Category Archives: General

History was made today in the Diocese!

Bishop Todd reports: “We had our first zoom call in the Diocese with our clergy. Everyone who was invited was present, except Rev. Theodore. Some of the people had some technical difficulty but 80% of them worked out just fine. 


This was a real victory and the clergy were so excited to see each other, to meet together and to pray even if via Zoom. Our meeting lasted 2 hours. They have all agreed to do this each month. I can’t believe how excited everyone was to see each other. It was truly a Christ like moment.”


Such good news! Good is coming even out of this coronavirus pandemic!  It is wonderful that Zoom is enabling clergy, who live and work so far apart, to meet with each other for prayer, support, encouragement and future planning.


We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God (Romans 8: 28 )

Life for Students in Toliara Diocese

We recently heard from seminarian, Zafy, about how he and his family are coping during this coronavirus pandemic.

He wrote:

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are very happy that you remember us. Thank you so much for your prayers for us and for all the people of Madagascar. We also continue to pray for you and all human beings around the world, especially in light of the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic.

In Toliara, we are living in a time of crisis due to rising inflation, the closure of markets and businesses, especially education. As a result, all daily necessities, such as Cycle Pousse (rickshaws) and taxi, etc are more expensove. 

All of us here at the Cathedral Complex are trying to be very disciplined in maintaining good health. Such is the practice of praying in groups of two, and washing of hands as soon as one enters the gate to the complex, taking of temperatures, and the observance of the two-meter distance, which is a teaching left by the Rev. Derek and his wife. Special thanks go to Neny Holy, who makes life worth living by continuing to teach and remind people to follow all the instructions that she and Rev. Derek have taught.

About our family:
• Christophère (aged 6) has taken exam even though it is not done in school. He has tried his best and they will hear on August 20th, if he has passed and can go on to the next grade. Special thanks go to him for his constant prayers for the people affected by Covid-19, all the doctors and the police etc.… everyday.

• Tantely, (Zafy’s wife) tries to continue her studies to be a midwife even when she is not in school.  She goes to lessons and does daily exercises at school at a special cost. The problem with this is that there is no teacher to explain the lesson when it is not clear to her. It started last month in July and will last until November, but admission to the next school year is still in November, so there will be no Vacation but it will continue for study. She is part of the women supervising those sewing masks at Base Toliara, which has gone well. It was great to work with other women and they were also happy to work with us. Continuation of this sewing work will continue at the Women Center’s.

• Zafy is still in the process of taking the exams for seminary.  He is back home from university in the capital and using online learning and conferences via Zoom. As for learning, he really tries and thanks the Lord for always helping him.  His problem, however, is that he must travel to a Cyber Café  in Toliara city every time he studies, especially when he uses Zoom and downloads books and lessons. This is very expensive, but it must be done. He also tries to organize the distribution of religious programs that are distributed from house to house by the community here.

May the Lord always be with you all.

Trusting in God, the Protector and Blessing of His People. 

Zafy 

The LORD is my light and my salvation; of whom shall I be in dread? God is the stronghold of my life; whom shall I fear?”  Psalm. 27: 1

Student Intern for Maropia Church, Amboasary Parish

Maropia Church, in the countryside near Ambovombe, welcomes a student intern.

Maropia Church

His name is Christian or Jamoka and he has completed one year at St Patrick’s Bible College. He will return there when it next opens, and eventually will go to university to study to be a priest.

Dean Donne & Christian

We pray that God will bless him in his work and the Church members as they work alongside him.

EASTER MESSAGE 2020

Check it out! We need more Andrews in the World!

“He first found his own brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah!’ (which is translated Christ).   Andrew brought Simon to Jesus”
~ John 1: 41-42

In the first of the Diocesan Lenten Devotionals, Bishop Todd writes:  I love the story about Andrew listening to Jesus speak for the first time.  We know he was deeply moved because he immediately went back to his home community and informed Peter about Jesus.   Not only did he inform him, but he also persuaded him to come and see for himself. (He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah”…. Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. John 1:41, 42.)   Andrew’s life was so transformed that he was compelled to share with someone else about Jesus.  He convinced Peter to check it out, and go and see for himself!

I was reminded of this recently when two new donors contacted me about separate things out of the blue. One was priest from Chicago and another was a woman from the West Coast of the US.  You can read more of the story here…

Thy Kingdom Come

The Diocese of Toliara joins  the global wave of prayer calling all Christians to pray between Ascension and Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus Christ. May 30th – June 9th 2019 https://www.thykingdomcome.global/
 
Day 9 #Celebrate – ‘And to you my brothers and sisters, we walk alongside you in this prayer – Thy Kingdom Come.’  Bishop Sami speaks on the benefits of this 10 days of prayer: