Flags.... but no Fireworks

This is Independence Day in the Congo.  

After a lesson on colors, the flags of each country represented in our class were drawn on the board. 

In the first picture, Sister Hilaria from Mozambique is explaining what each color and symbol represents on her flag.

There were four flags drawn- Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, and the United States. 

Then we all sang our National Anthems.  We recorded the anthems on the iPad and listened to them together. Here's a picture of the sisters enjoying the celebration.

Feast Day Celebrations in Masasi

Today was a special day for the sisters here in Masasi. It was the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, as well as the name day of Sister Paula, who is the provincial secretary. 



There was quite a celebration with laughing, dancing and singing, and a big meal with wonderful food cooked by the sisters. 

The picture shows the sisters at dinner. In the foreground on the left is Sister Sophia, the provincial, and seated across from her is Sister Paula. What a treat to be able to join the sisters and share their joy.

Masasi in Bloom

Our topic today is the beautiful flowers that can be found everywhere here at Masasi.  The sisters work hard to keep the grounds in beautiful shape. There are always fresh cut flowers at the altar of the sisters' chapel.  Even the poinsettia grow larger here.

Another day in Paradise!

Tuesday: Today we had a full class- 11 people. The last two sisters from the Congo arrived late Monday evening. They joined the class for afternoon session and jumped right in.  Lots of smiles and patient support.


The pictures show Sr Trojestina and her huge garden. She grows bananas, cassava, sweet potatoes, and this year, she added watermelon. Most meals we have beans and fresh fruit from the sisters' gardens. They sure work hard, long hours.

We are quite a multi-language mix!

[Editor's Note: From S. Patrice Colletti:
Twelve hours on the road... On Monday and Tuesday, Sister Rita Vogelsang and I drove back to the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota from Milwaukee, WI. While on the road, we didn't have internet access, so if you noticed a brief break in blog postings, that's the cause. Now we are home and I'm catching up on blog posts! Stand by for another posted soon after this one from Monday! Thanks for your patience.]

From Monday: the sisters are working on a saying from Blessed Mary of the Apostles. 

Please notice three different dictionaries- Kiswahili, French and Portuguese. 

We are quite an international group!   


This was the first class for our sister from the Congo. She is a great addition to our group.

Joyful harmonies

Today we celebrated Mass in the sisters' chapel. The picture of their chapel, below, was taken Saturday at the feast of John the Baptist. 


We wish you could  all be here to hear the beautiful singing of the sisters. The harmonies are amazing. It is also a joy to see Fr Jim Weyker everyday at Mass.

Sunday is a quiet day here. One sister from the Congo arrived yesterday. We are all happy to welcome her to our community.

Alleluia Translates Well

It's Saturday. We have one two hour class. 

We started with a song and Mother Mary's Triple Alleluia. (Thank you to Sr Jenada for the copies of this prayer.). 

Then we had fun with numbers in English as we solved Sudoku puzzles. 

The sisters work so hard. After class they were sweeping and cleaning and washing clothes.