OUR PARISH DAY CELEBRATION 2006

Wao! At last, it is all over. Our Parish Day Celebration this year had many challenges. One day after the peak celebration one can heave a sigh of relief. One big reason to rejoice is that is happened again: parishioners came from all the corners of the parish to unite around the altar. A few people made a lot of sacrifices for the success of the day. The women of Binju and Kungi Missions worked really hard. But perhaps the young people stole the show. Not many of them, but the few who had their eyes open for whatever service needed to be done. There were only about five of them. They noticed on Saturday night the Church had not been cleaned. They washed the whole big Church that night and threw a lot of water on the dusty floor of the old Church building. The next day they were busy as early as 6 a.m. cleaning the moving benches and things around.
Father Zephyrinus, the Bishop's Secretary presided at the Eucharistic Celebration. He challenged the parishioners to unite around the altar and to work as one person. Drawing on the life of St Martin de Porres, he encouraged the parishioners to hope and trust in God's goodness. God calls people in the state in which he finds them. Father Zeph was certain God would want some young people of our parish to serve him in the priesthood and the religious life. Our young people only needed to be open and willing to answer his call.
Drawing on the readings of the day, he highlighted the two widows who had given of their little. The quality, not quantity of their gifts was more important. The "good heart" heart of the widows gave value to their mites. We would need such "good hearts" in this parish to be able to work as a united front, and not work in factions.
When Mass was over the Chairperson of the Parish Council Presented an address which highlighted burdens of the parish. We give you the address in its entirety.


AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE BINJU-NKAMBE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL ON THE OCCASION OF THE CELEBRATION OF BINJU-NKAMBE PARISH DAY 2006 ON SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2006

His Lordship, the Bishop of Kumbo,
The Parish Priest, Binju-Nkambe Parish;
Reverend Fathers, Reverend Sisters,
Distinguished Guests,
All other Protocol respected,


It is with a singular joy and pleasure that I welcome each and every one of you with joy into this hall today as we celebrate our Parish Day. This is the first Parish Day celebration since we last celebrated the Golden Jubilee of our Parish in November 2005. As usual, during our Parish Day celebration we also do fund-raising. This years’ Fund Raising has for its objective to “reach the Harvest Thanksgiving Budget” which we drew for ourselves. Following the good performance in Harvest Thanksgiving last year, we budgeted CFA 2 million francs for Harvest Thanksgiving this year. We did this with a lot of hope and enthusiasm.
Your Lordship, honourable guests, ladies and gentlemen, in the past year we have been working hard to improve on our spiritual life. We experienced a lot of difficulty in this area. We also experienced a lot of financial setbacks. We have come to realise that our whole parish is still at a very low level of faith. Most of our outstations are still at the very primary level of evangelisation.
Since we celebrated the last Parish Day in the context of our Golden Jubilee, we have only had twenty-six infant baptisms and twenty-five adult baptisms. We have not been blessed with any Christian Marriage since we witnessed five marriages regularised and recorded two mixed marriages by dispensation. Yet, we have continued to see many of the young members of our parish enter into irregular relationships. We see a very serious need to pray for the grace for our young people to contract Christian Marriages and build Christian Families.
Sadly, the number of Single and Teenage Mothers has continued to rise in our parish. The most active “Church Group” in our Parish is the “Single Parents’ Group” which brings together single teenage mothers and widows. Sadder still is the fact that some of the single mothers continue to have more children in the single state, in spite of the hope we had, that the help they receive from the diocese to improve their economy would help them to respect themselves and fight harder against temptation.
Last August ten young people made their First Holy Communion. As we hadn’t yet grown in the tradition of baptising our children when they were born, the number of First Holy Communicants for those who were baptised as infants is still very low.
We recorded twenty-one members of our parish who died and were either given a Christian Burial or were entered in our register of the dead.
We have less than 220 Catechumens in our Catechumenates. In fact, in some of our Catechumenates, there are no people coming for doctrine. Two of our Catechumenates do not have regular Catechists because there are neither Catechumens willing to come for doctrine nor people willing to take on the work of Catechist.
In the face of all that seems hopeless, we have continued to forge ahead, guided by the Holy Spirit. We have noticed great spiritual growth in at least one of the four pastoral zones of the parish: Kungi Zone. We are very happy to note that for every Sunday Mass now in Kungi there is a local Mass offering with a Stipend. We rejoice further that the number of people coming to Sunday Mass in that zone is continuing to increase. This makes us feel the need to apply for a Eucharistic Centre in that Zone.
Our Vocations Group has continued to meet on the First Saturday of the Month. Since they started taking their meetings to the different mission stations of the parish, more and more young people are continuing to join the group. It is our hope that some members of the group will heed God’s Call to Christian Marriage and to the Consecrated life in the not too distant a future. We appeal to all our parishioners to pray for this group and to encourage the young people who are joining the group to have the courage to answer God’s call if He invites them to offer their lives in the service of their brothers and sisters in the Priesthood and the Religious Life.
The other major problem we face in the parish is financial. Our Financial balance as of last Thursday stood at a deficit of 1,663,189 Francs CFA. The repairs and depreciation of the two old cars we have for the parish continue to drain us; the table bill of our priests continues to rise as the cost of food keeps increasing. Our mission ordinary expenses on electricity, water, domestic staff is another source of heavy expenditure.
On the other hand, we have failed drastically in our Church Contribution. As of last Thursday we had only realised 380,365 francs from Church Contribution. Our Alms during Masses have dropped terribly from the record we had last year. As of last Thursday we had realised only 1,054,206 Francs in Alms. Our dream to increase our Harvest Thanksgiving this year is far from being realised. As of now, we have only realised 800,913 Francs in Harvest Thanksgiving. We are still very far from our budget of 2 million. That is why we are appealing to all of you to donate generously today to realise our budget.
This is the day on which we should each ask ourselves “what has been my personal contribution to make this parish a more loving community?”, “Do I work consciously to make the parish more self-reliant or self-supporting?”, “Am I convinced of the need to, and do I work concretely in collaboration with my priests and the rest of the community to, make the parish a deeper faith community?”
I wish to end this address by thanking each and every one of you once more for honouring our invitation to be here. Above all, I thank God Almighty for making it possible for all of us to be part of this celebration. I recommend to your prayers those members of our parish who did not live to celebrate this day with us. Let us pray especially for our school child, Samba Lawrence of Class 7 in CS Binju, who worked last Friday with his friends, preparing the mission compound for our celebration today, but died that Friday evening and so cannot be here today with us. May God grant him eternal rest in heaven.
May God be with us during our celebration today, and bring you safely home when we finish from here.

Long live Binju-Nkambe Parish;
Long Live the Diocese of Kumbo;
Long Live the Catholic Church in Cameroon.

Bawe Henry,
Chairperson,
Parish Pastoral Council.

Fund Raising Activities followd after the address. This was the first time we celebrated our parish day to the end without a single visitor from another Church. The Baptists were having a celebration in their Church and the Presbyterians were celebrating the anniversary of their independence.
We are very grateful to the parishioners who contributed generously. At the end of the day we had raised the meagre sum of 290000 francs. This was the contribution of only a few people.
The football match that had been planned between the Catholic Women Association (CWA) of Kungi and CWA of Binju did not take place. Kungi village was bereaved again that morning and the women could not be available for the football match. Some of Binju's Team were poised for the match and shook the place with their jogging and whistling. They have gone into training and are still challenging Kungi women to come for the encounter when they are done with their mourning.
We thank God for the blessings He has given us to celebrate another Parish Day.
Robert Tanto.

NURTURING MAMBA COMMUNITY

Mamba is a small farming homestead made up of people who left Kungi in search of farming land. The village lies behind the mighty Kungi hill, and overlooks Akweto on the other side of the parish.
The tiny Church Community of Mamba is made up of some 25 adult Christians and some possible "Catechumens" who still need a lot of encouragement. It is one of the most challenging of our mission stations.




To begin with, it is very inaccessible. One treks for about two hours descending through rough terrain to reach the village. Then often one reaches the village to discover the people had all "forgotten" the priest was about to visit them.

As a rule, when we get there, we celebrate the Eucharist for the few people who come. Usually there are about three or four communicants. The Mass is celebrated in the open air as there is no church building of any sort in which to worship.

The other day when I celebrated Mass we had to keep an eye on the cows that were grazing happily behind our makeshift church buidling of a few sticks and stitched fertilizer bags for a roof.

We also had to shut our ears to the passers by who made distracting and discouraging comments about the faith community.

What I find most interesting and attractive about Mamba is the pastoral challenge it offers us. There are quite a few children who do not go to school. The few people who come to our Eucharistic celebration and Church meeting make a lot of promises to enlist in the catechumenate, or to work harder at their Christian lives, and so on.One has to keep hoping that the people will one day think about
fulfilling their promises.


That is what motivates us to continue visiting the place. And now we are discussing a small project to construct a small prayer house for the people. We are grateful to Maria and Rainer Gramlich of Villmar in Germany who initiated a "Baustein" stand during their parish feastday to raise a little money as their contribution to a little prayerhouse in Mamba. Will the local people wake up and try to make their own little contribution for the project? Maybe the young people who have left the village for better ventures at Tiko and Likomba area will think of making a contribution when they come back to celebrate Christmas!!

Pray for us!

NGOTONG CHURCH REPAIRS

It's been a long month since I last wrote something for our weblog. I am sorry for starving our readers. Today I am happy to come back, and with some good news.

Last Wednesday I celebrated what I considered my last Mass in the Ngotong Outstation Church in a dangerous state. I always feared that the wall would one day collapse on me during Consecration or at some other part of Holy Mass.

The small community of Ngotong-Ntumbe did their best to raise a sum total of 63000 francs CFA, just a little under 100€. It took them close to four years to realise this amount. I insisted as best I could, but the people could not just do more. They have, however, done a lot of community work, carrying sand from far away below the hill for cement blocks. Now they have to fetch water from a little brook some about one kilometre away for the brickwork. Carpenters and builders have been recruited from Nkambe and Binju. General labourers are recruited from Ngotong-Ntumbe village. The whole village is celebrating the repairs of Ngotong Church.
All this is happening, thanks to the donation of 138000 francs by Neil McNeil and his wife of Canada. From their own poverty, they decided they could not sit and watch Ngotong Church collapse to the ground. We remember Neil for his brief visit to Binju in 2004. He had to hurry away when he got news his father was dying. Even as his family made the donation for Ngotong Church repairs, his father is still very poorly. We are very grateful to Neil and his wife for their kindness. The Ngotong-Ntumbe community applauded when I informed them about the donation from Neil.

All material for the repairs has been brought to Ngotong: alluminion sheets, iron rods, bags of cement, nails, and so on. We the workers are set to tackle the building next Tuesday and the days following. We have made a final cost estimate of CFA 600000 francs, but have only 200000 francs in hand. We are working in faith. We continue to encourage the Ngotong-Ntumbe community to add to their contribution, and to appeal anyone of good will to come to our help. Every drop of water adds to make an ocean.

Robert Tanto

BEFORE AND AFTER EPISCOPAL ORDINATION

The heat of preparations for the episcopal ordination of Bishop George is all over now. The Steering Committee will be meeting again on Saturday 16 September to take stock of the events. People gave generously for the occasion. The Lamido of Wat in Tabenken parish donated a cow; the Fon of Nso donated a cow, etc. So many people, Christians and non Christians alike, contributed for the occasion.





The ordination cloth is still selling. Those who bought the cloth sewed it in all kinds of styles. At the ordination grounds the cloth dominated all other attires. It will remain a souvenir for the people, and will be highly prized when Bishop George makes his maiden visit to the parishes.

Christian Maier, the new coordinator for the Limburg wing of the partnership between Kumbo and Limburg is still around and will be going back to Germany at the weekend. He became Limburg Diocesan Coordinator of Partnership on 15 August 2006. He actually visited partner parishes and institutions in Kumbo before going to meet their counterparts in Germany next Monday 18 September.
Daniela and Venessa, who will be staying on for one year to work respectively in the Family Life Office and on the Diocesan Youth Team, accompanied Christian to Djottin and Binju-Nkambe. We were happy to host them for the night. We have asked Christian to kindly bring our love to our brothers and sisters in Kloster Arnstein, Winden and Nassau.


Robert Tanto

ORDINATION OF BISHOP GEORGE NKUO

Taken from The Post (Buea)
September 12, 2006Posted to the web September 12, 2006
By Charly Ndi Chia, Chris Mbunwe & Willibroad Nformi

The news of the elevation to Bishopric office of Rev. George Nkuo was broken on Saturday, July 8, 2006. Three days later, on Tuesday, July 11, the Bishop-elect paid a contact visit to the Kumbo Diocese.
Then, the "informal crowd" that got wind of the news that their new Sheppard was "sneaking" into town, lined the streets and welcomed him to where he would soon take up jurisdictional charge.
Friday, September 8, 2006, was apparently Rev. Father George's greatest day of glory so far. Bishops and Archbishops from all the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Cameroon, over 200 Priests, Catholic Christians and other well wishers headed for Kumbo, to be witnesses to the Episcopal Ordination proper.
They numbered several tens of thousands. The ordination rite was systematic, deliberate and generally solemn. There was, for example, the presentation of the Bishop-elect, after which he made promises; two Deacons, whose angelic voices and total articulation and synchrony created graveyard silence while it lasted, sang the Litany of Supplication in Latin.
Then followed the laying on of hands, anointing the head of the one being ordained and presenting him with the book of gospels. The rite of ordination was formally done, after the Bishop-elect was invested with Ring, Mitre and Pastoral Staff, through to the seating of the Bishop and the Kiss of Peace.
Christian Cardinal Wiyghan Tumi as the Principal Ordaining Bishop, conducted the exercise, assisted by the Archbishops of Bamenda, and Yaounde respectively.
His Eminence, Cardinal Tumi's homily, sounded much like the challenges of Bishopric office and how the new Bishop was to best live with and handle such challenges.
It was vintage Cardinal Tumi, thundering, admonishing the newly consecrated Bishop to be courageous, else he would be a disaster to his Christians and the Church. Hear him:
"As a Bishop, be not afraid of anybody when you proclaim the truth, for the truth shall set you free. Remember, lack of courage in a Bishop is the beginning of disaster. The greatest weakness in an Apostle is fear.
"What gives rise to fear is lack of confidence in the power of God. Silence in the presence of enemies encourages them. Don't even be afraid of those who will kill you. If you are afraid as a Bishop, then you are weak. Preach the truth and only the truth. Here, there is no room for compromise, or for an opportunistic recourse to human diplomacy.
"We have to bear witness to the truth even at the cause of persecution, even to the shedding of our blood as Christ did Himself, to save the world. George, be a courageous man of faith. Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body, but cannot kill the soul."
The Cardinal told Bishop Nkuo to devote most of his time and attention to the formation of quality Priests, especially on their spiritual lives, adding for effect, that he should be very careful not to lay hands too readily on anyone as a Priest.
He equally appealed to the Priests to be disciplined and to collaborate with the new Bishop. The Cardinal said for the sake of the Church, Bishop Nkuo should love his Priests, listen to them, as well as the laity and other religious." No Priests, no Church", he warned.

How to Fight Stress

Hinting further that the challenges ahead of the new Bishop would be enormous, the Principal Ordaining Bishop admonished Monsignor Nkuo to use the special gift God has given him, which he said was that of smiling, even during difficult moments.
Comparing the new Bishop to his predecessor, Archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua, Tumi was categorical. "Fontem is a specialist in the scriptures, and you are a specialist in education; a seasoned educationist.
His ways are not your ways. You will never be a founding Bishop like Cornelius, but you will be a builder like him. Be who you are, accept what you are. You are God's gift to yourself. So thank God for what you are". He added:"Dear George, love your Priests and share the pastoral concerns of each and everyone of them.
Back to the special gift of smiling, Tumi noted:"George, you have the gift of smiling in difficulties. You always have a smiling face even when you are angry. Some say your greatest weakness is that it will take you a lifetime to learn how to be seriously annoyed with someone who has seriously annoyed you.
That is a gift; make the best of it in your relationship with your Priests and religious to whom they should have the opportunity to confide in you". He was reminded that he was not made Bishop because he is holier than any other Priest.
While noting that to be a Bishop is a mystery, Cardinal Tumi said it took the Church quite some time to arrive at the decision of making the choice that fell on Nkuo. "We are not Bishops because we are holier than others, but for reasons best known to God alone". To be a successor of the Apostle is a mystery and great honour", he said.

No Tribalism

Qualifying the appointment as a great honour from the Holy See to George and the entire Kom people from where he hails, Tumi said Bishop Nkuo's maiden visit to Kumbo after that appointment in July, could be likened to Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Lying prostrate during the litany of Supplication
In order to promote pastoral care of the Christians and lay faithful, Bishop Nkuo was told to fling the doors of the Bishop's house in Kumbo wide open to all. "Let everyone have direct access to the Bishop's house. He is a father to all, including those who are not Catholic Christians."

New Bishop's Tribute
Bishop Nkuo paid tribute to Pope Benedict XVI, who appointed him. To his collaborators, Bishops, Priests, Reverend Sisters and all who witnessed and supported the ordination, he said he could only offer love. He promised to work hard to consolidate what his predecessor, His Grace, Cornelius Fontem Esua started, especially the implementation of the Pastoral Plan.
Moved by the thousands that made it to Kumbo for the event, Bishop Nkuo said he believes that it takes a whole nation to raise a Bishop. He said he was particularly happy because Cardinal Tumi, who taught him in the first form in Bishop Rogan College, performed the consecration rites.
He was appreciative to Bishop Esua, for entrusting to his care a flourishing and vibrant Church."This is a formidable and special legacy Archbishop Esua has left for me", he said. He promised that together with the Diocesan Christians, he would build and transform the Church in Kumbo.
"I will collaborate with the Muslims and other churches and everyone who has good ideas. For you, I am a Bishop, with you, I am a Christian".Bishop Nkuo said he had special regards to youths and teachers, being those he has spent more than 25 years working with as a Priest.
The founding Bishop of Kumbo, His Grace Esua said during his 24 years as Pastor of Diocese, he discovered dignity, diligence and high spiritual growth in the Christians of the area. "The flock of Kumbo is God-fearing and hardworking.
You can count on their support, though they can be so demanding at times. Which ties with the saying that what can be so sweet in the mouth, can equally be very bitter in the stomach". He apologized for any of his shortcomings.



Bishop Esua then introduced a six-man delegation from the Diocese of Limberg in Germany that has contributed immensely to the growth of Kumbo Diocese. "As I leave Kumbo for Bamenda, I leave behind my heart with you", he promised.









Cheque From Kom Fon

One of the highlights of the occasion was the presentation of a cheque of FCFA 5 million by HRH Fon Vincent Yuh I, Paramount Ruler of Kom in Boyo Division. In a terse message that was translated by Professor Paul Nchoji Nkwi, the Fon hailed the Pope for making him (Fon) proud.
"This is an initial support to Bishop Nkuo, a modest gift of FCFA 5 million from the Kom people."We have offered Nkuo to the Church as Abraham offered his son without looking back".
It was bright, favourable weather in Kumbo throughout the event that effectively lasted some five hours. The skies only started weeping, rather heavily, about an hour after the last of the souvenir photographs with the new Kumbo Bishop had been taken.

Photos: Courtesy of Livinus Bam, PCC Kumbo.

SORRY FOR INABILITY TO GIVE YOU NEWS

We wish to apologise to our readers for the long silence. We have had loads of problems with our connections. This weekend we hope to get technicians from Douala to check the system. Hope to give you all the news about preparations for the episcopal ordination of our bishop-elect, George Nkuo.
See you soon.
Robert Tanto.

FEAST OF ASSUMPTION IN BINJU-NKAMBE PARISH

Traditionally the Feast of Assumption is celebrated with a lot of pomp in our parish. This year the celebration was marked by the celebration of the Eucharist in 4 stations: Binju, Bakinchini, Bansobi and Kungi.
At Kungi the Catholic Women Association members appeared in their CWA Uniform and proclaimed the readings at Mass. They invited the Parish Priest to join the rest of their community for lunch. It was a sumptuous lunch. There was enough food for all the men, the children and women who are not members of the CWA.
Because I had not brought my camera to Kungi on 15 August, I asked the women to kindly wear their uniform to the Pastoral Meeting of the zone which was taking place the following day, 16 August. They did, and we took some really good photos of them in their uniform.
All through the parish we were united with our friends and partners in Low Fell, England. We informed them during the Masses that the CWA cloth was put on the Altar in Low Fell, and that special prayers were being offered there for our parish.
How nice it is when brothers and sisters live together. We are together with our brothers and sisters in Low Fell.
Robert Tanto.

PRAYERS FROM ST. PETER’S, LOW FELL (ENGLAND)

Special prayers were offered in St. Peter’s Parish, Low Fell on the Feast of the Assumption for all those in Binju-Nkambe Parish and especially for the members of CWA. Last April, I travelled from Low Fell with Pat O’Connor, Cecilia Connelly and Frances Martin to be with you for a few days and we received such a wonderful welcome from all of you wherever we went in the many different parts of Binju-Nkambe Parish. On our last evening we were given a length of the beautiful CWA cloth and we promised to put it on our altar on August 15th. We did this and felt very united with you in prayer during our Mass.
The cloth is a symbol for us of our ongoing love and friendship with all of you.

Mary Hughes

ORDINATION CLOTH ALREADY ON THE MARKET

Are you coming to the Episcopal Ordination of Mgr George NKUO? Then you need to get a piece of Ordination Cloth that has been designed for the occasion. It costs CFA 8,000 F a piece. It is the only "uniform" advised for the occasion.
Do not forget, ordination date is Friday 08 September 2006.
Get ready to buy on the day of ordination a booklet with the liturgy programme, the history of Kumbo Diocese and the biographies of the outgoing and incoming bishops.
Have you booked any hotel reservation yet? There are few hotels in Kumbo, so hurry to book now!!
Priests coming from the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province will find lodging in the presbyteries of the nearby parishes at Jakiri, Kumbo, Shisong, Meluf, Tatum, Mbve.
Preparations are heating up. Get involved. Do not be left behind.
By the way, have you made your contribution to the ordination? If you contribute CFA 1000 F plus, you get a ticket with the logo of the event.

Photo: Livinus Tal Bam

Robert Tanto.

FUNERAL FOR FATHER PATRICK ADESO

The circumstances surrounding Father Adeso's death are difficult to interpret. He was, however, given a decent funeral on Tuesday 1st August 2006 at Kumgo.
During his funeral Mass, which took place in Kumbo Cathedral without his mortal remains, Archbishop Esua encouraged mourners with the assurance that Patrick was with God. His mortal remains were brought after Mass from the Shisong mortuary to the grave yard behind the Cathedral where he was laid to rest.


The mortal remains were not brought to the Church for medical reasons.






The Archbishop assured the congregation that
Patrick was with the Lord.!

Patrick was carried to his final resting place by his brother priests. They missed him in Church during the Requiem Mass, but it was a blessing to carry him with dignity to his final resting place!

It was difficult to take in the truth: Patrick was being lowered to his grave. We can only hope to meet him again in heaven. May his soul rest in perfect peace! Amen.

Present for the funeral was a mammoth crowd, including Mgr Patrick Lafon, Secretary of the National Episcopal Conference, and Bishop Immanuel Bushu of Yagoua.



Photos: courtesy of Livinus Bam

Robert Tanto.

ANOTHER DEATH HITS KUMBO DIOCESE

This afternoon we got information from Kumbo that the papa of Father Zephyrinus Mbuh, Bishop's Secretary, died last night. He will be buried in his home village, Mbessa, tomorrow, 31 July 2006. Kindly remember him in your prayers.

Robert Tanto.

DONGA MANTUNG COMMUNITY RADIO GOES OPERATIONAL IN NKAMBE

All of Nkambe Town, and indeed the whole of Nkambe plateau is echoing the same sound, the same message, the same noise. One would think that everyone has tuned in to FM 105.1, the Donga-Mantung Community Radio Transmission.

The Radio House is a simple residential house, still very much unfinished

The whole Division has waited some two years for this dream to come true. After the preliminary meetings negotiating the opening of this Radio, Mr Akwanka Joe Ndifor, the reputed journalist who was behind it all died and left everyone wondering if this dream would ever be realised.

When I visited the building on July 27th Moses was still fitting in electrical sockets and switches!

Many people have been to the radio station today to lavish praises on the Lord Mayor of Nkambe and the Mayors of the Councils in Donga Mantung Division for pursuing this project to this stage. Mayor Jones Mangoh of Nkambe Rural Council is said to be in the USA to beg for money for more development projects in his municipality. He might have been the first to go on the air today!




A few days ago I caught up with a young English Man from London, Max Graef, who was seating even in the fresh air of Nkambe, to get the infrastructure finished within a few days. He was so busy he could not make the time to grant us an interview. Today I met him as busy as ever, organising, correcting, directing, just busying, busying.

Max Graef, Community Radio Specialist from London!

But he was happy. The crowd that filled the radio house told of the joy of success. As I compose this news bit I am listening to the Sunday Evening Show on FM 105.1.

What is even more, I had my few minutes on the air today to appreciate the achievement and inform people about my communication today with the Wimbum Group in USA who are working out their own contribution to the success of this radio story.
We are open to contribute our own bits of news, information and formation to our community through this medium. The boys in the studio hinted me they will be coming around some time to cover our Eucharistic Celebration live.

Max was happy to register success with
the technicians in the control room.

They told me they have had feedback about reception in Ndu, Oku, Nwa, Tabenken, Binka. They are still waiting to get feedback from Misaje, Ako, Sabongari. When the transmission can be received in these places, then the whole division is covered. This is indeed good news.

The Deputy Mayor of Nkambe has been on the air calling on people to report back from the areas where they received the broadcast.

Robert Tanto.

FATHER PATRICK ADESO IS DEAD

The Bishop's Secretary informs us that in the afternoon of 29 July 2006 Father Patrick Adeso was found dead in his room at the Campus of the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaounde. Apparently he had been dead for some time already but was only discovered on that afternoon. Burial arrangements are still being made and will be communicated to us later.
Father Patrick was a priest of the Diocese of Kumbo and teacher of Sacred Scripture at the Catholic University. He was born on 21 March 1951 and ordained priest on 19 April 1979.
Please, remember him in your prayers.

Robert Tanto.

FIRST CAMEROONIAN MILL HILL MISSIONARY ORDAINED

The ordination of Rev. Father Elvis Berka Shudzeka of Ngomrin, Sop, took place this morning at the St Theresia's Cathedral, Kumbo. Christian Cardinal Tumi presided at the ordination ceremony and was assisted by Archbishop Esua, Bishop Immanuel Bushu of Yagoua, Father Maurice McGill, MHM, the Mill Hill Superior for Cameroon, and other Mill Hill Members from Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province. There was a large presence of Cameroonian Diocesan Priests. The ceremony was colourful.
Father Elvis Berka is the first Cameroonian to be ordained priest for the Mill Hill Missionary Society. He was born in Nkambe in 1973 into the family of Mr Yimbu Fidelis Shudzeka and Mrs Prudentia Wimum. He is the 6th of 8 children.
He did his secondary and High School in GHS Kumbo from 1988 - 1996. After High School he did a spiritual year in the Mill Hill Formation Centre in Foncha Street, Bayelle Parish from 1996 - 1997.
1997 - 2000 he studied Philosophy in Jinja, Uganda. He then moved to St Joseph's College, Mill Hill, London. In 2002 he took the Temporary Oath as a temporary member of St Joseph's Missionary Society. In the same year he was appointed to Pakistan for missionary experience, but did not go there due to a problem in getting a visa. He was appointed to Kotido Karamoja in North Uganda where he served until 2004. Then he moved to Nairobi, Kenya, to complete his study of Theology.
In December 2005 he took the perpetual Oath as a permanent member of St Joseph's Missionary society. He was ordained deacon on 14 January 2006 at Nairobi. In February 2006 he received his first appointment to Malakal in Sudan. He will take up that appointment when he is done with Thanksgiving Masses after his ordination today at St Theresia's Cathedral, Kumbo.
Addressing the large congregation that was present for the ordination, Fr Maurice McGill, the Mill Hill Superior for Cameroon, thanked all who have contributed in different ways to form Father Elvis for Missionary Service. He told the newly ordained missionary: "Fr. Elvis, you are invited to show the way to the students in formation and, thank God, there are a number of them, and to encourage the candidates who will come this year and those who will follow them in years to come". He invited the Mill Hill Students to stand up for all to see them - a good number of them!
Fr Elvis was invited to address the congregation. He did not think he had anything to add to all the beautiful things Fr Maurice had said. He thanked the people for coming to the celebration and appealed to all to pray for him. He said he had entered into a pact with God and could only succeed if he prayed a lot and needed others to pray also for him.

Robert Tanto

PREPARATIONS FOR EPISCOPAL ORDINATION

The Ordination of the Bishop-Elect, Mgr George NKUO has been slated for 8 September. Last Saturday the Sterring Committee charged with the preparations for this event met for the first time in Bishop's House, Kumbo. The following sub-committees were set up with members from the steering commitee and coopted members from among the faithful and friends of the diocese:
1. Feeding Committee: To receive contributions from the parishes, purchase food items and drinks, assign different groups to prepare the food and serve it to the invited guests: Lilian Manjo (Chairperson), Brother Juan Nvo Nvo, Sr. Therese Claire Chi, Sr. Grace Ngu, 10 Sisters of Tertiary sisters of St Francis.
2. Transportation Committee:To cater for the transport for the members of the committees, the transportation of the lodged persons, transportation of food and drinks: Mr Ernest Yubin (Chairperson), Father Daniel Ache, Mr Mr Michael Chinja.
3. Decoration Committee: To decorate the Altar, the ceremonial ground, writings for the hall, banners and posters, route markers: Sr Grace Ngu (Chairperson), Fr Evaristus Kiven, Sr Anette Tangwa. They will coopt more members.
4. Gift Committee: To liaise with Rome and get a durable chalice for the new Bishop, with the following words imprinted on it: "From the Faithful of the Diocese of Kumbo to Mgr. George NKUO": Fr Zephyrinus Y. Mbuh, Fr Hans Willeit, Fr Cyprian Tatah.
5. Liturgy Committee: To prepare every detail pertaining to the liturgy of the ordination day: Vestments for the one to be ordained, the Principal Consecrator and the Co-Consecrators, Festments for other Bishops and Priests, Candles, Flowers, Bread and Wine, Incense,m Coal, etc.: Diocesan Liturgy Committee, Sr Anette Tangwa, Sr Grace Mary Yefon, Mr Elias Bantar.
6. Ordination Grounds Committee: To prepare the ground for the ordination ceremony (build podium, arrange sitting, get sheds against rain, etc..): Diocesan Construction Department, Mr Ernest Yubin, Fr Anthony Yilaka, Fr Zephyrinus Mbuh, The Principal of SAC.
7. Communications Media Committee: To prepare booklet containing information about the diocese and the new Bishop, and Singing Programme, Prepare Contribution Cards, Invitations, Speeches, Minutes of Committee Meetings, bringing in the Radio and Television, Communicating with Cameroon Panorama and L'Effort Camerounais, uploading information on the internet, sensitisation and announcements, assuring public speaking system on ordination day, arranging a stand-by generator on the day of ordination, organising photographs and video coverage of the occasion: Fr Robert Tanto (Chairperson), Diocesan Printing and Communicatiuons Centre, Shey Julius Ngalim, Mr Chrysanthus Sala.
8. Security/Protocol Committee: Guarantee securitz for the Pastoral Centre and for parking on the day of ordination, organising protocol, order at the Liturgical assembly and in the halls where food is served, to contact Administration and Shisong Hospital for 'Security Personnel': Mr Augustine Ngu Ngwa (Chairperson), Mr Ernest Yubin, Mr Nic Otiason, Mr Nkwain Emmanuel, Ms. Angeline Kong, Mr Peter Mbuh, Shey Fonbah Richard.
9. Medical Committee: To organise medical care for those who might develop health problems. To make available a standy-by ambulance: Sr Bridget Manka (Chairperson), Mrs Clara Bongmba, Dr Yaa Louisa Wirmum, Sr Lory, and coopted nurses.
10. Finance Committee: To collect, disburse and account for all the monies needed: Mr Ngah Stephen (Chairperson), Fr Anthony Yilaka, HRH Fon Polycarp Ngwayi, Mr Boniface Nyuyki, Mr Bawe Henry, Ms. Angeline Kong, Mrs Emerencia Shang, Fr Patrick Nchuwa, Mr Beri Joseph Baba, Chairpersons of Parish Finance Commissions.
11. Souvenirs: To see to the provision and sale of souvenirs (cloth and T-shirts, etc.): Fr Andrew Ngah (Chairperson), Fr Anthony Yilaka, Dr Louisa Nyuyseni, Fr Charles Mbuntum, Mr Christopher Fornkwa, Mrs Fonju Elizabeth, Sr Grace Ngu, Sr Josephine Jaya.
12. Accommodation Committee: To receive and lodge guests who will come from other dioceses and abroad for the ordination: Mr Ephraim Lukong (Chairperson), Sr Anna Woods, Fr Peter Watson, Fr Edwin Njongai, Mr Michael Veranso, Sr Elvira Afoni, Br Juan Nvo Nvo, Sr Catherine Molloy, Chairpersons of Kumbo, Mbve, Tobin, Shisong, Meluf and Melim Parish Pastoral Councils.

Each sub-committee will meet at their convenience to break down their job description and start working before the next Steering Committee Meeting scheduled for 3 August in Bishop's House, Kumbo at 9 a.m.

Robert Tanto.

BINJU-NKAMBE DEANERY CELEBRATION OF PASTORAL WEEK

Binju-Nkambe Deanery celebrated their Pastoral Week at Ako from 20 to 22 July 2006. It is always an adventure going to Ako. The road has started deteriorating. The challenge was too much for many people. Ako Parish, the host parish was represented by some 36 people who sat in during all the discussions. Some of their parishioners did the catering. The hospitality was very good.

Binju-Nkambe Parish was represented by their two priests and 24 lay participants, 23 of them being from Kungi zone, and one only from Binju Main Mission. Bakinchini and Mbande Zones were not represented. This was very surprising as the people in those zones had given the impression during the preparations that they would trek to Ako in their numbers. More surprising was the total absence of Mbande zone which had been carved out of Ako and attached to Binju-Nkambe only in December 2004.

Misaje was represented by only one of the two priests of the parish. Last year Misaje hosted the celebration and Ako was represented during that celebration at Misaje by some 15 people! One person from Mfumte arrived in Ako on the night of Friday 21 July. He alone had dared to come out of Mfumte and to brave the adventurous journey to Ako.

Most surprising was the total absence of Nkambe Town!

The first night of the celebration was characterised by arrival and settling in. Most of those who trekked the 40 kilometres from Kungi to Ako had swollen feet and needed to go to bed early. Ako provided some lighting in the Church with a portable generator. We were able to eat at the front of the Church by a little light from one fluorescent bulb. The handy men at Ako worked hard to keep the little generator running. The stubborn drizzle of rain cooled the air a little. This was good for those who had come in from Binju-Nkambe as the difference in climate can be very off-putting.

We started the day of Friday 21 July with concelebrated High Mass at 9 a.m. Ako Mission Choir animated the liturgy. The Dean, Father Robert Tanto presided at the Mass and delivered a sermon on the theme: Christian Service. He elaborated on "Sacrifice" as the underlying element in "Christian" service. He reminded those who had been voted into the various pastoral commissions to expect difficulties: misunderstanding, misinterpretation, rejection, even persecution, ... etc. To build up commitment in themselves, he urged participants to keep a few principles in mind: That we actually do not do God any favour by the sacrifices we make to render pastoral service if we do so grudgingly; that the little things we "give" to God now are only a preparation for the total "gift of our lives" when God finally asks us to come to him; that we actually do not "give up" anything for God, since all we have comes from him; that it is not possible to avoid sacrifice in life", since in the end we will have to "lose everything". He concluded that sacrifice is the key to receiving blessings from God: "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God..., and all these things will follow" (Mt. 6:33). He told participants that holiness was all mingled with sacrifice: Christ made the ultimate sacrifice to ransom us and invite us to holiness and wholeness.

The Eucharistic Celebration and the Sermon set the tone for the work of the day. After a simple breakfast of "puffpuff" and tea, partipants went into workshop according to commissions. This led to lunch break. After break, participants went into a plenary session and listened to reports from the different commissions. They made indications for the direction to take in making resolutions that will guide the deanery for the next pastoral year. This led into the night, allowing participants only one hour for evening prayer and supper, and ended a little after midnight.

The Dean left Ako at 4.10 a.m. on the morning of Saturday 22 July to celebrate Mass at Binju and continue to Kumbo to participate in the first meeting of the Steering Committee set up to prepare the forthcoming ordination of the new bishop-elect for Kumbo.

He did not make to Binju in time for 6 a.m. Mass. He met two trees that had fallen right in the middle of the road. It took him a walk of about 200 metres to some isolated homes. He woke the people at 4.30 a.m. and begged for matchetes to hack down the trunks and branches of the two trees to find a little passage for his Suzuki Jeep. One must always expect these kind of adventures on Ako road! The next day Sister Therese Ngam of Tatum, who had been visiting in Ako for a few days boarded a bush taxi which broke down on the way and she trekked for six hours to reach Kungi where she was able to hire a bike to Binju Mission!! That is Ako!

The Celebration of Pastoral Week at Ako continued on Saturday morning with the writing of Resolutions for the next Pastoral Year, the Closing Mass presided at by Father John Njingti, outgoing parish priest of Ako, and the Diaspora Meal.

The Secretary at the Celebration, Mr Raphael Adamu of Ako, sent us the following resolutions:

1. To assign priests and qualified people to coordinate different commissions at deanery level;

2. To reinforce or introduce individual Harvest Thanksgiving in all Missions of our parishes;

3. To form Christian Family Movements in at least the Main Missions of our Parishes;

4. To form those pastoral commissions that do not yet exist in the different missions; and

5. To organise Bible Study in all parishes and follow up with a Bible Quiz.

Robert Tanto

BISHOP-ELECT GEORGE NKUO IS WELCOME TO KUMBO

Bishop George Nkuo touches base with Kumbo Christians in maiden visit
Livinus Tal Bam

The new Bishop of Kumbo, Mgr George Nkuo, was recently in Kumbo for the initial contact with his new flock, in what has now been termed "The Unforgetable visit". Never before has such a jubilating crowd been seen, and the joy that was palpably felt even in the air itself, was so contageous that even people with a naturally downcast disposition could be seen rejoicing openly. If there is one thing the people Kumbo do well, it is their open-hearted welcome of all and any visitor.


Archbishop Esua accompanied the people to meet Bishop Nkuo during his triumphal entry into Kumbo!




WWW.Leffortcamerounais.com

APPOINTMENTS AND TRANSFERS IN KUMBO DIOCESE

I realise many people are keen to have the comprehensive list of appointments and transfers in Kumbo. Especially, many have come asking to see a photo of the new VG. Here we go, then!

The new Vicar General wearing his typical smile


1. College of Consultors (All effective from 08 September, 2006):

- Fr. Roland BERNGEH - Fr. Anthony YILAKA - Fr. Peter WATSON, MHM- Fr. Isidore S. LAFON - Fr. Robert I.N. TANTO - Fr. Aloysius AKI - Fr. Zephyrinus Y. MBUH

Parish Priests/Rectors and Assistant Parish Priests/Rectors :

Parish/Q-parish - Ako: Fr. Romanus Kisi LANSO (Parish Priest). Effective from 16 Aug 2006 - Djottin: Fr. Sylvester N. NSAH (Curate). Effective from 01 Aug 2006 - Elak: Fr. Lea S. KINGA (Curate). Effective from 01 Aug 2006 - Jakiri: Fr. Peter G. KINI (2nd Curate). Effective from 01 Aug 2006 - Kumbo Fr. Roland BERNGEH (Parish Priest). Effective from 01 September 2006Fr. Peter WATSON, MHM (2nd Curate). Effective from 08 September 2006.- Fr. Paul E.K. TAR (In Residence). Effective from 01 August 2006.- Mbve: One Sacred Heart Father (Curate): Effective from 01 Aug 2006. - Melim: One Sacred Heart Father (Curate) Effective from 01 Aug 2006. - Misaje: Fr. Polycarp S. WIRBA (Assistant Rector): Effective from 01 Aug 2006. - Ndu: Fr. Emmanuel N. MBEH (Parish Priest): Effective from 16 August 2006.Fr. Julius BINYUY (Curate). Effective from 16 Aug 200616 Aug 2006. - Ndzevru: Fr. Victor N. YUYAR (Rector). Effective from 01 Aug 2006. - Ngondzen: Fr. Joseph VERANSO (Rector). Effective from 01 Sept 2006. - Nkambe Town: Fr. Christopher SEKA (Rector): Effecyive from 01 Aug 2006. - Nkor Fr. Roger N. NGALA (Curate). Effective from 16 Aug 2006.- Tabenken Fr. Denis Martin NJOBAM (Curate). Effective from 01 Sept 2006. - Tatum Fr. John M. NJINGTI (Parish Priest). Effective from 16 August 2006. Fr. Sergius T. SHIYNTUM (Curate). Effctive from 01 Aug 2006

2. Managers of Catholic Schools Parish/Q-parish :

- Djottin: Fr. Sylvester N. NSAH; 01 Aug 2006 - Elak: Fr. Lea S. KINGA; 01 Aug 2006 - Misaje: Fr. Polycarp S. WIRBA; 01 Aug 2006 - Ndu: Fr. Julius BINYUY; 16 Aug 2006 - Ndzevru: Fr. Victor N. YUYAR; 01 Aug 2006 - Ngondzen: Fr. Julius J. VERSHIYI; 01 Aug 2006 - Nkambe Town: Fr. Christopher SEKA; 01 Aug 2006 - Tabenken: Fr. Denis Martin NJOBAM; 01 Sept 2006 - Tatum: Fr. John M. NJINGTI; 16 Aug 2006

3. College Personnel:

- SAC, Nso: Fr. Peter A. FOLENG (Principal). Effective from 01 August 2006.Fr. Polycarp W. YUKENG (Chaplain). Effective from 01 August 2006- SAMS, Kitiwum: Fr. Isidore S. LAFON (Rector). Effective from from 01 August 206.Fr. Oliver S. NDI (Vice Rector/Bursar/Teacher). Effective from 01 August 2006- SARICO, Nkambe: Fr. Christopher SEKA (Chaplain). Effective from 01 August 2006.- SASYCOL, Sop: Fr. Gordian B. BABA (Principal). Effective from 01 August 2006Fr. Justin SEFEMBIY (Chaplain). Effective from 01 August 2006.- SJBC, Ngarum: Fr. Edwin N. KEWAI (Bursar/Chaplain/Teacher). Effective from 01 August 2006- SPC, Tatum: Fr. Sergius T. SHIYNTUM (Chaplain). Effective from 01 Aug 2006

4. Diocesan Directors :

- St Jerome's Biblical and Pastoral Institute: Fr. Cyprian F. TATAH (Director). Effective from 01 Oct 2006 - Vocations: Fr. Isidore S. LAFON (Director). Effective from 01 Aug 2006

5. Others:

Bible Translation: Fr. Cyprian F. TATAH. Effective from 01 Oct 2006 Diocese Yagoua: Fr. Evans SHANG. Effective from 01 Sept 2006

6. Seminarians:

Parish/Q-parish - Ako: Linus CHEKILA. Effective from 01 Sept 2006 - Djottin: SAWA Prosper. Effective from 01 Sept 2006 - Elak: HIBINA Colbert. Effective from 01 Sept 2006 - Jakiri: TCHINDEBE Abraham. Effective from 01 Sept 2006 - Meluf: DIYA Paul. Effective from 01 Sept 2006 - Mfumte: Andrew KOHNJO. Effective from 01 Sept 2006 - Ndu: Beidi Dieudonné. Effective from 01 Sept 2006 - Ndzevru: Venantius FOLA. Effective from 01 Sept 2006 - Nkambe Town: Valentine YUVEN. Effective from 01 Sept 2006 - Nkar: KALGA Emmanuel. Effective from 01 Sept 2006

FALLEN MILL HILL MISSIONARY!

Tenth Obituary of 2006 13th of July 2006

We regret to announce the death at Missiehuis Vrijland, on 13th July, 2006, at the age of 88 of

Father Henk Aveskamp
May He Rest in Peace

Father Henk was born on the 6th of April, 1918 in Overdinkel in the Municipality of Losser, the Netherlands. He was the son of Gerard Johannes Aveskamp and Engelina Welman Aveskamp. He had four brothers and one sister

Henk attended schools in Zenderen, Megen and Gemert. In 1943 he began his Philosophical studies with the Society in Haelen. Initially, he studied Theology in Roosendaal in 1945, but later completed his studies in St. Joseph’s College, London in 1949. Henk took his Perpetual Oath on 29th May, 1948 and was Ordained in St. Joseph’s College Chapel on the 10th of July, 1949.

After Ordination, Henk was appointed to work in the Diocese of Buea, Cameroon. An appointment he took up in 1950. For the next forty two years Henk laboured for the Lord and His people in various parishes in such places as Baseng, Tiko, Widikum, Ikassa, Tombel and Shisong. Wherever Henk went in Cameroon his faithful cook followed with his family to serve Henk.

In 1991 Henk was appointed to the Dutch Region. In 1992 He returned to Cameroon to say farewell to his many parishioners and friends. He stayed almost a year.

From 1993, for four years, Henk ministered in a parish in Spijk, the Netherlands. In 1997 Henk retired to our house in Vrijland.

In the latter years and months of his life, Henk became most grateful for all the care that had been accorded to him at home and abroad. In recent months his health deteriorated and this afternoon he died peacefully.

While marking the various jubilees of priesthood in his life, the Superior Generals noted what a dedicated and faithful pastor he had been. Henk will be buried on Tuesday 18th of July, 2006 in Vrijland after a requiem Mass at 11.00.am.


The previous Obituary Notice (9/2006) was that of Father Mathew Haumann who died in Venlo on the 3rd of July 2006, at the age of 68

Father Peter Nabben
Ooesterbeeck, Holland.

Bishop-Elect, George Nkuo Appoints Collaborators

In a meeting with the interim College of Consultors, held in Bishop's House, Kumbo on Thursday 13 July 2006, the Bishop Elect of Kumbo, appointed the following priests of the Diocese of Kumbo to work in close collaboration with him.

Vicar General, Fr. Roland BERNGEH, effective from 08 Sept 2006

College of Consultors, Effective from 08 September 2006:
Fr. Roland BERNGEH
Fr. Anthony YILAKA
Fr. Peter WATSON, MHM
Fr. Isidore S. LAFON
Fr. Robert I.N. TANTO
Fr. Aloysius AKI
Fr. Zephyrinus Y. MBUH

The interim college of consultors also made elaborate appointments and transfers of priests in the diocese. The Diocese of Kumbo is gradually getting settled with the appointment last Saturday 8 July of The Right Reverend Father George Nkuo as new Bishop of Kumbo.

On Friday, 14 July 2006, the Bishop-Elect met the Presbyteral Council, which he reconfirmed in their function. In an intensive working session with the Presbyteral Council, he put in place plans for his Episcopal Ordination, which is slated for Friday 08 September 2006. A lot of preparation work needs to be done.

The ordination grounds where his predecessor, Cornelius Fontem Esua was ordained some 23 years ago will be renovated and used for his ordination. A budget of CFA 50 million francs was drawn to cover the entire cost of the ordination preparations, execution and evaluation.

The Diocesan Laity Council will be meeting on 15 July at Bishop's House, Kumbo, to plan details that will involve all the faithful of the diocese of Kumbo. Thereafter, the first meeting of the steering Committee for the ordination will be held on Saturday 22 July in Bishop's House. The steering Committee has members drawn from all categories of people in the diocese, representing all parishes and Religious Communities.

It is estimated that if every baptised Catholic in the Diocese of Kumbo contributed CFA 1000 francs for this purpose, we would be able to raise the money we need for the ordination. It is hoped that, our Christians, now highly enthused by the gift of a second bishop, will contribute generously to accommodate and offer hospitality to the estimated 10000 people who will come from all parts of Cameroon and beyond for the ordination ceremony.

Between now and 8 September, we need to keep praying and working hard. The Bishop elect will be travelling to Yaounde to meet the Papal Nuncio, and thence to Rome to make final arrangments for his ordination. We hope to receive as special guests at the ordination, our twin brothers and sisters from the Diocese of Limburg, Germany.

Robert Tanto.

Kumbo Diocese mourns construction engineer

Kumbo Diocese mourns construction engineer

Fr. Peter A. Foleng, SD.

Ntansi Isaac Tita, the man who has seen the construction of the Diocese of Kumbo from its seventh year, is no more. He died last Wednesday, June 28, 2006 in the morning. According to his wife, Mr. Ntansi returned home, after work, on Tuesday, June 27 in his normal health and dined with the family, as usual, before retiring to bed.

She discovered later in the night that he had difficulties breathing, and he was immediately rushed to the St. Elizabeth Catholic Mission Hospital Shisong, where he died in the early hours of Wednesday 28th June; memoria of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and martyr.
For the last 17 years, Mr. Ntansi has supervised the construction of almost all the structures in the Diocese of Kumbo. Amongst the structures he began and completed are the Bishop's House, John Paul II Diocesan Youth Centre, Tobin, St. Rita's College Nkambe, St. Aloysius Minor Seminary Kitiwum, the magnificent church at Binju-Nkambe, the presbytery and hall at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Mission, Ndu, the presbytery in St. Michael's Catholic Mission, Meluf, the Holy Family Health Centre Tabenken, the St. Kizito Health Centre and St. Therese Women Centre, Sabongari, the St. Jerome Pastoral Centre Kumbo etc.
Some of the big structures he was still supervising include the presbyteries in Tobin, Ngondzen, Ngarum, John Paul II Youth Centre and the Church of Misaje. Mr. Ntansi has left behind two wives, Elizabeth Fri and Victorine Kinyuy, seven children, a sister, friends, relatives and co-workers to mourn him.
He was buried on Saturday 1st July in his native village of Bali after a funeral service at the Presbyterian Church Njenka, Bali. The Curia and faithful of the Diocese of Kumbo extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

July 08, 2006 at 03:02 AM

St Paul's Church, Ngotong Ntumbe

We are blessed in Binju-Nkambe with the presence of a Major Seminarian, Franclin Banadzem. He helps to teach doctrine to the Adult Catechumens who have enlisted in Binju. We have some 10 real adults and about 40 unbaptised school pupils coming to our Binju Catechumenate. We also have of varying ages, about 20 First Holy Communicants.
Last night I accompanied the Catechists of the Parish at their monthly formation and meeting, this time held at Ngotong Ntumbe Mission. We had an hour of reflection on the importance of making the Word of God central in our lives and in our Catechesis.
This morning we celebrated the Eucharist in which we baptised one child of a single mother. And then we had discussions on the life of witness and commitment of the Catechist. Poor Catechists! They have to stand alone very often when they insist on the truth and try to promote gospel values. Two Catechists reported they had stopped teaching doctrine because their few, very few Catechumens were not just following any instructions given them.
Well, was I scared celebrating Holy Mass in that Church! Just look at the wall leaning into the "sanctuary"!! And, thank God, it did not rain!!! We would have had to carry the Mass Vesels running across the hills to find the nearest house!
The few Christians, mainly widows and single mothers, have, since I came into the parish, been making a small contribution for the repairs of their Church. After five years of hard struggle they now have savings of CFA 50000 Francs. This is only about one tenth of what it will take to repair their Church. But if we wait longer the whole Church will come down. The women are very hopeful. They have put together a little sand they carry when it rains. They tell me to beging the repairs and see what they can do. I reckon they have more faith than I. I will go with them and begin the repairs work.
When I spent holidays in my home village, Tabenken, last January, the Parish Priest asked the parishioners to make a second collection during my last Mass, to help me in my work at Binju-Nkambe Parish. The Parish Priest tells me the collection came to about CFA 4000 Francs. He is still to forward it to me. I promised the people of Tabenken that I would use their support to repair the Church in Ngotong Ntumbe. With CFA 4000 I can buy three timbers. I hope a miracle will happen. Jesus multiplied a few loaves for the crowds. I think he will step in once we get started. Who knows, he might be wanting to use your purse and your hands. Give Him a chance!!

Robert Tanto.

KUMBO IS CONNECTED AGAIN

This week Bernard Kong has succeeded to set up the new equipment for the internet connection of the Diocese. He had to consult Mr Raymond Tita of Computer Planet in Bamenda to share knowledge and skills. Wonderful! They did it on telephone. And Kumbo Internet Section of PCC is up and running again.
Bernard informs me he is studying the possibility of increasing the bandwidth to run efficiently the computers that are now hooked up in the cyber cafe. He hopes to be able to hookup Bishop's House when the bandwidth is increased.
Meanwhile Archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua has returned from Rome. The diocese is still waiting for news about his successor. Until we get one, let us keep praying that God sends to the Diocese a Bishop after Christ's own heart.

Robert Tanto.

DEATH BEGONE, MAN HATES YOU.

Death,
What has man done to you?
Now and then, gun shots are heard, announcing your arrival.
Pots of palmwine are emptied.
Pigs, goats and fowls suffer innocently.
(Cows, for families that are up to the task.)
What has man done to you?
Death, you have taken away Isaac Tita, our Diocesan building technician.
He began the construction of the Church in Binju mission.
The church is not yet completed.
Who will be the next technician to continue from where he ended?
It is true, the saga of life begins in the womb and ends in the tomb.
We know we must go some day.
Why not let us finish our assignments?
Why?
Why didn’t you let Isaac finish his construction in Binju?
Death, go, man hates you.
Go, man hates you.
Farewell Isaac.
Binju-Nkambe Parish will forever remember you.

Afor Bernard.

MR ISAAC TITA HAS DIED

Mr Isaac Tita, our diocesan building technician died last night. His mortal remains will be removed from Shisong mortuary at 8 a.m. on Saturday, 1 July and conveyed to Bali for burial. If anyone would like to accompany Isaac to his resting place, please, contact Father Daniel Ache.

Fr Zephyrinus Mbu
Bishop's Secretary,
Kumbo.

AKWETO OUTSTATION

This morning I had Mass in Akweto outstation and baptised 6 infants. Four of the children were of single mothers. Two were from the same father and mother.
The Mass was actually celebrated in one of the Small Christian Communities, Kinkando! A tiny shed was prepared for the celebration. Before Mass began I heard Confessions in the sitting room of a house in the quarter. 35 people received Communion!
I usually distribute about 20 Communions when we celebrate Sunday Mass in Bakinchini for Akweto and Bakinchini communities.
Akweto makeshift Church has been blown down by the wind. So we will have to continue celebrating Mass in the small communities till the people have put up another little hut for their Church.
Robert.

PRIESTS OF BINJU-NKAMBE DEANERY MEET

Six of the nine priests that serve in Binju-Nkambe Deanery met today at Binju Presbytery in ordinary session. Prior to their meeting this morning they had recollection yesterday directed by the youngest priest in the deanery, Father Evans Shang.
At their meeting this morning they appealed that the hierarchy of Kumbo Diocese hurries to raise to fully fledged parishes the quasi parishes that constitute the bigger percentage of the deanery. The deanery is made up of Binju-Nkambe Parish, Ako Parish, Misaje Quasi Parish, Nkambe Town Quasi Parish and Mfumte Quasi Parish. They noted that generally the faithful are no longer enthusiastic about working to become a parish since they have all the semblance of being parishes. In fact, the quasi parishes have residential Rectors and assistant priests and function in every way like parishes. They only differ from parishes in name. So what is the point keeping them as parishes and hopeing they will be better prepared to become fully fledged parishes.
The Apoostolic Administrator of Kumbo Diocese has always maintained that a quasi parish can remain quasi for ever or can even be reduced to being just part of the mother parish from which it was carved out.
The Fathers also deliberated on a number of pastoral strategies that are characteristic of this part of the diocese. They assigned themselves functions to be carried out during the celebration of Pastoral Week at Deanery level in Ako from 20 to 22 July 2006.
In rounding off the meeting, Father Tanto, the dean, remarked that this has been the best meeting of the priests of the deanery since he became dean three years ago.
The three Fathers absent were Father Isidore Lafon, Rector of Nkambe Town Quasi Parish, who has travelled to Rome with the Apostolic Administrator for the Pallium, Father Anthony Lawir,Principal of St Rita's College, who is running the Vocations Camp at Sop Comprehensive College, and Father Eugene of Our Lady of Fatima Quasi Parish, Mfumte.
Robert Tanto.

THANK YOU, CALIXTA

1. I want to say thank you to Calixta for your testimony.
Your courage in answering God's call gives me courage to continue
to try to answer his call to me in my life here in England. I wish you
well in the completion of yourstudies - both at school and in the catechumenate. God bless you.
2. My prayers for Ako.

Frances
England

I AM THE CATECHIST OF MAMBA MISSION

My name is Calixta Ngumbo. My mother brought me up in the presbyterian Church. Our compound was very close to the presbyterian Church and so naturally we went to that Church. When I was baptised in that Church I joined that "Christian Youth Fellowship" (CYF)Group. I was one of the most active members of the group.
In the CYF Group we did many good works for the Church. I fulfilled all the financial demands that were made of the members of the Church. Our house was burnt in a fire accident one day, and I lost my baptism certificate and all my Church Documentin that accident.
At some point I stopped going to the presbyterian Church and started going to the Catholic Church. In our village, Mamba, there are about 50 Catholic Christians. Most of them hardly go to Church at Kungi when the priest comes there on Sunday. They even fail to go to Church when the priest comes to our village on pastoral visit. Since I developped interest in the Catholic Church, I kept on thinking that God was calling me into this community to contribute ideas and work for the growth of this Church in our village.
In March this year Father Tanto visited our mission. I was returning from Nkambe Market and we trekked together to our village. During the meeting with the Christians I was elected to be Catechist of our Mission. I accepted and now I am Catechist of Mamba.
I think that being Catechist is the best chance for me to know more about Catholic Doctrine, to read the Catholic Catechism, understand what I have read and then share the knowledge with the rest of the Catechumens. Even though I am experiencing a lot difficulties working with the Christians of Mamba, I am convinced that nothing good comes easy.
When I accepted to be catechist, I told the parish priest that in September this year I will go back to continue my studies at Government Bilingual High School (GBHS) Nkambe. I have two Catechumens and I am determined to learn a lot of doctrine with them before I go back to school. The Parish Priest has invited Mr Ignatius Nyugap of Kungi to be going with me to Catechists' Meetings in view of taking over from me when I go back to school. I know that God helps those who struggle to get good results, so I am determined to hand over a good catechumenate to Mr Nyugap. I am also looking forward to the day when I will be received into the Catholic Church and to begin practising my Catholic Faith fully.
Calixta Ngumbo.

BINJU BIBLE STUDY GROUP

We are the Bible Study Group in Binju. Our membership is about 24 today. We meet at the Don Bosco Centre on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. Today the Bible study Group is made up mainly of youth from the Vocations Group and Mass Servers. But when Father Robert Tanto started the group in 2002, there were many adult members. Some of the adults have been transferred out of the parish, but some have simply grown tired and stopped coming.
For our study Guide, we use "The Daily Study Bible" by William Barclay. The pioneers of the group studied the Gospel of Luke. Since almost one year now, we have been studying the Gospel of Matthew. One of us prepares a unit and presents to the group. Then we discuss the context, the people involved, the meaning for the people at the time, and the meaning for us today. Father Tanto comes often to the Bible Study with us. He explains difficult passages to us.
When we have analysed the passage, we then try to apply it to ourselves, deciding an action to take, based on the challenge we have received from the passage.
We sometimes have difficulties with some parents who think that their children are going somewhere else and claiming to be going to the Bible Study on Tuesday evening. Some members have actually used the Bible Study time as a cover up to go somewhere else. So we have difficulties both from inside the group and from those who are not our members.
Father Tanto has talked to us about a prayer book written by the Diocesan Youth Chaplain of Hexham and Newcastle. We are looking forward to borrowing his copy to use for prayer during our study sessions. We hope that during this holiday time more young people will join us. And we are grateful for the chance given us to write about our Bible Study Group in the parish weblog.
Afor Maurice.

PASTORAL WEEK CELEBRATION AT PARISH LEVEL

Binju-Nkambe parish celebrated their Pastoral Week from 22 to 23 June. Not very many people were present for the celebration, but a number of missions in the parish were represented: Kungi, Akweto, Bakinchini, Ngotong-Ntumbe, Mamba and Binju.

Unfortunately we discovered that during the pastoral year the pastoral commissions which had been constituted three years ago had still not carried on many of the pastoral activities that were expected of them. It was consoling to hear a few individuals report the things they did alone. A lot more could have been done if members of the different commissions had worked more together. We kept our hope that things can only get better, and that many more people in the parish will see the need to make a meaningful contribution to the pastoral life of the parish.

At the time allotted for General Discussions many participants expressed their desire to see the parish grow in collaborative ministry. They took the chance on that Friday 23 June, which was the Day of Sanctification of Priests at parish level, to express their concern that their priests be seen to work more together and pledged themselves to pray for their priests and help them in every way possible to be holy and committed priests.

Before the celebration ended, a new Parish Council Executive was elected with the following results:

Bawe Henry (Binju):	Chairperson of PPC;	Sih Cletus (Kungi):	Vice Chairperson of PPC;
Sebastian Ntanya:(Kungi)	Secretary of PPC;	Nfor Evaristus Kimbi: (Kungi)	Vice Secretary of PPC;
Visha Vitalis (Binju):	Financial Secretary of PPC

Participants drew up some resolutions to be lived during the current pastoral year, and drew up food and financial levies to make up our Parish Contribution to the Pastoral Week Celebration at Deanery Level in Ako from 22 to 24 July.

Nfor Evarisus Kimbi.