Thursday, July 8, 2010

Bunda

Half of my sisters, seminarian and myself just came back from Bunda parish, our neighbors, 32 kilometers from Kiabakari on the way to Mwanza. The same town where I go twice a month for penitential service of Carmelite Cloistered Nuns.
This time I did not go for confessions, but to participate in the Golden Jubilee of Bunda Parish 1960-2010. It was a very well organized event. The Bishop came yesterday, celebrated Holy Mass with Sacrament of Confirmation for prepared candidates, then spent calm afternoon and night in the Our Lady of Carmel monastery to rest and pray with 'my' sisters. He came back this morning when we - invited guests and parishioners - were gathered already. He received Holy Cross of the Jubilee in front of the parochial church and installed it in the sanctuary of the church, then came to parochial house to get ready for the High Mass of the Jubilee.


The church was packed to the brim.


Some of kids and youth preferred to stay in the trees!


Amazing, as it is a normal working day today. Priests and religious did not show up in good numbers, shame! It is very important to share in the joy and achievement of your neighbors! For me this thing is of utmost importance. Our presence, our participation is a sign of diocesan unity, solidarity and friendship. How can you teach people of the love of neighbor, when you yourself don't practice it? Hypocrisy to say the least...

The Jubilee Mass was a great and moving experience. Joint choirs of the parish, liturgical inculturation dancers, ushers, everyone did their best. I was very happy to see this commitment and professionalism. It is a clear sign of a living faith of the community. Congratulations, my neighbors!

I tried to upload to YouTube a video clip of Glory sung by the choir, recorded on my phone, just to let you feel the ambiance of the day, but it is 59mb and - even compressed - won't go through, several attempts failed. Will try later in the evening, maybe internet mobile broadband will be more user-friendly.

The Bishop gave an excellent homily, summarizing the meaning of the jubilee and history of the parish and growth of faith putting it in the contrast of today's modern challenges and what we are supposed to do as Christians to react to the malices and to give powerful Gospel message to the world supoorted by the example of our lives...

Right after Mass, the Bishop planted a memorial tree outside of the church...


then he blessed also a commercial passage built by the parish as an income-generating project for the parish (they are renting those small shops to businesses and small entrepreneurs. Then we gota quick snack and water / soda and headed back home as I have other things to do this afternoon and couldn't afford to spend more time in Bunda. My sisters liked this idea of quick exit from Bunda, as they also are busy, getting ready to open the pre-school after winter break (yes. we have winter here now!).

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