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Creating
a Dominican Parish Community
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CONTINUED
In August,
after making a general plan for parish development, we began to build a “Makuti”
or palm frond shelter. We fenced in a
small area and obtained two metal shipping containers for secure storage. We also added “choos” – outhouses
and parking, etc. Last November 10, we held
our first Sunday Liturgy with about 100 people present.
Each Sunday we seem to add a few new people.
The second Sunday (without special guests) we had 80 and now we have about
120, with 161 actually registered in the parish. We
established four advisory committees: liturgy, administration, youth and education. From the start, we have had a choir, dancers,
readers, and servers.
In January of this year, we had a setback. Strong winds blew two rafters off their moorings. When we lifted the roof to secure the rafters, the whole roof collapsed.
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We
dismantled the roof and for a month had our Sunday service under a tent or makeshift
shelter. This last Sunday, our roof was
restored, and we have a much stronger structure. We
work with a professional architect for all this sort of planning. Presently, we are working on establishing a
borehole for water, and then we will bring electricity to the site. I am also working on planning a residence for our
community so that we can live on the site and avoid rental costs. We will probably build half a house at first, but
we have plans for the entire property.
I CAN SEE THE CHARACTERISTIC FRIENDLINESS OF OUR PEOPLE, AND I AM STRUCK WITH WHAT A PRIVILEGE IT IS TO ASSIST IN THE CREATION OF A NEW DOMINICAN PARISH COMMUNITY. |
We are encouraging
the development of more Small Christian Communities and getting to know one another
through our committee meetings on the second Sunday of each month. The people are spirited and adventurous. Mass is in a park-like setting and the area is very
beautiful. Our bell, which was donated as a
memorial to Dr. Thomas Gorman (the father of Fr. Ed Gorman) is certainly the finest in the
area. We work hard on our preaching and we
are trying to introduce our people to Dominican contemplative interests. We are welcoming new people and discovering what
will be possible as our community develops.
I put a lot of
stress on liturgy and the natural beauty of the area.
The beauty and graciousness of sacred symbol and gesture are very important
to me. My associate, Fr. Martin Ndegwa, is also the youth
coordinator for our deanery. He led a group of
over 100 young people to the World Youth Convention in Toronto last summer. His enthusiasm, skill, and tireless efforts have
helped give a broader exposure to our ministry. As
Martin says when he worships, “It’s Showtime!” And I believe it.
His language skills in Swahili and Kikuyu are a great asset.
I feel that living
on the parish site with water and electricity will make many more things possible. However, with a collection averaging about $100 per
week, we will remain dependent for this first phase upon the generosity of our Mission
appeals. I must have a good deal of patience. Since this is our first parish ministry, I am
anxious to create a balance between religious observance and the work of the parish. As more brothers join us, we will be able to
offer the full services of a parish and develop a Dominican spirit among our parishioners. It is wonderful for me to be again among our people
after nine years of internal formation ministry. At
some of the meetings of the Small Christian Communities, I can see the characteristic
friendliness of our people, and I am struck with what a privilege it is to assist in the
creation of a new Dominican parish community.
Personally, this has been a very good time for me. I love to fuss with all the things we need to establish a church. I have met some wonderful craft-persons and most of the objects we have are homemade. Also, it has been good to meet parishioners and get back into the flow of parish life.
I have intensified my study of Swahili with three-hour conversation classes,
three days a week. Most of the people speak
English, but really prefer Swahili for important issues.
Everyday brings surprises. There
are a million details to attend to and using the parish shelter is something like
celebrating Mass in the park: you have to bring everything with you and you have to hope
for good weather. But the area is
remarkably beautiful and I hope that this can be reflected in the buildings we erect and
most especially in the community that gathers with us.
Prayer: Triduum of Saint Martin de Porres
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