S A L V A T O R I A N S #5
First Experience in America
It’s a blessing, and as a Salvatorian, I really feel a sense of Universality. Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. I am very grateful for Greetings….. the lovely support and help of the provincial, his council, My name is Fr. John Tigatiga, SDS from Tanzania, Mission board members and the Salvatorian family of East Africa. I was born on the 20th of June, 1983, USA. Thanks to the Bishops of the different dioceses in ordained as priest in June 2015, and spent the next USA who always invite our congregation to participate in year as an assistant Procurator and Pastor of St. the mission appeals. Have fun! Maurus Parish at Kurasini, Dar es Salaam. In May Fr. John Tigatiga, SDS 2018, I was sent to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to begin Mission Director my new job as a Mission Director. Currently I am working in the Mission office as well as pursuing Preparation of a New Farming Site in St. Joseph my graduate studies in Philosophy at Marquette Formation Community University. Thank You Donors!
First is always first! Every person who travels in a The Salvatorians are developing a new 50 acre farm area place where he has never been before, must have in St. Joseph Parish Namiungo. The preliminary some exciting and incredible stories and activities included preparation of the site, measuring the experiences that they love to share. In my case, I've site and dividing it into acres for easy workmanship. The site was infested with big indigenous trees and long traveled to many places but I never traveled to grass. The uprooting of trees, slashing and cutting the big places where there is snow. This was one of trees into logs and separation of firewood began early on my "Firsts.” Seeing white snow coming from above the 26th of March 2019, with five workers at hand. On the like kisses from heaven and covering trees and next day other villagers came, agreed to the wages and every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! were hired to help with the work of separating and Mostly like a childlike form of beauty. I recall this carrying firewood. The work was completed on the 25th saying, “Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, of June 2019; now it is not easy to plough because it is wind braces us up, and snow is exhilarating; there is the dry season. The Salvatorians are very grateful for the really no such thing as bad weather, only different generous donors who are making this project possible. kinds of good weather.” However, I had to shovel for the first time too. ha ha ha ha! This is the life!
I am sure that snow isn't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things, but new experiences (big or small) can literally change your life. And even if they don't change your life, they can change your outlook. Getting together with people of different, hobbies, outlooks, memories, cultures and traditions is like experiencing different kinds of weather.
Please consider helping in any way possible. Your tax deductible donations are gratefully accepted at: Salvatorian Missions, Society of the Divine Savior, 1735 N. Hi Mount Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53208-1720
S A L V A T O R I A N S #5
#5 Report on Encounter 2019 2019 Encounter – An Amazing Opportunity Jackie White, SDS My Experience in Tanzania by Kerry Gloede For 25 days in July 2019, I traveled to Tanzania on an Encounter Trip through The Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians). My 3rd cousin, Father Jim Weyker, was a Salvatorian Missionary in Tanzania for 48 years. I thought this would be an opportunity to not only see a part of Africa, but to see where he spent most of his life, with him as our guide. In addition to Father Weyker, other members of the Encounter were 2 of my aunts (Patricia & Betty), an uncle (Ray), a couple from Iowa (Pat & Carol), and a Salvatorian Layperson from Arizona (Jackie).
Eight of us were blessed to participate in Encounter I had the most incredible experiences! I met some 2019 to Tanzania in east Africa, a collaboration amazing people who ensured our safe journey over between the Salvatorian USA Province and the hundreds of miles...a special shout out to Brother Tanzanian Pro-Province. We went to learn about the Salvator Macha & Brother Cyril Kessi! I spent nearly language Kiswahili (Swahili), customs, culture, and the every day with them, asking so many questions and church. Three brothers and one priest accompanied learning so much from both of them. Brother Macha us during our time in the country. One of the was a great teacher, too, teaching me Swahili (2-3 participants, Fr. James Weyker SDS had served as a words per day)! Other members of the Encounter missionary for 48 years. He provided personal Team in Tanzania were Father Cyprian Kikoti and insights, stories, and experiences. Brother Michael B (aka, Country Boy).
Masasi, the home of the Pro-Province, was our first We visited many of the Salvatorian Parishes stop followed by Morogoro, and then back to Dar Es throughout Tanzania and met with various Parish Salam including overnight stays at other Salvatorian Priests. They gave us tours of their Churches, and in places. We visited parishes that ranged from very some cases, their kindergarten classrooms, small to large urban ones in Morogoro and Dar Es dispensaries (hospitals) and clinics (maternity). There Salam. Several of the parishes had 3-75 out-stations were a few, brief moments of disbelief and sadness; (mission churches) with the priest using a motorcycle but mostly moments of awe, inspiration and genuine to visit the more remote. appreciation for all the work being done with so little by the Salvatorian Fathers, Brothers and Sisters in At a visit to one out-station, the parishioners presented Tanzania. us with a gift of fresh, free- range chicken eggs. This captures the hospitality and generosity of the people We met some young men working to become where visitors are greeted with warm welcomes. Food, Brothers, many with plans to become Priests. We also drink and sharing stories were followed by a group met many seminarians at Jordan University College picture. Several parishes sponsor schools (where we stayed for a week.) Their dedication to their (kindergarten or primary) and/or dispensaries/clinics to faith and passion for their calling was heart-warming. serve the local people We also went on a safari where we saw many animals, Transportation is a major challenge as there are few hiked up Uluguru Mountain to Morning Sight, spent a paved roads. Poverty was particularly evident in the night on the island of Zanzibar, stood in the Indian villages. Women and children gather wood for cooking Ocean, tasted lots of new fruits, enjoyed the beautiful fires, water from either wells or watering holes for weather and took so many pictures! It was hard to cooking and cleaning. Water wells make such a leave and hard to say good-bye…I developed what I difference in a village: safe water means less time hope will be life-long relationships with those I met in spent walking to and from water holes. Tanzania, I witnessed first-hand the amazing work being done by Salvatorians, and I came home with a Our hearts and souls were touched by the people we deeper connection to my faith. It was truly a trip of a met. We saw their joy amid struggles, and their hope lifetime and I feel very blessed to have the ability and for the future through their children. We also saw the opportunity to take the time to travel and experience commitment of the Salvatorian priests, brothers and Tanzania with the people we met, in the way that we sisters to their fellow countrymen. The friendship, love did! and caring extended to all eight of us. A part of each of our hearts remains in Tanzania. Amani! (Peace!) S A L V A T O R I A N S #5
Medical Mission Summer 2019 In July 2019 Salvatorian Mission Warehouse and Southwest Medical Aid went on a Medical Mission trip to the Morogoro region of Tanzania. Each day we saw around 200 patients with different sicknesses and illnesses. We saw people with Malaria, Typhoid, diabetes, High Blood pressure, HIV, AIDS, stomach issues, breathing issues, dental issues and more. We tried to treat as many people as we could with the supplies we had. The need is very great in the country of Tanzania. We even saw a lot of children with mineral and vitamin deficiencies. This causes problems of bow legs, knocking knees and rickets. The medical team consisted of a nurse practitioner, three nurses, Medical Assistant and myself the coordinator who is a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. There was one patient that broke my heart. A 14-yr. old girl name Pili Hassan. She came in with her Grandfather. Her mother and father have passed away and her older sister and Grandfather are taking care of her. We do not have an ultrasound machine so there is no way of knowing how to care for her. I gave her grandfather money to go to the hospital to seek treatment. Hopefully I gave enough money and she received the treatment needed. The people of Tanzania are very welcoming and humble. Patients walked miles and miles just for a chance to have their illness treated. Patients also waited hours to be seen by the medical professionals. The team couldn’t fix and cure everything but one thing we were was a sign of hope. The people were so happy and excited to see us. I love the people of Tanzania and their generosity. Please consider donating to the Salvatorian Missions. The need is great, and you can make a difference to the Tanzanian community. Thanks for all your support. Mungu Akubariki – God’s Blessings Michael Johnson Lay Salvatorian Candidate/Southwest Medical Aid Mission’s Coordinator
Do Little Things With Great Love Brother Peter Farnesi SDS
On the feast of Saint Therese, the little flower, I started my journey to the missions in Tanzania. I lived in Tanzania for 24 years, and this is one of my little stories about life in Tanzania: It is about a little boy who was about three years old when he and his two brothers came to the mission one Sunday. He was quite poor and from that day on I looked after him. When he was five or six, I gave him a job to herd my sheep. When he was a teenager, I taught him how to drive the truck and then the tractor. He did all this very well and became my right hand man. Years later when I was leaving the mission for good and returning back to the USA which was extremely hard to do, we had to go say goodbye to his grandmother who was a very good friend of mine. She had moved away from our village to a Muslim village to live with her daughter. We got some rice, chicken and oil, and went to her village to say goodbye and have our last dinner with them. When we arrived, they greeted us and were so happy to see us. All the Muslims in this village were looking at us especially looking at me, a white man, coming to say goodbye to an old woman. We went over to his grandmother who was sitting in front of her little house on the ground and got down to give her a kiss and hug. The people were amazed that a white man would hug and kiss an old woman. All of us sat on a mat and ate the chicken and rice together. I was thinking in my heart that this was such a beautiful thing, to sit down with these people that I loved so much and have my last meal with them. When we were ready to come home, there were hugs and kisses again. Now this is what I had in my heart all the time as a missionary, do little things with great love. At the time I was not thinking of this, but looking back I can see now what Saint Theresa said “Do little things with great love“ and I may add God will do the rest. This is what missionary work is: Witnessing Christ, living, loving and learning with God’s people. Only God knows what happened in that village after we left, the people there had seen God‘s love. This is the story of this little boy and his family and how we were living, loving and learning in a missionary land far away. Always in our Lord Brother Peter SDS The Salvatorians of the USA province, in collaboration with the Salvatorians Tanzania 2019
Rabbits, chickens, water, furniture and a fence. All of these were our projects during our visit to Tanzania in
March. We were very happy to return again for our
19th visit that started with the invitation of the late Fr.
Dan Pekarske.
It has been our goal to help the Tanzanian Pro
Province to become self- sufficient since we began coming here years ago. This year we helped start the chicken project that will not only be a source of income but help to feed the students also. The existing building needed to be screened, fenced in and heated. 200 baby chicks were bought in addition to food and equipment. In the same compound cages were built for rabbit expansion.
Furniture was needed for Mater Salvatoris that houses the students. The house itself has 100 rooms. Eighty are for students and the rest for staff, etc. We helped furnish the rooms that were empty for the purpose of rental to other students that were attending school at Jordan College. The income will go to the Salvatorians . We were also informed that a fence was needed for security purposes so we The Salvatorians of the Tanzanian arranged to have this done and was finished just Pro-Province, are pleased to announce recently. SDS Encounter Tanzania 2020. Participants will experience the grassroots The purpose for the visit this year was to be there for reality of the church in Tanzania by sharing the 25th anniversary of the opening of Jordan in the life and ministry of Salvatorian men University College. It was a delight to be able to and women, as well as the projects and attend this celebration along with many people that ministry of other groups. The program is we have been acquainted with for many years. We designed to be safe, challenging, and were able to sponsor the visit of Fr. Bart Murphy who meaningful. Participants are guided by taught there for many years. What a delight. Tanzania seminarians into closer contact with the daily life of ordinary people. A Collaborative Ministry Project was a new well that Participants will learn about the language, produces clean water for 2500 villagers at Namiungo. customs, culture, and the Church in It was funded by the Parishioners of Divine Savior Tanzania with readings, discussion, Parish in Orangevale, California. $15,000 was raised speakers and day trips. from three sources; $3500 from a parish collection,
$6500 from a private donation and $5000 from a Lay The Encounter is available to individuals SDS family. It ended years of suffering from unclean and groups. The approximate cost is water. Respectfully submitted, $5,000, which covers airfare from Chicago,
Mary Jo and Mark government visas, all land travel in
country, workshops, seminarian guides,
meals and lodgings.
For more information about this trip contact: [email protected]
The Salvatorian Mission Newsletter Committee
Fr. John Tigatiga, SDS, Mary Jo Verke, SDS
Sue Haertel, SDS