Today started off way too early. Bry'Chell and I were up at 5 AM so we could leave the house by 5:45 AM to catch the 6 AM bus going to Sr. Loretta's Golden Jubilee as a Little Sister of St. Francis of Assisi. It was supposed to be a four hour drive each way.
As might be expected, the bus didn't leave on time and it broke down in Kampala. However, in true Ugandan fashion, the mechanic fixed it on the spot and we were back on the road in 40 minutes, arriving only 30 minutes late. We arrived in time for the first reading of the liturgy. I'm told we missed some pre-mass dancing and all the bishops processing in. Oh well.
There was a significant police and military presence at the event since the president of Uganda was expected. They confiscated all the cameras as we were entering. I did not relinquish mine to the military guy, but I did give it to one of the sisters. The military and police are notoriously corrupt around here and I wanted to see my camera again. I trust the sisters, not the soldiers. I got my camera back.
It turns out that the celebration was not just for the jubilarians. It was also vows. Eight sisters took first vows and seven made perpetual vows. Of course, that's in addition to the seven who took first vows and the five to professed perpetual vows in December. There are lots of sisters in this country.
The Little Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi have been around for 85 years. They do a lot in the country--and all of East Africa. They have hospitals, schools and they work as social workers. There are all kinds of jokes that the little sisters aren't so little because they run so much stuff.
Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the actual celebration because I didn't have my camera. I did get a picture with Sr. Loretta. I'll try to get it posted.
The liturgy was engaging. The choir was quite good and the sisters did some dancing at Offertory time. As are many celebrations here, it was outdoors. Why not? The weather was beautiful and the community chapel would not have held the crowd, so there were tents set up outside. I was escorted to a seat with a good view while Bry'Chell was left in the back. I could see which was an advantage, but I was also in the sun, so I got a bit burned--even with sunscreen. Bry'Chell couldn't see much of the action, but at least she was in the shade.
The archbishop seems like a nice guy, but he preached too long. I have it from several people that it was a great time for a nap. However, I sort of stand out in a Ugandan crowd, so I really couldn't doze.
The president showed up after the bishop's homily. Smart man. Although he had an entourage, as might be expected for the president of the country, he walked right by me on his way in and again on his way out, when he walked over and shook my hand. He asked me where I was from--I said the US, Chicago. He seemed impressed with Chicago. I really don't know why, unless it relates to all the media about Obama and Chicago. Actually, Chicago and Uganda are similar in many ways. In both places the real work gets done right before the election. If you want a road fixed or a pothole filled, election year is the time it will get done.
Turns out the president was invited by one of the Silver Jubilarians whose father helped out the president in the days before he was president and was fighting to overthrow Edi Amin. Don't get the idea that this president is any kind of saint. Let's just say his record is a bit checkered. As a guest in the country, I don't want to add much more.
After the celebration the sisters fed us. Religious from "other congregations" were fed with the priests. I was standing in line when this priest walks up and says--"Don't I know you from Chicago?"
If he knew I was from Chicago, he probably did know me. He did. Turns out he was one of the priests who came over to my house that fateful day to talk me into going to Uganda. He still had a picture on his camera of me and the group of priests. It was pretty funny. I'm sitting Uganda eating lunch looking at a picture of my living room in Chicago on someone else's camera. Too weird.
Today is the ninth anniversary of Judy Shanahan's death. I couldn't help thinking how much she would have enjoyed today. I suspect from her viewpoint, she's watching and enjoying all the action.
No comments:
Post a Comment