Well the latest vocation trip is over. I arrived back home to Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday afternoon. Although, my internal clock has not reset to Eastern Standard Time, nor is it still on East African Time. I was wide awake at 4:00 am this morning, so I kind of feel like I woke up somewhere over the middle of the Atlantic ocean... All part of the job I guess and well worth it!
This trip to Kenya and Uganda was hugely successful. While there Crispine Adongo and Aaron Wessman were ordained transitional deacons for Glenmary Home Missioners. What a great joy to be a part of that GRAND celebration. The ordination Mass which only lasted 5 hours was attended by over 4,000 people! Some much singing, dancing, prayer and celebration. WOW! Thanks to Bishop Philip Subira Anyolo of Homa Bay, Fr. Philip who is the pastor at St Martin de Porres in Ulanda and ALL the people in Ulanda who attended or participated in any way. And a special thanks to all those people who were not able to attend but kept us in their prayers. Pictures and video from the event will hopefully be coming soon!
After the ordinations, Fr. Vic and I traveled over 1,500 km (about 950 miles) by land, visiting the homes of the newly accepted students and many families of our current students from Kenya and Uganda. Throughout the journey we met many young men who might be interested in joining Glenmary in the future. Among the many "detours" as Fr. Vic likes to call them, we made a pilgrimage to The Ugandan Martyrs Shrine. In all the places we traveled we received wonderful hospitality from so many people that I am extremely humbled by the experience. The last couple of days before flying home were spent in Nairobi visiting the many friends and family of Glenmary in that area.
"Asante Sana Kenya"
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