News from the Comboni Missionaries - North American Province
On Oct. 5, 2003 Bishop Daniel Comboni was canonized. This year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of his canonization. We also begin a year-long celebration leading up to the 75th Anniversary of the Comboni Missionaries North American Province. St. Daniel Comboni's Feast Day is October 10.
October 2013
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Comboni Missionaries Begin Celebration of 75 Years in North America

This year the Comboni Missionaries celebrate! We celebrate the 10th anniversary of the canonization of St. Daniel Comboni on October 5, 2013. Then, five days later, we start a year-long celebration leading up to the 75th anniversary of the Comboni Missionaries working in North America.

It all began on Thanksgiving Day in 1939 when Comboni Father Edward Mason, later Bishop, arrived at the port of New York. He came to the United States to establish the North American Province of the Comboni Missionaries, a Catholic congregation of priests and brothers founded in Verona, Italy for the African Missions in 1867 by St. Daniel Comboni.

Father Edward came to the United States asking for vocations and support for the African missions. He was also looking for a place where the Comboni Missionaries could minister to African Americans. The Comboni Missionaries saw the need to seek entry into the United States in order to expand their membership and have English-speaking members who could work undisturbed in British colonies in Africa. They also expected to broaden their base of support for their missionary endeavor by working in parishes.

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St. Daniel Comboni - To Save Africa With Africa

There was never any doubt about the holiness of St. Daniel. He dedicated his life to the poorest and most abandoned, leaving a legacy that is beyond compare. That is why it was with great joy and gratitude that we saw him first beatified in 1996, and then on Oct. 5, 2003, canonized by Pope John Paul II. This year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of St. Daniel's canonization.

Born in Limone, Italy, in 1831, St. Daniel knew at an early age that he would be a priest and missionary. His love was Africa, and in 1857, when God called him there, Daniel answered with all his heart and soul. St. Daniel devised a Plan to bring the Gospel to people who never heard it and to prepare Africans to evangelize their own people - a revolutionary idea for his time. His motto was to Save Africa with Africa.

Named the first Bishop of Central Africa in 1877, St. Daniel continued his faithful ministry until he died at the age of 50. Before his death, St. Daniel founded the Comboni Missionaries and Comboni Missionary Sisters who today carry out their founder's charism across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas. St. Daniel Comboni remains an inspiration to all who have a heart for mission.

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Meet a Comboni Missionary 
Fr. Angelo Biancalana, mccj

Fr. Angelo, 82, was born in Italy in 1931. As a young man Fr. Angelo met many Comboni Missionaries at a seminary in his town. He said the missionaries often spoke of their work in Africa and he felt attracted to that life.  

 

At just 13-years old Fr. Angelo entered the minor seminary. All other seminaries in the area had closed because of World War II. "That's how I entered the society. After I experienced life in the seminary I said this is where God wants me and I was happy to be there," Fr. Angelo said.   

 

He has spent much of his time in the North American Province, most recently helping with the lay missionary program. However, Fr. Angelo did spend 14 years working in Uganda at seminaries and in parishes. Early on, Fr. Angelo was assigned to a new parish called Palabek. He said it was an exciting and challenging time as he and two others were building this parish from scratch. At the time there was only a three room building.   

 

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Comboni Lay Missionary News
Why be a lay missionary?

Adam Lewandowski comes to the NAP Comboni Lay Missionary Program from Madison, Wis. During this time of formation in LaGrange Park, Ill., the Comboni community welcomes him and prays for his discernment. Here is a reflection from Adam.

When we encounter God our perceptions change and we are changed. How we understand our world and how we live in the world are shaped by that experience. When I was studying as a physicist I had such an encounter that transformed my perception of reality. I saw that creation was knit together fundamentally by love. Nothing at all is required of us to earn this love.

Comboni Missionaries 101
What happened next?
This is the place where the questions you have had in the back of your mind find a quick, concise and - hopefully - clear answer. So, ask away! 

***

Q. What came after Cincinnati?

A. Last time I told you something about our arrival in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1939 and our development there in the 1940s. We did not stay put in Cincinnati for long. In fact, the 1940s and 1950s saw our greatest expansion. Here we go:

1948 - We accept the care of the Native American Missions of Pala and Santa Ysabel in the Diocese of San Diego, Calif. The two missions and their outstations were in a great state of disrepair. Fr. Januarius Carillo is remembered in the history books as the one who rebuilt Pala Mission to look like the original, when it was part of the "Camino Real" of St. Junipero Serra. Many great Hollywood stars contributed to the reconstruction. Pala sits on tribal land, but five Comboni Missionaries who worked there are buried in the Mission's cemetery - a rare honor.

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Sacred Heart Sisters Teach Leadership in Gulu, Uganda

Over two days in August, 70 students in Gulu, Uganda attended a Leadership workshop hosted by the Sacred Heart Sisters. This program was intended to train young people who can eventually participate in leadership, decision making, and planning in their communities. This program was made possible through the financial support of the Comboni Missionaries in North America.

Facilitators spoke about spiritual and moral growth, and development of the youth in relation to leadership, human person, and life for youth today; basing lessons in Biblical text. Another session focused on leadership skills, qualities, and styles in schools and society.  

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On October 2, Sr. Luzia Premoli, Superior General of the Comboni Sisters (left), and Sr. Marisa Zorzan, Vicar General, attended morning Mass at Santa Marta, where the Pope lives, and then met the Pope. Sr. Luiza is from Brazil.
Pope's Message for Mission Sunday

On Sunday, October 20, the Church celebrates World Mission Sunday, when we are asked to remember that part of our Christian vocation which we often forget, namely the call to be missionaries. In his message issued for this occasion this is what Pope Francis has to say:

"The work of evangelization often finds obstacles, not only externally, but also from within the ecclesial community. Sometimes there is lack of fervor, joy, courage and hope in proclaiming the Message of Christ to all and in helping the people of our time to an encounter with him."

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NAP Communities Celebrate Comboni Feast Day

La Grange Park, Ill. - Father Peter Premarini, Father Angelo Biancalana and Fr. Jose Manuel Oviedo of the Comboni Mission Center celebrated St. Daniel Comboni Feast Day on Oct. 10, 2013, with a special celebration of his 10th anniversary of Canonization as Saint and for the opening of the 75th Year of the Comboni Missionaries presence in North America. The Celebration began at 5 p.m. with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Comboni Mission Center Chapel. Then a Procession was made to St. Louise de Marillac Church, with the image of St. Daniel Comboni. There was a Holy Mass held at the church and a reception held at the Mission Center. Comboni Missionary Sisters also joined in the celebration.

Cincinnati, Ohio - On Wednesday, Oct. 9, a Comboni Feast Day Mass was celebrated at the Cincinnati Mission Center. This was a very special Mass in honor of the 10th anniversary of St. Daniel Comboni's canonization, and the start of our celebration leading up to the 75th anniversary of the North American Province. Provincial Superior Fr. Manuel Baeza celebrated Mass. During his homily he invited each of us to remember the person that first introduced us to the Comboni Missionaries. It is through these people that we remember and celebrate.

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Comboni Missionaries Celebrate in Malawi and Peru


Anniversary celebrations are happening around the world this year for the Comboni Missionaries.

On July 20, we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Comboni Missionaries presence in Malawi and Zambia. Comboni General Superior, Fr. Enrique Sanchez traveled to Malawi to join the 40th anniversary celebration. The Kleven family, lay missionaries in Malawi, had the opportunity to meet him.

Also celebrating this year are the missionaries in Peru and Chile. The Comboni Missionaries have been there for 75 years. Lay Missionaries Emily and Rafael Harrington wrote in their blog: Thank you to all the Comboni religious missionaries, lay missionaries and everyone that has helped paved the path for future Comboni Missionaries. Thank you for carrying out the Comboni charism of serving people that are less privileged by going to marginalized places following the call to serve God. Mission in Peru is a great place to share, teach and be taught how to love as Christ loved. The Peruvian people are filled with so much love and hope."

In mid-September, Fr. John Paul (JP) Pezzi attended two significant conferences, related to his work as a member of VIVAT International, on land grabbing and sustainable agricultural development. The first was held at Yale University in Connecticut and the second at the American University College of Law, Washington, D .C.

Food Sovereignty: A Critical Dialogue, at Yale, drew 400 international participants, including professors and NGO members. There was a strong showing by Via Campesina.
 
The primary topic addressed at the Washington meeting was the "zero draft" of the Principles on Responsible Agriculture Investments. More info from pezzijp@jpic-jp.org.
Stained glass featuring St. Daniel Comboni, Jesus, Mary, and others.
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