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If you are interested in viewing blogs regarding the Kitui, Kenya partnership trips, they have been archived and can be read by clicking on the “archive” link at right.

The vibrant expression of the Catholic Church was manifested today through the joyful dancing of children in the main aisle, the powerful choir singing in four-part harmony, and the way people in the congregation clap to the music at various times.  We are looking forward to taking with us this beautiful intensity that their culture has given us; the unity felt within the Catholic faith was so genuine and pure, and to share Christ mutually has been a great honor.

Currently this post is coming from the Saint Joseph’s Seminary Bus that is taking us to the Good Samaritan Centre just outside of Nairobi.  We are going to stay the night there and then tomorrow, Monday, will be spent in Nairobi shopping and preparing for our flight.  Our flight to Amsterdam is scheduled for around 10:15 P.M., and ultimately, after a six hour layover in the Netherlands, we will arrive in the MSP Airport at approximately 3:15 P.M.

Depending on time, this may be our last blog entry, although preferably we would like to submit one more.  If this is the last one, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude for how you have followed our progress here in Kenya.  It certainly means a lot.  We would also like to thank you for your continued prayers as we journey home soon.  Father O’Brien is going to leave tonight, Sunday night, where he will be traveling to Zurich and then to London, in order to have meetings at Oxford University.  For his safe travels and for ours, thank you for your prayers.  May God continue to bless each and every one of you always.  Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever.  Amen.

Sincerely in Christ,

Matthew and Thomas

It is interesting to see animals in a zoo, where we can monitor them pacing back and forth inside a cage, but to view these absolutely amazing animals in their natural habitat is literally breath-taking.  We were able to see giraffes, elephants, water buffalo, warthogs, lions, and many others at such a close proximity; at times it almost seemed surreal!

Consequently, the photos we took are going to “speak a thousand words” when we return to the United States – we pray that many of you will have the chance to come to Africa and see these magnificent animals as well.  May God continue to bless you always.

Sincerely in Christ,

Matthew and Thomas

Drought in Nuu

Tomorrow we are to travel to Nuu for the second time, in order to see the dams built in the area.  Water is a necessary part of life that is rarely seen naturally in the Kitui diocese, especially this time of year, when rain is not expected until the end of October.  Not only is water obviously valuable in agriculture, but also it represents the well-being of humanity here in Kenya, and the evident lack of water causes economic and even political strains.

In the United States, water is utilized so often that we do not fully appreciate it until there is a shift in the paradigm.  It is easy to become complacent in the U.S. because of the incredible surplus of water.  One may think to himself, “I do not care about where the water comes from.  All that matters is that water flows from the tap when I need it.”  This frame of mind is one that we all have shared at one point or another, but being in a country where every drop of water is cherished has given us a new perspective.  It has helped us to be grateful that there is water at all, and not to take it for granted.

It was important for us to experience this severe lack of water in Nuu the first time, when we attended the Deaconate Ordination Mass.  Now, when we return there tomorrow, we will have a greater appreciation for how little water the area has, and how even the dams are almost empty due to the dry season.  May God bless the Kitui diocese with substantial rainfall in October so that the nourishment of water may help to sustain the area.

Sincerely in Christ,

Matthew and Thomas

Bishop Piche ordains Jefferson Mutinda

As a true symbol of solidarity between the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and the Diocese of Kitui, Bishop Piche was asked to ordain a new deacon in the village of Nuu.  This solemn event took place on Sunday, as a seminarian named Jefferson Mutinda was ordained to the Deaconate.  The entire archdiocesan delegation was able to attend.  Both Bishop Piche and Bishop Muheria concelebrated the Mass which lasted over four hours and was filled with impressive singing and dancing.

Bishop Piche told the huge assembly of people at the outdoor Mass in the small town of Nuu, “I consider ordaining a young man to be one of the greatest honors in my role as bishop, and for Bishop Muheria to offer me the opportunity to ordain one of his seminarians to be very special and very humbling.”  Bishop Piche went on to say, that in all of the ordinations that he had witnessed, this was the first in which the background sounds included goats baaing, donkeys braying, and cattle mooing.  As the crowd chuckled after they received the interpretation in the local language in Kikamba, Bishop Piche said that at first this seemed odd to him, but then, he said, he remembered that long ago there were similar sounds during a birth in a small stable in Bethlehem.  And then, he said, it seemed natural that the ordination of a leader of the Church should also occur in this setting.

At the end of of the liturgy, Bishop Piche told Deacon Jefferson, “The fact that I have ordained you, tells me that I am a part of you and you are a part of me.  And I thank you for your prayers but know that I will being praying for you daily.   This is what it means to be partners….we are a part of you and you are a part of us.  And together we are all part of something bigger than us. We are the Body of Christ, and Jesus Christ walks on earth in and through his Church. Is this not a reason to be thankful?  And so once again, in the name of our Archbishop John Nienstedt, I thank you.  I  thank all of you, and together we all give thanks to God for his marvelous works. Asante sana.” ["Thank you very much" in Swahili]

Mike Haasl

Celebrating at the Ordination

We have been very busy learning more and more (literally) at Saint Joseph’s, as we have been attending their classes.  From chemistry to mathematics and from business studies to physics, the curriculum at Saint Joseph’s has many similarities to that of Saint Thomas Academy.  However, it began to become more somber as the day of departure was nearing because Christ has been made known by our interactions of faith, and with this comes a certain attachment to the students and their school.

Today, Tuesday, was the day that inevitably would come, one not without sadness, but also hope that we would meet again someday.  Frederick and Nicholas, our ”big brothers,” came with gifts for us: wood-carved zebras that have been painted with their stripes.  The faculty gave Father O’Brien an African-style chasuble and stole.  We reciprocated by giving them baseball caps from Saint Thomas Academy, which will be a remembrance of our visit.

Frederick was asked to speak about the last few days in front of the whole school, and he said eloquently that we have grown together in faith and the time spent with each other was very special – to show how we are all connected.  The students and faculty of Saint Joseph’s have been so gracious and welcoming to us; we cannot thank them enough for their witness of Christ’s love.

After our departure we had a tour of Mwingi and then went to Saint Gabriel’s Primary School, which is a Catholic boarding school for nursery-aged to eighth grade children.  There are almost 300 children there, coming to live from all over Kenya.  Seeing the adorable children made smiles instantly appear on our faces!  What a joyous and truly happy people the Kenyans are!

May God continue to bless you always.

Sincerely in Christ,

Matthew and Thomas

John Mwandi

Throughout this trip we have been able to try some very good food – at times very different than in the United States.  Some things are rather exotic, others are normal by our standards, but regardless very healthy and filling.  We both have enjoyed the food and look forward to trying new dishes.

Thank you for your prayers and continued support. Ngai ni museo! (God is good!)

Sincerely in Christ,

Thomas and Matthew

Kitui Parish Center

Good evening (in Kenyan time) and good afternoon (in American time)!  First of all, we would like to apologize for the slight delay in the updates thusfar; until now, there was no internet access, and the only way that there is a connection now is through an adapter obtained in Kitui.  We thank you for your patience.

To start the journey, there were two flights each of which lasted eight hours: the first leg to Amsterdam, the second to Nairobi.  We are happy to report that both of the flights went very well, and it was a thrill to enter Afirca – and especially Kenya – for the first time.  And it truly was a great honor to greet Bishop Anthony Muheria, the Bishop of Kitui, and his delegation who had come to the airport to welcome us.

After an overnight stay in the Nairobi Good Samaritan Centre, which included a Mass upon our arrival at 11:30 pm (immediately followed by a midnight dinner), everyone traveled from the Centre to Kitui the next morning, just short of a 3-hour car trip.  Once in Kitui, we stayed at the Diocese’s Pastor Centre there; for many of us, this was the point at which the feeling of “Wow, we are in Africa!” hit powerfully.

On Thursday, the Archdiocesan delegation dispered in order to venture to individual assignments.  Father Thomas O’Brien, Thomas Sjoberg, and Matthew Goldammer (your faithful student bloggers) traveled to the town of Mwingi, where Saint Joseph’s Minor Seminary is located.  The entire school was waiting outside to greet us.  It was there that we received our “big brothers,” who now will lead us around the seminary.  Even Father O’Brien received one: the Rector of the Seminary.

Today, Friday, was filled with such wonderful opportunities:  Matthew and Thomas attended students’ classes and Father O’Brien taught several English classes.  Everyone thought the day was incredible!

May God continue to bless all of you back home; as the Kenyans say in Swahili, “Asante sana!”  This means “thank you” for the very kind thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely in Christ,

Matthew and Thomas