This Sunday started like any other one… but the fact that I was home for Mass at my parish for the first time in over a month was cause for a mini celebration. And I don’t say that lightly! I’m in love with my parish, my pastor is amazing, and very few things in life are more joy-filled for me than the opportunity to receive the Eucharist with my husband. I never take that last thing for granted. Although Greg... Read more
I’d say that today, a full week later, my body has finally realized that it’s no longer in Eastern Africa. Unfortunately, I think I left a piece of my heart their permanently with the amazing people we met! But as we’ve learned so often, the heart has an amazing capacity to grow. Looking at the photos and social media sharing below makes me realize once again how truly blessed we were to interact with the CRS staffers, priests, and families... Read more
Just about every week, we bring you a weekly feature that includes the top news and information as shared on Twitter and is of import in the Catholic realm. These tweets are compiled by John Clem, O.F.S., who does a masterful job of keeping us all “in the loop” about what’s happening in the Church. I find them particularly helpful, especially on a week like this one when I’m finally emerging from the fog of jet lag after my journey... Read more
Today, our Holy Father employed a great tool of technology–the Google Hangout–to meet and converse with young people from around the world: Per the Vatican: Pope Francis held a Google Hangout Thursday afternoon with several disabled kids from around the world, in an event sponsored by Scholas Ocurrentes, a charity which brings together young people via sports, art, and technology. Speaking from the Paul VI Audience Hall, he said Scholas can help them by building bridges and communicating. Read full... Read more
When we awoke on Thursday morning in Njombe after having spent the prior day with the soybean farmers of Chengena, I felt–for a moment–like I was back in Fresno. Making my way to our hotel’s restaurant for breakfast, I marveled at the dense layer of fog hanging around me. The air had a brisk feel that was completely incongruent with the humid heat we’ve been experiencing all week long. As I sipped my delicious Tanzanian coffee, I pondered for a... Read more
Little luxuries such as Internet connectivity, a hot running shower, and clean fresh drinking water have definitely been put into their proper perspective the past two days here in Tanzania. But among the amazing thing I’ve learned this week is the fact that every small “sacrifice” is made in exchange for countless blessings. So I’m sorry that I didn’t have a blog post yesterday, but I’ll try to do my very best today to bring you up to speed on... Read more
Last night, I drifted off to sleep under a billowy white mosquito net and had my first full night of sleep since last Friday in Portland. Tired enough that the five lizards sharing my room weren’t even on my mental radar, I slept like a log for eight delicious hours. About the time that my alarm clock went off, a Tanzanian rooster was crowing outside my window. I lay in bed, saying my morning prayers and smiling at how awesomely... Read more
It’s truly hard to say where “today” began and ended. After spending the bulk of the weekend in transit, this was our first full day in Tanzania for our #CRSMedia Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Mission. As a reminder, along with Tom Price and Susan Walters of CRS, my friends on this trip are Matt Swaim, Drew Mariani and Matthew Bunson. As I type this, I am sitting in a cantina in rural Songea. If you could see our table,... Read more
This was a terrific week for Catholic news watchers! From Pope Francis’ journey to the Philippines (and yes, “bunny-gate” to) to the March for Life, there was so much to view, engage in, and discuss. I have to say that one of my favorite bits of news was the announcement of Blessed Junipero Serra’s upcoming canonization, which will shine a beautiful light on California’s Missions. Another thing I loved this week was watching Catholic social media tell the stories of... Read more
By this time tomorrow, I will have begun the first leg of my adventure to Tanzania. My first flight, to Seattle, leaves early tomorrow morning. I’m overcompensating on my departure from home to try to beat Fresno’s famous fog. God willing, I’ll have a bit of time to goof off in the Emerald City before my international flights on Saturday. That means that today is packing day. It’s also laundry day, housekeeping day, market day, and the day to get... Read more
Lisa Hendey
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