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Making a difference in Tanzania When Fr. Herb Gappa, MM (from Urbank, Minnesota) was assigned to serve at St. John's Parish in Bariadi, Tanzania; there was only a crude chapel and tiny Catechist house on the church compound. More challenging still, there was an attitude among the people that their many misfortunes happened because "God planned it that way." After living with a catechist and his family during a five year period of observing, asking, listening and discussing alternatives, Fr. Gappa laid out three clear objectives for his parish's work:
The idea was to integrate all of the three areas. So much so that when parishioners would tell Fr. Gappa that they wished to be baptized in order to be saved; he would jokingly tell them that they were being baptized to plant trees and dig wells. He would chide them that when you reach the Pearly Gates of Heaven, God will ask you two questions: "How many trees did you plant?" and "How many did you cut down?" He wanted to get across to people that the Church was present so that we and others can begin to taste salvation, and that salvation included all three elements of body, mind, and soul. The parish was present to MAKE A DIFFERENCE, and working together, they would do just that. After 25 years in Bariadi, Fr. Gappa has left a faith community that has grown so much that there is now need of a second large chruch in addition to two mulitpurpose "centers" and numerous small chapels throughout the area. "Liturgy was one of the greatest gifts in Africa" according to Gappa. People's attitudes toward the environment and trees have changed as well. Tens of thousands of trees have been planted throughout the Bariadi Parish. The Small Christian Communities have also been the main impetus for people in the community to form "Water User Groups" and dig hundreds of shallow wells also. Fr. Gappa taught by example, and his motto that it is better to nurture growth than to watch death appears to have caught on. Currently Fr. Gappa has brought his wealth of experience and considerable gifts in ministry to the U.S. Church. He will spend the next several years doing mission education and state side service for the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers throughout the Midwest region. Videos of Fr. Gappa's work in Bariadi, Tanzania and other videos about East Africa are available for loan from the St. Cloud Mission Office. You can also learn more information directly from the Maryknoll in Africa Web-site about the development and pastoral work of Fr. Herb Gappa. To return and continue learning more about |
Missionaries . . .