During a
weekday liturgy at the Maryknoll Society House in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Father
Frank Flynn, Brother Mark Huntington and Father Joe Healey had a spontaneous
shared homily on the Gospel reading of “Jesus Cures the Man with the Withered
Hand” (Mark 3:1-6).  Frank pointed out that while we missioners may not
have miraculous powers to cure people as Jesus did, we can reach out to the
sick, poor and needy as Jesus did.  He gave the specific example of reaching out
to, and helping people, with AIDS in Africa. 

    We
discussed how many Maryknollers have helped disabled people with special
tricycles that have regular-size bike tires and where the pedals are up front
and are propelled by one’s hands.  Mark mentioned that he recently ordered 10 of
these special tricycles for people in Metangula
Parish in Mozambique.  Joe recalled how he and Don Sybertz helped Maige Jumola,
a 14-year-old crippled boy in Mwanhuzi Parish in Tanzania.  When we brought the
tricycle on the back of our pick-up truck, everyone in the village turned out
for the big event.  When Maige tried it for the first time a big cheer came from
the crowd.  Tears of joy streamed down his cheeks as he pedaled by himself.  
Spontaneous clapping followed him along the road. 

    We
mentioned Maryknollers helping disfigured and burned people with skin grafts and
other types of operations.  Mark gave the example of Father Jose Padin arranging
an operation in Lichinga, Mozambique for a young man with extremely bowed legs
who had trouble walking.  The youth beamed with joy as the casts were taken off
and he walked almost normally.