The Diocese of Nouna in the province of Kossi, Burkina Faso has a predominantly young population, with children comprising a significant portion.  In recent months, there has been a massive movement of people from rural to urban areas resulting in a natural divide between populations, exacerbated by the fact that many of these children are aware they live in someone else’s home.  With little security in place, there is much incivility and organized crime.  The actions of unidentified armed individuals have had a profound impact on the students. Some were repeatedly threatened on their way to school, while others witnessed their school supplies destroyed or set on fire.  Many of the children who endured these abuses were on the brink of despair, not knowing where to find what they needed for their education.  Thanks to the aid received, 460 children have been provided with school kits. This assistance has been a huge relief for the children, as well as for the parents who were left speechless and the teachers who watched helplessly as their classrooms emptied day after day. The church is also working in a pastoral capacity to counter this situation by working with children and youth to emphasize nonviolence, culture, and social cohesion in order to convey a message of peace and tolerance.  Fostering interactions among children, particularly through activities like sports, is crucial to bridging this divide and promoting principles of mutual support. The children’s movements, “Brave Hearts” and “Valiant Souls” (CV-AV), as well as the children’s choir (Samuel Group), serve as a means of transmitting moral, human, and spiritual values to Burkinabé society. {{ vc_btn: title=DONATE+TO+THE+HOLY+CHILDHOOD+ASSOCIATION&color=juicy-pink&size=lg&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fmissio.nz%252Fdonate%252F%7Ctitle%3ADONATE }}

Click here to read the ‘Report on a string of suicide bomb blasts in  Sri Lanka ‘. After the devastating attacks on Church-going Sri Lankans, we would like to show our solidarity at this tragic time. Please send your support and through Missio-NZ. We will make sure much-needed funds will go to those who are devastated by these recent attacks. There is a new option in the Donate page for this cause.

Stella Maris (Sao Bien) Seminary started as a Minor Seminary in the 70’s. The war interrupted its operation and it can only resume as a seminary in 1992. It is affiliated to the Urbaniana Pontifical University in Rome.  The seminary offers Philosophy, Theology and a year of Spirituality; it serves the three dioceses: Nha Trang, Qui Nhon and also Ban Me Thuot. It was necessary to construct an extension to accommodate the growing number of seminarians admitted. The government has given permission for extra candidates to be admitted. There are 270 seminarians this current school year. MissioNZ, though the generous donation of Catholic Kiwis was able to help financially to complete the seminary extension.  

Mother of Perpetual Help Center, in Nong Bua Lamphu, Thailand, first opened in 1997 and became a Centre for persons with aids to come for counselling.  It later developed an orphanage of children born with HIV/AIDS and whose parents have died. Closest family members have to give them up due to poverty. As the orphans grow into young teenagers a new house has to be built. Ban Mae Marie (the House of Mary) now houses teenagers . Mother of Perpetual Help Center also helps many young poor children who live in the vicinity. The Divine Word Missionaries believe that education is a good building block for life. They work with the Missionary Sisters of Charity of Mother Teresa who take care of the younger orphans.

Art Lesson with Sr. Marian Children’s Choir Before the Chapel. The Missionaries Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit work among the poorest sectors of Addis Abeba. The work ranges from children in the local school to families; from health service to religious formation in catechism.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Alotau-Sideia is located in the Eastern cone of the island of New Guinea on the shore of Milne Bay. Bishop Rolando Santos CM, the 4th Bishop of the Diocese resides in the city of Alotau, the capital of Milne Bay Province. In 1946 it was erected an Apostolic Prefecture and ten years later elevated to Apostolic Vicariate. It became a diocese in 1966. Diocese itself is spanned on the 20,000 km2 territory with population of 286,329 of which 17% are Catholics (48,675) There are 18 parishes with 29 priests majority are religious missionaries. There are 36 religious sisters, 2 religious brothers, 2 Deacons and 6 Seminarians. There are also 115 Mission Stations without resident priest, 145 Catholic Schools, and 8 Health Centres run by the Catholic Agency. I would like to thank you and the generous people of New Zealand for the amount of US$ 121,000.00 which the Diocese of Alotau-Sideia, Papua New Guinea, received through the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith of MissioNZ. Our diocese is a maritime province. 15 of the 18 parishes are in the islands. The nearest island parish takes about 1 ½ hours to reach on a 70 HP motorized dinghy. The farthest parish would take at least two days to reach by boat. May the joy and peace, which the coming of Christ brings, be yours! – Bishop Rolando Santos CM, DD. The Diocesan Youth Convention was held on 3 December 2014. It was participated by youth from all parts of the Diocese of Alitao-Sidea. The convention commenced with a Marian March where the parish youth groups continuously sang lively hymns as they walked through the main roads and places where many people usually flock and gather announcing to them the theme of the Convention: Courage! Come to Jesus Through Mary.