The charismatic movement, according to Maurice Zerr (1986:293), traces its beginning to the above announcement. He notes that the movement as we k now today, started in the Protestant churches at the beginning of the last century (20^th Century). Small Bible sharing groups began to pray that what happened on Pentecost – the experience of the power of the Holy Spirit and the exercise of its gifts in one’s Christian life – should happen to them. It is said that they did receive the spirit. They were rejected by their churches because of their strange behavior of speaking in tongues, prophesying, praying for healing, Spirit possession, etc. They, therefore, formed what came to be known as the “Pentecostal Independed Churches” (Zerr, 1986:293). There is no agreement among scholars as to how the movement exactly began in the Catholic Church. Zerr (1986:294) in his article says that the movement started in 1967 at Duquesne University in the United States when four Catholic professors visited a Pentecostal prayer meeting. Later, two of them asked to be prayed over for the “baptism of the Spirit.” He says that after receiving the Holy Spirit the two returned to their own Catholic group, prayed over them and they too received the Spirit (Zerr 1986:294-295) on the programme, a birthday party for three participants had been planned. But instead of joining the party one after the other students went to the chapel where they are says to have experienced “the presence of God, the love of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.” (National Service Team, 1994;2). To the Kenya National Team, this is regarded as the beginning of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. We can conclude in the final analysis of the above theories that the Pentecostal movement came in two waves. The first wave in the comprehensive Pentecostal – charismatic movement began about 1901-1906 with its earlier roots in religious awakening among black slaves in the 18^th (1781, 1783) and 19^th (1886) centuries (maimela and Konig, 1998:192). The second wave of the Spirit or Charismatic movement broke on the scene in the early sixties – beginning among mainland Protestants about 1960, within the Roman Catholic Church in 1967 and within the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1971. (Lederle 1990:283; Spitter 1991:292). The movement brought “Pentecost” to the established denominations. In the Catholic Church, it is an indisputable fact that the movement with extraordinary characteristics sprung up in 1967 in America at Duguesne University. It is now clear that the movement is rapidly growing and it is not possible to give accurate figures. These figures have since then shot up very significantly and by 1999, there were millions of people involved especially with the advent of Fr. Joseph K. bill’s famous popular mission.

Is it a separate group?

The charismatic members are often quick to mention that they are in no way a separate group from the Catholic Church. They insist that they are a renewal within the church and renewal is a mandate for all in the church. It is not something meant for only a certain category of Catholics. That is why they prefer to be called a renewal rather than a movement. If they are a movement, then they insist that it is a movement as far as it is something dynamic rather than as something that is separate as an entity. But as a researcher of sociology of religion, we know that religious practices involve communities of believers, which have many different ways in which such communities are organized. These ways can be classified in what is called typologies of religion. Could it be some kind of a sect in the making? Find out in the Next Issue.

Dr. Fr. Daniel Kasomo - Mitaboni Parish

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THE FEAST OF MERCY - Continued from Issue no. 25

Jesus expressed this desire for the first time in Plock in 1931, when he requested the painting of the Divine Mercy image. In the following years he returned to express this desire as many as 14 times, determining the day the feast is to be celebrated, the reason for its institution and its purpose, as well as the preparations and celebrations for it.

The choice of the first Sunday after Easter, the octave of the Resurrection, indicates the close connection between the paschal mystery of the Redemption and the Feast of Divine Mercy. The passion, death and resurrection of Christ are the most profound revelations of the merciful love of God. The work of Redemption is brought to fruition and made present today in the sacraments, which are referred to in the liturgy on the Feast of Mercy. Baptism, the sacrament of penance, and the Eucharist are inexhaustible founts of Divine Mercy to which the church is leading every generation. That is why the liturgy for this Sunday focuses on the worship of god in the mystery of His Mercy.

This Feast is to be not only a day designated for the singular worship of God’s mercy, but also a day of grace, particularly for sinners. I desire that the Feast of Mercy, said Jesus, be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners (Diary, 699). Whoever approaches the Fount of life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment (Diary, 300). On that day are open all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear to draw near to me, even through their sins be as scarlet (Diary, 699). Whoever wishes to benefit from these great gifts must satisfy the conditions required for the worship of Divine Mercy. That mean, to place his trust in God, to carry out acts of mercy, to be in the state of sanctifying grace (having received the sacrament of penance), and to come to the Foundation of Life by receiving Holy Communion.

No soul will be justified, said Jesus, until it turns with confidence to my mercy, and this is why the first Sunday after Easter is to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day, priests are to tell everyone about my great and unfathomable mercy (Diary, 570). The preparation for the Feast of Mercy is to be a novena consisting of the recitation of the Divine Mercy chaplet for nine days, beginning on Good Friday. By this Novena, said Jesus, I will grant every possible grace to souls (Diary, 796).

{Read the next issue to know more about the Chaplet of Divine Mercy}

BOOKLETS FOR SALE AT THE BOOKSHOP

Sr. Juliana Kimanzi A.S.N

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EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION - MASII DEANERY

On Sunday 31^st July, 2005, the Bishop’s Motto and prayer “That All May Be One” was manifested as several thousands of men and women, young and old from the six Parishes that comprises Masii Deanery joyfully came together at Masii Catholic Mission for the culmination of the Deanery’s YEAR OF THE EUCHARISTIC celebrations. All the priests, the religious and the seminarians serving in the Deanery were present. The Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by the Chief Shepherd of the diocese – Rt. Rev. Bishop Martin Kivuva assisted by all the priests serving in the Deanery.

In his homily the Bishop called upon all Christians who have backslided in their sacramental life to consult their priests so as to get assistance. Drawing from the aspect of the Eucharist as a meal shared together in love, with love and out of love, the Bishop encouraged Christians to extend this oneness and love to their families, communities and churches.

Using the analogy of the monkey i.e. monkey see monkey do, the Bishop urged the parents to be role models to their children since they will emulate what they see their parents doing irrespective of whether it is good or bad.

After the homily, Rev. Sr. Bernadette the Diocesan Men and women Co-ordinator presented to the Bishop 1,941 (One thousand nine hundred & forty one) women and 188 men who were received into the CWA and CMA respectively as members. The Bishop blessed the women’s headscalves and the men’s ties and badges, commissioned them and called the Catholic men and women to follow the steps of their patrons i.e. St. Joseph husband of the BVM and St. Monica the mother of St. Augustine. She urged the CMA and CWA members to use their identification garments and badges in the right way (i.e. good conduct of the members) failure to which she warned them that they can be confiscated from anyone who abuses them since they remain to be the property of the Diocese.

After the Eucharistic celebration, there was a brief moment of adoration and Benediction. After the Adoration the Bishop blessed the pictures of Divine Mercy and other sacramental which people had. The Bishop urged the Christians to let Jesus be the centre of their Faith and the ruler of their homes. In his closing remarks, Rev. Fr. Dean Josephat Kyambuu thanked the Bishop for officiating the celebration. He too thanked all the priests of the deanery, the deanery council and the Christians for their support. Before leaving, the Bishop thanked the organizers of the occasion and the Christians and promised to come again.

Cosmas Kyambi

Seminarian Tawa Parish

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YEAR OF EUCHARIST - KIBAUNI DEANERY

Sunday of 10^th - 7-2005 will forever leave a historical landmark in the hearts of many Christians of Kibauni Deanery which is a constituent of four parishes i.e. Kalawa, Ikalaasa, Yathui, and Katangi. It was a day that marked the first Episcopal visit in the Deanery. The joy and attire could tell from far how auspicious the occasion was because apart from marking a day to celebrate the year of the Eucharist as stipulated by the late Pontiff John Paul II, It also marked the day when Catholic Men Association (CMA) and The Catholic Women Association (CWA) was officially established in the deanery under the leadership of Rev. Sr. Bernadette Munyao the Women and Men Co-ordinator. In his homily his Lordship Martin Kivuva, a true shepherd of the flock of God stressed the importance of the Eucharist in the life of the church. He urged the Christians to surrender totally to God, trusting in his care guidance, protection and providence. He discouraged and warned the Christians against the fear and practice of witch craft citing the consultation of the 'famous' Tanzanian born witch doctor "maji marefu" whose itinerant healing is detrimental not only to the faith but also affects the communion of such believes in the church. He categorically ruled that those who go or help others to seek assistance from maji marefu are not part and parcel of the Catholic Church. His Lordship then blessed hundreds of pictures of the Merciful Jesus and enthroned Him (Jesus) in the families, so that Jesus could be the King and corner-stone of our families. In his advice to the students the Bishop urged them to take life seriously since it is not a rehearsal. In his conclusion he invited the Christians be like the ten lepers and call for Jesus assistance when temptations befall them.

All said and done the climax was marked by the Solemn Eucharist procession around the Church Compound of Yathui Parish which pointed out the Majesty and Sovereignty of Jesus our King and Prince of Peace. It also indicated the need to look upon Him with trust and confidence in His power and Love to guide us safely to God the father. God bless our Bishop.

Nicodemus Wa' Mbelenzi

Yathui Parish.

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CELEBRATING WORLD’S PRIEST DAY

The W.M.E will celebrate the World Priest day on 18th September 2005. Please circulate the message to all the Parishes and let us join hands in praying for our priests (both encountered & Non-encountered)

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SUNDAY COMMENTARIES - SEPTEMBER

23^rd Sunday

Ez 33:7-9; Ps 94; Rm 13:8-10; Mt 18:15-20 {PROPHETISM WITH LOVE} The main Mission of a Prophet in the Bible was to carry out the Ministry of warning. Warning is an important activity in the era of personal, social and political relationships. Warning is trying to make another understand the gravity of the situation and calls for change. The first reading calls upon Ezekiel to carry on this prophetic mission in earnest, in the context of the imminent fall of Jerusalem. The second reading underlines the importance of love in the prophetic mission. The Gospel passage seems to be concerned with mending the ways of an individual. Love is the motive of all Christian commitments and the same love is the basic motive of the prophet. A prophet without love tends to become impatient at changing the affairs and is angry and depressed when others show unwillingness to change. So let us practice prophetism with LOVE.

24^th Sunday

Sir 27:30-28:7; Ps 103; Rm 14:7-9; Mt 18:21-35{FORGIVENESS AND HEALING THROUGH GOOD ACTION} the theme of forgiveness and peace is handily proposed in the readings of today. The first reading offers us some reasons why we should not take revenge, but to forgive one another:

1. For the forgiveness of our own sins. 2. For the healing from the Lord. 3. As a sacrifice for one’s own sins. Because of the shortness of life. Remembering the commandments of the Lord. The human person is more inclined to retaliate than to forgive. When one is faced with an evil action or a word by another person, a response is a must, indifference will not do therefore Jesus gives us a positive way of countering evil. He proposes that we return evil with a good action. An action of love and prayer is needed. Real healing can be wrought not by just forgetting, but only by positive action.

25^th Sunday

Is 55:6-9; Ps 145 Phi 1:20-24, 27; Mt: 20:1-16 {THE INJUSTICE OF GOD} The readings of today reveal to us what is justice in the eyes of God. The theme is rather the way God deals with humans. The parable is a window to the unconditional love of God. God’s salvation, His grace, or the gift of Himself is totally free. It is not something that we can earn or deserve. It is a result of God’s simple and great generosity. Most of our experiences of love are conditional. Even the love of the mother, which is the highest form of love on earth, cannot escape the taint of conditionality. Some selfishness is there. God does not reward us for what we do, but for what we are. This unjust love of God is indeed a great consolation. It would be so bad for all of us if God were “just” as we understand justice. This meditation on God’s unconditional love has only one aim “conversion”. If God’s way of dealing with us can in some way influence the relationship with others then we are in the process of conversion, which is a life long one.

26^th Sunday

Ez 18:25-28; Ps 25 Phil 2:1-11; Mt 21:28-32 {THE FINAL TEST} The Readings of today call to our mind; the point of Jesus is that in the final test the so-called ‘faithful’ ones prove to be the ‘false Israel’ and the outcasts turn out to be the true Israel. Doing the will of the Father is in Mathew the final test for authenticity. All religions proclaim the sovereignty of God and those who practice the religions claim to be the real children of God. The real test of the authenticity of the Church is not the loftiness of her beliefs or doctrines, but the genuineness of her action. Today’s Gospel urges us to become the people who profess faith in God and carry out the will of God. Will we stand the test?

Sr. M. Shelja CSST

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MKUTANO WA MAKATEKISTA - MBITINI

Mkutano wa Makatekista wakuu kutoka jimbo la Machakos ulifanyika Bikira maria Catechetical Centre Kuanzia tarehe 5th-9th Agosti 2005. Mkutano huo uliwaleta pamoja makatekista 35 kutoka deanary zote 9 za jimbo. Mkutano huo ulifunguliwa na Fr. Urbanus Mutuku kwa niaba ya Baba Askofu. Padre Urbanus aliwahimiza makatekista kuzingatia wito wa Baba askofu na kufanya kazi pamoja kwa ushirikiano na mapadre na viongozi wengine.

Mbali na kuwaleta pamoja makatekista kutoka parokia 35 walipata nafasi ya kujadili jinsi ambavyo wangependa kuendeleza mafundisho ya dini katika jimbo lao, pia walipata nafasi ya kusali na kujifunza mambo kadha yakiwemo Biblia, Liturjia, ekaristi, Sunday School na jinsi ya kufundisha. Makatekista walifurahia semina yao na wakamshukuru Baba Askofu kwa kuwatayarishia Semina hiyo na kuwapa vitabu. Baada ya semina ya siku tatu, makatekista waliahidi kuwashirikisha wenzao yale waliojifunza. Pia walisema ya kwamba watazingatia wito wa Baba Askofu wa “Kuwa na Umoja”

Wakati wa kuwaaga makatekista, Sr. Bonifacia CPS, Msimamizi wa Centre, aliwaambia makatekista wale ambao wamepata kosi wawasaidie wenzao ili wapate maarifa ya kufundisha dini. Aliwaomba wawe na mipango ya kuendelea kufunzana kwa heshima na kuwa wanyenyekevu wao kwa wao katika Parokia na Deanery. Aliwakumbusha kwamba Baba Askofu anawajali, na kwamba anasikitika kuwa hangeweza kuwa nao katika mkutano huo. Aliwaambia waonyeshe shukrani zao kwa Baba Askofu kwa kutekeleza utume wao kwa bidii. Aliwahimiza wawe watu wa sala, wawe watu wenye amani na furaha. Pia aliwakabidhi kila mmoja vitabu viwili, “Njia Yetu ya Kuwa Wajumbe wa Mungu”na You have Words of eternal Life”, Juu ya Sakramenti ambacho kimeandikwa na Sr. Benigne Kerber CPS.

Bikira Maria Catechetical Centre

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CONGRATULATIONS

The Catholic Diocese of Machakos Congratulates the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi for celebrating 50 years of Decree of Foundation of their congregation on 15th August 2005. The Occasion was graced by Most Rev. Raphael Ndingi Mwana’a Nzeki, Most Rev. Nicodemus Kirima, Rt. Rev. Peter Kairo and Rt. Rev. Salesius Mugambi. We encourage the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi to deepen the spirit of their Founder and its Incarnation in their personal and Community life as they reach out to the wider church in Service of all people. CONGRATS A.S.N.

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Marriage Encounter

PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!

Recruit Couples from your Parish for Marriage Encounter week End at the Pastoral Centre on:

7th-9th October 2005

Sr. Anna R.N.D.M

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KOMBO VISITS KATANGI PARISH

The minister for Government Hon. Musikari Kombo (E.G.H) and National chairman Ford Kenya graced a Harambee for our Lady Queen of Peace Boarding Primary School in Katangi on 7^th August at Katangi Catholic Mission. The Parish Priest Fr. Paul Munguti celebrated the Mass before the Harambee assisted by Fr. George Katua. In his homily Fr. Munguti urged Christians and the leaders present to embrace God so as to overcome society’s evils. He said unless Kenyans change their ways of life the country will disintegrate into moral decadence. Hon. Kombo Flanked by Fr. Munguti and the ford Kenya leaders who included M.Ps Sylvester Wakoli (Bumula) and Wafula Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi) and Ford Kenya, NEC officials Miss Yvonne Khamati unveiled the schools foundation stone and later planted a commemorative tree. During his speech Hon. Kombo said that the government and church are partners. He commended the Catholic Church in Kenya for supplementing the government’s development agenda. The minister encouraged Kenyans to turn in large number for the Constitutional referendum scheduled to be held in September and protect all democratic avenues we have nurtured so far. The Harambee which was presided by Ford Kenyans Nyaoga Nyongesa assisted by Pater Mutulu and Dr. G.Z Mutuma raised over kshs. 1.2 Million. The function was also graced by KNUT national Treasure Mr. Peter Mutulu, Masaku County Council chairman cllr. Ngalatu Musau, Several Councilors among others. We thank the Ford Kenya Family, Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva the Bishop of Machakos Diocese and all those who made the event a success. Harwin Mwendwa

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Bishop’s Dairy

September

4th Mwala Deanery - Year of the Eucharist.

5^th Diocesan Council

9th B.O.G Meeting-Pope Paul VI

11th Mlolongo Parish –Confirmation

12^th Diocesan Priests Meeting

14th Sinai School

16th Good Shepherd School

17th Kyale Parish

18th Kibwezi Deanery -Year of the Eucharist.

20-22^nd Makueni - Confirmation

24th Pope Paul VI –Parents Day

27th Martyrs of Uganda-Kimutwa

28th Holy Rosary College B.O.G. Meeting

29-30th Kangundo - Confirmation

October

1^st-2nd Appointment to be confirmed

6th-9th Kilungu Deanery Confirmation

10-14th Diocesan Retreat

15th Mwala Parish - Confirmation

16th Machakos Deanery Year of the Eucharist

17-20th Kathozweni Parish Confirmation

23rh Closing of the Year of Eucharist – Makueni Deanery

29th Holy Rosary Tala

30th St. Jude Athi River

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The Ideals that have lighted my way and, time after time, have given me new courage to face life cheerfully have been kindness, Beauty and Truth. (Albert Einstein)

Catholic Diocese of Machakos

P.O. Box – 344 - 90100, Machakos

Tel. +254-044-20484; Fax-254-044-21308

E-mail: bishopsomks@wananchi.com

Website: http//www.machakosdiocese.org