Eusebius, born just a few years after Fabian's death, tells us how Fabian came to Rome after Pope Anteros died in 236. A layperson, and not a very important one, he may have come for the samereason many still come to Rome today during a papal election: concern for the future of the faith, curiosity about the new pope, a desire to grieve for the pope who had passed. Seeing all the important people gathered to make this momentous decision must have been overwhelming. Which one would be the new pope? Someone known for power? Someone known for eloquence? Someone known for courage?

Suddenly during the discussion, a dove descended from the ceiling. But it didn't settle on "someone known" for anything at all. The dove, according to Eusebius, "settled on [Fabian's] head as clear imitation of the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove upon the Savior." There must have been something of the Holy Spirit working because everyone suddenly proclaimed Fabian as "worthy" to be pope and this stranger was elected.

To us the dove signifies peace, and this dove was prophetic. Starting close to Fabian's election, the suffering and persecuted Church began a time of peace. The emperor, Philip, was friendly to Christians and not only was the persecution stopped but Christians experienced acceptance.

In this era of peace, Fabian was able to build up the structure of the Church of Rome, appointing seven deacons and helping to collect the acts of the martyrs.

But, in a timeless story, the people who had always been in power were not happy to see the newcomers growing and thriving. There were many incidents of pagans attacking Christians and when Philip died so died the time of peace. The new emperor, Decius, ordered all Christians to deny Christ by offering incense to idols or through some other pagan ritual.

In the few years of peace, the Church had grown soft. Many didn't have the courage to stand up to martyrdom. But Fabian, singled out by symbol of peace, stood as a courageous example for everyone in his flock. He died a martyr in 250 and is buried in the Cemetery of Calixtus that he helped rebuild and beautify. A stone slab with his name can still be found there.

In His Footsteps:

Pray for all places where the Church suffers persecution and for all who face death, danger, or isolation for their faith. But pray especially for all who live where the Church is accepted and thrives in peace that this peace will not make their faith flabby and weak.

Prayer:

Pope Saint Fabian, it's so easy to believe that peace means a life without conflict or suffering. Help us to see that the only true peace is the peace Christ brings. Never let us as a Church or as individual Christians choose to deny our beliefs simply to avoid an unpleasant situation. Amen

HIJA BOKO

Viwawa Jimbo Kuu la Dar es salaam wameandaa Hija itakayo fanyika katika kituo cha Hija Boko siku ya Tarehe 26/03/2011 kuanzia saa mbili kamili asubuhi, Vijana wote tunaombwa kushiriki bila kukosa...Sisi Vijana wa Upanga tutaondoka kwa Usafiri wa Pamoja Parokiani Upanga saa Moja na nusu asubuhi, Tafadhali tuzingatie Muda.

Second Sunday of Lent: Living in the Transfiguration, Beginning Right Now....


The Lord Jesus has also shown us the way up the mountain, inviting us into a new way of living in Him through living within the communion of the Church. Transfiguration begins right now and continues. 

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - "Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, 
and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,conversing with him..." (Matt 17)

Why, on the second Sunday of Lent does the Church offer us an account of the Transfiguration during Holy Mass? 

The inclusion of this account is an ancient liturgical practice. We also hear the account proclaimed on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Whether during Lent or on its own Feast, it is meant to focus us on the "end" of the Christian life and vocation."End" in the philosophical and theological sense means purpose or goal. We will all be transfigured, as the Lord Himself was transfigured, when our redemption is complete in the Resurrection of the Body. Then, we will live in the new heaven and new earth. This reality is meant to affect the way we live our lives beginning right now. It also opens up for us another insight into the purpose of our ascetical practices during these forty days.

From the earliest centuries, the Christian Church emphasized the centrality of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Our experience of our life in the Lord - and in His Church - is only the beginning of what is to come in the kingdom. Our life is already a participation in that new reality. The Church, in the words of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, is a "seed of the kingdom" to come. Our life within the Church is a participation in the eternal realities of the life to come in a new heaven and a new earth - but it begins in the here and now.

The Transfiguration account on this Second Sunday of Lent invites us to reflect on what this all can mean for us - right now. This event on the Mountain was meant to strengthen the faith of these three disciples. They were about to witness the events that would lead their Lord and Master along what would appear to be an ignominious path, up Golgotha´s lonely hill, to be crucified, a fate reserved for common criminals. Their own faith would be shaken, tested and tried. He loved all who were His own in this world (John 13:1). Yes, as so many beautiful writings in the Tradition remind us, the Lord wanted to encourage them - and to encourage us.

However, this One who came from eternity and took upon Himself the limitations of time, was about to open the portal of eternity. He would reveal to Peter, James and John the eternal now of His own glory. He was doing so much more than simply encouraging them. He was showing them who He was - and who they would become in Him. He was revealing to them what had already begun; and giving them a vision that would forever change the way they viewed themselves, their daily lives and their mission, after He would return to the Father.

As they lived their lives no longer for themselves but for Him they began to undergo their own trials and walked the way to their own transfiguration. This is the path of all who bear His name. We entered through the waters of the womb of Holy Baptism into the life of the Church which is His Body. We are "in process", works "in progress". We are being re-created and transfigured in Him. He has brought heaven to earth and earth to heaven, through the Paschal mystery. Oh, I know, this is "heavy" stuff as we used to say. But it is the Gospel message and the Catholic faith.

On that Mountain, Jesus revealed before mortal eyes the Transcendent Truth of who He is - and who Peter, James and John ...and each one of us - will become in Him. They were invited to exercise their freedom and embrace the path that He had prepared. So are we, right now. He was grounding them in the eternal Truth, and opening up for the countless millions who would hear this story from their faithful witness a glimpse of the Glory that is to come as we also choose Him in our daily lives.

Peter would later write of this experience: "His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power. Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love....

We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the 

majestic glory, "This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain." (2 Peter 1)

The Christian vocation is a "participation in the Divine Nature."  We are being transfigured in Christ. This transfiguration will only be complete when the entire person, including the body, is fully redeemed and transformed. The effects of the transfiguration involve the entire created order; it too will finally be reconstituted in Jesus Christ and handed back to the Father. The followers of Jesus, the Transfigured One, now walk in His Way and are being transformed into His likeness.

The Beloved Disciple John used this event of the Transfiguration as a "hermeneutic", a lens through which he gave the early Christians a deeper insight into their difficulties, struggles and mission. In his first Letter to the early Churches, he encouraged them to persevere and live differently by referring to the event that occurred on that Mountain. He encouraged them to not be surprised or discouraged that the "world" did not recognize them, but rather to persevere in love through holding the vision of a transfigured life before them:

"See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure." (1 John 3)

The Lord Jesus has shown us the way up the mountain. He has invited us into a new way of living in Him through living within the communion of the Church. Living in that Church we are invited to go into the world and invite all men and women, through the waters of the womb of Baptism, into the new communion of love where they can begin the process of conversion and transfiguration. Born again, we are all invited to join with Peter, James and John and cry out in our day: "It is good for us to be here."

As we reflect on the Transfiguration of Jesus on this Second Sunday of Lent, let us enter more deeply into the mystery by living in the Transfiguration now. It truly is good for us to be here. Let us draw encouragement from the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ and respond to the invitations of grace in our daily lives in order to grow more fully into the Image and likeness of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord revealing His Transfigured glory to a world waiting to be born anew. Our Lenten observance is an invitation into an ongoing transformation in Jesus Christ.

St. Patrick Challenges Modern Christians to be Missionaries

It is time for the Saint Patrick's of our age to rise to the hour in this new missionary age.

We need to learn a lesson from this great missionary. He saw what was good in the culture and "baptized" what could be redeemed. He respected the civil order, but never compromised the faith. Then, he went for the next generation with all his efforts, preaching the Gospel without compromise and letting the Holy Spirit work. As a result, all of Ireland became Christian! From its beautiful shores western civilization, rooted in the Christian faith and the Catholic Church, advanced to change the world.

CHESAPEAKE, VA. (Catholic Online) - In Chicago, they dye the river green on St. Patrick's Day - as well as the beer.  On St. Patrick's Day, everyone is Irish. The celebration is an example of the presence of a Christian memory in the West. However, as we tumble toward the abyss in what many call a post-Christian culture, the real heritage of the Apostle to Ireland might be lost if we do not stop and examine his message and mission. I think I stand with the Apostle to Ireland in rejecting the term, "post-Christian". Instead, I choose to call ours a Pre-Christian Culture. Without apology, I proclaim that the greatest thing which could happen to Western culture is a rebirth of Christianity and Christian influence.

The History of St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is an Irish holiday celebrated all around the globe to honor the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. Read on to learn more about the origin of the holiday and about the man who inspired it or visit our "Fun Facts about St. Patrick's Day" story.

For even more on St. Patrick's Day, visit our St. Patrick's Day main holiday page for crafts, clip art, recipes, and more.

When Is St. Patrick's Day?
Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated each year on March 17th.

Note for 2008: For 2008, the Catholic Church has officially moved St. Patrick's Day to Saturday, March 15th to avoid a conflict with the Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday. Most secular establishments in the US and Canada, such as restaurants and bars, will continue to celebrate the holiday on March 17th, and the 17th will remain a national day off from work in Ireland.

Who Was Saint Patrick?
Even though Saint Patrick the patron saint of Ireland and one of the most celebrated religious figures around the world, the factual information about his life and times is quite vague. Most information about St. Patrick has been twisted, embellished, or simply made up over centuries by storytellers, causing much ambiguity about the real life of St. Patrick. However, there are a some elements of his story about which most scholars accept to be true.

According to Coilin Owens, Irish literature expert and Professor Emeritus of English at George Mason University, Saint Patrick is traditionally thought to have lived "between 432-461 A.D., but more recent scholarship moves the dates up a bit." At the age of sixteen he was kidnapped from his native land of the Roman British Isles by a band pirates, and sold into slavery in Ireland. Saint Patrick worked as a shepherd and turned to religion for solace. After six years of slavery he escaped to the Irish coast and fled home to Britain.

While back in his homeland, Patrick decided to become a priest and then decided to return to Ireland after dreaming that the voices of the Irish people were calling him to convert them to Christianity.

After studying and preparing for several years, Patrick traveled back to Ireland as a Christian missionary. Although there were already some Christians living in Ireland, St. Patrick was able to bring upon a massive religious shift to Christianity by converting people of power. Says Prof. Owens, "[St. Patrick] is credited with converting the nobles; who set an example which the people followed."

But Patrick's desire to spread of Christianity was not met without mighty opposition. Prof. Owens explains, "Patrick ran into trouble with the local pagan priesthood, the druids: and there are many stories about his arguments with them as well as his survival of plots against them." He laid the groundwork for the establishment of hundreds of monasteries and churches that eventually popped up across the Irish country to promote Christianity.

Saint Patrick is also credited with bringing written word to Ireland through the promotion of the study of legal texts and the Bible, says Prof. Owens. Previous to Patrick, storytelling and history were reliant on memory and orally passing down stories.

Patrick's mission in Ireland is said to have lasted for thirty years. It is believe he died in the 5th century on March 17, which is the day St. Patrick's Day is commemorated each year.

The first year St. Patrick's Day was celebrated in America in 1737 in Boston, Massachusetts. The first official St. Patrick's Day parade was held in New York City in 1766. As the saying goes, on this day "everybody is Irish!" Over 100 U.S. cities now hold Saint Patrick's Day parades.

His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, born on 5th August, 1944, at Mwazye Parish in Sumbawanga Diocese; ordained priest on 20th June, 1971. He was appointed Bishop of Nachingwea and consecrated by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on 26th January, 1984. He was named Bishop of Tunduru-Masasi on 17th October, 1986 and installed on 12th February, 1987. He was nominated Archbishop of Dar es Salaam on 22nd July, 1992. He was proclaimed Cardinal of the Holy Church on 18^th Jan 1998 and created Cardinal on 21st February, 1998.

Tip 5- Attention artists

Hold an auction of your very own WYD works of art!

The artists of your group can paint, sketch, or sculpt pieces of art that relate to World Youth Day. The Holy Father, crowds of young people, in celebration or prayer, Madrid, Christ, Our Lady, one of the patron saints, whatever you come up with. Then organize an auction or raffle in your parish or school for these works of art, where all of the funds raised can be donations to help get your group to WYD 2011! Use this opportunity to communicate your love for Christ and the Church!

“Through your art, you yourselves are to be heralds and witnesses of hope for humanity!” – Pope Benedict XVI

Lent is a time to give up selfishness

Pope says following pattern of Christ's death leads to change of heart and life.

In his lenten message to Catholics Pope Benedict XVI said Lent is a time to give up selfishness and attachment to possessions. “The greed of possession leads to violence, exploitation and death,” he said, adding that during lent the Church emphasizes the practice of almsgiving which is really a form of practicing sharing.

Pope Benedict also said a good way to prepare for Easter is by using the Word of God, the bible. Reading the bible and meditating on God's Word. The Gospel readings for the Sundays of Lent, he said, “leads us to a particularly intense encounter with Christ.”

Lent Gospels
He said the reading for the first sunday reveals the human condition. Jesus battles his own temptations and through that battle christians are able to see their own human weakness and need for Grace.

On the second Sunday of Lent the Gospel focuses on the transfiguration and not only foreshadows the resurrection, but makes the Christian community aware that Christ is its leader. It is also an invitation to take a step back from the business of everyday life and immerse oneself in God's presence.

The third Sunday of Lent features the story of the Samaritan woman. Pope Benedict said this Gospel illustrates God's passion for humankind, for all men and women. It also reminds that only God can statisfy and fill the emptiness that so many modern men and women feel.

The fourth Sunday of lent focuses on the healing of the blind man. This healing shows that Christ does not just want to physicaly heal, but shed light in the dark corners of people's lives. Through that light of truth he calls everyone to live as “children of the light”.

Pope Benedict said the story of Lazarus which is featured on the fifth Sunday of Lent puts the resurrection front and centre. The raising of Lazarus from the dead is Christ's way of saying, “I am the resurrection, do you believe this?” It is the moment the Christian community places all their hopes in Christ.

Pattern of His death
Following the “pattern of His death” by meditating on God's word and changing out lives accordingly, causes a conversion in us. Easter truly becomes a new beginning as Christians reach the Tridiuum changed by following Christ's example.

Complete text: MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR LENT 2011

Make WYD visible in your life

T-shirts, laptop sleeves, hats, pins, keychains…all on the WYD on-line store

Madrid, March 11, 2011.-Today marks the launch of the online World Youth Day Store (tienda.madrid11.com), which will offer the official WYD merchandise for purchase. There are shirts, hats, laptop cases, computer mice, keychains, a book of testimonies from those who have attended one of the last 25 WYD’s, and more. A total of 40 official products will be gradually placed in stock over the course of the coming months, with prices ranging from 1 to 30 Euros.

“The project of the WYD Online Store came about in answer to the many petitions we received from youth all over the world who are interested in having a souvenir from World Youth Day, whether it be because they will not be able to attend or because they would like to feel a part of the event during the months leading up to it,” explained Ana Merche Muñoz, Manager of the WYD Store. The list of products were thus catered to the preferences expressed by young people in a debate forum on social networks.

The technological firm ACENS has collaborated in the programming of the store, by virtue of its role as patron of the “Madrid Vivo” Foundation, an institution composed of various individuals of social influence and a group of Spain’s leading firms, which actively supports WYD.

The WYD Store works with over 20 Spanish companies and non-profit organizations. Among those collaborating in the production of the merchandise are: a Caritas project designed for socially margianalized women; the John XXIII Foundation which works to improve the quality of life of mentally challenged adults; the Summa Humanitate Foundation; and the NGO “1 kilo de ayuda para la educación” (“1 Kilo of Help for Education”).

More than your average thermos
Among the products of the store, there is one that stands out: the WYD thermos, designed by the NGO “1 kilo de ayuda para la educación”. The profits from the sale of this thermos will go partly towards educational projects for disadvantaged children in Latin America and the other part to the WYD Solidarity Fund. People from every continent will be able to participate in WYD and make it truly a world event.

From Pamplona… to Rome
Information/Vending Points have been requested across Spain, in an effort to raise awareness and funds for World Youth Day. Last weekend, in the pilgrimage which every year attracts thousands of young people to the Castle of Javier (Pamplona), better known as the “Javierada”, World Youth Day Information/Vending Points were set up, featuring the sale of WYD merchandise. Also, on May 1, at the Beatification of John Paul II, the creator of World Youth Day, there will be 15 Information/Vending Points set up around Rome, with over 150 volunteers from Spain and elsewhere from around the world, serving the information needs of WYD.

MATENDO YA HURUMA

Viwawa Upanga tunategemea kufanya matendo ya huruma katika kipindi hiki cha Kwaresma siku ya tarehe 16/04/2011 katika kituo cha kulelea watoto yatima Msimbazi.
Vijana wote mnaalikwa kushiriki na kuja na matoleo yenu kwaajili ya mahitaji ya watoto hawa. Watoto wanao lelewa katika kituo hiki niwatoto wadogo sana na hivyo walipendekeza vitu vifuatavyo kama matoleo yetu kwa watoto wetu hawa;


1.Maziwa ya Unga
2.Nyama kwaajili ya kuwatengenezea Supu watoto hawa
3.Sabuni za aina zote
4.Matunda mbali mbali


Tafadhali Vijana wote tujitoe kwa moyo, Vitu hivi vitakusanywa na Viongozi wa kamati tendaji kushirikiana na viongozi wa kamati ndogondogo, Wasiliana nao ili kuwasilisha matoleo yako.
Asanteni....

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Semina Fupi Iliyotolewa na Katibu wa Viwawa Ulimwenguni katika parokia ya Upanga, Ilihusisha Viongozi wote wa Jimbo kuu la Dar es salaam na Kuandaliwa na Viwawa Jimbo Mwishoni mwa Mwaka 2010

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Baadhi ya washiriki katika Picha ya Pamoja

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Kutoka Kushoto; Elias Mapunda, Hilda Qorro, Ditrick Ruta, (Wawakilishi toka Morogoro na Arusha) na wamwisho kulia ni Bwana Juels Adanchede Hounkponou (Katibu wa Viwawa Ulimwenguni)

Matukio mbalimbali katika Uchaguzi wa Viwawa Jimbo Kuu la Dar es Salaam mwaka jana 2010

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Mwili haujengwi kwa matofali....

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Naomba unitoe vizuri katika hii picha unayonipiga

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Mmmh Papai hili jamani tamuu karibuni 

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Jamani mada ya leo imenugusa saaaana Terence...

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Hapo vipi mwanangu

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Jamani msinionee gere mwezenu raha saana kulishwa

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Mmmh sijui nitaweza kuimba vizuri leo

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Wanaimba vizuri utazani wanatoka parokia moja! Viwawa tupo juu

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Huyu mpiga picha mbona haji upande wangu kwa mtu mzima..

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Jamani huyu Padri mahubiri yake nimeyapenda kwa kweli

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Jamani kaeni vizuri tupige picha ya pamoja

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Full shangwe

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Hawa vijana wamechangamka mpaka raha

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Jamani hata Kanisani raha zipooo

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Pigeni makofi jamani

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Hapa ni kucheza na kuimba kwa saaana

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Jamani hizi style mie siziwezi nita aibika bure mwenyekiti mzima.

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Doh1! nilikuwa nina njaaa jamani

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Sijui chakula kitabaki maana naona kama sijashiba vileee

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Ukiwa unakula hutakiwi kuongea bwana

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Mimi na Upanga ni damu damu kwa kifupi ninawakubali kwa kazi zao za utume.

Igizo la Noeli Christmas Play Musical 2010. liliandaliwa na Viwawa Parokia ya Upanga na kushirikiana na Wadau wengine.

Tukisubiria kupanda jukwaani kwa kuigiza

Kwaya nayo haikuwa nyuma

Mfalme Herode katika mshangao.

Baada ya kumaliza kuigiza.

Mnatuona jamaniii

Cheeeerzzzzzz!!

Tukitumiana na kupokea msg za kupongezana baada ya Igizo

Tukibadilishana mawazo na kukosoana pale tulipokosea wakati tunaigiza.

Kumbe tunaweza bwana.....

Baada ya kazi nzuri kufurahi muhimu.

Kazi imekwisha ngoja nisepe zangu fasta simsubiri mtu hapa.

Doh!! Baada ya kazi kubwa ya kuongoza na kuigiza hatimaye unakata KIU na COCA baridiii....