CLARETIAN PHILOSOPHY HOUSE JINJA MIDST OF COVID-LOCK DOWN
We started the academic year 2020-21 in the midst of Covid-lock down. The first years who came from Moshi had to spent two weeks in quarantine. The year started with 33 seminarians (Year III: 11; Year II: 9; Year I: 13) and 4 priests. After a few months Fr. Amos was transferred to Kiyunga mission. When the academic year ended in May 2021 Fr. Peter was already transferred to Dar. In spite of the challenges, we had a safe and fruitful academic year. Though we had to struggle with online classes for a few months in the beginning, it was changed to normal class room teaching when all the other national seminaries were closed due to Covid 19.
Among the many events that took place during the year we would like to mention two. The first one is the celebration of Cultural Day in our community. Whenever we encounter another person in love, we learn something new about God, says Pope Francis. The theme of the day was “Cultural Uniqueness”. Community members who hail from South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and India, presented their cultural uniqueness in different art-forms and presentations. The members realized the need to foster unity in diversity in our community as we hail from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Due to Covid restrictions we could not invite members from outside our community this time.
The second event we would like to share with you is the Lenten austerity measures that enabled us to support some of the poor families that were suffering during this Covid-19 pandemic. Remembering the words of Jesus, I was hungry and you fed me, the members volunteered to give up certain food items from the menu during the whole Lenten season and saved money to buy food and household items for the poor. The smile and happiness we found on the face of those poor sick people itself was a great reward for the inmates of Claretian Philosophy House.
By Student Sekate Paul
