By Sr Kathleen Woodruff CSB
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Fr. Lawrence O'Toole, East Warrnambool,
Sr. Kathleen Woodruff,
Catholic Mission Ballarat Diocesan Director,
Fr Albert Sakala Zambia | In June and July, 2005, Father Albert Sakala of Zambia was in Melbourne Archdiocese to speak on behalf of Catholic Mission’s work, Partnering Local Churches and Communities – Propagation of the Faith. During this time I took advantage of this visit and invited Fr Sakala to speak to primary school children in the Ballarat Diocese.
Father Albert lectures in Canon Law in the National Seminary in Lusaka, Zambia, and has been responsible for the formation of approximately 150 theological students. Father grew up in the copper district of Zambia and when he joined the seminary as a student he chose to sign for a poorer diocese in the west of the country. He is one of 20 local priests and is considered at 43 years of age to be one of the ‘elders’ in the Diocese. He spoke with enthusiasm of the young and vibrant Church of Africa and of how people were willing to take responsibility for the spread of the Good News in their local areas. He sees his role at the national seminary as a time to share something of what he has been given and, guided by the Holy Spirit, to help lead and walk with the young men of Zambia as they journey towards priesthood.
Bishop Peter Connors warmly welcomed Fr Albert to the Ballarat Diocese and hoped he enjoyed his time travelling and meeting country people.
The students at Springbank, Redan, Ararat, Camperdown, Warrnambool East and Horsham listened attentively to Father as he spoke of his country, which is landlocked and surrounded by nine of the 52 African countries. He told of the hardships of many as well as those more fortunate who live in the bigger towns where access to resources is much easier. All schooling is in English as the country was colonised by Britain. Church schools were run much better than those of the state, which are much poorer. We were reminded of the importance of children ministering to children as we try to make the world a better place for all to live so that Jesus’ words: ”I have come that all may have life and have it to the full” can become a reality for all.
Father was very impressed by the wonderful questions from students, which covered a wide range of topics from housing, food, transport, sport, animals, city and village life.
The visit was not only work related so I was able to show Father the beauties of the Ballarat Diocese – the 12 Apostles at Port Campbell, country hospitality after celebrating morning Mass with some of the Warrnambool East parishioners, the southern right whales enjoying the warmer waters of the Southern Ocean off Warrnambool, the wonderful Grampians mountain range near Ararat, of course kangaroos, as well as the different landscapes through which we drove on a 1200-kilometre tour.
Father Albert was touched by the wonderful hospitality of those with whom we stayed and has taken many happy memories of the Ballarat Diocese, as well as Melbourne, back to Lusaka, where he is now preparing for a new intake of students. |
