Africa: Hope of Christ Alive
MARCH 2009
Mariatu Kamara: Victim of War, Sharer of Hope
The Xaverian Missionaries have worked in
Sierra
Leone, Africa since the early 1950's. There, from 1999 to 2002, a devastating war left hundreds of thousands of civilians brutally
maimed and wounded.
Mariatu Kamara is 22, pays close attention to fashion, makeup and hairstyles, and, like many young women in Canada, started college recently. But, unlike others at her downtown campus, Kamara is doing it all without hands. Hers were hacked off in a machete attack in her native Sierra Leone a decade ago. She shares her story in a book called
The Bite of the
Mango. More...
Apostolic Journey of the Pope to Africa
From March 17-23, Pope Benedict XVI will travel to the countries of Cameroon
and Angola. The US Catholic bishops remind us: "The critical challenges and enormous potential facing Africa today serve as the opportunity for-and test of-our mutual solidarity. Our response to this vocation of solidarity with the Church and peoples of Africa enables us to express love "in deed and in truth" (1 Jn
3:18), a love that creates no borders and sets no limits to what might be accomplished together in Christ.
More...
Practical Ideas in Solidarity with Africa
Catholic Relief Services launched the Africa Campaign: Africa Rising, Hope and Healing in
2001. Africa Rising Hope and Healing invites Catholics in the United States to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Africa through prayer, dialogue and
advocacy. Here are some tried and true helps:
Nets for Nets: Campus Program to Fight Malaria
School Wide Program for Solidarity with Africa
Food Fast Friday Retreat
HIV/AIDS Curriculum - PDF
Africa Retreat - PDF
Solidarity with Africa Prayer Resources
African Recipes - PDF
Darfur Catholic Discussion Guide
Africa Faith and Justice Network
Fr. Rocco Puopolo, SX (far left), Xaverian Missionary is Executive Director of AFJN in Washington. The
Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) is a community of advocates for responsible U.S. relations with Africa. AFJN stresses issues of peacebuilding, human rights and social justice that tie directly into Catholic social teaching. AFJN works closely with Catholic missionary congregations and numerous Africa-focused coalitions of all persuasions.
Check out his article on our latest newsletter on his trip to West Africa and research on their latest work in restorative justice in Africa. It's on page 5.
World Culture: A Joyous Celebration of Music from Africa
One cannot overstate the influence Africa has had on music of the world. Jazz, blues, rock and roll, gospel, salsa, samba, funk, hip-hop, reggae, zydeco, zouk - the list of genres which have roots in African music is endless. Africa is home to a myriad of styles, and it remains one of the most creative places for music on the planet.
A portion of Putumayo's proceeds from the sale of this CD is donated to Concern Worldwide in support of their efforts to make positive and sustainable changes in the lives of families worldwide living on a dollar or less per day.
Check out the tracks at Putumayo Music
.