Pilgrim reflects on her first day at Holy Cross Dandora

It’s hard to know where to start. . . .  I am grateful to God for my dear husband who supported me in getting here!

The light of Christ has shown here from the moment I got off the plane! The people are so joyful and happy and fearless in the face of so much struggle! I was inspired by the great sense of humor Father Andrew has. . . .  I need to keep smiling no matter what challenges I may face at home: If Father Andrew can be so caring and upbeat, I certainly can with my struggles and challenges at home! They pale in comparison J I am asking a lot of questions and learning so much!

- Katherine Chrisman Halfenberg

Katherine pictured with Cameron Summers and students
learning important computer skills on Windows XP

Sharing talents and a love of music

Awesome day- enjoyed meeting all of the kids.  My two highlights of the day were

• The mass with Monsignor, Fr. Bob, and Fr. Andrew, and 
• John Putnam playing the drums for all of the kids!

Father Luke, music instructors, and Sister Josemarie
watch over some of the demonstration drummers
in the new St. James Performing Arts Live Center

- Luke Tabit 

Focus on education

Sister Margareth of St James Primary School
with Barbara Sandusky

Great Day --Meeting the children and staff at the church and school was an inspirational experience!

- Barbara Sandusky

Young children were a bigger hit than the dolls we gave them!

My favorite part of the day was visiting the children in the St. James School.  High fives all around, watching the pure happiness in the children’s faces when receiving the beautiful dolls, and the music, music, music!  I’m sure I touched hands with over 200 children. Let’s import the drums for our 1:15 Mass.

 -Patti Summers

The dolls distributed were contributed by Dollies Making a Difference.

St Monica pilgrims spend the day getting to know Holy Cross Dandora Parish

The travelers from St Monica were overwhelmed at the many services that Holy Cross Dandora provides its parishioners and the other people in the community.  Today's blog posts will touch upon some of these.

The tour of the parish began with a stop at the water tower.  Because of the generosity of St Monica years ago, Holy Cross Dandora is able to provide clean drinking water to its people.

The people in the parish might have electricity in their homes but likely do not have internet access, so we visited the Cyber Cafe that the parish provides to its parishioners at a low cost.

Next to the Cyber Cafe is a sewing school where students learn the tailoring trade.  This vocational school can mean the difference between unemployment and survival for these students.  -AF

St Monica pilgrims arrive in Africa

The 2013 pilgrims from St Monica arrived safely yesterday afternoon and were warmly greeted by parishioners from Holy Cross Dandora Parish.  The journey in Nairobi began with a group prayer led by Msgr Lloyd Torgerson from St Monica, Fr Andrew Massawe from Holy Cross Dandora, and Fr Bob Dowd from Notre Dame.  The group settled into the hotel for the evening and shared dinner and conversation together at a hotel restaurant.  All are rested and ready to visit the parish today.  Karibu Kenya!

A blessing from the parish

On Sunday as part of the 5:30PM Mass, the travelers received a special blessing from Monsignor and the entire community of St Monica as part of the final preparations for the pilgrimage.

Following Mass we shared a meal with many of those who have previously traveled to visit our sister parish. The dinner was a chance for both reminisces and the sharing of tips and suggestions for the best possible experience.

With the first of the group already en route to Nairobi, we look forward to safe travels and the opportunity to spend time again with our friends.  (12 of the travelers receive their blessing, St Monica.) -cb