In September, 1985 I planned to celebrate the second
Sunday Eucharistic Liturgy in Mehingo Outstation in Iramba Parish, Musoma
Diocese, Tanzania. The first liturgy in Iramba itself ran very late and the dirt
road was very muddy. So I arrived one and a half hours late in Mehingo. After
waiting for one hour the local Christians had began the “Sunday Service Without
a Priest.” When I arrived the catechist had already finished the homily and was
in the middle of the Prayers of the Faithful. The Christians wanted me to start
the Eucharist from the beginning but I said, "No, you are the church here in
this local outstation. God is present in this service especially through the
Word. Continue with this service and I will participate like everyone else. As a
gathered Christian community we are the church here and now." So the catechist
continued with the “Sunday Service Without a Priest.”