Out of Africa

Within a week of the launch of this "mission blog," I already have a firsthand report to share with you - straight out of Africa.

Our director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Archdiocese of New York, Sister Pauline Chirchirillo, PBVM (shown here with me after our spring board meeting) is right now in Zambia, a country in southern Africa.

Zambia is a country of orphans and a place of extreme poverty. In four decades of independence, Zambia has found peace, but not prosperity. Some two-thirds of the population lives on less than a dollar a day. The economic challenges have been compounded by one of the world's most devastating HIV / AIDS epidemics. Zambia is one of the seven hardest-hit countries in that regard on that African continent: one in every six adults is living with HIV; some one million children are AIDS orphans. Worse, the number is expected to rise.




But there is hope amidst the suffering and poverty -- through the service of local priess, Religious Sisters and Brothers, and lay catechists who, in word and witness, help the poor and suffering come to know the "Good News" of God's great love for each one of us. That message is surely heard by orphan-residents of the Home of Joy in Lusaka, Zambia (see photographs above).

Sister Pauline arrived in Zambia on Thursday, June 5; we learned of her safe journey to Africa from her host and the national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Zambia, Father Bernard Makadani.

Just one hour ago, I received this e-mail message from Sister Pauline:

"Greetings from the heart of Africa. To date this has been a very delightful, informative visit. I have visited schools, orphanages and hospitals, all receiving help from the Holy Childhood Association.

"I went also to the minor and major seminaries, radio and video studios, and the new diocesan center; these are funded by two other Pontifical Mission Societies, the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the Society of St. Peter Apostle. I also met and spoke with Sister-novices.

"It has been wonderful staying with the PBVMs, my Religious Community. There are missionary Sisters from Ireland, New Zealand, India and England. I have met other Religious from many different missionary communities and Zambian ones as well.

"Today I had dinner with the Bishop of Monze, Bishop Emilio Patriarca, a delightful, humble man.

"There is so much more to tell...it will have to wait until the next time."

As she closed her message, she wrote also of photographs and video footage to come from her visit. Stay tuned for more on Sister Pauline's time in Africa - a journey you are much a part of, through your prayers and support.