Day of Hope
Friday September 20, 2024
Tuesday, 3 September 2024. In the Belgian Province we have an MSC-commission “Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation,” made up of both MSC and members of the Chevalier Laity. Every year this commission organises a “Day of Hope.” The purpose of this day is to visit social projects in different cities or towns. These are projects in which members of the Chevalier family may or may not be directly involved. This year, the hosts were the members of the International MSC community in Antwerp: Martin Eloundou Eloundou (Cameroon), Mark Van Beeumen (Belgium), Clement Sathish (India) and Epeli Lutua Soqe (Fiji).
The sitting room of their house is not large, yet there was enough space to warmly welcome the 30 participants. Important was to see that they are already involved in many different initiatives in the area, even though they have been there only less than a year. A video presentation, made by Clement, showed their active involvement in different ministries. Martin is working in a parish with the French speaking African Community. The other three are working with local organisations for adults, youth and children living in the margins and people who are in prison.
During a walk through the neighbourhood, we visited various organisations and projects that bring hope and are inspiring for a renewed mission of our time. Some of these include Zewopa (support and care for people in need) and sports projects with youth in Kiel Park. Another interesting organisation was de Stadsmarinier, which involves itself in bridge building, connecting people and community organising. One of their projects is a Community Garden, in which the members of the ICB are strongly involved.
Our visit in the neighbourhood made the people feel that these four MSC are not alone, but supported by the whole Chevalier family.
Rita Cleuren
