Nyamata Church

Maranyundo students waiting for mass to start

The last post was about the old Nyamata Catholic church but now I want to talk about the stunning present day church.  The country over half Catholic and Nyamata appears to be no exception. There are three brimming masses every Sunday, including every student from Maranyundo (with her parent’s permission).

  

One of my favorite parts of being raised Catholic is that I can go to any mass in the world and know what is going on despite language differences. The structure is virtually identical but there are a few negligible differences here.  There is more clapping and fast music by the weekly rotating school choirs, which is very refreshing.

Donations are much more public which I find interesting in an impoverished culture

It seems a bit less formal because people do not always stand, sit or line up at the same time.  During the offertory people walk to the nearest altar server holding a basket rather than waiting for the basket to come to them.

You also go up to get in line for Eucharist whenever you want rather than having a planned procession by row.  My favorite difference is that the church claps loudly after the gospel is read and after the bread and wine has been transformed into Eucharist.  I like their enthusiasm!

At first glance the church is huge and beautiful, but unfinished.  Construction on the present building began 15 years ago and continues sporadically as funds come in.  It may seem kind of pathetic they have still been unable to finish it, but it was clearly a struggle until now.  Here you can see the floor has been packed with bottles and rocks to serve as a filler.

Their most pressing need right now according to the priest are more benches.  They have three masses, as I said before, but they are so full and people are often sitting shoulder to shoulder with no room to move at all.  Each bench costs 17,000 rfw which converts to $25. I’m hoping to raise some money to contribute at least a little to their need.

This building is at odds with the poverty of the area but to me it correlates strongly with the hope, perseverance and ambition I see in everyone to overcome the painful history.  In fact, visiting Rwandans are often surprised by the massive, beautiful structure because the Bugesara district is very poor, even by Rwandan standards. During a recent meeting with Fr. Emmanuel, one of three priests, I learned the archdiocese paid for and finished the roof and virtually everything else has come from the generosity and dedication of the congregation.  

People working on the building during a recent weekday when I met Fr. Emmanuel

People donate as much as they can monetarily (which is often very little).  But the most interesting part to me is individuals contribute unpaid, skilled labor as well.  While I was there, parishioners were working on the windows and painting.  I am astounded by how dedicated people are in completing this building.  Despite any excuses they may wish to come up with, they have made the sanctuary an undeniably priority in their lives and a place for the entire community to rally around as they heal from the genocide.