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<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Welcome to Project Linkup</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Welcome to Project Linkup"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div> News Archive</div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="02ad2c00dkelyh.gif"> <div> <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Prayer for Project Linkup"><U><IMG SRC="03ba0aa0.jpg" border=0 width="160" height="170" ALT="A Prayer for Project Linkup" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Archive"><U><B>Back to Archive Contents Page</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Archive"><U><B>A Vision for an RCIA Parish</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Archive"><U><B>Belgrave's Small Church Communities - Birthing New Christians</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Archive"><U><B>Imaging initiation in Small Church Communities</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Archive"><U><B>Connection between SCCs and RCIA in East African Parishes</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Archive"><U><B>Caring for New Catholics</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Archive"><U><B>RCIA is Booming in Africa</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Archive"><U><B>Easter 2005 for Project Linkup in Dar es Salaam</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Project Linkup - On Safari in East Africa</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Archive"><U><B>What kind of Church does the Rite want?</B></U></A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Current News Article"><U><B>Current News Article</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>News Article Archive</B></div> <div> <I>March 2005</I></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>PROJECT LINKUP - ON SAFARI IN EAST AFRICA</B></I></div> <div> Irene Wilson</div> <bR> <div> African Bishop Christopher Mwoleka is credited with saying, "There is no blueprint in building Small Christian Communities."  The same could be said of the way in which Small Christian Communities (SCCs) and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) are linked and working together in East African parishes.</div> <bR> <div> During the past two weeks John, Annette and I, (members of Project Link-Up, Australia) observed a variety of models for linking the two, while we were on visitation to a number of parishes around Dar es Salaam, sharing life and experiences particularly with the SCCs and their catechumens.</div> <bR> <div> Adjusting quickly to local nomenclature, we often referred to the SCCs / basic cells of church as Jumuiya, or, to give them their full title, Jumuiya Ndogo Ndogo za Kikristo', which literally translates as  'Community Small Small of Christians'. The RCIA is always referred to as the Adult Catechumenate.</div> <bR> <div> Now that we are back in Australia, we would like to express our deep gratitude to all whose welcome and hospitality enriched our lives and broadened our perspectives.  In particular we would like to mention: </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Fr. Joseph Healey MM; </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Fr. Jude Shayo AJ; </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Elenora Mlay;</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Fr. Krzysztof Cieslikiewicz;</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Sr. Rita Ishengoma STH, her religious community and the staff at the Msimbazi Centre; </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Fr. Matthew Massawe, assistant priest in the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima parish, Msimbazi; </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Catechist Martin Rutha Ijumba and the Msimbazi catechumens; </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Members of the Msimbazi parish SCCs, especially St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Saint Sophia and St. Francis of Assisi; </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The catechists and catechumens at St. Peter's Parish, Oyster Bay; </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Members of Holy Family SCC, Upanga - especially their leader Mr. Joseph Rutabingwa and his wife Ennatha.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                      </FONT>   <B>Ahsante sana!</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> To all of you, Jumuiyas and catechumens alike, and all who journey together as Jesus' disciples, the following reflection, written on the eve of our departure from Msimbazi, is dedicated.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</B></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Postcard from Msimbazi: Emmaus Revisited. </B></div> <bR> <div> Martin Ijumba looks to be in his late 30s.  He lives here on the Msimbazi compound with his wife and two children.  He is the hard working catechist most involved with the journey of the catechumens, and he is employed by the parish.  Martin tells us that at the Vigil, 43 Catechumens will celebrate all three sacraments of Initiation, and that a further 20 will celebrate Confirmation and Eucharist.  </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="045a1390.jpg" border=0 width="417" height="313" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> MSIMBAZI CATECHIST MARTIN IJUMBA PICTURED WITH SISTER RITA AT THE PARISH CENTRE.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> As we stand and talk in the shade of a tree in the parish grounds, we are joined by Peter, one of those coming into full communion on Saturday night.  Peter explains that the journey began for all the catechumens back in May 2004 when each was recommended to the parish office for admission to the Catechumen Community by his or her local SCC.  Peter's SCC is Saint Maria Goretti.  Altogether there are 78 SCCs across the parish.  Back in his office later, Martin will produce a batch of these letters.  Each one bears the personal stamp of the SCC that has sent it.  It is a powerful statement about the identity and pastoral significance of SCCs here.</div> <bR> <div> The period of preparation, overseen by Martin, lasts for 12 months.  This time frame better suits the older members of the catechumen community he tells us.  (By comparison, other parishes may take 2 years.)</div> <bR> <div> But this is an intense programme at Msimbazi, with 2 instructional classes per week, each of 90 minutes duration, attendance at the weekly SCC meeting, and of course Sunday Mass as well.  It is a huge commitment.  We learn from Peter that catechumens unable to attend their local SCC gathering must seek written permission to be absent.  Not only the sponsor, but the whole SCC takes the responsibility of accompanying the catechumen with great seriousness.  </div> <bR> <div> This accompaniment reflects the African values of togetherness and sharing, and the community aspect of Catechesis is essential as formation into the Body of Christ.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="048ca240.jpg" border=0 width="458" height="292" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> ANNETTE, JOHN AND IRENE WITH THE CATECHUMENS AND</div> <div> THEIR CATECHISTS AT ST. PETER'S PARISH, OYSTER BAY. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> On another occasion the new Catholics of the Saint Francis of Assisi SCC will spell out for us the powerful witness that their group has provided, specifically mentioning that they learned about living in unity and love, qualities that lie at the very heart of the community, and that the care they received in times of trouble taught them how to reach out to others in the same way. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="04ac74a0.jpg" border=0 width="455" height="330" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> MARTIN PICTURED WITH THE THREE NEW CATHOLICS FROM THE </div> <div> SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, MSIMBAZI.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Some Muslim candidates do not yet feel ready to attend their SCC until after Easter. This is understandable.   It is a fact that catechumen communities across the East African church will often have many Muslim participants, often young Muslim women.  What is the story behind these courageous young people?</div> <bR> <div> During Holy Week, we meet Maria.  She is Muslim and we ask her to tell us a little of her story.  Shyly, she explains that she does not know where her father is, but that her mother has already become a Christian.  </div> <div> She too has made the same decision, having become engaged to a young man in the parish. She and her sponsor are both active in the SCC of Saint Martha which gathers in a predominantly Muslim area.  </div> <bR> <div> This support for Maria is great news, for Muslim communities often ostracise those who turn to Christianity.  The SCC are planning a huge celebration for Maria in May, on the occasion of her marriage. </div> <bR> <div> We are impressed at how well every catechumen in the Msimbazi parish knows the name of his or her SCC.  That saint, whose name is chosen by the Jumuiya, is the one whose charism, they believe, best reflects the spirit within the group.</div> <bR> <div> Joe Healey is asked to present a final instruction to the Msimbazi catechumens on the meaning of mission. The title he chooses  is, "To be called is to be sent." </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="04ce15f0.jpg" border=0 width="481" height="351" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Fr. JOE AND IRENE ADDRESS THE MSIMBAZI CATECHUMENS.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Graciously, he invites us Aussies to say a few words too. When it is my turn I emphasise their witness of zeal and committment  as enrichment of their SCCs, and their importance as gift to the whole church by quoting an African proverb to them, "Those who discover a treasure value it more than those who are born with it." We share with them the ways in which our own SCCs in Australia discern their call to mission, and in particular the way in which Annette's group has accompanied many catechumens over the years. </div> <bR> <div> We are also invited to visit the SCC of Saint Sophia, located in Buguruni, a poor neighbourhood of Msimbazi.  They too have accompanied a catechumen this year, but he is not present tonight. "So, what has the task of journeying with a catechumen been like for you?" we ask.  The answer is very interesting.  </div> <bR> <div> There are two kinds of catechumen, they tell us, the one who can afford to throw a party for the whole SCC at Easter, and the one who has very little, and to whom the SCC must offer help. Their catechumen falls into the first category, apparently, and that is fine by the group.  It is an interesting comment because, as Joe explains, it is rare that SCCs will cross economic lines to support a catechumen. Ethnic lines, yes, but differing economic status from the rest of the group can be very divisive.  </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <IMG SRC="04eef4c0.jpg" border=0 width="495" height="332" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SAINT SOPHIA SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, BUGURUNI, </div> <div>  WELCOME US TO THEIR  WEEKLY MEETING ON THE EVE OF PALM SUNDAY.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> The Vigil is fast approaching. The catechumens gather with the Pastor to practise the receiving of Baptism and Confirmation, the wearing of the white garment/shawl and the lighting of the Easter candles, and, of course, their full-bodied response during the Profession of Faith, "Nasadiki!" - "I believe!" </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <IMG SRC="050f0740.jpg" border=0 width="496" height="372" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> CELEBRATING BAPTISM, THE CULMINATION OF A YEAR'S INTENSE PREPARATION.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Whenever the schedule permits, I am thoroughly enjoying the reading of a new doctoral dissertation on the SCCs of the Dar es Salaam Archdiocese, written by a local OFM Conv., Father Kryzsztof Cieslikiewicz. His fervent hope for the future is that an even deeper relationship between SCCs and the RCIA will develop in order that SCCs will continue to make visible their missionary outreach. This ministry of accompaniment continues to grow and mature across the Archdiocese, and there is room for groups and neophytes alike to grow in an awareness of the Rite, in particular the period of Mystagogy which can be weak, even non-existent in some parishes and, as Fr. Cielsikiewicz observes, for SCCs to benefit from the adult catechesis that is offered to catechumens. In this way, he believes that catechumens will continue to be formed for entry into the ecclesial community with deep faith and a sense of communion. </div> <bR> <div> Dar's Cardinal Polycarp Pengo arrives on Holy Thursday. He will be the main celebrant at the evening's liturgy, and will then lead us in the Stations of the Cross on the following morning. When we are invited to greet him, we share with him the purpose of our visit, that we have come from Australia to observe and to learn about the way that the parishes of Dar es Salaam connect the SCCs and the RCIA. </div> <bR> <div> He beams. His response is immediate. </div> <bR> <div> "It is good that we can be missionaries from Africa to the world!" </div> <bR> <div> I think the Cardinal is right!</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id31_m.htm" TITLE="News Archive"><U>Back to Top</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>