CANA has been active in this country of about 12 million inhabitants, located in the centre of Africa, since 1991. Currently CANA is present in seven dioceses throughout the country, with 643 couples and 162 fraternities. The formation of CANA diocesan leaders is a priority. Sr. Audrey JOLICOEUR went to meet them (14-24 October 2022).
Diocese de Bururi
I started this trip by meeting a CANA diocesan team in the interior of the country, that of the diocese of Bururi in the region of Rumongé in the southwest of the country. I met Father NDAYIKEZA Didier, parish priest of Rumongé. In his parish, the CANA week took place from August 8 to 13, 2022, 24 couples of this parish have discovered CANA and he would like to rely on them for the family ministry of his parish.
Working as a team
I ended my stay by training the diocesan leaders of the country. In Bujumbura, in an evangelical centre, the leaders of the 7 dioceses were present. It was a very interesting meeting. We were able to rediscover how important it is to work as a team and to take time together. Thus, we are not alone to discern how to make decisions and carry out the mission.
The majority of the diocesan leaders are couples who are part of the Chemin Neuf Communion. They will meet with some couples who have been part of CANA for a number of years and will encourage them to attend a retreat this year and see with them what the next step is.
New leaders, new team
Sylvestre & Césarie MUGABARABONA are the new CANA leaders in the country. Together, we were able to reflect about how to work as a team at the national level; today, the national team is composed of 4 couples. How to concretely set up this team work this year, how to share the tasks, how to follow the dioceses and the fraternities, how to start preparing for next year? These were the main questions addressed.
A great work in perspective but with the Lord everything is possible…
Sr. Audrey JOLICOEUR