Facing the evil and the many crises threatening the world nowadays, our society seems to be under the grasp of a raging wave, which tirelessly puts it back in the deaths of a storm.

However, we wish to reach the shores of happiness, but seem to be short of strength.

We, parishioner from a small and far away land, like many of our brothers and sisters, have noticed the powerful and salutary hand hold out towards us from the shore.

We have therefore decided, together with our diocese, to show you through these pages that’s it’s possible to believe in it.

It concerns our participation in the building of a worship place:

The church of "  Merciful Jésus " .

Out of respect for the beliefs of each of us, you’re invited to inquire into our project.

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Together with Mauritius and Rodrigues islands, Reunion - with its capital St-Denis - French region of the Indian Ocean, form the Mascaregnasarchipelagos.

It is located south west of the Indian ocean at 55°29’ longitude east and at 21°5’ latitude south, that is to say 10 000 Km from Paris, 880 Km from Antananarivo (Madagascar), 210 Km from Port-Louis (Mtius), 2825 Km from Johannesburg (South-Africa), 4600 Km from Bombay (India)

Main characteristics of Reunion Island:

Reunion (highest point 3069 m) has a roughly elliptic shape and stretches to the NNW-SSE. It measures 70 kms seen from its widest axis and 50 Kms transversely.

Its perimeter at sea level is of 210 Km and its surface 2512 Km2.

It’s formed of two volcanic mountain masses: the Piton des neiges, which is extinct in the north west, and Piton de la fournaise still in activity in the southeast.

Underwater volcanic eruptions sometimes give birth to cone-shaped islets destroyed by the waves.

After successive eruptions, these islets can become real islands, which is how Reunion was formed 3 million years ago.

As from 1847, the Portuguese navigators, then the Europeans sail through the Indian Ocean and establish the spice route.

But one can’t really say if it was Lopez de Siqueira, Diego Fernandez Peirera or Padre Mascarhenas who first discovered Reunion. Neither can we give a precise date to its discovery: 1507, 1509 or 1512? What can be said about it is that the island has been called under Portuguese names such as Santa Appolonia and Mascarin in honour of Pedro Mascarhenas.

Discovered at the beginning of the 16th century, Reunion remains a desert island for more than a century. The French did the first real settlement in June 1638.

It thus becomes Isle Bourbon in 1649. It changes names several times: Ile Bonaparte and finally Bourbon. In fact, as from 1848, it is eventually called Ile de la Reunion.

Another important date in its history is March 9th 1946, date of the departmentalisation.

 II - 3 . Reunion Island, cultural and racial crossroad

As from the first half of the 19th century, the island’s population greatly increases. From 65000 inhabitants in 1804, it reaches 111000 in 1849, mainly composed of whites, of colour free people, black slaves and a certain number of Europeans.

After the abolishment of the slave trade in 1817, free workers from many races are recruited: Indians, Chinese, malgasian, and comorians...

They nowadays live side by side in a true melting pot of cultures and races. However, in spite of this cultural and racial diversity, the island is characterised by a peaceful cohabitation of cults and beliefs.

In 1997, there are about 650 000 inhabitants, half of which are under 20 years old.

During his stay in the island on May 1st and 2nd 1989, the Pope met young Reunionese from many origins.

They were so touched that they will remember this historical meeting all their life. The pope has thus pronounced a message of hope for the present time and the future.

(Photo from catholic magazine Eglise à la Reunion n° 112 Mai 1989).

 II - 4 . The church in Reunion island

When Reunion started being populated, the priests only passed through the island (marine chaplains. In 1711, the evangelisation was disclosed to the Lazarus’s. In 1850, PIE IX transformed the apostolic prefecture into a bishopric dependent on Bordeaux (France).

In 1917, the propaganda disclosed the diocese to the Holy Spirit congregation. Until 1975, three Spartan bishopstried - putting the stress on different matters - to give birth to a local clergy.

In 1976, following the resignation of his lordship Guibert, Rome promoted a priest from the local clergy, bishop of the diocese: Father Guilbert Aubry.

The whole diocesan territory is divided into 78 parishes which holy patron is St François Xavier.

85 % of the populations coming from France, Portugal, Madagascar, Africa, India, China, and the former Indochina are now Catholics baptised.

The church has always contributed to the scholarships in the island. She is composed of all cultures and ethnic groups. The church also contributes to the unity of the population.

Reunionese doesn’t consider themselves as originally different but as a United population, respecting one another’s culture and religion.

People regularly go to church and show their belief in God in doing many pilgrimages such as La Vierge noire, Notre dame de la Sallette, La Vierge au parasol and in front of the crucifix symbolising Jésus Christ’s agony, or in front of small oratories containing statuettes. We can see them all along the roads, on paths or even in private gardens.

(Texts and information mainly taken from thr monthly catholic magazine Eglise à la Reunion N° 110 April 1989.)

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ABOUT REUNION ISLAND !

Located on the East Coast of the island, it stretches from Bras Pistolet to Cambuston , passing through Commune Ango, Carron, Bègue, Bois Rouge, Etang Cambuston.

* 15 000 inhabitants

* 800 children following catechism courses.

* Only one church of 650 seats

Cambuston is the future place for the location of our church.

There are 8000 inhabitants and 400 children following catechism courses in Cambuston located on the East Coast.

This district is developing rapidly, which justifies the need for the building of a new church of 750 seats.

The worship place will be established in the town centre, near the primary school and the city hall.

Location sketch :

Every weekend, mass is celebrated in a Maison de quartier ( district HOUSE ).

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Before each mass, several modifications are needed in the main ROOM in order to celebrate it.

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Cambuston : a growing young population

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During mass, people gather in a too small ROOM

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The holy mercy is the main symbol of our church.

As we reach the church, we stand in front of the ultimate sacrifice of Golgotha, where God’s mercy reaches its peak in the sacrifice of his son’s life to make amends of our sins.

There’s a representation of one of the crucial moment of his agony. We Rae in front of the 17 meters high crucifix of the building.

Under the right arm of the cross we can see written on the facade of the church, the words of the Lord to his mother : Here is your son Jn 19.26.On the left side, written in the same way, what he told to John the apostle: Here is your mother Jn 19.27.

Facing the crucifix stands the statue of Mary on one side and the one of John on the other side, looking at the lord.

The scene was chosen to be on the facade since it puts the stress on Jésus’ mercy and kindness, Jésus who gives us his father, his own life, his spirit and his mother to lead us throughout our spiritual life.

As we enter the church, on each side of the building can we admire the stained glass WINDOWS, symbol of the holy mercy. A special site will also be reserved for a painted or stained glass representation of Merciful Jésus.

At the far end of the church, the two hearts of Jésus and Mary are united into mercy. This stained-glass window overhangs the saint alter enlightening it thanks to the outside light.

III- 3 . Succinct technical description :

The first floor surface is of 636 m2. The building can welcome 750 persons ( including the tribune with 200 places ). The up to standard entries and issues are at the front and at the side of the building.

For the congregation to follow the ceremony wherever they are in the church, a 5% slope towards the alter has been designed.

The framework of the roof will be composed of iron ginders and covered with pre-lacquered sheet metal.

In addition to the Christ’s words on the main facade, stained glass WINDOWS representing parables of the mercy will decorate the side facades of the church to create a colourful and lightening atmosphere favourable to prayers and self-communion.

The crucifix of the main facade, symbol of the project, will dominate the churchyard and will sometimes be floodlit ( golden ). From its 17 meters high, it is meant to represent the symbol of the church monument and God’s people.

The estimated global cost is of 800,000 USD $. The budget of our parish is insufficient for such an investment. But it is essential to avoid the future retention of the building.

This is the reason why we trust in tour generosity. Thank you in advance.

Your donations can be addressed to :

The cheques will be made out : Eglise de Cambuston.

(Cross Chèques or chèques with the words "NON-NEGOTIABLE." To prevent a fraudulent endorsement)

For BANK transfer here are our BANK accounts

 N.B: You may get in touch with our Parish by sending a email at : qfrancai@guetali.fr

We are convinced that this worship place will help in the harmony and fraternity in the heart of each human being.

We trust in your universal solidarity for peace.

EGLISE 1

EGLISE 2

EGLISE 3

EGLISE 4

PLAN

FACADE

COUPES

MASSE1

MASSE2

 The sponsoring started in March 1997.

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