Loyola Associated Press(LAP)

7th September, 2024 came with jubilant celebrations at Loyola House. Loyola Associated Press (LAP) brings an orderly and detailed account of this special day in the annals of Loyola House. It all started with Scholastic Kway announcing on Loyola House Jesuits Whatsapp group, that the usual Saturday social would be unique with celebrations of the birthdays of Otieno Peter and Shirima Didimus, farewell for Frs. Endashaw Debrawork (going to the US), Peter Otieno (going to Zimbabwe), Joseph Afulo (going to the US), and Paschal Isimwamu (to Kangemi). All community members attended this great, multifaceted celebration. 

This was also the occasion to welcome new members to the community.  “The returnees” as the Superior Fr. Anyanzu baptized them, included Frs. Lawrence Kyaligonza (from the US), and Stephen Nzyoki (from Zimbabwe). The other new member to the community who was also given a warm welcome was Fr. Emmanuel Banda from Zimbabwe. 

Loyola Associated Press (LAP) team was alerted to bring specialized cameras and video equipment to capture the event. The social with drinks and snacks started at around 6:30 PM. Samosas, popcorns, roasted ground nuts, mouth-watering sausages were served with drinks, as guests arrived. The MC of the first session of the celebration, Brother Andrea Uduma, informed the gathering that included visitors from Hekima University College, what the celebrations were all about. 

Dinner was served just on time. As soon as people were halfway the meal, Scholastic Albert Gubanja assumed the MC job for the second phase of the celebration. He quickly alerted the gathering that there would be some innovation in the mode of celebrating this great day. The birthday boys, Otieno and Shirima, were invited to cut the cake, while Banda intoned “kata keki”. To show his excitement, he used two versions of “Kata kata…” then the “kata keki kata keki” (the Amazing grace tune). The innovation in the celebration was when the MC invited the Provincial, Fr. Kizito Kiyimba, to pray for those celebrating. Fr. Kizito took those present by surprise when he intoned a famous charismatic song: “May the Spirit of the Lord come down”.   All joined in, with harmonious melodies, as all priests extended their hands to bless the companions who were being celebrated.   All this was done while the companions were kneeling, as the Provincial had requested them. 

As the Holy Spirit was being invoked to come down, the cooks were peeping through the kitchen door and window.  

Speeches then followed. Each celebrant gave a few words, with birthday boys thanking God for the gift of life, community support, and more. The most dramatic episode is when Fr. Binamungu Mukasa volunteered to speak on behalf of Fr. Endashaw (who was absent), after claiming that he resembled him, phenotypically. The community agreed to this request. In his words, “Endashaw” reassured the community that as he travels to the US, he would continue with his Pan-African spirit, but also follow keenly on politics in the US; and that he hoped to return and continue where he left; and that he would keep in touch with the comrades in the struggle, whom he was leaving behind. “Aluta contua!” He concluded his brief speech. 

As for Shirima, he greeted the gathering with his characteristic, “Tumusifu Yesu Kristu” and proceeded to appreciate the gift of life and support from the community. Otieno also appreciated the support he got from the community and expressed readiness to proceed to the new mission. 

The MC then invited the Superior, Fr. Francis Anyanzu, to say a few words. Anyanzu appreciated the good spirit prevailing in the community, the simple joys and the hospitality, that mark Loyola Community. He expressed special appreciation to Otieno who has been gracious as a Superior, ever smiling. He also welcomed back “the returnees”, a term coined from his immigration specialized studies. He encouraged them to feel at home and fully immerse themselves in the life of the community. Kyaligonza and Nzyoki, kept nodding and smiling with their new status as returnees, having been in the diaspora. 

Next to speak was Fr. Provincial, who spent quite some time commenting on the celebrated virtues of the companions. On “Endashaw” he thanked him for having been a committed member of the Consult, and urged him that as he goes to the US during a sensitive political season, he should tone down his political rhetoric engagement, and especially his Pan-African ideology, as it seems to enjoy less favour in the land where he is going. “Endashaw” nodded in full agreement and promised to comply with the advisory. 

Fr. Provincial thanked Otieno for his availability for the new mission, and assured him that since he has been to Harare before, it will be relatively easy to settle in. Moreover, his former office as Formation Delegate gave him an opportunity to know most of the companions at Arrupe Jesuit University from AOR. 

On Shirima, the Provincial appreciated the excellent work in vocation promotion, and, jokingly, cautioned him not to divulge the secret of how he attracts vocations, even though giving some general tips to those in vocation work is fine.  

On Nzyoki, the Provincial appreciated his readiness to take up the mission of formation of our young companions, and assured him that his good knowledge of the companions in Harare would come in handy as he executed his duty. 

Last to speak was Fr. Afulo who also informed the community that he would be travelling the following day (8th September, 2024) to Boston College for a three months sabbatical. He gave the concluding prayer, to end the special and unique day of multiple celebrations of great joy. Meanwhile Binamungu was seen guarding keenly the gift he had received as “Endashaw”.  Those who know some law, kept wondering whether this was a case of “impersonation” or “false pretence”!