'Good News' from Africa

Let's talk about Africa. On the one hand, it is a continent of great suffering. And yet, there is "Good News" from Africa -- from the Church there.

The Church in Africa, although extremely poor and lacking basic rights, resources and opportunities, has nonetheless thrived in growing its faith in Christ. In the midst of persecution, civil war, oppression, natural disasters, extreme poverty, and the HIV / AIDS pandemic, the faith shines brightly.

Sister Pauline Chirchirillo, PBVM, director of the Pontifical Mission Societies for the Archdiocese of New York, has been an eyewitness to the truth of that statement. Just today, she wrote this message to me as she continues her mission visit to Zambia:

"Today I had the joy of meeting the first Zambian finally professed as a Presentation Sister, a member of my Religious Community. The Church is very much alive in Zambia, and vocations are numerous."

Sister Pauline's message to me also included the "good news" related to the family of supporters of the Pontifical Mission Societies. She saw firsthand in just three days in Zambia all that is helped with contributions to these Societies. Here's her testimony:

"I visited several places funded by the gifts of young people to the Holy Childhood Association. It is wonderful to see orphans, as well as physically challenged children receive such excellent, loving care. They are so very, very happy.

"I saw minor and major seminaries, and novitiates / convents funded by the Society of St. Peter Apostle. I am more convinced than ever of the importance of the Summer appeal to our donors for support of this particular Pontifical Mission Society.

"At the Catholic television and radio stations in this country, I discovered that so much of the construction, supplies and ongoing maintenance was made possible by contributions from Catholics to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith."

After reading Sister Pauline's e-mail to me, I said a prayer of thanks for the "Good News" from Africa -- and for the loyal support from the "one family in mission" here at home and throughout the world for the Church throughout Africa, as well as Asia, the Pacific Islands and remote regions of Latin America.