,
prostitution, human trafficking, rape,
and other forms of exploitation are rife.
There is a lot of inter-state migration in
pursuit of jobs to uplift the family
situation. The caste system perpetuates
14the inequality as it pervades all
levels of Indian society. The
realities of violence, hedonism,
individualism, materialism
and poverty are striking at the
heart of India’s cultural and
religious character – affecting
individuals, families, and
society at large.
The political situation is
highly complex and enigmatic.
A wide range of ideologies are
on display in different states,
ranging from democracy,
J P Bangsi with friend.
indirect dictatorship, to
outright authoritarianism. Some
We must promote values that help unite
fundamentalists foster a theocratic
society and bring harmony in creation.
agenda, advocating that there should be
In this way we will realize a dialogue for
one religion (Hinduism) that will inform
life, sharing our joys and sorrow,
the legislative, executive and judicial
becoming thereby a dialogue of action.
wings of government. Little or no
Christ and his message remain unique
religious freedom would be allowed for
and universal, but the context in which
minorities and followers of other
they are presented must be respected.
religions.
The Indian context is a miniature of the
How does mission thrive in the face of
world at large. The Church and its
these cultural, economic, and religious
teachings are to be presented within
realities? How does one proclaim the
that context.
uniqueness of Christ amid such
diversity? The key is surely Fr Bangsi with some friendly Indian children.
being open to dialogue, and
the adoption of the spirituality
of presence. Dialogue needs to
take place with the prevailing
culture, with other religions,
and with the poor. The
‘preferential option for the
poor’ and the marginalized
can provide a bridge to peoples
with different beliefs. There
has to be an attitude of respect
and openness to all that is true
and holy in other religions.
15Sango Matthias, Catechist
a faithful messenger of the gospel
by Fr Bill Tollan mhm
The phenomenal growth in the Church in Africa in the last 100 years owes much to
the contribution of lay Catechists. In many places they were the first evangelizers
to their own people. One of these was Matthias Efiem who played such a vital
part in the foundation and flourishing of the Church in a large area of Cameroon.
I first arrived in Cameroon in 1970. Matthias Efiem grew up in Issangele, a
About a year later I was appointed to village in the coastal creeks – near the
teach in the Minor Seminary, but also to border with Nigeria. Cameroon had
be in charge of the Cathedral Parish in a become a German Colony in 1884.
place called Soppo. Since so much of my German Pallotine missionaries followed;
time was taken-up with the College, I one of their main centres was at
depended greatly on my catechists for Bonjongo on the slopes of Mount
the pastoral care of the parishioners, Cameroon where they built a Church, a
most of whom were workers on the school, and a house for the priests.
nearby tea-plantation. One of the Matthias, then a small boy, described
catechists was a small elderly man who the excitement of the arrival in his
lived with his wife Bertha in a little village of German soldiers – the first
house behind the Cathedral. He was white men they had ever seen. The
known as ‘Sango’ Matthias, ‘Sango’ village chief was told about the school
being a title of respect
for an elder. Often I
would sit on a bench
outside his front door
and he would tell me
stories from the past.
He was particularly
delighted that I was
from Scotland, from
Glasgow, as was
Mgr John Campling
who led the first group
of four MHM’s to
Cameroon in 1922.
Matthias Efiem had
welcomed them to
Soppo Parish Council, 1975: First on left, front row, a youthful
his country when Fr Bill Tollan; next to him, catechist Sango Matthias; fourth
they disembarked in from left, lay missionary Paul Wawszczyk - today a married
Bota. deacon in Lancaster.
16in Bonjongo, and encouraged to send laying them at the feet of the abandoned
some of the boys to be educated there. saint. He would say cheerily, “New time
Matthias was one of the chosen ones. no be old time, Father!”
He was given a pair of shorts and a shirt, Matthias was a valued member of the
and then with the others taken by canoe Parish Council. On one occasion he
along the coast and up the mountainside asked me if he could make a little speech
to the mission at Bonjongo. He was a at the end of the meeting. He began (in
keen learner, and the priests had hopes Pidgin): “My brothers and sisters, small
he might even go on to study for the time I go die!” He went on to make a few
priesthood. requests about his funeral, but first
Then came the first World War in 1914. about his concern for his wife, Bertha,
The French and the British took over who was about ten years younger. He
Kamerun, and all the Germans were was concerned that she should not be
expelled, including the missionaries. left destitute, but that we would help
Before leaving they put Matthias Efiem her to return to her own ‘country’ (tribal
in charge of the mission. Bonjongo was area) where her extended family would
in the British-administered part of the care for her in her old age. He then asked
country. There were a few other mission if he could be buried in a white alb, and
stations in the British zone, and alongside the priests and sisters who
altogether a few thousand Catholic
were buried behind the Cathedral. By
Christians. The British Administrator
this time we were all in tears, and only
was married to a French Catholic. He
too eager to assure Sango that his wishes
was frequently asked by the local people
would be respected.
when the priests would be returning.
‘Mami Bertha’ in earlier times had
This led to a request to Rome to send
been known as a rather ‘difficult’
Catholic missionaries. As a result,
Monsignor John Campling and three woman. Evidently there had been many
other mhms were appointed to take village rows involving her; she was
charge of the missions in ‘British known as a ‘kata-kata’ (trouble-making)
Cameroon’. They were met on arrival by woman. How ironic therefore that she
Sango Matthias, and introduced by him was the first to die…and of course Sango
to this country of great mountains, Matthias wanted his wife to be buried
rivers, and forests. alongside his own final resting-place.
Matthias spent the rest of his life His wish was granted. As we lowered her
spreading the Gospel, and living an coffin into the earth Matthias made a
exemplary life. He witnessed so many little speech in which he declared that
changes in his country and in the yes at times they had had their
Church, but remained cheerful and differences, but that he had never
positive. A previous parish priest had ‘re- allowed the sun to set without making
ordered’ the interior of the Cathedral peace. He then in a loud voice launched
church, and among other changes into a well-known final hymn. Tearfully,
banished a large statue of St Therese of the surrounding crowd joined the
Lisieux to a loft at the back of the singing as the grave was filled-in.
church. Frequently Sango was seen Not long afterwards Sango Matthias
gathering some fresh flowers, climbing fell ill, received the Sacraments, and
the steep staircase into the loft, and died. His memory and example live-on.
17To cry… to answer…
to free November 18, 2018
Second World Day of the Poor:
Pope Francis has written a letter for the
Second World Day of the poor. Quoting
Psalm 34, he explains three verbs used by
the Psalmist:
1.) To Cry: the poor cry out, their hearts
broken by sadness, loneliness, and
exclusion. Their dignity is trampled
upon, they are persecuted, victims of
injustice, intimidated by violence. Yet,
they look to the Lord for light and Living in the rubbish dump – Kinshasa, DRC
comfort.
2.) To Answer: the Lord hears the cry of acknowledging the cry of the poor, but
the poor, and rescues them in their rather to be able to bask in some ‘feel-
distress. The Bible recounts the history good’ factor. In the age of the ‘selfie’,
of salvation – how God has shown his concern is more about oneself than the
compassion and love for his people, person one is supposedly trying to help.
‘rescuing them from all distress.’ The Pope’s message encourages us to
3.) To Free: the poor of the Bible live with use this opportunity to get together, to
the certainty that God intervenes in pray together as a community, and
their favour to restore their dignity. perhaps even share a Sunday meal.
‘Poverty is not brought on by itself, Individuals, communities, parish
but is caused by selfishness, pride, associations, are asked to ‘make tangible
greed, and injustice.’ the Church’s response to the cry of the
The Holy Father encourages the faithful to poor.’ This can be a special moment of
‘hear the cry of the poor’ and to respond new evangelization. ‘The poor evangelise
in a practical and selfless way. Too often us, helping us to discover every day the
‘good deeds’ are performed without really beauty of the Gospel.’
Bishop Paride Taban, peace activist, emeritus Bishop of Yambio,
South Sudan (wearing blue T-shirt and shorts) with his people.
18The Reality of
World Poverty
According to UNICEF, 22,000 • In 2013, 389 million people were living on less
than $1.90 a day.
children die each day due • 815 million people don’t have enough to eat.
to poverty. And they die • 21% of live births (31 million) take place
quietly in some of the without the help of a skilled birth attendant…
resulting in the death of 303,000 mothers and
poorest villages on earth, 2.7 million newborns.
far removed from the • 36.7 million people are living with HIV/AIDS
-51% of them being women.
scrutiny and the conscience • 3 in 10 people (2.1 billion) have no access to a
of the world. Being meek safe water supply.
and weak in life makes • 6 in 10 people (4.5 billion) have no access to
managed sanitation.
these dying multitudes even • In the U.K. the average person uses 150 litres
more invisible in death. of water a day (including 50 litres for flushing
toilets)
• 1.8 billion people who have access to water
within one kilometre, but not in their house or
yard, use 20 litres a day.
• Millions of women and children spend several
hours a day collecting water.
• Each year 361,000 children under five die of
diarrhoea.
• Poor sanitation and contaminated water are
also linked to cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A,
and typhoid.
• Around 27-28 percent of all children in
developing countries (mainly in South Asia and
sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to be
underweight or stunted.
• Less than one per cent of what the world spent
every year on weapons was needed to put
every child into school by the year 2000, and
yet it didn’t happen.
• In 2005 the wealthiest 20% of the world
accounted for 76% of total private
consumption. The poorest just 1.5%.
19We have only five loaves
A Young Missionary reflects on his first five years of Ministry
Fr Francis Makuba mhm
Number five has very little special supporting one another, and serving
significance in the Bible, - but at least our people.
we can say it is half a decade. On May I’m grateful too to all the parish
11th 2018 I completed five years of leaders, led by Mrs Teresia Mwangangi,
my ministerial priesthood; however, I with whom I’ve worked. As a young
don’t forget that I have been a priest priest I received immense support and
from Baptism. I look back on these cooperation from them. We have
years with gratitude. I have received worked together in caring for and
joy and fulfilment in my ministry directing our parish community, and
since that Saturday on May 11th 2013 have come together every single day at
when I was ordained. 6.00 a.m. to pray for God’s protection
All this time I have served here at and guidance. It’s been my joy to see
St Joseph and Mary Parish, Shauri pastoral groups like the Catholic Men’s
Moyo, Nairobi, Kenya. I’m grateful to Association (CMA) and Middle Youth
my colleague and parish priest, Movement (secondary-school students
Fr Benny Quinto mhm, for helping me – MYM) come into existence. Prayer
to settle in my priestly ministry. He groups have also injected new life in
received me and directed me as a the parish. The youth group, with its
brother after my ordination. Along energy and vigour has continued to
with Fr John Baptist Tumusiime mhm, grow, and now animate one of the
who joined us two years ago, we have Sunday Masses. The parish
had a wonderful time together, community has continued to grow,
forcing us to expand the
Church hall, and increase
the number of Sunday
Masses from two to three.
We had 120
confirmations, and eight
weddings.
I join with the apostles
in the Gospel saying, “…
all that we have with us
is five loaves” (Matt.
14:18) – and leave it to
the Lord to work his
Fr Makuba with small Christian community. wonders.
20MILL HILL NEWS
Fr Gerry Hastie has recently completed his term of office as
Rector of our Formation House in Nairobi, Kenya. He is now
enjoying a well-earned sabbatical before he takes up his new
assignment as the Society’s Financial Secretary. He will be based
at the Society’s headquarters in Maidenhead.
South Sudan: There are renewed hopes that a peace settlement
will hold. The Churches, mainly Catholic and Anglican, in
the country are seen as providing the only credible and moral Fr Gerry Hastie.
authority. Our missionaries in Juba, the country’s capital, are
deeply involved in ministering to
their people but also in various
projects to improve their quality
of life.
China: Fr Michael Corcoran,
General Superior of the MHM’s
recently took part in a meeting in
Hong Kong of missionary leaders.
He was able to visit mainland
China where he met Bishop Gan
Fr Corcoran with Frs Michael Ochwo
and Emmanuel Omollo in Juba,
South Sudan.
of the Diocese of Guangzhou who
has been allowed to travel outside
the country on only two occasions.
His uncle is also a Bishop, now 88
years old; he is monitored 24 hours
by the authorities and confined to
his headquarters. Fr Corcoran with Bishop Gan.
South Africa: MHM’s work in two dioceses. When they began work in the diocese
of Kroonstad in 1998 there was only one indigenous diocesan priest. Thanks to a
drive to promote local vocations there are now nine diocesan priests.
MHM Ordinations: earlier this year four new MHM’s were ordained in
Cameroon, and one in the Congo.
21Caring for Migrants and Refugees
The international Parish of Christ Our Saviour in the Hague,
The Netherlands has devised a project of encounter with refugees.
Mill Hill Missionary Fr Sjaak de about an open, welcoming and
Boer has been Parish Priest of this involved basic attitude, or the
vibrant international parish for willingness to allow refugees to
some years. Parishioners have share in our own prosperity and
responded to the ‘Share the privileges. It is also about
Journey’ Campaign of Caritas protecting and promoting the
Internationalis, which aims to freedom of the guests (the refugees)
promote a ‘culture of encounter’ here, by helping them build a new
between migrants, refugees and life here, independently, based on
local communities. In his message their own talents and dreams.”
for this year’s World Day of Parishioners wanted to raise their
Migrants and Refugees, Pope voices against the increasing fear
Francis emphasises four verbs: and intolerance towards ‘the
Welcoming, Protecting, Promoting, refugee’ and ‘the stranger’ in
and Integrating. general. The parish embraces
One of the coordinators of the people of 95 nationalities, many of
parish project, Anthony them expatriates working in the
Heinsbroek, writes “The key word head offices of multinational
here is ‘hospitality’. It is not only companies, or in international
22organizations, or in embassies. have to go back to your own
‘Although often privileged in a country.”
material sense, they are familiar Refugees were made welcome by
with the feeling of strangeness and parishioners through a ‘Buddy
uprooting, and recognize the Project.’ They would be invited to
greater value of hospitality.’ More talk, to cook, to go on outings
than 1,000 people celebrate the together. The ‘buddy’ would
Eucharist in the Parish Church commit herself/himself to
every week, and there are almost spending at least two hours once
50 active work groups. every two weeks with the refugee.
Fr Sjaak and the parish deacon, Group outings were organized to
Paul Falke, called for volunteers for places of interest such as the Lower
the project. At a meeting, House of Parliament, a Museum, or
information about refugees was some historic building. There were
provided: what they had also international cooking
experienced in their own countries; evenings in the parish centre;
what they experienced on the road sharing a meal together is a very
as they tried to escape; what they important way of building bridges.
Parish of Our Lady of Fatima, Amsterdam.
expected on arrival in the Heinsbroek says the parishioners
Netherlands; and what they want to create a sanctuary in the
actually experienced. Constantly Catholic Church where refugees
they got the message, “You may can go whatever their cultural or
23religious background,
where they can really be
themselves, no strings
attached.” The whole
project is inspired by
Christian Faith, but the
refugees are free to pick
the fruits of that
inspiration in their own
way.
For many years many
Dutch Mill Hill
Missionaries, having
worked many years in
Africa, Asia, or Latin
Fr Jac Hetsen. America, have found a
new outlet for their
missionary zeal on
returning to their
homeland. Fr Sjaak
ministers to a
multinational
community. Others, such
as Fr Jac Hetsen (former
General Superior of the
MHM’s with experience of
mission in Uganda and
Brazil) minister to
particular immigrant
A bus outing. groups. Fr Jac is in charge
of a Portuguese-speaking
parish in Amsterdam, and
ministers to people from
Portugal, and other
Portuguese-speaking areas
such as Cape Verde. In
this way our ‘returned’
missionaries ‘share the
journey’ with exiles from
their homelands who
contribute so much to our
Western economy, but are
so often made to feel
Sharing a meal. unwelcome.
24World meeting of families
Dublin 22-26 Aug 2018
by Fr Bernard Fox mhm
The theme of the 2018 World Meeting still paying their workers less than £2 a
of Families in Dublin was “The Gospel day. In the UK alone there are currently
of the Family: Joy for the World.” over 13,000 modern day slaves! To
The aim this year was to deepen our combat this evil Pope Francis set up the
reflection on Pope Francis’s “The Joy of Santa Marta group, bringing together
Love.” At the Pastoral Congress (22- police forces and church leaders, using
24th August) I attended five of the key the Catholic Church’s vast outreach to
presentations, all inspired by the “Joy expose the culprits and identify the
of Love”. victims. In this he highlighted the
In the presentation on Human essential role being played by Religious
Trafficking Kevin Hyland OBE began Sisters.
by saying that human trafficking is With an appeal to the audience to
now worth $150 billion(second only to work to make businesses more
the arms trade) and involves child accountable, Hyland asked us to look
pimping, seafarers, factory and hotel at our mobile phones. An essential
workers. He singled out Sports Direct, element in the smart phone is coltan,
claiming that some of its suppliers were about 80% of which comes from the
Fr Bernard Fox at
the World Meeting
of Families.
25Democratic Republic of Congo. Much God but not always by Church people
of this is mined by children as young as or society.
7 years old. A similar thing is happening Fr Martin challenged us to examine
with regards to the clothes we buy; our consciences regarding our attitudes
many are made in sweatshops in places to LGBT people. Am I discriminating
like Bangladesh. So when we pick up in my heart, using double standards,
our £2 tee shirt in Primark we might for example saying no to gay couples
ask ourselves why it only costs £2! receiving Holy Communion but
We are all somehow complicit in having no problem with “straight”
human trafficking, which sins against couples also “living together” who
the dignity of children, women and come to receive the Sacrament?
men not only in faraway countries but Drawing parallels with how Jesus
also here in the UK. treated the Samaritan woman he met
at the well Fr Martin asked : Did Jesus
The place of gay Catholics tell her off and ask her to go to
in the Church today confession before engaging with her?
The second presentation was given by It is neither fair nor Christian to
the well-known American Jesuit, Fr reduce LGBT women or men to their
James Martin whose topic was sexual orientation - they are more than
Showing Welcome and Respect in this. Often they are deeply involved in
our Parishes for “LGBT” People and their parishes. They have gifts to offer
their Families. What should you do if the parish, eg often they have been
your child tells you he or she is gay? marginalised and wounded and so are
The answer: Love them! This is the often very compassionate. Why not
most important thing. Fr Martin thinks invite them to read at Mass, be
that LGBT people are among the most Eucharistic Ministers, pass keepers,
wounded members of our Church members of Bereavement groups?
today, often being treated like lepers by
fellow Catholics.He cited the example Festival of Families
of a priest in the USA who refused to On Saturday evening we went to the
give the Sacrament of the Sick to a very Festival of Families at Croke Park
ill man because he was gay! Stadium where over 80,000 celebrated
Some people are born gay- they do with music, Irish dancing and the
not choose to be gay. They are loved by testimonies of families from Ireland,
Fr Fox with Fr James Martin SJ. Fr Fox with cousin, Phoenix Park.
26Iraq, Canada, South Africa, and India. when the Popemobile entered the park
We had contibutions from Daniel and Pope Francis began to move
O’Donnell, Andrea Bocelli, Nathan among the people.
Carter, the Riverdance troupe, The Pope Francis began Mass in quite a
Priests and several other well-known surprising way: the penitential rite was
entertainers. Pope Francis arrived just taken, at times word for word, from
after 7pm after spending 90 minutes what the survivors of abuse had asked
with survivors of church abuse and got
him to say at this Eucharist. Equally
a rousing welcome! He delighted the
surprisingly, the crowd applauded after
crowds by doing a longer than usual
tour of the pitch in a golf buggy, each prayer for forgiveness! There was
stopping to shake hands and kiss and a real feeling that the boil was being
bless the occasional fortunate person. lanced and that the wound was being
The selection of themes throughout brought into the open for healing. This
the night echoed the priorities in Pope Mass concluded a wonderful World
Francis’s ministry: homelessness, Meeting of Families. The media chose
migrants and refugees, and care for our to focus almost exclusively on the
“common home”, planet Earth. As in abuse issue. I am grateful to Pope
each of his speeches Pope Francis Francis that he did not look the other
mentioned the troubled question of way or play down an issue that is
clerical and church sexual, physical perhaps the single greatest crisis facing
and moral abuse. He mentioned the our Church at this time.
suffering of the women who worked in The Pope’s humility, courage and
the Magdalene Laundries, the hurt felt sincerity during his 32 hours in Ireland
by women separated from their
were obvious to all fair-minded people.
children in the Mother-and-Child
homes, illegal adoptions, the physical In asking for forgiveness for the past
and psychological abuse in some crimes of abuse perpetrated by church
schools and care homes. There was a people and promising action against
strong feeling that the damage done by the abusers and those involved in
those church authorities who covered cover-up, let us hope that we, members
up abuse was even worse than the hurt of the Church of Jesus Christ, can keep
caused by the perpetrators. These were faith and embrace the needed
painful things to hear but many felt conversion and purification to which
that they needed to be said and said by the Spirit of the Risen One is calling us.
the Pope. In the hours leading up to the Mass the
The Papal Mass wind blew and the rain fell but the
assembled people stood their ground.
In the final act of this wonderful week
When the Mass began the wind fell;
that brought families from over 100
countries together we headed off in the some of the clouds moved on too. For
rain for Mass in the Phoenix Park. I me there is something here about the
arrived around 12pm and despite the call to stand our ground in today’s
rain and wind there was a wonderfully turbulent world, admitting our failings
positive, upbeat atmosphere among but sticking with St Paul’s confident
the pilgrims They chatted and ate, promise that “nothing can separate us
often sharing their food with those from the love of God as revealed in
around them. A great roar went up Jesus Christ”.
27Coming Events: Dates for your Diary
at St. Joseph’s House, Cardonald
• First Fridays of the month: Mass for the Sick at 9.00 a.m.
• Tuesdays: Meditation Group meets at 11.00 a.m.
• Wednesday Talks: 7.00 - 8.00: the talks resume after the summer break on
Wednesday 12th September. Come and learn more about our Catholic Faith.
• Tree of Life Mass: Sunday 25th November in Nazareth House Chapel.
Silver Circle Winners
April 2018 43 Hendry £25 204 Quin £15 114 Rodden £10
May 2018 24 Dougan £25 369 Greer £15 366 Shaloo £10
June 2018 142 Gallagher £25 133 Murray £15 18 Lawson £10
Congratulations to them all.
Many thanks to all who support the Silver Circle.
Your help is greatly appreciated, and contributes to supporting our missionary work.
Prize Draw Winners 2018
Our annual prize draw this year was for the Zaidi project in Nairobi promoted
by Fr Gerry Hastie. Fr Gerry was delighted to receive a cheque for £3,000
which will help considerably in the work carried out by our MHM students
among the poor. We thank everyone for their generous support.
1st Prize: £200: Elizabeth Wishart
2nd Prize: £100: Audrey Donaghey
3d Prize: £50: Joyce Milligan
28Tree of Life Mass
on Sunday, November 25th at 3.00pm
in Nazareth House Chapel.
We pray for all our deceased loved ones
whose names are recorded on our Tree of Life
in St Joseph’s House.
Invitation Enclosed • ALL ARE WELCOME
A day of reflection,
prayer and quiet
for advent
Saturday December 15th
10.00am to 4.30pm - ending with Vigil Mass
Led by Sr Sally Hyland and Fr Bernard Fox mhm
29Obituaries
LET US PRAY FOR OUR DEAD
Recently deceased Mill Hill Fr Terry Lee: born in Co.Cavan, died
Missionaries in New York aged 85. After ordination
Fr Edmund Slowey: born in NE and university further studies, Terry was
England, he died in Freshfield aged 88. appointed to USA where he spent the
After ordination he studied at Glasgow rest of his life. He fulfilled many
University and was then appointed to different roles – as Rector, Bursar,
Sarawak where he was much involved in Regional Superior; he was much
involved in making parish mission
education work for 19 years. Later he
appeals, and also in pastoral work.
worked in our Maori mission in New
Zealand, and in missionary promotion Fr Hugh Lee: older brother of Fr Terry,
in England. ordained in 1958, worked for 23 years in
Pakistan, then some years in a parish in
Fr James Nielen: died in the
Belfast; he then moved to Athlone where
Netherlands, aged 90. After ordination he worked in a parish until his final
and Philosophy studies in Rome he illness. He died aged 86.
worked for many years in Cameroon – in
education and various parishes. In 1986 Fr Karel van de Horst: died in the
Netherlands aged 91. Ordained in 1952
1,700 people died after gas escaped from
he was appointed to Uganda where he
a volcanic lake. Fr James was among the
worked especially among the Busoga
first to discover what had happened and
people until 1998.
to alert the outside world. He worked
tirelessly to bring relief to survivors. Fr Gregory Rice: born in Denver, USA,
Returning to the Netherlands in 2003 he Greg was ordained in 1972 and
worked in a parish until retiring in 2017. appointed to Pakistan. In addition to his
pastoral/missionary work he was
Fr Terry Gogary: born in Ireland, involved in assisting Afghan refugees,
ordained in 1961, Terry was appointed to and in a drug rehab centre in Peshawar.
Kenya where he spent the next 49 years On his return to US he worked in
working and living among the nomadic ministering to Native American Indians.
Maasai people. He became an expect in He died aged 78 after a failed heart
the language and culture of the people. operation.
He retired to Ireland in 2010, and died
Fr Jan van der Hoorn: after
aged 81.
ordination in 1961 Jan began missionary
Fr Michael O’Neill: born in Salford, work in Kenya. Suffering a serious liver
ordained in 1966, Michael was complaint he was then appointed to the
appointed to Kenya where he worked for Netherlands where he worked in various
some years. He later worked in Liverpool MH houses, and for many years in our
Archdiocese, and was a much-loved retirement house where his practical
parish priest in Chorley for many years. skills and compassionate
He died of cancer in Freshfield, aged 76. accompaniment were greatly
30appreciated. In recent years he required Recently Deceased Friends and
care in a nursing home where he died Benefactors
aged 83. Mary Cassidy (Pollok)
Fr Patrick Harrington: from Moira O’Donnell (Coatbridge)
Glengarrif, Diocese of Kerry, Paddy was Denis McKearns (Cardonald)
ordained in 1969, and worked for 43 Bro. Jim Spence S.J.
years in the Diocese of Buea, Cameroon. Theresa Robb (Cardonald)
He was an outstanding missionary, Bill Paterson
totally committed to his people and the Molly Slater (Cardonald)
various roles he was called to play – as Peter Gallagher
pastor, teacher, administrator. It was Ella Connolly (Rutherglen)
typical that Paddy collapsed in the Maureen Kavanagh (Balornock)
presbytery just after praying the Angelus Jean Gordon (Stonehouse)
in the Church next door and died Mrs D.Byrne (mother of Fr Dermot
shortly afterwards, aged 73. mhm, regional superior)
Fr James Meehan mhm: 2012 but stayed
1933 - 2018 in the local
retirement house
Interviewed by a local Malaysian
for priests in
newspaper in 2011, Fr James was asked
where his home was. “Right here where I Kuching. Over a
stay” he responded. So, it was fitting that year ago he had a
his death on July 23d was in his adopted stroke and was
home in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. cared for by the
Born in Glasgow in 1933, he had seven local Franciscan Fr James.
sisters and two brothers. The family Sisters.
moved to Baillieston early in the war and His funeral Mass in a packed Kuching
James attended St Bridget’s Primary School Cathedral was presided over by three
before going on to St Joseph’s College Archbishops and over forty priests.
Lochwinnoch in 1947. He was ordained at Throughout his life James brought fun
Mill Hill, London, on July 12th 1959 and laughter, and lots of good stories,
(along with three other Scots – the late Frs wherever he went. Above all, he
Patrick McDonald and John Rooney, and communicated the joy of the Gospel to
Fr Bill Tollan.) his people, and will now surely share in
James was appointed to our mission in
the joy of Heaven. I was privileged to
Borneo,- to Sarawak, which became part
preside at a well-attended Mass for the
of Malaysia at independence. James spent
the whole of his missionary life in repose of my old friend in St Bridget’s,
Sarawak. He spoke two dialects of the Baillieston, on August 10th. May he now
Dayak language as well as Iban and some rest in peace.
Chinese, and was greatly loved by his
people. He retired from active ministry in Fr Bill Tollan mhm
31St. Joseph’s House, 30 Lourdes Avenue, Cardonald, Glasgow G52 3QU.
Tel: 0141 883 0139. Email: tollanmhm@yahoo.co.uk
Mill Hill Website: www.millhillmissionaries.co.uk
Registered Charity Number: SCO39809You can also read
