By CECILE SAN AGUSTIN
Reporter

PATERSON - In five continents of the world - Africa, Europe, Asia, South America and North America - The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (SMIC) serve the people of God to make known His presence in the world and in 2010, the order will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the congregation. In the Paterson Diocese, these sisters have been serving the community as hospital chaplains, in social services, nursing homes and as teachers for many years.

As part of the centennial, the sisters will open a new mission in Malange, Angola, on the southwest area of Africa at the invitation of the Franciscan Friars based in Brazil who have been ministering the area since 1991. According to Missionary Sister Eleanor Goekler, retired provincial coordinator of the United States, four Missionary Sisters already serving in Brazil, will set off to this new frontier in 2009 to serve the needs of the people there.

In solidarity with the congregation, the U.S. Province hosted a wine and cheese fund-raiser last weekend for the new mission where more than 100 people attended at Berkley College in West Paterson. A presentation and slide show on life and ministry in the area were presented by Franciscan Father Johannes Bahlmann of Brazil and Sister Goekler, who surveyed the area with a group of Missionary Sisters in the summer of 2007. The Missionary Sisters already serve in Africa in Namibia, the location of one of the order's provinces.

Sister Goekler said, "This is the first real endeavor with all six provinces around the world working together in one mission. Our sisters will be working to re-open the catechetical center for adult lead catechists in the Malange Diocese."

The catechetical center had been shuttered during the recent civil war in Angola. The development of lead catechists from surrounding villages enables instruction of the faith. Future plans include staffing a future school in a nearby village as well as meeting medical needs of the rural area of Malange.

Angola, with a population of 15 million people, was a Portuguese colony until 1975. As a result, the people mainly speak Portuguese and many are Catholic. Because of the civil war, the country is still filled with landmines and it is projected that it will be 2014 before they are all removed. The Church will play an integral part in rebuilding roads, government buildings, schools, hospitals and means for transportation.

During the years of distress when many religious priests, brothers and sisters were forced to leave for safety reasons, Sister Goekler said, "It was the people who kept the faith alive during the violent civil war, which ended in 2002." For that reason, she adds, "Our hope by redeveloping is that we'll be able to provide service to the catechetical center and let the people bring back the faith to their villages."

Seeing first hand the conditions of Angola, the sisters already felt an immediate need faced by the people. Sister Goekler said, "Everyone is very poor and there are many, many people that have no type of schooling available."

With strong charism rooted in Christ and dedicated to the Blessed Mother and St. Francis and Clare of Assisi, Sister Goekler said a the Missionary Sisters, "hope to bring the love of God to those most in need and we define that as sharing and mission in compassion."

To kick off the event, the more than 350 sisters worldwide, began the celebration with different events leading up the centennial. In the United States, a gathering was recently held at St. Bonaventure's University in Olean, N.Y., where the congregation's founder, Mother Immaculata Tombrock, spent the last 16 years of her life and died 70 years ago. The celebration included a "pilgrimage" of prayer and reflection on each of the geographical areas in which members have served in the United States through the years. These areas include Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Washington, New York, Maine and New Jersey.

Because the sisters in the U.S. are unable to provide personnel for this new mission, they hope the faithful of the diocese will offer some financial assistance to this new community. Those interested in donating to the cause can contact Missionary Sister Barbara Fried at (973) 279-3790.