Moni
Winanso Wochokera Kwa Masistere Achimalawi
(Once
Again Greetings from the Malawian Sisters)
Many things have happened since our last article. The most important thing which has happened was the clothing ceremony which took place on March 19, 2001. We, postulants, have become Novice sisters and our new names are: Monica is now Sister Monica, and Maria is now Sister Maria Nema (Nema means Blessings or Grace in Swahili from Tanzania). At our clothing ceremony there were many people and our retired Bishop Biggers was the celebrant. The Bishop Elect Canon Christopher Boyle of the Diocese of Northern Malawi was here, too. We had a nice time with our Bishop Elect, and we discussed some of the issues concerning our future. He has promised that he will help us and support us. As of now, he is the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Malawi. He was consecrated on 22nd of April, 2001. We were also glad to see George Thatcher who helped us to get our visas. He is a friend of Bishop Biggers.
Bishop Jackson Biggers and Sisters Monica, Martha and Maria Nema, N
Another interesting event was that on the same day, we had Compline in Chichewa. At this time our Office Book project is half-way done, as we have finished Compline, Vespers and Little Hours. Now we are working hard on Matins, and we hope that we will finish soon so that we may check some of the mistakes we might have made.
On the Feast of the Annunciation of Virgin Mary we visited the Convent of St. John Baptist where there was a 65th Anniversary Celebration for Sister Margaret Helena. We had a nice time there. We sang Vespers with the Sisters, and we met Sister Jane who is from Cameroon, Africa who is also training to be a nun as we are doing. On the 19th of April, 2001 we visited New York City with Sister Mary Elizabeth. During this New York City trip, we visited the United Nations, and we took a tour. Our tour guide was an African from Kenya. During this tour we got a good idea about the main functions of the UN. We understood everything about the UN, and it was a fun tour to us.
The novices assisted in Lucy’s delivery of two buck kids on May 2.
First, we thank God, that although we are facing some predicaments, God is strengthening us. As of now one of the interesting things, which we are doing in the Convent as part of our religious life, is to serve as cantrix, and we are continuing to be readers in the daily office. We are also working in the sacristy taking care of sacred vessels, and we are also lighting candles. We are working on our vegetable garden. As of now, we have planted lettuce, sweet corn, snow peas, and other vegetables. We are glad now that it is spring time because it reminds us of home. We don’t know the plans for Summer time such as where we are going for rest. Because we are novices, we will appreciate any place we are taken. As our proverb says, “When you are in Rome do what Romans do to win them.”
We send our Pentecost greetings to you all. May the Holy Spirit guide you and keep you. Finally, we wish to offer many thanks to all our friends who are supporting us. We hope that you will continue praying for us during this coming year. We appreciate all your prayers and are grateful we may have this opportunity to learn to become sisters.
God bless you all (Ambuye akudaletseni nonse).