Father Yousif William, MCCJ in Sudan: Our experience as church in exile

As the only priest with Four parishes of the displaced under my responsibility, together with a displaced camp in the outskirts of the town, my weekly pastoral schedule starts with Sunday, in which I celebrate mass at St. Josephine Bakhita’s parish Jeberona. Monday I have catechesis with those preparing for Sacraments. Tuesday I go to St. Kizito Dar Essalam for mass. Wednesday is the Day for formation of Catechists and extraordinary Ministers. Thursday I go to St. Francis of Assisi parish- Angola (Banat). Friday I go to Sacred Heart Parish Wed Ramly, and Saturday I have Catechumens at St. Josephine Bakita’s parish Jeberona. The faithful of Nivasha camp in the outskirts ask for mass every month so I have to take one Wednesday from the Catechists.

Life situation of people here is extremely difficult due to unemployment. In such dire conditions, most people are forced to sell out their house utensils and clothes. They may arrive to the level of dismantling their windows, doors and roofs to sell them out in order to get something to eat. Looters on the other hand, target abandoned houses dismantling even the bricks. But with all these difficulties people are faithful to come to their church to pray, to meet others and to share both their joys and sorrows.

Movements from one part of city to another are extremely restricted and almost there is a check-point every one Kilometer, which results in delaying the journey to the parishes mentioned. We thank the Lord for the situation that has improved now compared to that of couple of months ago when there was intense shelling and bombardments by planes for which we had to look for shelters or remain under-bed. Now the worst dangers are the drones that target larger gatherings of people causing many casualties. So, in our movements we are avoiding such targeted areas. During the nights we hear orchestras of sporadic shootings and shelling in the outskirts. No night could pass without seeing the sky lit up by fireworks produced by antiaircraft projectiles just for fun!

Pastorally, I thought of forming a group of lay helpers to assist me in carrying out Pastoral work. I am pleased now that I have extraordinary Ministers that help me on the Alter (For instance, in St. Josephine Bakhita’s parish Jebarona I have three of them for every Sunday mass attended by 2000 faithful to help me in distributing holy communion, together with praying with the families of the sick and the deceased.). They also help me as Catechists for preparation of the people to the Sacraments. There are four groups of Legion of Mary, which lead the Rosary before mass and help in visiting families especially of the sick or those who have abandoned the church.

For extraordinary ministers and Catechists we have finished a period of one year of basic formation, in which they had Catechesis on the Catholic Church, other Denominations and Sects, Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacraments, Social teaching, Psychology, Laity and their role in the church, Holy Bible, Christian Family and Pastoral work.

We also have planned for Future work after war, so two weeks ago we had a course on Administration of organizations offered to us by some volunteers, so that we may have people prepared to get involved to work with humanitarian organizations or to plan in making local humanitarian organizations which will be a great help for the church, or even in administering projects that will be offered to us by donors.

The faithful have taken the responsibility of their churches in terms of providing for its expenses, Water, cleaning and caring for trees and flowers, together with my maintenance as their pastor. In all the four parishes now they make their own Wine and Hosts for mass. I have started teaching our choirs the rudiments of Music and now they can sing easy Hymns in sheet music. That is all for the moment, please keep us in your prayers.

Fr. Yousif William, MCCJ