Bits of the Gospel

LOVE AND THAT WILL BE ENOUGH St Peter Wrote, "Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins"(1 Peter 4:8. All the initiatives may mean nothing unless we undertake a serious examination of conscience. Do we actually do what we do for love, purely for love and nothing else? EVENT TENTS FOR MISSION Kisarawe Parish of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dar Es Salaam is located in the Coastal Region of Tanzania. The climate is hot and humid throughout the year apart from the month of June and July when temperatures lower. Due to these climatic conditions, events are better done out in the open rather than in the halls. Even faith gatherings and seminars require planning such that spending on power bills is eliminated or at least cut significantly since outside there is no need of fans or coolers. Kisarawe Parish needs events tents in order to organize a series of faith formation meetings and seminars under an initiative by Cottolengo Society ...

Tanzania Facts Shortly after achieving independence from Britain in the early 1960s, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. This is iconic Africa—the one that exists in the mind's eye. • Snowcapped Kilimanjaro vies with packs of wildebeest, their hooves pounding the hardpan of the Serengeti Plain. • Wedged between Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south, hard on the Indian Ocean, Tanzania has been blessedly untroubled by the strife that has racked so much of the continent. • The powdery, palm-fringed coast and serene inland lakes offer beaches. • Then there are the spice islands of the Zanzibar Archipelago. • Dr. David Livingstone got lost here looking for the source of the Nile. Henry Stanley finally found him, uttering his legendary greeting. Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa, includes the spice islands of Zan...

Let's reflect using the "mind" of St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo. May be that will be a little bit tricky but it feels as if the only sensible thing to do is to try even tricky things. When a person in need shows up in front of me, or I happen to bump on one, a feeling grips me that shows that I need to do something. And that does not come as a light feeling. Is is a feeling by the way? I think the very presence of a needy person provokes me to act. It stirs the Love of Christ in me, which in turn pushes me to act. The Love of Christ possesses us! St Paul wrote in the Second Letter to Corinthians, chapter fifteen verse fourteen. Possessed, urged, impelled by this love, love becomes a style of life. We live to love and love to live. Think about it. How does it feel to help someone who really needs your help? Relieving, humbling, joyous, useful.... It feels all that and more. Because Christ's love is the purpose of our life and the strength of our actions, all ou...

In fulfilling my priorities for this year, (one of the top one is "to live and speak in solidarity with the suffering Christ in the Parish", I have embarked in listening attentively to the needs of these parishioners. I'm convinced that one of the most important ways that a priest can "Shepherd" those afflicted in one way or another is to spend quality time with them. Sometmes all that is needed is an hour-chat, concluding with a prayer. At other times a number of one-on-one encounters, often accompanied with scripture reflection and meeting summary. To be able to do this and to enjoy it makes it a sign of a shepherd's love for the sheep. Rooted in the Gospel values and impelled by the Love of Christ, a pastor can actually become "the Other Christ" among the people of God. I believe it! Reflect: Mark 3;14-15