Living with fear
Fear is a feeling of insecurity. It is one of the common emotions that everyone in the world feels. With the threat of harm, fear occurs, either physical, emotional, or psychological, actual or imagined. Globally, different situations create fear. For instance, it could be kidnapping of persons for ransom, terrorism, financial or job insecurity, natural disasters due to climatic changes. At the moment the common ground for fear in the world is Covid-19. We are at a standstill and there are more questions than answers: For how long will this go on? Will I be among the fortunate ones at the end to tell the story? If I survive, what will be my financial status, my job? At Present, the global statistics on Covid-19 deaths is over two million. Job loss in the United Kingdom alone is nearly four hundred thousand.
Covid-19 has changed the way we live especially interaction with others. When we go out for a walk, we are conscious and afraid of who we meet. As soon as we see an oncoming person, we ‘kindly’ leave the footpath by more than 2 meters or preferably walk to the opposite direction. We prefer the risk of moving vehicles than meeting human beings. Our mode of dressing has changed and it reminds me of tales my grandmother told me of how ghosts look in appearance. Sneezing in public (even from common cold) is an anathema as it attracts more attention than walking nude on the street. Recently, a friend told me as he walked a street, he saw some bank notes on the road. He had mixed feelings and didn’t know whether to pick them up thereby risking contracting Covid-19 or pass them by like the Priest and Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan. He picked them up and since his hand sanitizer liquid was in his pocket, he did the needful by emptying the whole lot onto his hands.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, a former US President, says, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Although historically viewed as a "negative" emotion, fear actually plays an important role in
keeping us safe as it mobilises us to deal with potential hazards. It alerts us to the existence of danger or the possibility of harm.On a positive note, Covid-19 has made some persons to observe basic hygiene like having a bath and washing hands regularly.
There are lessons to be learnt in all situations. For those who don’t see anything good in the advancement of science and technology, imagine how we would have managed without Zoom, Skype and Google. At least we can see each other via the screen. Masses have been viewed online and recent statistics has shown that we have more Christians online. Even though I know when normalcy returns hopefully, some will have to tell the priest in the Confessional Box: Father, I ‘Attended Mass’ online while ‘Sitting on the Throne’. Or Father, I ‘Attended Mass’ online while walking the dog. On the other hand, those who have placed all their hope on science and technology now know that it has its limitations. Covid-19 has taught us that we are not in charge, God is. We cannot throw God into the bin and say we are now fully in charge. Adam and Eve attempted to be independent of their creator and severe consequences followed. There are things beyond us. I would like to conclude with these reassuring scriptural quotes which I had found helpful during this trying moment: Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 56:3: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
The author Fr. Andrew Batare is from the Diocose o Bauchi, Nigera works alongside the SMA Fathers. He is presently a student the University of Salford.
We thank our supporters, whose generosity helped many in Ngudu Parish in Tanzania to help renovate their church
Church interior. Work in progess.
Church interior. Job complete.
The Sanctuary
“SMA British Society supported the Ngudu parish during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep safe with face covers and hand sanitizers.”
Hi dear friends. Here I am sharing piece of experience of mine here at NGUDU parish. I came to Tanzania in 2016. Kwimba District is one of the seven districts of the Mwanza Region of Tanzania. The district seat is at Ngudu. The population of Ngudu alone approximately 40,000. Ngudu is mixed with few tribes like Sukuma, Masaai and kuria, but the majority of them are Sukuma. People speak Kisukuma language while the official language of the country remains Kiswahili.
The Sukuma are generally considered to be matriarchal in clan lineage and naming system. They grow crops, raise livestock, and gather a diminishing supply of firewood. It is common for the Sukuma women to do the majority of the family's work. The Kinakia are subsistence farmers growing cotton, cassava, rice and peanuts. Their life style is tied with herding cattle. Cotton is the main cash crop but the typical cash income is nominal. Abundance of offspring and traditional group dance mark important aspects of their society. The Sukuma dance to the music of drums to celebrate the various events of life.
Ngudu mission had been served by the white fathers till 1912, having Sumwe as parish, which is almost 25 km from Ngudu. In the year 1912 Ngudu became as sub parish with 20 out stations. From the beginning of 1970 onwards, the diocesan priests started serving the Ngudu parish, but there were many challenges which was not easy for them to solve, therefore SMA missionaries were invited to take care of the parish. since 1993 we are taking care of the parish. Frs. William Joseph and Francis Kalan of the Indian province were the pioneers to this mission. We are rendering our services to almost 25,000 Catholics here, which is almost 60 percentage of this district populations. Fr. John Kilcoyne of the Irish province was the last parish priest here. 20,000 people were baptized by the SMA’s since 1996.
I take this opportunity to thank the British province which helped our parish to get tilled. May God bless the province.
May the almighty God bless us all.
Ratchahar SMA
Parish priest
St. Marys parish, Ngudu, kwimba, Tanzania.