SVD AFRAM Comm 2010

ASSEMBLEE ZONALE AFRAM 2010

Rapport du Coordinateur de la Communication

La majorité de coordinateurs a envoyé un rapport d’activités pour l’Assemblée Zonale 2010. Merci pour cet effort.

Les détails des activités en matière de communication nous trouverons dans les rapports de chaque province/région/mission qui se trouvent en Annexe ci-dessous (ANG – P. 9 ; CNG – P. 11 ; GHA – P. 13 ; KEN – P. 16, MOZ – P. 20, TOG (fr) – P. 21 ; TOG (en) P. 27). On peut le trouver également sur le site de la zone à l’adresse : www.svdafram.org

Le coordinateur zonal des communications, en collaboration avec le coordinateur zonal et plusieurs autres confrères a pu mettre sur pied le site web d’AFRAM. Merci au Coordinateur de Zimbabwe qui a donné sont apport dans la présentation visuelle de ce web site.

Il faut souligner que le coordinateur de communications s’est donné comme tâche principale à accomplir durant son mandat de 2007-2010 de faire naître et faire vivre le site internet d’AFRAM. La maladie a provoquée un ralentissement des ses activités mais pas de celles menées sur place et dans les pays où nous sommes présents.

En général, partout où nous sommes en Afrique, les confrères utilisent les moyens traditionnels et modernes de communication dans leur travail d’évangélisation. Plusieurs d’entre eux ont des responsabilités importantes dans l’Eglise locale dans le domaine de médias.

Il faut aussi noter que l’événement de l’année du centenaire de nos Saints Arnold et Joseph a servi de base dans la réalisation de plusieurs initiatives en communication partout où nous sommes en Afrique !

Dans ce qui suit nous allons voir un bref aperçu de nos activités dans le domaine des communications dans l’AFRAM, les points forts, nos faiblesses et un regard vers l’avenir.

1. Points forts de la communications dans l’AFRAM

1.1 Moyens traditionnels - paroles et gestes

Scénettes, théâtres, comptes, jeux, chants, tournois de football, rencontres de partage biblique, recollections avec de groupes cibles (enfants, jeunes, chorales, couples mariés, personnes âgées, etc…)

1.2 Moyens modernes

a. Support papier ou imprimés

Bulletins d’information

Livres et brochures, Calendriers et Agendas

Presse écrite

Gadgets et T-shirts

Tableaux d’information ou d’animation, affiches

b. Radio

c. Télévision

d. Support électronique

Téléphone cellulaire - SMS

E-mail

Web Sites

Blogs

Cybercafés

CD ou DVD multimédias (audio-vidéo)

e. Cinéma

Productions pour le cinéma

Projections de films sur grand écran

f. Formation au monde de la communication

2. Points faibles dans la communication dans l’AFRAM

- Manque du personnel formé

- Manque de moyens financières

- Pas de collaboration ou trop peu entre les provinces

- Trop peu d’échanges d’expériences

- Les confrères ne profitent pas assez du site d’AFRAM, n’envoient pas d’infos ni nouvelles alors que ce site pourrait servir de plateforme pour améliorer les contacts et échanges.

- Les coordinateurs surchargés par d’autres tâches

- Les coordinateurs ne répondent pas aux e-mails

- Internet reste dans plusieurs endroits d’Afrique un luxe

- La tâche de coordinateur n’est pas toujours bien définie ni compris par les confrères

- L’enseignement de l’Eglise en matière de communication n’est pas assez exploité

- Il n’y a pas assez de formation aux nouvelles technologies de l’information

- La journée mondiale des communications pourrait être mieux exploitée

- Une fausse modestie dans le partage d’expériences, des succès et des activités qui ont donné de résultats positifs. Le coordinateur de communications doit toujours courir à la recherche des infos ou nouvelles…

- Blogs ou web sites ne sont pas mis à jour régulièrement. Dans plusieurs endroits il manque aussi de régularité dans la parution de bulletins d’information SVD.

- Manque d’une imprimerie, pas assez de librairies à vocation biblique, la Maison Verbum Bible n’est pas assez exploitée par la SVD.

3. Regard vers avenir

Une rencontre des coordinateurs de communications doit être organisée pour relancer les projets communs mais elle doit être d’abord bien préparée. Il faut une participation préalable de tous les confrères, mais surtout de ceux qui devraient y participer.

Dans l’Annexe I (Page 7) vous trouverez le brouillon d’un document de travail en vue de préparer une rencontre de coordinateurs de communications d’AFRAM.

Il y a l’espoir que le Généralat SVD portera un regard positif sur la communication en AFRAM et nous aidera dans notre apostolat ainsi que dans la recherche de confrères voulant s’engager dans cet apostolat en Afrique.

Une question s’impose pour une réflexion et partage d’idées : « Si les Comboniens sont capables d’avoir ou de diriger une Agence Catholique de Presse Misna, ou les Missions Etrangers de Paris une Agence catholique ciblant l’Asie, la SVD ne pourrait-elle pas en avoir une pour l’Afrique ? »

Que le message du Pape pour la journée mondiale des communications : « Le prêtre et la pastorale dans le monde numérique: les nouveaux médias au service de la Parole » nous aide faire toujours mieux dans le domaine des communications au service du dialogue et de la réconciliation…

Fait à Lomé, le 05 février 2010

P. Miroslaw Wolodko, SVD

AFRAM Communications

▲Return fr en

*********************************

AFRAM ZONAL ASSEMBLY 2010

Report of the Zonal Coordinator of Communication

The majority of the coordinators of communication have sent the report of their respective province / region / mission for the zonal assembly 2010. Thank you for the effort.

The details of their report can be found in the Annex below (ANG – P. 8 ; CNG – P. 10 ; GHA – P. 12 ; KEN – P. 15, MOZ – P. 19, TOG (fr) – P. 20 ; TOG (en) P. 26) and on the Afram Zone’s website: www.svdafram.org

The zonal coordinator of communication, in collaboration with the zonal coordinator and several other confreres, were able to establish the website of Afram Zone. Thanks to the Coordinator of Zimbabwe who gives a great contribution to the visual presentation of it.

It is necessary to mention here that the zonal coordinator of communication gave himself wholeheartedly to the task to accomplish his mandate of 2007 – 2010 as he gave birth to the Afram Zone’s website and kept it alive. Even though his illness slowed him down, the activities in the area of communication from where he works and in the countries where we are present continue flourishing.

In general, everywhere we are in Africa, the confreres use traditional and modern means of communication in their works of evangelization. Several among them hold important responsibilities in the local church in the domain of Medias.

It is also necessary to highlight that the event of the centenary year of our Saint Arnold and Joseph has helped in the realization of several initiatives in communication where we are in Africa.

In the following, you are going to see a brief preview of our communication activities in the Afram Zone in terms of strengths, weaknesses, and toward the future.

1. Strengths

1.1 Traditional means - words and gestures

play, drama, concert, games, songs, tournaments of soccer, meetings of biblical sharing, recollections with groups targets (children, youth, choirs, married couples, elderly, etc…)

1.2 Modern means

a. Printing

Bulletins

Books and flies, calendars and appointment/schedule pamphlet

Gadgets and T-shirts

Pictures of information or animation, posters

b. Radio

c. Television

d. Electronic device

Cellular telephone - SMS

CD or multimedia DVD (audio-video)

Cybercafés

E-mail

Web Sites

Blogs

e. Cinemas / Movies

Movie productions

Movies projections on big screen

f. Formation to the world of the communication

2. Weaknesses

- Lack of trained personnel

- Lack of training for the new technologies and computer science

- Lack of financial support

- Lack of collaboration among provinces / region / mission

- Lack of experience exchanges among confreres

- Lack of printing press, bookstores, use of the Verbum Bible House by the SVD

- Confreres do not often access to the Afram Zone’s website

- Confreres don't send infos nor news to pose on this website, which could be used as platform to improve contacts and exchanges

- The coordinators are overloaded with other tasks

- The coordinators don't reply e-mails

- Internet is still a luxury in several places in Africa

- Coordinator's task is neither always very definite nor included by other confreres

- Church teaching on communication is not explored enough

- The world day of communications could be better animated

- A false modesty in the sharing of experiences, successes and activities that gave positive results. The coordinator of communications must always run in search of the infos or news…

- Blogs or websites are not updated regularly. In several places there is a lack of regularity in the release of SVD news-bulletins.

3. Toward the future

A meeting of the coordinators of communication should be organized to discuss common projects for the zone. Each coordinator is to prepare well ahead of time for the meeting. An involvement of all confreres is necessary before coming into the meeting, especially the involvement of the participants.

In the Annex below (P. 8) you will find a rough draft of the working document in order to prepare for a meeting of the coordinators of communication of AFRAM.

There is a hope that the Generalate will have a positive look on the area of communication in AFRAM and will help us in our apostolate as well as in the resource of personnel in search of confreres who are interested in this apostolate in Africa.

A question for reflection and sharing: "If the Combonienses are capable to have or to direct a Catholic Agency of Press Misna, or the Missions Strangers of Paris a Catholic Agency targeting Asia, could the SVD not have one for Africa?"

May the Pope's message for the world day of communication this year: "The priest and the pastoral in the numeric world: the new medias to the service of the Word" help us to do better always in the domain of the communications to the service of dialogue and reconciliation.

Lomé, February 05, 2010

P. Miroslaw Wolodko, SVD,

AFRAM Communications

▲Return fr en

*************************

ANNEXE I (fr)

Document de travail / AFRAM Communications en vue d’un plan stratégique 2010 – 2013

1. Analyse de la situation

1.1 Quel est le paysage médiatique de l’Eglise catholique dans votre province (presse, bulletins paroissiaux, radio, télé, multimédias, éditions, imprimeries, centres de communications, bibliothèques, librairies, centres audio-visuels, web sites…) ?

1.1.1 Au plan national

1.1.2 Dans les diocèses où nous travaillons

1.1.3 Quelle est la contribution SVD dans ses structures – institutions ?

1.2. Apostolat des communications SVD dans votre mission/région/province

1.2.1 Ad intra ?

1.2.2 Ad extra ?

1.2.3 Forces

1.2.4 Faiblesses

1.2.5 Opportunités

1.2.6. Menaces

1.3. Quel avenir pour l’apostolat des communications

1.3.1 Dans la Zone AFRAM en général

1.3.2 Dans les mission/régions/provinces d’AFRAM en particulier

2. Orientation stratégique

2.1 Notre vision

2.2 Notre mission

2.3 L’objectif global

2.5 Les objectifs spécifiques

2.6 Les axes stratégiques

2.7 L’analyse des besoins

3. Plan d’action 2010-2013

3.1 Les cibles

3.2 Les activités à mener

3.3 Calendrier d’exécution

EXEMPLE D’UNE GRILLE D’ACTIVITES A PLANIFIER

Activités

Objectifs stratégiques

Résultats attendus

Cibles

Besoins en ressources

Durée

probable

etc…

▲Return fr en

*********************************

ANNEXE I (en)

Working Document of AFRAM Communication

Strategic Plan 2010 - 2013

1. Analysis of the situation

1.1 What is the media landscape of the church in your province – press, parish bulletins, radio, television, multi-medias, editions, publishers, centers of communications, libraries, bookstores, audiovisual centers, websites, etc.?

1.1.1 on a national level

1.1.2 in the dioceses where we work

1.1.3 what is the SVD contribution? (structures, institutions?)

1.2. Apostolate of the SVD communications in your mission/region/province

1.2.1 Ad intra?

1.2.2 Ad extra?

1.2.3 strengths

1.2.4 weaknesses

1.2.5 opportunities

1.2.6 challenges

1.3. What are the apostolate ministries of communication for the future?

1.3.1 AFRAM Zone in general

1.3.2 missions/regions/provinces of AFRAM Zone in particular

2. Strategic orientation

2.1 vision

2.2 mission

2.3 global objectives

2.5 specific objectives

2.6 strategic axes

2.7 analysis of needs

3. Plane of action for 2010-2013

3.1 targets

3.2 activities

3.3 execution plan and schedule

EXAMPLE OF A GRID OF ACTIVITIES TO TO PLAN

Activities	Strategic Objectives	Expected Result	Targets	Needs Resources	Predicted Timeline

etc…

▲Return fr en

*********************************

ANGOLA

Introdução

Na Congregação do Verbo Divino costumamos entender a “comunicação” desde uma perspectiva de fé, de modo teológico. O nosso Deus é uma Trindade Santa onde se gera continuamente uma profunda comunicação interna, que de alguma forma explica a natureza mesma de Deus. Deus não se comunica; Deus é comunicação.

Não surpreende que esta convicção tenha levado à considerar a comunicação como uma necessidade especialmente urgente e importante no missionário de hoje. Naturalmente os progressos da tecnologia moderna têm facilitado esta tarefa.

No entanto, cada dia a comunicação inter-pessoal se faz mais complicada, levando até ao paradoxo isolar as pessoas, centradas em ouvir apenas aquilo que querem: o modelo mais extremo é os pequenos aparelhos de acumular musica, que depois uno vai ouvindo com auriculares privados… “na rua e em casa, cada uno pode ir ao ritmo de sua própria musica”.

O mesmo acontece com os grandes Meios de Comunicação Social. Já sabemos de sua influência no mundo, como “dirigem” o pensamento das gentes, como “orientam o que é politicamente correcto”, como desnorteiam as melhores intenções, e dai por diante.

Assim, em cada Província SVD um dos apoios no crescimento comunitário deveria ser precisamente a coordenação de Comunicação.

1.- As comunicações na nossa Província

Desde sempre estivemos preocupados por criar estruturas próprias de comunicação; em alguns momentos até sentíamos especialmente urgente. Nos tempos do Socialismo científico, não tivemos muitas possibilidades de manter-nos comunicados entre nós: sem telefone, sem meios. Como dado curioso, a primeira TV da casa central neste período foi adquirida em 1987, e ainda com grande discussão se devíamos comprar a cores ou preto-e-branco.

Neste mesmo tempo, já existia uma certa preocupação por ir adquirindo meios que permitisse estarmos comunicados entre Luanda e as distintas Missões. Tendo culminado este período com a aquisição de um sistema de radioamador, para manter em contacto todos os confrades…

Mas os tempos foram mesmo rápidos ao respeito. Rapidamente a rádio foi substituída a nível nacional pelos telefones privados, que fizeram cada vez menos necessária a rádio, por serem muito mais “humanos”. E aqui estamos.

A Assembleia de 2007 tem uma sugestão, recomendando “reforçar os meios de Comunicação” dentro da Província. Assim como a última Assembleia de 2009, que insistiu na criação de uma pagina Web da província.

2.- No actual triénio (2008-2011)

Neste ultimo triénio, pessoalmente quis insistir em criar um laço de união entre os confrades, orientado sobre tudo a formação permanente aproveitando as possibilidades da Internet. Assim iniciamos uma serie de experiencias, que poderiam ser resumidas assim

* Publicação regular da Comunicação Provincial, que é enviada a quase todos os confrades presentes na Província, via correio electrónico; e também a um bom numero de confrades do exterior.

* A nível interno, enviamos uma Folha Dominical com uma reflexão acerca das Leituras de cada Domingo;

* Noticias de acontecimentos especialmente importantes da Igreja, e/ou da Congregação;

* Documentação eclesial de especial interesse. Neste sentido, durante o ultimo Sínodo para África foi enviado diariamente o Boletino da Sala stampa da Santa Sé.

* Iniciamos enviando temas de formação permanente, que abandonamos por falta de resposta dos confrades;

* Pensamos em preparar material de formação permanente, neste caso a base de e-books sérios, que até enviaríamos em CD. O primeiro era dedicado à Cristologia. Gravei os livros no CD… entre outros encontrava-se o livro “Jesus” do Papa Bento XXVIº. Apenas um confrade pediu o CD.

Naturalmente isso indica provavelmente que ainda não temos encontrado o “meio” ideal para manter os confrades unidos e “comunicados” entre eles.

3.- Para o futuro

Acho que está na hora de preparar a pagina Web da Província. Para isso é preciso pessoal preparado, e não simples amadores, como eu. Também o problema é que não se pode trabalhar sem dinheiro disponível, e uma Web seria custará algum dinheiro.

Existe uma certa dispersão na Província, falta coesão como família religiosa que tem uma Missão na Igreja de Angola. Trabalhamos excessivamente centrados apenas no nosso cantinho.

Em Luanda aos 25 de Janeiro de 2010. Festa da Conversão de S. Paulo.

José S. Eguizábal svd

▲Return fr en

*********************************

REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO

0. Introduction

Dans sa mission évangélisatrice, la Province SVD-CNG accorde une place de choix aux Moyens de Communication Sociale. Non seulement parce que ces moyens constituent une des dimensions essentielles de notre congrégation, mais aussi et surtout parce qu’ils sont consubstantiels à l’annonce du Royaume de Dieu. On ne peut pas être missionnaire aujourd’hui en faisant fi de ces moyens puissants qui façonnent et influencent individus et nations entières. C’est d’ailleurs, à juste titre, qu’on estime que le 21^è siècle est un siècle des médias. Sans être « Prophète des Communications », Arnold Janssen l’avait bien compris, déjà en son temps, avec la publication de son ‘Petit Messager du Sacré-Cœur’ et la construction de l’imprimerie à Steyl.

Fort de cette conviction, la Coordination Provinciale des Communications Sociales au Congo organise ses activités selon trois axes :

- la presse écrite ;

- l’audiovisuel ;

- l’animation.

1. La Presse Ecrite

La Province SVD-CNG publie périodiquement plusieurs textes à caractère informatif et à usage interne pour renforcer les liens entre confrères. C’est le cas notamment de « L’Ensemble » (bulletin officiel de liaison de la Province) ; du Mundo Dei Verbum (bulletin d’information biblique pour les entités appartenant à la ‘Coordination de l’Apostolat Biblique’ ou CoAB) ; de ‘l’Antenne’ (bulletin du Noviciat), de ‘l’Info-Congo’ (feuillet mensuel d’information de la Province) ; de la ‘Famille Arnold Janssen’ (bulletin du Philosophat Arnold Janssen), de ‘l’Echo du Cfc’ (bulletin du Centre de Formation Commun), de ‘l’Echo de St. Amand’ (bulletin paroissial d’information), la revue annuelle 'Prière et Service Missionnaire' (pour la pastorale des vocations) et le 'Bulletin d'Animation Missionnaire' (pour le Secrétariat des Missions) etc.

Outre les bulletins d’information, il faut signaler également les différentes publications réalisées par Verbum Bible (VB) chaque année.

2. L’animation

Une fois par an, le Coordinateur des Communications se rend au Noviciat, à Bandundu (plus ou moins 300 km de Kinshasa) pour animer une session en plusieurs domaines de la communication tels que : la ‘Pédagogie de l’Oralité’, les ‘Techniques de prise de parole en public’, la rédaction d’un article, l’analyse critique des médias, etc. De temps en temps, le Coordinateur se rend aussi dans certaines de nos paroisses pour encadrer les Commissions paroissiales des Communications.

3. L’Audiovisuel

La Province SVD-CNG a deux studios audiovisuels numériques qui fonctionnent de manière conjointe à Kinshasa : le studio Ngayime et le studio EmiBIB (ou Emissions Bbliques). Le premier s’occupe de la production vidéo et l’enregistrement des chants religieux et, le deuxième, de la production de programmes bibliques à la radio et la télévision catholiques de Kinshasa. Ce qui ne veut pas dire que d’autres stations de radio-télévisions n’en profitent pas. La production des programmes bibliques à la télévision est une expérience très récente comparativement aux émissions bibliques radiophoniques qui sont vieilles de 15 ans, au moins. La Province a deux autres studios audio sémi-numériques en provinces, notamment à Bandundu-Ville et à Kikwit. Ils s’occupent aussi de la production des programmes bibliques pour les radios locale, catholiques et autres. Ces programmes, généralement simples, font la joie du peuple de Dieu qui vit au Congo Démocratique.

Pour terminer, la Coordination Provinciale des Communications, avec l’appui de l’autorité provinciale, a organisé le 31 janvier dernier, un ‘Festival Musical’ en l’honneur de S^t. Arnold Janssen. Ce fut à la paroisse Notre Dame d’Afrique de Kinshasa. Plusieurs chorales de nos paroisses ayant composé des chants sur Arnold et Joseph Freinedemetz à l’occasion du centenaire de leur mort, ont participé activement à cette fête de la chanson religieuse. Les témoignages des confrères et laïcs ‘Amis de la SVD’ sur la vie et l’œuvre d’Arnold au cours de cette cérémonie ont été suivis avec attention par de foules de chrétiens en liesse.

4. Difficultés

Eu égard à ce qui vient d’être dit, il ressort de toute évidence que les Communications se portent bien dans la province SVD-CNG. Toutefois, il convient de souligner que la dispersion de nos installations en des endroits différents et distants les uns des autres rendent le travail difficile, voire pénible. Il aurait été mieux pour la SVD-CNG d’avoir un Centre des Communications unique, bien équipé, avec tous les services ensemble. Mais les moyens financiers font défaut jusqu’à présent.

P. Michel Bandowa, svd

▲Return fr en

*********************************

GHANA

COMMUNICATION MINISTRY IN GHANA PROVINCE

ZONAL MEETING IN LOME ON 7^TH T0 13TH February 2010

VISION- MISSION STATEMENT OF SVD COMMUNICATION MINISTRY GHANA PROVINCE

Embracing the transforming power of the Gospel, we communicate the Word of God to all

people especially in Ghana through various means of communication: traditional – oral and written; and modern – electronic , computer and multi – media: radio and TV in the spirit of the Society of the Divine Word.

OUR INVOLVEMENTS:

With the guiding vision- mission, we engage ourselves in the following communication

ministries:

a. Oral :

Though this is very traditional, we still involve ourselves in using this means. Our new missionaries are undergoing oral communication through language and culture learning.

Though this involved writing as we plan our strategy of learning it is practically oral to learn the language in the context of the culture of the people. This is to prepare us to work in the area of “primary evangelization”. For us, even still in this level of involvement we consider this as ministry already. So we adopted the name “Language and culture learning is ministry”. This means that as we are learning orally the language within the context of the

culture of the people, we receive, we share, we dialogue, we inculturate, we gain friends and build good relationship. This is ministry in the sense that we are proclaiming the Christian value of good relationship. As a matter of fact, Christianity is basically relationship – good relationship.

In addition our confreres who are working in the Parishes and in school apostolate use heavily oral means of communication in their evangelization endeavours.

b. Written:

In this field, our involvement varies:

1) translations: we help in the translation of Sunday Lectionary (year A, B, and C) from English to Krobo c/o Fr. Matthias Helms, SVD; the Bible in Dagbani at Gnani, Yendi c/o Fr. Joseph Mazur,SVD

2) Newsletters: a) D’metz voice c/o Seminarians of St. Joseph Freinademetz Formation House, Tamale; b) CFC focus c/o theologians from common formation Center; c) The voice of the Brothers c/o Bro. McDaniel, SVD at St. Arnold House, Tesano; d) SVD Newsletter Ghana Province c/o Province Communication Office; e) Mission Link c/o Bro. Rudy Chamenyi, SVD; e) Parish Bulletins, like the Weekly Bulletin of Frs.: John Straathof, SVD and Andrew Quaye – Foli, SVD of Sts Peter and Paul, New Aplaku, Accra and St. Clementina, Ashaiman, Tema.

3) Publishing books and calendars c/o SVD Catholic Book Center (CBC) : 1) Yearly Calendar with religious theme c/o calendar committee & CBC 2) Catholic Hymnal & St. Peter’s Hymnal c/o CBC; 3) God’s Word for the day c/o Fr. Emmanuel Fianu, SVD and CBC, 4) Book of Prayer by Charles Schneider, SVD & Fr. Hans Van Kempen, SVD; 5) Advent Companion by Fr. Vincent Owusu, SVD; 6) The Holy Spirit and the Eucharist by Fr. Andrews Obeng, SVD

c. Audio – Visuals: Music for tape – cassettes and CD players:

1) Gospel music by Catholic Joyful Singers c/o Bro. Stephen Domelevo, SVD

2) Christian Doctrines (Sacraments, Corpus Christi, Mariology, Pope, etc.) in VCD and DVD c/o Bros.: Pius Agyeman, SVD and Stephen Domelevo, SVD

3) Documentary of different events (Ordination, Vows, Blessings, Harvest, Bishop Conference, and other National events) on CDs and DVDs c/o Bro. Stephen Domelevo, SVD and Fr. Dionisio Nellas, SVD

d. Collaborate with the Archdiocese of Accra in Radio – TV Broadcasting programmes:

1) Catholic Hour at Choice FM c/o Fr. Rex Vegbey, SVD (before )

2) Katolik Gyidimu Ns]m at Adom FM c/o Fr. Rex Vegbey (before) but now under Diocese of Accra c/o Bro. Stephen Domelevo, SVD and Bro. Pius Agyeman, SVD

3) Catholic Digest under GCBC produced by Bro. Stephen Domelevo, SVD

4) Sunday Homily in English and Dagbani at Savannah FM, Tamle c/o Fr. Gregory Kubowicz, SVD.

e. Video Productions:

The office also produces Video CD and DVD productions of our SVD events: First Vows, Final Vows, Ordinations: Diaconate & Priestly and other documentaries on religious, moral, Justice and peace issues.

CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES

a. The coordinator identified 3 challenges:

1) Personnel. At the moment Fr. Grzegorz Kubowicz, SVD left for good to Poland. Our experts (laymen helpers) in video editing and cameramen transferred to another firm when Fr. Rex Vegbey left for his further studies in England.

2) Financial. There’s a need for financial support to sustain our SVD communication committee (all district communication coordinators with Prov. Coord) meetings (4x a year), servicing of our office & studio equipments (2 VHS – CD/DVD converter, 3 computers (1 Apple & 2 Dell), 1 professional DV- Camera, 2 small DV cameras, 1 mixer, set of public address system, 2 TV monitors, cassette player and amplifier), and appropriate token to helpers (crew: lights and sounds, video camera men and computer personnel)

3) Our Communication Board (advisory body) is dormant. Presently the board is not

functioning.

ACTION PLANS ( Triennial)

1. Continue support and encourage our confreres working in school and parishes to employ all possible means of communication to effectively proclaim the Divine Word to the people entrusted to their care.

2. Continue collaborate with the communication programmes in the Radio and TV of the

Diocese and Archdiocese where we are working.

3. Continue Documenting SVD events in the province.

4. Continue publishing: Newsletters, yearly calendar with religious theme, hymn books, etc.

5. Continue the regular meeting with the district communication coordinators.

6. Propose a coordinator to replace Fr. Grzegorz Kubowicz, SVD so that his radio programme for Yendi, Damongo and Tamale Dioceses through Savannah FM will continue.

7. Revive the SVD Communication Board.

8. Promote the teaching of social communication of the Church to the SVD formation houses.

9. Help in the homiletic programmes of the seminarians.

10. Create an Income Generating Program (IGP) for communication.

11. Apply for financial support to sustain our communication ministry.

AKNOWLEDGEMENT

On behalf the SVD Communication Ministry Committee, I would like to first and foremost thank the Lord who is the great communicator of the Word for his inspiration, blessings and guidance. Then to the SVD Provincial and councilors for their support given me since the time I started my office in this ministry and until now. I am also very grateful to archbishops, Bishops and Directors/Coordinators of the Department of Social Communications (DEPSOCOMs) of the Archdioceses of: Accra and Tamale; Dioceses of: Koforidua, Sunyani, Techiman, and Yendi for giving the SVDs space to communicate and collaborate. I would like in special way to thank Bro. Stephen Domelevo, SVD, the producer of the Catholic Digest and the director of DEPSOCOM Accra for including my name on the list of those qualified to participate in the DEPSOCOM meetings. May the Good News be proclaimed through all good means of communications so that the Divine Word who became flesh be known, love and adored in all peoples’ heart.

Reported by:

Fr. Dionisio Nellas, SVD

Coordinator of the SVD Communication Ministry - SVD Ghana Province

▲Return fr en

*********************************

KENYA – TANZANIA

OFFICE OF THE COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Kenya-Tanzania Province

AN EVALUATIVE REPORT

The Four Ps: Perspective, Parameter, Production, and Purpose

As with everything else, reporting on something--be it an event, activity, situation, or responsibility--requires a certain parameter that is based on a particular perspective. By and large, this perspective mitigates an assessment or evaluation so that the report becomes worth its dime, valuable and somehow transformative.

A report is not just a matter of taking stock of what had taken place and what not.

Beyond cataloguing achievements and failures, or presenting a record of the past and present, what could be marked out as of great importance is the commitment to take progressive steps, no matter how small, toward achieving a goal. An evaluative report is a dynamic tool for such enterprise.

I. A Perspective: Locating the Office of the Communications Coordinator in the Province

When reflecting on any of our particular responsibilities in the Society, our congregation’s constitutions is a good place to start. Paragraph 115 explains that “communication at its most profound level is the giving of self in love and consequently a basic attitude necessary for us Divine Word Missionaries.” This is a very important statement, which must be expounded and discussed with greater clarity and astuteness. However, our constitutions stop midway. With half-baked thoughts on who and how a communicator should be, the document then starts talking in much greater length about the means of communication. Rightly or wrongly, the impression is that we need to pay more attention to and put greater emphasis on the means or medium when communicating. No wonder many of us confreres “expect” the communications coordinator to be a ‘wizard’ in communication media.

No wonder, too, we limit our understanding of communication to activities that are mediated by print or electronic media. The practical consequence of this should be obvious. Because communication for us is fundamentally technology-mediated, it is therefore better left to the experts and the initiatives of the Communications Coordinator. This is disappointing, to say the least.

It is said that before the advent of cell phone there was already mobile phone. At that time, cordless telephone, which only offered telephone service within limited range as it was using fixed line, was actually considered mobile phone. Eventually, mobility is what caught the fancy of many, and from there a need was felt to have phones be carried everywhere. And so it happened that mobile phones became cell phones.

Nowadays, the ubiquitous presence of cell phones and, later on, the internet in the life of almost every Kamau, Njoroge, and Ochieng is a social statement: everyone wants to get connected. The desire to belong is deeply embedded in our personal psyche, in much the way as the need of each of us to be always in the loop and in the know is very real.

Our founder St Arnold Janssen understood this need. But he also knew that communication cannot be reduced to mass media (cf. In the Dialogue with the Word, Nr 3, pa.19). He must have discerned, quite appropriately, that there is much to communication other than focusing on the electronic medium. More than anything else, our communication must be about “a giving of self in love” (SVD Cons., pa. 115). This declaration alone should give us plenty of reasons to engage ourselves in communication activities, participate in communication initiatives, and support communication projects.

II. A Parameter: Functions of the Provincial Communications Coordinator

The Handbook for Superiors SVD lays down somewhat distinctly the duties and responsibilities

of the Communications Coordinator. The first two of the eight stipulated functions of the coordinator contain formative and educative agenda ---“the promotion of a basic communication education program for all confreres in the province” (pa. 7.4.1) --- including those still in formation. Such directive calls for a broader participation among members of the province as it could have wide-ranging implications. This is an area that seeks the understanding of many, implying as it is that communication is not just the responsibility of the coordinator, but rather a concerted effort of the whole province. The third function of the Communications Coordinator is the “promotion and coordination of communication activities in the province.” The underlined words could not be emphasized enough. As the coordinator promotes, he also coordinates. The assumption here is that confreres pick up the initiatives, enthusiastically join the bandwagon of communication activities, which the coordinator then coordinates. Naturally, it is difficult to coordinate activities that are not happening, just as it is absurd to expect the coordinator to do his job when nobody is contributing or taking action in the area of concern.

The remaining five functions of the communications coordinator simply instruct the assigned confrere to plan with other provinces (pa. 7.4.4), write evaluation and recommendation to the province (pa. 7.4.5), send triennial report to the generalate (pa. 7.4.6), furnish report or information to the communications coordinator at the generalete (pa. 7.4.7), and participate in communication meetings and congresses on the national and international level (pa.7.4.8). These five functions could easily turn something like a bloated balloon which does not have much content, if the demands of the first three functions are not met.

III. The Production: Ventures and Undertakings

The office of the Communications Coordinator in the province was created in 2002, when Fr. James Mailady assumed the provincial leadership. The office is now in its 8th year, and there is nothing much it could show to manifest the legitimacy of its existence. Even then, the Communications Coordinator should be the last person to justify the continuing presence of his office. As the office was created by the Society and established locally by the province, and that confreres comprise the province, it is therefore incumbent on confreres and their duty to validate, defend, and support the office’s existence.

Jambo

Over the years, the province’s newsletter has become the banner of the Communication Coordinator. It does not have to be; but it is what it is.

Further, as you might have observed, Jambo has gone digital and has evolved from print newsletter into an e-newsletter. The decision to take this direction was based on three considerations, namely: postage cost, speed, and the easy availability of the latest technology called Internet. Of course, there are compromises. Print publication is still the favored choice of many as it proves more “real” and pleasant to read. However, although an e-newsletter, Jambo could still be printed at the reader’s end. In fact, it should be printed, especially in communities where its hard copy could be read by three or more confreres. Question is: Do we make printouts of Jambo in our communities?

The assertion that everyone in the community receives it electronically, must have read it already online, hence no need to have it printed is a valid excuse but a flimsy argument. To hit the nail on its head, we could remind ourselves about the importance of keeping in our library and archive copies of our SVD and province documents. And then, there is the issue of sharing our newsletter to our guests and friends, who could read copies of Jambo during their visits in our communities if we have them printed.

Jambo used to be published quarterly. Last year, however, three issues only were produced. The shortfall was mainly the fault of the communication coordinator who found it increasingly difficult to juggle one responsibility with another.

Partnership with Mission Animation Coordinator

Mission Animation is an office full of possibilities. It is also an area that entails lots of communication activities. For a start, a mission video about the province is one thing that can help the animation and can promote the “cause” of our work here and abroad. This is one possibility. Reality however has already embraced other possibilities, aided and partnered by the office of Communications Coordinator. This partnership resulted to the production of 2010 province calendar, Jubilee streamer/banner, and bookmarks.

Province Blog on kentanprov.wordpress.com

Ken-Tan province officially started traversing the online information superhighway last year, with the setting up of a blog site. Of course, online communication had already been pretty much of use in the province, with almost all confreres here now having email accounts. The establishment of a blog has enabled the province to share brief and timely information with friends and confreres here and abroad. As the administrator of the blog account, the communication coordinator tries his level best ---and in consonance to his heavy workload --- to keep up with new entries.

Judging from the feedback and comments received online, the blog has been successful in linking up the province with friends, especially the Kenyan confreres abroad who are eager to hear news from us.

A plan is already in the pipeline to put up a website for the province, a project which, hopefully, will see the light of day this year.

Directorship of Social Communication in Tangaza: Setting a Trend

The province’s decision to commit a confrere to Tangaza to head the Institute of Social Community (ISC) has created a new chapter of missionary engagement in the province. Both as a specialized ministry and as an apostolate that falls under one of the Society’s characteristic dimensions, the taking up of ISC directorship could serve as a pivotal point for other confreres in the province who are discerning on new modes of doing mission in a country now saturated with missionary congregations, both foreign and local.

Equipments and Media

In 2002, communications equipments, such as camcorder, video projector, DVD player, VHS player and recorder, and sound system were purchased with the money raised from the “Cycling for Cause” organized by two confreres who cycled from Kenya to Tanzania, and then a reverse route the following year. Part of the money used in the acquisition of the photocopying machine in the provincial office also came from the cycling event.

This year a digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex) professional camera has been bought, together with some accessories. It is hoped that in the latter part of this year a professional video camera can also be acquired.

A new desk top computer equipped with video editing software and hardware has been installed in our provincial house.

IV. The Purpose: Evaluation and Conclusion

It is claimed that the four characteristic dimensions of our Society is neither a spur-of the-moment inspiration nor a creation of the delegates to the 2000 General Chapter. What seemed to be the consensus was that these dimensions had been growing in the grassroots of confreres for a considerable number of years.

In the province of Kenya-Tanzania, the grassroots must be growing towards another orientation, if the dimension like communication is anything to go by, as it has failed to make its mark in the hearts and minds of confreres.

It is therefore essential to re-examine our purpose for doing mission. If we accept the premise that evangelization is an important component of mission, and that evangelization is primarily the proclamation of the Gospel which a priori requires communication, then mission contains a communicative character.

Thus, we can say that a missionary cannot but communicate and that an SVD cannot but engage in communication apostolate in its varied forms and diverse aspects. If we pursue this, it could make the office of the Communications Coordinator a truly significant player and active part of the province. Cultivating a culture of communication is a must for all of us.

Bibliography:

Handbook for Superiors SVD, 2002.

In Dialogue with the Word. Nr. 3 –September 2002.

SVD Constitutions, 2002 Edition.

Eilers, Franz-Josef, svd. Communicating in Ministry and Mission. Third Edition. Manila: Logos

(Divine Word) Publications, Inc., 2009.

Report prepared by: Narciso Cellan, SVD

Communications Coordinator

Kenya-Tanzania Province

29 Jan. 2010

▲Return fr en

*********************************

MOZAMBIQUE

SVD Misión-Mozambique

Communication

Triennial Report

The area of Communication in SVD Mozambique Mission was re-initiated in 2008 through the invitation/encouragement from the Mission Superior, Fr. Konrad Klich, SVD.

The present Coordinator has no enough knowledge yet about the vast work on Communication. However, knowing the need in our mission, he accepted such responsibility despite the fact the he had little experiences in University Journalism during college studies and also some units in Social Communication during Theological studies. Having such personal limitation, personal adjustments were also made and so the Mozambique Mission’s communication work is running smoothly.

Since the present Coordinator took responsibility after the SVD-Mozambique Assembly in November 2008, the following were accomplished:

· The Communications Coordinator-Mozambique stayed in contact with the Zonal Coordinator and so we are now included in the Zone’s Social Communications’ website.

· The Coordinator started and is continuing with the SVD Mozambique’s Internal Bulletin with the assistance-contributions from our confreres especially the Mission Superior. This is mainly to facilitate sharing of information and news among confreres in our different communities in the Northern and Southern parts of Mozambique.

· Tridu’um and Eucharistic Celebration on Social Communications Day in Santo António da Malhangalene Parish, Maputo City.

With these accomplished Activities, the Coordinator will still find some more means of communications like maximization of modern technology such as the Internet, to bring Mission Information outside Mozambique, especially to our benefactors and mission friends for them to know also our situation.

The present Coordinator suggests, then, as it is necessary, that Communications Coordinators to have meetings and formations in the Area and AFRAM levels for the improvement of our work.

Prepared by:

Fr. Juan C. Libangan Jr., SVD

Coordinator

▲Return fr en

*********************************

TOGO

RAPPORT DU COORDINATEUR PROVINCIAL DES COMMUNICATIONS

ACTIVITES DE LA PROVINCE TOGO/BENIN (2007 – 2010)

1. MEDIAS-TOGO-SVD

1.1 Animation audio-visuelle dans les paroisses – projections de films sur grand écran (films sur St Paul et autres films bibliques)

1.2 Dépannage, achats et conseils dans le domaine de l’informatique aux confrères SVD, aux prêtres diocésains, religieux et religieuses (Lomé, Bassar)

1.3 Couverture vidéo des ordinations SVD

1.4 La transmission en direct sur les ondes de la Radio Maria-Togo des ordinations sacerdotales de nos confrères à Lomé.

1.5 Souhaits…

1.5.1 - Une Vidéo sur la famille de St. Arnold pour diffuser à la télévision togolaise, béninoise et ailleurs

2. EDIVERBUM-SVD

Rédaction, suivie de l’impression et de la diffusion.

2.1 Livret : Arnold Janssen – un Saint qui prie pour le Togo (continuation de la diffusion dans tous les pays francophones de la SVD)

2.2 Agenda Biblique

Agenda Biblique – depuis une dizaine d’année - diffusion au Togo, au Bénin, au Burkina Faso, en Côte d’Ivoire, au Cameroun et au Gabon

En 2007, 2008, 2009, en collaboration avec CEBILO – 10 000 exemplaires chaque année) – avec des pages sur la SVD, SSpS et SSpSAP, Arnold Janssen et Joseph Freinademetz

2.3 Calendrier SVD

Calendrier SVD, SSpS, SSpSAP 2007, 2008, 2009 (5000 exemplaires chaque année) – diffusion dans tous les pays francophones où la SVD est présente et plus : Togo, Bénin, Congo, Madagascar, Tchad, Canada, Belgique, France, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire.

2.4 « Le lectionnaire et missel en Lamba » en trois volumes, Année A,B, C (dirigé par le P. Christophe Kolis) est achevé.

2.5 Série Bible et Foi

2.5.1 Qui étaient les frères de Jésus (2000 exemplaires)

2.6 Ecoutez et Annoncez – Année A (500 à 3000 exemplaires selon le cahier)

2.7 Calendrier liturgique

Calendrier liturgique 2007, 2008, 2009 (6 000 – 8 000 exemplaires par an) - en collaboration avec les Editions St Augustin à Lomé – diffusion au Bénin

2.8 En préparation

Série Bible et Foi et Ecoutez et Annoncez Année B et C ; Guide de Vie dans la Province TOG

3. FORMATION :

3.1 Cours semestriel sur l’audiovisuel à l’Institut St. Paul assuré par le coordinateur régional jusqu’en 2007.

3.2 Souhaits : Mieux exploiter la Journée mondiale des communications sociales.

Dans ce cadre, en vue de la journée mondiale de 2010, avec pour thème : "Le prêtre et la pastorale dans le monde numérique : les nouveaux médias au service de la Parole", le coordinateur des communications a déjà préparé une page web contenant un recueil de différents documents sur l’Eglise et Internet, à consulter à l’adresse :

http://www.svdafram.org/journeecomm2010.htm ou bien

http://www.archidiocesedelome.org/journeecomm2010.htm

Les confrères reçoivent à temps le message du Pape ce qui permet de bien travailler le thème au niveau de leur districts et paroisses.

4. CONTACT :

4.1 Entre-Nous – la publication du bulletin provincial (un contact entre les confrères de la Province, ses anciens et d’autres Provinces). Depuis décembre 2004 le bulletin est disponible sur Internet sur le site officiel de la SVD - www.svdcuria.org

Il y a une version électronique de tous les numéros d’Entre Nous qui est en cours de préparation. Bientôt ce document historique sera disponible sur le CD

4.2 La lettre à mes frères – lettre mensuelle d’informations du Provincial

4.2 Le Grain – bulletin du Postulat SVD à Lomé (disponible aussi sur Internet)

4.3 Bulletins paroissiaux :

Agbalepedogan : Le Messager

Agoényivé : La Voix de Theotokos

Sonahoulou : Nyamle

5. WEB

5.1 La Province continue à alimenter son site sur Internet à l’adresse : http://svdtogben.free.fr

5.2 La création du blog de la Province : http://svdtogoben.over-blog.com

5.3 Diffusion sur Internet de plusieurs différents courts métrages vidéo sur la vie de la Province à l’adresse : www.werbisci.tv

5.4 Le coordinateur provincial, depuis sa nomination comme coordinateur zonal pour les communications AFRAM a crée le site pour la Zone : www.svdafram.org

5.5 Autres sites des institutions dirigées par la SVD ou administrés par SVDs

www.cebilo.org

www.isplome.org

www.cedicom.org

www.archidiocesedelome.org

5.6 La Maison provinciale possède à part la connexion permanente à Internet la possibilité d’une connexion Wifi

N.B. : Nous pensons que le WEB pourrait encore être exploité davantage pour et par les autres apostolats spécifiques : Animation Missionnaire, Bible, JPIC, Vocations, contact avec amis de la SVD et les bienfaiteurs…

6. ENGAGEMENTS DIOCESAINS

Le coordinateur provincial assume les responsabilités dans l’Eglise locale :

6.1 Pour l’Archidiocèse de Lomé

6.1.1 - Directeur du CEDICOM (Centre Diocésain de Communications) – voir les détails sur CEDICOM…

6.1.2 – Le coordinateur provincial COMM-TOG assume la responsabilité du Vice – Président de la Commission Diocésaine de Communications à Lomé.

7. DIFFUSION DE DIVERSES PUBLICATIONS BIBLIQUES ET PASTORALES

A la fin de 2004 EDIVERBUM a commencé un nouvel engagement de la diffusion de titres de Verbum Bible pour l’Afrique de l’Ouest. Jusqu’à la fin de l’année 2009 plus de 100 000 livres en français de VB ont été diffusés dans la sous-région.

En tout, il y a 24 titres concernant la pastorale biblique et publiés par VB.

En 2008 l’OCDI-Nationale demande à EDIVERBUM de faire la diffusion de Dieu parle à ses enfants de Je Crois en français. Depuis ce temps plus de 15 000 exemplaires de Dieu parle à ses enfants et plus de 20 000 de Je Crois ont été distribué en Afrique de l’Ouest.

Depuis 2009 OCDI-Nationale a confié à EDIVERBUM-SVD la diffusion du livre des prières et de chants en ewe « Dzifomo » (héritage de nos premiers missionnaires SVD au Togo) ainsi que le Missel dominical en ewe publié aussi par VB et imprimé en Espagne.

8. FORUM SUR LA VIE RELIGIEUSE

En collaboration avec le Secrétaire de Mission et le Postulat - participation active de la SVD au Premier Forum sur la vie religieuse organisé à Lomé en 2008 (présence à la radio Maria et à la télévision SPES). Un court vidéo reportage est disponible sur DVD.

9. DISTRICT DU BENIN

Dans le district du Bénin, certaines activités dans le domaine de la Communication se poursuivent…

9.1 Les émissions bibliques radiophoniques : Une émission hebdomadaire en langue Lokpa préparée par nos confrères à Badjoudé à la radio publique de Ouaké.

9.2 Bulletin paroissial de Sonahoulou

9.3 Projections régulières de vidéo sur grand écran dans la paroisse de Bétérou et de Sonahoulou

10. ANNEE DU CENTENAIRE

Activités liés à l’année du centenaire de nos Saints Arnold et Joseph en collaboration avec Secrétaire de Mission et différents coordinateurs de la Province.

10.1 Du rapport du Secrétaire de Mission

« Radio Maria était invitée pour la couverture médiatique de l’événement. Présence Chrétienne, le journal catholique nous a concédé un espace pour mieux nous faire connaître…

Le bureau du secrétaire de mission, avec l’aide du généralat, a fait imprimer des T-shirts, des posters, des porteclés (et stylos) frappes a l’effigie de nos deux saints. Les réflexions produites par le centre de spiritualité (AJSC) ont été traduites en français pour les rendre accessibles à tous les confrères. A Lomé, l’année du centenaire a été scellée par un grand concert spirituel (regroupant 8 chorales de nos deux paroisses) le 31 janvier dernier à Agoényivé. Deux de nos jeunes confrères ont, chacun, adapte une pièce de théâtre (d’une vingtaine de minutes) a partir du bouquin écrit par notre confrère Dieter SKWERES, SVD intitule: Arnold Janssen, un Saint Qui Prie Pour le Togo. Ces pièces de theâtre ont été jouées sur les deux paroisses de Lomé par les groupes de jeunes. En tout, l’année du centenaire nous a permis de mieux nous faire connaître comme pionniers de l’évangélisation au Togo, non seulement a travers nos activités mais aussi a travers les interviews que plusieurs confrères ont accorde a la radio catholique, notamment.» (Rapport du Secrétaire de Mission / 2009)

10.2 Mutimédias / Internet

Les fragments de la clôture du centenaire dans la paroisse d’Agoényivé avec une pièce de théâtre est disponible sur DVD, ainsi que le match de foot du tournoi du centenaire à Agbalepedogan. Certains passages sont disponibles sur les sites web de la Province.

10.3 Support papier

Préparation des tableaux paroissiaux, images et prières, traductions de litanies de nos saints et différents textes liturgiques, insertion dans l’Ordo du Togo de la fête de notre Saint fondateur au 15 janvier.

11. POUR « LES AMIS DE LA SVD »

Livret : « Petit compagnon de prières » - Extrait du Vademecum SVD

12. AUTRES POINTS FORTS :

12.1 Presque tous les confrères ont une adresse électronique qu’ils consultent selon leurs possibilités.

12.2 Tous les confrères ont un numéro du téléphone portable et sont joignables dans leurs missions. La pratique de communiquer par SMS est bien répandue et elle se fait au moindre coût.

13. POINTS FAIBLES :

13.1 Manque des moyens financiers

13.2 Manque du personnel formé en communications

13.3 Encore trop peu de présence SVD dans les médias de l’église locale : presse, radio, télévision

14. REGARD VERS AVENIR

Nous espérons, suite aux résolutions du premier chapitre provincial, que dans un avenir proche la Province pourra se doter d’un vrai Centre de Communications (Editions, Studio Multimédias, Dépôt-Magasin, Librairie biblique) dans le cadre du projet « Arnoldus Cope » accueillant une équipe de confrères (les Frères SVD pourraient y trouver un rôle important à jouer) et des structures nécessaires pour réaliser avec plus d’efficacité notre vision missionnaire dans le domaine des communications toujours en quête de promouvoir le dialogue, la justice et la paix au Togo, au Bénin et dans d’autres pays francophones de l’Afrique de l’Ouest.

Nous pensons que les activités dans le domaine de médias, y compris la formation aux médias, organisées dans ce centre, pourraient aussi générer des revenus dans le cadre de la prise en charge financière.

Lomé, le 24 janvier 2010

Miroslaw Wolodko, SVD

Coordinateur de Communications, TOG

▲Return fr en

*********************************

REPORT OF THE PROVINCIAL COORDINATOR OF COMMUNICATION

TOGO/BENIN PROVINCE (2007 - 2010)

1. MEDIA-TOGO-SVD

1.1 Audio-visual animation in parishes - projections of movies on big screen (movies on St. Paul and other biblical movies)

1.2 Fixing, purchases and advice in the area of computer for the SVD confreres, diocesan priests and other religious groups (Lomé, Bassar)

1.3 Video SVD ordinations

1.4 Air directly on Radio Maria-Togo priesthood ordinations of our confreres in Lomé.

1.5 Hope

1.5.1 - A video on the Arnoldus family to show on the Togolese and Beninese television, and elsewhere

2. EDIVERBUM-SVD

Writing, publishing and distributing.

2.1 Booklet: Arnold Janssen, un Saint qui prie pour le Togo (Arnold Janssen - A Saint Who Prays for Togo) - (distribution continues in all French-speaking countries of the SVD)

2.2 Biblical Agenda Calendar

Biblical Agenda Calendar –distribution in Togo, Benin, Burkina, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Gabon for the past ten years

In 2007, 2008, 2009, in collaboration with CEBILO – (10, 000 copies every year) – with the lay-out and content on the SVD, SSpS and SSpSAP, St. Arnold Janssen and St. Joseph Freinademetz

2.3 SVD Calendar

SVD, SSpS, SSpSAP 2007, 2008, 2009 calendar, (5000 copies every year) - distribution in all French-speaking countries where the SVD is present: Togo, Benin, Congo, Madagascar, Chad, Canada, Belgium, France, and elsewhere: Burkina and Ivory Coast.

2.4" The Lectionary and Missal in Lamba" in three volumes, Year A, B, C (started by Fr. Christophe Kolis) is finished.

2.5 Bible et Foi (Bible and Faith) Series

2.5.1 Qui étaient les frères de Jésus (Who Were Jesus' Brothers) (2000 copies)

2.6 Ecoutez et Annoncez (Listen and Proclaim) - Year A (500 to 3 000 copies)

2.7 Liturgical Calendar

2007, 2008, 2009 Liturgical Calendar (6 000 - 8 000 copies per year) - in collaboration with the St. Augustine Publishers in Lomé - distribution in Benin

2.8 In progress

Bible and Faith Series, Listen and Proclaim Year B and C, A Guide for Life in the TOG/BEN Province

3. FORMATION

3.1 Semester courses on audio-visual at St Paul Institute taught by the coordinator of communication until 2007.

3.2 Hope

3.2.1 Better use of the World Day of Social Communications.

For the World Day of Social Communications 2010 with the theme: "The priest and the pastoral in the numeric world: the new medias to the service of the Word", the coordinator of communication has already prepared a website to pose different documents on the Church and Internet. See

http://www.svdafram.org/journeecomm2010.htm or

http://www.archidiocesedelome.org/journeecomm2010.htm

Copies of the Pope's message for this year World Day of Social Communication are distributed to confreres in their districts and parishes.

4. CONTACT

4.1 Entre Nous - the provincial bulletin (a contact between the confreres of the Province and other Provinces). Since December 2004 the bulletin is available on internet on the official site of the SVD – www.svdcuria.org

There is an electronic version of all the bulletins, which is in progress. Soon this will be available on the CD

4.2 The Grain - bulletin of the SVD Postulat in Lomé (available also on Internet)

4.3 Parish bulletins:

Agbalepedogan: The Messenger

Agoényivé: The Voice of Theotokos

Sonahoulou: Nyamle

5. WEBSITES

5.1 The Province continues to update its website: http://svdtogben.free.fr

5.2 The Province’s blog: http://svdtogoben.over-blog.com

5.3 Videos on activities and life of the Province: www.werbisci.tv

5.4 The coordinator of communication of the province as the zonal coordinator of communication has created the website for AFRAM Zone: www.svdafram.org

5.5 Other websites directed and managed by SVDs

www.cebilo.org

www.isplome.org

www.cedicom.org

www.archidiocesedelome.org

5.6 The provincial house has established Wifi connection

NB: We think that the websites could be more developed for and by other specific apostolate ministries: Missionary animation, Bible, JPIC, Vocation, friends and benefactors of the SVD.

6. ENGAGEMENTS IN LOCAL CHURCH

The provincial coordinator takes the responsibilities in the area of communication of the local church:

6.1 For the archdiocese of Lomé

6.1.1 - Director of the CEDICOM (Diocesan Center of Communications) - see the details on CEDICOM in the separated raport.

6.1.2 - The provincial coordinator COMM-TOG is Vice - President of the Diocesan Commission of Communications in Lomé.

7. DISTRIBUTION OF VARIOUS BIBLICAL AND PASTORAL PUBLICATIONS

At the end of 2004 EDIVERBUM began a new engagement of the distribution of the Verbum Bible Publications for West Africa. Until the end of the year 2009 more than 100 000 books in French from VB have been distributed, in which there are 24 publications concerning the biblical pastoral and published by VB.

In 2008 the OCDI-national asks EDIVERBUM to distribute Dieu parle à ses enfants (God's Speaks to His Children) and Je Crois (I Believe) in French. Since then more than 15 000 copies of God Speak to His Children and more than 20 000 of I Believe have been distributed in West Africa.

Since 2009 OCDIs-National entrusted to EDIVERBUM-SVD the distribution of Dzifomo, a book of the prayers and songs in Ewe, inherited from our first missionary SVDs in Togo, and the dominical Missal in Ewe also published by VB and printed in Spain.

8. FORUM ON THE RELIGIOUS LIFE

In collaboration with the Secretary of Mission and the Postulate the First Forum on the religious life was organized in Lomé in 2008, which was aired on the Radio Maria and shown in the SPES television. A short video report is available on DVD.

9. DISTRICT OF BENIN

In the district of Benin, some activities in the area of communication continue.

9.1 The broadcasts biblical radio-phonics: a weekly broadcast in Lokpa language by our confrères in Badjoudé to the public radio of Ouaké.

9.2 Parish bulletin of Sonahoulou

9.3 Regular projections of movie in the parish of Bétérou and Sonahoulou

10. YEAR OF THE CENTENARY

Activities of the year celebrating the centenary of our Saint Arnold and Joseph in collaboration with Secretary of Mission and different coordinators of the Province.

10.1 From the report of the Mission Secretary

Radio Maria was invited for the media coverage of the event. “Presence Christian,” the Catholic newspaper conceded us a space to make us better known…

The office of the mission secretary, with the help of the Generalate, made T-shirts, posters, key chains (and pens) with the image of our two saints. The reflections that were given by the center of spirituality (AJSC) have been translated in French to make them accessible to all confreres. In Lomé, the centenary year was ended on January 31 in Agoényivé parish with a big spiritual concert coming together from 8 choirs of our two parishes. Two of our young confreres have written the play based on the book Arnold Janssen, a Saint Who Prays For Togo, written by Dieter SKWERES, SVD. These plays were played by the groups of youngsters from the two SVD parishes in Lomé. Through all these activities and interviews with Radio Maria, the centenary year celebrations allowed us to be better known like pioneers of evangelization in Togo. (Report of the Mission Secretary, 2009)

10.2 Multi-medias / Internet

The play of the centenary celebration at Agoényivé parish and the soccer tournament in Agbalepedogan are available on DVD. Some of the video of these activities are available on the website of the Province.

10.3 Paper

Parish bulletin boards with pictures and prayers, translations of litany of our saints, and insertion in the Ordo of Togo the feast of our Saint Founder January 15.

11. " THE FRIENDS OF THE SVD”

Booklet: Petit compagnon de priers (Small mate of prayers) - Excerpt of the Vademecum SVD

12. ADVANTAGE

12.1 Nearly all confreres have an email address that they access as frequent as possible.

12.2 All confreres have cellular phone. The practice of communication through SMS is convenient and economic.

13. LIMITATION

13.1 Lack of financial support

13.2 Lack of training personnel

13.3 Lack of involvement and presence in Medias (press, radio, and television) of the local church,

14. TOWARD THE FUTURE

Following the resolutions of the first provincial chapter in January 2009, we hope that in a near future the Province will be able to establish a Centre of Communication including editions, publications, multi-medias studio, and religious bookstore, as proposed in the project "Arnoldus Cope" in creating a team of confreres with specific apostolate ministries (the Brothers would have an important role to play here) and a necessary structure to achieve its goals with efficiency to our missionary vision in the area of communication in the quest for promoting dialogue, justice and peace in Togo, Benin and other French-speaking countries of West Africa. Also, we think that with this centre some incomes could be generated, which eventually will enable our self subsistence.

Lomé, January 24, 2010

Miroslaw Wolodko, SVD,

Coordinator Comm, TOG,

▲Return fr en

*********************************