Parish raises funds for Tanzanian diocese

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By Anne Marie Amacher

DAVENPORT — When Bishop Severine Niwermugizi visited Holy Family Parish in Davenport in 2005, the parish was so inspired by his talk that they decided to “adopt” his diocese in Tanzania.

Amy Kersten, a member of the social action committee at Holy Family Parish, said a letter was sent to all the organizations in and associated with the parish asking for their prayers to support the Diocese of Rulenge in northwest Tanzania, Africa.

Now, once a year, the parish takes up a collection to send to its adopted diocese.

Kersten said Father Simon Taabu and Father Juvenalis Ndaula, priests from the Diocese of Rulenge who were attending St. Ambrose University in Davenport, have helped celebrate Masses at the parish. An invitation was made and the bishop came to visit Holy Family.

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The parish raises a modest amount of money; prayers and education also are a part of the adoption process.

In the parish newsletter near collection time, Kersten said information and statistics about the Rulenge Diocese are provided. “We want them (parishioners at Holy Family) to know the similarities and differences between our dioceses. There are far fewer priests covering a larger number of people over there,” she noted.

During Vacation Bible School at the end of June, the children raised $95.18, which will be sent to the Rulenge Diocese to be used toward the education of children at an orphanage supported by Fr. Ndaula. The parish raised $321.85. That money will be used to purchase seeds to plant trees in the Rulenge Diocese.

“Our hope is to continue our prayers and support to help the people in Rulenge meet their significant needs.”

Any help can make a difference, she noted.


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