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Ongoing Formation for Capuchin Missionary Priests in Ethiopia the Order of Friars Minor has decided to provide regular courses to enable its priests to deepen their knowledge of Scripture and deepen their vocation and their relationship with Christ. Can you help with this formation? The Capuchin Franciscan Friars have a strong presence in Ethiopia. Out of 90 or so who are working actively in the pastoral ministry, many are serving in remote and neglected areas where there is virtually no one else to help and support the ordinary people. Priests are generally highly regarded in Ethiopia. At
the same time, the people they serve expect a great deal of them, turning to
them in all their spiritual and material needs. They look to priests to help
with money, food, medicines, a place at school for their children or a place to
study; they seek advice about how to make their crops grow better or how to
provide better for their families; they look for help and instruction as to how
to earn their daily living. In areas of extreme poverty and hardship, the
presence of a priest can mean a great deal to these people. Precisely because these priests have to be “all things to all people,” it is essential for them not only to have a solid basic formation but also an opportunity for continuous, ongoing formation. That is why the Order of Friars Minor has decided to provide regular courses to enable its priests to deepen their knowledge of Scripture. This gives them the opportunity to deepen their vocation and their relationship with Christ while enabling them to become better preachers who can root the Gospel message more deeply in the hearts of the faithful. These ongoing courses are also important for the priests personally, since after completing their basic formation these Capuchin Franciscans usually go straight into pastoral work and soon find themselves confronted, round the clock, with every imaginable kind of care and difficulty. As a result, they scarcely have a moment to focus on their own personal prayer life and spiritual development. These courses, then, are a vital opportunity for them to recharge their spiritual batteries and refresh their spiritual knowledge. The Franciscans have asked for our help, and ACN is contributing $9,000 towards this ongoing formation program. Will you help these Capuchin missionary priests deepen
their vocation and better serve the faithful in Ethiopia? We are sure they will
remember you in their grateful prayers.
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Keeping the Faith Alive
