Fr. Stephen, Superior of the Uganda Mission, working on the House of Studies.The current "Uganda Update" may be read by clicking here: Provincial website.
Showing posts with label Carmelite Africa Mission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carmelite Africa Mission. Show all posts
February 8, 2010
October 6, 2009
Mission Update by Fr. Stephen
Uganda Update!
COMING INTO THE COUNTRY
Into Uganda I arrived before dawn on Sunday, September 27, 2009.
It was clear sailing for the 25 mile taxi ride from Entebbe to Kampala. I asked to be taken to the Catholic Cathedral on Rubaga Hill where I could wait peacefully and safely for Fr. Edmond to come after sunup. He came at 9am with the recently professed Brother Emmanuel. The 10am Mass at St. Kizito in Kyengeza was late getting started so I was able to concelebrate with Fr. Charles. I was lucky because I got to hear the choir which recently won a diocesan choral competition and also witness the baptism of four children. The Mass was over two hours long. In the evening the Sisters of Mary of Mt. Carmel came to join the friars to welcome me.
The next day I called on the Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana only to find that he was in the United States. He was visiting Los Angeles and Chicago where he has seminarians. On Tuesday I celebrated the school Mass for St. Ambrose seniors 1-4. Their Mass is in English so, it was nice to be able to help the pastor, Fr. Edmond. I visited the school afterwards and obligingly signed the guest book where my name was first entered ten years ago on October 19, 1999. It is a bit of a shock to realize how quickly time flies. I was 47 years old back then. There has been a lot of development at Kyengeza since I first laid eyes on it. Speaking of development there is a serious road improvement project of the Kampala to Mityana road. It may take awhile but the day will come when the trip to Kampala takes only 30 minutes and our parish in the bush will be a parish in the suburbs of Kampala.
Speaking of the bush, I had a rather amazing encounter with a woman in the Mwuende area of Kyengeza. I had a letter for her from California. You see, I met this Ugandan woman at the monastery of our nuns in Santa Clara. She said her sister lived in West Kyengeza village and asked me if I would deliver a letter to her. She is not Catholic but her clan name made it possible for Fr. Charles to find her for me. Boy, was she surprised that a white man was visiting her humble abode. She was in her field planting when we arrived. As she knelt before me in the traditional Ugandan greeting, I handed her the letter. She handed it back and asked me to open it. She could not read so Fr. Charles read the letter. Among other things it expressed condolences for a recent loss in the family. The pictures her sister sent elicited delight and joy in the recognition of a sister whom she probably has not seen in years and nieces and nephews whom she has never seen. Imagine that, two sisters living in two very different societies. We should not forget, though, that it is one world we all live in.
Brothers Emmanuel and Augustine are getting on well in Kyengeza under the supervision of Fr. Edmond. One morning we were eating omelets and Brother Emmanuel asked me if I could taste the paper. I said no and asked if it was edible. Yes, he said. Isn’t it hot? Indeed, I did feel the burning sensation and realized he said pepper. The diverse pronunciations of English present many humorous exchanges and sometimes complete incomprehension.
I stayed overnight at the nuns monastery in Mityana on the eve of St. Therese’s feast so I could celebrate Mass with our Carmelite nuns on October 1st. Later in the morning I went back to Kyengeza to attend the entertainment of the preschoolers at Little Flower School, which was started by the Carmelite Mission in Uganda and supported by our wonderful benefactors. Sr. Antonia is the director and Brother Augustine is the school bursar. He had the children listen to a little story about St. Therese when she was fishing with her father and a thunderstorm came. Then they had to answer questions about the story to win a prize. “To such as these belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Fr. Edmond drove me to Jinja on October 2nd. Thanks to the new beltway around Kampala which just opened the day before, the trip was well under three hours. (I say beltway because I am from the Baltimore-Washington area but there were plenty of pedestrians and bicyclists to contend with.) That evening I was welcomed with a nyama choma which, at least as explained by Fr. Larry, is a celebratory meal of roasted meat (our postulant Patrick roasted goat meat) and song and dance. We didn’t do any singing or dancing but we did sit around the charcoal fire and watch the full moon rise (no howling either). It is the rainy season so we were quite lucky to have such a fine evening. The breeze blowing off Lake Victoria was as delicious as the roasted goat.
On Saturday morning I held my first regional meeting with Fr. Larry and Fr. Edmond. Fr. Paul is still in California with his very sick mother, Terry. Our communities here are praying for her and the Koenig family. On Sunday I accompanied Fr. Godfrey to Our Lady of Fatima, a parish in town, for the 11am Mass in English. I was invited to preside and preach. I spotted four or five wazungu, that is, white persons, in the congregation.
This is my tenth morning in Uganda. One day is rolling into another at a surprising pace and I am once again struck by how time flies. So let us do all the good we can - while we can - as we journey together in faith.
Writing from Jinja, Uganda,
Fr. Stephen Watson, OCD
COMING INTO THE COUNTRY
Into Uganda I arrived before dawn on Sunday, September 27, 2009.
It was clear sailing for the 25 mile taxi ride from Entebbe to Kampala. I asked to be taken to the Catholic Cathedral on Rubaga Hill where I could wait peacefully and safely for Fr. Edmond to come after sunup. He came at 9am with the recently professed Brother Emmanuel. The 10am Mass at St. Kizito in Kyengeza was late getting started so I was able to concelebrate with Fr. Charles. I was lucky because I got to hear the choir which recently won a diocesan choral competition and also witness the baptism of four children. The Mass was over two hours long. In the evening the Sisters of Mary of Mt. Carmel came to join the friars to welcome me.
The next day I called on the Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana only to find that he was in the United States. He was visiting Los Angeles and Chicago where he has seminarians. On Tuesday I celebrated the school Mass for St. Ambrose seniors 1-4. Their Mass is in English so, it was nice to be able to help the pastor, Fr. Edmond. I visited the school afterwards and obligingly signed the guest book where my name was first entered ten years ago on October 19, 1999. It is a bit of a shock to realize how quickly time flies. I was 47 years old back then. There has been a lot of development at Kyengeza since I first laid eyes on it. Speaking of development there is a serious road improvement project of the Kampala to Mityana road. It may take awhile but the day will come when the trip to Kampala takes only 30 minutes and our parish in the bush will be a parish in the suburbs of Kampala.
Speaking of the bush, I had a rather amazing encounter with a woman in the Mwuende area of Kyengeza. I had a letter for her from California. You see, I met this Ugandan woman at the monastery of our nuns in Santa Clara. She said her sister lived in West Kyengeza village and asked me if I would deliver a letter to her. She is not Catholic but her clan name made it possible for Fr. Charles to find her for me. Boy, was she surprised that a white man was visiting her humble abode. She was in her field planting when we arrived. As she knelt before me in the traditional Ugandan greeting, I handed her the letter. She handed it back and asked me to open it. She could not read so Fr. Charles read the letter. Among other things it expressed condolences for a recent loss in the family. The pictures her sister sent elicited delight and joy in the recognition of a sister whom she probably has not seen in years and nieces and nephews whom she has never seen. Imagine that, two sisters living in two very different societies. We should not forget, though, that it is one world we all live in.
Brothers Emmanuel and Augustine are getting on well in Kyengeza under the supervision of Fr. Edmond. One morning we were eating omelets and Brother Emmanuel asked me if I could taste the paper. I said no and asked if it was edible. Yes, he said. Isn’t it hot? Indeed, I did feel the burning sensation and realized he said pepper. The diverse pronunciations of English present many humorous exchanges and sometimes complete incomprehension.
I stayed overnight at the nuns monastery in Mityana on the eve of St. Therese’s feast so I could celebrate Mass with our Carmelite nuns on October 1st. Later in the morning I went back to Kyengeza to attend the entertainment of the preschoolers at Little Flower School, which was started by the Carmelite Mission in Uganda and supported by our wonderful benefactors. Sr. Antonia is the director and Brother Augustine is the school bursar. He had the children listen to a little story about St. Therese when she was fishing with her father and a thunderstorm came. Then they had to answer questions about the story to win a prize. “To such as these belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Fr. Edmond drove me to Jinja on October 2nd. Thanks to the new beltway around Kampala which just opened the day before, the trip was well under three hours. (I say beltway because I am from the Baltimore-Washington area but there were plenty of pedestrians and bicyclists to contend with.) That evening I was welcomed with a nyama choma which, at least as explained by Fr. Larry, is a celebratory meal of roasted meat (our postulant Patrick roasted goat meat) and song and dance. We didn’t do any singing or dancing but we did sit around the charcoal fire and watch the full moon rise (no howling either). It is the rainy season so we were quite lucky to have such a fine evening. The breeze blowing off Lake Victoria was as delicious as the roasted goat.
On Saturday morning I held my first regional meeting with Fr. Larry and Fr. Edmond. Fr. Paul is still in California with his very sick mother, Terry. Our communities here are praying for her and the Koenig family. On Sunday I accompanied Fr. Godfrey to Our Lady of Fatima, a parish in town, for the 11am Mass in English. I was invited to preside and preach. I spotted four or five wazungu, that is, white persons, in the congregation.
This is my tenth morning in Uganda. One day is rolling into another at a surprising pace and I am once again struck by how time flies. So let us do all the good we can - while we can - as we journey together in faith.
Writing from Jinja, Uganda,
Fr. Stephen Watson, OCD
January 31, 2009
Uganda Update
Kyengeza, February 1, 2009
“Omusota!" I know of no other word in Luganda that carries with it the immediate dramatic effect, impact, and flat-out terror that this word carries with it. It has a very simple meaning, and nothing is lost in translation: "Snake!" This was the word on the trembling lips of Sharon, one of the young ladies who works in the rectory here, as she applied a death-grip on my arm in what could only be described as utter panic. She went on to describe how she had just started out toward the front gate and was about to step off the porch when she looked down and saw the about-to-be-stepped-on serpent, sunning itself right there! I think she probably did an about face in mid-air. Given the fact that virtually 100% of snakes in Africa are poisonous - and that survival time for bitees (i.e., one who is bitten) of some species is measured in minutes, not hours or days - her fear was well-founded.
Needless to say, the news spread like a doggone California brush fire. A makeshift search party quickly assembled, including yours truly who bravely stood on the relatively safe real estate defined by our slightly elevated cement porch, armed with my trusty push-broom, retrieved from my plush room (the room isn't really plush, it just rhymed so nicely). At any rate, one of the guys claimed to have spotted the vile viper under a kind of low-slung succulent plant. Prossie, our parish secretary, nice dress and all, said she saw the rascal at the base of those branches/leaves, and she wailed on that poor plant, reducing it to a badly beaten and bruised semblance of its former glory. The next theory and practice of extermination methods employed the old douse the plant with paraffin trick (we call it kerosene back home). We doused and doused, but no snake emerged as planned. You thought the plant looked bad before! Finally, Fr. Charles (our local Ugandan diocesan priest in residence) appeared with hoe in hand and started hacking the bejabbers out of that plant, reducing it right down to a shabby stump. Still no snake. I never did see the little varmint. Apparently, the culprit slithered off to obscure safety somehow.
I must confess to moments of doubt as to the creature's very existence, at least in the reported confines of that poor bush, may it rest in peace. Someone commented that perhaps it was a spiritual snake. The good news is that no one was hurt. The bad news is that if that snake wasn't in that bush, it's somewhere else - and somewhere nearby! Yikes! I hope to tell you, that can do a number on you. It's like people not going into a swimming pool after seeing "Jaws!" You start gettin' the willies just thinkin' about how that doggone critter could be just about anywhere you might step. Fear is a paralyzing thing. Beware, dear reader. By the time you read this, that snake has had time to escape across the ocean to the western United States and could be lurking under your bed right now...
Moving right along, the main means of cooking in these parts is by burning charcoal over a kind of barbecue "stove". 'Long about the first of the year, I somehow managed to contract Typhoid Fever. That stuff can kill you! The only good part about the whole experience is that we were able to save a few shillings on our charcoal expenses by frying a few eggs on my forehead! My goodness, that really is nasty stuff. I was down for the count for over a week, but, thanks be to God, and modern medicines, I am feeling much better now. During my convalescence, I read a small book on the life of the early missionary to Africa, St. Daniel Comboni. He and many others died from Typhoid. (He was fighting against the slave trade here at about the same time Honest Abe was championing the Emancipation Proclamation, abolishing slavery in the U.S.A.) So I got a taste of what He died from.
The big news around here, of course, is that our mission "founding father", Fr. David, has had to leave here, much against his will, to return to the U.S. for some medical attention and rest. God bless you, Fr. David - hope you are getting better! His departure set off a little game of musical chairs (or "musical friars", I guess you could say!). Fr. Edmond came here to Kyengeza from our formation house in Jinja to take over as Parish Priest (he hails from Congo, incidentally - our neighbor to the west). Fr. Larry, from far away Wisconsin, left here to take his place as superior in Jinja. Fr. Godfrey, our newly professed, who had joined us as an ordained priest about two years ago, joins Fr. Larry in Jinja. They oversee our newly built house just outside the PCJ (Philosophy Center of Jinja) along with our four students of the PCJ, and our two newly arrived postulants.
As you may know, Frs. Stephen Watson and Matthew Williams are heading for Nairobi, Kenya (our neighbor to the east) for a meeting of the English-speaking Carmelite Friars in Africa, coming up in February - my goodness, that's about now, isn’t it! We look forward to seeing them soon, as they will be coming this way for a visit following their meeting.
Thank you all for your prayers and support - God bless you!
Let's continue to pray for each other.
Fr. Paul Koenig
“Omusota!" I know of no other word in Luganda that carries with it the immediate dramatic effect, impact, and flat-out terror that this word carries with it. It has a very simple meaning, and nothing is lost in translation: "Snake!" This was the word on the trembling lips of Sharon, one of the young ladies who works in the rectory here, as she applied a death-grip on my arm in what could only be described as utter panic. She went on to describe how she had just started out toward the front gate and was about to step off the porch when she looked down and saw the about-to-be-stepped-on serpent, sunning itself right there! I think she probably did an about face in mid-air. Given the fact that virtually 100% of snakes in Africa are poisonous - and that survival time for bitees (i.e., one who is bitten) of some species is measured in minutes, not hours or days - her fear was well-founded.
Needless to say, the news spread like a doggone California brush fire. A makeshift search party quickly assembled, including yours truly who bravely stood on the relatively safe real estate defined by our slightly elevated cement porch, armed with my trusty push-broom, retrieved from my plush room (the room isn't really plush, it just rhymed so nicely). At any rate, one of the guys claimed to have spotted the vile viper under a kind of low-slung succulent plant. Prossie, our parish secretary, nice dress and all, said she saw the rascal at the base of those branches/leaves, and she wailed on that poor plant, reducing it to a badly beaten and bruised semblance of its former glory. The next theory and practice of extermination methods employed the old douse the plant with paraffin trick (we call it kerosene back home). We doused and doused, but no snake emerged as planned. You thought the plant looked bad before! Finally, Fr. Charles (our local Ugandan diocesan priest in residence) appeared with hoe in hand and started hacking the bejabbers out of that plant, reducing it right down to a shabby stump. Still no snake. I never did see the little varmint. Apparently, the culprit slithered off to obscure safety somehow.
I must confess to moments of doubt as to the creature's very existence, at least in the reported confines of that poor bush, may it rest in peace. Someone commented that perhaps it was a spiritual snake. The good news is that no one was hurt. The bad news is that if that snake wasn't in that bush, it's somewhere else - and somewhere nearby! Yikes! I hope to tell you, that can do a number on you. It's like people not going into a swimming pool after seeing "Jaws!" You start gettin' the willies just thinkin' about how that doggone critter could be just about anywhere you might step. Fear is a paralyzing thing. Beware, dear reader. By the time you read this, that snake has had time to escape across the ocean to the western United States and could be lurking under your bed right now...
Moving right along, the main means of cooking in these parts is by burning charcoal over a kind of barbecue "stove". 'Long about the first of the year, I somehow managed to contract Typhoid Fever. That stuff can kill you! The only good part about the whole experience is that we were able to save a few shillings on our charcoal expenses by frying a few eggs on my forehead! My goodness, that really is nasty stuff. I was down for the count for over a week, but, thanks be to God, and modern medicines, I am feeling much better now. During my convalescence, I read a small book on the life of the early missionary to Africa, St. Daniel Comboni. He and many others died from Typhoid. (He was fighting against the slave trade here at about the same time Honest Abe was championing the Emancipation Proclamation, abolishing slavery in the U.S.A.) So I got a taste of what He died from.
The big news around here, of course, is that our mission "founding father", Fr. David, has had to leave here, much against his will, to return to the U.S. for some medical attention and rest. God bless you, Fr. David - hope you are getting better! His departure set off a little game of musical chairs (or "musical friars", I guess you could say!). Fr. Edmond came here to Kyengeza from our formation house in Jinja to take over as Parish Priest (he hails from Congo, incidentally - our neighbor to the west). Fr. Larry, from far away Wisconsin, left here to take his place as superior in Jinja. Fr. Godfrey, our newly professed, who had joined us as an ordained priest about two years ago, joins Fr. Larry in Jinja. They oversee our newly built house just outside the PCJ (Philosophy Center of Jinja) along with our four students of the PCJ, and our two newly arrived postulants.
As you may know, Frs. Stephen Watson and Matthew Williams are heading for Nairobi, Kenya (our neighbor to the east) for a meeting of the English-speaking Carmelite Friars in Africa, coming up in February - my goodness, that's about now, isn’t it! We look forward to seeing them soon, as they will be coming this way for a visit following their meeting.
Thank you all for your prayers and support - God bless you!
Let's continue to pray for each other.
Fr. Paul Koenig
October 4, 2008
First Profession of first Ugandan vocation
On August 22, 2008 (Feast of the Queenship of Mary), Fr. Godfrey Chandya Lega, a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Gulu in Northern Uganda, made his First Profession of Vows as a Carmelite Friar of the California-Arizona Province.Impressions of my First Religious Profession
By Fr. Godfrey Chandya, OCD
In thanksgiving to God on this day of my first religious profession as the first Ugandan Carmelite under the Western Province of the Discalced Carmelites (USA) I am greatly indebted to Fr. David Costello, OCD and the entire California/Arizona Province, headed by our Provincial Superior, Fr. Matthew Williams, OCD, for having requested for my profession to be in Uganda, and not in Nigeria, where I have had my novitiate experience.
I was honored by the fact that my vows were received by Fr. David Costello OCD, in the presence of Fr. Edmond Shabani, OCD, Fr. Larry Daniels, OCD., the Sisters of our Lady of Mount Carmel, Sr. Ulrike, OCD, representing the Carmelite Nuns of Kiyinda-Mityana, a few Sisters from other congregations and other People of God. This was a cause of great joy for me on this day of my profession, which by its mode was quite simple, but very solemn. The liturgy of the day was vibrant, the choir and the participants made it very prayerful.
Lastly, I am grateful for the gifts I received on this day of my profession. I am also grateful for the items of entertainment that were presented in the Hall after the Mass.
May these impressions help me to live by the vows I have professed. May God grant me to drink always of the Spirit of Carmel in order to attain union with Him.
In Carmel,
Fr. Godfrey Chandya Lega, OCD
September 6, 2008
New Ugandan Missionary
Uganda Update! September 5, 2008
Meet Fr. Lawrence Daniels, OCD, who has recently joined our Carmelite Mission in Uganda. Fr. Larry transferred to Kyengeza from our Carmelite House in Nairobi, Kenya (the foundation of the Eastern/Washington Province).
He is no stranger to Africa!
Fr. Larry writes . . .
“Please secure all trays. Put your seats in the upright position. Make sure your seatbelt is fastened. All luggage should be stowed overhead, or under your seat. We will collect . . . – the stewardess of the British Air flight from London to Entebbe, Uganda was announcing. Soon our Boing-767 sounded a rumbling thump and a huge plume of water followed us down the runway. A morning rain had just ended.
My luggage was first off, and a very friendly airport worker helped me with the bags and out the door. The air was hot, heavy, wet, and close. Lake Victoria captured my attention right away, for it is very close by. Then the faces of Fr. David (Costello) and Fr. Charles came up from the parking lot. What a warm greeting!
In a short two hours Fr. Charles had driven us safely to Kyengeza, our Mission in Uganda.
Oh, so many friendly people to greet. Faces become blurred and names muddled. Yet more welcomed me. Newly arrived, I knew no Luganda, so they very considerately spoke English. What a welcome!
Fr. Paul (Koenig) was in Luganda class when I took a break from unpacking. A hint of what I’d soon be doing myself. Thoughtfully, Fr. David suggested getting started with Luganda as soon as possible, which the teacher, Elizabeth, found a good idea. We began in a week. So it goes still. All my Luganda is in my heart, and nothing in my mouth. But slowly, slowly.
Each morning begins with Morning Prayer. As the light of the rising sun fills the Church, we begin our Luganda Mass and then the Office of Readings. The Luganda Mass is coming better for me now, as Fr. Charles helps me after supper to understand what I’m trying to pray.
The cooks prepare food that is plentiful, tasty and Ugandan. My abundant girth has not suffered any damage so far. My greatest surprise were the washing machines. And TWO of them! Ugandan, nonetheless. Very good, reliable and thorough. The brand names? Olivia and Judith.
This is a pleasant place. Much work has been done to build this parish with the inspiration of the pastors, and now Fr. David. There is a small gathering of animals: goats, chickens, rabbits, pigs, and a cow, “Carmelita.”
Perhaps the most pleasant time happens every evening, when our community gathers on the south-facing veranda. In the light of the setting sun and cooling breeze we pray Vespers. Usually the soft settling calls of birds come our way, and sometimes two of our friendly hens also decorate our praises. The closing of another day in the Carmelite Community of Kyengeza. A truly African blessing.
Meet Fr. Lawrence Daniels, OCD, who has recently joined our Carmelite Mission in Uganda. Fr. Larry transferred to Kyengeza from our Carmelite House in Nairobi, Kenya (the foundation of the Eastern/Washington Province).
He is no stranger to Africa!
Fr. Larry writes . . .
“Please secure all trays. Put your seats in the upright position. Make sure your seatbelt is fastened. All luggage should be stowed overhead, or under your seat. We will collect . . . – the stewardess of the British Air flight from London to Entebbe, Uganda was announcing. Soon our Boing-767 sounded a rumbling thump and a huge plume of water followed us down the runway. A morning rain had just ended.
My luggage was first off, and a very friendly airport worker helped me with the bags and out the door. The air was hot, heavy, wet, and close. Lake Victoria captured my attention right away, for it is very close by. Then the faces of Fr. David (Costello) and Fr. Charles came up from the parking lot. What a warm greeting!
In a short two hours Fr. Charles had driven us safely to Kyengeza, our Mission in Uganda.
Oh, so many friendly people to greet. Faces become blurred and names muddled. Yet more welcomed me. Newly arrived, I knew no Luganda, so they very considerately spoke English. What a welcome!
Fr. Paul (Koenig) was in Luganda class when I took a break from unpacking. A hint of what I’d soon be doing myself. Thoughtfully, Fr. David suggested getting started with Luganda as soon as possible, which the teacher, Elizabeth, found a good idea. We began in a week. So it goes still. All my Luganda is in my heart, and nothing in my mouth. But slowly, slowly.
Each morning begins with Morning Prayer. As the light of the rising sun fills the Church, we begin our Luganda Mass and then the Office of Readings. The Luganda Mass is coming better for me now, as Fr. Charles helps me after supper to understand what I’m trying to pray.
The cooks prepare food that is plentiful, tasty and Ugandan. My abundant girth has not suffered any damage so far. My greatest surprise were the washing machines. And TWO of them! Ugandan, nonetheless. Very good, reliable and thorough. The brand names? Olivia and Judith.
This is a pleasant place. Much work has been done to build this parish with the inspiration of the pastors, and now Fr. David. There is a small gathering of animals: goats, chickens, rabbits, pigs, and a cow, “Carmelita.”
Perhaps the most pleasant time happens every evening, when our community gathers on the south-facing veranda. In the light of the setting sun and cooling breeze we pray Vespers. Usually the soft settling calls of birds come our way, and sometimes two of our friendly hens also decorate our praises. The closing of another day in the Carmelite Community of Kyengeza. A truly African blessing.
July 31, 2008
Letter from Fr. Paul in Uganda
Uganda Update!
Kyengeza, Uganda August 1, 2008
Every year during the month of August, like a huge, magnificent, cosmic clockwork, our night skies are riddled with an extraordinary abundance of "shooting stars" - meteors leaving their burning trails across the heavens as they enter into our earth's atmosphere. Astronomers tell us that there is an abundance of asteroids - perhaps remnants of what had once been a planet - floating out there in space, right smack dab in our earth's orbit. As we continually circle the sun, we come right through that "debris" time and time again, right at this time of year, and are treated to that spectacular display - count on it! Speaking of heavenly luminaries, did y'all notice that plethora of Carmelite Saints and Blesseds we just "came through" in July? In that stretch, we celebrated ten Carmelite feastdays over the course of twenty days - whew! That's quite a Carmelite roll, eh?
Among our many wonderful benefactors who support our mission here in Uganda, one of the most remarkable is Steve Tomkovicz. It was his "dream child" to start up and develop what has come to be called the "Wine to Water" project in the Napa Valley - clever title, that! Every year he heads up this event. He contacts vintners throughout the wine-rich Napa Valley who very generously donate cases and cases of wonderful wine to be auctioned off or given away as gifts at a selected venue in or around Napa. There is a grand meal and auction on a Sunday evening, followed by a golf tournament the following day. Part of the proceeds are then donated to our mission here in Africa, especially earmarked for providing good, clean water for drinking. Thousands of dollars are donated every year to support this tremendous cause.
Well, Steve wanted to visit the Mission and actually see how this project actually works - in person, mind you. So, by golly, he hopped on a plane along with his daughter Allison and their good friend Wayne (another benefactor who hails from Houston) and just paid us a nice visit. It was great having them, and they all seemed to be dutifully impressed and moved by what they saw and experienced over the course of their week spent here. Believe it or not, Steve's brother, Jim Tomkovicz, was the salutatorian of the Crespi High School class of '69 -a classmate of mine! - three years ahead of Steve. Small world department!!!
Keeping track of our young men in formation is a mini class in African geography. Fr. Godfrey (he was already an ordained priest when he joined us as a postulant in '07) is about to finish his novitiate in Nigeria (the site of the Anglo-Irish mission) and return to us here in Uganda to make his First Profession of Vows. Three of our guys are brother candidates and have just left to make their novitiate in Malawi. Three others will be studying Philosophy at our Carmelite stronghold in Nairobi, Kenya (the foundation of the Eastern/Washington Province). Finally, four of our postulants will be beginning their Philosophy studies, continuing to live in Jinja, Uganda (about 70 miles east of us here in Kyengeza), the source of the Nile, the longest daggone river in the whole world. Our new House of Studies is being built (and taking shape quite nicely, thank you) right next door to the PCJ (the Philosophy Center of Jinja) where these young men will be studying. So haul out your map of Africa and track these guys! While you're at it, please keep them, and all of us, in your prayers, as we keep you in ours.
Fr. Paul Koenig, OCD
Kyengeza, Uganda August 1, 2008
Every year during the month of August, like a huge, magnificent, cosmic clockwork, our night skies are riddled with an extraordinary abundance of "shooting stars" - meteors leaving their burning trails across the heavens as they enter into our earth's atmosphere. Astronomers tell us that there is an abundance of asteroids - perhaps remnants of what had once been a planet - floating out there in space, right smack dab in our earth's orbit. As we continually circle the sun, we come right through that "debris" time and time again, right at this time of year, and are treated to that spectacular display - count on it! Speaking of heavenly luminaries, did y'all notice that plethora of Carmelite Saints and Blesseds we just "came through" in July? In that stretch, we celebrated ten Carmelite feastdays over the course of twenty days - whew! That's quite a Carmelite roll, eh?
Among our many wonderful benefactors who support our mission here in Uganda, one of the most remarkable is Steve Tomkovicz. It was his "dream child" to start up and develop what has come to be called the "Wine to Water" project in the Napa Valley - clever title, that! Every year he heads up this event. He contacts vintners throughout the wine-rich Napa Valley who very generously donate cases and cases of wonderful wine to be auctioned off or given away as gifts at a selected venue in or around Napa. There is a grand meal and auction on a Sunday evening, followed by a golf tournament the following day. Part of the proceeds are then donated to our mission here in Africa, especially earmarked for providing good, clean water for drinking. Thousands of dollars are donated every year to support this tremendous cause.
Well, Steve wanted to visit the Mission and actually see how this project actually works - in person, mind you. So, by golly, he hopped on a plane along with his daughter Allison and their good friend Wayne (another benefactor who hails from Houston) and just paid us a nice visit. It was great having them, and they all seemed to be dutifully impressed and moved by what they saw and experienced over the course of their week spent here. Believe it or not, Steve's brother, Jim Tomkovicz, was the salutatorian of the Crespi High School class of '69 -a classmate of mine! - three years ahead of Steve. Small world department!!!
Keeping track of our young men in formation is a mini class in African geography. Fr. Godfrey (he was already an ordained priest when he joined us as a postulant in '07) is about to finish his novitiate in Nigeria (the site of the Anglo-Irish mission) and return to us here in Uganda to make his First Profession of Vows. Three of our guys are brother candidates and have just left to make their novitiate in Malawi. Three others will be studying Philosophy at our Carmelite stronghold in Nairobi, Kenya (the foundation of the Eastern/Washington Province). Finally, four of our postulants will be beginning their Philosophy studies, continuing to live in Jinja, Uganda (about 70 miles east of us here in Kyengeza), the source of the Nile, the longest daggone river in the whole world. Our new House of Studies is being built (and taking shape quite nicely, thank you) right next door to the PCJ (the Philosophy Center of Jinja) where these young men will be studying. So haul out your map of Africa and track these guys! While you're at it, please keep them, and all of us, in your prayers, as we keep you in ours.
Fr. Paul Koenig, OCD
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
