Visit of Fr. Raphael Ma, CR - Part 3 - Congregation of the Resurrection 2026

Buhemba has a main parish church and six outstations. Fr. Raphael was able to visit the outstation in Tarani. It was one of my favorite places when I ministered in the Buhemba parish.

Fr. Raphael also was able to visit the Nyaburundu outstation.

After Mass, everyone wants a ride. I remember as I was driving, people would bang on the roof and yell, “HAPA, HAPA!” …which means “Here, Here!”

Our brother candidates study at Komuge Catechetical School in the Musoma Diocese. Br. Michael graduated from there, and more recently, we have sent other candidates such as Lameck, Baltazar, and Fulgence. I was able to attend Lameck’s graduation a few years ago. He made us very proud because he was the “valedictorian” at the graduation ceremony. It turns out that Baltazar did the same thing this year. Fr. Andrzej, Fr. Raphael, and the novices Robert and Desdery were able to attend.

It is a two-year intensive program, after which students graduate as catechists. They begin their day at 4:00 a.m.—that would test anyone’s vocation—and have an intensive program of prayer, studies, manual labor, and physical activity. I have come to see the importance of the catechists in Tanzania. They are the leaders in the outstations and care for the day-to-day needs of people.