Shaloom Mission: Confirmation Day!!

Confirmation in Holy Family Parish - Pasiansi Parokia (Parish)

09 June 2013

Holy Family Parish of Pasiansi Village, in the Mwanza Diocese, celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation (Jimbo) on 09 June 2013. Because Holy Family Parish covers a large area, the parish also has two outstations; one located in the village of Bwiru, and the other outstation is currently using a Kitangiri Secondary School classroom for Sunday mass. Bwiru celebrated Confirmation on 08 June 2013, with approximately 50 children being confirmed. Today's confirmation class included over 200 confirmands. The celebration at Pasiansi was an all day affair, beginning with the Holy Mass at 9:00am. The Mass was alive with music, singing, dancing and speeches! Archbishop Jude Thadaeus Ruwa'ichi was the main celebrant of the Mass. The S.M.A. priests; Fr. Janusz Machota, Fr. Tony Gill and Fr. Jean-Baptiste' com-celebrated the Mass. The Mass concluded at 2:30pm.

The Confirmation Class

The Pasiansi parish choir performed at its best for the big celebration, as did the young altar dancers (in yellow). Near the end of the Mass, the altar dancers ignited bowls of fire, which were set upon their heads to signify the Light of the Holy Spirit.

Altar Dancers

After the Mass, the crowd of over 600 people gathered outdoors for more speeches, singing, dancing and dining. Archbishop Ruwa'ichi addressed the confirmands, parents, and guests at the start of the outdoor gathering, followed by performances by various church choirs, students and children's groups.

Parish representative, Fr. Jean-Baptiste', Bishop Thadaeus, Fr. Tony & Fr. Janusz

Children's dance performance

Conversion of the devil play act performed by students

Following the performances, gifts were presented to the bishop. He received a variety of gifts including clothing, money, vegetables, fruits, chickens and goats! Finally, a simple meal of rice, chicken, cabbage, beans, cooked bananas, watermelon and drinks was served to all of the guests. There were four food stations set up to help shorten the length of time the guests had to wait for their food to be served. There was also a disc jockey from Radio Maria Catholic Radio Station on site.The entire day was very well organized! Outside the church entrance a vendor set up his stand to provide family and friends an opportunity to purchase gifts for the confirmands. Commercialism has even reached Tanzanian!