A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE THINGS DONE BY THE LATE MOTHER INNOSENCIA IN TANZANIA.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE THINGS DONE BY THE LATE MOTHER INNOSENCIA IN TANZANIA.

The congregation of Mary Immaculate opened a nunnery school in Tanzania in 1970s. The house was opened in the Region of Lindi, Nachingwea District, Kilimarondo Parish.

These sisters were engaged in various apostolic activities in order to fulfill the purposes of their congregation.

Mother Innocensia  was very involved in helping girls and mothers but for the most part she was focused on helping girls. One of the great methods she used was to start the Virgin Mary’s party where many girls joined the party under her supervision, this party helped the girls learn various spiritual things but mother Innocensia  used this party in building us girls in the best foundations of life. Through the party of the Virgin Mary, she taught us prayers, love and various life skills such as sewing, gardening, sports, agriculture and hygiene.

During her life in Tanzania, Mother  Innocensia helped many girls in the whole issue of education, many girls were educated by her and had the opportunity to work in various fields, such as, Health, Catering and Education, even I am writing this report I have been taught by mother Innosencia from kindergarten to form four and I am  currently a government official in the Department of Education.

Mother Innocensia was able to help people with various problems, even the sick and disabled.

Along with what she did for the girls, she started a preschool (kindergarten) where young children studied there free of charge and she received all the children regardless of anything. With her love, she raised the children well in school without any problems, we sewed beautiful uniforms, they got good food, porridge, milk and wheat, but even when they were sick, she treated them well.

Mother Innocensia loved to be with the girls all the time talking with them, every Sunday evening we would go with her in the mountains to walk and sing together, we were very happy because she taught us love.

We also went to the hospital to visit the patients and give a little gift. She loved  talking a lot with everyone, she loved to learn Tanzanian culture for example, she loved to wear Kitenge whenever she was working or traveling, she ate Tanzanian food such as porridge, ugali, okra, spinach etc.

Not only that but also mother Innocensia  opened a center to teach girls manners and decency eg. During adolescence,  she gathered the girls and taught them prayer, politeness and respect, as well as African things as she had already learned and understood many things.

Mother Innocensia  set up a foster care center for girls who needed / called to be nuns. The center was established on 8/12/1987 and the girls were officially received and started participating, all this was in the efforts of mother Innocensia so that she could help the girls.

Mother Innosensia who raised us as her children has been able to build a solid foundation in our lives, as to this day we continue to live the teachings of our dear mother Sister Innosensia.

There are so many things she did in Tanzania during her lifetime even though I will mention them but I can never finish them, mother Innocensia taught us to decorate the church and organize worship.

She loved us very much, she always gave us all kinds of gifts, she dressed up the girls, she gave us everything we needed, such as clothes, shoes etc.

Not only that, but also In the area of ​​Kilimarondo mission, she was able to build beautiful buildings that served as a nursing home, but until now those houses continue to be used by the parish, she established large farms that are still used by the parish.

Certainly we will not forget her as a big part of her life in Africa / Tanzania was to help people with various problems and to build for girls a better foundation for life and holiness.

On this occasion I would like to extend my condolences to the community of Sisters of Mary Imakulata and all those who know Mother Innocensia. We thank God for everything , for the gift of Sr. Innocensia because we loved her, our dear mother but God loves her more.

GOD REST HER SOUL IN A GOOD PLACE IN PARADISE AMEN.

I AM MARY CHAKALE, I AM ONE OF THE GIRLS  RAISED BY MOTHER INNOCENSIA, I LOVED MY MOTHER VERY MUCH AND I WILL CONTINUE TO REMEMBER HER IN PRAYERS ALWAYS.

Admiration is not enough

Admiration is not enough

Our sense of wonder or admiration at inspiring thoughts and reflections could act as a block of really making differences in our life. We like the reflection but that is it! No effect in real life! Because to admire is easy, but to change is difficult. We admire the thoughts and with that admiration finishes everything. Admiration becomes the closed door to the heart where the inspiration is supposed to make changes and betterments. So, watch out, whether your admiration about models, reflections or thoughts are being closed out at the door of your heart or are you letting them make betterments in your life?

Don Giorgio

Long-time missionary, S.M. Innocencia passed away

Long-time missionary, S.M. Innocencia passed away

Sr. Innocencia was one of the first founders of our missions in Tanzania. Below we present the biography which Sr. Innocencia wrote a few years ago.

“I entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate in Katowice in 1963, I had my veil on August 16, 1964 in Wrocław. The first Profession on December 8, 1966 in Wrocław. My first job in the Curia was the secretary of Bishop Bednorz. At that time, I also attended the three-year Catechetical School. Working in the office did not give me satisfaction and I undertook this effort with the hope of changing my job. It happened, although it was not easy, because the Bishop did not want to fire me. It was with great joy that I went to teach the children in Brzezie, that was my element and I joyfully brought the children closer to God. In 1971, on 08/12, I made my perpetual vows. Brzezie is like my second home. Working among you, I learned to grow up in mercy. Noble Omy and Starki with their lives opened the way to the future for me. By teaching children, I got to know not only them but also their families. My stay here prepared me for my missionary trip, and it happened. In 1972, I went to Tanzania, a different world that did not scare me. The beginnings were difficult, the difficult of the language. It was the first thing to sit with the children on the first steps, and they were teachers. I went everywhere with pen and paper, writing down words. And so was learning at an accelerated pace. In my favor, I quickly learned to speak. Lots of children came every day, so the priest said we would open a kindergarten. And so it happened, in the great square in front of the house, children gathered. It was fun, singing, games and other activities made the children happy. Then we started building a kindergarten and looking for older girls to help, we succeeded. Work flourished and bore fruit, children acquired culture and religious education. On the bishop’s order, there was work among Catholic women, setting up household help, teaching hygiene, cooking, sewing, growing vegetable gardens and culture. It was beautiful, but linguistically difficult. The time came that I was able to finish my Swahili language course at Lake Victoria and the problem was solved. Despite other classes, I started teaching children religion in the school. The beginnings are always difficult, but I wasn’t afraid of them. We started various construction sites, a boarding house for girls, a house for women, we had a lot of farmland. We adopted cooking in our style, and breeding was better year after year. I loved children and these people and I left a piece of true love there. I knew I was needed, and with them I experienced a feeling of hunger and joy. Today, in Tanzania, we have our black Sisters, and I am with them in my prayers and various gestures of help. I was in Tanzania for 21 years, I came back because various ailments did not allow me to stay longer. After my return, I returned to Brzezie, worked in the sacristy and prepared small children for Early Holy Communion. It was wonderful. After the lapse of time, I went to Gorzów to the Bishop’s Curia as superior, and after a few years to Studzianna in the same capacity. I was in Domachów, Strzybnica, and now I’m in Brenna Leśnica. Brenna is beautiful, we work with young people and people who come to rest, we have places, please. ”

From Brenna, Sister Innocencia, due to a serious illness requiring care, was transported to

Provincial House in Wrocław. The Lord took her to eternity on January 26, 2021.

May her soul rest in Peace.

Do not miss to see the good and appreciate that

Do not miss to see the good and appreciate that

Encouraging the positivity in others is essential to create a good atmosphere around us. The world would have been a better if every good has been acknowledged and appreciated. Stirring a response from others in love and in good works is reconstructing situations in peace and in hope. Encouraging others is also an effective way of boosting up your own positive energy. Do not miss to see the good and appreciate that. It is joining forces for a better world.

Don Giorgio

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND SACRAMENT IN AFRICA

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND SACRAMENT IN AFRICA

First of all, it is better to know the background.

What is the Christian community?

It is the connection and solidarity that families share in order to help each other in any way of life such as their problems, joy, love, peace, and humility in their Christian life in the church (Act 2:42-47)

The church in Africa, especially the countries of AMECEA (Southern and Eastern countries), have a system to simplify evangelization. Namely, to invite the Christian near by the apostolic activities and to share the ministries of the church. This begins with small communities and even individual families.

When we speak about the needs of small, Roman Catholic communities, we include the sacraments and other needs as Roman Catholics. There are some orders to follow: first, they should contact the leaders of the small community of his or her local zone to see if there are any needs; second, they offer a letter of introduction to the parish priest and other local, church leaders. That is the standard way of getting to know the community, leaders, and its needs.

So, the catechist and the priest are those who confirm if the correct order has been followed, if the faith and regulations of the church has been followed, and simply, if the relationship is beneficial to the local community. If this is indeed the case, the distribution and reception of sacraments and other important services, should begin. This is a good evangelizing model for the People of God.

According to my experience of evangelization, this small community model is a good way to help the all the People of God, the local parish and also trains students trained teach the sacraments. Happily, a good example of this occurred in 2020-21. We had 110 students receive their first Holy communion.

Prepared by Sr Teresia Mgwilanga