Prepared by Grace Shayo and Moira Brehony.

The feast of the Visitation of our Lady to her cousin Elizabeth was a very special day for MMM associates in Tanzania as we celebrated our silver jubilee.
In the year 2000 nine women and one man made their first one-year covenant as associates. Since then, five of our associates have gone to their eternal reward and all of them were ex staff of Dareda Hospital where MMM sisters managed and trained people for years. May they rest in peace.

Two associates were unable to attend the celebration due to ill health, while three associates Francesca Maselle, Moira and Eamonn Brehony celebrated with the MMM community in Nangwa. Sisters from Ngaramtoni and Mangua communities joined us too.

It was a truly joyful occasion which began with Mass in the Sacred Heart Parish church Nangwa with celebrant Rev Fr. Emmanuel Mallya a Pallotine father who preached a very meaningful sermon. Many people from the local community joined in the service.

At the beginning of the Mass, the three jubilarians were called forward to renew their covenants and made a commitment for a further three years. This was followed by two associates who were renewing their covenants for one year and four for three years. Fourteen associates were present at the celebration and one associate who is in orientation.

The Nangwa church choir sung the Mass while eight children performed beautiful liturgical dancing. Two choir members led us in the congregation in the singing of the Magnificat in Swahili and it was truly joyous and wonderful occasion.

Many MMM sisters joined us for this celebration from Ngaramtoni, Mangua and Nangwa communities including our mentors Sr. Marian Scena and Protagia Slaa. Sr. Natalia Mashalo was our MC and she gave a short briefing of the associate movement in Tanzania from the early days when Srs. Theresia Ladislaus and Marcellina McCarthy introduced the associate movement to Tanzania.

The celebrations continued at the MMM convent grounds at Nangwa. The children were treated to juice and biscuits while the young girls who are Children of Mary dressed in blue danced and sang and entertained us under the direction of Sr. Sekunda Sekundi Kimaria. People from the local community joined us too including a special group of wazee (elderly).

We all shared a special meal prepared by the local community under the supervision of associate Theresa Jacob.

The jubilarians were presented with gifts of specially printed mugs, traditional dress and rosary beads. As is traditional in Tanzania we had a ‘shika kono’ whereby all who are present come forward shake your hand and give a little donation which was then given to the associate fund. Two beautiful cakes specially decorated were cut and enjoyed by everyone present.

The associates thank Sr. Maria Borda and the Nangwa community for their warm welcome and amazing hospitality for everyone.