Originally published in the Pottsville Republican-Herald on June 5, 2022.
POTTSVILLE — The Encyclopedia Brittanica estimates that Swahili, a Bantu language originating in East Africa, is spoken by tens of millions of people worldwide.
In the city of Pottsville, only one person speaks Swahili: the Rev. Barnabas Shayo of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.
Alongside members of the Swahili diaspora from Lancaster, Harrisburg and even New Jersey, Shayo led St. Patrick’s first-ever Swahili-language Mass on Sunday for Pentecost.
Shayo greeted parishioners with “Jambo” (Swahili for “Hi”) as they entered the church.
“The sound of Swahili is very musical,” Shayo said. “That’s the unique part of this language, unlike English. That’s why there’s a lot of singing during Swahili Masses.”
A Swahili Mass takes on the air of a joyful celebration.
The church was filled with the sounds of clapping, conga drums, shakers, an electric guitar and the bright, clear voices of Swahili singers. Smiling young women danced in the aisles. Parishioners said “Amina” (“Amen”), “Bwana utuhurumie” (“Lord have mercy”) and “Tumshukuru Mungu” (“Thanks be to God”).
The Rev. Deogratias Rwegasira, who served as parochial vicar in three Shenandoah churches from 2000 to 2004, told the story of a sermon lost in translation.
A priest, frustrated by technical difficulties, said, “this microphone is broken.”
“And also with you,” the congregation responded.
“I’m very happy to be here because this place was my home for many years,” Rwegasira said. “All of Route 61, Frackville, Shenandoah. When I was preaching out of state someone asked me, ‘Father, where is your beautiful accent from?’ And I said, ‘Shenandoah, Pennsylvania.’ ”
The congregation laughed and applauded.
“I am very positive because this has drawn the attention of a lot of people," Shayo said, "and even those who haven’t been coming before, they want to come back to the church and participate and experience a different feeling.”
When parishioners asked about the possibility of a Mass in Swahili, Shayo asked permission from the Rev. Philip F. Rodgers, who loved the idea. It took three weeks to prepare the Mass, mostly teaching the people in Pottsville how to say some Swahili phrases.
“I think it’s important to learn about different cultures, languages and ethnicities,” said Louise Wachter, of Pottsville, “because we’re largely a multicultural nation. I think one of the best ways to learn that is to learn a language from another country.”
She said that Swahili was a phonetic, fast-paced language to learn.
“Father Barnabas did a mighty job teaching us,” Wachter said.
“And rolling your r’s,” said Ray Murhaon, of Pottsville.
Born in Tanzania, Shayo transferred to the Diocese of Allentown because of its shortage of priests. He joined St. Patrick Church in 2019 but has kept in touch with his Swahili roots.
“It brings people together,” Shayo said, “because most of the gatherings are within the context of celebration with food and prayers. Every time we gather, there is always a musical part with singing and dancing.”
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