Soeurs de Saint-Joseph de Cluny
https://sj-cluny.org/The-First-Papua-New-Guinea-Sister-to-Make-Perpetual-Profession
          The First Papua New Guinea Sister to Make Perpetual Profession

The First Papua New Guinea Sister to Make Perpetual Profession

Kerema, Papua New Guinea

Sister Rachel Arputham’s welcome address described the day as a red-letter day for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny. With sisters of 43 nationalities and working in 56 counties across the globe, this day Sr Fatima Mafu, the first PNG Sister to make perpetual profession, has increased that number to 44 nationalities !!


Day of Joy, Day of Hope - Perpetual Profession of Sister Fatima Mafu

Kerema, Papua New Guinea, 26 January 2019

‘I am the fruit of the seeds planted by the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny in Kerema diocese over the forty-eight years of ministry among the Kamea people.’

said Sister Fatima Mafu, SJC. This very powerful and deeply moving statement, on the day of her perpetual profession, on Saturday 26 January 2019, in the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Kerema, expressed the joy and thanks of Sister Fatima.

The ministry of the Cluny Sisters frequently faced seemingly insurmountable challenges. Even on this day of great joy and hope the Bema and Kanabea sisters were prevented by bad weather from making the journey to Kerema town. Sister Rachel Arputham’s welcome address described the day as a red-letter day for the Cluny Sisters. With sisters of 43 nationalities and working in 56 counties across the globe, this day Sister Fatima Mafu, the first PNG Sister to make perpetual profession, has increased that number to 44 !!

Bishop Pedro Baquero SDB, Bishop of Kerema received the perpetual vows of Sister Fatima, a daughter of the Church. It was an event of the utmost importance for the Church, for the Sisters, for her family and for all present at the celebration.

Our opening hymn : "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart ; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (Jer 1:5).

“I have listened deeply to God’s call to follow Jesus more closely. Surrounded by the love of my family, the Cluny Sisters community and many other supporting friends in prayer and in nature, I have discerned carefully, over years of formation and education and joyfully publicly profess my vows to God, for the whole of my life”,

said Sister Fatima at her profession.

The first reading was the call of Jeremiah and Sister Fatima chose to read it herself. Expressing her human response, ‘Lord, I am but a child, I do not know what I should say, … Do not be afraid. I am with you …’ (Jer 1:7) was indeed very moving. The Responsorial Psalm followed and Sister Fatima chose to sing it herself. It echoed the same words ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you through and through. I chose you to be mine.’ ‘I know that you are very young but I will make you strong…In the danger that you fear, you’ll find me very near. Your words my own.’ All present responded to each verse of the psalm. Her beautiful, clear and true voice touched the hearts of all in the congregation.

The Gospel highlighted the radical call of Jesus to follow Him. As we listen we were reminded that the ‘foxes have holes … but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head (Lk 9:58)’. ‘Do not go back to farewell your family or to bury your parents but ‘Come follow me.’ (Lk 9:61).

What is your response to God’s call to you today ?

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