Black Catholic Ministry Commission, African Catholic Committee
About 100 individuals attended the Ge’ez Rite Divine Liturgy at All Saints Catholic Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The celebrant was Fr. Eyassu D Kahssay from the Washington DC area. Over the years, this has been Fr. Eyassu’s 3rd time doing a pastoral visit to the Mariam-Tsion Ge’ez Rite Catholic community in Milwaukee.
The Divine Liturgy started around 10:30 am, and there was an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to Mass. For individual members who have language barriers, this is the only opportunity they have to go to Confession in their own language. The Ge’ez Divine liturgy is long, which takes more than an hour and a half. Following the Divine Liturgy, there was fellowship (potluck) provided by the members of Mariam-Tsion. There was also a fundraiser pledge towards scholarship of two Ge’ez Rite priests coming to study English and cultural integration at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Hales Corner, WI. Consequently, Mariam-Tsion Ge’ez Rite Catholic community will have more services current fiscal year.
This was the 2nd pastoral visit and celebration of Divine Liturgy Mariam-Tsion Ge’ez Rite community had in this fiscal year. The last time was in October of 2018. The pastoral visit is also an opportunity of ecumenical gathering, when Eritrean and Ethiopian Orthodox faithful join the Mariam-Tsion Catholic community in prayers and support.
The pastoral visit also entails visiting families in their homes; blessing their houses and praying with them. For example, families who lost loved ones, any family issues or if one is sick or recovering from illness get the priority of pastoral visit. Sometimes this includes visiting Orthodox family homes. Such a tradition is very pastoral, and we would like to continue practicing it.
Mariam-Tsion Ge’ez Rite community has agreed to hold 2nd Weekend of June as their annual feast day; therefore, June 12-13, 2020 will celebrate annual event.
