Dietrich Bonhoeffer makes the observation toward the beginning of Life Together, written while the German pastor was in prison for resisting the Nazi regime, that someone joining a Christian community would do well to let die the ideal of a “perfect” community. He means dying in the sense of really letting go of that human ideal. One possible reaction to this is to note that the facts on the ground - the imperfections of those with whom we live - take little time to reveal themselves. Yes, but that doesn’t mean, as Bonhoeffer remarks, that one may not still harbor a desire and even an expectation that the ideal is within reach. Holding on to that, he says, is a recipe for frustration and disappointment.

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February 11, 2020

Dear Friends,

I pray that everyone has gotten off to a good start in this new year. There is both good and bad news from our brothers in the Congo. First of all, the good news. The school in Beni continues to grow. I will report on the statistics in a minute. The bad news is that there has been an uptick in violence in the Beni area that has left nearly another 1,000 innocent villagers dead. What complicates the situation is that no one really knows who the instigators are. It is simply to know because of the complex political history of this region.

Pre-kindergarten students outside of construction site

In any case, let us return to the good news. The new Assumptionist director of the Beni School Complex, Fr. Kambale Kalondero Matabishi, recently sent me a comprehensive report for this 2019-2020 academic year. In pre-kindergarten, the numbers have grown from 45 to 92 students at two different age levels. At the elementary school level, there are 211 students from grades 1-4; an increase in the first grade pupils has required two sections to be formed. In addition, in the afternoon sessions, the school is now serving 169 high school students and adult learners seeking basic secondary school skills (up from 132 last year). Included in these statistics are students who have fled insecure zones and need remedial classes. In total, therefore, the student body at all levels has reached 472…in just 4 years.

The school is also providing employment to more than 25 local citizens.

You are also invited to participate in the Daily Mass online at worcesterdiocese.org

 The following can be prayed alone or with family members in your household.

 In the name of the Father,
and of the Son (+),
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PENITENTIAL ACT
Brothers and sisters,
let us acknowledge our sins.

A brief pause for silence follows. Then all recite together the formula of general confession:

 I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray.

O God, author of our freedom and of our salvation,
listen to the voice of our pleading
and grant that those you have redeemed
by the shedding of your Son’s Blood
may have life through you
and, under your protection,
rejoice for ever unharmed.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

READINGS (click for readings of the day)

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
That bishops, priests and deacons might continue to lead all along paths of goodness and righteousness.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

That the efforts of those in government service might promote the general welfare.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

You are also invited to participate in the Daily Mass online at worcesterdiocese.org

 The following can be prayed alone or with family members in your household.

 In the name of the Father,
and of the Son (+),
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PENITENTIAL ACT
Brothers and sisters,
let us acknowledge our sins.

A brief pause for silence follows. Then all recite together the formula of general confession:

 I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray.

O God, who restore human nature
to yet greater dignity than at its beginnings,
look upon the amazing mystery of your loving kindness,
and in those you have chosen to make new
through the wonder of rebirth
may you preserve the gifts
of your enduring grace and blessing.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

READINGS  (click for readings of the day)

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
That the Church might always be faithful to her mission of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

That God, who raised up David as a holy and just king, may raise up in our own day leaders and people of influence and power who do what is right and just.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.