When I landed in Dar-es-Salaam in September 1951 together with Frs. Tom Quirk, Mike Pierce, Ed (Eppy) James and Dan Zwack, I never thought that I would have such an interesting, challenging and happy life here. It certainly had its share of frustrations and difficulties, but even these could be seen as an opportunity of being closer to the people, whose lives are so full of them. Jubilee is a time to be grateful to God, my parents and family and Maryknoll for enabling me to have a life so filled with me.

Fifty years ago our Missiology was to evangelize and build a local African Church to be self-propagating, self-governing and self-reliant. Priority was the establisment of St. Pius Minor Seminary and the foundation of the Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa by Msgr. Grondin were early steps to fulfill our goal. There was enthusiasm with the arrival each year of new priests and Brothers, which allowed the opening of new missions and outstations. Teaching catechism in primary and middle schools, the many catechumens, and doing our safari work kept us busy. I think some of my happiest years were the ten that I spent in direct evangelization in Zanaki.

With Vatican II and the increased role of the laity in the life of the Church our efforts turned to the formation of lay leadership in the Church as catechists and in village and parish councils. This forced us to put less effort in direct evangelization. By this time our parishes had considerable Catholic populations that needed to be administered to.

The most difficult years for me started in the early seventies with four years of drought and food shortages, which unfortunately have continued up until the present in Komuge Parish. It became apparent that we needed to get into socio-economic programs to help our people. Anyone who has had experience in local farming or trying to improve livestock knows how difficult and frustrating this can be here in Tanzania. The felt need is still there, but unfortunately I feel we have pulled away from it. Poverty continues to crush our people.

The transition of turning the reigns over to the local church has been and still is perhaps the most frustrating. Even though this was our goal when we first started here, we find it difficult when major shifts are made in the operation of the Church, different from how we used to do it. It is difficult for us to accept that a different way of doing it might be just as good or maybe better than the way we did it.

Early in our work here in Tanzania there were discussion of special apostolates. These were frown upon at that time. There was so much opportunity and need for evangelization. Over the years these apostolates in education, medical and now service to those with Aids have developed. They are a most valuable contribution that Maryknollers are now making to the Church and the people.

What remains still most disturbing to me is the little success we have had in enabling our people to move out of their extreme poverty and live a life compatible with human dignity and basic needs. One wishes one had the ability, energy and resources to make a difference.

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Art may be contacted by Email at:  ArtWille@Hotmail.com

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