AUSTRALIA
Annual General Meeting
Members and young people gathered at Holy Cross Centre,
Templestowe in Melbourne for the 44th
Annual General Meeting from 28 December 2001 through to 2 January 2002. Reverend
Charles Gauci, Chaplain to the SDC from Adelaide, joined us for the week giving
himself generously once again.
Reverend Father Paul Chandler ofm joined us for the
Reflection Day and spoke about St Thérèse of Lisieux - Encountering Therese.
We were especially pleased to renew our friendship with the
Passionists Congregation who were our hosts for the week.
The development of the theme ‘Be Witnesses to the Gospel’
enabled all present to share in the spirit of the week. A drama presentation of
the history of the SDC was presented on the evening of 29 December. Parents of
Members in Melbourne joined us for dinner and stayed for the presentation.
Much planning and careful thought goes into preparing the
AGM. It is one of the great legacies that the SDC in Australia has been able to
maintain and develop. The AGM began in 1957 and has continued to date without a
break. This year we will suitably celebrate the 45th
anniversary when we gather in Hobart.
Ceremony of Candidates
Etienne Muscat from Rosslare, St Albans, was received as a
Candidate on 29 December 2001 at Holy Cross, Templestowe where the Members were
gathered for the AGM.
Golden Jubilee
We celebrated with George Felice from Rooty Hill his 50th anniversary of
Incorporation.
SUDAN
Our Founder always strived to instill in us, Members of his
Society, a quest for a progressive journey towards Christ. This is mostly
manifested during our Christmas and Easter activities. For us SDC Members in
Khartoum, the preparations for Christmas 2001 started with a half-day retreat
for both Incorporated Members and Candidates. The retreat was conducted by the
rector of the Minor Seminary, who also celebrated Mass and made himself
available for those who wanted to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Penance.
Christmas novenas were held both in Sebil Centres and Hay
Rayman Centers. Mainly, this year’s reflections centred around those particular
personages involved in the
History of Salvation and the Mystery of the
Incarnation: Mary, Joseph, the Angels, and the Shepherds. Prize-giving
ceremonies were also held in the above mentioned Centers, in which a talk,
delivered by SDC Member John Ginnasio, had as its theme: "Jesus is the greatest
gift".
Demonstrations with the statue of Baby Jesus were held at
Sebil, Hay Rahman, Mayo and this year, for the first time, also at Comboni
College. All our activities, but mainly the demonstrations, were well attended
and the participation of the
faithful, singing Christmas carols all along the
way, were very colourful and encouraging.
We then concluded our Christmas activities by paying a visit
to our Members in El Obeid. This visit served us, not only to take a break, but
also to have the opportunity to spend some time praying and discussing our
present activities in both Centres together. We hope and pray that these
activities will yield abundant fruit in our SDC Centres in the Sudan.
KENYA
Mpeketoni
What was designed to be a Technical Vocational School is now operating as a Secondary School. Since February 02 the school received its first students. We hope that this new venture will help the youth at Mpeketoni to further their studies.