ÛW’O

Issue No. 24: June, 2005

The Truth: Machakos Link Newsletter

An organ of communication of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos

 

COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO LABOUR & ARE BURDENED, & I WILL GIVE YOU REST.  TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN FROM ME, FOR I AM MEEK & HUMBLE OF HEART & YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOURSELVES.  FOR MY YOKE IS EASY, & MY BURDEN LIGHT.”

 

 

UW'O WELCOMES the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Alain Paul Lebeaupin

To Kenya.      KARIBU MACHAKOS

IN SIDE THIS ISSUE

FROM COMMUNICATION DESK – THE REPORT

COMMENTARIES FOR THE SUNDAYS – JUNE

OSAI MUYE NI MWII WAKWA

NEW APPOINTMENTS

NOTE OF INFORMATION

PRINCIPALS WORKSHOP AT KATOLONI

FEED BACK

CONGRATULATIONS

VICE PRESIDENT VISITS MAKUENI PARISH

CATHOLIC TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE (CTTI) – MACHAKOS

CATHOLIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AND NURSES – MKS CATHEDRAL

ANNIVERSAY

CHARISMATIC RENEWAL RETREAT APRIL 2005

BISHOP’S DIARY

 

 

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 FROM COMMUNICATION’S DESK - THE REPORT

 

After the Ordination of the current Bishop, the communication office got a  co-ordinator  Fr. Sebastian Kol who was able to put things in motion by inviting others to participate in sharing ideas in relation to our Diocesan motto “THAT ALL MAY BE ONE.”  Thanks to God we had our first news letter one month after our Bishop’s Ordination (July 3rd 2003) since then, it has been growing strong day by day with the co-operation from all stake-holders, Priests, Sisters and our lay faithful.

PRINT

     Our communication office produces/prints a monthly Diocesan Newsletter; Uw´o (The truth) which is distributed to parishes and also sent to many others through the

E-mail for free of charge.  So far, we have produced up to 24th issues in two years.  Also we have launched a Diocese website. (http: www: machakosdiocese.org) that provides a great link to the outside world. Thanks to Ann Gakere and her husband Tony of sawa sawa.com with our Monsignor John Mutiso in Rome for manning our website.

 

CALENDAR. 2005

     In collaboration with Fr. Gigi of The Seed in Nairobi and Makuyu Printing press in Muranga, we printed our 2005 calendar which we used our own local pictures from activities in the Diocese as away of reaching to our Christians. Moreover in keeping with the Eucharistic theme of this year, we chose to use the picture of Christ/divine mercy with the words “JESUS I LOVE YOU” This was aimed at promoting devotion to and dedication to Jesus in the year of the Eucharist.

COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP

     February this year, the Diocese held a communication awareness Workshop. Eighty-four of our priests attended the seminar.  The seminar was opened by our Bishop Martin Kivuva and was animated by Fr. Thomas Kunelli and Fr. Alex from Don Bosco indeed they shared of how the media can be at the service of the Gospel. The seminars/workshops was geared towards helping the priests and religious to acquire good skills of communication. They were made to appreciate modern methods of communication and how to use media to evangelise and bring about Media awareness and HIV Aids to others.

RADIO 

     Two of our priests have been producing a weekly programme in Kikamba, which have become very popular in this section of the Diocese. This programme has now been running for the last one-year on Wednesdays and Sundays.  The programme is aired on a community FM Radio station called Mangelete F.M in Mtito Andei.  The programme, ‘Thayu witu” (Our Life) which focuses on the Sunday readings and the other one is "Community Education and Animation"

Cassette ministry-Music.  We are still in co-operation with the Radio Waumini and we have already sent some choirs and they have produced their Music.  The music has been recorded and it is used during services.

Through encouragement from the Communication office several parishes have produced Musical cassettes consequently this has boosted their finances and improved their singing skills. Some of the music given to the Radio Waumini is now aired in the National Radio.

To be Cont. /Next Issue

 

 

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COMMENTARIES FOR THE SUNDAYS - JUNE

 

5-Sun-: 10th Sun. In Ordinary Time

Hos 6: 3-6; Ps 50; Rom 4: 18-25; Mt 9:9-13

I want Love, Not Sacrifices. The first reading and the Gospel we find the phrase: “I want deeds of love and mercy, not Sacrifices!”. Prophet Hosea explains to us how God rejects worship that is separated from life. This Sunday we are called to reflect on the relationship that exits between our faith and its effect to our lives, between the prayers we pray daily and the degree of justice we practice which appears even in the Gospel of this Sunday. Samuel had already given the same message which Hosea and Jesus are giving us today, “Is Yahweh pleased by burnt offerings and sacrifices or by obedience to Yahweh’s voice? Truly obedience is better than Sacrifice, submissiveness than the fat of rams” (1 Sam 15, 22). The Scriptures speak in many places against the cult that is not connected with life and justice, cf. Hos. 4,4-5;5:4-6; Micah 6:6-8; Jer. 6:20; 7:21-23; Isa 1: 10-20; Psalm 49(50); 50(51).

True religion must be that which leads someone to serve the poor, the marginalized and love all without discrimination. Are there some among us who are very religious and yet they preach hatred and discrimination?

12 Sun-: 11th Sun. In Ordinary Time

Ex 19:2-6; Ps 100; Rom 5:6-11; Mt 9:36; 10:8

He Summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority…these twelve Jesus sent out… The Apostles (pastors), shepherds, the fishers, aithi, are sent out especially to those who are tired and the lost ones (9:36), and they are sustained by the power conferred on them by Christ, from his imperatives, from his formation, from the Divine grace implored from the prayer (“so ask the Lord;  he called to himself; and gave them authority over unclean sprits and to heal; sent them out after instructing them; do not go, go instead, proclaim, cure the sick, raise, cleanse, drive out, give!”. The life of our community today is guaranteed from this live relationship with the source of his power. The insistence on the primacy of God and of his gratuitous gift (10:8) reminds the apostle that he is secondary compared to the protagonist. The apostle is the hand of God, he is “a useless servant he has done no more than his duty” (cf. Luke 17:10). Planting in the world the word and the love of God. This is the duty of each baptized Christian.

19 Sun-: 12th Sun. In Ordinary Time

Jer 20:10-13; Ps 69; Rom 5:12-15; Mt 10:26-33(Theme: The care of God.)

Not everybody will wish the servants of God well. Prophet Jeremiah experienced what it means to be rejected by his own. However, his consolation was to know that God was with him. It gave him hope. St. Paul gives us hope in the second reading, and in the Gospel Jesus tells us that we are under his care. Let us be courageous! Courage Brothers and Sisters.

26 Sun: 13th Sun. In Ordinary Time

2Kgs 4:8-11.14-16; Ps 89; Rom 6:3-4.8-11; Mt 10:37-42

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me;...” This Sunday we are invited to reflect on our attitude to those who devote their lives to the proclamation of salvation. The welcoming mentioned by Jesus in the whole of Chapter 10 in what is called the missionary Discourse of Matthew has more of a theological value than simply social because in the person who is welcomed we see the face of Christ himself. Especially three categories of people reveal the presence of the Lord: the prophet, the just, the little ones. It doesn’t matter what is their personal qualification, its enough that we have the essential quality of the person, “they are sent” (v.40) because as the contemporary rabbis with Jesus said “the send is as if it is the sender in person”, it doesn’t matter even if we don’t recognize him immediately as it happened with Christ. Matthew in chapter 25 reminds us that the just will be surprised to know that in the sick, the persecuted, the prisoners, the marginalized whom they helped it was Christ himself in them. Its not even important the kind of gift given to us, even the most urgent and simple one like a glass of water, it becomes a co-operation in evangelization and merits a divine “reward” (v.42)

Rev, Dr. Fr. Charles Kyallo

 

 

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OSAI MUYE NI MWII WAKWA

 

Yoana: 6:1    Yesu Kimutu Ki Thayu.

     Muthenya wa kana Mutheu, Yesu niwekalile nthi vamwe na atume make aisania namo mboya ya Vasaka ovamwe na kumanenga mana nzau nthini wa utianio mweu.  Muthenya usu, niwosie kimutu akiathima, akitilanga na amanenga amanyiwa make maye akimea. “Osai muye uu ni mwii Wakwa”na kikombe kya ndivai ota ou akiathima na kumea “Osai munywe ino niyo nthakame yakwa ila yitika kwondu wenyu nundu wa uekeo wa nai.”  Ino yonthe ningelekanyo ya wendo munene ula Yesu wendete andu make nundu wakatano mutheu eenenganie vyu athinwe na kuawa ngelanyoni nundu witu ( twovow'e).

      Kwoou Sakalamenti ya Ekalisti ni klisto mwene ukaa na kulika nthini waitu atuetee utanu na thayu mweu.  Niwe kimutu ki thayu kila kyatheeie kuma ituni nundu witu.  Ndeto syake kwitu ni “Ula unuuya kimutu kii akeethiwa na thayu utathela nundu mwii wakwa ni liu waw'o na nthakame yakwa ni kyaunywa kyaw'o” Ethiwa tukaya mwii wa klisto na kunywa nthakame yake ona twakwa miini yaitu tukethiwa thayu, nundu klisto mwene ni kimutu ki thayu. Tutekuya mwii wa klisto na kunywa nthakame yake tuina thayu nthini waitu.  Otondu liu wikaa miini yaitu, (ukatune vinya, kwisiania na mowau) nowo ekalisti yikaa mathayuni maitu - kutunenga vinya wa thayu, kutusiania na thavu, kutuetee utanu, na wikwatyo wa thayu utathela.   Twitawa aklisto nundu twi aatii make na twamuthokya mathayuni maitu, tukekala take tuinengane ukusi wa uklisto witu ndetoni ona mekoni maitu. Mboya yaitu mwakani uu wa ekalisti ntheu yithiwe yi;

Thayu witu wina wauni waku ame mwiai na otondu nthi yina vata wa kiw'u, now'o mathayu maitu mena wauni waku we klisto.”

Ta amanyiwa ma Emau, tumuthokye klisto nthini wa Ekalisti ekale naitu ngooni, misyini, mawiani maitu, atuini na kila vandu. Tutatei kwivetana na isii ila ituma tutosa klisto nthini wa Ekalisti ntheu nundu uw'o.  “Mundu aunw'a ni kyau iulu wanthi na muminukilyo ayasya thayu utathela?”

Klisto niwe thayu na utanu witu.  Evingusya ngooni situ tumothokye aisanie naitu na tuyisania nake.

 

Iseuvitwe ni

Fr. Alfons Muema -Matuu Paris

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NEW APPOINTMENTS

 

Komarock Parish          - Fr. In charge Fr. Francis Kioko

 

Assisting Mbitini Parish -  Fr. Patrick Maliti.

                  

Assisting Athi River parish – Fr. Benedict   Nzomo.

                                    

Assisting Masii Parish -    Fr. Boniface Waema

 

Mlolongo Parish - Fr. Joseph Poikunnel

 

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NOTE OF INFORMATION

 

Fr. Gabriel Kateeti has been transferred from St. Mathias Mulumba Seminary to St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary Nairobi.

 

Fr. Thomas Vadassery is the Fr. In charge of  the Shrine of our Lady Komarock.  This is our Diocesan official Shrine.  We are all welcomed to go for group and Individual Prayers and visit the shrine.

 

 

 

 

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PRINCIPALS WORKSHOP AT KATOLONI.

 

Topic: Best practices in Education Management.

     A big one week workshop for Principals both in our Catholic Sponsored and Managed Schools in the Diocese was held as shown above. On the whole seventy two (72) Principals from across the Diocese attended. This workshop was funded by both the Diocese and Chemichemi Ya Ukweli. The facilitators for the workshop included Chemichemi ya Ukweli personnel led by Mr. Michael Tanya, Bishop Crowley of the Diocese of Kitale, the vice commission who is also the vice chairman, commission for Education Kenya Episcopal Conference, his Education Secretary Mrs. Wachuyeh, Bishop Martin Kivuva the host, Ms Augusta

Muthigani - National Education Secretary - KCS, Laban Ayiro, Senior Deputy Director of Education (MOEST), Sr. Shelja- the Diocesan REA, Rev. Fr. Michael Muange and Mr. David Nguli both of the Diocesan Education Office.

     Talking on the best practices of Education Management, Chemichemi ya Ukweli personnel stressed heavily on the use of peaceful means in solving conflicts in our institutions - whereas Bishop Crowley on Catholic Education and the role of the sponsor in ours schools.

Bishop Martin Kivuva encouraged Principals to emulate Christ - the Great teacher in their challenging role of education management.

    Ms Augusta re-emphasized the need for the Principals to be focused, committed to duty and available both to their students, teachers, school workers and the parents, if any when they call to see them for this or the other, in order to enhance teaching and learning.

Mr. Laban P. Ayiro spoke at length on education being manage as a business enterprise in this Endeavour the Principals were called upon to: Influence and change behavior to match the culture of their institutions; Define the past and the present; Determine the future; Encourage others to part from the past and embrace the future; Measuring the gap between the past and the future and  Determine future performance.

     To do this, there is need for them to sacrifice, see and accept their self-worth and practice humility. The Principals on their part expressed gratitude to the Bishop host, the guest speakers and the organization of the worth workshop and hoped that will not be the first and the last for the Diocese.  They said that their eyes had been opened wider and promised to put the acquired knowledge in practice to improve education in their respective schools.                         

Mr. Nguli

Education Secretary

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Feed Back

I would like to thank you so much for keeping me informed about what is happening in my home Parish.  It makes me feel at home at all times.

May God continue inspiring you with his will to serve his people.

Long Live Uw'o.  Thanks.

Pius Wambua

 

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Congratulations

Uw'o congratulates Archbishop Boniface Lele the Bishop of Kitui. Bishop Lele was born in Ithiani Village in Kitui District. On 16th November 1995 he was appointed to succeed Bishop William Dunne as the second Bishop of Kitui.  On 2nd April, 2005 he was elevated to be the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mombasa.  Welcome for his Installation on 25th June 2005 at Mombasa

 

 

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VICE PRESIDENT VISITS MAKUENI PARISH

 

It was a chilly morning on Sunday 17th April 2005.  The Makueni Parishioners were patiently waiting for the Vice President Hon. Dr. A.A Moody Awori for a thanksgiving and gift Sunday Mass at Makueni Parish.

     The Makueni parishioners had braved the chilly morning patiently waiting for the vice President and his team which included cabinet Minister Hon. Joseph Munyao, Assistant Minister Hon. Prof. Kivutha Kibwana and Deputy Speaker Hon. David Musila.  Speaking at the function the Makueni Dean and the Parish Priest Fr. John Makewa said the cry of the people of Makueni is availability of water, electricity, Television and Internet Network.  He noted that Constituency Development fund is a noble initiative that will result in major development at the grassroots level if it’s depoliticized and people focus on its positives.

     Monsignor Alfons Mondiu celebrated the Holy Mass.  In his homily he requested the Kenyans to thank God for the mercies bestowed upon us and encouraged Christians to pray for the election of the 265th Pontiff to replace the late John Paul II.

      In his speech the Vice President said that the government was ready to work with the church and would continue supporting it.  He asked Kenyans to let constructive dialogue and principled reconciliation guide the constitutional review.  Hon. Moody Awori donated several  wheel chairs to the disabled.  The function was also graced by Makueni D.C Paul Olando, Fr. Mike Mutuku, Fr. Daniel Nzioka and diocesan development co-ordinator Mr.

Francis Kikolya.  During the function over 500,000/- was raised.

Thanks to all who participated and made the day a colourful one.

Harwin Mwendwa

 

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CATHOLIC TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE (CTTI) - MACHAKOS

 

COURSES AVAILABLE NOW ( 2005) AT REDUCED FEES

Clothing Technology - Craft Level

Form IV D plain or Artisan Certificate

For two & half years.

Fees Boarders 24,000/- & Day 21,000/-

Tailoring & Dressmaking -Artisan Level

Standard  8  K.C.P.E

For two years.

Fees Boarders 13,000/- & Day 10,500/-

Motor Vehicle/Mechanics –Artisan Level.

Standard  8  K.C.P.E

For two years.

Fees Boarders 13,000/- & Day 10,500/-

Leather Work & Shoe making.

Standard 8 K.C.P.E for 2 years.

Fees Boarders 13,000/- & Day 10,500/-

The fees shown includes: Bed, Mattress, Pillow, food, Water, Electricity and First Aid Drugs.

INTAKE TIME.

Artisan Course- Jan./Feb. every year.

Craft Course - May/June every year.

APPLY NOW TO THE:

Manager/Principal

C.T.T.I

P.O. Box 640—90100

MACHAKOS

Tel No. 0734 - 665145

The Manager

C.T.T.I

 

 

 

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CATHOLIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AND NURSES- MKS. CATHEDRAL

 

     On 8th of May 2005, Catholic teachers and Nurses held a joint Mass Celebrated by Rev. Bishop Martin Kivuva, the Bishop of Machakos. The Nurses day, recalling Florence Nightingale coincided with the mother's day.

In His Homily Bishop spoke on the role of teachers and nurses, which should take after the example set by Jesus the great Teacher and Healer. He said work done by both teachers and nurses was a vocation. Teachers were asked to be good role models to the community as whole. Just as Jesus healed, so should nurses work, to help those under their care.

     Nurses in white and teachers adorned in T-shirts printed “Jesus bless us" sang their hearts out in the graceful procession into the church. During the Mass they participated actively in singing, Scripture Reading, and Praying. During the meeting held after the Mass, teachers and Nurses shared on the importance of their vocation, the challenges of drug abuse, school unrest, HIV/AIDS, family unity and Character Formation. In His speech to the gathering Bishop Kivuva said, he dreamt and longed to see that day. All were reminded of their role as Catholics. He urged best practices in the management of our affairs, demonstrating humility, love, kindness and self sacrifice.      He stressed the importance of teaching CRE and P.P.I. The CTA was asked to meet monthly in order to sustain it.  Earlier on, the Deputy D.E.O, Mr. Magiri called for prayer and change of attitude among Catholics, to stand up for their faith. Mr. Nguli emphasized on character formation saying if one lost character he lost every thing. 

     Sr. Shelja the CRE Advisor, thanked Bishop, who has realized that the schools are the powerful means of evangelization, for blessing the CTA and giving them a new beginning .Her message was that the Teachers devotion to duty, integrity and diligence should inspire students to grow and bloom with beauty, grace and strength. She added that a Catholic Teacher is called to continue the work of Christ bringing the learners out of darkness of ignorance, into the light of truth and to save the next generation from despair, drugs, suicide and ultimate destruction.  The CTA chairlady Mrs.

Margaret Kivuva spoke on behalf of all teachers and put forth the challenges facing them in teaching of PPI. She assured that through the CTA, ways and means could be found in imparting and sustaining our catholic faith among our pupils. Mrs. Milka the Zonal Inspector insisted that Catholics should not shy off in proclaiming the Word of God, while the Deputy Principal, Machakos Teachers Training College Mrs. Wafula encouraged the CTA to be more focused. Present amongst others in the meeting were, Chairman- Nurses Machakos District, Principal of Kyanguli Memorial Secondary School and YCS Chairman.69 Teachers and 31 Nurses turned up to mark the celebration of the Eucharist and the meeting. So we thank all the teachers who made this day possible for the Cathedral Parish.

Michael Kitisia

(CTA, Secretary - Cathedral Parish

 

 

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ANNIVERSARY

 

On 3rd June 2005 is the feast of the Martyrs of Uganda. 

This marks the 2nd Anniversary of Bishop Martin Kivuva.  Let’s pray for him as he leads & guides the Diocese of Machakos.  Congrats Bishop.

 

 

 

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CHARISMATIC RENEWAL RETREAT APRIL 2005

 

It was another wonderful experience of Baptism in the Holy Spirit in Machakos Diocese.  Over 230 people from various parishes in the Diocese participated in our 4th Renewal Retreat held in Pope Paul VI Junior Seminary Katoloni.   The retreat was organized by the Diocese CCR chaplains; Fr. Yusufu Waema and Fr. Lawrence

Muthini. The theme was on  God’s Love ( the father Heart of God), Sin and forgiveness, Jesus saves and sets me free, Healing Ministry of Jesus ( in particular inner Healing), Healing power of the Eucharist, the Holy Sacrifice of mass and salvation according to Catholic teaching. We were blessed to have our Bishop Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva.  We had a lively celebration of the Holy Eucharist. In his homily he said the charismatic renewal is a recognized movement in the Catholic Church and it has been in existence from the very start of the church over 2,000 years ago. He encouraged the retreatians that by their good example not a few people but many will come to know Jesus as the only Lord and saviour of the world hence turn away from their evil ways e.g. Syithio, Ngata, Masya, Ndundu and all witchcraft practices.  “Be connected to God’s Network.” he said.  Thank you Bishop for your words of wisdom,. Thank you the Rector of the Seminary Fr. Dominic Nyamai for allowing us to use the Institution.  Asante Rev. Fr. Charles Kyallo who was among them  and gave a moving talk on Holy Mass, the perpetual Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.  The fathers of Vat. II Council called for a new Pentecost in the church and therefore it is my prayer that God will enlighten us more about the meaning and beauty of the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church.    

 Fr. Lawrence Muthini

 

 

 

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Bishop’s Dairy

June-2005

1-12th –   AMECEA Plenary-Uganda

14-19th-  Makueni Parish - Confirmation

21st-        Meeting - Uganda Martyrs

25th –      Installation –Archbishop Boniface Lele - Mombasa          

 

                July - 2005

1-3rd -      Mwala Parish - Confirmation

8th    -      Mukuyuni - Confirmation

10th  -      Kibauni Deanery Year of Eucharist.

12-14th-   K.E.C. Nairobi.

15th  -      Pope Paul VI B.O.G Meeting

 16th -      Matuu Deanery Year of Eucharist

22nd -      Ordination - Matuu

23rd   -      Ngelani Sec. Sch. Parents Day

25th  -      Diocesan Priests Meeting

31st   -      Masii Deanery Year of the Eucharist.

               

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Have great Love for the wounded.  As you enter the ward, greet their Guardian angels beseeching them to speak for you to the maimed and the dying.”

 

 

 

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