Father Paul Fagan, one of two Sons of Everett and Carolyn Hausler Fagan, was born on October 24, 1932. He grew up on a farm near Patch Grove, in Grant County. He attended Brunson grade school in Mt. Hope and then two years at Patch Grove High School. His brother Peter entered St. Francis Minor Seminary in 1947 and Paul followed him in 1948. Fr. Peter went on to be ordained in 1958. After five years at St. Francis, Fr. Paul entered the Maryknoll College at Glen Ellen, Illinois, where he studied Philosophy for two years, then continued on to Novitiate at Bedford, Massachusetts, and finally on to Maryknoll Major Seminary at Maryknoll, New York. He was ordained on June 11, 1960, and then sent to Africa.

Upon arrival in Tanzania, Fr. Paul was assigned to the Diocese of Shinyanga. After studying the Kisukuma language for several months he was assigned to the cathedral parish of Buhangija where he served until June 1967. He was then assigned to the rather remote five-year-old parish of Old Maswa 100 miles away. He has continued doing pastoral and development work at Old Maswa for the past 33 years and prays that he may do so for many years to come.

For 40 years, Fr. Paul has been deeply involved in pastoral work with a great emphasis on evangelization. This has been especially true during the years in his 1,200-square-mile parish of Old Maswa. In an effort to better evangelize in this vast area, he developed four Centers. The town Center of Bariadi, now a city of 20,000, became a Parish in 1978 with Fr. Herb Gappa, MM, as pastor. The remaining three centers now have a total of 34 outstations surrounding them. More than 11,000 adults and children have been baptized in these Centers since 1967.

In more recent years the main pastoral work has been to develop Small Christian Communities. Results of these efforts were evident with the baptism of 872 adults and youth at the three Centers during Easter 2000 followed by the baptism of more than 300 infants and young children. The workload is obviously growing and life is not getting any easier.

Along with the pastoral work, Fr. Paul has been deeply involved in numerous development projects. Initially, this involved improved farming and livestock management. This has gradually given way to improving health. Two dispensaries with inpatient facilities, maternity wards and mother-child health clinics and staff housing have been opened. They are staffed by 38 medical personnel. Building projects include a grinding mill, three good-sized churches, numerous classrooms and dormitories for catechumens, various houses and workshops in all three Centers.

Last, but not least, is a major project called "To Change Someone's Life Forever Through Education." In 12 years this project has answered a felt need and is helping about 80 girls and 20 boys who are chiefly in boarding secondary schools (high schools), colleges, trade schools, medical schools and this year two students will be in university studies. This is a very expensive and time consuming project since it covers all expenses such as school fees, school supplies, clothing, medicine, transportation and pocket money. It has been made possible through the help of student sponsors. Many students are turned away each year due to lack of funds.

Father Paul set out to change lives through education and in the process his life has been changed forever. He daily shares the hopes and fears of the students who make Old Maswa their second home where they know that they will get a good meal and TLC when needed.

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Maryknollers in Shinyanga, Tanzania