The Feast of Blessed Maria Teresia Ledóchowska, Patron of Dodoma's Jesuit Parish

Blessed Maria Teresia Ledóchowska is the patron of the Airport Parish. They celebrate her feast in a big way on the nearest Sunday, usually with the bishop in attendance.

"Glory to God in the highest"

Fr. James and the choir with children dancing during Gloria

The procession with the Book of the Gospels

Can you see the Book of the Gospels born on the head of the woman (look for the green in the middle)

Notice the incense in the brazier balanced on the head of the woman at left.

The offertory

The offertory

The offertory

The offertory

The bishop receives the gifts

The bishop receives the gifts

The bishop receives the gifts

The bishop receives the gifts -- everything from eggs, to Coke, to soap, to goats!

The bishop receives the gifts -- everything from eggs, to Coke, to soap, to goats!

The bishop was a headmaster: He loves to be with the youth.

The bishop was a headmaster: He loves to be with the youth.

The bishop was a headmaster: He loves to be with the youth.

The bishop was a headmaster: He loves to be with the youth.

Post Mass entertainment

Post Mass entertainment

Post Mass entertainment

Post Mass entertainment

Post Mass entertainment

Post Mass entertainment

Post Mass entertainment

Cristina is one of the 4 American Jesuit volunteers in Dodoma.

Cristina is one of the 4 American Jesuit volunteers in Dodoma.

Spectators

The bishop receives a gift -- he'll know what to do with it!

The bishop receives a gift -- he'll know what to do with it!

Final comments.

Final Comments.

Brother Vincent Soreng: Hardest Working Man in the World!

Brother Vincent is in charge of "greening" the campus.

Soon a Report

I just returned from 3 weeks in Tanzania, 2 of them in Dodoma. I look forward to sharing a report -- once I've recovered from 36+ hours it took to return!

Pope Francis, SJ

He met with some students from Jesuit schools in Italy and Albania. Here are some videos of the encounter.


Here is a video with one student's question (at 1:41) not captured in the other videos -- I love this kid's composure (and his "Italian-ness"!):

Reading is Fundamental!

Thank you to all those who have supported our library over the years with your donations to Books for Africa. We'll have another shipment leaving soon with science lab materials, books, some musical instruments, and other learning materials.

As you can see from the pictures below (all of which are recent except for the first), our students have developed a taste for reading. Tanzania does not have a reading culture -- but that is because of the lack of availability of books. Our young students love Goosebumps and graduate to Harry Potter as their reading abilities increase. It's wonderful to see. Many books remain in storage until the completion of the library, which is why you see the students crammed into the temporary library.

Asanteni sana. Thank you all very much.

150!

That's the estimated number of Catholic schools closing in the United States this year. If you know of a school closing and think you can convince the school's administration to donate learning materials
for use in Tanzania, please contact me! 

Also, if there are liturgical items, they can be put to very good use, too!

An Anniversary

Today marks the first anniversary of my departure from Tanzania, which I continue to hold so dear to my heart. Here is a video of a performance of the music of the Wagogo, the people of Dodoma.