Updates on Vincentian Missions
Father G. Greogry Gay offers and update on the work of the Congregation of the Mission in various missions around the world.
UPDATES ON INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS
The following is an update on missions we have established from past appeals. These
missions are a reality today due to those who volunteered as well as your prayers and donations.
Angola
The Portuguese-speaking mission is Angola has welcomed a third confrere, Fr. Jason
Cristan Soto, who is applying for a visa. He joins Frs. Jose Maria Nieto and Jose Ramirez in
pastoral work and accompaniment of the Vincentian Family..
Chad
This French-speaking mission in Chad, sponsored by COVIAM, is under the supervision of
the Visitor of Nigeria. There are two confreres now stationed there: Fr. Onyeachi Ugwu, from the
Province of Nigeria, and Fr. Roch Ramilijaona from the Province of Madagascar. They would like
another confrere to assist them in pastoral work and outreach to those in rural areas.
El Alto, Bolivia
The confreres in this mission continue their parish pastoral work and accompaniment of the
Vincentian Family. Fr. Aidan Rooney, mission superior, works with Frs. Cyrille Pierre De Nanteuil
and Jose Diego Pla Aranda in parish and pastoral work and outreach to the indigenous peoples.
They have also fostered a vibrant lay ministry program to empower the three parish centers in their
care. Also noteworthy is that due to the planning and foresight of Fr. Aidan Rooney, the mission
has supplemented its budget by fund-raising through the internet and by personal contacts. You
may view their web site: www.vocesvicentinas.org
Cochabamba, Bolivia
This Bolivian mission is staffed by three Bolivian confreres from the Province of Chile:
David Paniagua, Jorge Manrique; and Luis Montoya. They do pastoral work in parish and mission
outposts. The mission has found ways to supplement its budget and to be self-sustaining.
Tunis
Fr. Jean-Pierre Mangulu, a confrere from the Province of Congo has arrived to assist Fr.
Firmin Mola Mbalo the mission superior. The confreres in this French and English speaking
mission do parish ministry, pastoral work, and accompaniment of the Daughters of Charity.
As you can see, the missionary spirit of the Congregation is alive and well, thanks to so
many generous confreres who support the missions through volunteering, donations, and prayer. So
once again I ask your support in whatever way possible. Attached to this letter, you will find a new
feature by the General Council: a listing of necessary criteria to be a missionary. I urge all to read
and reflect it, because Jesus and St. Vincent call us to a missionary vocation to build up the
Kingdom of God on earth. There is another attachment outlining how a confrere should respond if
he wishes to volunteer, along with ways to contribute funds to the VSO for micro-grants.
Donations are always welcome, no matter what amount!
As noted, this year the Province of Colombia celebrates its Centenary. From a small start
with two French confreres, the Province is now present in the USA, Brazil, Chile, Cuba Ecuador,
Papua New Guinea, Toulouse, Rwanda and Burundi bringing Christ and our charism o wherever
they are sent. Today, this Province has 25 houses, with 137 confreres and 50 seminarians. They
who were once missionary territory have now become missionaries to the world! For this we
rejoice, and ask the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers to the harvest.
Your brother in St. Vincent,
G. Gregory Gay CM
Superior General
Tags: Aidan Rooney, CM, Congregation of the Mission, Gregory Gay, Missions, Superior General