I Don't Like Wordle

But there is a wordle-inspired game entitled WORLDLE where the shape of a country is displayed and with each of six guesses, a distance and direction are provided so you can hone in on identifying it. In fifth grade, I memorized all the countries in the world thanks to the Animaniacs song, but even so I only ‘win’ about 40% of the time.

So imagine my utter excitement when this past Monday, Kenya was the winning country. One guess was all I needed—easy to recognize places you’ve visited and know so well. It’s my Catholic faith that allows me to feel God in those moments: reminding me that in fifteen days, our parish will reunite with our brother and sisters at Holy Cross Dandora, near Nairobi, Kenya.

I have been blessed to have made the journey three times, the most recent in 2019 with eleven of our high-school students. It is 24 hrs of travel to go those 10,000 miles (and back).

You go thinking you have something to give, but in fact what you receive and return with is far more. This weekend we bless Kathleen Gallanar, chair of our Holy Cross Africa Ministry (HCAM) core team as she joins me and Msgr. Torgerson to renew this ministry of presence and continue the efforts for Race 4 Veronika’s Place, school and vocational scholarships, youth programs, and of course Brother André Medical Centre which a St. Monica parishioner family envisioned and made happen.

In part, we chose this particular time because Fr. Bob Dowd will be there, introducing the parish and region to Fr. Tom Eckart, the new Executive Director for the Holy Cross Mission Center. Msgr. Torgerson received that same tour and introduction twenty years ago—and it has transformed our community in astounding ways.

I am looking forward to sharing all of the amazing stories and impact that you—through your generosity, initiative, and love—have achieved on the other side of the world. Thank you to the nearly three hundred travelers over these past twenty years and everyone who has supported all aspects of this transformational ministry. Neema, amani na baraka!