Fr Provincial in Maban: A Moment of Laughter and Encouragement
By Yully Massae, SJ
From the 2nd to the 5th of February, Fr. Provincial, Kizito, arrived in Maban for canonical visitation, a visit that brought together JRS staff and the wider community. In his own words, he expressed having found deep consolation among the people. Throughout his addresses, his tone was one of encouragement, especially in light of the financial challenges facing South Sudan and Maban in particular due to recent funding cuts.
During his stay, he interacted with many groups, including seminarians, aspirants for sisterhood, catechists, JRS staff, and teacher trainees, among others. When meeting with the teacher trainees, his passion for teaching took him through so much that he almost forgot to introduce himself as he began teaching. In his address to JRS staff, he reflected on how Maban offers him a unique opportunity to engage closely with staff in their daily work and challenges. What stood out across all his encounters was his message of hope and encouragement. He reminded everyone that in today’s world, we must learn to think outside the box, knowing that “we are on our own”.
