Saturday the 9th December will be a day of joy and thanksgiving for the Congregation, and especially for the South African Province, when Sr. Juliana Yarkwan and Sr. Marvis Mazhunga celebrate their Final Profession at the Church of St. John the Baptist in Pretoria North.
This has been a long journey for both of these women.
Juliana comes from Benue state in Nigeria. She was born into the family of Daniel Yarkwan Gberindyer and Felicia Nungwa Yarkwan and was educated at St. Ann’s Primary School and the Comprehensive Secondary School, both in Adikpo.
Sr. Juliana Yarkwan
Through the Ambassador Magazine, Juliana first made contact with the Mercy Sisters in Yola. She felt attracted to the ministry of the Sisters who worked with women and children. Juliana travelled the 1,000 kilometres from Adikpo to Yola to visit the Sisters and thus began her journey of faith in the Mercy way of life. This journey took her to Kenya where she did her Novitiate, and then, on to Ireland and eventually to South Africa, where she completed her years in temporary profession.
Juliana has a diploma in Media and Communication from the University of Jos and a degree in Social work from the University of South Africa. She is now working in Boksburg at the House of Mercy where she counsels those struggling with substance abuse and drug addiction.
Sr. Marvis Mazhunga
Marvis comes from Gweru in the Zimbabwean Midlands. She was educated in Zimbabwe where she completed her Bachelor of Education degree.
Her first meeting with the Sisters of Mercy was when she moved to South Africa and taught with the Sisters in Mmakau. After entering with the Mercy Sisters, she taught at the adult centre in Mmakau and later at Iona Convent School in Pretoria, where she is now teaching in the primary school. Marvis has recently completed a three year course in spiritual direction with the Jesuit Institute.
In preparation for their final vows, Juliana and Marvis visited Ireland, where they took part in the “Come home to Catherine” programme in Baggot Street. They found the experience inspiring and enriching. Catherine became ‘real’ for them.
June and July found them in Zambia where they took part in the Final Profession Preparation Programme organised by the Christian Brothers for men and women from all over Africa. They learned about living with and talking to people from diverse cultures and varying backgrounds. They met Africa!
The Sisters of the South African Province are looking forward to welcoming Sr. Margaret Casey, who will receive Juliana and Marvis’ vows, and Sr. Marie Louise White from the CLT. Members of the Yarkwan and Mazhunga families (including Marvis’ mother) will also make the journey to South Africa for the celebrations. Among the guests will be Bishop William Avenya Amove, the Bishop of Gboko. Gboko is Juliana’s home diocese.
We pray God’s blessings on these two women as they commit their lives to God.
Colleen Wilkinson rsm
South African Province
