The best moments of joy from Kenya, Uganda and CAR during Pope Francis visits

Reflections on the Pope in CAR

Pope Francis is on his way back to Rome after an exciting and successful visit to the Central African Republic (CAR), the last stop on his Africa tour. 

Reka Sztopa , Concern’s interim Country Director in CAR, reflects on his two day visit.

Pilgrim of peace

There was much anticipation and hope for what Pope Francis’ visit would bring to CAR. Arriving in country over the weekend, his Holiness said “I come to the Central African Republic as a pilgrim of peace and as an apostle of hope.”

After several years of inter-community conflict here, his message of forgiveness, reconciliation, peace and hope was well received by cheering crowds everywhere. Pope Francis conducted two Holy masses in front of large crowds and opened the Holy Door for the first time in history outside of Rome, launching the Jubilee Year of Mercy. He met with imams and prayed at the Koudoukou Mosque in PK5 area, visited internally displaced person (IDP) camps, and met with religious leaders, political leaders and representatives of the international community.

People from all over the country watched live coverage on TV, online, or followed the visit closely on Twitter with hashtags #PopeinCAR and #PopeinAfrica. Distance from the events did not make them any less moving. Some of the most touching moments of his visit were his off-the-cuff remarks to the youth of CAR, his unplanned visits to an IDP site and school in the Muslim area of PK5, and when he stopped the Pope-mobile to speak with a young man in a wheelchair who had been injured in a grenade attack and who wants reconciliation. Also on route towards the stadium where he held the last event of his visit, the area of PK5 opened up for the first time in months, and Christians and Muslims alike took to the streets, visiting friends and family and celebrating together.

********

Continue reading Reka's blog post about the Pope's visit to CAR but also about Concern's ongoing work helping those affected by the conflict in CAR HERE.

Pope Francis in Central African Republic - Rome Reports

Pope Francis in the Central African Republic - and he inaugurates the Holy Year by opening the Holy Door in Bangui - "the spiritual capital of the world"

Despite all the concerns about security, Pope Francis went ahead with his visit to the Central African Republic today in what must have been an extremely stressful day for the Swiss Guard and those charged with the safety of the Holy Father.

To watch it as it happens and see pictures and reports from during the day, click into #PopeinCAR on Twitter.

Crux - Pope arrives as ‘Pilgrim of Peace’ in war-torn Central African Republic
BBC - Pope Francis tells CAR to 'arm themselves with justice'
WSJ - Pope Francis Calls for Harmony in Central African Republic
MailOnline - 'Bienvenue Pape Francois': Thousands welcome the Pope to Central African Republic which has been torn apart by violence between Christians and Muslims 
Catholic Herald - Counter violence with love, Pope tells Central African Republic faithful
CNA - 'Can I go' to them? Pope Francis' stunning response to alleged murders and follow up to this story from Crux - Africans believed killed in area pope is to visit turn up safe

Currently the only Irish NGO on the ground in CAR is Concern Worldwide. If you want to find out more check out Concern Worldwide's page about their work HERE.

To understand the conflict in CAR check out these reports here and here.

The team over at Rome Reports however have some excellent summary reports already filed!

 

According to the United Nations, 25 percent of the Central African Republic's five million residents have been internally displaced since 2013. While in the country, Pope Francis visited with a group of refugees at the San Salvador parish in Bangui. But before that, these children showed their excitement with dancing and singing. Pope Francis entered by foot and began by first greeting the sick and the youngest refugees. One of the parish's women thanked him for his visit and hoped that it would be the seed of reconciliation. Afterward, Pope Francis made improvised remarks and asked them to repeat a message in the future: "We are all brothers.”

The Jubilee of Mercy began here, in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. It's the third poorest country in the world. And this is how Pope Francis arrived in the Popemobile at the Cathedral of Our Immaculate Conception in Bangui. There he celebrated Mass for the first Sunday of Advent. But before, he delivered some improvised remarks. He called Bangui the spiritual capital of the world.

"Bangui is the spiritual capital of the prayer for God's mercy. Together let us pray for peace, mercy, reconciliation, forgiveness, love. For Bangui, for all of the Central African Republic and for the entire world and everyone who suffers from war, we ask for us peace. Together we ask for love and peace. Love and peace. Now, with this prayer, we begin the Holy Year, here in this spiritual capital of the world.”

And with that prayer and gesture, Pope Francis began the Jubilee of Mercy, opening the Holy Door in the Cathedral of Bangui.

In his homily, the Pope spoke about reconciliation and forgiveness. The Central African Republic has been faced with a civil war since 2013, in which two rival factions have pitted Muslims against Christians and other ethnicities and religions.

"One of the essential characteristics of this vocation to perfection is the love of our enemies, which protects us from the temptation to seek revenge and from the spiral of endless retaliation.”

He also spoke about hope and justice for all people who may not see positive signs on the horizon. He reminded them that God is justice and love.

"God is stronger than all else. This conviction gives to the believer serenity, courage and the strength to persevere in good amid the greatest hardships. Even when the powers of Hell are unleashed, Christians must rise to the summons, their heads held high, and be ready to brave blows in this battle over which God will have the last word. And that word will be love!”

And before finishing, he delivered a powerful message to all of those who take up arms against each other.

"Lay down these instruments of death! Arm yourselves instead with righteousness, with love and mercy, the authentic guarantors of peace.”

The final words of the Pope's homily were familiar ones: reconciliation, love, forgiveness, and peace. They received a thunderous applause. Some 2,500 people attended the Mass, including Imam Kobina Layama, from Bangui's central mosque. He was joined by local leaders and hundreds of pilgrims just outside the cathedral.

Pope Francis to Head to War Zone in Central African Republic

From WSJ:

Pope Francis will fly Sunday to the war-torn capital of the Central African Republic, making a trip that has been in doubt for security reasons until practically the last minute, the Vatican spokesman said Saturday evening.

“We will the take the plane and fly to Bangui” according to schedule, Father Federico Lombardi said. The confirmation came at the end of a day in which the pope honored Christian martyrs in Uganda, met with young people there and greeted local clergy.

The Central African Republic has been beset since 2013 by civil war that has taken on a religious profile, with armed groups divided between Muslims and Christians. Bangui’s Muslim quarter has been especially hard hit, under siege from Christian militias and effectively off-limits to non-Muslims since September.

The pope plans to visit a mosque in the Muslim neighborhood as part of his effort to promote reconciliation, which will also include a meeting with local Christian and Muslim dialogue partners.

“I want to go to Central Africa,” the pope told the pilot of his flight to Africa last Wednesday, according to the Vatican newspaper, “and if you’re not able to take me, give me a parachute.”
Barring “extraordinary surprises,” the pope’s schedule remains unchanged, including an outdoor Mass on Monday, Father Lombardi said.

Pope Francis’ stay in the country, scheduled to last little more than 24 hours, will be one of the rare cases of a pope traveling to a war zone. Pope John Paul II traveled to Nicaragua in 1983, when Sandinista government forces were battling Contra rebels there. In 1994, John Paul called off a visit to Sarajevo, Bosnia, because of fighting there; he finally made the trip in 1997. Pope Francis’ trip to the Central African Republic is the last leg of a three-country African tour, the pope’s first visit to the continent, which started Wednesday in Kenya and took in Uganda.

The Vatican sent the head of papal security on a special reconnaissance mission just before the pope traveled to Africa. Father Lombardi said the official, Domenico Giani, had been in touch with the various forces keeping order in Bangui, but the spokesman declined to comment further on security issues.

France has about 900 troops in Bangui but says primary responsibility for security there lies with a multinational force of U.N. peacekeepers. That force has reportedly been expanded in recent days to as many as 4,000.

Father Lombardi spoke to journalists after a full day of papal events in the capital of Uganda. The day started when Pope Francis honored a group of Catholic and Anglican martyrs who were burned alive after refusing to renounce their faith in the late 19th century. Earlier in the day, the fourth in a six-day trip, he visited sanctuaries honoring the Catholic and Anglican martyrs in the city of Namugongo and celebrated Mass to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their canonization.

The martyrs’ stories show that “fidelity to God, honesty and integrity of life, and genuine concern for the good of others bring us that peace that the world cannot give,” the pope said.

Continue reading HERE.

Pope Francis in Uganda

Pope arrives in Uganda, calls Africa ‘continent of hope’

In Uganda, Francis calls for Christians to build just societies, transform suffering



Pope visits poor and sick at Kampala's House of Charity

Pope to young: Jesus can transform walls into a path

Some web browsing.........

Some web browsing........


As preparation for the 800th anniversary of the Approval of the Order of Preachers (a.k.a. the Dominicans) in 2016, they are preparing a "Novena" highlighting certain aspects of the charism of the Order. The theme for 2012 is "Go and tell my brothers, Dominican women and evagelization". The letter of the Master of the Order, Fr. Bruno Cadore, OP, reflecting on the role of women in the work of the Holy Preaching is here. While it is aimed specifically at the Dominicans, there is a lot of food for thought for the church universal in it as well.


We have all heard the expression "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus". But what impact has the changing roles of men in society had on the understanding of their role and the impact on the rough and tumble of raising boys. Two pieces which discussed it recently: Raising Boys in a culture that is often alarmed by them and from First Things - The Killer Instinct.

Digitalnun has some thoughts on the upcoming Year of Faith which begins 11th October 2012. She also had a piece reflecting on the feast of St Anthony and the eremitical vocation.


Deacon Greg has an interesting piece about a Hermitage gets a deacon in Texas.


He also has an interesting piece about "Why do Catholics get married in church?"


The IEC2012 is coming June 2012 and the preparations are continuing around the world! Here is a short video from northern Uganda about their preparations. I have meet Sr Maureen, she is a hoot!

Protecting Jesus: the story of the Catholic Chaplain on the sinking Italian cruise ship.
A quick history piece: The Other Successors of St Peter - The Patriarchs of Antioch.


Ever wonder what to think when someone says "I am spiritual but not religious"? A few other points of view on it - Are you spiriual or religious?

A first: South African bishops pick nun as Secretary General.

International coverage of the self-immolation by Tibetan monks has been a bit mixed, here is a piece which asks the question, "Why are Tibetan monks setting themselves on fire?"

We have all heard how the new Social Media such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter etc helped in the Arab Spring. This is an interesting piece looking at How Luther went viral - five centuries before Facebook and the Arab spring, social media helped bring about the Reformation

Some pictures showing the Celebrations of Epiphany from Ethiopia (Coptic Christians) and from Russia and Eastern Europe (Eastern Orthodox Christians).

And finally......

What does the Catholic Church do for Africa?

With Pope Benedict XVI heading to Benin on Friday some facts and figures from Rome Reports to show what the Catholic Church does for Africa?

For the people in the Horn of Africa "their tomorrow is today"

Dochas Street Interview - Ireland and oversea's Aid

31st July 2011 - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This weeks gospel is the story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21), which seems to be a very appropriate gospel reminder to us to remember our brothers and sisters suffering on the Horn of Africa. It is a reminder that out of the little we have, if we all share, we have enough for all and some left over............

This weeks programme is available as a podcast which is a repeat of the Reflection on the Mass with Noirin Lynch originally broadcast on 29th May 2011.

As we are not on air this week to share some thoughts and reflections with you on the readings for this week, we thought we would share some online reflections with you  to assist with your lectio/spiritual reading.

• Phil Ewing over at Blue Eyed Ennis has a very thought provoking post on this weeks gospel.
• Fr Ron Rolheiser has a reflection on this weeks gospel, In Exile.
• Word on Fire - The Loop of Grace
• Sunday Reflections

For those that wish to make a donation to help assist the victims of the disaster in the Horn of Africa, please go to these pages:

• Trocaire
• Concern
• Goal
• Gorta
• Oxfam Ireland

Saints of the Week

August 1st - St Alphonsus Liguori
August 2nd - St Eusebius
August 3rd - St Lydia Purpuraria
August 4th - St John Vianney
August 5th - Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major (First Friday)
August 6th - The Transfiguration of the Lord 

17th Sunday of Ordinary time - 24 July 2011 - including Blog review

This weeks show is a bit of a more laid back, even ad intra (inward looking) kind of affair as Shane and John review 12 months of the SacredSpace 102fm blog, as well as our regular gospel reflection, Saints of the upcoming week and some other odds and ends.
The programmes podcast is now available here.

Blog Review

John and Shane had a quick discussion about the resources now available on SacredSpace 102fm including the Lectio resource page, our podcast page as well as a synopsis of the various links and resource pages that we use ourselves for the show.

There was also a quick discussion of where are we getting our visitors from and the types of items we post about which generate most interest.

Our top ten countries are:

1. Ireland
2. USA
3. UK
4. Australia
5. Canada
6. Philippines
7. Italy
8. Germany
9. India
10. Poland

To all our visitors and listeners out there, from all the Sacred Space 102fm, we want to say a huge thank you for your interest and we hope that we have been able to accompany you some way on your faith journey and that we can all continue together.

Gospel - Matthew 13:44-52

We continue the parables from the gospel of Matthew this week where we have a series of short parables from Jesus, each of which can be taken on their own to reflect and meditate on.

The search for treasure or the pearl of great price is a reminder of the work we need to do to work and look after our faith and our relationship with God. It requires determination and zeal from us to maintain our relationship with God. Faith, our relationship with God and our understanding of our faith is our responsibility not anyone elses, we need to make the effort to work, support and nurture that relationship. Do we make time and effort to put aside time for God? Do we search for that pearl of great value - the love of God?

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

• Fr Gabriel Burke
• Word on Fire - What do you want?
• Deacon Greg - Homily for July 24th

 

Saints of the Week

July 25th - St James (the Great)
July 26th - St Joachim & St Anne (Parents of Blessed Virgin Mary)
July 27th - St Lillian
July 28th - St Samson of York
July 29th - St Martha (of Bethany)
July 30th - St Peter Chrysologus

17 July 2011 - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

On this weeks show, Eoin Rice (Humanitarian Press Officer) joins us to make an appeal from Trócaire on behalf of the victims of the worsening drought situation in the Horn of Africa, we have our regular prayer space, gospel reflection, saints of the week, this weeks Irish Catholic and some notices.

The podcast is now available.

East Africa's drought has led to millions of people across Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia being dependent on food aid, with up to half the population of certain affected areas suffering from serious malnutrition. The failure of adequate rainfall to have hit the region for full year has plunged east Africa into humanitarian crisis.

• Over 1,000 Somalis are arriving into Ethiopia and Kenya every day;

• Malnutrition rates among Somali children arriving into Ethiopia or Kenya are as high as 47 per cent;

• Communities in Ethiopia have reported that 80 per cent of animals have died;

• Half of the 13 million affected people are children.

East Africa is Trócaire’s main geographic area of work. With a presence in the region dating back almost 40 years, Trócaire is well placed to respond to the current crisis.

Trócaire is funding drought response projects in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, bringing food and water to affected communities. They are also purchasing malnourished animals before they die and redistributing them to areas that still have sufficient grazing. When the next rains arrive in the autumn, they will help those families buy back the animals and re-establish their herds.

Trócaire has been working with these communities for almost 40 years. Their ongoing livelihoods programmes prevented the people there from falling into crisis over recent decades. Such is the severity of the current drought, however, that Trócaire has launched an emergency appeal for the people of east Africa.

To make a donation you can phone 1850 408 408 (RoI) or 0800 912 1200 (NI), or else by clicking the donation link below.

Gospel - Matthew 13:24-45

This week we continue with the Kingdom parables where Jesus is trying to remind us of the call to live and prepare for the kingdom of God in simple and understandable stories which may mean being counter cultural and being a leaven in our society.

Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

• Msgr Charles Pope - Is you is or is you ain't a saint?
• Word on Fire - Three Parables, three spiritual lessons
• Sunday Reflections

Saints of the Week

July 18th - St Frederick of Utreacht
July 19th - St Macrina the Younger
July 20th - St Apollinaris of Ravenna
July 21st - St Lawrence of Brindisi
July 22nd - St Mary Magdelene 
July 23rd - St Bridget of Sweden

 

Some web browsing.........

Some web browsing for you.........

• A few brave men - Iraqi Catholics risk their lives to join the priesthood and serve their own in a turbulent state.
• Alarm bells are ringing in the Middle East for the fate of Christians
• Fear in the pulpit - Catholic priests face arrest and torture by Robert Mugabe’s secret police masquerading as Massgoers as the dictator’s instruments of repression turn their attention to the Church, branding it an enemy of the state
• Mugabe's communion angers Africa - Tererai Karimakwenda, a human rights activist, wrote for SW radio Africa that “the obligation of the church to accept all sinners, including assassins and dictators, was defended even by those who were disturbed by Mugabe’s visit. But it was the warm welcome extended to the leader of the ZANU PF that caused the greatest outcry”
• Three priest-martyrs of Nazi's beatified in Germany.
• Advice on how to stay married - say I do but mean I'll be.
• Archbishop Nichols reminds us that "Liturgy is not ours.Its not a form of self expression....."
• John Allen at NCR looks at "the new Crown Prince of Catholicism".
• Ever wonder how much the Vatican earns in a year? Positive financial report for Vatican.
• Stillsong Hermitage reflects on Loneliness
• Global Catholic reflects on Breaking Bread - "One of the most important aspects of the Eucharist is the way that it helps us to re-imagine the boundaries that separate us from them. War creates unity among us by sharply dividing us from the enemy; we are defined by national boundaries that set us into potential opposition against those who stand outside those borders. In the Eucharist, on the other hand, we are incorporated into a much larger, transnational body, the Body of Christ, which transgresses national borders."
• The Anchoress asks is the root of all sin selfishness?
• Should there be a place in care of the elderly for the spiritual? - The report released by the Dilnot Commission on Funding of Care and Support sets out the need for the financial reform of the social care system in the UK. Coupled with the recent findings of the Equality and Human Rights Commission with regard to the home care of elderly, it seems as if social care in the UK needs to take a new direction. Angela Kitching describes a crucial element in the Japanese social care system which could make a difference in the UK – what is ikigai?
• Mary Craig writes about her second son Paul, diagnosed with ‘gargoylism’, in an extract from The Death of a Child - The suffering son who gave me so much
• A blogosphere discussion that arose during the week around clapping during Mass - two alternative views from Deacon Greg and the Anchoress with a different view point from Googling God.
• A bishop reminds us that despite being locked behind bars, prisoners are still part of our Church.
• Poor does not mean stupid 
• Why do we need to canonize more lay saints?
• Deacon Greg notes that thanks to Facebook, many of us have more friends than we know. But how can thousands of friendships be meaningful?

From Kiyinda to Knockpatrick - Part 5 - Friendships & Goodbyes

Friendships and Goodbyes

“I call you friends” (Jn 15:15)

“Parting is such sweet sorrow” - (Romeo and Juliet, Act 2 Scene II, 185)

I found this online not long after I came to Uganda but have never been able to find the blog I got it from again. Anyway as part of the tidy up I found it again amongst my own files so I said I would share it again:

"Before I came to Uganda

…I did not know earth. Earth so dry and red, baked hard by the heat of the day. Earth that holds that heat like kiln-burnt clay, warming weary feet as they journey home from a long day's work.

...I did not know the sun. Had never met this sun, whose rays could scald bare skin on a clear day, yet the tiniest cloud between it and you can bring much needed relief from it's scorching heat. Whose light is as important as air, everyone depending on it to see and work and play, to dispel the darkness and allow for life to unfold.

...I did not know rain. Rain that falls in torrents and buckets and waterfalls from the sky. Rain that means LIFE to plants, animals, and people alike. Rain that is caught in barrels and buckets, basins, bowls and open hands. Rain that is swallowed up by the parched earth so quickly that there is scarcely a puddle or spot of muck to prove it fell. Rain that throws all the vegetation into a kaleidoscope of sparkling green and raises every hand to heaven in thanksgiving praise.

From Knockpatrick to Kiyinda - Part 3 - Suffering

Suffering

“The choice is between the mystery and the absurd. To embrace the mystery is to discover the real.” (Basil Hume, The Mystery of the Cross)

“The joys and the hopes, the grief’s and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the grief’s and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” (Gaudiem et spes,).

The sounds of daily life in Kiyinda begin each morning around 5.30am with the Muslim call to pray ringing out from the minarets of the local mosques (provided that there is power),

Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar.

Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar.

Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allah.

Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allah.

Ash-hadu anna Muhammad-ar-Rasoolullah.

Ash-hadu anna Muhammad-ar-Rasoolullah.

Hayya 'alas-Salah. Hayya 'alas-Salah.

Hayya 'alal-falah. Hayya 'alal-falah.

Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar.

La ilaha ill-Allah.

And almost like a plug has been removed or someone has un-muted the mute button, everything seems to burst into life, because almost as soon as the prayer has finished you start hearing life beginning to stir in Mityana.

Voices of excited children going for water, the clang of the school tyre (bell!) waking up the sleepy heads in the boarding sections, their shouts and laughter ringing through the duskiness of the Ugandan dawn, the horns of the first Kampala-Fort Portal express buses of the day blare out warning people to get off the road or else, the bleats of the goats waiting to be released from their pens and the squeals of pigs waiting to be fed join in the cacophony set off by our troop of cockerels who seem to take delight in announcing the arrival of a new day outside my bedroom window.

Into that orchestra of life steps the bird calls of the various inhabitants of the trees overshadowing my house, some of them as sweet and gentle upon the ear, others that only their Creator could love as they call seems to go through you no matter the time of the day.

From Knockpatrick to Kiyinda - Part 2 - Presence

Presence

“Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words; forget your own people and your father’s house......” (Psalm 44(45): 10)

Over the last thirty months, I have heard this psalm again and again recited in choir by my neighbours the Carmelite Sisters of Kiyinda and gradually, like the drip of water on a stone, the psalmist’s advice has come to sums up some aspects of my life as a VM.

Like all missionaries, you are reminded to forget your own people as you “work and live side by side with the people sharing our talents, friendship and love. This pre-supposes an openness to the needs of others and the humility to meet them wherever they are at. It calls for a spirit of confidence and poverty which is ever ready to listen and respond to others” (VMM Spirit & Lifestyle). It could almost be a motto for a VM as you head overseas. It means being a listener, “being a witness where it can easily be seen that God's Spirit is so strong within us that it is visible in our lives and actions. Christ was available to all, and reached out to the poor, the sick and the rejected. His mission is now ours. It is a call to be wherever there is injustice of any kind.

"Wherever there are people in need of food and drink, clothing, housing, medicine, employment, education; wherever people lack the facilities necessary for living a truly human life, are afflicted with serious distress or illness, or suffer exile or imprisonment, there Christian love should seek them out and find them." (Apostolate of the Laity, para 8.4)

The majority of our world lives in hunger and want deprived of the most basic necessities to live a decent human life. Impelled and driven by the Spirit of Christ, we should not stand by unresponsive to the needs of our brother and sisters. They must have the tools to enable them to develop and be free. They need the skills and the expertise to bring out their own resources and gifts. It is not simply a matter of handing out money, food or equipment. It calls for more than that. Our response is to share who we are as well as what we have” (VMM Spirit & Lifestyle).

But we can only be credible bearers of the good news if we are fundamentally, if not always, joyful. And joy has been one thing that the people of Uganda have taught me, the simple joys of life and a rediscovery of the joys of faith and celebration. Radcliffe described the joy as being, “a deep joy that…… is deeply linked with sorrow and even with anger. Our vocation summons us to share not just the passion of Christ, but also his passions, his joy and sorrow and anger. These are the passions of those who are alive with the gospel.”

Like the parable of the man who finds the treasure of great worth and sells all he has to possess it, it is almost like that for the missionaries that I have met. They have given their all for the people that they serve and seemed to have discovered a treasure of great worth in those viewed as the outcasts of the world.

From Knockpatrick to Kiyinda - A VM's reflections on sometime in Africa - PART 1 - Introduction

“The most terrible of crimes is to collaborate in the uprooting of others in an already alienated world, but the greatest of virtues is to up root oneself for the sake of ones neighbours and of God. “It is necessary to uproot oneself. Cut down the tree and make a cross and carry it forever after.” - Simone Weil, "Waiting for God"




Beara Penninsula Co Cork - Nessa Quille

 Life can often be viewed as a journey with many stops and stages, sometimes with the journey itself being more important as a transforming process then the final destination –often unknown - aimed at. It is hard to believe how fast the thirty months went after I touched down in Entebbe airport in September 2007, where after working for four years with KPMG Ireland, my journey involved leaving Ireland and travelled to Uganda to work as a volunteer through the Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM) as the Chief Accountant for the diocese of Kiyinda Mityana (KMD). Well, whatever about the work side of things, I brought home some fond memories of some great times, some wonderful people and a small town called Mityana in a beautiful place called the Pearl of Africa - Uganda.


"But memory is shady, an aspect that only increases with time. At a distance, what we would hold onto, what we would pull into the light, slips from us like smoke through the fingers. In the end, we’re left with shuttering pictures rather than fluid narratives, a stutter-and-stop nickelodeon rather than an arch of seamless progression, five acts and a clear denouement. So we have to make the best of these rough shards, pronounce what seems true of them and move on, accepting what we vaguely see now as the best catalogue of what we truly saw then".


But occasionally, when things settle down there’s the luxury of greater reflection. It may come on long car trips, or plane rides, or waits at the dentist’s office. At such times, we struggle against the truncated, long-seen pictures that our memory trots out for us, like a bad school yearbook; instead, we demand to see something more substantial . And we try to make sense of what has happened.


The following series of short posts are taken from a last letter/email that I sent from Uganda as I approached the end of my time as a VM. Hopefully they will give you some idea about life in Uganda as a visitor, VM, lay missionary and ultimately as a person who feel in love with the country and the wonderful people there.

Part 2 - Presence
Part 3 - Suffering
Part 4 - Solidarity
Part 5 - Friendships and Goodbye