Thank You

This is probably the last post of this year. A year that has been fully packed with action, challenges, traumas, dramas, highs and lows of all kind. I won't even dare to list a bit of them here. Impossible task. But most of all it has been a year I would like to call as the Year of Friends...

'Giving birth is not as hard as raising a child'

The Tanzanian proverb quoted in the headline of this post comes handy and proves to be valid and true in times like these. The long-term effort to prepare institutions capable of providing good quality education and formation of our kids in Kiabakari and the area is a huge undertaking which has taken already a good chunk of my life, energy and resources...

I Want To Ride My Bicycle

A day to remember for our parochial community and for my catechists in particular. For the first time in the history of Kiabakari mission I will bless and hand over 13 bicycles to my catechists, donated by the Diocese of Musoma, after initial small downpayment of Tanzanian shillings 10,000 /= (approx. 6-7 USD) from each catechist. It has never happened before that all my catechists were able to get their ride on the same day, and the brand new one to be precise...

The Highway

Living in Kiabakari in Mara Region, it is a long journey for me to get to Arusha and further on to the coast. You need to go through Serengeti and Nogorongoro on dirt road or to take a detour through Mwanza, Shinyanga, Nzega, Singida and further on.  The proposed so called Serengeti Highway which construction apparently has got a green light to go from the President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Government, which would shorten our journey to Arusha significantly, poses huge controversy and raises fears of many that this may threaten the Serengeti National Park as we know it, along with Maasai Mara on the other side of the border in Kenya - especially the great migration of the wildebeests and other animals...myself included, even if I might be one of the beneficiaries of the project!

The Murder Of The Father

As the aftermath of my previous post on Cardinal Wojtyła's Lenten papal retreat back in 1976, as I went through the records of other papal retreat masters of the last decade or so, I came across a figure of Mons. Bruno Forte, now the Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto in Italy, who was one of the last retreat masters in John Paul II era. His 2004 retreat based on the theme of 'To follow You, the Light of Life", turned into a book under the same title, drew a closer attention to his person and his teachings...

Sign Of Contradiction

These words derived from today's Gospel reading of the fifth day of the Octave of the Nativity of Christ (Lk 2:22-35): “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” - evoke forceful memories of the retreat the Holy Father John Paul II gave to the Holy Father Paul VI and the Vatican Curia back in Lent 1976, which was turned into a book after that (in many languages, I think; I know personally of Polish and English translations). That book, that retreat made a lasting impact on me and my personal spirituality as I went through it and meditated upon it when I was a seminarian and in my priestly life as well... I believe it is worthwhile to find this book in Catholic bookstores or online.

Perfect Match

Whenever I choose to indulge my mind and soul in a banquet of a classical music, sitting alone in a dead of the night in the living room or resting in bed, it always strikes me how this genre of music fits perfectly into the ambiance and mystery of an African night... Just like now when I write these few remarks on my phone while being cleansed in my mind and soul by the divine German baroque cantatae performed by my old friend Andreas Scholl... Simply, a perfect match...

No More...

The fourth day of the Octave of the Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in short - The Feast of The Holy Innocents, Martyrs, gets a totally different dimension, validity and importance for us, if we see in those Holy Innocents not only babies slaughtered centuries ago in Bethlehem and its neighborhoods, but also all unborn babies denied their right to life and happiness by the sin of abortion. And this sin is going on as we speak...

A voice was heard in Ramah,

sobbing and loud lamentation;

Rachel weeping for her children,

and she would not be consoled,

since they were no more.

Don Quixote

I feel today like Don Quixote setting off for his quest to attack windmills... Going through bills of quantities and various requirements for the projects under way, it has become painfully clear and obvious to me that I may look like Don Quixote trying to accomplish something so complex with very little at my disposal... It is going to be very interesting to see actually how these tasks will be completed... At the end of the day... the candles are burning, prayers are being raised to Heaven and I keep faith, hope and steel resolve to make it happen. Still, your kind prayers appreciated!

3 A.M.

The time of the night that finds me awake from time to time... More frequently in the last few years as the day hours aren't enough... The early hours of the morning... sometimes the best time of the entire day... the most creative, innovative, illuminating, thrilling... or simply the time to take my coat, hat and walking stick and go down the memory lane...

The Flower of Lucca

I woke up this morning, ready to tackle the present piece of time in two different ways simultaneously. Firstly, to continue celebration of the mystery of the Nativity of Christ through the liturgical Octave till the New Year and then in days following the Octave till the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Secondly, to get on energetically with three projects at once - the finishing of piping of the water tank, the finishing and furbishment of first grade pupils classroom in John Paul II Center for Education and Formation, and the construction of service buildings and the repair and finishing of St. Gemma Galgani Convent for my sisters...

Three Years

Three years ago, on the same Feast of the Holy Family day, but on a different date (December 30, 2007), we had a special celebration that ended 17 almost years of my personal wait for the completion of the second pillar of Divine Mercy Vision in Kiabakari. The official opening of the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Health Center in Kiabakari... Today, while reminiscing the huge relief and satisfaction I felt on that day, I looked forward though, as today was a day I asked Merciful God for a special blessing and protection so that the construction and finishing works of the St. Gemma Galgani sisters' convent in Kiabakari - which will start tomorrow - may be concluded safely and expertly in due time. The date for the official blessing and the opening has been set already, when I met Bishop a few days ago - April 10, 2011. And the very first Holy Mass in the Sisters' convent chapel - the next day, on the liturgical feast of St. Gemma Galgani, the Patroness of the convent...

Because there was no room for them in the...

...chapel. This is what I found today as I drove to Kamugegi village, some 7-8 kilometers from Kiabakari. The last rains were too much for the grass roofed mud bricks tiny chapel we were using for some time now as people try to raise funds to build something more solid... So, instead of celebrating today's Mass in the chapel, we were forced to go to the nearby school and use one of the classrooms for the Holy Mass....

Silence

I do hope you kept Christ in your Christmas celebrations. And met Him in the silence of your heart, peaceful in right balance of your conscience cleansed by Advent preparations and the sacrament of reconciliation. I am not into writing Christmas cards, sending decorated emails or passing smses with fancy 'Xmas' pictures and texts. If you are into this kind of Christmas communication and wishes, I am sorry to disappoint you by keeping silent. But what I did is this: I said breviary in silence for you and for the intentions dear to your heart. Then while elevating the consecrated Hosts during Christmas Midnight Mass and today in all Christmas Masses I whispered to Him to keep an eye on you and make sure you stay safe and blessed and your worthy prayers are answered by Him in due time and manner. Then I sat close to the Christmas crib in silence and thought about you asking silently the Holy Family to watch over you and help you the way They deem necessary to hep you...

Yom Kippur

At least twice a year we have the special day of repentance and reconciliation with each other and with God. A day or two before Christmas, again during the Holy Week preceding Easter and once again a day before the annual Patron Saint of the Parish feast day (July 4th). I do not include here communal penitential services (with individual confessions) celebrated on the occasion of Divine Mercy Sunday or other pilgrimage days...

9 Years

I may not condone his lifestyle and life decisions, but nevertheless I admire his talent and career as a poet, writer, musician, frontman of the band, solist. Grzegorz Ciechowski a.k.a Obywatel G.C. (Citizen G.C.) will remain forever as one of my favorite artists in Polish music scene. Today is the day he passed away, nine years ago. May his soul rest in peace! Prayers appreciated! This is the link to my post on Grzegorz I wrote in August with a few of his songs listed there. Enjoy!

We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight

2 Corinthians 5:7. Very challenging text. As if walking with our eyes closed, believing what we are being told and accepting it at face value. Walking by faith, not by sight. As if landing in a thick fog, guided only by ILS, knowing that the instrument landing system will guide me correctly at a right glide slope path to the center of the runway. As if walking along the edge of a cliff, guided by a voice of someone else, trusting that person completely. As if looking at the valley covered in thick mist, seeing nothing and being told that there is a beautiful valley with picturesque village on the curvy river meandering through the valley towards the horizon...

The Deadline

I'm extremely glad that my bishop, the bishop of Diocese of Musoma, Rt. Rev. Michael Msonganzila, took his time to come and visit us here in Kiabakari this afternoon, while on his way back from the meeting with priests who formerly belonged to the Diocese of Musoma, but now will become a part of the presbyterium of the recently announced new diocese of Bunda. When they announced the creation of this new diocese, I thought initially that Kiabakari will become a part of the new diocese as we are neighbors with Bunda parish which has become now a capital city of the Diocese of Bunda (some 30 km only from Kiabakari)...

A Short Course In Domestic Archeology

Tonight I will say a special prayer for my Grandma and Mum. They spent all their professional careers working in the Archeological Museum in Krakow, saving the prehistoric past for us, archiving meticulously their findings, preserving and displaying for us to keep us remembering who we are and where we come from...

Ping-Pong

The very first trip to Musoma today. Scorching hot day. Three months have passed since I was in Musoma and already I noticed many changes here and there. Task force put in charge to lay tarmac in the new bus stand area (I wrote about this phenomenon in one of my first posts since the inception of this blog into the virtual world) started to pour first layer of asphalt when I was leaving for holidays in September. I came back and there i no trace of asphalt there (sic!). A mystery of faith...

Camaraderie

There is this feeling one would describe as a feeling of togetherness in undertaking a huge challenge, in tossing oneself into a deep ocean in hope one will manage to stay on top as one is aware that there are others around who are willing to help and one is willing to help others too in order to succeed together as a team...

Reactivation

Done today. The reactivation of my union with the living and praying parochial community.  Three Holy Masses, two in the shrine and one in Nyamikoma outstation, were the binding force that reactivated our union of faith, love and dependancy on each other. Thank God for giving me enough power to make to the end of the last Mass as today is quite hot, humid and no wind (just picking up as I write). Tough job to 'do' three long Masses in full liturgical armor in semi-oven conditions... Anyway, I'm grateful I was able to fulfill my duty till the end. It was so cool to reconnect with the parish and my people. I guess this joy gave my homily some extra winglets! People were happy to see me back and I felt as if some kind of relief was looming over them, as if they were unsure if I would come back... So now resting a bit with my music playing in the background on iTunes... Thinking already about challenges ahead. Tomorrow a trip to Musoma, setting things in motion. Time and planning is of essence! Have a good evening! Sending all of you, folks, in North America, and Europe, megatons of sun and heat! Take care and don't get frost bites!

Home

So good to be back home! Precision Air was gentle and understanding enough to bring me to Musoma on time and the flight itself was a smooth ride, strange to be honest as normally you would expect some rough parts, taking under consideration the modest size of the aircraft and variable conditions around Lake Victoria with strong crosswinds, then around Arusha/Moshi with the influence of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, sometimes climbing to the cruise altitude over Dar es Salaam is a rodeo ride. But not this time...

The Picture

As I am about to zip my bag, having checked that all that little I had on me, was in fact in the bag and nothing was missing, I am in a standby mode with a couple of hours left before I proceed to the airport and then (hopefully) to Musoma via Precision Air regular flight. This standby mode is not only about the wait for the departure, but also about the wait for Florian, my artist and friend who will come to see me for the last time this time to talk about a special project we want to do...

Tanesco

Coming back to Tanzania from North America and Europe where noone remembers when it was the last time there was a power failure, not caused by some natural calamities like hurricane, extreme frost, snow, flooding, earthquake and so forth, and finding myself in a situation where there is no single day without power cuts in Dar es Salaam and elsewhere around the country, it is really hard to adjust to the reality of uncertainty - when they will cut the power, if they will cut the power, how long it will take to restore the power and so forth... These are the real life questions! Being helpless as I am in this situation, I cannot but laugh watching this piece of comedy from a popular group in Tanzania. Those of you who understand swahili, enjoy... For others, you have to come here to understand what I am writing about.

Missa Luba

Done with the to-do list, resting in my room, immersed in thoughts, recollections and memories, visualizing the coming Christmas time filled with various eye catching and heart touching celebrations, I found myself reminiscing one of the best choirs in Africa, if not the very best (at least out of those I know myself) - the Muungano National Choir from Nairobi, Kenya. I remember the very first time I happened to listen to their a capella songs some 16-17 years ago... I rushed then to Nairobi to buy their audio CD and - as I was happy to find out - also their VHS recording of the same audio CD...

Last Day

Last day before I fly back to Musoma tomorrow (hopefully, it will be Musoma, as sometimes Precision Air takes you to unexpected destinations, changing schedules without warning, and flying us, poor folk heading for Musoma to Mwanza instead, then hauling us to Musoma by minibus, which means three hours of traveling). Last 24 hours of preparations before I finally reach home...

Sentinels

Two days before I arrive back home in Kiabakari, it is high time to dispatch sentinels announcing my arrival to relevant parties and people involved and asking several persons to do this and that and to provide me with info I need... The last 48 hours before I get back home are the time of the most intense communication between me and people in Kiabakari and Mara Region at large...

A Welcoming Sign

I have been quiet on this issue for some time but I have to admit that the election of the first black African Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Poland has been a very welcoming sign of opening of our Polish society to the world and human races...

Plastic Jesus

I know nothing about plastic Jesus. My Jesus is a Son of Man of Flesh and Blood, Soul an Divinity. This is  the One I offer to the Father in the Most Holy Eucharist and when I say Divine Mercy Chaplet. This is the One who knows me through and through and has not given up on me yet. This is Jesus I belong to. This is Jesus I struggle to follow, read and understand. This is Jesus who keeps silent most of times in my life, yet steers it whenever needed and shelters me when I make the mess of my life and bring ruin and chaos. This is is Jesus, real One, who talks to me silently through people and events, through His Word and Breaking of Bread. I know nothing of plastic Jesus...

Purgatory

I believe there are times one cannot help oneself through prayer. These are times when Heaven seems to be offline. One feels as if in Purgatory while still alive on earth... Helpless... At times like these, only prayers of friends and caring soul can come to aid. Just as it is with prayers for souls in Purgatory. Thank you all who come to my aid at times like these, when I go through Purgatory while still alive on earth...

Gaudete

I have every reason to celebrate today's Third Sunday of Advent called traditionally 'Gaudete Sunday' with my heart, soul and mind overflowing with sentiments of joy, gratitude and jovial mood. One of the greatest times of my life in past three months - such an undeserved gift of God and so many grand people... Now, back safely in Tanzania, feeling immediately at home, enjoying the presence of my wonderful friends here, soaking in megatons of sunrays, humidity and heat... Looking forward to a few days of encounters and business affairs... Getting ready to go back to Kiabakari, fully motivated, charged and ready to tackle new challenges! I immersed myself with all these positive vibes in the Ocean of Divine Mercy in the morning Eucharist and surrendered myself anew to Our Lady of Fatima protection and maternal guidance under a watchful eye of St. Joseph from Mont Royal's Oratory... I'm ready for a new chapter of my life and struggle in Kiabakari... Are YOU ready to journey with me and help me with your prayers and support to make the Divine Vision of Kiabakari happen?

Full Circle

My odyssey has drawn a full circle as I touched down on Dar es Salaam airport runway last night... Three months of travelling, making a personal pilgrimage to people's hearts and places... It will take me much much longer to understand more fully the meaning of this unique period of my life and its impact on people I was blessed to meet, Kiabakari and myself... Today I just try to gather myself, being thrown - with mild flu and under influence of several vaccinations' shots which I took hard to be honest - from winter in Europe to sauna conditions in Dar es Salaam... Blessed be the name of the inventor of a fan, not mentioning airconditioning! Stay blessed on this Third Sunday of Advent! Praying for you and all intentions dear to your hearts... God bless us all!

The Lollipop

On my way to a full recovery of stolen documents, I had to go to hospital this morning to get my vaccines shots and the yellow WHO booklet reissued before I fly out back to Tanzania. Not a very pleasant experience, I must admit... Since I had no time to spread these vaccination shots in time, they were all administered to me at once. Six in total. Yellow fever vaccination, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, polio, diphtheria, tetanus and so on... I got my yellow WHO booklet back and I'm happy, yet my arms hurt a lot now and I feel as if I have been recovered from the underneath of the speeding train...

At least, I have my lollipop to comfort myself a bit which the nurses awarded me for being a good boy as I didn't even wink while being shot with those vaccines...

Frozen

Simply frozen to death, and feeling as if my whole body is burning from inside, fighting cold and fever, after spending the whole day in freezing temps in one of the Krakow churches, doing mission awareness and fund-raiser for the construction of the center for education and formation in my mission and the completion of the sisters' convent... Stuffed myself with a handful of pills and heading for bed. Will see tomorrow how things pan out...Hoping flu won't get upper hand on me...:(

A Miracle Of Life

Remember the recent uproar of liberal pro-choice people and groups of pressure who cry foul when the ChurchAds.net in UK revealed Advent / Christmas posters depicting Baby Jesus in His Mother's womb with halo around His little head? I consider it a wonderful interpretation of Advent reality - a maternal womb of Our Lady as it was then... But for some, crooked 'art' like some time ago a crucifix in urine or something disgusting like this - is an epithomy of art. I rather see it as a decline and death of human culture that should always serve the proclamation of the beauty of life and genuine talents and charismas of people...

You Cannot But...

fall in love with Krakow, the Only Royal Capital City of All Poland! Dressed in regal snowy attire, caught in freezing temperature, swept by strong winds... Mesmerizing, captivating, magical... Check these pictures I took on my iPhone as I strolled through Planty green belt and at Wawel Royal Hill and on my way back home...

The Sound Of Snow

Back home with my Dad. Poland welcomed me with frosty bites on my cheeks and light snow falling silently from heavens... Yet the crunching sound of snow under my feet as I walked this morning to Sisters' chapel for the morning Mass was the most beautiful sound I missed for long...