Peramiho Newsletter

January – April 2020

Our Pandemic Situation

While in other parts of the world were overflowing with patients infected with the coro- na virus in the early part of year 2020, life in was basically as it was—peaceful and laid back. Many citizens were aware of the pan- demic but did not have clear picture of its effect on the patients, the frontliners, and the society as a whole. Election Chapter Postponed In the priory house, the initial virus scare came when the government reported the first infected case last March 15th. Around that time Sr. Grace Mujuni, subprioress and priory treasurer, was in which is 1,085 kilometers from Peramiho. She was there to purchase com- munity and school needs, and to welcome Sr. Lumen Gloria Dunca and Sr. Katharina Mtitu at the airport. They were scheduled to facilitate the election chapter on March 20-21. Due to the travel ban, the Generalate decided to postpone the election.

Schools Closed Sisters Working in Quarantined After the first reported case of COVID-19 pa- The real scare came when Fr. Alcuin Nyerenda, tient, the government ordered all schools closed OSB, former of , died at St. last March 17. At Peramiho Girls’ Secondary Joseph Hospital where two of our sisters who School, the students were just given enough are nurses, attended to him before and after his time to prepare their things and were sent home death. Fr. Alcuin arrived from South Korea on on the following day. The headmistress, Sr. Ju- the first week of March. After a month he was dith Kombe, and all the sisters assigned in the admitted at the hospital and succumbed to a school helped together in maintaining the clean- chronic illness on April 6th. Since he was in the liness and order while waiting for announcement government watch list, authorities immediately of the resumption of classes. quarantined around 20 hospital personnel, in- cluding our two sisters, at the abbey’s hostel Death of Sr. Fromunda Knoll while waiting for the result of the COVID-19 test. On 21 March, our dear Sr. Fromunda Knoll Another sister who comforted one of the hospital breathed her last. We received suggestions to sisters went into voluntary quarantine when she do away with the traditional burial to avoid con- learned what had happened. She stayed in her tact with more people. However, most of the sis- cell and prayed privately. ters knew it might not be possible because of the many lives touched by Sr. Fromunda. On the Everyone heaved a sigh of relief when the re- 24th of March the priory community, , sults came after two days. The deceased former priests, and friends brought our dear sister to abbot and the hospital personnel tested nega- her final resting place. There was no social dis- tive of the virus. The sisters went back to the tancing nor face masks. What was more im- clausura grateful for the result. portant was to be with our sister for the last time. Continued on page 2

1 Our Pandemic Situation (Continued from page 1) Uwemba Community Around the last week The administrators of the Health Center have of April when a man designated some rooms for patients who might from a nearby town be admitted due to the virus. They acquired was reported to have PPEs and had some personnel trained to re- died in the mission spond in case a patient is admitted. The sisters hospital, the priory diligently follow precautionary measures such community did serious as wearing face masks especially when they measures to avoid the are in the center and wash their hands as often spread of the virus: as necessary especially when going back to the hand washing devices convent. All people entering the center premis- were set up at entrances to the priory house es are required to do the same. They also try to compound; only two sisters were allowed to do raise the awareness of the people regarding the purchasing for community needs and do other effects of the pandemic. The sisters are grateful business outside; common hand towels were that until the end of April no one has been re- replaced with paper napkins; some employees ported to carry the virus around their area. were told to go on vacation; seats in the chapel Mjimwema Community and the refectory were re-arranged for social distancing; and other preventive ways. “Idleness is the enemy of the soul.” RB 48:1 With not much school work to attend to, the sis- Sr. Evodia Ngonyani gave a short COVID-19 ters made themselves productive by spending awareness session to all our employees so that more time for gardening around the convent Sr. Evodia and some of the and the piece of land they “borrowed” nearby. They planted corn, vegetables, avocado trees, priory house employees peanuts, papayas, and flowering plants. It gave them joy to be able to eat the fruits of their la- bor. Other sisters keep the 28 orphans (aged 3 years old to 19) under their care occupied by giving them lessons through classroom activi- ties or educational shows from the television . Prayers and Adoration they get to know what is happening in the world and so that they, too, will observe the neces- Mother Prioress Ruth encouraged the commu- sary precautions. nities to spend more time for prayers as many countries have reported increasing numbers of In response to the request of people infected with the virus. The “Prayer the priory house community, Amid an Epidemic” by Kerry Weber became our our infirmarian, Sr. Pendo common daily prayer. Exposition of the Blessed Nchimbi, invited Dr. Adeodatus Sacrament is done daily except on free eve- Haule from the St. Joseph Mis- nings (Monday and Saturday) when the sisters sion Hospital-Peramiho to give spend 10 minutes of silence after praying the a conference regarding the vi- prayer amid an epidemic . Once a week we rus: its nature and prevention pray the Litany of Supplication Amid a Pandem- since the cure has not been discovered yet. He ic prepared by Sr. Gracia Mligo. mentioned that wearing face mask is not neces- sary (but two days after this talk the WHO ad- COVID-19 Update vised people to wear mask). Sr. Elisabeth Kerp volunteered to print and post regularly the world statistics on COVID-19 so that the sisters are aware of the extent of its effect especially in countries where the MBST are located. Sr. Gabrielle searches and prints relevant articles from the internet and share to the community during table reading at Priory house community noontime. listening to Dr. Haule

2 Participative Apostolate: St. Benedict Abbey Electrical Workshop Many parts of Tanzania are blessed with so much rain during these first four months of year 2020. The water volume was just too much that the Likingo Hydroelectric power plant, estab- lished by the St. Benedict Abbey in 1986 and which supplies electricity to the mission area got destroyed on the last week of January. The two turbines got submerged in flood water and were unable to generate power. Sr. Deogratia Mkulu, an electrical engineer who works and teaches at the Peramiho Vocational Hydroelectric facility and and Trade School’s electrical workshop, ex- the submerged turbines plained to the community that due to the serious damages, the priory will have to connect to the government-run electric company. This would mean higher cost and therefore, would need more mindfulness among the sisters in the use of electrical gadgets and appliances. This year, Sr. Faustina Chiwalala, a final pro- fessed sister, is enrolled in the abbey-run school with concentration on Domestic Electri- cal Installation. She is being trained by Sr. De- ogratia so that they could help together in im- proving the services to those who come to gain Sr. Deogratia, electrical engineer, examining one of similar skills and help in the electrical mainte- the turbines at the St. Benedict electrical workshop nance and repair needs of thepriory. where she works as supervisor and instructor. On March 14, Sr. Neema, a junior professed sister from Ndanda priory, came for a two-month field practice in Domestic Elec- trical Installation under the guidance of Sr. Deogratia. She had her initial training at the ’s electrical workshop. This is her second time to Sr. Faustina, learning the skills at the St. Benedict electrical workshop from Sr. Deogratia. come and avail of such training. Postulants’ Cook-out Day On 28 March 2020, the postulants spent their time outdoors wearing their comfortable attire and prepared traditional food/dishes from their respective tribes or regions. This is an annual activity of the postulants who are ending their first year. Sr. Christiana Lwiva, the postulant directress, consider this activity as a way of getting to know one another better. She contributed her region’s way of baking bread without using an oven. Some dishes include chicken, beans, fish, leafy vegetables, rice, peas, and of course, ugali (maize flour). Mother Prioress Ruth and some sisters joined the postulants in their evening meal and partook of the special dishes.

3 Pan-African Junior Intensification Program Extension

The Pan-African Junior Intensification Program Due to the corona virus outbreak, however, the was scheduled from December 16, 2019 until departure of our sisters for Namibia and Uganda March 7, 2020. The input on the different aspects was postponed. In early March African countries of Benedictine missionary life were facilitated by have started closing their borders and restricting our own sisters and monks from Peramiho, travels. Mother Prioress Ruth and the Juniorate Ndanda, Mvimwa, and Nairobi, Kenya. Some of directress, Sr. Daniela Ngonyani, kept in con- the resource persons were priests from the near- stant communication with the consulate of the by seminary. Sister Magreth, another facilitator, two countries. The latter also accompanied them belongs to the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi . to the immigration office for the renewal of their visa. While waiting for the advisory from their respec- tive countries the sisters kept themselves busy by reading books, watching inspirational video, and enriching their skills in sewing and cooking. Their extended stay gave them more time for deeper bonding with the priory house community as they participate in all the sisters’ activities and horarium. The interaction among the sisters in- creased their Swahili vocabulary and the ability Thanksgiving program for Sr. Adela , OSB and Sr. to speak the language. No time is wasted in the Terese, last January 24. Benedictine journey. - by Sr. Leticia, OSB Postulancy: Six Aspirants Move Up

Our new Postulants from left to right: siblings Mary and Margaret Baynet, Leocadia Mnyawi, Angeline Mbuni, Lucia Mpejiwa and Yasinta Nyamboko.

March 18, 2020 was the special day designated for the six aspirants’ entry to postulancy. The rite of acceptance was done before the first vespers of the Solemnity of St. Joseph at the St. Albertus Hall. Mother Prioress Ruth Bartonico gave a short conference on the virtues they would need for the missionary Benedictine journey. Each of them was given the Rule of St. Benedict. Mother - ess admonished them to read and keep in their hearts the “way of life” that they desire to embrace. She assured them of the prayers and support of all the sisters and novices. Instead of giving each postulant a pax, Mother Prioress invited the sisters present to pray over them. This was followed by a solemn procession to the chapel for vespers.

Presentation of the new Postulants The sisters praying over the Postulants.

4 February Feasts and Activities

ter and our recent Priory Chapter to plant more trees. Sr. Judith Kombe, the priory’s coordinator of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), spearheaded the event. She prepared the grounds, seedlings and tools needed.

Candlemas The priory was privileged to have the Archabbot President Jeremias Schroder, OSB celebrate the holy mass in our chapel on this year’s feast of Candlemas or the feast of the Presentation of Left and middle photo: Sr. Judith assisting Sr. Maria. Jesus at the temple. He always find time to be Right: Trees planted by the participants of the 2017 with us whenever he visits our neighbor - St. East Africa Renewal Program. Benedict Abbey. Feast of St. Scholastica Carnival The priory house community celebrated the On the eve of Ash Wednesday each year the feast of St. Scholastica with the renewal of vows priory house community celebrates carnival. The of Sr. Pendo Nchimbi and Sr. Evodia Ngonyani origin of this word, according to Sr. Elisabeth, is during the holy carnevale, which means “no meat”… not during mass in our chapel. this evening but during the Lenten season. This This is their silver year’s theme is Care for Creation. Mother Prior- jubilee year. How- ess challenged the sisters to come for dinner ever, the celebra- with something creative from each one’s limited tion is yet to be resources or wearing their traditional dress. scheduled. Enough time was given after vespers for chang- ing and proceeding to the refectory. Before the final blessings of the ho- ly mass Mother Pri- oress Ruth distribut- ed mission crosses to each final pro- fessed sister. Some years ago, they were each given a wooden mission cross. This time they got the metal one inscribed with the medal of St. Benedict. Tanzanian

After the festive breakfast, the sisters walked women’s downhill to the farm, same area planted by the traditional attire participants of the 2017 East Africa Renewal often include a Program, to plant more trees and to replace headdress worn those that did not survive from the activity three in creative years ago to commemorate the golden jubilee of styles. Peramiho Girls’ Secondary School. This is also the priory’s response to the 2018 General Chap-

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A Bit of Our Culture : A Child’s Greeting

Tumsifu Yesu Kristo! (Christ is our hope!)

Those who have been to this country would agree that Tanzanians are people who never fail to acknowledge the presence of another person. They greet anyone they meet. Among catholics and other christians the familiar greeting is Tum- sifu Yesu Kristo and the response is Milele ami- na (forever and ever). Others say Habari yako? (How are you?) or ask about one’s work or whatever part of the day. Children have a unique way of greeting adults. They say Shikamo and gently touch the head of the person in a gesture of blessing. The adults respond by saying Marahaba. The original meaning of this word might be different but for Tanzanians it is an acknowledgement of a child’s greeting or like saying “Thank you!”. According to Sr. Gertrud, our priory’s eldest and first Tanzanian sister, shikamo means “I am un- der your feet”. She said that parents teach this greeting to their children from the time they are able to talk. They consider this as a gesture of profound respect for the elders. This is not only for members of the family or tribe but for every- one they meet. Sr. Epiphania, a junior sister, said that at about the age of six or seven the gesture of blessing the elders on the head is replaced with a curtsy. As kids grow older, the curtsy is sometimes re- placed with a handshake, and other words are added to their greetings. “Let the little children come to me…for the king- dom of God belongs to such as these” (Matt 19:14)

Boys in Mjimwema orphanage who are enrolled in our kinder- garten and pre-primary and primary school. That in all things Newsletter Staff: Sr. Maria Gabrielle Costumbrado, OSB, God may be glorified…. Sr. Anuarite Haule, OSB, Sr. Mary Paul Chintala, OSB, Sr. Leticia Masano, OSB and Sr. Wnfrida Msoffe, OSB

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