On 14 December 2023, the memorial of St. John of the Cross, our Superior General Sr. Josephina D’Souza officially opened the new Provincial House of Queen of Peace Province, England-Tanzania. The House is situated at Laki Tatu, Arusha. Rt. Rev. Isaac Amani, the Archbishop of Arusha blessed the House and the new chapel. Then he presided over the Eucharistic Celebration, with a number of concelebrants, among whom were Rev. Fr. Allan Bukenya, SAC, the Vicar of Religious in Arusha Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. John Onna, SAC, the Regional Superior of the Pallottine Fathers in East Africa, other Pallottine Fathers, the Parish Priest of Usa River parish, priests from the Singida Diocese, from the Archdiocese of Arusha, from the Holy Ghost Fathers and the Conventual Franciscans.
It was a day of great joy, as a dream became a reality! We are most grateful for the financial support towards the realization of this project. In a special way we thank our Sisters in USA, England, Switzerland and South Africa. We appreciate the contribution and support made by the General Mission Commission and by Sr. Ingrid Schuler, the Mission Procurator of the German Province who worked hard to raise funds. We were delighted that the two General Councillors, Sr. Marie Claire Mukeshimana and Sr. Alda Paes, also participated in the celebration, together with Sr. Mary McNulty, our former Provincial Superior, who came from England, and the Provincials of our two neighbouring entities, Sr. Angeline Kambugu from Rwanda and Sr. Prabha Varghese from South Africa.
In his homily, Archbishop Amani emphasized that the new community of the Provincial and her team should be a source of blessing to the Congregation and to the Church. This community has to be a source of peace and love as we seek the Kingdom of God on earth. In line with the preparations for the birth of Jesus at Christmas, we are invited to love, accept and forgive one another. The Provincial House is to be a house of prayer, a place where the members of the Congregation can come with their problems, be listened to, encouraged and supported so as they can go out to serve others with peace and love. He encouraged the Sisters to live their charism and help the community around to experience the charism and spirituality of their Congregation.
In her remarks, Sr. Josephina stressed that the Provincial House will play a significant role in the Province as a house of prayer, a house of animation, and the house of formation for all members. In the future it may also be used for international meetings, which will be animated by the General Government. She stressed that this house should be a place where people are welcomed, listened to, cared for, comforted, and sent to their missions. The sisters who will be living in this house were encouraged to keep the doors open and welcome people with a joyful spirit. People should be re-energized spiritually and be filled with the new spirit to carry on the mission entrusted by the congregation after visiting the administration house.
The contribution of the entire congregation is highly appreciated towards the realization of this project. With the grace of God, we hope that this administrative building will help the Superiors to accomplish their work more smoothly as they will be living in a conducive environment. Following the footsteps of our Holy Founder St. Vincent Pallotti who encouraged us to “Seek God in everything and you will find Him, seek God in all things, seek God always and you find Him always.” With this in mind, we will seek to do the will of God in all things.
Text: Sr. Agripina Mmassy, SAC
Photos: Matthew Waiwai, Waiwai Studio
See also the event galleries: New Provincial House and its Inauguration.
