I Believe In One Holy Catholic And Apostolic Church

This Pope Francis important gesture somehow escaped my attention back then. At the closure of the Year of Faith Holy Father displayed publicly for the first time the relics of St. Peter, the first Pope and Francis predecessor. I don't care if some scientists contest the 'originality' of the remains. It is the matter of the faith and the foundations on which the Church of Christ was founded. I love these images. They speak volumes about the Apostolic Succession and the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. More on relics here.

No Half Time

First six months of the year already behind us. Today marks the beginning of the second half of the year. Sadly, no half time in between as the steam roll ahead with full speed closing on the highlights of the Year of Faith in Kiabakari - ordination of our deacon Augustino Mapambano, his Thanksgiving Mass and other celebrations, events and function which are associated with these event. The development projects of Foundation Kiabakari are well underway as well and we are ready to put roofs on the new buildings. The end of this week will see the first volunteer arriving from Italy for one month voluntary experience in our pre-school. Later this year we expect a few more - Polish surgeons coming in August, then volunteers of Foundation Kiabakari. The second half of this year looks even more challenging than the first one. We need to stay focused, determined, committed, in deep prayer and trust, united in purpose and getting down to work with courage. Let us pray for each other!

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!

Year Of Faith in Kiabakari

In a couple of hours I will see managing director of the printing press in Mwanza, to discuss printing needs of Kiabakari parish and shrine for this year. I will collect also printed posters to be distributed in parishes, convents, institutions of Diocese of Musoma and outside the diocese, with the schedule of liturgical special celebrations of the Year of Faith in Diocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kiabakari. The poster along with my letter and a special brochure will be dispatched the next week. At this point of time, I wish to express my gratitude to Miss Agata Krupa for design and graphic works on the poster. Judge for yourself the professional work she has done.  Click on the image to enlarge. Thank you, Agatka!

Into The Wilderness

Tomorrow is the day I will begin my personal retreat in solitude in the wilderness. It coincides with the beginning of the Year of the Faith, the fact I am very happy of. I humbly ask all of you for your kind prayers so that the Lord's Will is fulfilled in this time of silence, detachment and prayer. I will take all of you and all your intentions with me and will pray for you and them. I will be offline for eight days. Hopefully, this retreat I do in the jubilee year of my priesthood, will strengthen me to face boldly and calmly the challenges that lie ahead of me, my world and the Kiabakari community. Fiat Voluntas Tua, Domine!

I will come back to the blog after this experience. Take care for now!

The Road Map

Last evening we had a very constructive and fruitful meeting of the Parochial Executive Council. Planning the Year of the Faith and highlights of this time of grace. For us, in Kiabakari, this special period of the history of mankind means a lot as it coincides with a few events of heavy caliber which need careful and thorough planning and execution...