On Saturday January 22nd two members of the CPPS Tanzania, Abel William Missanga and John Francis Kisoli, were ordained priests, at St. Leo the Great Parish Makiungu in the Catholic Diocese of Singida. It was a holy coincidence that on that Day in that Parish, they were celebrating the feast of St. Vincent Palotti, because of the close relationship between the founders of the two congregations.
The Ordination took place in Makiungu, Fr. Abel Missanga’s hometown. They were ordained by Mons. Edward Mapunda Bishop of Singida who is also a close friend of our congregation. Many priests attended from the diocese and from other religious congregations. Attended the ordination also laity an clergy from Mbulu Diocese, especially from Gunyoda Parish where Fr. John Kisoli is currently doing ministry.
Bishop Mapunda centered his homily on Mt. 9:35-39 and 1Cor. 9:16-19.22-23. He focused on three main ideas: first that Priesthood is the fruit of grace and nobody becomes priest because of his merits; secondly he insisted that priesthood is a service that needs self-sacrifice; and lastly he exhorted all priests not to be satisfied with preaching and sanctifying the people of God but to make sure they themselves witness with their life the gospel they preach to others.
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration a common meal and festivity followed. Fr. Abel Missanga will continue his ministry at St. Gaspar Primary School as a Teacher, he will also help with pastoral activities in neighboring Parishes. Fr. John will continue to serve at Gunyoda in the catholic Diocese of Mbulu