Provincial Circular

D+S

ST. TERESA OF THE CHILD JESUS PROVINCE

PROVINCIAL CIRCULAR No. 1 2012

20^th February, 2012

Dear Brothers,

As quickly as time goes by, I guess it should not surprise us that Lent is round the corner. We are only a few days to Ash Wednesday, which will fall on 22^nd February, 2012. That will be the beginning of the Holy Lenten Season. For us Christians, Lent is an important commemoration of the time when Jesus was in the wilderness tempted by Satan for 40 days. For serious Christians, Lent is a time of self-evaluation and repentance. The word ‘repent’ in Greek (the original language of the New Testament) literally means to turn around or to move in the opposite direction. All of us have areas in our lives that need revision, repentance and resurrection. Even the Apostle Paul said it about himself that he often did those things that he never wanted to do. At one place, he even calls himself the "chief of sinners."

Sometimes, when we talk about repentance, we think that it is often the other person who needs to repent! "You repent; I'll stay the same," is often the way Christian react to the injustices and prejudices that are so prevalent in our society today.

Jesus warned the Scribes and the Pharisees that they were wrong to notice the speck of sawdust in their neighbor's eye while they had not even acknowledged that there was a plank of wood in their own eye. At another place in the Gospels, Jesus chastised the Scribes and Pharisees who sat in the market place and prayed, thanking God that they were not like other people – those who were sinful and unclean! Jesus also dealt with those who were about to stone the woman who was caught in adultery. He said, "You who are without sin, cast the first stone."

When we talk about repentance, we are usually looking at someone else. We are anxious to point out the sins of others. Lent helps us to face the reality that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." The human problem that we face is that our judgment and evaluation of other people is so often influenced by our own prejudices.

Another very human problem is that we so often see the reflection of our own sins and shortcomings in others. We condemn the other person while condoning our own comfortably forgotten failures.

Lent is not a time to point fingers at other people. It is a time to look deep into our own hearts to discover where we can be honest about our own shortcomings, identify the places where we need to apply the polish and sand away the rough edges of our lives.

In Lent, we also have the opportunity to embrace the magnificent extravagance of God's love, forgiveness and mercy. While none of us has the right to throw the first stone, all of us have the responsibility to examine our lives and accept the challenges of Lent; to do better today and tomorrow than we did yesterday.

May Our Lord grant us all the graces we need and desire to surrender ourselves to prayer and to the reading of Scripture, to fasting and to giving alms.

CELEBRATING BR. FRANCIS BLOUIN’S SELFLESS SERVICE

On 6^th February, 2012, we solemnly celebrated Br. Francis Blouin selfless service and this is what I said on the same occasion:

It is with great honor and privilege that I stand here to greet and welcome all of you to this very special and bitter-sweet occasion of thanksgiving and farewell.

It gives me pleasure to have a place in a long story – a story we continue, but whose end we will not live to see. It is the story of a great man, a missionary who took first steps, down a new road, armed with nothing but a cross and his own vision. A story of a Brother and a friend who is none other than Brother Francis Blouin:

Our elders told us that “a kind heart is a fountain of gladness that turns everything in its vicinity into smiles.” Brother Francis, look at us:

We are all smiling away as we bask in your presence and ponder the kind heart that you have. To all of us who have benefitted from your kindness, we consider you as a power that goes all the way to protect but not possess, to defend but not to conquer. You are indeed a little spark that has burst into a mighty flame.

Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.

First we are young; then we are middle-aged; then we are old; then we are wonderful.

Today is your day and special to all of us and probably the right moment to make a statement in appreciation of the smiles that you shared, the sun shine that you scattered about, and the good cheer we enjoyed in your company.

Thank you for standing out as a star of hope and as an embodiment of a true religious, a pride to Notre Dame Province, the Church and the Institute of the Brothers of Christian Instruction. We look at you and we are edified. You live with all your soul, with all your goodness and righteousness.

You know, as much we do, that in youth we run into difficulties. In old age difficulties run into us. We want to assure you that no matter what age you are, or what your circumstances might be, you are special, and you still have something unique to offer. We appreciate you and we have a lot of good wishes for you. May God make the rest of your years on earth blissful – not by granting you unbroken sunshine, but by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows.  You have played your role well, offered your best; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. And at any time when you don't feel well and life seems a bit gloomy, just know that all your friends here think of you, whisper your name daily in their prayers and would do anything if it were possible,  to be there with you, to stand in the gap and fill it.

The great achievements you are leaving behind will ever stand out to be a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold.

Long live Bro. Francis Blouin, Long live Kisubi Brothers Univesity.

Thanksgiving Mass in which the vicar General was the main celebrant                                      Bro.Francis, Bro. Deo. Mugema, the Vicar General Monsignor Charles Kasibante cut the Cake as Prof Olweny the vice

                                                                                                                                                       Chancellor Nkozi University Looks on.

Bro. Bosco Bajuga, a great friend of Br. Francis Blouin                                                                                                  The last descent on the steps of the University community house he helped to construct

Bro. Francis Blouin cuts the cake as Bro. Deogratias Mugema intones the happy Birthday song for him.

The Old man Bro. Marius Ntwatwa clocked 83

THE 2012 GENERAL CHAPTER

« Education, a Way to Evangelisation »

Sainthood through making saints

As you all know, the Chapter will begin on Thursday 1^st March, 2012 and 17hrs, at the mother house of Ploemel. It will end on Sunday 25^th March, 2012. The closing ceremony, that evening will be crowned with meal. Forty six Brothers from all Provinces /Vice Provinces of the Congregation are expected to take part. The Six of us, namely Brothers: Aizire Casio, Onesimus Mutakirwa, Vincent Ssekate, Luwerekera Bernard, Kazzekulya Peter and myself will be leaving on 27^th February, 2012 to participate in the Chapter. While the same Chapter lasts, Bro. Francis X. Byarugaba, the Assistant Provincial Superior, will take charge of the Province.

THE LAITY IN THE GENERAL CHAPTER.

The Laity will take part in the reflection on the Chapter for a few days. The East African sector will be represented by Matti Kiggundu.

Term One of the School year is on

We should bear in mind what our elders used say: “He who would have a fruit must climb the tree” and “As you sow, so shall you reap”

I invite you to do all the good you can by all the means you have wherever you are.

 If there had been any failure in any way, look at it as an opportunity to revisit past decisions and devise new strategies.

Recall that God neither promised days without pain, laughter without sorrow nor sun without rain. He, instead, promised strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way.

Being is more important than having. Invite you to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you.

Fraternally,

Br. Mwebe Gerard

Provincial Superior