WAWATA

Lasy Sunday of September in the Catholic Church in Tanzania is observed as a feast day for WAWATA (Wanawake Wakatoliki Tanzania - Catholic Women in Tanzania). This is one of the numerous lay movements and associations in the Catholic Church in Tanzania. Today, though it is not the last Sunday of September, we have just celebrated as the feast of WAWATA in our parish. My ladies in Kiabakari asked me to bring forward the celebration so i don't miss it as just in a few days I will start my holidays and won't be around on last Sunday of this month. I have to admit that I was moved by their wish to have me as a guest of honor in today's feast...

Some of WAWATA members of my parish posing today with their formator - Sr. Winfrida Chomba

WAWATA with not a trace of doubt is the most powerful and most vibrant, alive and active Catholic movement of Tanzanian Laity today. They have become a genuine rock upon which many parishes in Tanzania have withstood trials of modern times. It is WAWATA of Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam who subsidize major seminary in Segerea, Dar es Salaam. It is WAWATA in Mwanza, Arusha, Tabora, Dodoma, Morogoro, Moshi, Musoma and elsewhere who are the first to go in harm's way literally, defending Catholic Church, diocese, parishes, instututions, taking care of minor seminaries, supporting diverse causes in the Catholic Church. They are the first in prayer, be it private or communal. They are the first in decorations, they are the first in inculturation. They are the first in Church lay leadership. They are the first in Sunday collections. They are the first in vigils and pilgrimages. They are the first in Small Christian Communities. They are the first in taking care of Holy Childhood, Vocation Groups, parochial feasts, supporting budgets and helping to fulfill pastoral plans... They are there when you need them. And my ladies in Kiabakari are no exception to this rule. WAWATA are Church's infantry, paratroopers, marines, commandos, quartermasters, everything...

I salute them with pride and gratitude! Catholic women in Tanzania are incredible!

And I would wish for every country, every diocese and every parish in the world to have Catholic women so well organized and active as our ladies are...