Novena Before The Solemnity Of Divine Mercy

Today is Good Friday. Apart from the profound Liturgy of the day of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for us who live the Message of Divine Mercy given to us by Jesus himself through Sister Faustina Kowalska, we remember that on this day we begin the Novena before the Divine Mercy Solemnity. I encourage each and every one of you, my dear readers, to join us in praying the Novena. What you need to od first is to sit down and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in preparation of intentions of the Novena you would like to pray for. Jesus promised us through Sister Faustina that He will fulfill those intentions if only they are not contrary to His Father's Will. 

Holy Thursday

My silver and golden jubilees logo. Created by Mr. Florian Kaija Ludovick

Holy Thursday of this year carries in itself a special meaning to me.

In four weeks time I will turn fifty. Half a century of life behind me. God only knows how long I will live more. I am not worried at all and I do not give this thought much attention. What is important is to live my life to the fullest and continue to be a tool, though poor and insufficient, but still a tools in God's hands.

Apart from the golden jubilee of my birthday, in two months time I will celebrate golden jubilee of my Baptism and then together with my classmates - our silver jubilee of priestly ordination in Wawel cathedral in Kraków. Twenty five years have already passed and I do not know how? Out of these twenty five, twenty three served in Tanzania - in Kiabakari and in Musoma cathedral a bit as well.

This evening I will The Holy Mass of the Last Supper of our Lord with my heart and soul filled to the brim with infinite gratitude to Almighty and Merciful God for the gift of life, Baptism, faith, priesthood and missionary all; gratitude of my Parents who not only gave me earthly life but also brought me to the Baptismal font and raised in Catholic faith and morals and taught life with their wisdom and love; gratitude to so many wonderful people I met in the course of my life - relatives, friends, colleagues, who shaped me and my life in many ways.

I will offer this evening Holy Mass for all of us, immersing us anew in the Ocean of Divine Mercy. Thank you for all you have been to me throughout these past fifty years of Christian life and twenty five years of priesthood! May Good and Infinitely Merciful God be your reward here and in heaven!

Dziękuje! Asanteni! Thank you!

Second version of the jubilees logo. Can you find number 25 in the picture?

Wells Of Life Wisdom

Home visiting of sick and elderly in Kiabakari has been a pastoral experience I look forward to always. This morning I visited our seniors and sick parishioners in four out of six districts of Kiabakari township. Meeting those people i nothing less that drinking their living wisdom, shaped up and matured by life, suffering and experience. Came back overjoyed though sad that there are sick people in the parish. This is mystery of the Cross which teaches me humility and respect for life along with appreciation of whatever health I still enjoy. God bless our seniors and sick members of our parochial community! Happy Easter! Many of you we will see on Easter Sunday! Some pictures from today's visitation (random order).

Us And Them

Everybody seems to be celebrating these days forty years anniversary of Pink Floyd masterpiece album - The Dark Side of the Moon. One of my favorite songs in the album is - Us and Them. I found an appropriate illustration to this song. No pun intended :)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My Mom, Maria Halina Kościelniak, is celebrating Diamond Jubilee of her Birthday today. Though not among us, here on Earth, but in Heaven, we join Her in joyful and hopeful celebration offering a special Mass for Her, praying for Her full happiness in Father's House. Happy Birthday, Mama!

Good Start to Demanding Week

As much as I love Holy Week, Paschal Triduum, Easter, with the Divine Mercy Novena and Divine Mercy Sunday itself, this blessed period still poses a huge challenge to any pastor who wishes to do everything in his powers to make sure that the celebrations are well prepared and rehearsed, parishioners prepared spiritually throughout the Lent spiritual and corporal exercises, in particular - parochial lenten retreat, meditations of the Stations of the way of the Cross and Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Palm Sunday we celebrated yesterday gave me solid reason to look forward to this year Holy Week and Easter celebrations. Father Godfried (from Makoko Seminary in Musoma) and myself were able to celebrate three Holy Masses each, with very good participation of the faithful. The weather was clement, though bit on a hot side, but no rain. Our vehicles did not break down, we came back in the afternoon to Kiabakari.

Today is Musoma safari day as always. Later this evening we will have a short meeting of chairpersons of districts in Kiabakari to finalize itinerary to visit the sick and elderly tomorrow and prepare them spiritually for Easter. On Holy Saturday they along with poor, sick and elderly who are not Catholics, will be presented with Easter gifts from our parochial community - money, clothes, shoes, food etc - donated by the parish and the faithful.

More news in coming posts. Have a blessed Holy Week!

United We Stand

As it has been a venerable tradition established years ago, today - one week before the Holy Thursday - the presbiterium (all priests working in the diocese) of Musoma Diocese will gather for their recollection day united with their bishop, followed by the evening Chrism Mass in the cathedral, in which not only holy oils will be blessed, but also they will renew their priestly vows and obedience to the bishop and the Church.

We do this one week in advance because the distances some of our colleagues have to cover to get to Musoma from their missions are considerable, thus rendering the idea of celebration of Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday practically impossible.

Every time I take part in this special day, I get a strong impression that the faithful feel very proud seeing us surrounding our bishop, pledging our committment to Christ and our priestly vocation, our allegiance to the bishop and to the Church.

It is so important and reassuring for the diocesan community to see us on this unique day standing in the heart of the diocese - Musoma cathedral - united, strong, committed to our vocation and apostolate.

It is also a very strong statement that in the face of the challenges of the modern world and Tanzania in particular, we do not run away, but to the contrary - we sort out our lives in prayer, penance and renewed resolve, close our ranks, stand firm and boldly with our Pastor and are ready to tend to the Lord's flock and defend it courageously.

So help us God!

Divine Mercy Solemnity Program Guide

I have just finished and published the official program guide for the upcoming Divine Mercy Solemnity celebrations, anticipated widely by so many pilgrims in and outside of Diocese of Musoma, in and outside of Tanzania. I have high hopes for this year's Divine Mercy Sunday annual pilgrimage. We will prepare as best as we can here in Kiabakari. The rest we leave up to the Merciful Lord. Here is the program guide for Swahili speakers. For non-swahili speakers I suggest to use Google Translator provided in the right hand sidebar. Welcome to Kiabakari. Join us for the wonderful celebration of God's Mercy!

SHEREHE YA HURUMA YA MUNGU 

Huruma ya Mungu nitaiimba milele !

KITUO CHA KIJIMBO CHA HIJA YA HURUMA YA MUNGU 

PAROKIA YA KIABAKARI, JIMBO LA MUSOMA, TANZANIA

Ijumaa-Dominika, 5-7 Aprili 2013

OMBI: Tunaomba Mahujaji wote wafike Kiabakari wakiwa na Biblia Takatifu, rozari, daftari, kalamu na mche wa mti  (kila kikundi cha Mahujaji, hata Mahujaji binafsi) kama ukumbusho wa hija ya mwaka huu wa 2013.

IJUMAA – 5 APRILI 2013

MUDA	TUKIO
4.00-4.45	Sala za asubuhi na Rozari Takatifu
4.45-5.00	Tafakari binafsi
5.00-5.45	Kipindi I
5.45-6.00	Tafakari binafsi
6.00-6.15	Malkia wa Mbingu na Sala ya Mchana
6.15-6.30	Tafakari binafsi
6.30-7.30	Njia ya Msalaba
7.30-8.15	Kipindi II
8.15-9.00	Maandalizi binafsi ya Sakramenti ya Upatanisho
9.00-10.00	Ibada ya Sakramenti ya Upatanisho
10.00-11.00	Saa ya Huruma ya Mungu - Saa Takatifu (pamoja na Novena ya Huruma ya Mungu – siku ya nane)
11.00-12.00	Misa Takatifu

JUMAMOSI – 6 APRILI 2013 

(kuanzia asubuhi hadi saa 2.00 usiku)

Sherehe ya Kuzaliwa Mwenye Heri Petro George Frassati, 

Somo wa Hekalu la Huruma ya Mungu, wa Parokia ya Kiabakari 

na wa Kituo cha Afya Parokiani Kiabakari

MUDA	TUKIO
12.45-1.30	Sala za asubuhi na Rozari Takatifu
1.30-2.30	Misa Takatifu kwa heshima ya Bikira Maria,  Mama wa Huruma
2.30-6.00	Tafakari binafsi, sala na mapumziko
6.00-6.05	Malkia wa Mbingu na Rozari Takatifu
6.05-9.00	Tafakari binafsi, sala na mapumziko
9.00-10.00	Saa ya Huruma ya Mungu - Saa Takatifu (pamoja na Novena ya Huruma ya Mungu – siku ya tisa)
10.00-11.00	Tafakari na sala binafsi
11.00-12.00	Misa Takatifu ya kuwakaribisha na kuwabariki Mahujaji
12.00-2.00	Tafakari binafsi, sala na mapumziko

MKESHA WA SHEREHE YA HURUMA YA MUNGU

6-7/04/20103

(kuanzia saa 2.00 usiku Jumamosi hadi saa 12.00 alfajiri siku ya Dominika)

Angalisho: Huduma ya Sakramenti ya Upatanisho kwa mahujaji watakaowasili Kiabakari siku ya Jumamosi jioni itatolewa kuanzia saa 3.00 usiku hadi watakapoisha. Waamini wa Parokia ya Kiabakari na mahujaji watakaoshiriki mafungo ya Ijumaa ya tarehe 5.04.2013 wanaombwa waungame siku ya Ijumaa wakati wa mafungo ama Jumamosi kabla ya Misa ya asubuhi – ili kuwapa nafasi mahujaji wengine kuungama wakati wa mkesha na hivyo kuepuka msongamano mkubwa wa waungamaji.

MUDA	TUKIO
2.00-2.10	Maandamano ya Kusimika Patakatifuni Masalia ya Msalaba Mtakatifu, Mwenye Heri Yoahne Paulo II na Mtakatifu Faustina Kowalska
2.10-2.55	Ufunguzi wa Mkesha na Kipindi I
2.55-3.00	Maandalizi ya Maandamano ya Mwanga wa Matumaini  na ya Rozari Takatifu
3.00-5.00	Maandamano ya Mwanga wa Matumaini na ya Rozari Takatifu  ‘Badala ya kulaani giza, tuwashe mishumaa ya matumaini!’
5.00-5.45	Kipindi II
5.45-6.00	Maandalizi ya Misa Takatifu
6.00-7.30	Misa Takatifu kwa heshima ya  Mt. Sista Faustina Kowalska wa Ekaristi Takatifu
7.30-7.45	Mapumziko, tafakari binafsi, sala
8.00-9.00	Njia ya Msalaba
9.00-9.15	Mapumziko, tafakari binafsi, sala
9.15-9.30	Ibada ya Kubariki Maji na Kufungua Kisima cha Ubatizo
9.30-11.00	Ibada ya Kurudia Ahadi za Ubatizo na Kumuenzi Mtakatifu Somo
11.00-1.00 asubuhi	Mkesha wa vikundi vya mahujaji

DOMINIKA YA SHEREHE YA HURUMA YA MUNGU 

7/04/2013

MUDA	TUKIO
1.00-2.30 asubuhi	Mapumziko, tafakari binafsi, sala
2.30-3.30	Ibada ya Kubariki Maji na Kufungua Kisima cha Ubatizo,  Sala za asubuhi na Rozari Takatifu
3.30-4.00	Maandalizi ya Misa Kuu ya Sherehe
4.00-6.30	Misa Kuu ya Sherehe ya Huruma ya Mungu  pamoja na Ibada ya Kusimika rasmi tawi la kwanza la  Mitume wa Huruma ya Mungu (Parokia ya Tarime) na Ibada ya Huruma ya Mungu
6.30-7.00	Kupanda miti ya ukumbusho wa Sherehe ya Huruma ya Mungu  katika Mlima wa Huruma ya Mungu
7.00-----	Mandalizi ya safari ya kurudi nyumbani na kuondoka

ANGALISHO MUHIMU: 

Mahujaji wote wazingatie kwamba hija ni zoezi la kiroho linaloambatana na matendo ya kujinyima, kujikatalia, kutubu na kuzama kwa sala katika kilindi cha Bahari ya Huruma ya Mungu. Ni safari ya wongofu wa mwana mpotevu anayerudi kwa Baba Aliye Mwingi wa Huruma. Tunaomba mahujaji wote watilie maanani na kuzingatia kwa dhati ukweli huo kusudi sote kwa pamoja tuweze kuadhimisha Sherehe ya Huruma ya Mungu katika mazingira tulivu ya roho ya sala na uchaji wa Mungu wa hali ya juu na hivyo tuwe tayari kujichotea Huruma ya Mungu katika Bahari ya Huruma yake na kupokea neema za pekee zilizoandaliwa na Mwenyezi Mungu Aliye Mwingi wa Huruma kwa wote watakaozingatia mashauri haya na kukaribia Kiti cha Huruma yake katika Mlima wa Huruma yake Kiabakari kwa moyo wa toba, unyenyekevu, imani hai, matumaini yasiyotikisika na upendo wa dhati. 

Kituo cha Hija, kwa kuzingatia idadi kubwa ya mahujaji washiriki na hitaji la kusogeza huduma hizo muhimu karibu zaidi nao, kimetoa kibali kwa wenyeji kuuza maji ya kunywa, soda, vyakula n.k. karibu na Mlima wa Huruma ya Mungu – kwa gharama za kawaida.  

Aidha, katika duka la vitabu la Kituo cha Hija vitapatikana vitabu vya Huruma ya Mungu na vinginevyo, picha za Yesu, Mfalme wa Huruma, vijitabu vya mwongozo wa Sakramenti ya Upatanisho, Shahada za Mahujaji, rozari, medali, skapulari, vitenge vya Mwaka wa Imani,  polo shirts (mabeloni) za Kituo cha Hija n.k. 

Viongozi wa kila kikundi cha Mahujaji wanaombwa kufika ofisini mara baada ya kuwasili Kiabakari kwa ajili ya kuviandikisha vikundi vyao katika Rejesta ya Kituo cha Hija na kupata utaratibu mzima kutoka kwa Wahudumu wa Kituo cha Hija. Mahujaji binafsi wanaombwa pia kufika ofisini kujiandikisha na kuelekezwa na Wahudumu hao.  

Karibuni sana!

Huruma ya Mungu nitaiimba milele!

RATIBA HII IMEANDALIWA NA KITUO CHA KIJIMBO CHA HURUMA YA MUNGU, 

PAROKIA YA KIABAKARI, JIMBO LA MUSOMA, TANZANIA. HAKI ZOTE ZIMEHIFADHIWA.

Future Development Of Butiama District

I would like to draw your attention to the following link to the personal blog of Mr Godfrey Madaraka Nyerere, the son of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere - From Butiama and beyond...: Antoni Folkers visits Butiama.

I had a pleasure to talk extensively to Mr Folkers myself as he visited me last Wednesday in Kiabakari, on the request of Mr Mkono, who asked the architect to see a few local people in the new district of Butiama who - in Mr Mkono's opinion - should be consulted in this stage of the process of preparations of the master plan for the urban development of the future capital city of Butiama district, giving Mr Folkers views, opinions, hints from different angles.

I must admit, I was very impressed with scale and innovative approach to the planning. If this goes through, all I can say is - WOW!

Divine Mercy Sunday Preparations

Less than three weeks left till the annual pilgrimage to the Diocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kiabakari. From Friday, April 5th, till Sunday, April 7th, the pilgrims from near and far together with the faithful from Kiabakari will celebrate their living faith and hope in Divine Mercy, praying, meditating, reflecting, experiencing God's Infinite Mercy and Love and learning how to live it and share with their neighbors.

I have begun preparations for this important event in the life of the Shrine long time ago. Today I ironed out the program for the three day long celebrations. Working on spiritual talks, services, liturgy and so forth. Logistics and catering comes in as well, as we continue with meetings to make sure everything is ready for the influx of hundreds of pilgrims, some of them coming from Kenya, Uganda, some from distant destinations in Tanzania.

I have created also an event on Facebook for those of you who are no strangers to this social network. Find the details of the event, relevant pictures and videos here.

But I will be more happy if you could come in person to Kiabakari to join us in the celebration of God's Goodness, Love and Mercy embracing us and transforming in a very special and powerful manner during those three holy days on top of Divine Mercy Hill in Kiabakari. Welcome!

Wrapping Up The Retreat

As I waved my farewell to Fr. Alphonce vanishing in his pickup driving down the hill on his way to Mwanza, I felt overwhelmed by the goodness of the Lord who gave us these past four days of intense preaching, prayer, Eucharist and detachment from daily worries. I am deeply grateful to God for sending Fr. Alphonce to us. He was instrumental in bringing the message from God to us and I am happy that many of our parishioners showed up and participated. I pray now for his safe return to Mwanza and God's reward for his sacrifice for our sake. And I pray for ourselves, for abundant fruit of our inner conversion, our living faith which express itself in good deeds and staying away from the Evil One and his kingdom on earth. I pray for all of you, my friends and readers. God bless, protect and lead us all!

Reactivation

As the period of total focus on two important events is over - the fundraising dinner in Dar es Salaam and Faith Awakening parochial retreat - I am reactivating my Facebook account to reconnect with friends and enable people to follow Kiabakari again and the development of the place. I am not sure if I am going to be as active as I was before, this I cannot promise, but at least the profile remains open and active now. God bless us all this wonderful Fifth Sunday of Lent as we eye the upcoming Palm Sunday and the Holy Week with consecutive Novena to Divine Mercy and Divine Mercy Sunday itself.

New Francis To Repair Christ's Church

Christ has chosen a new Francis of our times to go out and clean and repair His Church. Astonishing! We need to pray very hard for our new Holy Father! And help him as much as we can by our own renewal in living faith and conversion!

Faith Awakening Retreat

Tomorrow afternoon we will begin our special days of prayer, meditation, reflection, spiritual conferences and songs which will last till Sunday. 'Awakening Faith Retreat' or in kiswahili - Mafungo ya Kuamsha Imani, a special kind of parochial retreat.

We planned this spiritual experience in Lent time not only because of the sacredness of this season, but also as a spiritual preparation for the whole parochial community before we commit ourselves to the Great Deeds of the Year of Faith - in particular Holy Week and Holy Triduum, Novena of Divine Mercy and the Solemnity of Divine Mercy, then the pilgrimage to the roots of our faith to Uganda Martyrs and finally - priestly ordination of our deacon Agostino Mapambano and his thanksgiving Mass at parental home in Kiabakari.

Apart from these upcoming spiritual events, the implementation of development projects funded by Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our own projects funded by fundraiser in Dar and Musoma later in April, will keep us extremely busy. We need to calm down first, we need to go to the Almighty God asking for strength, unity, serenity of mind and heart, focus on purpose and goals we set for ourselves this year. We cannot achieve anything without God's permission, blessing and power.

You are invited to join us starting tomorrow for this unusual spiritual meeting with Living God. Welcome all! Let us wake up in our faith and let our faith shine through great deeds of mercy!

Leka Dutigite

As I go back home tomorrow (home meaning Kiabakari), I wish to dedicate this great song to my personal secretary, Mr Amon Bigarama, who hails from Kigoma. I plan to go there in the nearest future. Before this happens, let me play this one to him. The title of the song means - let's go do some good, do some work, do something important. After the fundraiser, it is time to go back to serious work. Leka Dutigite!

Honorary Consul In Dar Es Salaam

On Friday evening, March 8, 2013, on the grounds of the former Polish embassy in Dar es Salaam on Alykhan Road in Upanga district of the city, Polish Ambassador in Nairobi, Kenya, and his staff invited us to the formal reception in honor of the honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Tanzania - Mr Joseph Tairo. His wife - Grażyna Tairo - is Polish citizen. The Ambassador officially  introduced to us the Consul. It was a nice function, well attended by the Polish community mainly in Dar but not only. I was there as well. We wish the honorary Consul all the best and God's blessing!

7.5%

I have just added roughly numbers - all expenses we incurred since the conception of the idea of fundraiser in Dar es Salaam. It comes to overhead of just 7.5% (our total costs of preparing the event comparing to what we collected in cash and pledges on Saturday) which is a fantastic achievement showing clearly how efficient and cost effective we were. Heard yesterday about a similar fundraiser done by a NGO here in Dar. They spent 30% of what they got. I feel our benefactors will be happy hearing the news. I am happy myself! well done, our preparatory committee!

Back To Where I Belong

I am glad my stay in Dar es Salaam is coming to its end. I do not belong here.

My place and my purpose of life is in Kiabakari. It was great to see friends, to put together our minds, talents, wits and efforts towards the noble goal of the fundraiser. It was rewarding to see people showing up and appreciating what we did. It was satisfying to see magnanimity of invited guests contributing generously to our cause. It was pleasant to sit down and wrap down in postmortem meeting the fundraising job in our preparatory committee company. It was nice to revisit people with compliments cards and reminding those who pledged about their commitments.

It was nice to read in the newspapers reports on the fundraiser, see the news on TBC1 and ITV channels and listen to news of the event in radio stations. Inspite of the fact that most of the news were incorrect and politicized, missing the reason of organizing the fundraising dinner and the main goals of the donations. Anyway, we differ in comprehension skills.

But now, time has come to pack and go. I do not get carried away by what has happened on Saturday evening. In fact, I feel as if nothing happened. Just a feeling of accomplishment and questioning myself if I could do more or better. But the answer comes - no, in my conscience I did everything I could in my powers. The rest I leave to God.

On Thursday afternoon we begin our popular mission in the parish in Kiabakari. I look forward to this important event of the Year of Faith. In kiswahili language, this kind of parochial spiritual experience is called - Mafungo ya Kuamsha Imani (Awakening Faith Retreat). Yes, we need to go back to our roots and awaken our faith in this time of grace. When I get back to Kiabakari tomorrow evening, I will have only 36 hours before the event begins. But we are ready. We have been ready for months. Our preparations ended long time ago. It is now only up to our parishioners and people of good faith to show up and participate fully.

It will be a great time for me to rest spiritually and mentally after some five months of hectic preparations for our fundraiser in Dar. It could not come in more opportune time, right after the immense mental effort. I feel so happy going back to Kiabakari. I will have a lot of time to silence myself, to pray, to meditate, to reflect, to thank God and people. Rest assured I will pray for all of you with grateful heart for helping us during the fundraising time with your well wishes and prayers.

The Day After - Fundraising Photos

Thank God the fundraising dinner is over, no major disasters reported, very good outcome of the fundraising effort of the Guest of Honor - Hon. Edward Lowassa, MP, which gives me hope that we will be able to push forward our development goals for this year including Major Deeds of Faith in our Year of Faith program. Huge relief to everybody. All debts cleared at the hotel and supplying parties (decoration, video shooting, still pictures, LCD screens and audio system hiring, printing etc.). The photographer brought memory card with pictures shot yesterday so I am able to share with you a few pictures from last night's event. Thank you all, who prayed and kept fingers crossed for the success of the event. Thank you all, who took part and responded positively to our cause - in particular Mama Maria Nyerere, Hon. Edward Lowassa, MP, Hon. Nimrod Mkono, MP, Madame Consul of the Republic of Poland and other distinguished guests. Thank you all who joined their effort preparing the event and making sure it was a success - especially Mr Ansbert Ngurumo and his team at Vox Media and Tanzania Daima newspaper. God bless you all!

Fundraising Dinner

After several months of preparations, the time to see the results of our concerted efforts has come. Tomorrow, on Saturday evening, we will host a fundraising dinner on the occasion of my double jubilee (50th birthday and 25 years of priesthood) for the development of Kiabakari. As I wished these jubilees to emphasize my lifelong committment to the holistic development of human person and its habitat, so instead of focusing on my personal pleasures and jubilee gifts, I asked everybody to focus on people I love and serve in Kiabakari. Tomorrow we will see how invited guests responded to this charitable idea. Your prayers are needed! Thanks in advance!

I can reveal now the banner of the event which will be displayed at the venue.

Musoma From Above

Departing and landing in Musoma in a small airplane like Cessna Caravan 208, gives an excellent opportunity to take pictures not only from side windows, but also through the windscreen in front. Have a look and agree that our Musoma is beautifully located...

Mwanza In The Morning Light

Landing in Mwanza in the early morning light is a fascinating aesthetic experience. The exposed texture of surrounding rocky islets and croppings due to light condition in the morning, hilly countryside with scarce trees - bathed in the rising sun - brings a soothing sensation in my heart and mind... Deo gratias!