CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF TANGA |
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Sisters of Our Lady of Usambara (COLU)
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The Congregation of Our Lady of Usambara (COLU) just
celebrated its 50th anniversary, October 8, 2004. This congregation is
diocesan and was founded by Rt. Rev.
Bishop Eugen Arthurs IC in October 8, 1954 at Rangwi, Lushoto, Tanga.
The Precious Blood
Sisters CPS were the formators of this community - Rev. Sr. Willibalda
Giesbers CPS was its Mother General until September 1976. The first chapter
took place in October 1970. It was decided in the chapter that by January
1, 1971 the assistant mother general and council be elected from the native
community. Hence, the election results were as follows:
Rev. Sr. Willibalda Giesbers CPS – Mother General
Rev. Sr. Inviolata Mndeme COLU – Assistant Mother General
Rev. Srs. Benigna Minja, Victima Chuwa, and Auxilia Marseli COLU –
counselors
| The second chapter and
elections took place in September 6 - 8, 1976 with the
following results: Rev. Sr. Inviolata Mndeme – Mother General Rev. Sr. Vianney Bureta – Assistant Mother general Rev. Srs. Auxilia Marseli, Richarda Sanduku, and Bernadis Kisoli – counselors |
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Third Chapter: 1982
– 1988 Rev. Sr. Inviolata Mndeme – Mother General Rev. Sr. Valleria Morassa - Assistant Mother General Rev. Srs. Cleopha Msoka, Scholastica Msoffe, and Senorina Kadala – Counselors * After her death (1983), Rev. Sr. Scholastica was replaced by Rev. Sr. Richarda Sanduku. |
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In her second time as Mother General, Mama Inviolata Mndeme, her council, and community continued their role of establishing residential houses at Kwamndolwa along with many other responsibilities.
Fourth Chapter: 1988 – 1994
Rev. Sr. Maura Kimaryo – Mother General
Rev. Sr. Valleria Morassa – Assistant Mother General
Rev. Srs. Claudensia Msoffe, M. Thomas Ombeni, and Johanita Osima –
Counselors
Along with many other responsibilities
of building renovation at the old Motherhouse
Rangwi, Mama Maura Kimaryo and her coucil completed the construction
of residential houses, a health center, and a nursery school at
Kwamndolwa. Also, they secured a new farm in Muheza
and built St. Anna – Nguvumali, a new community home. Paralel
to these responsibilities, education and on-going formation for
the community members were given top priority. |
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Fifth Chapter: 1994 –2000
Rev. Sr. Maura Kimaryo – Mother General
Rev. Sr. Gaspara Kashamba – Assistant Mother General
Rev. Srs. Frieda Kissaka, Leonia Mdoe, and Emerenciana Mtei – Counselors
Sixth Chapter: 2000 – 2006
Rev. Sr. Leonia Mdoe – Mother General
Rev. Sr. Gaspara Kashamba – Assistant Mother General
Rev. Srs. Silvestra Msaki, Valleria Morassa, and Frieda Kissaka –
Counselors
Community Homes * Rangwi Sisters
Convent (Original Motherhouse) – P.O. Box 143, Lushoto,
Tanga |
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| Community Projects
* Montessori
Training Center – Ubiri - Lushoto, Tanga Non-commercial Community Projects * Forestation – Kwamndolwa Sisters Convent |
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| - Biogas is a by-product from our livestock: we use
it for fuel and light. * Catechetical Training Center – Rangwi Sisters Convent - Trains and prepares the sisters to evangelize * St. Pius Homecraft Center – Rangwi Sisters Convent - Trains and provides girls and young women with domestic skills, sewing, etc. * Health Center – Kwamndolwa Sisters Convent - Provides healthcare for the community and the neighboring families * Montessori Nursery School - Kwamndolwa Sisters Convent - Trains and provides little children with learning and social skills * Water - Kwamndolwa Sisters Convent, Rangwi Sisters Convent |
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- Water is one of the biggest problems
around here. We dig and use well water, however, oftentimes, we worry
about insufficiency and sanitation.
* Solar System - Kwamndolwa Sisters Convent, Rangwi
Sisters Convent
- By using solar energy, we have been able to cut back the use of wood
as fuel and also conserve hydro-electricity.
The Charism and the Spirit of the Community
Evangelization is a top priority for this community, therefore, a lot of emphasis is put in training and preparing all its members during different stages of their religious life so that they will go out and witness Christ to all people. Immediately after the sisters make their solemn vows for the first time, they undergo catechetical training for two years at the Old Motherhouse, Rangwi. Upon completion of this training, they are then ready to catechize in different parishes, schools, and institutions or persue further education in order to become trainers of catechists or take on different responsibilities on diocesan or national levels.
Evangelization is not an easy task,
considering today’s challenges of unemployment, illiteracy,
poverty, HIV / AIDS, etc. In fact, the most taxing challenge we
are facing at the moment is how to interact and engage the desperate
young people (tomorrow’s nation) with something tangible and
meaningful. Due to inadequate education and lack of employment,
many of them substitute for alcoholism, drug abuse, prostitution,
and other unhealthy lifestyles. Consequently, as a religious community,
we have to do something to educate and empower our people holistically.
We constantly search for ways of combating and eradicating the mentioned
obstacles. |
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| Along with this charism is the spirit of the community which enables its members to answer their call to evangelize on daily basis. Evangelization is a broad phenomenon which embraces all aspects of humanity, that is, spiritually, psychologically, and physically. Aparently, successful evangelization is not without strong spirituality of the evangelizers. Members in our community are like bees in a beehive: industriously and enthusiastically, each one does different chores to meet the needs of the community. It is through self dedication and commitment of every member and in sharing and utilizing their individual gifts and talents that we can create a communal spirit which ensures effective evangelization. |  |
* Mbulu Formation of the Mother of the Redeemer congregation Usambara Sisters House Mbulu Endamarariek Parish Dareda Hospital |
* Zanzibar St. Joseph Parish Kitope Parish |
General Apostolate of the Community
We cannot talk about evangelization without considering the welfare of the whole person (physical, psychological, and spiritual) including his / her environment. Hence, as a community, we provide catechesis, education (nursery training, primary and secondary education), on-going formation, medical and healthcare, and other essential needs (food and clothing for the poor) for the diocese of Tanga and beyond. Examples of centers and institutions where the community members obtain training skills and / or operate from:
* Rangwi Catechetical
Training Center
* Montessori Training Center
– Ubiri (nursery)
* Mbulu Health Center
* Kwamndolwa Health Center
* Kwamndolwa Formation House
* Same Dispensary
The Growth of the Community and Apostolate
We are now about five hundred COLU members; thanks to God’s continuous call to join and to live religious life. The growth of the community is paralel to the expansion of its apostolate. Although we are a diocesan community and do most of our apostolate in this diocese (Tanga), we are obliged to reach out to other dioceses which require our apostolate. We currently work in several dioceses in Tanzania, such as:
* Dar es
Salaam Various departments of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference Benedictine Fathers Kurasini St. Maurus Parish Kurasini Auxiliary Bishop’s House, Oyster Bay Mafia |
* Same Bwambo Parish Gonnja Parish Kisangara Juu Parish Ngulu Parish |
* Moshi |
Membership Procedures
This community accepts canditates who are mature young women and who have completed standard seven or higher education. It is the community’s intention and desire to further and improve its members’ education whenever there is a possibility.
* Aspirant – two years
* Postulant – one year
* Novice – two years
* Profess – solemn vows – six years, i.e. renewal of vows
yearly for three years, then once for three years and then for life
Special Events and Celebrations
* December 4 – solemn vows (first year)
* December 8 – solemn vows (renewal and final)
* December 8 – 25th and 40th religious anniversaries
* October 8, 1979 – 25th anniversary (congregation)
* October 8, 2004 – 50th anniversary (congregation)