An immersion in the mission
Between February 12th and 18th, Sr. Eliane Azevedo da Silva, our General Superior, paid a visit to the MSC missions in Ethiopia. This was the first visits to the communities in Dubbo, Sadama and Wallacha since she was elected General Superior.
Sr. Eliane was accompanied by Sr. Patricia Godoy, General Councilor, and Sr. Barbara Staley, Regional Superior.
(From left) Sr. Eliane, Sr. Barbara, and Sr. Patricia during their visit to the MSC missions in southern Ethiopia
During her one-week trip, Sr. Eliane visited all sisters communities in Wallacha, Dubbo, Sadama and Addis Ababa, all ministries and services provided to the local communities, as well as the Bishops in charge of the apostolic vicariates of Soddo and Hosanna, where the missions are located.
First stop on the trip was Soddo, where the team met with the Board of Cabrini Ministries Ethiopia. Then, Sr. Eliane and Sr. Patricia drove to Wallacha, where they spent time with the sisters and the children at St. Frances Cabrini preschool.
Sr. Eliane and Sr. Patricia sharing a meal with Sr. Elfinesh (left) and Sr. Addise (center-righ) in Wallacha
“Sr. Eliane and Sr. Patricia encouraged us to continue the mission of God to share the love of Christ among ourselves and with the people. The visit was very lovely and we shared joyful movements. Their presence was a sign of hope.”
The delegation spent the following days in Dubbo, visiting the sisters’ community, Cabrini Ministries Ethiopia, and St. Mary Hospital. They also joined the parish community for the celebrations for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
“We had time to visit all the activities and places, like: schools, Baby Jesus Center of life, the outreach stations... They were really amazed and touched by the poverty in the communities and how we are trying to address all the needs, especially serving the malnourished children at Baby Jesus Center of Life.”
Sr. Eliane also spent a day in Sadama, where the sisters gave her a tour of the newest mission in Ethiopia.
(From left) Sr. Barbara, Sr. Patricia, and Sr. Eliane with the sisters serving in Sadama, Sr. Amarech, Sr. Aynalem, and Sr. Shitaye
Before heading back to Italy, Sr. Eliane met a group of young women who are currently studying English in Addis Ababa, in preparation for starting their discernment process to apply to become sisters.
Sr. Eliane and Sr. Patricia with Sr. Alemenesh and a group of young women interested in religious life
“Each day has been a grace to the Sacred Heart of Jesus who has been present in the loving and joyful welcome of the sisters and the so many people who shared tender and gracious smiles and hugs. Jesus continues to bless the mission and passion of Ethiopia.”