In December, 1993 I was helping out in Ndoleleji
Parish in Shinyanga Diocese, Tanzania. One Sunday I went to Mwamalasa Center
thinking that everything for the Eucharist (hosts, wine, etc.) was already
there. Was I surprised when the catechist asked, "Father did you bring the Mass
Kit?" So instead of the Eucharist we had a version of the "Sunday Service
Without a Priest." Once again it was a unique opportunity to explain that the
church is not only the bishops, the church is not only the priests, the church
is not only when the priest celebrates the Eucharist. The church is also the
local Christian community of lay people gathered for prayer and sharing
together.