Issue No. 23: May, 2005
The
Truth: Machakos Link Newsletter
An organ
of communication of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos
Eucharist,
the source and strength of our Christian life be the very essence of our life
that flows in our vain. May the feast of Corpus Christi be an event to renew
our commitment to the Eucharistic Lord.
a tribute to our hero pope
john paul ii
Inauguration of the
Eucharistic Year
muuo-peace-women’s project
– kenya israel
the heart in the church of
christians
parish of the month –
masinga catholic church
pope john paul ii convent
opened – kasikeu parish
commentaries for the
sundays – may Month of our Mother Mary
walking with the eucharistic
lord
We could hear the words of Jesus coming
from John Paul II as the Cardinals met in Rome. “I will ask the father and he will give you another helper who
will stay with you”.
Machakos Diocese
On April 8th, at 10.30 A.M our
Bishop Martin Kivuva united with Rome & the whole world at a concelebrated
mass in our Cathedral. A number of
Priests, Sisters, Brothers and many parishioners attended. As always the Cathedral choir rose to the
occasion and their rendering of psalm 23 was very moving. The Bishop in his homily paid tribute and
highlighted the qualities and gifts of our Holy
Father; of how he represented Christ on earth and worked tirelessly to
create justice, peace and forgiveness during his travels and in his numerous
Encyclicals. The Bishop quoted from the
last letter of our Holy Father, for Holy Thursday 2005, CHRIST’S LOVE TO THE
END and challenged us to re-read this very inspiring legacy of love.
As a final touching farewell
gesture, our Bishop and priests blessed the portrait of our dear departed Pope
and friend of twenty six years, this in solidarity with the blessing of the
coffin in Rome, before the millions gathered there. May his soul rest in peace
Alleluia Amen.
Sr. Anna Dennehy R.N.D.M
The seven Parishes of KANZALU
DEANERY assembled at Tala Sports ground in Tala Parish for the opening of the Eucharistic year. Over
5,000 Men, Women and youths from the deanery gathered for an open air Mass
presided over by Bishop Martin Kivuva, the Bishop of Machakos Diocese.
The Bishop encouraged the
Christians to be faithful to God, to cultivate a close relationship with Christ
and to strive to be one with Him. He
also asked the people to be WITNESSES OF THE RISEN CHRIST. The Bishop
told the Men & Women to be good examples to their children. The children will practice what they see in
their parents. “MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO". In response about 3,000
women and 300 men renewed their commitment to follow Christ closely as members
of C.W.A. and C.M.A. The women in their
Diocesan sky blue uniform had their CWA headscarves blessed, the Men in their
Light blue shirts had their ties and badges blessed by the Bishop and all the
priests present. The two groups CMA
& CWA were officially received and recognized in that Deanery. The sister
co-ordinator reminded the men & women that headscarves, ties and a budge
are signs of Evangelization and witness of Christ's' message of love, peace and
unity. These items therefore should be
respected and worn during Church Functions and ceremonies that concern men or
women. After the closing prayer of the Mass, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed
and the Bishop conducted the faithful to Adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
for about 30 minutes. Then the Eucharistic procession followed round Tala
Sports ground, as people prayed and sung Eucharistic hymns of Holy Eucharist.
The ceremony was well organized by the priests and the councils of the
Deanery. All priests of the Deanery
were present for the ceremony.
Thanks to the Dean, Fr.
Boniface Nzomo, and Fr. Thomas Kyalo - Fr. In charge Tala Parish, Fr. Michael
Muange and all the priests and the councils of that Deanery for their great
spirit of Team work. It was a
successful celebration.. All are one!
Sr. Bernadette Munyao
WOMEN & MEN
CO-ORDINATOR
On 8/3/05 Sr. Elizabeth & Sr.Celina
celebrated in style with their Muuo women’s group. As the guest arrived, a beautiful pink flower, which the group
had previously created for the occasion was presented to each guest. Then the Eucharistic celebration began with
a Bangladeshi procession dance. Rev. Fr.
Peter Muema was the celebrant and during his homily he said there is no objection
to women wearing trousers, but the real issue is what kind of trousers are worn
he stated.. And if you cannot respect yourself as a woman, how can you expect
others to respect you? Women need to be
proud of themselves and ought to be well informed loving, caring, hardworking,
forgiving and concerned about others.
In fact, women are the back-borne of society and the beauty of the
family. Our thanks to all who
participated.
Sr. Celina Rongma R.N.D.M
Today the church is
experiencing a new attitude of change.
A change from foreign aided mentality to a self sustainance. This was witnessed by His Lordship Bishop
Martin Kivuva as he was administering the sacrament of confirmation at Katangi
Parish.
His three days visit occasioned him on the first day of 15th
April to open a new church named as St. Stephen Catholic Church entirely
constructed by the Christians without foreign funding. On the same day he confirmed 220 Christians
in a Eucharistic celebration.
On the 16th, the day
began with the celebration of the Eucharistic and 211 Christians were
confirmed. After wards a piece of land,
which the Christians had bought for another new church was blessed.
On the 17th the Bishop
met the Parish Council Officials, who have plans to build a mixed Primary
Boarding School, as a source of income for the Parish. Being the vocation Sunday he confirmed 565
Christians in a very colorful celebration of Holy Mass.
This is a concrete example of
a clear awareness of the fact that people are developing an attitude of
embracing the responsibility of owning the church as their unlike before.
In a nutshell, in his homily the point of concern was to urge the entire
congregation to seriously practice their faith. To set a good example before others. Actions speak louder than words while elaborating the meaning
gave a story about a tamed monkey.
This animal used to do exactly
what the owner had trained it to behave, hence the response of the story was
“Nguli Yoona, Nguli Iyika”Literary “Monkey see, Monkey do”. This story remains vivid in the minds of
many both the old and the young.
Lastly, the Katangi Christians wish to thank the Bishop for his Pastoral
visit and in a very special way for his profound teaching about good deeds
yields to a better harvest and vice versa.
Makundi Paul
Seminarian Katangi Parish
WE HAVE MOBILE LINES AND A NEW EMAIL ACCOUNT FOR BISHOP’S OFFICE.
CELTEL 0735 - 330160
SAFARICOM 0721 - 377439
Email
Account:
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@wananchi.com
Masinga Parish was started in
1983 born from Ekalakala Parish and the first Fr. In charge was Fr. Blasco Fonseca. It has been served by a number of priests;
Fr. Januaris Kioko, Fr. Samuel Makau, Fr. Boniface Waema, Fr. Christant Muasa,
Fr. Anthony Makau, Fr. Joseph Makite, and Fr. Francis Isenge. Fr. Thaddeus
Mulwa, Fr, Joseph Mutie, Fr. John Muli. Fr. Anthony Ndolo, and Fr, John Mutiso.
The Parish has 27 outstations,
one youth Polytechnic, 11 Sponsored
Primary School and one Sponsored Secondary School Massing Parish has 30
Sunday School Centers and six zones. The
Parish has produced 6 priests and a number of sisters.
This year 476 Christians were
confirmed by Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva, it was a big celebration which was
welcomed by all the Christians
Fr. In charge Fr.
John Muli
At last, Kasikeu Catholic
Mission proudly received four sisters of the congregation of the Little Sister
of St. Francis of Assisi. The quest for
having sisters in the parish started
over 26 years ago when the parish, through the stewardship of the late Rev. Fr. Adriano Bonifante
constructed a sisters’ convent and a dispensary block in the hope that sisters
would be posted to the parish immediately!
This never happened until 10 April, 2005. Through the continuous prayers, patience and enduring hope of
the parish, the Christians and with
the timely personal commitment of Rt. Rev.
Martin Kivuva, the Little Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi accepted to post
four sisters to start off the activities of the Kasikeu Convent. On Sunday, 10 April 2005, the Bishop blessed
the convent to mark the beginning of the sisters’ activities in the Parish. In
addition to spiritual matters, the sisters are expected to run a dispensary and
a school project is envisaged. During his homily, the Bishop reminded the
Christians that through genuine faith in the risen Christ, our needs as
individuals, the family, the church and the nation would be satisfied. He thanked
Fr. Raphael Muthoka and his assistant Fr. Nicholas Munyweia, the church leaders
and the Christians for patiently working hard to mark it possible to have
sisters in the Parish making it the second Convent in the Diocese.
He urged the Priests, the Christians and
newly arrived sisters to work together ‘as one' in order to succeed. He concluded by asking Christians to
continuously pray to Christ in order for him to live among them, in their
families and the church.
Alfonso
K. Munyali
Parish
Secretary—Kasikeu
6th Sunday of Easter:
(Acts 8.5-8,14-17; Ps.65, 1Pet.3.15-18, John: 14. 15-21)
The Gospel reading
of today is a continuation of the Farewell discourse of Jesus to his
apostles. Imagine the moment when two
friends bid farewell to each other; the thought of a possibility of not meeting
again and the anxiety of the devastating consequences, which the apostles are
experiencing. The question Thomas and
Philip ask in the preceding verses depicts the loss of a dear friend, but Jesus
assures his witnesses that he will defend them. As Christians, we are called to be happy because we are serving a
master who goes with us. We have a
divine assurance. The spirit of truth
is with us. Consequently, the church
has remained unchanged for centuries, because the Holy Spirit never compromises
the truth. The Holy Spirit is the source of unity to all the believers and thus
we are baptized through the same Spirit.
Ascension of the Lord:
(Acts:1.1-11,Ps.46 Eph.1.17-23, Mtt.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 the Ascension and assured them that Jesus will come again
is the foundation of Christian hope in the resurrection. It is time to go out to the whole world and
proclaim the Good News of the risen Christ who ascended to heaven and stop
looking at the sky. He shares with us
the authority that has been given him by the Father. The Lord calls us to proclaim the Good News and cast away the
fears 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. Through Baptism, we are made evangelizers as
well as students in the school of Jesus, we also learn from others until Jesus
comes again.
The Pentecost Sunday:
(Acts.2.1-11,Ps.103,1Cor.12.3-7,12-13, John: 20.19-23)
The solemnity of
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 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 and inner peace through the spirit. All the people who were gathered at the
first Pentecost Sunday from different races, languages, tribes, age groups, men
and women and any other distinction that may be there are a manifestation of
the diversity of the followers of
Christ. Today the spirit harmonizes all
these groups to proclaim with one voice the message that Jesus is the
Lord. How would the church be without
this great gift? Through the Holy
Spirit, the disciples are given the gift of the sacrament of reconciliation,
which unites us with God and brings us true peace with God and our brethren.
The Most Holy Trinity
Exod.34.4-6,8-9,2 Cor.13.11-13,Jh.3.16-21
We celebrate the
Grace of our Lord Jesus, the love to God the Father and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit being with us. God intends
to bring back the unity that existed at the creation. He unites the fallen humanity to himself through the
Trinity. We praise God our creator, God
the son our saviour and God the Spirit who is our Paraclete and consoler. We celebrate the God of love who sends his
son to the fallen world to redeem it from sin.
The son becomes the word incarnate and he is with us always. He promises the gifts of the Holy Spirit from
God the Father and this is fulfilled.
The power of the spirit makes us cry “Abba, Father" in every trial
and need. We are no longer orphans; the
Father is with us through the Spirit.
May we live united as manifested in the Trinitarian procession.
The
body and blood of Jesus Christ
Deut. 8.2-3, 14-16,Psl.147, 1Cor.16-17
Jesus says, “Whoever eats my flesh and
drinks my blood will have eternal life.
The Eucharist is the centre of our catholic faith. In the Eucharistic celebration we are not only
celebrating a memorial but we are actually parking in the sacrifice of Christ
and realizing his presence through our faith. In the Eucharist, we have a
banquet with an eternal effect, not like the manna the Israelites ate in the
desert and died. It is a banquet in
which Christ is actually eaten. It is a
banquet of the repentant not of sinners.
When we eat and drink from the same cup,
we are united with Christ who has called us and we are bound to respect and
love one another. As the manna gave
strength to the Israelites to persevere on their journey to the Promised Land,
so too the Eucharist gives us the strength in our spiritual journey towards our
promised eternal destination. When we receive communion we identify ourselves
with Christ—THE BREAD OF LIFE
Rev. Fr. F. Maundu
The eagerly awaited day came
for the Nzaikoni parish youth. It was
1st April 2005 and the great event of the Emmaus walk for the parish youth,
left the whole village guessing! A
group of the Focolare movement from Machakos Cathedral also joined us, to walk
with the Eucharistic Lord up to the famous Island “Muooni Dam”. Like the
disciples walking with Jesus, the enthusiastic young people walked with Jesus
and recognized his presence in nature. Young people always have questions to
ask about the Eucharist and they had opportunity to ask them. Every event of
the day revolved around the Eucharist. “We have come to worship you, stay with
us Lord”, was the motto of the great evening/night. The wonderful mass, which was the climax of the whole day, was
deeply explained part by part by the Father of the young at Nzaikoni. This gave
a better understanding of the Mass to the young, hence clearing some of their
doubts. The Holy Mass was preceded by a
lovely adoration which brought the young people closer to God, inviting many of
them to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. As the night deepened, it was time for entertainment and games
since our father Don Bosco said, “That a house without music and games is like
a body without a soul!” They all expressed their Joy in holiness and all went
home renewed and filled with the Eucharistic Lord, though all were physically
exhausted but spiritually renewed with the fire of the Risen Lord. Congrats to
our parish priest who managed to walk with us and keep awake the whole night.
Also, we send our special thanks to Fr. Dominic who led us in the
Eucharist. 300 youth took part in the
walk. On 13th April the junior youth of the parish had the same walk
with the Eucharistic Lord, 5oo in number. CONSO(Nzaikoni)
Rev. Fathers
welcome to a marriage Encounter week End at Resurrection Garden in Nairobi.
June 3rd—5th
2005 or
August 5th—7th
2005 or
November 4th—6th 2005
PLEASE!
PLEASE! PLEASE!
Recruit couples
from your parish for week End at the Pastoral Centre on.
June 24th-26th 2005 or
October 7th-9th 2005
Sr. Anna
R.N.D.M
The evening of 2/4/05 at 9.37
pm Rome time, the Holy Father finally left us, an end of an
era ended after 26 years of Pope John Paul II's Pontificate. I have worked
under his guidance since 1986 and has been a wonderful model for me. Model as
Shepherd, model in his suffering since 1981. I have met the Holy Father since
1986 at least once a year. I met the Holy Father for the first time in 1980 as
a consultant for the Office I now work with. The Pope has been my Spiritual Father
like many Catholics around the world. May his soul rest him in peace! Some
people asked me in Rome whether the Holy Father should have resigned when he
was sick. My response was that " I would never think of my own father
resigning since the Pope is like my own father".
With best wishes,
John Mutiso
- Rome, Italy
Our condolences to Sr. Teresia Mutheu of
the Carmelite Srs Monestry Mks for the death of her mother Evarline Nzilani
which occurred on 3/4/2005. We too say “Pole”to Fr. Daniel Kasomo of Mitaboni
whose father passed away on 29/04/2005 and he was laid to rest at his home -
Mbiuni on 6/5/05
May the Merciful
Lord grant them eternal Rest.
1st C.M.A-Cathedral
3rd - 6th KEC- Nairobi
13th-15th
Confirmation Cathedral/Pentecost
Sunday.
21st Pilgrimage
Subukia
29th Corpus Christi -
Cathedral
30-11th June
AMECEA Plenary - Uganda
June-2005
1-11th – AMECEA Plenary-Uganda
14-19th- Makueni Parish
21st-
Catholic Journalist - Nairobi
25th –
Installation –Archbishop Boniface Lele - Mombasa
Unless we form
ourselves perfectly, unless we daily strive for our own holiness, we can never
bring others to perfection.
Catholic Diocese of Machakos
P.O. Box - 344, Machakos
Tel. +254-044-20484; Fax-254-044-21308
E-mail: bishopsomks@wananchi.com
Website: http\www.machakosdiocese.org