Golden Jubilee at Airport Parish, Dodoma Tanzania
By Fr. Oscar Momanyi, SJ
When I set out on this current pilgrimage from Nairobi, I told a companion who has never been in Dodoma that I was going to the Airport Parish, popularly known as K-Ndege, to participate in their Golden Jubilee celebration. The companion quickly said, “I think that parish serves very well the travelers who having passing through that Airport!” From an ecclesial standpoint, he was right. For the past fifty years, K-Ndege has faithfully served the pilgrim People of God on their journey toward heaven by facilitating the salvation of souls through its many pastoral ministries (cf. Spiritual Exercises, no. 23).
The Jubilee celebration was colorful, joyful, and deeply inspiring. It was presided over by illustrious Archbishop Beatus Kinyaiya together with our Provincial Kizito Kiyimba. Two first-time visitors to Africa, Jesuit companions from St. Louis, Missouri, were visibly amazed by the vibrancy and exuberance of the African Church. The five-hour celebration included nearly two hundred confirmations and twenty-one weddings, yet no one seemed to tire. After the lengthy liturgy, parishioners and guests continued celebrating until sunset. It was a joyful occasion that warmed everyone’s heart. The two eyewitnesses from St. Louis have a lot to share when they go back home.
As an armchair historian, I took the opportunity to reflect on the rich history and significance this illustrious occasion that was unfolding at this special place which can safely be termed as one of the founding mission of the famous Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Region (TUSKER) Region. It is worth recalling that the TUSKER Region also celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year. Some pioneering Jesuits of TUSKER, Hector Almeida, Joseph Payeur, Francis Cardoz, Francis Rodrigues, and Salvador Ferrao, were the trailblazers in Dodoma. They arrived in the city from the Ipuli Mission, which had recently been closed, responding to the invitation of the late Bishop Matthias Joseph Isuja to establish a parish on the outskirts of the city. The parish began as a Small Christian Community, which gradually became an outstation where Mass was celebrated under a tree. The first parish church building was constructed in 1977. The foundation stone for the present church was laid in 1979, and construction was completed in 1984. The project was generously sponsored by the Sisters of St. Peter Claver in Rome, and the church was dedicated to their foundress, Blessed Maria Theresa Ledóchowska.
Our companions who have served as Parish priests include: Hector Almeida (1976-1980, and 1985-86), Bernard Mallia (1981-84), Richard D’Souza (1986-89), Victor Surine (1990-91), Ludwig Van Heucke (1991-96), Gaspar Sunwa (1996-2000), Damas, Missanga (2000-2005), Sossy Luyembe (2005-2016) who oversaw the extension of the Church to its current form in 2006, Eric Wanyonyi (2016-2020), Patrick Ng’ang’a (2020-2022), and the current parish priest Emmanuel Mutambo Nyongesa. Former parish priests Gaspar Sunwa, Damas Missanga, and Patrick Ng’ang’a were present to witness the historic occasion.
Although I have highlighted some of the better-known figures who shaped the parish over the past fifty years, many other subaltern characters whose contributions were equally significant can easily be forgotten. Among the most memorable was Brother Vincent Soreng, of happy memory, who one day told me, “I don’t teach, I don’t preach, but I work!” Thanks to his ecological vision and tireless labor, the parish today is home to magnificent trees under whose branches flocks of pied crows still find refuge. Those trees may well stand as a living monument to this humble Jesuit brother. Many other Jesuits also served generously at K-Ndege over the years. I risk leaving out some, but I must mention: Wargiss Kappammootil, Andrew Rusatsi, Stephen Msele, Victor-Luke Odhiambo, Andrew Madra, Aquilline Tarimo, Don Ward, Jim Gillon, Deo Rwezaura, Jerome Manyahi, Melchior Marandu, Michel Rwasha, Joe Kiarie, James Kayanda Lomulen, Francis Barnabas Lado, Beatus Mauki, Gigi Mardai, Michael Kyalo, Paskali Dionisi Shing’da, Charles Kizza, Africanus Kimario, Philo Nguruwe (who was ordained at K-Ndege his home parish, 17 years ago), Edmond Mallya, Paschal Mwijage, Sammy Wafula together with many novices (including me) and regents whose quiet service has also become part of the parish’s enduring legacy.
Today, K-Ndege is home to numerous vibrant ministries and has become the mother parish of seven new parishes in the Dodoma area. Most recently, the parish acquired a parcel of land in the densely populated Mnadani area, where a new outstation will soon be established, with the hope that it will eventually become a parish in its own right. The blessing of that land and laying a foundation stone and planting a ceremonial tree by Archbishop Kinyaiya marked a fitting conclusion of the Jubilee celebrations.
I conclude with Archbishop Kinyaiya’s fitting tribute to the Jesuits who have labored in this mission over the past half-century: “wamemwaga jasho na damu yao hapa ili kutufikisha siku ya leo” (they have poured out their sweat and blood here to bring us to this day). His words beautifully capture the sacrificial spirit that has sustained this mission. As K-Ndege enters its second half-century, it does so with profound gratitude for its past, confidence in its present, and hope for its future. K-Ndege is a living witness that the next fifty years of TUSKER-AOR are bright and, above all, safely in God’s hands.
