On the 18^th day of August 2011, six members of Merrivale community (Anthony, Francis, Kidane, Kisitu, Patrick and Josephat) received the ministry of acolyte in a simple but very symbolic ceremony conducted by Fr José M. Fernandes, the delegate superior. This was yet another step in our journey of formation and as Fr. superior stated: life is a journey, it is a journey full of numerous unique moments. This was one such unique and memorable moment in our life.

Fr. superior gave a very inspiring and a very challenging sharing during his homily. His sharing was inspired by the response to the psalm of the day; “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.” He broke down the psalm in three parts: (Here I am)-(I come)-(to do your will). In this way, he reminded us of the place where we are (Here I am): ‘it is here and not somewhere else’, he said. Thus, our life should be modelled in line with the place where we are. (I come): to come necessitates a movement to a place. Fr Zé reminded us of the fact that we have come each as an individual, not as a group. (To do your will): we have come not for any other purpose but to do the will of God. However, he noted that doing another person’s will may seem difficult at times because as human beings we naturally would want to follow our own will.

Reflecting on the life of Fr. Camisassa, whose anniversary we were also celebrating on the same day, Fr Zé called upon us to look at Fr. Camisassa as a model and a source of inspiration and to draw from him the virtues that he portrayed during his days of collaboration with our Blessed Founder. He encouraged us on the need to pick up and move on every time we fall and always say, “I am starting a new”. In so doing we will always strive towards doing what is pleasing before God.

After the Eucharistic celebration, we retreated to the dining hall where we had a celebration not only in honour of the new acolytes but also to mark Fr Zé’s 34^th anniversary of priestly ordination which had been on the 15^th August 2011.

May God, who in Christ manifested to us the fullness of his love and of truth, make us worthy servants at his altar and true witnesses of his love in the world.