Precious Lord Take my Hand

It wasn't Mahalia (or Aretha!)singing, but it was a meaningful post-communio at my mother's funeral Mass nonetheless.

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I’m weak, Lord I’m worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Marcella Connell, RIP; Or, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child

I'm writing this at 3:10 a.m. at my sister Sheila's house in Toledo, Ohio. I arrived here yesterday afternoon after a 42-hour trip from Dodoma. I'm here to be with my family on the occasion of our mother's death. She was an extraordinary woman.
Here is the obituary notice we composed; to be published in the local newspaper, The Toledo Blade:
Here's the text:

CONNELL Marcella Marie Marcella Mauter Connell, a lifelong resident of Toledo, died December 11, 2009, at Sunset House, where she had lived for the past three years. She was preceded in death by her two best friends in life, Jerry, her beloved husband, and Rita Horne, her dear sister. She was also preceded in death by siblings, Katherine High, Patricia Cervenec, John, Paul and Francis Mauter, and sons-in-law, Merle DelTorto and Tom Arman.

Marcella was a proud alumna of St. Thomas Aquinas grade school and St. Ursula Academy. Before her marriage to Jerry, she worked as a key-punch operator at the Ordinance Depot in Rossford. Upon his death in 1969, she returned to work, first in the china department at Hudson's and later at ABC Mailing and Roger's National Research. She retired from Maritz Marketing Research in 1986.

Anderson Parkway was her home for over 40 years; there she singlehandedly raised her family after being widowed at a young age. Family and friends hold many fond memories of times at the Connell home. They appreciated her baking skills - she made "pies to die for and breakfast rolls to rise for." Second to her baking prowess were her skills at the card table. For most of her adult life, she played bridge at least once a week. Until 2005, the bridge club she joined in the 1950s met once a month. She also played in several other bridge groups including St. John's Mothers' Club, St. Ursula, Blessed Sacrament, and St. Pius X.

Marcella also kept busy at her Singer sewing machine. Her children were proud to wear a "Marcella Original." She sewed Easter dresses with matching coats;100's of St. Ursula uniforms; wedding, bridesmaid, and prom dresses. Marcella was generous with her time and was willing to help wherever and whenever needed. While she was still driving, she was quick to offer transportation to those needing a ride; she sang regularly at parish funerals and cheerfully supported charities associated with the Catholic Church.

She will be missed by those who survive her, most especially her eleven children, Sheila Johnson (Dennis), Marcia DelTorto, Kathleen Connell Gallagher (Steve), Maureen Connell O'Brien (Steve), Colleen Dunne (Timothy), Dennis, Molly Connell Stebli, Julie Connell (Tom Rood), Michelle Jankowiak (Jerry), Toni Arman and Rev. Dr. Martin Connell SJ. Also surviving are her sister and brother, Ann Daudelin and Joseph Mauter; grandchildren, Megan, Betsy, Bill, Kathleen and Susan; Jovanina, Maureen, Ben and Kelly; Justine; Casey and Catherine; Caitlin and Peter; Natalie and Mike; Brad, Dan and Anneka; Claire and Paul; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Church. The family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Monday at the Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 Sylvania Avenue. Memorials may be directed to the Blessed Sacrament School Building Fund, Sunset Retirement Communities, Detroit Province of the Society of Jesus (for Our Lady Queen of Peace Educational Centre, Dodoma, Tanzania), 7303 W. 7 Mile Rd., Detroit, MI 48221 or a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be left at: www.ansberg-west.com

Habari? Nzuri Kidogo.

The polite answer to the question "What's new?" is nzuri --good, fine, nice. If that really, really isn't the case you respond nzuri kidogo, a little good.

That was my response this evening when Sr. Euphrasia arrived for dinner with us and asked about the news of the evening: nzuri kidogo. Nzuri kidogo because this afternoon I received a phone call that my mother's decline has been precipitous.

So pray for all of us who are travelling, trying to be with our mother, Marcella Marie Mauter Connell,at her end. Please pray for her comfort at she comes to the end.

A Wonderful Celebration

The Jesuit Community was invited to help celebrate the recent achievement of Regina, a parishioner. She received her certification to be a catechist -- and is now, in fact, serving as such in the parish. She's a member of one of the parish base communities, and they hosted the party along with her family. It was both moving and fun.

The picture below is of Regina wrapped in a kitenge (a common gift, presented as part of a procession). I wish I'd taken more pictures (this was taken with my iphone) -- but glad the pictures of me trying to dance have been destroyed. (Mimi ni mzungo: Siwezi kucheza! -- I'm a white guy; I can't dance!)

Sikukuu ya Uhuru

Happy 9th of December! That might not have the same ring as "Happy Independence Day" does for citizens of the US, but it has the same significance. It was on this date in 1961 that Tanganyika gained its independence.

Here is a youtube of my hero Mwalimu Nyerere concerning independence and development (political and otherwise), and education.

My First Homily in Swahili

Based on Isaiah 35:1

Somo kutoka Isaya linaonyesha furaha ya ajabu. Katikati ya jangwa, mahali ambapo vitu haviwezi kuwa na maisha ni magumu, Mungu huja na baraka; halafu jangwa linabadilika.

Kila mtu anaendapo jangwani anajisikia kiu. Jua kali hukausha ardhi ya jangwa.

Kama ardhi ya jangwa, mioyo yetu hupasuka kwenye joto la maisha. Roho zetu ni kavu. Jangwa la maisha ni wasiwasi, hali ya isiyo ya usalama, na woga wa vitu vingi.

Lakini tazameni mahali hapa, sehemu ya Dodoma. Tazameni maua ya miti sasa. Mvua inanyesha katika jangwa.

Sisi tunasalimana: “Kristo: Tumaini letu.” Tumaini letu ni Kristo. Tumaini letu ni mtu ambaye aliwaambia watu msalabani, “Naona kiu.” Halafu kiu cha Yesu Kristu kilikatwa na ufufuo.

Tumaini letu si kitu kidogo. Hata wakati ya Majilio msalaba upo. Lakini ufufuo upo pia! Neema za Mungu zipo! Kuna neema za Mungu tele duniani. Neema za Mungu zinanyesha, na kuna tumaini jangwani kwa maisha yetu mapya.

Bila shaka:

Nyika na mahali palipo ukiwa patafurahi,

jangwa litashangilia na kuchanua maua kama waridi;

litachanua maua mengi,

na kufarahi, naam, kwa shangwe na kuimba.

Short, but sweet.

Translation? Try Google Translator.

'Tis the Season

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Thanks so much, and God bless.