28 July 2020
A Message from Father Provincial
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Missionhurst-CICM is blessed to have one of our members ordained to the Order of Priesthood in August of this year. He is Deacon Edward Tembo, CICM. Deacon Tembo is a Missionhurst missionary from Zambia who joined the U.S. Province in 2017.
One of the most powerful moments at ordination to the priesthood is the priestly blessing after the Mass when the newly-ordained “Father” stands before the ordaining Bishop to bestow his first blessing upon that Bishop who either kneels or bows his head to receive it. Often the priest will then bless family, and then friends and parishioners.
Deacon Tembo will be ordained on August 8, 2020, at St Patrick Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas, through the imposition of the hands of Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S., Archbishop of San Antonio.
As you turn to God to pray for your loved ones, for an end to the pandemic, for the poor and the hungry and for your personal intentions, may I ask you, confreres and friends of Missionhurst-CICM to pray for Deacon Tembo and for vocations to the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) like this prayer from our Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Society, which is a prayer apostolate dedicated to praying for vocations and for priests:
Lord Jesus, you have chosen your priests from among us and sent them out to proclaim your word and act in your name. For so great a gift to your Church, we give you praise and thanksgiving.
We ask you to fill them with the fire of your love, that their ministry may reveal your presence in the Church. Since they are earthen vessels, we pray that your power shines through their weakness. In their afflictions let them never be crushed, in their doubts never despair, in temptation never destroyed, and in persecution never abandoned. Inspire them through prayer to live each day the mystery of your dying and rising.
In times of weakness send them your Spirit, and help them to praise your Heavenly Father and pray for poor sinners. By your same Holy Spirit put your word on their lips and your love in their hearts, to bring good news to the poor and healing to the brokenhearted.
And may the gift of Mary, your Mother, to the disciple whom you loved be your gift to every priest. Grant that she who formed you in her human image, may form them in your divine image, by the power of your Spirit, to the glory of God the Father, Amen.
Rev. Father Celso A. Tabalanza, CICM
Provincial Superior
