Issue No. 20: February, 2005
The
Truth: Machakos Link Newsletter
An organ
of communication of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos
The season of Lent is here once again, an invitation to return back to
ourselves, to take the risk of that journey which we fear. May we discover
ourselves once again in this Holy season.
Lenten Message - Bp. Martin
Kivuva
Mass of
the Resurrection Jan 20th 2005 for Fr. E. Tiernan CSSP
Sundays
and special days of February
PARISH OF
THE MONTH…...CATHOLIC MISSION KALAWA.
For all
that was “THANKS”, for all that is to come “YES”
Year of
the Eucharist…..The Worth of the Eucharist
Seminar
for the Parents of the handicapped Children.
Men and
women of the Diocese on the move
AWARENESS
SEMINAR FOR CLERGY ON HIV/AIDS AND MEDIA
Thank you
Bishop Emiritus U. J. Kioko
Lent is a time of repentance, a
call to have a new look at the values we hold dear, ‘REPENT AND BELIEVE THE
GOOD NEWS’.
For a Christian, Lent is like a
spiritual RETREAT with Christ as our Retreat Master, who speaks to us daily in
the Liturgies. Lent is a time to stop and listen to His exhortations.
This Lent has a special significance for us, as we are celebrating the year
of the Eucharist, in accordance with the wishes of our Holy Father, the Pope.
We should all find time, in our various parishes; to instruct the faithful
about the wonderful privilege it is, to have Christ with us in the Eucharist.
As a preparation for the important feast of Holy Thursday, time should be spent
in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament exposed.
It is most edifying to hear of
the generous responses, from people all over the world, for donations to assist
the victims of the Tsunami disaster; a fitting lesson to us all this Lent to
help others in need – perhaps even those on our own doorsteps?
The Eucharist is, above all, pregnant with all kinds of creative
possibilities for deepening our awareness of the Holy Communion which unites
God, humankind and all creation. At Mass, the elements of bread and wine, taken
from the earth with its billions of years of evolution, and transformed by the
creativity of human hands, are rich and ready symbols for the explosion of an
urgent and timely revelation – a delightful yet awe-inspiring revelation about
the sacredness of matter, about creation as the expression of God’s own being,
about the evolution of our cosmos, our world, our human condition and our
personal agonies and ecstasies as being now and forever, the body and Blood of
Christ.
Daniel
J O’Leary, New Hearts for New Models
The Mass was concelebrated at the Machakos
Cathedral, by the Most Rev. Raphael Ndingi Mwana a Nzeki, assisted by Bishop
Martin Kivuva and Bishop Boniface Lele of Kitui.
Rev. S. Mc Govern, Provincial of CSSP, was
also present and a large number of Priests, Sisters and Brothers. The Mass was
a fitting tribute to the departed, as an appreciation for all that he had done
for the Diocese of Machakos and also for what he was, as a dedicated and caring
shepherd of his flock, for 48 years.
Rev. M. Mahan CSSP remunerated in his
homily all the untiring work father had accomplished, in establishing the
numerous buildings, cathedral, churches and convents throughout the Diocese.
He served God
faithfully in life May he be welcomed into eternal rest.
Special Days
January 18-25Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
January 30 Homelessness Sunday
February 6th International Marriage Encounter day
February 13-20 National Marriage Week
February 13 Unemployment Sunday (Church
Action on Poverty)
March 1-13 Fair Trade Fortnight
March 4 Women's World day of Prayer
March 8 Day for Women's Rights and International Peace
March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 22 World Day for Water
April 7 World Health Day
May 8-14 Christian Aid Week
May 15 International Day of Families
May 29 International Day of UN Peacekeepers
June 4 International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
June 5 World Environment Day
June 20-26 Refugee Week
June 20 World Refugee Day
June 26 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
July 10 Sea Sunday (
July 11 World Population Day
August 12 International Youth Day
August 12 International Day for the remembrance of the Slave trade and it's
abolition
September 11 (2nd Sunday) Racial Justice Sunday
September 21 International Day of Peace
October 1 International Day of Older
Persons
October 10 World Mental Health Day
October 16 World Food Day
October 17 UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty
October 23-30 One World Week
October 19-26 Parents' Week
October 24 United Nations Day
October 24-30 Disarmament Week
November 13 Remembrance Sunday
November 16 International Day for Tolerance
November 20-26 (3rd Sunday) Prisoners' Sunday, beginning of Prisons' Week
November 20 Universal Children's Day
November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
November 29 International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
December 1 World AIDS Day
December 2 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
December 3 International Day of Disabled
persons
December 10 International Human Rights Day
This year the
following celebrated the golden/silver Jubilee of their ordination/profession
Sr. Anna– Golden
Jubilee
Born: 5/9/1935
First Profession:
8/9/1954
Perpetual Profession:
8/9/1959
Sr. Stella-Golden
Jubilee
Born: 25/09/1930
First Profession:
24/05/1955
Perpetual Profession:
Fr. George
Mbinda-Silver Jubilee
Born: 1950
Ordination: 14/10/1979
Sr. Pushpa-Silver
Jubilee
Born: 03/05/1958
First Profession:
22/05/1979
Perpetual Profession:
12/05/1988
Perpetual Profession:
12/05/1998
FEB.-9th ’05-ASH-WEDNESDAY.
Joel 2:12-18, Ps. 50 2Cor.5: 20-26 Mt.6:1-6 16-18
The cry of the prophet Joel,
“Come back to me with all your heart..” sets the theme for Ash Wednesday and
challenges us that our external acts of penance must touch our hearts, not
merely our external behaviors because conversion is a matter of the heart.
Ps. 50 “ A pure heart create for me O God.”
In the 2nd
It is very clear in the Gospel
that our Father who sees all we do in secret will reward us.
The reception of ashes reminds
us of our beginning and departure and urges us to deeper things: renewed
dedication, constant compassion and mindful awareness that we will return to
dust.
The 1st preface cheers us to
enter “this joyful, season which will help us celebrate fittingly the Paschal
Mystery.”
FEB. 13th 1st SUNDAY OF LENT
Gen 2:7-9, Ps.57, Rom 5:12-19, Mt 4: 1-11
The main theme of the 1st Sun.
of Lent CALLS us to renew our Baptismal Commitment through prayer,
acknowledgment of our sins and repentance. The 1st reading warns us against
giving into the “3 Ps” – PLEASURE, PRIDE and POWER. Adam and Eve forgot the
Divine Instruction, which gave them freedom to choose right or wrong. They
listened to the serpent. “Did God really
say you were not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?” They had to
suffer the consequences of sin and separation from God.
In the Gospel we read of the ONE
who was tempted but did not sin because Christ’s true freedom meant doing HIS
FATHER’S WILL through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When Christ came he
restored our freedom which is doing the Father’s Will. The Ps. calls us to
acknowledge our sins and repent. Living in sin means disobedience and failure
to our Baptismal Commitment.
FEB. 20th , 2nd SUNDAY OF LENT
Gn 12:1-4 Ps. 33 2Th : 8-10 Mt. 17:1-9
In the opening prayer we ask,” Enlighten us with your word” How open to the
Scriptures are we?
Abraham is told by God Himself,
“LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FATHER’S HOUSE FOR THE LAND I WILL
SHOW YOU.”
What are we called to leave
during this Lent? The answer is given in the second reading: GOD HAS CALLED US
TO BE HOLY and to recognize Him in our encounters with others.
“This is my Son, the Beloved; Listen to Him”. Our sense of hearing has been
sanctified through baptism. This Lent we can check on how best to use these
sanctified ears? Fasting from??? and making time to listen to God and others.
“Your Word O Lord is a lamp for my steps and a light for my path.”
FEB. 27th 3rd SUNDAY OF LENT
Ex 17 : 3-7 Ps.95 Rom 5:1-2 5-8
In the opening prayer we ask for
confidence in God’s love when we are discouraged by our weakness!
In the first reading the people
are complaining and grumbling. Moses in desperation cries out to God, “How am I
to deal with these people? We too are a complaining and grumbling people!
The Ps. urges us to listen to God.
In the Gospel Jesus is says to us:
“If we only knew what kind of
father we have and how anxious he is to satisfy our thirst but the Samaritan
woman requested, “Give me some of that water, so that I may never get thirsty
again.” She listened to Christ and the TRUTH set her free to testify to the
others that she had met the Messiah! They believed her and came to see and
exclaimed “Now we no longer believe because of what you told us. We have heard
him ourselves and we know that he really is the Savior of the world!” Amen.
Compiled
by Sr. Anna R.N.D.M.
Kalawa
Parish is situated at the Southern East of Machakos Diocese and at the Northern
East of Makueni District. It’s climate
matches that of North Eastern Kenya.
The Parish was separated from
Ikalaasa Parish and the first Father In-Charge was late Fr. Lewis CSSP who helped
in the construction of the Church and Fathers’ House. He moved from Ikalaasa to
Kalawa in January 1991. By then the new
Parish had 11 Out-stations. In July 1993
Fr. Pius Kyule took over from Fr. Lewis, who was leaving for
The population of the Parish is
about 32,820, according to the Statistics of December 2003. There are 10,973 Catholics, 10,500
Protestants and 11,347 non-Christians.
Currently, the Parish which is dedicated to our Lady Queen of Peace has
24 Outstations and is divided into four Zones.
25 Catechists work in the Stations.
None of them has had a formal training for this noble job. Six
Girls from Kalawa are serving God in various Congregations as Religious
Sisters. There is only one Senior Seminarian
from Kalawa, who is finishing his studies this year, at Christ the King Senior
Seminary, Nyeri.
In the Mission area which is the
Kalawa Administrative Division, there are 10
Cosmas Mwova SENIOR SEMINARIAN.
January 4th 2005 was a special day for all
the priests and religious of the Diocese of Machakos. As is the practice every
year, we gathered with our Bishop Martin and Bishop Emeritus U.J Kioko for a
Christmas and New year Mass and Dinner. This year was special as we had four Jubilarians who celebrated their
special day with us.
At
the beginning of the Mass, at the Cathedral, Bishop Martin thanked all those
working in the Diocese for bringing the good news to the people for their
valuable assistance. During the sermon he looked back at the year 2004 and said
it was an year of defiance and rejection; unrest in the schools, thefts in the
various parishes and convents, famine and bad cultural practices in different
parts of the Diocese etc. He asked all of us to reflect the “whys” behind it
all. He also thanked the various groups in the parishes who contributed in
different ways towards its developments. 2005 being the year of the Eucharist
he urged all of us to spread devotion to the most Holy Eucharist.
At the Pastoral
Centre a delicious dinner was prepared for all and the climax of the occasion
was the cutting of the jubilee cake by the Bishop Emeritus, assisted by the
Jubilarians. Thank you Bishop Martin for the wonderful celebration.
Uwo,
correspondent
The following story was narrated by Reverend Father Stanislaus SSCC.
“One day many years ago, in a little town
in
at the conversation which ensued
between the poor woman and the butcher. "Only a little meat but how much
are you going to give me? "I am sorry I have no money but I'll offer Mass
for you."
Both the butcher and the Captain
were good men but very indifferent about religion so they at once began to
scoff at the old woman's answer. "All right then,"
said the butcher, "you go to Mass for me and when you come back I'll give
you as much meat as the Mass is worth." The woman left the shop and
returned
later. She approached the counter and the butcher seeing her said, "All
right then, we'll see." he took a slip of paper and wrote on it I offered
Mass for you.
He then placed the paper on the
scales and a tiny bone on the other side but nothing happened. Next he placed a
piece of meat instead of the bone but still the paper proved heavier. Both men
were beginning to feel ashamed of their mockery but continued the game. A large
piece of meat was placed on the balance, but still the paper held its own. The
butcher, exasperated, examined the scales, but found they were all right.
"What do you want my good woman, must I give you a whole leg of
mutton?"
At this he placed the leg of mutton
on the balance but the paper outweighed the meat. A larger piece of meat was
put on, but again the weight remained on the side of the paper. The butcher was
so impressed that he was converted, and promised to give the woman her daily
ration of meat. As for the Captain he left the shop a changed man, an ardent
lover of daily
From that incident the Captain became a
daily Mass goer and his children were trained to follow his example. Later when
his sons became priests, he advised them to say Mass well every day and never
miss the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass through any fault of their own.”
A seminar for the parents of the handicapped children sponsored by the
Lilian Foundation, within Nzaikoni Parish was held on 2nd and 3rd of Dec. 2004.
the seminar was an eye-opener for the parents themselves to accept their
children with disabilities as God’s gift. They realized that they are not alone
with children with disabilities but there are many like them. We thank Sr.
Catherine Wanza and Ms. Christine from the national office for facilitating the
seminar.
Naikoni Correspondent
Feb. 26th :
Diocesan Youth Council Meeting at the
Cathedral at 10.00 AM.
Agenda:(i) Subscription fee
(ii) Preparation for Palm
Sunday
(iii) Planning for Diocesan youth
courses
(iv) Diocesan Youth Mass
“Do what you can, for who you can, with what you have, and where you are.”
C.M.A.-KOMAROCK
The Catholic Men of Komarock
Parish met on 19th December 2004 at the Shrine. The celebration of the Eucharist that day was
officiated by Rev. Fr. Thomas the Fr. In Charge of the Shrine.
The Kanzalu Deanery Chairman and
a team of other leaders shared a lot with the men on their roles and work in
the church.
The Co-ordinator who was Sr.
Kingi also shared with them on Faith and Sacraments.
Rev. Fr. Thomas closed the seminar with a prayer.
MASII PARISH
It was on 26th of
Dec. 2004, while people were still in the Christmas mood, when over 200 men,
both young and old, met in Masii Parish for a colourful Eucharistic celebration
specifically dedicated to the men of that parish.
The Mass started with a
procession lead by the young men dancing vigorously and the old men following
in a slow, joyful rhythm.
Women on that day were
back-benchers since the day was for men only.
The men occupied half of the church and many women remained outside.
The main celebrant of the Mass
was Rev. Fr. Peter Makau, a newly ordained Consolata Missionary Priest. The
preacher of the day, Rev. Fr. Muteti, the Fr. In-Charge Masii, called upon His Christians to cling to Jesus,
whom they received and proclaimed during baptism, and avoid engaging in
negative cultural practices. Fr. Muteti
said that it is in Jesus that we all find true happiness and fulfillment.
He challenged both men and women
to seriously play their roles in the family, especially in correcting their
children when they see them doing something wrong. He told them to follow the example of the
Holy Family JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH the model for all families.
After Mass, the Women's/Men's
Co-ordinator, together with the two Priests in Masii and a C.M.A. leader from
Kangundo shared more with the men on: FAITH, the work of CMA in the church and
family.
The men were happy and they
proposed a seminar in April as a follow up of what took place that day.
Congratulations.
Thank you Fr. Muteti for
the organization of that CMA day.
Sr. Bernadette Munyao
MWALA PARISH
The Function of CMA took place
on 29th December 2004 at Mwala Catholic Mission Ground. The workshop was attended by over (100) one
hundred men from the 19 outstations in the Parish.
It was officially opened by Rev.
Fr. Kennedy Kitheka, our Father In-charge, at 10.00 a.m.
The two facilitators who
officiated the were Mr. Joseph Muindi and Brother Alphonse from Katangi Parish.
The themes for the day was:
Family Life and C.M.A. Formation
Over 60 men registered as
members of C.M.A. the day. This was the
first Catholic Men’s workshop in the Parish and it was very successful. We are
very greatful to our Co-ordinator, Sister Bernadette Munyao, for her
encouragement to establish C.M.A. in Mwala Parish. Thank you.
Dominic Malelu MEN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
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.
Katheka:
Fr. In-Charge-Fr. Arelian
Tumaini
Fr. Patrick Muteti: Fr. In-Charge, Masii
Fr. David Muvaa: Responsible for
the, Prisons
Bishop Urbanus J.Kioko catholic Hospital will be opened on Feb. 2nd, 2005.
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.
Please book for Marriage encounter Weekend on Friday 5 PM to Sunday
3 PM 18th-20th February 2005 at
February-2005
6th Religious
Day
14th-18th On-going formation for priests
21st-25th On-going formation for priests
25th-27th Masinga
28th Thanks-giving
party for Bishop Emeritus, Urbanus J.
Kioko
March-2005
12th Tawa
14th Makindu
20th Palm
Sunday, Mlolongo
24th Chrism
Mass
25th Good
Friday, Tala
“When we feel someone else's pain we can
help to lessen it.”
Comfort him, lest
perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 2 Cor.2:7
Catholic Diocese of Machakos
P.O. Box - 344, Machakos
Tel. 254-44-20484; Fax-254-44-21308
E-mail: uwo@felmu.co.ke