Coming Home

Great feeling having my people coming back home. Our sole seminarian from Segerea Major Seminary in Dar es Salaam (there are no diocesan major seminaries in Tanzanian Catholic Church, only inter-diocesan major seminary in four facilities - two philosophical seminaries in Kibosho near Moshi and Ntungamo in Bukoba; and two theological seminaries in Segerea, Dar es Salaam and Kipalapala in Tabora) coming home after finishing another chapter of his theological studies, with one year only left before going for pastoral year and finally in 2013, God willing - diaconate in January, then ordination to priesthood in Kiabakari in July. Augustino Mapambano, the seminarian, reported to me this afternoon, and will spend his holidays with us till the end of July, upon which he will go for one and a half months of pastoral exercises in Musoma Cathedral Parish, as he has told me...

Then I had Sister Jennifer reporting back home with nineteen children, members of the Holy Childhood association in our parish, who went to Makoko Center in Musoma to take part in the festival of the Holy Childhood children from the Province of Lake Victoria (dioceses surrounding the Lake). It was a great success as I was told by the sister. I am very happy that our children came back home safe and sound and happy. We will meet with them and those who remained home (as only nineteen children from each parish were allowed to represent) on Wednesday to share and laugh and have good time. And I am sure that this worthy experience of connecting with their peers from all over the area, will help them mature and build a quality community and fraternal ties for the benefit of all...

And Amon, my secretary, coming back home from weekend reunion with his family in Musoma.

Yet, the list is not finished yet! This morning I received a parcel addressed to Zosia, our former volunteer/nurse who was working in our health center from October till the end of March this year. Her Mum sent her a parcel with oatmeal packets so she would not go to bed hungry. Unfortunately, the parcel arrived today as it was sent by ordinary surface mail (by sea), coming home eight months later! Zosia is long gone! I called her asking what to do with this stuff. She answered that we should eat it if it is still edible. It is as expiry dates are still way ahead. So, Zosia came home today too in the shape of a box full of a foodstuff destined for her. Thank you, Zosia, for feeding us with oatmeal. This will keep us going till September, I guess, judging from the amount of packets...

Nice to be all together at the table for dinner, with Marjanna and Marija, Aurelia our housekeeper and Amon, with Augustino joining us soon, after greeting his relatives at home in Kiabakari.

All roads lead to Kiabakari. Home, sweet home...