Issue No. 19: January, 2005
The
Truth: Machakos Link Newsletter
An organ
of communication of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos
A
New Year is at our door step, a newly given opportunity. Let’s face the
challenges this year brings, be committed to who we are and what we are asked
to do.
IN SIDE THIS ISSUE
REV. FR. WILLIAM EDWARD
TIERNAN GOES TO LORD
Pope Calls for Second Synod
of African Bishops
Year of the Eucharist a
Time of Encounter, Says Pope
ON-GOING
FORMATION FOR CWA/CMA LEADERS.
AWARENESS SEMINAR FOR
CLERGY ON HIV/AIDS AND MEDIA
Thank you Bishop Emiritus
U.J. Kioko
A NEW YEAR HAS DAWNED
New year Reflections
From
the Editor’s desk...
A new year has dawned. It is for us to embrace it or leave it. You would agree that it is yet another chance
to begin anew. Alternatively, to leave
behind regrettable events of the past year.
All of us have gone through myriads of experiences
especially in our relationships that we fondly cherish or remember. These we would love to relive. At the same time, we have had experiences
that we wish had never occurred.
However, given another chance, we would most likely face them
differently. We are sure to have failed
here and there. But every failure is a
stepping stone to something better.
Yet, many of us may have suffered at the
hands of our own families, friends/partners or in our professional dealings
with others. No matter how much we may
try we just cannot explain why.
Possibly, the answer lies in the way we conceive life.
If we are able to understand and see
reality as it is, life could be very different.
Suffering helps us to do so. It
empowers us to make life changing decisions. Often we see things as we are and
not as they are. Our perception of
reality, and you will agree with me, is coloured by our personality. Our personality in turn is influenced by our
background.
An illustration would explain what I mean.
Life is a banquet but many people are starving to death. Many are not eating the food but eating the
menu. There is so much of love, laughter
and joy but we miss it all. Often we do
so because of our dependence on someone or something.
That is why most of the time our deepest
pains and hurts are caused by an absence of love or failure in love. Perfect love on the other hand casts out all
fear. Where there is love there are no
demands. Neither are there expectations
nor dependency. It is the lack of true
love in which one does not experience genuine freedom. Why do I say so? We know that no one has the power to hurt
us. We give others the power to do
so. Therefore, they take advantage of our
weakness.
So, it is important that we take control
of our lives before others take control of ours. I have to do it myself. No one else can help
me in this difficult task. It is a
challenge. Are we ready to face it?
Think about this. We are not our real selves. We got for ourselves what others gave us, our labels. So, the “I” disappears under these names
people give us. Perhaps it is time to
bring forth the real self. Could we take
off the masks that we constantly wear?
Why? It is because we are doomed
the day we start dancing to the tune of the opinions of others. We have to sing our own tunes and dance to
them. So, let us not forget that life is
something that happens to us while we are busy making other plans.
May the gift of this New Year be a time to
take up the challenges that come with it. Let us be aware of all that is happening in
and around us. For Anthony D’Mello says, “in awareness is
healing, in awareness is truth, in awareness is salvation, in awareness is spirituality,
in awareness is love, in awareness is awakening (Awareness, p.
103).
Happy
New Year.
Fr.
Sebastian Kol
A Healing Retreat
Big things come in small packages and a
big fire starts with a spark. It is December again and for us the long waited
day arrived. A hundred and one (101) youth gathered at Nzaikoni
Parish, a “city on top of the mountain top” ready to journey towards Jesus in their faith. We were thirsty
for the word of God and
of Jesus whom we believe
can make a difference in our lives. It
is retreat time again.
Many people prepare for Christmas in many
different ways and with different motives. They buy new clothes have better
food, drinks and take off to be with
their family and friends. It is usually our tradition, for the youth of Nzaikoni parish to leaves time everything behind to meet
their spiritual needs. We had a dream to see Jesus and our dream was realized.
The moving retreat was organized by Fr. Sebastian Kol
and preached by Rev. Fr. Dominic (a Redempterist
priest) whom God used to make a difference in our lives.
We had a dream and to cross the sea of Galilee to meet Jesus during this festive season.
Although the retreat is over, it is not the end but a new beginning. Jesus is
Lord and our friend; things will never be the same again. Whatever was secret
has been revealed and lights hidden underground have been raised to the
mountain tops. Like the Samaritan woman, we are preaching the good news to
other young people. “Prepare the ways of the Lord, don’t allow the devil to
cripple your life, consider the situation so as to make wise, mature and
responsible choices.” It takes informed minds to make informed choices.
The longest journey is into ones own oneself! We are
always ready to meet friends and things but never come back to enrich ourselves
and awaken the spirit within us. There is nobody who can kill your dreams
except yourselves and others whom you allow them to do so. Let us all be signs
and bearers of Gods love to all especially those who need our help.
Happy New Year
HEAD CATECHISTS’ SEMINAR
The head
catechists meeting was held for the first time from Nov. 29th to Dec.1st 2004.
The main objective of the meeting was to discuss certain pastoral issues that concerns the catechists. Actually it was an opportunity
for the catechists to come together.
The main issues which were discussed in
the meeting were presented to the Bishop for approval e.g
the issue of the training of catechists, to wear cassock when conducting Sunday
service, to have the news letter, UW’O,
to have retreats and seminars and lastly
to have a Deanery Council and a Diocese catechists council in the year 2005.
The catechist were
very impressed by the warm and encouraging speech of the Bishop Rev. Martin Kivuva who assured them of his support. The Bishop was very
happy to meet the head catechists and he gave a very wonderful gift of a bicycle for
each parish in the Diocese.
We like to thank Sr. Bonifalia
Hackmanns, mwalimu Michael and Mwalimu Peter from Bikira Mria Catechetical Centre for making the two days meeting
successful.
John Bosco Syano Wambua,
H. catechist, Nzaikoni Parish.
REV. FR. WILLIAM EDWARD TIERNAN GOES TO LORD
Fr. Tiearn went to the Lord on the night of Dec. 11th while in
the hospital in
We take this opportunity to sent our condolences to the family of Fr. Tiernan, the Holy Ghost Fathers, and all the people whose
lives he touched. While still sick,
father continued to communicate with Christians, seminarians, religious and
priests of Machakos Diocese through letters.
Let us all pray for the repose of Fr William. The memorial Mass will
be on 20th January 2005 at Our Lady of
Appreciation
We, the family of Rosa Mandina
are most thankful for the prayers and support we received during the time of
her sickness, death and funeral. The Liturgy at her funeral Mass (Nov.13)was
beautiful and we are grateful to the celebrant Monsignor Alfons
Mondiu, the Pastor and the assisting priests of Kikoko Parish, the visiting priests (Fr. Boniface Nzomo and all.), the sisters, parishioners, friends and
relatives who participated in the celebration of her life and her entry to new
life. The celebration was a source of consolation to us.
We wish to thank each person who offered
sympathy and provided support during this difficult time. God Bess all.
Rev.
Peter Mandina,
Our Lady of
Pope Calls for Second Synod of African Bishops
Ten years after the 1994 Synod for
"Considering the wishes of the post-synodal
council which express the desires of the African pastors," he said,
"I take advantage of this occasion to announce that I have the intention
of calling a second Special Assembly for
PARISH OF THE MONTH…..
Katoloni Parish.
Katoloni Parish
was opened in June 1995 with the Rev. Fr. Francis Mwanza
as the Father In-Charge. The Parish has
6 out-Stations served by Rev. Fr. Mutunga C. Benedict
as the Father In-Charge, Rev. Fr. Leonard Maweu and
Rev. Father Bernard Musyoki.
Katoloni Mission
bounders Machakos Cathedral Parish only 3 KM from
The Parish formerly was served as a
Station of Machakos Cathedral Parish up to 1975, when
services were given to the Priests working at Pope Paul VI Diocesan
Seminary. From 1990 the Katoloni Stations were joined with the Katumani/Kalama
Regions to be served by Fr. L. O’Toole, a Holy Ghost Missionary to prepare to
open the Makaveti Parish eventually.
In 1995, the Parish was opened as Katoloni Parish with Rev. Fr. Francis Mwanza
as the Rev. Fr. In-Charge. Under Rev.
Fr. Francis Mwanza, the Parish grew from 3 Stations to
the now 6 Stations until Rev. Fr. Mutunga Benedict
took over on 1st May, 2003.
The Parish has now 6 Stations, covering an
area of about 100 sq. KM with a population of about 1,500 Catholics. Much of the Parish is in the newly settled
area and the people are still settling!
Church development seems to be moving slowly as the people are new to
one another and are still learning how to interact as one Community as they
settle down. However, we are still
looking forward to acquiring more Plots to build more Churches as there is
still more room for expansion and bring the worshipping Centers nearer to the
Christians.
The Parish has 7 Primary Schools and one
Secondary School which we serve.
Unfortunately, none of these Schools are Catholic Sponsored, but we are
free to visit the students and carry out our Pastoral Programmes
accordingly.
We have an active administrative structure
with the Parish Council taking the lead of all other Councils in the management
of the Parish:
The
Catholic Men Association (CMA) is gaining root slowly and is uniting Men to
build the faith together and support the Parish needs.
The Catholic Men Association (CMA) has really shown
itself at work, supporting the Parish management financially and materially.
The Parish Youth and the Sunday School Leaders aim at
uniting the growing young Church to build a better tomorrow and to give them opportunities to participate in Parish, Deanery and
Diocesan activities.
The Catechists have really raised the Flag to fight
ignorance of the faith and Church Doctrine in their Catechetical
instructions. We have 200 Catechumens
now having just received their 1st stage of Baptism in August
2004. On 31st October, 2004,
through the Catechists’ work, our Bishop the Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde made his first
visit to the Parish and confirmed 159 Christians, hence through the Catechists,
a new spirit of Evangelization has been born in our Parish.
We look
forward to renewing the faith everyday as we work and to bring the Flock of
Christ together, and to a more mature faith to realize the Diocesan motto “That All May Be One”.
Rev. Fr, Mutunga C. Benedict
FR.
IN-CHARGE.
Year of the Eucharist a Time of Encounter, Says Pope
Year of the Eucharist…..
Pope Paul II
hopes that the Year of the Eucharist will be a time of encounter with Christ
for believers and nonbelievers alike.
Greeting the crowds with a clear
voice, the Pope reminded them that Oct. 17th, marked the closing of
the International Eucharistic Congress held in
Hours later the Holy Father will be
linked by television from St. Peter's Basilica to the congress in
John Paul II explained that for
eight days in
"In the wake of the Second
Vatican Council and of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, the Year of the
Eucharist is meant to be a time of intense encounter with Christ, present in
the sacrament of his Body and Blood," the Pope said.
The Holy Father clarified that in
this mystery, Christ "sacramentally prolongs his
paschal sacrifice, which has redeemed humanity from the slavery of sin and
established the divine Kingdom of love, justice and peace."
"From Christ's Pasch the Church
is born, which for this reason 'lives from the Eucharist,'" the Pope
added, recalling the opening words of his 2003 encyclical, "Ecclesia de Eucharistia."
At the end of his address, the Pope
expressed the hope that the Year of the Eucharist, which will end with a synod
of the world's bishops in October 2005, will be "a time of profound
conversion to Christ and of intense commitment to spreading his message of
salvation."
Zenit
INTERNATIONAL AIDS DAY
International
AIDS day was celebrated in style at Catholic Church, Nzaikoni.
To make it an awareness day of the deadly disease a seminar was conducted for
the youth of Nzaikoni in which a video showing that
those affected too are people who need love and care. The discussion that
followed gave them a chance to clarify many of their doubts. The occasion was
an eye opener for many who did not know the struggles that a victim goes
through. It was also a challenge to behave more responsibly in the future.
ON-GOING FORMATION FOR CWA/CMA LEADERS.
On 29th to 30th Nov.
2004, 58 Women Leaders from 49 parishes of our Diocese met at Joseph’s Pastoral
Centre Machakos for Spiritual renewal course based on
the following:
Diocesan Leadership structure
Evangelization
Leadership and styles of Leadership
Challenges of Leadership today
The role and activities of CWA/CMA in the Church.
Farewell Party.
On 30th November lunchtime, the
Leaders had a celebration to THANK and BID FAREWELL to Mrs. Teresia
Kavita – the former Women Co-ordinator
who had served in the Diocese of Machakos for many
years. His Lordship Bishop Martin Kivuva the Bishop
of Machakos Graced the occasion and in his speech,
the Bishop thanked Teresia for the good work that she
did in the Diocese and wished her well in her retirement from that office.
All the speakers during that get-together
praised Teresia for her good service and wished her a
joyful retirement.
Retreat:
On 1st December the Women
Leaders had a beautiful retreat by Fr. Lawrence Muthini
on our relationship with Christ. They
spend the whole day in prayer and hours of adoration and this gave them
experience of God’s presence in them and around them.
Men Leaders:
On 2nd December evening 39 Men
Leaders arrived for the same workshop upto 3rd
evening. On 4th they too had
a retreat experience with Fr. Charles Kyalo, the Bishop’s
secretary.
This experience was crowned with a lively
celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by His Lordship Bishop Martin
assisted by Fr. Charles. The Bishop
encouraged these leaders to play their roles in the Family and in the Church
seriously so that combined efforts will enable us to have our Diocesan Motto “That all may be One”.
The Bishop then blessed crosses and gave
to the Men Leaders as a sign of bearing their crosses as they enter into the
Mission of Evangelization.
I want to thank His Lordship Bishop Martin
for his fatherly concern and support especially to the men and women in our
Diocese.
Special thanks to the following
facilitators who made the workshops successful:
Mr. Cosmas Maithya – National Laity Co-ordinator
KEC – Commission for Pastoral and Lay
Apostolate.
Sr. Margaret Mumbua – Pastoral Co-ordinator, Archdiocese of Mombasa.
Mr. Francis Kikolya –Development Co-ordinator,
Machakos Diocese.
Fr. Charles Kyalo–
Bishop’s Secretary
Fr. Lawrence Muthini -Father In-Charge – Kithangaini
Parish.
Your good
work is highly appreciated.
May God
bless and reward all of you.
Sr. Bernadette Munyao
Women's’
and Men's’ Co-ordinator
MACHAKOS DIOCESE.
AWARENESS SEMINAR FOR CLERGY ON HIV/AIDS AND MEDIA
All the
priests and religious are invited for an AWARENESS SEMINAR ON HIV/AIDS AND MASS MEDIA The
Seminar will impart Knowledge
and Skills in Counseling for HIV/Aids and give Orientation on Communication.
External Facilitators with extensive
experience on the subjects will present recent information on HIV/Aids and how
to look at the Junk that we receive every day through the media.
The
Seminar Venue:
Dates: 1st Group >
14th to 18th February 2005
2nd Group >
21st to 25th February 2005
Please
ensure that every priest gets a chance to attend one of the above seminar.
Condolences
We offer
our heart felt condolences to Fr. Raphael Kimeu whose
father passed away. He is working in Malindi Diocese.
Thank you Bishop Emiritus U.J. Kioko
There will
be a Thanksgiving Mass at the cathedral at 10.00 AM on February 28th, 2005
followed by a party at the Pastoral Centre. All the priest and religious are
invited together with the leaders of various Church Councils: Chair-person of
the Central Committee, Men, Women, Youth, Choir and Sunday School.
With a Light Heart
TEACHER: "Why are you
late?"
WEBSTER: "Because of the sign."
TEACHER: "What sign?"
WEBSTER: "The one that says, 'School Ahead, Go Slow."
Thank you
We
gratefully acknowledge and thank Mr. John Mutuku of Annet Print and computer services for sponsoring to print
this issue of U’WO. Thank you John.
Send us
May I
request the Frs. In-charges whose parish has not appeared in the “Parish of the
month…” column in UW’O, please bring a short history
of your parish to the communication office. Also kindly bring to the office
short written article (preferably typed) about any events
that has taken place in your parish. Last date is 20th of every month.
Let the whole Diocese share the good things you do in your parish and let’s
learn from each other. THANKS.
Communications
coordinator
Bishop’s Diary
January-2005
1st Machakos
Cathedral/Opening of Katheka Parish
2nd Komorock
4th Christmas
Mass and Dinner.
11th Better Centre, CCTI
15th Kiongwani
Parish, 50 years
16th Mlolongo,
Harambee
29th Theresa D’Lema,
Kyumbi
February-2005
4th-6th Confirmation, Masinga
14th-18th On-going formation for priests
18th-20th Makueni
21st-25th On-going formation for preists
25th-27th Muthetheni
28th Thanks-giving party for Bishop
Emeritus, Urbanus J. Kioko
“You see things as they are and you ask “WHY”? But I
dream of things that never were and ask “WHY NOT”?”
U’WO wishes all its readers A very Happy New Year.
Catholic Diocese of Machakos
P.O. Box - 344, Machakos
Tel. 254-44-20484; Fax-254-44-21308
E-mail: uwo@felmu.co.ke