By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald

African catechist finds friendship in Superior

SUPERIOR -- Amadeus Dzekedze graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior May 21. His mother, Mary Dzekedze, traveled from the family's native Cameroon, in Africa, to witness this commencement exercise. For nearly two months following the ceremony, Mary Dzekedze, wearing her colorful native dress, has been a daily presence during Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

Attending Mass for the first time in Superior, Mary Dzekedze was surprised to discover who was assisting the priest. "I didn't see altar boys, but I saw two ladies at the altar," Dzekedze said. "Back in my parish, normally boys would be altar servers. Ladies are at the altar in Cameroon, but we do other things. This showed me goodness of these two ladies to do that work."

The adult women turned out to be cathedral parishioners Alice Stack and Elizabeth Schmidt.

At her home parish of St. Martin de Porres in Num-Menchum, Dzekedze often does the Scripture readings during Mass. "Lay people help with readings, sing in the choir and read the announcements about parish projects," she said. "We have a readers' club to prepare readers."

Dzekedze said that the Aug. 15 Feast of Our Lady of Assumption is observed at her parish and a special collection is gathered for vocations. "We used to have struggles with vocations, but our youth are being called," she said. "They are getting the challenge and last year three young men were ordained (transitional) deacons from our diocese. They will become priests."

Dzekedze serves as a catechist at her parish, which is located in the Archdiocese of Bamenda. "I assist the main catechist at the parish," Dzekedze said. "I prepare the children for their introduction into the Catholic Church. We do the preparation for the sacraments."

Before children are baptized their parents and godparents must fill out a form. "The priest wants to see the parents and sponsors of these children who are going to be Christians," Dzekedze said.

Dzekedze gives children their initial lessons and testing before they receive first Communion. These classes may be held daily. "When they get closer to the time of the sacrament they may come every day for preparation," she said.

The parish priest then takes over and does additional testing before the sacrament takes place. "The priest comes in to see with his own eyes and hear with his own ears that the children are prepared," Dzekedze said. "After that, he approves that they are fit to receive the sacrament."

Dzekedze also prepares individuals for confirmation and couples for marriage in the church.

Dzekedze was introduced to the faith while attending a Catholic school and decided to become Catholic as a first grader. "My teacher gave me the name Mary," she said. "My Christianity was started from there. I taught my mother about the faith. Now she is a Catholic Christian and she has been baptized." Dzekedze also introduced her brothers and sisters to Catholicism.

Although Dzekedze rejoices in being able to take part in many Masses during her stay in Superior, she said they differ from those celebrated in Cameroon. "Our liturgies are wonderfully lively," she said. "The people sing and dance in procession during the offertory."

Dzekedze talked about how participants carry the Lectionary in a lively fashion before the Scripture readings. "A group of women and men dress according to their culture and do a Lectionary dance," she said. "We do it with respect to God. The book is carried from the church entrance to the altar. It is very celebratory and very colorful."

A similar procession takes place on special feast days. "It all could be done differently, depending on the tribe," she said. "It is all a wonderful experience to witness."

Dzekedze said she was respectful of those liturgies witnessed during her time in Wisconsin. "I know that to worship God does not only mean that you must sing and dance all the time," she said. "There are other ways of worshiping and it is all to glorify God."

Dzekedze finds fulfillment praying before the Blessed Sacrament. "It is a way for me to get my strength," she said. "It is a way for me to thank God for all the wonderful things he has given to me. We should go to him with all our troubles and all our worries."

She was also asked to pray with others at the cathedral during her stay. "I was invited to take part in praying the rosary in front of the Blessed Sacrament before Mass," she said.

During her time in Superior, Dzekedze was able to witness diocesan celebrations at the cathedral. "I had the opportunity to attend an ordination and I also attended the wedding anniversary Mass," she said. "I was able to meet Bishop Raphael (M. Fliss)."

Dzekedze was especially grateful to Deacon Arthur and Janette Gil de Lamadrid, of the cathedral parish, who invited her and Amadeus into their home. "Janette got a hold of me in the church and from that day she became my friend," she said. "She has introduced me to other things and we have visited the homes of the sick. Janette has introduced me to people, showed me how they live and that is very important to my life."

During their time together, Janette Gil de Lamadrid and Mary Dzekedze have discovered many parallels in their lives. This includes the fact that they are both catechists and mothers with 16-year-old sons. "Difficulties that I have, she can identify with them," Gil de Lamadrid said. "She has been such a gift, is so spiritual and helps us to see what God is asking of us. She helps us to keep our eyes open and to keep our ears open to God. God is important in her life and we want our home to be a God-centered home."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003