Bits of the Gospel

Kisarawe District is one of the six districts that make up the Coastal region of Tanzania . This district covers an area of about 3535 kilometers squared. About ¾ of this land is suitable for agriculture while national forests, military zones, and a game reserve occupy the rest. According to 1988 statistics, the district has over 100, 000 people. It is further divided into 4 divisions, 11 locations, and 72 villages . Kisarawe Parish covers almost the entire area of Kisarawe district. The church was founded in 1969, consisting of six families, all of which were either military or government officials. It was then part of Pugu Parish. In 1999, Kisarawe was hived from Pugu parish, and was officially launched on 11 December of the same year. In 2004, the parish was handed over to the Cottolengo Fathers Society. In its short history, Kisarawe Parish, dedicated to St. Stephen the martyr, has seen a rapid increase in the number of parishioners. It has 16 outstations, which receive Mass on...

January 16, 2011, Padre Aldo Sarotto led the Cottolengo Family in Africa at an historic consecration of the Altar and the Blessing of the Church of St. Stephen the Martyr, Kisarawe. His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo led the august event, franked by his Auxiliary Bishop Eusebius Nzigilwa. The laying of the relics of St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo on the altar marked "a new beginning of his presence" in Tanzania. With enthusiasm and a very unique zeal, the Cottolengo family is growing, with many aspirants knocking at our doors. Deo Gratias! Meanwhile, the Divine Providence is sending whatever we need to pave the way for these young people. We are all looking at the future with hope. "Divine Providence never fails!"

Cottolengo Sisters Collaborate with Cottolengo Fathers in Youth Ministry at Kisarawe Parish. In our parish, many challenges affect the young generation. One of the emerging challenges is the lack of interest in spiritual and welfare activities organized by the Youth Ministry Team of the Parish. Generally, there is indifference to most activities which are of educative and spiritual nature. Most of the youth love to participate in the activities that are more entertaining and relaxing than whatever calls for attention, focus, and commitment. We have started a new approach, which organizes activities for the small faithful group in order to attract the few who seem uninterested and unwilling to take part. Meanwhile, the team is continuing the one-on-one encounters with the youth hoping to help them revive their enthusiasm for matters spiritual. The approach of Jesus in encountering the Samaritan woman remains our point of reference. [Have a look at John 4]

We have had three days full of lessons on various topics including, Challenges emerging from other faiths and sects, Pro-life talks, Friendship for courtship and marriage, and the Sacramental life especially on Reconciliation and Eucharist. Among other activities, we had beautiful skits, poems, songs, and comics, which rendered the whole event youthful and full of life. The religious communities present in Kisarawe collaborated in organizing the event. the event.

We celebrate the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of the Lord in a very emphasized manner. Popular piety is publicly acknowledged and used to show this high and most holy Sacrament. How can we bring this Solemnity and its solemn tone into our depths? We have to look at Jesus, the gift himself. He has gathered all virtues into love, which dares to die for the beloved. He has shown us we can bring healing to most people by showing them that they are important, special, valued, and appreciated. yet, their salvation comes only from witnessing that love is the reason we act in that particular way. And love, at the level of God, is sacrifice of the self. Love is the Language of God and it is the universal language. This universal language is understood [or at least perceived, intuited, in the instincts] by all creatures. It is silent, totally silent. It flows in the forces of nature. That language is not taught, it is acquired effortlessly. Yet, somehow, we need to consciously c...

I have many lessons to learn just as I have learned many. For instance, young people love to predict what s likely to happen in an encounter. predictability reduces the fear of the unknown. knowing what's going to happen allows young people to prepare themselves for it, and perhaps to be predisposed to find enjoyment in it. In this way, successful self-fulfilling prophecy is built into the experience. This principle applies to youth ministers in many ways. Let's talk about my recent experience. We have organized a prayer day which was meant to have some guests present. I told some of the participants before hand that some guests would be present and that they were supposed to share with them freely during the "sharing break". Those who knew this already were very enthusiastic since morning. They arrived earlier than the rest, were well dressed, brought their Bibles and notebooks. The difference was obvious. Some of those who knew nothing came dressed "not very ...

St. J B Cottolengo was ordained a priest on June 8, 1811, exactly 200 years ago. This event has not passed us silently at Kisarawe. We've had preparations done way before. Fr. Philip led the reflections for the Sisters' community at Kisarawe. Meanwhile, on June 7, evening news from the Diocesan Radio Tumaini, there was a piece of news on this occasion. With that information disbursed, many people called and asked to join us in prayer the following day. On the anniversary day, June 8, Fr. Philip presided the mass, which took place at four in the evening. Many Christians participated with the biggest number being the youth and children. During the Homily, Fr Philip gave a general picture of our Founder. He underlined his unique charism, and a style of life that calls all people, both lay and religious, healthy and sick, to participate joyfully in the world of service to the poorest. After Mass, we had a moment of refreshment while young people from Minaki Secondary School...