Fools' Day

It may be an April 1st, the Fools' Day, as the opener of a new month in 2011 calendar, but there is nothing to fool around in this month, to be honest. Rather, a very serious stuff on the way, and what I want to share with you today is no prank or joke whatsoever...


Action and deep meaning packed month ahead of us in Kiabakari.

First, the last days of preparations of St. Gemma Galgani convent before sisters move in. In the meantime, a birthday of blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, on April 6th, and this is a 110th anniversary of his birth, so a very important day for all us in the parish and the health center which were dedicated to him...

Then, on April 10th the grand opening of St. Gemma Galgani convent with the bishop of Musoma presiding and mother provincial from Kasisi, Lusaka, Zambia, present...

On Monday, April 11th, myself with a few priest friends will celebrate the very first Holy Mass in the chapel of St. Gemma Galgani convent, as that day is the Solemnity of St. Gemma Galgani, the day she died in 1903. I will use a special chalice and patena for the occasion, which I was presented by the parents of my classmate who died on April 11th, 2005. This is the chalice and patena he used to celebrate his very first Mass after his ordination to priesthood. When I was in Poland in December, his parents invited me to their house and presented me with this priceless gift. Then I promised to use the chalice and patena on the anniversary of his death, on April 11th, 2011, while celebrating the very first Mass in St. Gemma Galgani convent...

This will be also day I will regain my house for myself as sisters will be gone to their convent by then. This means some major changes and repairs to the house, taking into consideration incoming volunteers and their needs, as the voluntary movement in Kiabakari gains impetus day by day, which is very encouraging for us and our institutions...

Then, on April 17th, the Palm Sunday will open the Holy Week liturgical celebrations, the most busy time for us, priests, in the whole year, year by year... For us in Kiabakari, the Holy Week means actually the Two Holy Weeks as right after the Easter Sunday we continue with celebrations, participating in Divine Mercy Novena and three days of the main annual pilgrimage to the diocesan shrine of Divine Mercy in Kiabakari, culminating with the bishop of Musoma celebrating the high Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, which this year occurs on May 1st, 2011, and coincides with the beatification of the Holy Father John Paul II in Rome. No wonder, our main theme of this year's pilgrimage will be 'John Paul II and Divine Mercy'. All are welcome to join us in the celebrations!

My birthday and Patron Saint day will come on Good Friday and Holy Saturday respectively this year. Not a very convenient time for such celebrations, I guess... So, these will have to wait until after Divine Mercy Sunday...

So, you can see that there will be no fooling around this month, only serious work and full commitment. Prayers appreciated that we may stay on top of waves of responsibilities and sail safely in the demanding waters of April events...

God bless us all!