On April 29, 2014, in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, the Society of Mary (Marists) in the District of Africa celebrated the 25th anniversary of the creation of a District of Africa and the 25th anniversary of Marist presence in Cameroon. The Marists operate the Notre Dame schools in Pontiac as well as many other ministries around the United States and the world.
The Yaoundé celebration was presided over by Mgr. Jean-Marie Bala, who is Bishop of Ebolowa and the apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Yaoundé. Fr. Kevin Duffy, the assistant for Africa, represented the superior general at the celebration. In his homily, the bishop expressed his joy and gratitude to the Marist Fathers for their apostolate in Cameroon and especially at Obili, highlighting their apostolates among young people. To warm applause from the congregation, he expressed his hope that Ebolowa would be the next diocese in Cameroon to have Marists working with the young. The English-speaking Archdiocese of Bamenda was represented by a group of associates of the Marists, as was the diocese of Bafia.
On July 17, 2014, another celebration will take place in Dakar, Senegal, where the Marist Fathers of the Province of Lyons first came in 1948 to found a school at the invitation of the Archbishop of Dakar. A number of African Marists continue to work in the school started by the French Marists, Cours Ste. Marie, which is now administered by the Archdiocese of Dakar. The District of Africa is currently working to start a new Marist community and school on the periphery of Dakar.
About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at
www.ndpma.org.
