FRANCISCANS OF OUR LADY OF THE POOR FLP MELBOURNE NEWSLETTER, DECEMBER 2013

The Franciscans of Our Lady of the Poor FLP is a young religious order that follows in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and the Spirituality of The Blessed Virgin Mary Our Lady of the Poor. It has Reverend Mother Esperanza Orejola FLP as its Charismatic Founder and Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, OCD, DD Bishop emeritus of Infanta and Juridical Founder of FLP. It is due to celebrate 25 years since it was founded. For the last 13 years Mother Esperanza under the inspiration of Blessed John Paul 11 to form African Priests so that they can evangelise the whole world, travelled to Africa Kenya and Tanzania and she started the Order. However, along the way they developed financial constraints leading to loss of many vocations because they were unable to send the Seminarians to School and lack of good formation houses. But all was not lost among the pioneering group, 2 are Ordained Priests and 4 are

Ordained Deacons. Among the ones ordained we have Deacon Simon Mutuku FLP here with us in Australia as true testimony of the whole idea. It is in this light that we have decided to form a Charitable Organisation to Support and Educate FLP Seminarians and Priests in Tanzania, Kenya and Final studies to be

completed in Australia for Ordination to Priesthood. Please try to recognise Jesus in the hour of need. This picture is of Deacon Simon Mutuku FLP receiving Blessings to continue the mission in Africa from the Juridical Founder, Retired Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, OCD, DD. Deacon Simon Mutuku together with his fellow members have been in study for over 13 years in and out of the Seminary due to lack of funds to keep them in the Seminary for the normal time of Priestly Formation which is 9 years. It is in this light that moved by his story that I, Therese Hummel can testify after being in touch with the congregation for over 3 years decided to call upon you individually and as a family to sacrifice, to deny ourselves and give out to help the church to form Priests. This Congregation is in our hands, they need me and you to support the Seminarians and help their foundress Rev Mother Esperanza to realise her dream to give Priests to the Church from Africa where Vocations are blooming to all over the world.

FUNDRAISING

On the 20th December

we are having a

Fundraiser to

support the current

needs to enable

Deacon Simon

Mutuku FLP to meet

his last year of

Priestly Studies.

Our Target is $5,000

AUD broken up as

follows:

$3,000 Transcripts

$1,500 Overseas

Student Visa

$500 OSHC (Overseas

Student Health

Cover) which is

compulsory to attain

the Visa.

Please Educate a

Priest.

THE DISTANT VOICE OF HOPE FIRST EDITION DECEMBER 2013

Rev Mother Esperanza FLP (shown below) walked with Mother Teresa of Calcutta, India in her ministry and equally inspired by John Paul 11 who frequently challenged them to begin Religious Communities who will help give Priests to the Church. After many years of Reflection and hibernating she heeded to call of the Pope Blessed John Paul 11 and started the Congregation whose Charism and Mission is geared towards the poor and family life. Quote from John Paul 11 to Mother Esperanza at a Family Life conference in Sydney Australia “Go to

Africa and evangelise so that they can evangelise the whole world”. These are the Fruits of such words from John Paul 11 to Mother Esperanza FLP. Today she has 11 Priests and 6 Deacons and many brothers who are in formation. The picture shows Deacon Simon Mutuku FLP with some of the Philippino Priests where the Congregation started 24 years ago at their said Mother House in Novaliches Diocese, Quezon City, Philippines. 13 Years ago Mother Esperanza FLP after starting the Congregation in her Mother Land travelled to Africa in line with the words of John Paul 11 where she started the Congregation in Nairobi, Kenya

with a promising number of Seminarians. They started with initial Formation Program then later went for Philosophy Studies a requirement for Priestly Studies, then later went through a rigorous novitiate program to get

to know the Vision, Mission and Charism of the Congregation as enshrined in it’s constitution. The Seminarians later took their first vows and joined Theological Studies. The picture below shows Deacon Simon Mutuku FLP and Deacon Francis Monari FLP with Archbishop Arguelles of Lipa Archdiocese and Apostolic Administrator of Infanta, Philippines, after they gave him a courtesy call. It reminds them of their happier days in Formation. Together with other brothers not present at the time. This gives you a picture of how the Congregation has developed. Note: The Congregation started with Nuns and then later the Clerics as shown in the photo (right).

Priests, Sisters, Seminarians both Filipino and African. Mother Esperanza FLP (foundress) and Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, OCD, DD at the Centre of the photo. However, the promising life as one writer puts it, “What is this Life that is so promising yet it frequently disappoints”. (Things Changed) A new dawn, lack of funding, problems in the schools leading to loss of many vocations. Only a few have persevered to the present day. Some were Ordained and others left. Those who are Ordained are serving in different places in Kenya and Tanzania and are currently under the care

of the Apostolic Administrator and Vicar General of Diocese of Shinyanga Tanzania, Rev Fr. Sospeter Shole where most of the members are working in 2 Parishes at the Cathedral. Due to lack of funding to the Congregation many students have been in and out of school as I mentioned earlier leading many years in school. One of them is Deacon Simon Mutuku FLP here present. I have known him personally for many years I have known his superiors and

moved by my desire to help Educate a Priest. Deacon Simon Mutuku FLP to the left and Seminarian Walter Mutua FLP to the Right at the Philosophy/Theology School in Nairobi Kenya where they have been studying in and out due to lack of funding. These Seminarians have a noble call, they have persevered many years and suffered seeing their classmates finish school and get Ordained as Priests yet they have remained in school. Please try to recognise Jesus in these Seminarians and support them individually, as a family, direct one on one sponsorship of a Seminarian, monthly contribution, annual contribution. Mathew 25:31-46. Jesus in the needy of Society, the sick, the naked, the strangers, the prisoners etc.

The History and the Mission of FLP in Shinyanga Tanzania

The Franciscans of Our Lady of the Poor members in the African Regional are eternally grateful to the Divine Providence since though they do not have any resources, the Lord is always gracious and brings along people of good will who extend generously and gift them in one way or another. Indeed, it is a true practical living of the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi who committed everything to serve the poor. The members in Shinyanga, Tanzania are always entirely dependent on little donations and portions from the generosity of the people and the Vicar General who has been a great support to them since the passing on to glory of the bishop. Here is a small introduction on how they came to Tanzania and some of their major challenges. In October 15, 2011 the Charismatic Founder, Mother Esperanza met with his Lordship, Rt. Rev. Aloysius Balina, of happy memory (RIP) whereby the late Bishop expressed great interest and requested that the Franciscans of Our Lady of the Poor come to his diocese to help in the vast evangelization program. After deliberations with the other members of FLP and the blessing of the juridical founder, Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, OCD., and in consultation with the college of Consultors of Shinyanga, it was agreed that the first group of sisters and brothers be assigned in Shinyanga. The initial group of about 4 sisters and three brothers met the Bishop and were assigned the sisters to live and serve at Our Lady of Peace, Vijana Center, Ngokolo under the Cathedral Parish and the brothers’ community to live at the Matanda Youth Center.

Due to the continued selfless service to the diocese and the love of the Late Bishop Alloysius Balina, he accepted the request to adopt the nascent congregation in the diocese of Shinyanga. Due to this adoption, through consultation again with the Bishop and his consultors, Mother Esperanza presented to the Bishop through his Vicar General Fr. Sospeter Shole the friars and sisters who were ready for perpetual profession of vows and ordination. This very important and memorable event of perpetual profession of Br. Christopher, Br. Dominic, Sr. Domitila, Sr. Margaret and Sr. Elizabeth was held on July 31, 2012 at Our Lady of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Shinyanga Town Parish. Although the bishop was sick, his love and paternal care for the Franciscans made him to request his brother Rt. Rev. Luduvick Minde, DD., Bishop of Kahama diocese to preside over and ordain Fr. Joseph, Fr. Jimmy, Deacon Christopher and Deacon Dominic at the Mater Misericoria, Ngokolo Cathedral on August 1st 2012. Since the bishop kept asking how his sons and daughters would feel that he was not able to be present with them to ordain them, the ordained and the professed sisters immediately visited and stayed with the bishop at his sick bed. It is at this time that it was clear that the bishop had a deep seated vision and dream of having a religious congregation in his diocese that he would call his. He dictated some documents that were to be presented to him to sign for full adoption and protectorship of the congregation however due to his health, this were held hoping he would regain, but thanks to God he rested in peace. The Franciscans of Our Lady of the Poor clerics and sisters continued to serve in the areas where the bishop had assigned them and to offer themselves to any other areas of ministry that the council of presbyters through the Vicar General assigns them. Currently, there are six brothers: Fr. Joseph, serving at the Town Parish, Fr. Jimmy serving at Buhangijya parish (although recently through the terrible typhoon in the Philippines, Fr. Jimmy lost family and property and he is still in the Philippines trying to console the rest of the family), Deacon Dominic who was recently reassigned by the Apostolic Administrator, Archbishop J.T. Ruwaichi, Deacon Christopher serving at the Town parish and Brothers Peter, Michael and Lawrence who are teaching at the St. Anne School and helping out pastorally in the Town parish. These brothers except Fr. Joseph and Deacon Dominic still live in the Matanda community which house is not suitable for religious life as it is built for family stay and has no possibility for a chapel or place of prayer. Four sisters, Sr. Domitila, Jacinta, Stella and Grace live in the Vijana center community where at least there is a chapel and is close enough to the Cathedral church though this is a service house and as such does not afford them the environment desirable for religious observance. The other three sisters, Sr. Margaret, Patricia and Scholastica live in the St. Anne school house where they had to partition the common room to enable them stay in a dormitory style, but still they do not have a chapel from where they offer their morning and evening prayer. They are also quite a good distance from the Town parish where they have to use Tsh. 1500 (AUSD 30) to and from mass. Although happy to serve the people of God with joy and with the immense support of Fr. Sospeter Shole, the Vicar General, the issue of housing especially a community house where the brothers and sisters can pray together and celebrate the Eucharist is a major challenge. However, they still keep their religious commitment in the spirit of St. Francis and in line with their charism “a contemplative-active missionary community living in allegiance to Jesus Christ in the service of the poor and the restoration of the family” while giving witness to Christ by serving with joy. There is yet another great challenge to the community in Shinyanga; namely, that the friars and sisters are often obstructed from service because they are required to have work-permits which cost the excess of $250 per a person and are to be renewed after every two years. At the moment, only two of the seven brothers and three of the sisters have the work-permits

Objectives of the Core Group

There are more core members, but as time goes they will be introduced with Pictures and a Bio of each Person, each month we will feature one person, who they are, what their qualifications are, what experiences they have had in course of their life. This Core group has come through prayer and hard work and through combined efforts we will raise funds to support Franciscans of Our Lady of the Poor to help Educate their Priests, build formation Houses and Orphanage so that in the future we can look at the Franciscans Religious Group being Self Sufficient. In amongst our growing core group we have an Architect, Teacher, Business People among others, we have ideas flowing in Fundraising, Family Teachings and Blessings, Franciscan Studies for Lay Associates, Recollections and Retreats, Counselling and Welcome Houses and much to look forward to as well. Here in Victoria Australia we would like to see the fruits of great work where the Seminarians we are helping will have a FLP house to live in, grow Spiritually as a Community and be Ordained to Priesthood and have the opportunity to work here among the families in their last Formation Years. Contributions to FLP can be made monthly, 3 monthly, 6 monthly, yearly. Personal, Individual and Family and Group Contributions are greatly welcomed for such a worthy cause. Our Website will be up and running by Mid January 2014 with links to existing Websites in relation to FLP.

Welcome and Join Us!

Deacon Simon Mutuku FLP with

Therese Hummel FLP Lay Associate

Deacon Simon comes calling in Australia, some of the amazing highlights of his trip to Australia:

I. Deacon Simon Meets Bishop Christopher Prowse the then Bishop of Sale Diocese on the 8th

November 2013 and had a fruitful discussion now Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn. On

the same day met the Current Apostolic Administrator Fr. Peter Slater.

II. Deacon Simon enrolled in Yarra Theological Union, University of Divinity, Boxhill, Melbourne

to finish his remaining Theological Units.

III. Deacon Simon attended a leadership course “Moses” in Traralgon Diocese of Sale.

IV. Deacon Simon establishes an FLP Core Group to support the Franciscans of Our Lady of the

Poor.

V. Deacon Simon attends many Liturgical Celebrations, different prayer groups, visits different

families inline with the Charisms of the Franciscans of Our Lady of the Poor, etc., not

forgetting visitings many tourist areas and seeing the Bay that is not an Ocean and

overwhelmed by the vast Pacific Ocean, thus giving great Praise to God.

Acknowledgements:

Retired Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, OCD, DD. (Juridical Founder of FLP) Reverend Mother Esperanza Villareal Orejola FLP (The Charismatic Foundress) Retired Archbishop Boniface Lele (The former Archbishop of Mombasa Catholic Diocese Kenya) Rt. Rev. Aloysius Balina (RIP. The Former Bishop of Shinyanga Diocese, Tanzania) Rt. Rev. Luduvick Minde, DD. (Bishop of Kahama diocese, Tanzania) Archbishop J.T. Ruwaichi (Archbishop of Mwanza and the Current Apostolic Administrator, Shinyanga Diocese, Tanzania) Very Reverend Fr Sospeter Shole (Vicar General and FLP Protector, Shinyanga Diocese Tanzania) Deacon Francis Monari Kerongo FLP (Regional Moderator FLP) All FLP Clerics (Priests and Deacons), Brothers and Sisters, Kenya, Tanzania and abroad.

So far people have shown great interest in forming a Core Group under regristration of Franciscans of Our Lady of the Poor FLP

MELBOURNE. ABN has been applied and waiting for the official number then waiting to apply to the ACNC for Religious Charity

Organisation, Bank Account Details are in the process to enable all funds of Donations and fundraising money to be deposited

and used accordingly in support of Educating FLP Priest. Special thanks goes to the Core Group Members who have

volunteered to make this happen. Thanks A Million and Be Blessed. More Volunteers are welcomed to join the Core Group.