The feast of all SAINTS DAY which falls on 1st November every year marks all Saints Day, a day we commemorate heroes of our faith many of whom we are named after or we have named our children and our Holy places like churches. The Saints in heaven have braved the struggles of this live and continue to inspire our daily lives and actions. This is the day to find more about your patron saint and their life. What kind of charisma and even challenges they went through. The tradition of venerating the Saints reminds us that we too are on our journey to saint-hood day by day through prayer and our acts of charity. BE HOLY! BECOME A Saint.

We honour the Saints by reminding ourselves of the Patron saints we are named after. We too are reminded to call our attention and emulate the Patron Saints of our Parishes, Schools colleges or even Jumuiya! We live out the church’s understanding that we are in communion with the saints in heaven through prayer and veneration. This belief is found already in the Apostles Creed.

ALL SOULS

The month of November is traditionally also the month we remember to pray for all the Souls of our faithful DEPARTED. This month Christian faithful are reminded of those who have gone before us and needing our prayers for their purification, that God may grant them forgiveness and eternal rest. We are also called to encourage our Christians families, Small Christians Communities or even as individuals to attend Mass and make visits to cemeteries of their dear ones to offer prayers.

“Happy are the pure of heart for they shall see God. Happy the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of God. Happy are they who suffer persecution for justice' sake; the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

MAY THE SOULS OF OUR FAITHFUL DEPARTED THROUGH THE MERCY OF GOD REST IN PEACE. AMEN.

+Martin Kivuva Musonde

Bishop of Machakos

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BLESSED SISTER FAUSTINA– CONTINUED FROM ISSUE NO. 28

Sister Faustina came from a large but poor peasant family form the village of Glogowiec in the Parish of Swinice Warckie near Lodz. At the age of twenty, after working as a domestic servant for several years, she entered the Congregation of the sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. As a religious she performed the duties of cook, gardener, and doorkeeper in several of the Congregation’s houses. Her longest stays were at the houses in Cracow, Vilnius and Plock.

It was to this simple, uneducated nun, whose spiritual life was very deep, that God chose to be the apostle of His Mercy. He entrusted her with a mission that would have a threefold purpose: to remind the world of the known yet forgotten truths of the merciful love of God towards us, to convey new forms of devotion to the Divine Mercy and to initiate a movement that would renew Christian life according to the spirit of trust and mercy.

Sister Faustina died in the odor of sanctity on October 5, 1938, in the convent at Cracow-Lagiewniki. Her mortal remains lie in the convent chapel beneath the miraculous image of the Divine Mercy.

Blessed Faustina’s name is known today in every continent of the world, and the mission of mercy entrusted to her by the Lord Jesus is drawing more and more followers.

{Read the next issue to know the Hour of Mercy}

Sr. Juliana Kimanzi A.S.N

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BISHOPS’ VISITS AT KATOTHYA – MASINGA PARISH

It was on 10^th September 2005 when the Harambee was held by His Lordship Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva together with his counterpart, Rt. Rev. Anthony Muheria, the Bishop of Embu. It all began with a warm welcome to the Bishop’s and all present by the Fr. In-charge, Fr. Christopher Pius Maingi. Bishop Martin Kivuva presided over the Mass.

In his homily the Bishop emphasized the Diocesan motto “That all May Be One”. The Bishop said that it was in this house of the Lord, which was neglected that the child Jesus would be found after he got lost for three days. Bishop Anthony Muheria also emphasized on building of our sanctuary places of worship and on good neighborhood. At the end of the day no one could hide the joy in their faces and such words like “Asi! Wee! Ai! Asante” could be heard. Every body was thankful.

Fr. John Mutiso thanked the Bishops, the organizing committee and all who participated.

John Mark Kesia

Seminarian - Masinga

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EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION MACHAKOS DEANERY

On 16^th October 2005 Machakos Stadium was not occupied by “Ndinzi” or “Machungwa” people, but by Christians full of joy and singing praises to Jesus who comes to us in a very humble way in the form of bread and wine. The mass was presided over by our Bishop Martin Kivuva assisted by the Vicar General Alfonse Mondiu and priests from Machakos Deanery (Kyumbi, Kola, Athi River, Katoloni, Machakos Cathedral, Mlolongo, Makaveti, University Chaplaincy and Kithangaini Parishes).

We were joined in this Eucharistic celebration by Media fraternity from Nairobi. During the Homily his Lordship, called on the Christians to pray for the gift of faith especially in the blessed Eucharist, “The Holy Father John Paul II of happy memories dedicated the year 2004 -2005 to the Holy Eucharist, the sign of Love and Unity, the real presence of the Risen Lord and our food for the journey to our eternal Father,” he said. To those who are not able to receive physically the Holy Eucharist, the Bishop advised them to receive Christ always by Faith through what is called “Spiritual Communion” and participate fully in the activities of the Church as well as keeping the commandments.

His lordship took the occasion to speak about the situation Kenya finds itself at this moment of our history. At this moment when our country is at the crossroads and when many are not sure whether to go for “Banana” or “Orange,” His Lordship asked the Christians not to be cheated by power thirsty people whose aim is to fight and hurt their brethren. Bishop Martin challenged the people of Machakos and Ukambani at large on the fact of encouraging those who bring them “mwolio”, (relief food) instead of helping them to find ways and means to be self reliant.

The Local Ordinary challenged the Ukambani leader to help the people have water which will turn Ukambani to a land full of many farm products. After the Mass CMA formed men and CWA prepared women from the whole deanery, had their signs of Commitment to St. Monica and St Joseph blessed and later they were commissioned. The day ended with a short but a colorful and important ceremony of the opening of the Catholic Media Centre a few kilometers from the stadium, off Kangundo Road.

The Bishop blessed the Media Centre and introduced the Media fraternity present among whom were the missionary Sisters of the Daughters of St. Paul from Catholic Bookshop Nairobi, Fr. Joseph of the New People Magazine and Fr. Gigi of the Seed Magazine who spoke on behalf of the other media groups.

Sr. Juliana Kimanzi (A.S.N)

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CONCLUSION OF THE YEAR OF EUCHARIST - MAKUENI DEANARY

The Apostolic Nuncio marked the climax of the deanery Celebrations at Makueni; Machakos Diocese which consists of nine deaneries. While His Lordship the Bishop of Machakos presided over the celebrations of the Eucharistic year in 8 of them, on 23rd October 2005, we were privileged to have the Apostolic, His Excellency Alain Paul Lebeaupin, this was the first official visit of the new Nuncio to the diocese of Machakos. The Apostolic Nuncio accompanied by his Host Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde, arrived at the multipurpose hall Makueni. Where they were welcomed with ululations, songs, dances and faces filled with smiles.

During his homily his Excellency taught the people of God present the meaning of the offering of Jesus’ Body on the Holy Thursday, the day just before he was betrayed. The Nuncio told all present that “Christ gave us his body; he also offered it to His heavenly Father to prove to us how much the
Father Loves us… “When we eat the Body of Christ we are also sent on a mission to go and show concretely this love in the places where we stay by loving other and doing works of mercy for the poor and those who are in need of our help”.

At the end of the mass the Papal Representative commissioned another big group of CMA and CWA, after blessing their shirts, ties, dresses, head scalves and badges assisted by his Lordship Bishop Martin and the priests present. His Excellency Alain Paul summarized to the Catholic men and women who were commissioned to serve and love their neighbors by saying; “A true Catholic must maintain three things, he/she must love the Eucharist (receive and find time to adore), love and be close in prayer to Our Mother Mary, and stay united to the Holy Father by being united to his/her Local Bishop,”

U’ wo poses a few questions to you; The year of the Eucharist has ended but what have we learnt more about the Eucharist which you didn’t know before? What concrete resolutions have you taken this year to help you adore, receive and praise Jesus in the blessed Eucharist better? How have you helped those who are not able to adore or receive the Eucharist? What do you think should be done in your small Christian community to prepare better the adults and the children who are about to receive their first Holy Communion? How many times do you think we should have adoration in our parish church and all the churches where the Our Lord stays waiting for us in the tabernacle?

Let the Eucharist change and transform us to be better images of Christ. Communication Office

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SUNDAY COMMENTARIES - NOVEMBER

32^nd Sunday

Wis: 6.12-16; Ps 63; 1Thes.4.13-18; Mt: 25.1-13

In today’s Gospel, Jesus illustrates that good preparation is the key to success. Some bridesmaids were ready, while others had yet to make the necessary purchase. As a result, they lost the opportunity to accompany the bridegroom when he arrived although they knew something special was going to happen, they lacked the insight to prepare fully and so they lost their place of privilege. For us the lesson is obvious because it is our eternal salvation that is at stake. Do we want to find ourselves locked out of the eternal banquet? We have to make sure that our lamps are always burning; therefore we must keep on putting oil into them. “The lord can come at any moment.” There is no truer word in the whole of the Gospel so, BE READY.

33^RD Sunday

Prov.31.10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Ps: 128; 1Thes.5.1-6; Mt: 25.14-30

The readings today celebrate living life fully, using well whatever talents the lord has entrusted to us, but we must be careful that we do not distort the meaning of Christ’s parable. Christ is challenging us to something deeper. He is talking about using our time and gifts to seek first the kingdom of Heaven. In other words to live well and wisely and to develop and discover our talents so that in using them we may grow. At this point, in the church’s liturgical year, as our attention is drawn to the uncertainty of the end of time, we think of the judgment we must face to render an account of our lives. If we do the best we can with what we have, we will enter into the joy of the lord.

Solemnity of Christ the King

Ex.34.11-12, 15-17; Ps23; 1Cor.15.20-26, 28; Mt.25.31-46

The feast of Christ the King that we celebrate today brings us to the end of the church’s liturgical year. Today’s gospel with it’s kingly actions of feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, visiting the prisoner and the sick and clothing the naked reverses the world’s notion of a king and kingdom. Christ our King is the true shepherd of all the people and he will come again to vindicate and reward those who live according to the ideals of the kingdom. Today’s preface sums up Christ’s kingship. “As a king he claims dominion over all creatures that he may present to you, his almighty Father, an eternal and universal kingdom: a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, and a kingdom of justice love and peace.

1^st Sunday of Advent

Is: 63.16-17, 64.1, 4-8; Ps: 80; 1Cor.1-3-9; Mk.13.33-37

Today we enter into the beautiful season of Advent. We celebrate the hidden life of God in the womb of Mary during the four weeks of advent. Pregnancy is a wonderful, mysterious, and a awesome event in human life. It is a silent event, and it is into that silence of Mary’s womb that God enters. It is there that he is still to be found in all the mysterious things of life. Advent is a time of waiting, a time of listening to that God who is so close to us and yet he is not visible. “Lord, you are our Father, we are the clay, and you are the Potter” Let us reflect on this text and find one thing in our lives that we would like God (the Potter) to change and remould during this advent season.

Sr. Anna Dennehy R.N.D.M

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CATHOLIC MEDIA CENTRE NOW OPENED

CATHOLIC BOOKSHOP

The “word of God” being Jesus is our target. The Bible tells us in Hosea 4:6 that many people perish because of lack of knowledge and we, as a bookshop, decided to be part of the global team of evangelists with the aim of taking Jesus in form of word to all people, making Him known and lived. To make evangelization easier for us here in Machakos, we have introduced books and Audio visuals on inculturation which is the application of the gospel in our culture values and human qualities in our lives and churches.

To attain the above transformation on people’s lives we sell the following books and other items at competitive prices:-Year 2006 Liturgical Calendars and Diaries, Bibles (in Kikamba, English and Swahili), books of the following subjects, Spirituality, Catechesis, Religious Life, Liturgy, African Studies and Inculturation, Formation ( Psychology, Family Life), Teachings of the Church, Children’s books, Post Cards, Bookmarks, Posters, Stickers.

Magazines:- Seed, New People and wajibu, Altar Wine, Hosts, Liturgical Vestments and Rosaries. Video Tapes, Audio Cassettes, DVS’s, CD’s are also available.

We offer the services of evangelization through the means of social communication.

CYBER CAFÉ

Information Communication Technology has become an important tool in our day-to-day life that we cannot do without. This has proved to be the most convenient way for people around the world to communicate through the Internet. At Machakos Catholic Media Centre, we provide these services at competitive costs. Why not try us and be part of the global village.

Our services Include; Internet browsing, typesetting, e.g. Proposals, Reports, Officials Documents etc, Printing, Photocopying, Scanning, e.g. Photos, Laminating, Binding of Booklets, Reports etc, Desktop Publishing & Design, We design the following at favorable & affordable costs depending on the size, design and color i.e. cards, Letterheads, brochures, Certificates. Apart from the above services, we offer Basic Computer Classes at a reasonable fee.

We are situated along Kangundo road about 500m from Susu
Centre, Just before you reach Machakos Sports Club.

Our contact:

Tel. No: 044 - 20343/21338

By Management Team

Catholic Media Centre

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A REMINDER TO ALL PRIESTS

You are all reminded that the 2nd group of Retreat starts on 14th evening of November to 18th morning November 2005.

Welcome and kindly please bring your Mass Vestments. May God bless you.

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Interviews! Interviews! Interviews!

Where: Our Lady Queen of Peace Boarding/Day Primary School –Katangi Catholic Church situated along Machakos – Kitui Road. Via Wamunyu.

Who: Children for Primary Standard 4 - 2006

When: Wednesday 16^th-November 2005, starting at 10.00am.

We invite you to bring your children for interviews to join class 4 next year. Bring with you the following: a letter of recommendation from the Head Teacher and a report from the current School, Birth Certificate and Baptismal Cards and a Biro/Pen. Interview fee Ksh. 200/= non refundable. This will be the first group to open the School. Karibuni.

Contact: Fr. Paul Munguti, P.O Box 4, Wamunyu.

Telephone 0733-861885.

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Bishop’s Dairy

November

2nd Communication Meeting NRB

3rd Education Meeting - Embu

5th-6th Kanzalu Parish Confirmation

7th-11^th KEC

12th Kikumini - Matiliku

13th Kamuthang’a - Mitaboni

15th Deans Meeting

16th Kamuwongo - Kitui

18-20th Ngunga Parish - Confirmation

25-27th Kyale Parish -Confirmation & 2nd Anniversary

29th Kitwii Confirmation

30th Mbitini Commissioning Catechists - Mbikira Maria Catechetical Centre.

December

4th Thanksgiving Mass for Muvothi Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral.

7th Blessing of Grail Centre –Makueni.

8th Diaconate - Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral - Machakos

9th Ordinations - Kitui Diocese.

11th Ngunga Parish - Final Profession.

13-18th Kiongwani - Confirmation

25th Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral Machakos - Christmas Mass.

30th Muthetheni Parish

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The Path to light is often through sin. ANONYMOUS

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