History50 history50.htm The Pelicans Friends of the White Fathers

ROUND AND ABOUT April-May 1968

Arrivals :
Fr H Herrity (Glasgow) from Tamale, Ghana

Departures :
Fr J Barry (Renfrew) to Kampala, Uganda
Fr F Dickson (Edinburgh) to Kaengesa Seminary, Tanzania
Fr H Monaghan (Airdrie) to Burasira, Burundi

UGANDA

LETTER FROM MBARARA
Brother RIchard (London) writes from Mbarara:
"Recently we saw here a wonderful performance of Moliere's play 'Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme' (English version: 'The Proper Gent') by the students of Senior III Kitabi Seminary. Fathers P. Kelly and Labonte produced and Father Sandom was in charge of props. It was truly magnificent, the diction and acting great. "

I was in Kampala recently. Brother Littlejohns is in Rubaga parish, back on Munno for advertising. Father Miller is at Entebbe in the parish. Brother Richard Haigh is doing very well on the farm of the African Sisters' Mother House—the only thing is they have so little rain.

Mbarara continues to develop, with new buildings going up and there is also an AGIP hotel. A TV relay station is being built nearby and should be open in January. Ankole now has a new District Administration and there is no longer a King.

Kampala is growing very much and the new Apollo hotel is the tallest building. The road to Kabale is tarmac for 40 miles as far as Ntungamo and they have started doing the remainder which will take some time because of the mountains of Kigezi."

EAST CONGO

A JOURNALIST VISITS BUKAVU
In January a foreign journalist visited the town of Bukavu in East Congo-Kinshasa for the first time after the troubles of the mercenaries. In his report we read that the town in general gave a sorrowful sight except for the churches, as all during this troubled period the churches and chapels remained untouched.

The missionaries at their return were enthusiastically welcomed by the population of the town. In the colleges run by the Jesuits and the Barnabites, and in the boarding school of the Sisters of the Holy Family the last preparations were just being made so as to start again with some hours of class. His Lordship Mgr. Mulindwa of Bukavu never left the town during the troubles and together with the 30 Congolese priests he did everything possible for the protection of his white colleagues.

The report concluded: "We may not abandon the Congo on account of a number of rumours of war. As long as the missionaries, the sober men who are not adventurers, are happy in the Congo and cannot doubt the results of their work, the reaction of the Catholic world ought to be analogous to that of the moderator of 'Oost Priesterhulp' namely: 'We back you up'."

UGANDA

GENERAL MEETING OF THE GRAIL
Last January, 65 members of the International Grail gathered at Rubaga, Uganda, at their national headquarters, for their annual general meeting. Dr. J. Storimans, their leader in East Africa, presided over the meeting and after reporting on the General Assembly of the International Grail, went over to the evaluation of the work of the Grail in their 10 centres in East Africa and discussed future developments. The Grail has nine centres in Uganda and one in Moshi, Tanzania. They run one hospital (Rubaga), six dispensaries, one maternity, three social centres (Mbale, Kabale, Mushanga) and one Social Training Centre (Mubende).

ZAMBIA

LETTER FROM LUBISHI
Father B. Garvey (Sydenham) writes from Lubushi Seminary, Zambia:
"Lubushi is not a great deal different from The Priory. Unfortunately the ground is too rocky for rugger, so my efforts are concentrated on the soccer team, which at last has begun to win home matches.

Fathers F. Carey and J. Doherty called in, both looking ridiculously healthy. Father Carey is now a teacher at St. Mary's Seminary, Mbloa. Father Shannon is back and working away hard. Father D. Sherry occasion any calls in while on educational business. He looks very well."

MALAWI

MASS-MEDIA SECRETARY ON TRAINING COURSE
Mr. Gerald Luke Kamanga, 26, the Secretary for Mass Media at the Catholic Secretariat of Malawi, is following a nine-months' leadership course at Claver House, London. The course is under the direction of the internationally well-known Father Paul Crane SJ. The course at Claver House will be followed by further training at St. Gabriel's Catholic Radio and TV Training Centre and at an audio-visual aids course in Germany.

Mr. Kamanga is the first Malawian layman appointed staff-member of the Catholic Secretariat. Before joining the staff of the Catholic Secretariat, he was with the Zambia Broadcasting Corporation in Lusaka and with the Kitwe City Council.

ASSOCIATION OF MEN RELIGIOUS
The regional Superiors of thE seven religious congregations in Malawi met at Lilongwe recently, in response to the Decree of the Vatican Council urging religious orders and congregations to study and plan together the adaptations required in the modem Apostolate and religious life.

At this first meeting, a steering committee was elected of which Father A. Sormany WF , is the Chairman and Father H. Hemeleers of the Montfort Fathers the Secretary.

The first task of the committee is to prepare a Constitution for the Association and an outline of spheres of common interests. The women religious in Malawi formed their association already in 1964.

UGANDA

SILVER JUBILEE FOR 6 PRIESTS
On the 13th December 1967, six priests concelebrated their Silver Jubilee of the Priesthood in Katende Parish, Kampala archdiocese. They are: Fathers Boneventura Sserunkuma, Joseph Mukibi, Augustin Mukasa, Cyprian Tamale, Aloysius Mwesigwa of Tanzania, and Father Katesigwa of Mbarara who could not attend. The Solemn Pontifical High Mass was sung by His Grace the Archbishop and concelebrated by the five jubilarians.

The Archbishop congratulated the jubllarians, praised them and thanked them for the cooperation they had rendered him while a newcomer in Bukalasa Seminary.

BROTHERS TAKE THEIR FINAL OATH
Brother Richard Haigh (Chatham) has taken the Final Oath of Profession in Uganda. Brother Michael Kelly (Leeds) also took the Final Oath at Edinburgh. We hope to have further details for a later issue.

SILVER JUBILEE OF THE LEGION OF MARY
Guilleme parish in Lilongwe diocese recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Curia of the Legion of Mary in their area. His Lordship, Bishop Fady concelebrated the special Mass, with Father Alain WF , diocesan director, and Father Pillet WF , the Curia spiritual director.

Some 400 legionaries, many of whom had covered a long distance, attended this Mass.

In his sermon, Bishop Fady stressed the importance of legionaries building up their own spiritual life first and then, through their example, their work among Christians and pagans would bear much fruit. To give the example of a real Christian family life must always be the desire of the legionaries.

After Mass a meeting was held which was addressed by Fathers Alain and Pillet and Brother McLarnon, who encouraged the legionaries to go on in their work with Mary, to be faithful to their meeting and work every week, to be faithful to their legionary promise, and to work with their whole heart, following the example and virtues of Mary. The Curia was started in November 1942 under the direction of the late Bishop Julien.

GHANA

GREEN TRADING STAMPS
Catherine Mahoney (Sale) went to Ghana Trading Stamps last year at the request of the Ghanaian bishops to start the Young Christian Student movement (Y.C.S.). Shortage of resources allows them to provide only her board and a small amount of pocket money.

Send us your Green Shield Trading Stamps (address: White Fathers, Sutton Coldfield) so that we may help to finance her work during the twelve months she will be working there. Or will it last just that long? We hear that the Nigerian bishops are watching her progress with interest.

Brother Kentigern Walsh RIP
Brother Kentigern came home on sick leave last October and entered the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in December from where he was removed to the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, for an operation. The surgeon diagnosed cancer, and Brother Walsh died a few weeks later on 6th February. He was buried two days later at St. Kentigern's Cemetery, Glasgow.

Born in February 1914, he went to St. Roch's primary and secondary schools in Glasgow. He did his postulancy at Newtown St. Boswells and took the habit at Maison Carree, Algiers, in October 1937. He was professed within a few days of the outbreak of the war and worked on the farm at Thibar, Tunisia, until he came home on leave in 1947.

For the next twenty years he worked in various mission stations in Tanzania as a builder, mechanic, electrician, and diocesan treasurer general. The last years of his life were spent at the Social Training Centre at Nyegezi, Mwanza, on the southern shores of Lake Victoria.

On the occasion of his Silver Jubilee in 1964, Bishop Siedle, of Kigoma, Tanzania, wrote in appreciation: "The most endearing quality of Brother Kenty is his everlasting and unfailing good humour. . . . He is one of those people who has really understood religious life. He gives himself to God wholly and entirely, with a wise-crack on his lips and a smile on his face."

May he rest in peace and revel in the reward Tanzania assured to a loyal and faithful servant of Christ.

JUBILERIANS OF THE PROVINCE
Ten members of the Province are this year celebrating their Silver Jubilees: Father Andrew Murphy, Provincial, Father Michael Coffey, Father James Williams, Father Hugh Monaghan, Father James Barry, Father John McSherry, Father Geoffrey Sweeney, Father Thomas Kane, Father James Tolmie, and Brother James Kennedy. A full report will be published in a later issue.

BROTHERS MANDATED TO DISTRIBUTE COMMUNION
Last December the Archbishop of Kabgayi, Rwanda, conferred the mandate for the distribution of the Eucharist on three Josephite Lay Brothers and four Brothers of the White Fathers. This recent ceremony brings the total number of those invested with this power to 157.

NEW BUILDINGS AT RUGABA HOSPITAL
His Grace the Archbishop of Kampala has opened a new ward for 60 children and a hostel for nurses and students. The new buildings are the completion of Phase 1 of the rebuilding of Rubaga hospital.

The rebuilding in different phases is financed by the German society "Misereor". Rubaga hospital was started by the White Sisters in 1899, and taken over by the InternationaI Grail in 1953. With the new children's ward, the hospital has grown to more than 200 beds.

CATHOLICS IN TANZANIA
The number of Catholics in Tanzania as of the end of June 1967 totalled 2,228,622, according to the statistics of the Catholic Church in Tanzania, compiled from the official reports of the bishops and ordinaries of the 23 ecclesiastical divisions in the country.

The reports show that African Catholic Priests in Tanzania now number 401, African Brothers 75, and African Sisters 1,408.

Expatriates stationed in Tanzania are 876 priests, 324 Brothers and 829 Sisters. Over 325,000 pupils are enrolled in the 2,000 schools run by the Church, and it is noted that about one-third of the number of pupils are non-Catholic. Seventy-one hospitals, 242 dispensaries and 106 maternity wards are staffed and run by the Church, as well as 11 leper camps, 9 homes for the aged and 15 orphanages.

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ROUND AND ABOUT June-July 1969

Arrivals :
Fr J Williams from Oyo, Nigeria
Fr A McGarry (Glasgow) from Bukoba, Tanzania
Fr A Maguire (Southsea) from Mbarara, Uganda
Fr A Easton (Glenboig) from Mbarara, Uganda

Departures :
Fr G Wynne (Edinburgh) to Mbeya, Tanzania
Bro Finbarr to Mbala,Tanzania
Fr M Fitzgerald (Walsall) from Rome to Makerere College, Uganda
Bro B Black (Leeds) to Mbarara, Uganda
Bro G Ascott (Dorking) to Rulenge, Tanzania
Bro Kevin Corbishley (Preston) to Fort Portal, Uganda

GHANA

BRO. JOHN RYAN (Newcastle) writes from Navrongo:
One interesting thing that happened—interesting to me, but perhaps quite banal for others—was the job I had a fortnight after my arrival in Navrongo. We were setting the entrance exams and we all had to go out and invigilate. It was suggested that I go to the Middle School in Sirigu, about 20 miles away, and that the Superior of the Station would come for me on the Friday evening and take me there.

We set off about 4.30 that afternoon and as we were on our way I made a very quiet remark that caused the driver, the Father Superior of Sirigu, to make a horrible double swerve in the road that almost numbered our days. All I said was, "who would have thought 30 years ago that one day you would be driving me to Sirigu in your own car?" Then swerve, swerve and back to the centre of the road again. All that that referred to was the fact that 30 years ago this priest was a small boy in the Primary School and a bunch of us were going on foot to Sirigu to spend a weekend there when it was only an out-station of Navrongo. As you can well imagine, I was made more than welcome by the three African priests there, one of whom was on leave from the Army, having been appointed Chaplain.

Up to now I have received various gifts of eggs and chickens, and every day somebody is bound to turn up to greet me and remind me of the old days. The temperature has been very good, only once going over 105ºF when last Saturday it touched 107ºF. Nights have been fairly cool until now, going down to 85º or even 80º, and one day even at 7 o'clock in the morning it was right down to 75º. As you can well imagine, we closed the windows until it warmed up a bit.

Last weekend I was able to do a marvellous tour of the West, getting the job of driving our school football team to play in Lawra and in Wa. We set off from here in the early morning and got to Tumu two hours later. There we stopped, leaving the lads in the market and I went on to the Mission there, a new Station for me. The first person I met was Father Tom Tryers, on his way also to the West, going on his motorbike. I stayed there until mid-day then pushed off before the heat got really worked up—it can be pretty terrific on the roads between 2 and 3 o'clock.

From Tumu we went on to Jirapa, and there the first person to be seen was Father Tom Rathe, doing his rounds as Schools General Manager. I asked about Brother Trevor Robinson, and Father Rathe said he would stop by the new school that Trevor was building and tell him that I had arrived. Shortly afterwards he came in on his motorbike and we had quite a chat. After an hour there, off to Lawra where I saw the boys installed at the Secondary School and then we went on to Nandom. One of my boys took me round the place showing me all the new things that had been done since I was last there, more than 15 years ago

That evening I went along to the White Sisters' Hospital and there saw Sister Helen Scullion of Motherwell whose family I know well. The next morning we made a quick trip to Ko, another big mission station though only six miles from Nandom, and in the afternoon we went back to Lawra and the football team. Passing through Wa the following day I went down to see Bishop Dery and he kept me for lunch. Our conversation seemed to be nothing else but "do you remember?" Monday morning saw us on our way back to Navronlto.

BURUNDI

BRO. CHRISTOPHER WILDSMITH (Pinner) writes from Bujumbura:
You have probably heard from my brother, or from other sources, that I have not yet started the language course, but am in fact already teaching in the Junior Seminary. As in all other countries in the world, Burundi is desperately short of teachers. The Prefect of Studies in the minor seminary of Bujumbura has asked me if I can get him a teacher of English for next September. I wonder what the prospects are? Although the teaching is nearly a full-time occupation, I do manage to do other things. On Sundays I go to one or another local parish to help distribute Holy Communion. This is a very necessary thing, for as you probably know, most of the parishes here have at least 20,000 Christians.

ETHIOPIA

FR KEVIN O'MAHONEY writes from the Seminary, Adigrat:
Here in Ethiopia we have now entered upon the 50 Days Fast for Easter. This is a severe Fast as all "blood animals" and their products are forbidden. For the whole of this period, meat and other things like butter, eggs, milk and any animal fat are excluded. During this period, therefore, we cannot exact too much work from the students as they have no strength. Indeed as Lent progresses the men working on the construction begin to tire every quickly and by evening they are just about finished.

On the Thursday after Easter there will be a very big feast here in the Cathedral of Adigrat which is being consecrated. For such a feast anyone can come and eat no matter where they come from, and in fact about 5,000 will have to be fed. The Internuncio will be coming for the Consecration and will be doing it himself.

NIGERIA

FR THOMAS TYE (London) writes from St. lawrence's Grammar School, lIesha:
I left Tilbury for Lagos on the Akassa Palm on the 12th December and I disembarked at Lagos on the 31st December.

My ticket stated that I would be travelling in the Pilot's cabin but the Captain thought it was not very suitable for a long journey and I was put in the vacant cabin of the Fourth Officer. This was very roomy; it not only had a bed but a settee, which was a great asset, for when the ship rolled there was danger of falling out of bed, so instead I slept on the settee which was placed in a different direction. Sometimes my feet were higher than my head, but I discovered that this did not prevent my sleeping.

I soon discovered that the crew thought that I was a bit of a hero going up country from Lagos; at my age, too! We had to spend Christmas Day at sea; so it was rather quiet, one third of the crew were on watch and another third were sleeping. Knowing that this would be the case, the crew held the Christmas party on the 22nd December when we were tied up along the quayside at Bathurst.

I was able to say Mass on all but three days. I said it in the Chief Engineer's sitting room. On Christmas Day there were four of the officers present; they must have been brought up the right way for after the Mass they had a whip round for the Christmas gift for the clergy!

At Lagos there was rather a mix-up as to which place we should disembark. The Chief Engineer made a point of accompanying me through the Customs, helping me to hire a small lorry to take me to the Cathedral Parish. Father Kingston and Father Snape arrived a short time later and we were able to leave for Oshogbo in the afternoon.

Father Snape did the driving; he is from Liverpool diocese and is teaching at our Junior Seminary. The heat was terrific and in many places the tarmac surface of the road had been washed away with the very heavy rains of last year. After a brief rest at Ife where we met Father Kane, Father J. Murphy and Brother Joe Mullen, we arrived at Oshogbo at 10.30 p.m.

I found the heat at first very trying indeed and hardly slept a wink the first two nights. I must have perspired buckets. Last night was much better and today there is a gentle breeze. In the evening of New Year's Day, Father Morrissey gave a party for about 16 of us in the parish hall of Oshogbo. It was very well arranged and was for me an ideal occasion for meeting so many Fathers and Brothers.

ROME

FR MICHAEL FITZGERALD (Walsall) writes from Rome:
My work continues here at the I.P.E.A. (Pontifical Institute for Arabic Studies), trying to elucidate the mysteries of Arabic grammar and accustom ears, throat and vocal chords to strange sounds.

These strange utterances are not confined to the classroom but also found their way into the liturgy. The Friday Concelebrated Mass which groups staff and students, is celebrated partly in French and partly in Arabic. Among ourselves we quite often celebrate Mass completely in Arabic.

The I.P.E.A. is not very far away from the Generalate. It is quite easy to go there for an occasional game of bridge or to find a partner for tennis, and one is always sure of a good welcome.

Father Michael Fitzgerald has been appointed lecturer in Christian and Islamic Theology in the Department of Religious Studies at Makerere, Kampala, Uganda. He has signed a two-year contract and will take up his duties in June.

AUSTRALIA

FR ANDREW MURPHY (Dumbarton) writes from Sydney, Australia:
My new address is now: Parramatta Marist High School, Old Windsor Road, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.

I had an invitation from these Marist Brothers to stay here and say Mass for them with a few Confessions of Brothers and Boys as well.

Since yesterday I am established here in very nice quarters. This address should last at least until I am joined by Fr Coolen in about May or June.

Although I am rather far out from the centre of Sydney, the whole 15 miles from the centre to here is built up. This place is one of the best in the diocese for vocations. I had my first stint of preaching for the A.P.F. in a large Sydney Church last Sunday and I am booked up now until next September and perhaps a bit beyond. I hope also to get round some of the schools fairly soon.

The weather is more bearable now as autumn seems to be with us, but it can still be very warm. I would give a lot for a breath of the cool north.

MALAWI

BRO. EUGEN LEONARD (Co. Louth) writes from Chitipa:
Life for me in Malawi has been very busy. In January of last year my team of workers and myself put the finishing touches to ten houses and a food store, which we had started to build for the Catechist School, at Mzambazi Mission in October 1967.

After this we moved to Katete Mission for repairs to the Teacher Training College. This work involved the complete gutting of the dining hall, assembly hall, and arts rooms, in all 200ft. long. The wood roof, all the windows, and door frames, had to be replaced with steel as the ants had made a feast of nearly all the timber. When the buildings were first erected there was no question of steel as the money was just not available. For this present work we received a small grant from the Malawi Government and the balance was begged and borrowed from Canada.

After this job was completed, we then moved 140 miles North to Rumpi. There we had a new Maternity Block to build, including delivery rooms, and all the other rooms that go with it. We also had an electricity project which kept us busy. For this we bought a third-hand 25kva generating set, and somehow or other we got everything to work properly. Mind you, a few circuit breakers tripped, but these faults were soon put right. I enjoyed two nights of electricity and then packed my cases once again, together with my old faithful Alladin paraffin lamp.

ZAMBIA

FR THOMAS CONWAY (Glasgow) writes from Lubushi Seminary:
Here I am after a long but on the whole very pleasant trip. Instead of flying the last lap from Ndola to Kasama, I helped an African Priest get his car up North (he can't drive) and drove the 350 miles here. When I got here, I found a Retreat for Sacred Heart Brothers going on and the Bursar here had given my room here, to one of the Retreatants, thinking I was not coming until January. So I carried on with the car up to Chilubula where I met Father Dan Sherry. He has now been moved to Mulobola Mission about 60 miles from here, right in the wilds.

At Ndola I met Brother David Kennedy who I hear is being moved to Kasama. By going by car I was able to call in and see Father Ernie Brencher at Mufulira where he is in charge of a Parish for Europeans and has quite a nice setup. I stayed the night at Chilubula and went on with another White Father in his car to Kasama where I met the Regional Superior and the Archbishop. They gave me a great welcome, as in fact did all the others I met. There is a fine spirit down here.

The White Sisters are merging their magazine with WHITE FATHERS starting with our next issue in mid-August. In England and Scotland the magazine will appear under the dual title of WHITE FATHERS AND WHITE SISTERS.

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ROUND AND ABOUT June-July 1969

Arrivals :
Bishop James Holmes-Siedle of Kigoma
Fr T Kingston (Cork) from Oyo. Nigeria
Fr P Boyd (Bellshill) from Mbala, Zambia
Fr W Brennan (Glasgow) from Karema, Tanzania
Fr T McIlveney (Glasgow) from Bukoba, Tanzania
Fr F Nolan (Burton) from Tabora, Tanzania
Fr A Smith (Winchester) from Lusaka, Zambia
Fr J Doherty (Derry) from Kasama, Zambia
Fr M Targett (Hillingdon) from Tamale. Ghan
Fr T Rathe (Scarborough) from Wa, Ghana

Departures :
Fr P Harrity (Glasgow) to Mansa, Zambia
Bro R Leggett to (Dublin) to Wa, Ghana

Erection of the Irish Province
As our readers are probably very well aware, Ireland has, up to now, formed part of the British-Irish Province of the White Fathers Society. This year, however, our Superior General, after giving much consideration to the matter, has decided to erect Ireland into a separate, independent Province of the Society.

It is with pleasure, therefore, that we wish to inform all our friends that the Provincial Headquarters will be at: The White Fathers, Cypress Grove. Templeogue, Dublin, 6.

We feel sure that there is no need to remind you that our new Province will depend very much on the help and the kind prayers of our people in Ireland.

GHANA

Fr. Richard Calcutt (Bromley) writes from St. Charles Secondary School :
During the Easter weekend I went back to my former station of Bole to lend a hand there. It was quite a busy time as in addition to giving religious instruction to a group of young people who were stopping at the mission, I was also correcting the entrance examination papers to St. Charles, which I had picked up at the various stations along the way.

During the Easter Vigil Mass we had a small group of young people for Baptism. They had all brought their parents along for the ceremony so we had quite a full church. While I celebrated, the Parish Priest explained to the visitors what was going on. As most of them were either pagans or Moslems, quite a lot of explanation was necessary. After the service there was a feast in the mission compound for the people baptised and their visitors.

On Easter Tuesday, the Fathers and Sisters from Bole made a trip to Damongo to join the community there for a get together.

Back at St. Charles at the moment the school is full of Sisters who are making their Retreat here. I don't think the place has ever been so quiet before. We are getting the school ready for the reopening next week. This year we tried to organise a preparatory class for boys coming straight from primary school so that we could give them an introductory year to secondary school. Unfortunately it has proved impossible to get the boys. As no Government grants are available parents are unwilling to send their children to this preparatory year so next year we are going back to the old system of taking boys in Form 1.

ZAMBIA

Brother James Kennedy writes from Kasama :
You have probably heard that I was transferred to the Kasama Diocese from Ndola at the end of January. So far I like it better here in many ways. I am outside more for the work of the maintenance of the grounds. I also try to act as secretary to the Archbishop.

There are two of us in the House, the Archbishop and myself. The mission being in the same compound I spend some of my time there too. Like Ndola, many visitors pass at the mission, so I'm not lonely. I have met many others—Fathers Conway, Garvey and Sherry as they are quite near.

TANZANIA

Fr. Gerard Wynne (Edinburgh) writes from Vvawa:
Up here in the hills there is still a good deal of rain, although I hear from the experts that it will be the "dry" season any day now. The fact that I have been hearing that almost daily for the last three weeks doesn't seem to deter them.

I am firmly ensconced in the very southern tip of Mbeya diocese in a very lovely country. I arrived in Entebbe, oh so long ago! Eventually I flew down to Mwanza, where Brother Kempston met me. After a long discussion with Father Regional it was decided that the best for me would be to travel directly to my own diocese and there study Swahili on my own.

The course in Kipalpala started in September and was far too advanced to be of much service to me. There was a short course of ten weeks mainly for those changing from one Bantu language to another, but it was decided that I would be as well down south.

I went out to Nyegezi to see Father Pat Martin and was glad to find him very well. He had a fairly heavy timetable. After a few days there I flew to Tabora and Father John Maguire met me. He was taking a couple of months off as Archbishop Mihayo's secretary to polish up his Swahili in the parish. He has extraordinary powers of adaptation. To see him out talking to the people in the street you would think he had been in Tabora all his life!

It was fortunate for me that my visit to Tabora coincided with the reception of Minor Orders at Kipalapala and I was therefore able to be present when Brother Albert Gardner received all four. He was in fine fettle and hasn't changed one bit. He seems to look after all the gardens in the neighbourhood—very successfully too, and is still pounding his accordion.

I had the doubtful job of a ride out to Itaga on the back of Father Nolan's Honda! The students were out on a picnic a few miles from the seminary so we joined them for lunch. There I met Father Riddle whom I had not seen since the opening of Blacklion and Father Burton whom I last saw in my days at Dorking.

White Sisters

Sister Helen Scullion of Motherwell, Scotland, arrived unexpectedly in London in May accompanying a sick volunteer missionary. She spent a short time in Scotland and has now returned to her mission in Nandom, Ghana. On the other side of Africa, in Uganda, a White Sister has now joined the team of the Better World Movement: Sister Honor McGrath of Liverpool, who left for Africa last August. She will be arriving in Rome for the preparatory course in September this year.

Following the Tertianship in Rome are Sisters Rosaleen Lamph of Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, Salvina Mary (Christine Tabone) of Malta, Gabriela Maria and Demetria, who spent some years in Liverpool. II II Fr. P. Harrity (Glasgow) to Mansa, Zambia. Bro. R. Leggett (Dublin) to Wa, Ghana.

Jubilarians 1969

This summer saw the celebration of four Silver Jubilees, White Fathers who, between them, have given 60 years of service to the Church in Tanzania. All of them followed the course of studies at The Priory, Bishops Waltham; Autreppe, in Belgium; Carthage, N. Africa; and were ordained from Rossington Hall, near Doncaster.

Fr. Joseph Ryce came from Our Lady's High School, Motherwell, and Fr. Francis Tryers came from St. Francis Xavier's College, Liverpool. While Fr. Tryers has spent almost all his time in Tanzania, Fr. Ryce has spent nine years in the Province in between two tours. Fr. Francis Dickson, from Edinburgh, was eight years on the Novitiate and Priory staffs before his first tour, and spent some years in the Brothers' training centre before returning again to Africa. Fr. MIchael Coghlan. from Brighton, worked for twelve years in Tanzania before becoming parish priest at Bishops Waltham four years ago.

Our congratulations to all of them as they continue in the service of Africa.

GARDEN FETE

In aid of the African Missions
to be held at 9 Milrig Road, Rutherglen, Glasgow
on August 30th
LAST SATURDAY IN AUGUST
at 2 p.m.
Come and help the missions and
enjoy yourself at the same time
BRING A FRIEND!

ROUND AND ABOUT October-November 1969

Arrivals :
Fr H Regan from Ibadan, Nigeria
Fr K O'Mahoney from Adigrat, Ethiopa
Fr T Fitzpatrick from Mbarara, Uganda
Fr S Collins (Glasgow) from Mbarara, Uganda
Fr G Corcoran (Chorley) from Kampala, Uganda
Fr P Boyd (Bellshill) from Mbala, Uganda
Fr W Brennan (Glasgow) from Karema, Tanzania
Fr T McIlveney (Glasgow) from Bukoba, Tanzania
Fr A Thompson (Stockton) from Karema, Tanzania
Sister Joan of Arc from Uganda via Frascati
Sister Rosaleen Lamph from Frascati

Departures :
Bro D Kelley for Mansa, Zambia
Fr J Tolmie (Bellshill) for USA
Fr A Visocchi (Methil) for Hoima, Uganda
Fr D Cullen (King's Langley) for Kachebere, Malawi
Fr F Nolan (Burton) for Tabora, Tanzania

UGANDA

Fri Miller writes from Entebbe. Uganda:
I had six weeks in Rubaga hospital in bed without putting a foot to the ground and now have to recover use of legs but that will come soon I think.The nursing at Rubaga was wonderful; they have a staff of Grail people mostly Germans and Dutch and they do a wonderful job. There is a little house there with about eight rooms for clergy and religious and they take great care of us' Fortunately our local doctor here in Entebbe is a very good friend—Maltese—and he was here immediately to look after things and is still watching me the whole time to see that I do the right thing. Dr. Manche's father is also a doctor and was professor of medicine in Malta University for many years.

NEW GENERAL
Sister Marie Josee Dor was elected Superior General of the White Sisters at the Second Session of the Special General Chapter which opened in Frascati on July 29th. Sister Marie Josee comes from France. After her religious profession at Venieres in 1954 she practised medicine in the dispensaries of Alger-Verdun and Oued Ouchaia, North Africa. In 1959 she undertook two years of theological studies at Vanves, France. She was then appointed Superior of the newly founded Juniorate at Toulouse, At the General Chapter in 1965 Sister Marie Josee was elected Assistant General. Her present Assistants are: Sister Anna Maria Stuble (German), Sister Arlene Gates (American), Sister Jeanne Marie Lohlsse (Belgian).

A BISHOP SPEAKS
Following the elections Mass was concelebrated by a new Bishop from Upper Volta with two White Fathers. His Lordship spoke beautifully of his joy at having been consecrated by the Pope himself at the spot where the Martyrs of Uganda shed their blood.

He said the most touching moment for him was when the Holy Father laid the book of Gospels on his head and then on his shoulders, because a Bishop is another Christ and must bear the burden of the Gospel, but, His Lordship added, it is a yoke that is sweet.

He then went on to say that it was not just at that moment that he had received this gentle yoke. It had been transmitted to him long before by the missionaries, the White Fathers, who had trained him in the seminary, but still earlier by the White Sisters of the "old" generation, who had taught him as a child. . . but especially who had trained his mother. . . in the faith.

TANZANIA

Fri Frank Tryers writes from Kibondo. :
Wanted: a water pump
Old sweats of the Tanzanian Mission fully realise what water means to us. They can summon up pictures of beans and maize bleaching in the African sun while the precious water runs away uselessly in the valley bottoms a few hundred yards away. They certainly know what it means to anxiously scan the sky for a rain cloud and eat their hearts out for a water pump to get the precious fluid from the valley bottoms into the fields.

That's what I want. A water pump.

I have developed a real Old Testament spirit where water is concerned. When I was going home from the farm the other day I was sure I saw a diamond lying on the road (there are diamonds here) and I did not even bother to apply my brakes. Had it been a water pump I would have bashed my nose against the windscreen. If you know of anyone willing and even anxious to get rid of his money tell him about my water pump.

OFFICIAL OPENING
The official opening of the Missionary Institute London took place on Friday, September 26th. His Eminence the Cardinal concelebrated Mass at St. Edward's College, Totteridge, with the major representatives of the Founder Members, and the Inaugural Lecture was delivered by the President of the Institute at St. Joseph's College, MiII HiII.

The Institute is an academic consortium of seven of the major missionary congregations in England: The African Missions Society, Consolata Fathers, Divine Word Missionaries, Holy Ghost Fathers, Mill Hill Fathers, Verona Fathers and White Fathers.

With 17 residential lecturers, 32 extra-mural lecturers—many of them from London University—and close on 200 students, the Institute provides a full course in Philosophy, Theology, Social Anthropology, Liturgy, Catechetics and Communications to those destined to missionary work in developing countries, in whatever capacity. The Institute also provides a short residential course for volunteer lay missionaries.

UGANDA

Brother Kevin writes from Virika, Fort Portal. Uganda
Sunday afternoon and all is quiet in the Mission. As for the work, there is as much building as ever. The Sisters of the Holy Cross have received a grant from the Dutch Bishops, and with the aid of Brother Benedict, they have started to build St. Maria Gorretti High School.

Father Bosa is only 75 miles away at the next mission with Father J. Fitzpatrick, Father Conway is 30 miles further on; they have decided to have supper together the last Sunday of each month. The Cathedral here has become a tourist attraction, and the safari buses stop regularly. Many of the Holy Cross Fathers meet people from their home towns in the States.

HOLY FATHER'S VISIT
From Uganda Sister Alice Traynor, Sister Marie McDonald and Sister Winifred Henderson each gives a commentary on the Holy Father's visit: "This visit is proving a bond of unity, for not only Catholics, but Protestants, Moslems and Hindus vie with each other to welcome the Pope. . . The Holy Father's ecumenical gestures will surely be a spur to greater Christian unity It is evident that the Pope's visit has left the Ugandans with a greater consciousness of their identity as a nation. . ."

Sister Winifred adds: "I went to Hoima just after Easter and was surprised to find things not nearly so black as they are painted. . . HOima, as you know has a 'reputation'. The climate is hotter and drier than Virika and even down here in Rubaga, but I find it very bearable. I am teaching in the Junior Seminary School-Scripture and English Composition. I just love my work there-the boys are very co-operative and eager to learn. This next term I am to start Scripture again with the students of a Mixed Secondary School, and 'mixed' here means boys and girls, Africans and Asians. More and more I feel the need of getting close to the people in their everyday lives."

Father Michael Fitzgerald writes from Makerere University College, Kampala, Uganda:
I must say that everybody around here has made us very welcome. There is a danger though that one can get so involved with expatriate staff that one does not meet many Africans. The teaching seems to be progressing quite well. There have been no demonstrations against this strange Catholic priest who is daring to teach Islamics. In fact relations with the students seem to be very good. Most of mine are Isma'ili Moslems of Indian origin. I'm running a voluntary course in Arabic too (just to keep my hand in). Most of the students doing Islamics have started it, but I'm wondering what the perseverance will be like.

I have seen Father Moloney several times but have not yet managed to connect up with Father Bailey. Father Shorter it was who came to meet me at Entebbe on my arrival, and of course as he is lecturing in the Sociology department, we sometimes bump into each other on the campus. Besides, Gaba is not very far away, and provides a good place of refuge.

APPOINTMENTS
Sister Mary Lampard (Mary John) Superior of the London Juniorate for the last seven years will go to Mombasa, Kenya, in the Autumn. She will be replaced in London by Sister Marion Carabot. After her first profession Sister Marion taught Maths at Kashozi, Tanzania; she then did her special theological studies at Toulouse, France, and has spent this last year at Corpus Christi Catechical College, London.

MALAWI

Sister Helena, Daughter of Maria Tereza, writes from Mtendere, Malawi:
(The Daughters of Maria Tereza is one of the African Congregations whose first members were trained by White Sisters; Sister Helena was in England 1964/66 training as a nurse).

"Things are going pretty well in this part of Africa and there is rapid development in this country of Malawi where people are united with their President. This year 1 have received help from the Beit Trust in the shape of money to extend the hospital, or rather rebuild part of it. There will be a Maternity block, an Out-Patients Department, a kitchen and two wards, each one for men and women. This year our Congregation is going to hold its first General Chapter beginning August 27th. There will be 25 Capitulants in all and I am one of the delegates.

ZAMBIA

Sister Reninca writes from Lubwe, Zambia : "For the moment I am in charge of the Maternity unit; I have eight mothers-to-be waiting for their babies. We have just had an 'epidemic' of premature babies. . . seven in one week and all from the same village. But you should see our incubators; they are really of the latest design!

We have no electricity here, except from six to nine in the evening, so, electrically worked incubators being out of the question we set to work to make our own. We found a wooden soapbox, placed it on four smaller boxes on which we had put an iron plate; under the plate we lit two small paraffin lamps. Sad to say, it does not always work but we have succeeded in keeping alive some of the babies.

I love my work here with the sick. We have four S.R.N.'s working in the hospital; one of them is a CUSO (Canadian University Service Overseas). Sister Monika Ihl WS is doctor. Besides that we have six non-qualified African girls as dressers; they are very, very good and some of them have been working here for as long as ten years. You might think that a good staff as to numbers but we could do with more; if you find a 'volunteer' do please send her to Lubwe."

IRISH PROVINCE
The new Irish Province was duly baptised on September 8th at the Provincial Headquarters in Dublin. Fri John Jones, recently returned from Bukoba, Tanzania, has been chosen to lead the new Province in its early years. We assure the new Provincial of our prayers in carrying out his exacting task.

GARDEN FETE
The Fathers at Rutherglen wish to thank all those who helped to make the Garden Fete a great success. A Novena of Masses has been offered for their intentions.

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ROUND AND ABOUT April-May 1971

TANZANIA

AFRICA AT LAST
Sr. Marie Hall SRN SCM , of Chorley, Lanes writes:
"I can't believe I'm here at all and have to keep pinching myself to make sure it's true." After several years of study in England, Sr. Marie took a week off on her way to Tanzania to meet Sisters she knew in Uganda. But before she can plunge into her longed-for apostolate another task awaits her. The hardest thing for any budding missionary Sister, who has just set foot on African soil, is—her dumbness! Sister now faces hard months of tough study, and the same applies to all missionaries. Whether at an organised language centre or with the help of a local teacher they must set themselves to mastering the secrets of Swahili, Luganda, Chichewa, Chibemba or what have you; they must learn all they can-and it is the job of a lifetime-about local culture, beliefs and customs, so as to become, like St. Paul, "All things to all men".

SAFE JOURNEY
Sr. Cecile, one of our Sisters in Algeria, was fortunate enough to be able to speak to one of the moon astronauts—Frank Borman. He visited Algiers and made the pilgrimage to the lovely Basilica of Our Lady of Africa. In thanksgiving for his safe return from moonland, he has left in the Basilica an ex-voto plaque inscribed in Arabic, English and French.

MRS COLIN MACK, R.I.P.
Mrs Colin Mack, better known to most Scots White Fathers as Ella, sister of Father Jack McSherry, passed to her reward early on Boxing Day, 1970. Although she had in recent years suffered from her heart, the end came rather quickly and tragically. Along with her husband Colin and some members of her family, she had been out with friends in Paisley for Christmas Dinner. Returning home about 9 p.m. she complained of feeling unwell and went to lie down. Later, she herself thought it advisable to send for the doctor, but died peacefully just after midnight as one of her sons in the States was on the phone with his Christmas Greetings.

A real missionary
Ella was a real missionary. Her life was devoted to her family, five sons and two daughters. But her family also included every White Father at home and abroad. She was an extremely active member of the White Fathers Parents and Friends Association from its earliest days, and when the Paisley "Buddies" opened a branch of the Association, she and Colin really came into their own. Never a function was held but Ella was present, surrounded by friends she had coaxed along in support of the Missionswhist drives, beetle drives, harmony nights, bring and buy sales, reunions, retreats and, of course, the Garden Fete.

The esteem in which she, Colin and their family were held, was reflected in the packed Church at her Requiem at St. Charles', Paisley, and the huge number who received Communion. We, the Fathers in Scotland, along with the Association, will miss her kind words of encouragement and wonderful nature. Yes, her passing is a loss on earth but we've certainly gained another intercessor in the Court of Heaven. Pray for the repose of her soul. May she rest in peace.

BACK TO GHANA
Sr. Helen Scullion (Motherwell) recently returned to Ghana after her leave, a good part of which was spent in scouring town and country for equipment and supplies for our hospital away up in the Upper Region. Her boat docked in the early morning and a lovely Christmas parcel, presented by the Chief Baker on board, was given to Sister as she left the ship. "By midnight we had the crates loaded onto the diocesan lorry: 'God first'." (In Ghana, buses and lorries all bear a name painted in large letters, and very often of religious inspiration!) She was most grateful to all who helped her during her leave, and was glad to announce that "God first" -after the long journey of hundreds of miles up-country-reached its destination safely!

RECENT DEPARTURES
As announced in our last issue quite a number of British-trained Sisters have left England in recent months, including several Britishers, and news is coming in of joyful reunions with so many others they knew in the old country, and were delighted to meet again.

Whether in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi or Zambia, whether at the airport or in the mission, the thrill is always the same. One Sister wrote from Kenya: "All the Mombasa crowd were up here (Nairobi) for a course at Kenyatta College, so the house was like a little London, and when Sr. Margaret Noblett arrived, that capped it!"

Sr. Margaret (Chorley, Lanes.) writes of the last lap of her journey: "At last we boarded the twin-engined plane of Air Malawi for the last 123 miles to Lilongwe; after 50 minutes we began to come down and I must admit I was very pleased to see a strip of tarmac flash by and realise that we were coming down at the airport and not in a field. Once again many of our Sisters were there to meet us and it was especially good to see Sr. Kathleen, just as usual. On the 1st February we shall become boarders at the Lilongwe Language Centre. . . "

WHITE SISTERS GO TO TOWN
In Kenya, adapting to the new needs of the urban apostolate, a group of Sisters are to live on a new housing estate in Nairobi, the capital. Many tribesmen pour into such modern African cities as this, lured by the hope of more gainful employment than on the soil. Shanty towns spring up with their attendant evils of even greater poverty, unemployment and consequent delinquency—the inevitable results of over-rapid urbanisation.

Sr. Jane Doyle (Streatham, London), who left England in December last, is to study Swahili in view of an apostolate as a social worker. About her new quarters she writes: "Our new abode was literally empty except for our beds and dining-room table and chairs. We had no water for five days but, luckily, we are on a building site and found that the workmen had water for their brick-laying, so buckets, saucepans and tins are treasures. Now we are slowly getting things together and can live a little more luxuriously with two sheets to each bed instead of one!"

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MISSIONARY MOVEMENTS	ISSUE NO.
February-March 1967	152
April-May 1968	159
June-July 1969	166
August-September 1969	167
October-November 1969	168
April-May 1971	177