The Role Of Women In The Church - The Thoughts Of The Holy Father

Hello!

Sadly, the English translation does not have the same translation as swahili one of Easter Vigil Gospel. It's a pity as in swahili the whole story of Risen Lord meeting women on the road and greeting them sounds quite different as Jesus greets the women using a common phrase used in daily life conversations...

Antibiotic Lizards

The area I live in is full of gekko lizards in various sizes and shapes. One particular kind gets me smiling and chuckling to myself, as they remind me something I want to share with you...

When women didn’t eat eggs, wear trousers...

Monday, being an easy and laid back day off for me today, helped me to infuse my mind with some great stories I came across the web. It is sometimes a futile catch-up chase with the modern world for me, with poor internet connection in Kiabakari and busy schedule, which hinders my 'get in touch' with the world attitude. This time though, I have ample time on my hands as my beaten up truck undergoes repair and service and I sit with my macbook and go slowly through interesting pieces of journalism one by one. Among those I read an excellent and inspiring article, which comes along well with the just a week ago celebrated Women's Day and my Brother's art exhibition on the woman's theme. I copy and paste the full article for your convenience.

Woman. Mystery. Inspiration

This is the title of the exhibition of art by my younger and only brother, Christopher. He shared with me just a couple of days ago his joy of being able to go public with his passion for the mystery of a woman in his life, a mystery which has become an inspiration for him and for us, close to him. I know his passion for long and admired always his sensitivity to the beauty of a woman, a beauty of a female form and the mystery of a woman genius which inspires him and us all. I would like to share with you my joy of his first step towards public awareness of his artistic life and wish him all the best in pushing forward with his passion, fulfilling his artistic dreams and visions! Well done, Bro! The link to the info on his exhibition is here.

Proclaiming Love Of Life In the Face of Death

Yesterday along with a few people who have been friends with our foreman in construction projects - Mr Sayi Tumaini - we traveled to Malili - half distance between Kiabakari and Mwanza, to take part in the funeral of Sayi's Mum who died last Saturday after a very long battle with cancer...

The Point Of Death

“My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live (...) “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded.”" (the whole episode at Mk 5:21-43) The words of Jesus to the little girl: "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" are immensely encouraging to all girls in Africa, in Tanzania, and in our region of Tanzania in particular, who live in a male dominated society, ruled by male biased rules and customs, discriminating the girls and women in many areas of their lives, mainly in education, healthcare, employment, payroll, ownership of land and property...

WAWATA

Lasy Sunday of September in the Catholic Church in Tanzania is observed as a feast day for WAWATA (Wanawake Wakatoliki Tanzania - Catholic Women in Tanzania). This is one of the numerous lay movements and associations in the Catholic Church in Tanzania. Today, though it is not the last Sunday of September, we have just celebrated as the feast of WAWATA in our parish. My ladies in Kiabakari asked me to bring forward the celebration so i don't miss it as just in a few days I will start my holidays and won't be around on last Sunday of this month. I have to admit that I was moved by their wish to have me as a guest of honor in today's feast...

Blessed Among Women

That's how I felt all day long today.

Started the day, as usual, with prayers and Holy Mass in the shrine. With my sisters - of the Congregation of Little Servants of Mary Immaculate. Then breakfast together.

Right after that I drove 35 kilometers to Bunda to the only monastery in Tanzania of Cloistered Discalded Carmelite Sisters. I went there to hear sisters' confessions, as I've been doing since 2001 (with a short break of two years maybe when I was in Musoma Cathedral alone and couldn't cope with all things I had on my head that time). I feel I receive more than I am able to give...Of course, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is priceless, but what I mean is that spiritually I feel extremely enriched whenever I go there, to the Carmel. I thank God for this unique opportunity I was given, when Sisters asked Bishop Samba to appoint me as their regular confessor. I received so much through this service I cannot even explain. I feel blessed...

Rushed back to Kiabakari to pick up my Sisters and escort the old Landrover I was given by Bishop Samba back when I was in Musoma, then gave it to volunteers administering our health center. Since they are gone now, I decided to return the car to the bishop and borrow another one, used Toyota Hilux, but in much better shape than poor old Landrover.

In Musoma I met several sisters from different congregations - Ivrea Sisters, Franciscan Sisters, Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa, even one Maryknoll Sisters from USA passed me by in her car.

Returned back to Kiabakari in time to get myself ready to go to Buturu, to Chief Wanzagi Secondary School. Sisters of the Resurrection invited me to celebrate the very first Mass in their house chapel. In the house I supervised its construction just recently. This celebration had a deep meaning to me...To be able to celebrate Holy Mass in the place that was just a dusty field a few months before was so rewarding and fantastic feeling!

Sisters were very hospitable and generous in their warm welcome. We had a beautiful Mass with reflection, spontaneous prayers and sense of belonging to each other as came from very far together and shared same experience as misionaries, in our struggles, failures and victories. To pray together in that place had a taste of achievement and victory.

Then lovely chat at the table, deepening that sense of togetherness and community. Great dinner accompanied the conversation. It felt so good to spend this memorable evening together with sisters in Buturu. I am very grateful that this way they wanted to celebrate my ordination anniversary as well. The lovely statue of Good Shepherd I was presented as a gift will remain with me as a visible reminder of this evening...

This day truly was day when I felt in a special way - blessed among women...