Peas And Cabbage

This is a typically Polish expression when there is mix of different events, things, usually not matching and happening at once. The suitable expression for what is going on this weekend and beyond...


My joy of regaining the rectory for myself after the departure of sisters to their new convent. My feelings of tiredness and emptiness, feeling burnt out completely and in need of going somewhere to regroup and recharge and let all the bad feelings and tastes go.

Add to this state of my mind and soul the first anniversary of the tragic death of Polish president Lech Kaczyński with his wife and 94 other prominent figures of Polish political, spiritual, cultural, social and military arenas in an airplane accident near Smolensk on April 10th last year.

Add to the mix today's parochial council meeting finalizing preparations for tomorrow's day of official blessing and opening of St. Gemma Galgani convent.

Then the arrival of mother provincial with an accompanying Polish sister from Zambia, for tomorrow's feast, the fact that caused the frenzy and tension for my sisters and falling into dysfunctional mode in all areas except cooking, baking and decorating their house for the guests.

Add to this sad news of sudden death of a priest of our Diocese of Musoma, Fr. Sabinus Moremi, once my neighbor when he was a pastor of Butiama parish, much younger than me, who went through a long period of suffering, including removal of a tumor in his head and his brave struggle to restore his health and capacity to work as normally as possible, yet losing the battle yesterday afternoon in government hospital in Musoma. Truly devastating news, taking under consideration his age and the general situation of us, priests, in this diocese. We are so few and still the health of many of us, including me, is failing day by day. This does not bring good prospects for the future of the diocese as far as the saturation of priests for the Catholic community in this region is concerned. One can be sick and struggle to stay afloat, yet has a big parish with several outstations and lots of responsibilities on his shoulders. What can you do? You gotta do what you can and leave the rest to God's Providence, hoping that He will fulfill this remaining parts which we - in spite of genuine effort - cannot do no matter what...

The funeral arrangements for Fr. Moremi caused a stir in our other plans for Monday. On Monday we celebrate St. Gemma Galgani feast, which will be the very first feast day of Saint Patron of the new convent and the plan was and still is to have a very first Mass in the convent chapel in the evening hours of Monday, with invited priests from neighborhood and then a short dinner together. The Holy Mass will be in commemoration also of my classmate, Fr. Piotr Wrona, who died on that day in 2005. And as you may know already, if you read a post a few days ago - I will use a chalice and patena, Fr. Piotr used for his first Mass after his ordination in 1988. The chalice and the patena was given to me by his parents. A very touching gift and very demanding as well... Now we do not know what to do, we have to consult with my friends, but I feel we need to celebrate this Mass and then go for funeral Mass to the cathedral in Musoma on Tuesday morning...

Bishop of Musoma called me this morning and wanted to know what was the plan for tomorrow. I briefed him and assured that - under circumstances, including the following three key solemn elements - the Lent time, the first anniversary of Smolensk and the sudden death of Fr. Sabinus Moremi - we cannot do anything which is contrary to the reflective mood we are bound to observe, so the Holy Mass will be ordinary and modest, and the following procedures short and simple. He was satisfied with this plan.

The administration of the health center which fell on my shoulders since the beginning of last month, due to the funeral of Sister Grace's brother in Zambia (she went there for the whole month and came back just a couple of days ago) is another source of worries for me and needs to be solved as soon as possible.  I need to talk to the bishop and mother provincial, to find ways to make sure this little gem of ours grows and pleases everybody.

So, peas and cabbage in my mind and heart this afternoon, as I get ready to go back to work - cleaning and decorating of the church and the exercise of tomorrow's liturgy. Hopefully, by the end of this day, things will be clearer in my mind.

Have a nice and blessed weekend, everyone! Pax et Bonum!