Issue No. 95: June, 2011.
The Truth: Machakos Link
Newsletter
An organ of communication of the
Catholic Diocese of Machakos
THAT ALL MAY BE ONE
A DREAM REALIZED IN DONYO
SABUK—CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF
MACHAKOS
DIOCESE CATHOLIC CHOIRS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2011
THE 17TH
A.M.E.C.E.A. PLENARY ASSEMBLY CUM GOLDEN JUBILEE
THE
DIVINE MERCY FEAST ON 1ST MAY 2011
MASSES
CELEBRATED BY THE BISHOP
FRANCISCAN
SISTERS OF THE MOST PURE IMMACULATECONCEPTION
FEAST OF
THE MONTH -PENTECOST (THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH)
A DREAM REALIZED IN DONYO SABUK—CATHOLIC DIOCESE
OF MACHAKOS.
The 30th of April 2011 saw the birth of
St Joseph’s the Worker Parish, Ndonyo Sabuk. This is the 61st Parish in the
Catholic Diocese of Machakos. The parish was erected on this day by Bishop
Martin Kivuva, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos. The community was filled
with joy as they came in big numbers to receive the Parish. The Father -In-
charge of Ngunga Parish, Father Joy Kallaparabath, had been a great inspiration to the people
of Ndonyo Sabuk for his
initiative to give a go-ahead for the beginning of the new Church building. As
the saying goes, it is not until the dreamer wakes up, that his dream can be
realized. During the installation of the parish, Fr Anto
narrated artistically his dream of preparing a better place of worship after
his experience during consecration in one of his masses at the out- station of Ndonyo Sabuk of Ngunga Parish.
His dream could not come true without the support of the Bishop and Fr Joy.
The new Church building has been realized through the generous contribution of
the parishioners and other external benefactors under the Chairmanship of Dr
Joseph Mulinga. On the occasion of opening the new
parish, the Bishop invited all the Christians and informed them that like Zacchaeus, Jesus had visited the new parish and wants to
eat and live in their houses. He further reminded them that with the presence
of the blessed Eucharist in the newly blessed Tabernacle, Jesus is in a special
way present, hence they have the privilege of coming to meet Christ from time
to time and adore him. During the opening Mass, the Bishop commissioned 243
‘Soldiers of Christ’s Army’ by administering to them the Sacrament of
Confirmation.
The new Parish priest Fr Paul Mulingathery and
his assistant Fr Shaju Chiramel
were installed and encouraged to bring the new parish to greater heights. The
New parish Church crowns the buildings which preceded it. It is close to two
houses of formation, one for the Sisters of the Franciscan Clarist
Sisters and another for the Carmelites. San Damiano
Primary boarding School and Laverna Orphan School
will be among the beneficiaries of the new Parish Church.
Congratulations to you St. Joseph The Worker
Parish - Donyo Sabuk.
By The Communication Team.
MACHAKOS DIOCESE CATHOLIC CHOIRS MUSIC FESTIVAL
2011
This year’s (2011) annual music festivals were very successful at deanery
and diocesan level namely class A, class special and Advanced class were
successfully held at Katoloni Secondary School hall
on 28,th 29th and 30th of April 2011 The best five Choirs were as
follows.
Class A
St.
John Apostle Emali Parish
Holy
Family, Kalini Nzaikoni Parish
St.
John, Lita Nzaikoni Parish
St.
Francis of Assisi Kiwanzani Mavoloni Parish
5. St. Lawrence Kalumoni Cathedral
Parish
5. St.
Gabriel Mbuthani Mbitini Parish
Class Special
St.
Peter Kiumoni Choir Cathedral Parish
Our
Lady of Help Choir Misyani
Parish
St.
Mary, Kiasa Choir Kyumbi Parish
St.
Joseph’s, Kyemundu Choir Mbitini Parish
St. Josephs, Matiku Choir Mbitini Parish
Class Advanced
St.
Cecilia, Kaluoki Choir Cathedral
Parish
St.
Jude, Athi River Athi
River Parish
St.
Martins, Kathonzweni Choir Kathonzweni Parish
St.
Christopher, Kyumbi Kyumbi
Parish
Our
Lady of Lourdes Cathedral Parish
We congratulate all the choirs who participated in the Annual
music festivals.
By: Alfonce . M. Kamelo
Chairman C.C. Machakos Diocese.
PRIESTHOOD ORDINATION
On the 3rd of June 2011 the above
Deacons from the Catholic Diocese of Machakos will be ordained priests at Our
Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, 10:00am.Their names are:- Deacon Anthony Musyoki from Mwala Catholic Parish. He is currently working in Matiliku Catholic Parish. Deacon John Kavuu Muisyo from Kithangaini Parish working in Kinyambu
Parish. Deacon Alexander Mwaa
Kituku from Ekarakara
Parish working in Kinyui Parish. Deacon Cosmas Munyao
Kyenze from Kikumini Parish
working in Kyale Parish. Deacon Vincent Mbithi Kamende from Kathozweni Parish working in
Cathedral Parish.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ORDINATION
AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
THE 17TH A.M.E.C.E.A. PLENARY ASSEMBLY CUM GOLDEN
JUBILEE
The 17th AM.E.C.E.A. (Association of Member Episcopal conferences in Eastern Africa
) will take place in Kenya from the 27th June to 7th July 2011 at the
catholic university of eastern Africa ( C.U.E.A). The eight countries of the
AMECEA expected to attend the celebrations are -: Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia,
Malawi, Eritrea, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya as well as Djibouti and Somalia which are
affiliate members. AMECEA (then ITEBEA) was founded in 1961 in Tanzania with a
vision of consolidating efforts for promoting the common good in the AMECEA
region.
So the vision of the AMECEA as it is today is that of forming “ a Holy Spirit filled family of
God, committed to holistic evangelization and integral development” The mission
of AMECEA is “to inspire and empower God’s family in AMECEA region to a credible and prophetic witness to
Christ by promoting unity, justice, peace and solidarity through
evangelization, prayer, Small Christian Communities, empowering the laity and
eradicating poverty for sustainable
development and relevant responses to
all issues affecting God’s family. The theme for this 17th Plenary
assembly- cum-golden jubilee is “A family of God celebrating a golden jubilee
of evangelization” The overall goal for the celebrations is “to strengthen
evangelization in solidarity in the AMECEA countries / conferences.
The objectives of this 17th plenary- assembly cum golden jubilee
celebrations would be -: to evaluate the impact of the pastoral mission of
AMECEA: to share best practices of pastoral activities in the AMECEA region. To
implement the resolutions and outcome of the 2nd assembly for Africa
of the Synod of Bishops; to explore new challenges facing AMECEA conferences;
to plan and strategize new pastoral approaches of collaboration. This assembly
will actually attract a high level delegation from AMECEA countries, the
Vatican City, and European countries. The delegation will comprise the delegate
of the Pope, Pope’s representative in Kenya, catholic cardinals, catholic
arch-bishops, Catholic bishops, the clergy, religious men and women, lay
Christians and the partners of AMECEA. 2nd July 2011 will be the
real Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa
(CUEA) grounds with an open mass starting at 10.00 am.
THE DIVINE MERCY FEAST ON 1ST MAY 2011
The Divine Mercy feast
day this year coincided with the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, the Patron
Saint of all the Catholic Men Association. Moreover, this day was very
important in the history of the universal Church. This is because the Mother
Church led by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the beatification of
the late Pope John Paul II. It is worth noting that it was the late Blessed
John Paul II who canonized Saint Faustina who was
given the responsibility by the Lord Jesus Christ to be the Secretary of the
Divine Mercy. He also approved officially the celebration of the Divine Mercy
feast on the first Sunday after Easter. In Machakos Divine Mercy shrine Kyumbi, the occasion was graced by His Lordship Rt. Rev.
Bishop Martin Kivuva the Bishop of Machakos Diocese. The colourful
occasion was attended by hundreds of Christians from Machakos Diocese and
beyond. Some youth came a day before. The celebration commenced with the
procession some few metres down the holy hill. On the
way there were various stations depicting the divine mercy of God. On each
station there was a scripture reading, an intercessory prayer, a hymn and the
bishop elucidated to the Christians the meaning of each station. The procession
ended with the blessing of the new chapel named after the Late Pope Blessed
John Paul II( (The Pope of mercy) During his homily Bishop Martin reminded all
the men in attendance to imitate St. Joseph as their role model by being
instruments of mercy and peace in their families. He acknowledged the important
role the women have played in the Catholic Church and he reminded all the
Christians to spread the news of the risen Christ by their actions, hence
becoming instruments of peace to all.
By: Seminarian Fredrick Otieno
MASSES CELEBRATED BY THE BISHOP
STATIONAL MASS OF THE DIOCESAN BISHOP
Introductory Rites
Order of procession from the Vesting Room (Sacristy) to
the Sanctuary.
1)Censer bearer carrying a censer with burning incense; 2)An acolyte carrying
a cross, with the image to the front, walks between seven other acolytes, or at
least two, carrying candlesticks with lighted candles; 3)Clergy, two by two;
4)The deacon carrying the Book of the Gospels; 5)Deacons if present, two by
two; 6)Concelebrating presbyters, two by two; 7)The bishop, walking alone,
wearing the miter, carrying the pastoral staff in his left hand and blessing
with his right; 8)A little behind the bishop, two deacons assisting him;
9)Finally, the ministers who assist with the book, the miter, and the pastoral
staff. (Cb 128).
When the bishop reaches the front of the altar, he hands the staff to
a minister and takes off the miter.
Together with the deacons and other ministers accompanying him, he makes a
deep bow to the altar or genuflects to the tabernacle then goes and kisses the
altar. He incenses the altar and the cross, and then goes to the chair. Two
deacons stand on either side near the chair, ready to assist him. If no deacons
are present, two concelebrating priests serve in their place. Mass begins with
the Sign of the Cross. (Cb 131).
After the Collect, the bishop sits and, as a rule receives the miter
from one of the deacons (in absence of a deacon, he receives the miter from a
concelebrating priests).
Liturgy of the Word
1st
Reading, Responsorial Psalm, 2nd Reading,
The Alleluia:
When the alleluia
begins, everyone but the bishop stands,
He puts incense into
the censer and blesses it, saying nothing,
He blesses the deacon
who is to read the Gospel (or the concelebrating priest in the absence of a
deacon).
The Gospel: Then the bishop takes off the miter and stands. (Cb
140) At the ambo the deacon, with hands joined greets the
people. At the words “A reading from the Holy Gospel” he makes the sign of the
cross on the book and then on his forehead, lips and breast and all present do
the same.
At this point the
bishop takes the pastoral staff. (He holds the staff without the miter
while the Gospel is read).
After the gospel
reading the deacon takes the book to the bishop who kisses it. Then the Book of
the Gospel is taken to a side table or some other suitable place. (Cb 141)
The Homily:
Then all sit and the
bishop gives the homily seated in his chair (Cathedra), unless he prefers some
other place. He may use the miter and the pastoral staff. A period of
silence may follow after the homily (Cb 142).
The Profession of
Faith:
The bishop puts
aside the miter and the pastoral staff and stands for the profession of
faith which is sung, when rubrics require it, followed by the general
intercessions.
(Cb
143-144).Liturgy of the Eucharist At the end of the general
intercessions,
the bishop sits and puts
on the miter. The preparation of the gifts and collection of offerings continues. Then
the gifts and offerings are brought forward and received by the bishop wearing
the miter. The bread and wine are placed on the altar while all other
gifts are taken to a suitable place. (Cb
145). Offering Prayers. The bishop
goes to the altar, lays aside the miter and continues with the offering
prayers. (Cb 146-152) At the end of the
prayer, “Pray brethren ………” and its response, a deacon removes the bishop’s
skullcap (in his absence the concelebrating priest) and hands it to a
minister or places it at a convenient place (not on the altar). (Cb 153) The Eucharistic Prayer.
The bishop begins the Eucharistic prayer with the preface. a deacon stands
behind the concelebrants, if the cup and ciborium are covered, a deacon (or
concelebrant priest) uncovers them before the epiclesis, the deacon remains
kneeling from the epiclesis to the elevation of the cup, the bishop says,
“Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” after the consecration the deacon
may cover the cup and the ciborium, Communion:
After saying inaudibly the prayer before communion, the
concelebrants receive the body of Christ from the bishop and return to their
places, they may however remain in their places and receive the body of Christ
from there. (Cb 163). After
receiving the blood of the Lord, the bishop gives communion to the deacons and the
faithful. The concelebrants receive the blood of the Lord from the altar. (Cb 164).
When the bishop returns to the chair after
the communion, he puts on the skullcap, and if need be washes his hands All sit and a period of prayerful silence
may follow, or a song of praise or a psalm may be sung. The
Post Communion Prayer. Then follows the Post
Communion Prayer. (Cb 166-167)
Concluding Rite:
Brief announcements may follow after
the Post Communion Prayer.
Then the bishop
receives the miter and greets the people, “The Lord be with you”, he gives the solemn blessing with outstretched
hands over the people, after which, he takes the pastoral staff and
says, “May the almighty God bless you ………”, making the sign of the Cross
three times over the people. (Cb 168-169).The Mass
concludes with the dismissal, due reverence and the exit procession as stated
by the rubrics. (Cb 170).
By Fr. Januarius
Kioko.
FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF THE MOST PURE IMMACULATECONCEPTION
The Franciscan Sisters of the Most Pure Conception were
welcomed by His Lordship Martin Kivuva Musonde Bishop of the Catholic Diocese
of Machakos, to Athi River Parish, on the occasion of
blessing their Community House, and also sending them to serve in the Vineyard
of the Lord, on 11th February, 2011.1t was the first time that the Parish had a
community of Sisters, since it was opened in 1970.
Before that, Athi River town and its environs
were under the pastoral care of priests from St. Peter Claver’s Parish, Nairobi
in 1920s until the Machakos Parish assumed the ministry in 1965. Sisters Irene Arguedas Mora (Mwende) from Costa
Rica, Ligia Ninette Ramos (Kanini) from Guatemala, Lydia De La Trinidad Fernandez (Nduku) from Spain and Felister Mbatha Muthini of Kenya, came to Athi River September, 2010 to pioneer the Congregation's
mission.
FEAST OF THE MONTH -PENTECOST (THE BIRTH OF THE
CHURCH)
Pentecost is the great festival
that marks the birth of the Christian church by the power of the Holy
Spirit. Pentecost means "fiftieth day" and is celebrated fifty
days after Easter.
WHAT HAPPENED ON PENTECOST? Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, Jesus'
mother and family, and many other of His disciples gathered together in
Jerusalem for the Jewish harvest festival that was celebrated on the fiftieth
day of Passover. While they were indoors praying, a sound like that of a
rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire descended and rested over
each of their heads. This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human
flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel (Joel
2:28-29).
The disciples were suddenly empowered to proclaim
the gospel of the risen Christ. They went out into the streets of
Jerusalem and began preaching to the crowds gathered for the festival.
Not only did the disciples preach with boldness and vigour,
but by a miracle of the Holy Spirit they spoke in the native languages of the
people present, many who had come from all corners of
the Roman Empire. This created a sensation. The apostle Peter
seized the moment and addressed the crowd, preaching to them about Jesus' death
and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. The result was that about
three thousand converts were baptized that day. (You can read the
Biblical account of Pentecost in Acts
2:1-41).
WHAT IS THE LITURGICAL COLOR FOR PENTECOST?
Red is the liturgical color for this day. Red recalls the tongues of
flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost.
The color red also reminds us of the blood of the martyrs. These are
the believers of every generation who by the power of the Holy Spirit hold firm
to the true faith even at the cost of their lives.
WHY PENTECOST SOMETIMES IS CALLED "WHITSUNDAY"?
A tradition of some churches in ancient times was to baptize adult converts
to the faith on Pentecost. The newly baptized catechumens would wear
white robes on that day, so Pentecost was often called "Whitsunday"
or "White Sunday" after these white baptismal garments. Many
Christian calendars, liturgies, and hymnals (particularly those from the
Episcopal/Anglican tradition) still use this term.
WHY IS THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION OFTEN CELEBRATED ON
PENTECOST?
Confirmation Sunday is the day when young people who have been instructed
in basic Christian doctrine confess their faith in the presence of the
church.
The key to understanding confirmation is to recognize that the faith the confirmands confess is not of their own making; it is the
gift of God that He gives through His means of grace.
The Holy Spirit who empowered the disciples to preach the risen Christ two
thousand years ago is the same Spirit who empowers the confirmands
to make their confession. This is why many churches celebrate the rite of
confirmation on Pentecost.
WHAT IS THE SEASON AFTER PENTECOST?
The season after Pentecost is centered on sanctification, the work of the
Holy Spirit in the day to day life of the Christian. This is reflected in
the liturgical color for this season: green, the color of life and
growth. Through the gift of faith that comes only from the Holy Spirit
working through the means of grace, Christians trust in Christ as Savior and
proclaim Him in their daily lives by service to their neighbors.
The season after Pentecost is the longest season of the church year -- it
lasts from Trinity Sunday
until the first Sunday of Advent.
This is the non-festival portion of
the liturgical calendar during which the church stresses vocation, evangelism,
missions, stewardship, almsgiving, and other works of mercy and charity as ways
in which Christ empowers us by His grace to share the Gospel with others.
By:- Fr. Alfonse Muema
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SUNDAY COMMENTARIES
Ascension of the Lord
Acts 1:1-11; Eph.1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-21. The Ascension of Christ was a further fulfillment of the words of Jesus to
his disciples. It was a proof that Christ
had been glorified by the Father and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
Ascension brightens further the Christian hope that we shall be reunited with
our master and Saviour. The message of the two men
who appeared to the disciples after ascension and assured them that Jesus will
come again is the base of Christian hope in the resurrection. It was no longer
time to keep looking up to the sky but going out to the whole world and
proclaim the Good News of the risen Christ who ascended to heaven. The Lord
calls us to proclaim the Good News and cast away the fear in the People’s minds
about our destination after this life. Jesus assures us that we shall be
re-united with him. Before the ascension Christ gives a firm assurance that he
is with us to the end of time. This is a continual divine providence. Through
Baptism, we are made preachers as well as students in the School of Jesus. As
we preach, we also learn from Jesus until he comes again.
The Pentecost
Sunday
Acts 2:1-11; 1Cor. 12:3-7,12-13; John 20:19-23 The solemnity of the Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian church. The
promise of the Holy Spirit is fulfilled. There is no more fear. The followers
of Christ are filled with the Holy Spirit and will go out and start proclaiming
the Good News of the risen Christ. The Holy Spirit brings a mighty power to the
Christians. We receive wisdom and knowledge. We receive inner peace through the
Spirit. All the People who were gathered at the Pentecost Sunday are a
manifestation of the diversity of followers of Christ: Different races,
languages, tribes, age groups, men and women.
The Spirit harmonises all these groups and we
come out with one voice proclaiming the same message that Jesus is the Lord.
How would the church be without this great gift? Through the Holy Spirit, the
Disciples were given the gift of the sacrament of reconciliation which unites us with God. It brings us to the true
peace with God and our brethren.
The Most Holy Trinity
Ex 34:4-9; 2 Cor. 13:11-13; John 3:16-18 In the Christian thought, the word Trinity is synonymous to mystery. It is
difficult to discuss exhaustively about the trinity since as a word per se
it does not even appear in the Scripture. What we have is the manifestation of
the work of the three persons of one God: God the Father, God the Son and God
the Holy Spirit. The Triune God reflects a unity of love. Hence we reflect on
the love of God. The Father has given all to the Son, the Son has received all
from the Father and the Holy Spirit is the fruit of the love of the Father and
the son. As we profess in the creed, the work of the Father is manifested in
the creation of the world.
The work of the son is manifested in the salvation of humanity while the
Holy Spirit lives in us and is a counselor who helps us know the will of God
the father through the son. This also reminds us that God does not exist in
solitude but in the unity of the three persons. We can reciprocate the mercy
and love of God who send his only son to redeem us by reflecting his image to
the people we encounter.
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Deut 8:2-3, 14-16; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; John 6:51-58
When the Israelites were in the wilderness, their greatest challenge was
hunger and thirst. Many were the times when they cried to Moses for help. Though
Moses was human like them he had a Divine mandate so he cling to God in giving
provision to them. He interceded for them and God gave them ‘manna’ a food they
had not known. God also gave them water. Christ Jesus teaches the crowd about
the unity realized between him and those who eat his body and drink his blood.
In our Christian journey, we have the Body and blood of Christ which nourish us
spiritually. Jesus did not give us ‘something’ he gave his own self to us. In
the Eucharist, we celebrate a memorial. We offer a sacrifice and enjoy the real
presence of our master. We are called to receive the body and blood of Christ
with reverence and devote ourselves in adoration.
By: Fr. Francis Maundu
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Bishop’s Diary
JUNE
3rd- Priesthood
Ordination Machakos Diocese
4th—Kitise Mbuvo Parish
5th-Kaewa Masinga Parish
11th- Confirmation Mbitini Parish
APOLOGY
On the last Issue in this Diary, we had written “3rd -Diaconate” Instead of
Priesthood as we have indicated above.
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SILC GROUPS
The Caritas
Machakos Agriculture Programme facilitates formation
and co-ordination of SILC (Self Internal Lending Communities) groups in
the Diocese.
These groups, in addition to doing general development work, meet, save
money and borrow the same for personal or family needs. This is the essence of SILC groups, savings
and borrowing. The activity goes on in
circles of 12 months when they are said to have matured. In May 2011 three of
our SILC groups did mature. The Caritas
Director witnessed the groups benefit from their savings.
Caritas
Machakos is willing to share their experience with any other group willing to
benefit from a scheme that gives the highest returns in one year (over
290%) – the SILC experience.
By: Mr. Francis Kikolya
CARITAS MACHAKOS
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Catholic Diocese of Machakos
P.O. Box - 344 -90100 Machakos
Tel. +254-44-20484; Fax. (044)-21308
Office
E-mail: bishopsomks@wananchi.com
Website: http/www.machakosdiocese.org
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