Christmas Greetings From Fr. Salako in Africa
Dear Fr. Higgins and Parishioners in Christ:
May the peace, love, and joy that the birth of Christ brings be with you all during this Christmas season! It is with great joy that I write this message to you all! I hope that despite the pandemic, the joy that Christ brings at Christmas remains with you all.
Here in Benin and Niger we are still in the second year of the pandemic. With the pandemic, our way of life has been turned upside down, the end result of this for our people here is that poverty is on the increase. This, because people cannot move freely for their business.
But we are people of hope, and so, we must not give up, we must keep on hoping and trusting in the goodness of God, the source of all prosperity and good health.
Here in Benin, the pandemic is still very much present. Not even ten per cent of the populace is able to get COVID-19 vaccines because the solidarity between us (rich countries and poor countries) is not working as it should be and our government cannot provide them for everyone.
In our missionary’s life, God has been so good to us: we organize, time to time, charity for the neediest. We have also opened another mission territory in a remote area of the country. This is a sign of hope for the faithful, for they believe and trust that they have not been abandoned by the Church. Despite the pandemic the Church is still spreading, and His message is being preached in every corner of the world.
I wish also to say a big thank you to you all for your support and generosity to the missions here, and also to out dear people of Benin. For the past years you have been contributing to the spread of the Gospel here by your prayers and financial support. May the Light that is Christ shine upon you, and may the peace of the Christ Child be yours this Christmas season and forever!
I wish you and your loved ones a very happy Christmas and happy New Year!
Fr. Desiré Salako, S.M.A.
Father Provincial Benin-Niger