Issue
No. 34 April 2006
The
Truth: Machakos Link Newsletter
An organ
of communication of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos
This
day was made by the lord; we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!
BISHOP’S
MESSAGE – WHERE HAVE THEY KEPT HIM
YOU
AREMY DONOR I AM YOUR DONOR – WE ARE ALL DONORS
BISHOP’S
VISIT – KOMAROCK PARISH
25
YEARS SERVICE IN MBOONI – KENYA
CALENDER
OF THE YEAR OF THE FAMILY
WOMEN’S
DAY CELEBRATION IN MACHAKOS DIOCESE
HE IS RISEN,
ALLELUIA,
After Consecration
during Mass the Priest says “Let us proclaim the Mystery of our faith” and all
respond;
Christ has died
Christ is risen
Christ will come
again.
The above truths ring
the central message of our being Called Christians.
Holy Week which starts
with Palm Sunday and culminates with
Easter Tridium (i.e. Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday) bares
the central themes in the history of our Salvation. On Good Friday, Christ
chose to be faithful to the will of the Father even when it meant being
crucified. The intensity of the events leading
to his death were so severe that those who were close to him like Mary
Magdalene couldn’t help asking: “WHERE HAVE THEY KEPT HIM?”. When she found the
body of Jesus missing from the tomb, her immediate instinct of the empty tomb
was that, people had stolen the body of our Lord. This is not uncommon in parts
of our countries! WHO IS TO BE BLEMED OF
THE LOSS!
The words of the angel
“He is not here, He is risen”, came to those who heard them as words of
surprise and yet as GOOD NEWS OF EASTER, THAT CHRIST IS ALIVE, we can now add HE WILL COME AGAIN. In the resurrection of Christ everything has
been transformed (made a new), that we live not for ourselves but because of he
who lived and died for us. Imagine the
outpouring of love that moves people to share resources and support each other
in times of difficulty. They love their
neighbours moved by their faith in risen Christ.
There are many
situations that can make us down cast and feel dejected to loosing hope like
the women of
HAPPY
EASTER.
THE LORD IS RISEN
ALLELUYA.
Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde
5TH
Sunday – Lent
(Jer:
31:31-34, Ps: 50: 3-4, 12-15, Heb: 5:7-9, Jn: 12 20-33)
The
promise of a new covenant announced by Jeremiah is not taken up in John, yet
there is an interesting parallel to be drawn between the two readings today
“The coming days” of Jeremiah seem somehow synchronized with the hour of Jesus
when he is lifted up on the cross, then having been perfected, raised from the
dead, he will be the source of ultimate redemption for all who obey him. Early Christians, like the author of Hebrews,
came to see in Jesus the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jeremiah. As Jesus
contemplates his death, his thought turns naturally to his disciples and he
tells them “most solemnly” what true discipleship really means by pointing out
the paradox of life through death. Unless
a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but
if it dies, it is a paradox that applies not only to Jesus but also to his
disciples.
Passion
Sunday
(Is:
50:4-7, Ps: 21:8-9, 17-20, 23-24, Phil: 2:6-11, Mk: 14: 1-15, 47)
Today
we recall the entry of Jesus into
Easter
Sunday
(Acts:
10:34, 37-43, Ps: 117: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23,
After
darkness comes the dawn, after trials comes success, after childbirth comes the
joy of new life. Such is the human
experience. But never in all history has
there been darkness like Good Friday or a joy like Easter Sunday. The followers of Jesus had some to realize
that he was truly the Messiah, one who could free
2nd
Sunday of Easter
Acts:
4:32-35, Ps: 117:2-4, 15-18, 22-24, 1Jn: 5:1-6, Jn: 20:19-31
The
first reading today describes the community life of the first followers of
Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus creates
a community united in mind and heart.
Having everything in common was one way of declaring “the victory that
conquers the world” This is how the letter of John describes faith in the risen
Jesus in the second reading. There is,
of course, only one victor over the world and that in Jesus Christ, “the one
who came through water and blood.” In today’s gospel, the victory is announced
to the disciples with the words, “Peace be with you,” coupled with the gesture
by which he showed them his hands and his side.
“It is more than a greeting because this peace is the gift the world
cannot give. It is theirs now Jesus
tells them, because of this triumph over death.
And we like the first disciples are sent to share it.
3rd
Sunday of Easter
Acts:
3:13-15, 17-19. Ps: 4:2, 4, 7, 9. 1Jn: 2:1-5, Lk: 24: 35-48
Jesus
Easter gift to the disciples is very evident in today’s readings where he leads
them from confusion to understanding.
This new understanding leads them to become not just eyewitnesses to
what had happened, but real witnesses to the meaning of all that had taken
peace.
In Peter’s sermon, in the
first reading, he shows us how the understanding of the early church is firmly
based on the teaching of the risen Jesus.
This understanding is based on the unique experience of the first
disciples who shared their experiences in the MESSAGE OF THE GOOD NEWS for all
generations. We are all indebted to them
for their insight and courage. We the
disciples of today are missioned and challenged to keep the message of Christ
alive by sharing it with others. In that
spirit the Gospel Never Dies.
Sr. Anna
R.N.D.M
The
Diocese of Machakos wishes to thank all the parishes, religious communities and
other Christians who donated something to help the most affected places by
famine. The following is what was
contributed towards this donations; Kilungu
Parish: 8 bales & 7 packets of maize flour, 1 carton of cooking fat,
150 kgs of maize, 100kgs of beans and 7kgs of rice, Kithangaini Parish: 2 bags of maize,
10 bags of clothes and shoes, Makindu Parish: 323 kgs of maize, 20kgs of
beans, 15kgs pf cowpeas, 20kgs of sorghum, 26kgs of Jogoo, 12.5kgs of rice, 0.5
litres of milk, 4 dresses and 1kg of Green grammes, St. Joseph’s Chapel (prison): maize flour 2 bundles + 1kg, maize 12
kgs, Beans 1kg, rice 1kg and Sugar 1kg, St. Camillus Hospital: 4 buddles
of maize flour, clothes and shoes, (T.T.C Machakos): 5 kgs of maize
meal, Machakos Teachers Training College:11 bags of maize, 3 bags of
beans, 75x5kgs maize flour, 80 packets of salt, 150 kgs of rice, toilet papers
(soap, clothes etc), clothes, Soap, flour, clothes etc, Mbooni Parish: 10
bales of maize flour, 2 bags of potatoes, 2 debes of beans, 3 bags of maize
flour, 2 kg of rice and clothes, Pacis Insurance company: 11 bales of
maize flour, Kitale Diocese: 450 bags of maize and Eldoret Diocese: 110
bags of maize, Fr. Martin and the listeners of Waumini Radio.
All
these were distributed to various institutions like Catholic private Schools
Primary and Secondary, Catholic sponsored Secondary Schools, Children Centres
and the Diocese of Kitui. We thank you
for your kind contributions and we pray that you will continue contributing in
good faith for the well being of the Nation.
May God bless you. We also
received cash contributed towards this famine from different Parishes,
Religious Communities, Justice & Peace office and other well wishers. This
collection was forwarded to KCS Office Nairobi for the distribution to the
needy places. We thank you all for your love and concern towards this National
Disaster.
Those
who wish to donate money can do so through our Famine Relief Account. A/c Name Catholic Diocese of Machakos, A/c
Number 050287621762 Swift Code: KCB KNX. May God bless you
+Martin
Kivuva Musonde
BISHOP OF MACHAKOS
The
Apostolic Administrator, Clergy, Religious and the Christ’s faithful of the
Apostolic Vicariate of Isiolo Diocese invites you all to the Installation
Ceremony of the Apostolic Vicar Rt. Rev. Anthony Mukobo, to be held on 4th
April 2006 at St.
Eusebius
Cathedral, Isiolo starting at 10.00 a.m.
Congratulations Bishop
Anthony
Mukobo Ireri
You
are most welcome.
Komarock
Parish being one of the newest parishes in the Diocese was opened in January
2004. It was originally under the larger
Mitaboni parish. It falls under Kanzalu
Deanery. The parish covers the wider
areas of Lukenya and Komarock ranches.
Currently it has an estimated population of around 6000 Christians
unevenly distributed among 21 outstations.
Rev.
Fr. Thomas Vadassey was the first Fr. In charge, assisted by Rev. Fr. Francis
Kioko. In May 2005, the parish was
separated from the shrine of our Lady and hence Rev. Fr. Thomas became the Fr.
In charge of the shrine while Rev. Fr. Francis Kioko became the Fr. In charge
of the Parish, assisted by a seminarian Paul Malelu.
From
the parish there are two finally professed sisters, Sr. George and Sr.
Floviana, while 3 more are in the formation.
There is one brother in the Novitiate and one Seminarian in a religious
Congregation.
The
Bishop’s visit was scheduled to take place from the 3rd to 5th
March, but being the rainy season, the days were very hectic due to the type of
soil found in the area, that is the muddy black clay soil, but all the same,
the Christians were very happy to see their Bishop struggle in the muddy roads
to meet them in their outstations.
On
his arrival in each station, Christians lined up to greet him, singing and
dancing expressing of their heartfelt desire to welcome the Bishop. Because of the many requests, needs and
problems presented to him, the Bishop conducted mini harambees in many
outstations in aid of the Title Deeds and church building constructions.
The
climax of the event was the confirmation of 520 Christians to keep up their
faith in all their endeavors however, small they may be. He pointed out that many great Cathedrals and
Basilicas began under a tree.
In
summarizing his visit, he requested the Christians in the entire parish to
unite with him and the Fr. In charge, realizing his dream of developing
parishes and the Diocese as a whole in reference to the Diocesan Motto “That
all May be one”
Thank
you Bishop for your pastoral visit and welcome.
By
Paul Malelu
Seminarian
Komarock Parish
A lesson: Henri Nouwen once wrote "I used to get upset about all
the interruptions to my work until one day I realized that the interruptions
were my real work."
C.C.R’S
Motto…”IN HIS PRESENCE WE STAND AND SERVE”.
We the congregation of Carmelite Religious (C.C.R) came to Mbooni on 7th
January 1981. The first 4 sisters were
Sr. Mary Grace who went to the Lord) Sr. M. Bernadine, Sr. M. Muriel and Sr. M.
Yvette.
It
was not a miracle that we came to Mbooni but because of the kind invitation of
our retired Bishop Joseph Urbanus Kioko.
Rev. Fr. Thomas Vadassery our mediator (Fr in charge at Komarock), who
contacted and worked between Bishop and our Late Superior General Mother
Angela. May her soul rest in Peace. We
were invited mainly to teach in Mbooni Girls and also to do pastoral and Social
Work. Leaving our families and relatives
back home, the climate, the people, the language and the food – everything was
a great challenge.
Inspite
of all these difficulties the sisters found the need to be here especially to
strengthen our Blessed Virgin Mary’s Prayer Association – Legion of Mary. In the year 1981 there were only 4 presidiums. Now, we have to thank God for our existing
active 32 presidiums. The sisters also
took interest in starting the Y.C.S in various Secondary Schools. The sisters also felt the need to take care
of the sacristy work and got involved. On Sundays, the sisters also reached the
outstations with Holy Communion and we also take care of the two secondary
schools, Mbooni Boys and Mbooni Girls by conducting Sunday service and used to
reach other schools for P.P.I. In the
year 1997 we also found there was a pressing need to take care of the physical
and mentally handicapped. As we were
visiting homes, we found orphans and handicapped.
By
the grace of God, we were able to reach these with the word of God and provided
financial assistance such as fees. The
‘Save the children
We
thank God in a special way for all the blessings he has bestowed upon us and
Mbooni Girls for the good standard we have maintained together with the entire
staff and subordinate staff. We thank
God for our little children from Holy Angels pre-unit who have studied and gone
to other schools. The parents of our
pre-school also requested to give these children standard education at least up
to std. 4. 4/1/ 2005 we have given birth to one more community “Little
Flower Convent – Tassia, Dan Halm. Today, we are very happy to have our
dear Vicar General Fr. Alphonse Mondiu to commemorate our Silver Anniversary.
In the presence of our Superior General Mother
Frances and the Councilors Srs. Contradine, Nirmala and Margaret all the way
from Indian adds greater significance to the day’s celebrations. Thank you one
and all for being with us today to share our joy.
Sr. Tressie
D’cruz C.C.R
APRIL:
All the families in the Diocese begin the Novena to the
Divine
Mercy. We have 20,000
Pictures of the Divine Mercy, the Novena prayer and the Chaplet
Prayer in the Bookshop (for Ksh. 3).
Passion Sunday the beginning of Holy Week – Priests to
prepare the
Families to enter well into the Holy Week and to arrange
that families participate in a special
Way at the Passion Week Liturgy.
13th to
Holy Thursday and Good
Friday
Families
to bring Specific assistance to the poor from what they denied themselves
during the Lenten period. The gifts in form of cash and kind will be brought
during the Liturgies of these two days.
MAY:
Feast of
Families pray and
Contribute for those Joining Religious life.
(Prayer
at the tomb of venerable Adequim.
All the Families begin
the Novena to the Holy Spirit In preparation for the Feast of Pentecost.
JUNE:
UNITED IN PRAYER,
…………………………….
Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva
Musonde
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF
MACHAKOS
Ø
UNWELCOME VISITORS
We wish to send our pole
to Fr. Thomas Kyalo and Fr. Jones Muinde of Mutituni Parish, Fr. Francis
Kunyusa and Fr. Vincent of Kyumbi Parish for being visited by unwelcomed
visitors in their Parishes. Poleni
Ø
QUICK RECOVERY
We say pole to Sr.
Margarita, Sr. Magdalene and Sr. Winnie of our Lady of Mt. Carmel Machakos -
Monastery. Wishing you a quick recovery
due to the unfortunate accident.
Resurrect with Christ.
Ø
CONDOLENCES
We are requested to pray
for the soul of Mr. James Manyi Kaula father to Fr. Josephat Manyi. The burial will be on 7/4/2006 at Katangi (Home). May the good Lord give you courage and peace
during this time of sorrow? May his soul
rest in eternal peace.
Ø
BISHOP KIOKO HOSPITAL
We
have managed to open clinic days at our hospital as from 8.30am to 6.30 pm
Mondays:
ENT/SURGERY/ORTHOPAEDIC
Tuesdays: MEDICAL CLINIC
Wednesday:
CBS/GYNAECOLOGY
Thursdays:
PAEDIATRICIAN/DENTAL/MEDICAL CLINIC
Fridays: OPHTHALMOLOGIST – EYE
SPECIALISTS. NHIF
Contributors
need not pay anything for inpatient services, as they are comprehensively
covered.
There is some thing
that links all women’s hearts together, a measure of commitment and Self
sacrifice. Keeping in mind the International women’s day theme for the year
2006 “Equal Participation of men and women in decision-making”,
the members of CWA of Machakos Diocese moved with greater enthusiasm to mark
this day. They celebrated this day in their different Parishes eg in Matuu
there were over 600 women who participated, a beautiful Liturgy followed by a
talk on the theme for this year. Nzikoni and the
Cathedral Parish also had a beautiful liturgy and had guest speakers to mark
the occasion. Kyale Parish celebrated too by donating
to the physically disabled children.
The climax of all these celebration was ended
with the A.O.S.K Celebration. All the Sisters in our Diocese gathered at the
Pastoral Centre to celebrate. Sr. Marie R.N.D.M welcomed us with a badge to
mark this day. Sr. Margaret R.N.D.M the Provincial Superior, led us with the theme
Passion for Christ Passion for Humanity. She shared with us the plan that the
Sisterhood of Kenya intent to take up. In 2006 – Year of Conversion and
Reconciliation accompanied by fasting, Prayer and Adoration Sr. Brenda Lung’atse M.M Sisters gave us an input on the topic ACWECA
(Association of Consecrated Women Education of Central Africa).
Sr. Shelja CSST gave us an input on “Justice and Peace”
Human Rights, Equality for all Sr.
Elizabeth challenged the women religious to come together and to share our
experiences and difficulties as we work for God’s Kingdom. During the
Celebration of the Eucharist Fr. Issac Makarios asked us to cling on to the “Rope of Christ” who
will never leave us. This celebration
enabled many of our women to recognise their self worth. We
thank and support Sr. Benedette who empowers our
women in our Diocese.
Sr. Therese D’cruz
C.C.R
April
1st Komarock Shrine
4th Installation - Isiolo Diocese
13th Chrism Mass - Cathedral Machakos
14th Good Friday - Cathedral Machakos
16th Mass - Cathedral - Machakos
18th Meeting - Machakos
22-23rd Meru
24-28th K.E.C.
Nairobi
30th Kanzalu Parish - Silver Jubilee
1St Ordinations -
Machakos Cathedral
13th Final
Profession - Tala Parish
18th Ukweli Video
19th Kalawa Parish
20th Subukia - Pilgrimage
21st Kalawa Parish
22nd Kalawa Parish
25th Carmelite Srs. - Machakos
27th Y.C.S -
Diocesan
Together in
His love is a wonderful place to be. {1 Thess: 3:12}
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