ÛW’O
Issue
No. 42: December, 2006
The
Truth: Machakos Link Newsletter
An organ
of communication of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos
“And the
word became flesh and he dwelled among us”
{Jn:
1:14}
(top)
A
NEW CONVENT – OUR LADY OF LOURDES KIKUMINI PARISH
SUNDAY
COMMENTARIES – DECEMBER
MEMORIAL
– OUR DECEASED PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS MEN & WOMEN
FEAST
OF THE MONTH – CHRISTMAS
BISHOP
LAUNCHES ATHI RIVER DEANERY
(top)
In Many parts of
“The word became flesh and dwelt among
us!”
Though we commemorate his birth every
year for many centuries now, the Christmas event is made new and meaningful by
letting our whole self be immersed into the mystery of God becoming man.
“The word became flesh and dwelt among us!”
We notice as the time draws near, shops
and business premises in our big towns are decorated in anticipation for
Christmas boom sales. They are decorating their premises in advent of the
season. In preparation we are called to reach out to those near us and
especially the needy to help them experience the coming of renewed hope and
love so they can sing with the angels
“Joy to the world the Lord has come”.
There are many babies lying in the
manger orphaned, widowed, strained relationships in families and communities.
There are areas in our neighbourhood that are a no go zones and no peace. We
are called to be heralds of peace and reconciliation. May the voices of those
around us remind us of the God given privileges that we are sons and daughters
of the same Father.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY
NEW YEAR
+Martin Kivuva Musonde
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF MACHAKOS
Congratulations, Good
Shepherd Parish, for the new community of Assumption Sisters of Nairobi. Good Shepherd Parish is among one of the
latest Parishes opened by Bishop Martin in Machakos , with a new community
of Sisters. Sr. Marie Therese Gacambi,
in her speech, said that she feels very proud to have the opportunity of
sending the Sisters to Good Shepherd Parish, Kikumini, in Machakos Diocese, for
our charism as Assumption Sisters of Nairobi is to immerse among the people and
give life to the full.
Bishop Martin thanked
the Sisters for accepting to come to Kikumini, and Mr. Charles Mutuku who
assisted in putting up the convent, through the collaboration with Fr. Pius
Kyule.
Communication Office
Machakos
1st Sunday
of Advent
Jer: 33:14-16. Ps: 24:
4-5. 8-9.10; 1Thes: 3:12-42:2; Gos: Lk: 21:25-28. 34-36
On this 1st
Sunday of Advent the liturgy reminds us that we are called to live by God’s
promises, which are mysteries that connect with every day life, “I will make a
virtuous Branch grow for David, who will practice honesty and integrity in the
land. “This promise is good news for us
the time is now, to share with our neighbours, because we all belong to the
human family and as Christians, we never walk alone. Sharing does not impoverish us; it enriches
us with a deep sense of satisfaction. In
the gospel Luke reports on the prophecy of Jesus about His second coming and
warns his hearers to be on their guard, and “stay awake praying at all times
for the strength to survive all that is going to happen…”
2nd Sunday
of Advent
Bar: 5:1-9, Ps. 125.
Phil: 1:3-6.8-11; Lk: 3:1-6
The prophet Baruch
had a vision of freedom for his exiled people when God will lead them back to
3rd Sunday
of Advent
Zep: 3: 14-18. Is:
12: 2-6. Phil: 4:4-7. Lk: 3: 10-18
The 3rd
Sunday of Advent invites us to contemplate the joy of our Christian life and assures
us that the Lord is a victorious warrior, so we can “shout for joy” because God
is truly in the midst of his people.
Paul tells the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord always and not to
worry. We learn from Paul that the joy
of God’s closeness was a power that carried him through times of horror,
opposition and execution and he assures us that God’s peace which is beyond all
human understanding will guard our hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus. In today’s Gospel John the Baptist gives
practical details on how to experience true joy, by calling different groups of
people to their duties by proposing activities that involve helping the needy
and being just and honest in our work.
4th Sunday
of Advent
Micah: 5:1-4, Ps: 79:
2-3, 15-16. 18-19. Heb: 10: 5-10. Lk: 1:39-44
The prophet Micah foretells that the birth place
of the Mesiah is to be
Feast of the Holy
Family
1SM: 1:20-22. 24-28.
Ps: 83: 2-3.5-6.9-10. 1Jn.3:1-2. 21-24. Gos: Lk: 2: 41-52
Today we celebrate
the feast of the Holy family, and we look with gratitude to our own
families. Paul gives us the qualities
for a happy family, “be clothed in sincere compassion in kindness and humility,
gentleness and patience… over all these clothes put on love.” The gospel tells us that Jesus was reared in
His mother stored up
all these things in her heart.” What memories of our parents have we stored up?
By Sr. Anna Dennehy R.N.D.M
“I
am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord. If anyone believes in me, even though he
dies, he will live. Anyone who lives and
believes in me will not die for ever.” This day was born out of
meetings, requests from parishes and families Bishop Martin said. It is a day we are meeting as a family to
remember our departed brothers and sisters.
They touched our lives and that is why we are here. Some of them baptized us and by this, they
planted the faith in our lives. He
quoted the 1st reading from 2Mac. 12:43-45 where Judas the leader of
the Jews took a collection from the people and went to offer it as a
sacrifice. The Bishop told a story about
death where some Christians were asked, “If you were to die today what would
you do now? The responses were: the
first said would rush to confession, second requested for one minute and others
gave various excuses.
This shows that we
are not ready in our lives and that is why we are here to pray with our
departed brothers and sisters. He
promised the families where the departed priests and sisters come from that we
are together in prayers. The Gospel
reminds us to be ready. “Be like people waiting for their master to
return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and
knocks.” God’s mercy is always
available to bless all those who have gone to the Lord. Our mass today is to remember those who have
gone before us. In this the church
provides an opportunity to pray for the faithful departed. Thanks to the Lord
for those who have gone before us and those in heaven and let us ask them to
pray for us. Then we moved to
Sr. Juliana Kimanzi A.S.N
The Diocese invites
you for a Diaconate ordination of Benedict M. Maingi, Boniface M. Nduva,
Charles Nzioka, Christopher M. Nzioki, David M. Kala, Dominic M.
Mulinge, Dominic N. Musau, Ezekiel M. Mutisya, Francis M. Ndeti,
Jeremiah M. Mulu, John M. Vaita, Joseph M. Mbolu, Nicodemus M. Mbelenzi,
Patrick W. Ngonga, Paul M. Makundi, Paul M. Musau, and Thomas M. Muasa to
be held on 8th December 2006, at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral Machakos
at 10.00 a.m. Let us support them in
prayers as they continue with the preparations.
The history of our order starts in the
15th century, in the year 1450, when a Portuguese lady known as
Beatrice of Silva had a vision, while she was living is a town known as
Tordesillas (
Three days later, the
queen went to open the trunk thinking that Beatrice had died, but to her
surprise, she was still alive and even more beautiful. Beatrice decided to
leave the palace because her life was in danger. Aided by two servants, she
left the palace and settled in a Dominican convent, situated in a town known as
All this happened between
1480-1489.Once they were settled, the Franciscan Fathers helped them in
redacting the regulations to follow and presented them to the Holy Father Pope
Innocence VIII, who approved in the year
1489. The dreams of St. Beatrice were somehow fulfilled and at laast her order
had a good start. But all of a sudden, things changed two years later, Beatrice
fell sick. It wasn’t God’s will for her to see her order flourish. She made her profession in “artículo mortis”
and was dressed in white and blue, like Mary Immaculate. She died in 17th
of August, 1489 being the first Conceptionist and Foundress of the Order of the
Immaculate Conception of Mary. When she died, a golden star appeared on her
forehead. This star is still conserved in the cranium.
Eight days later after her death, her
twelve daughters were admitted to the profession of their religious vows:
poverty, obedience and chastity. After her death, the order was in a total
chaos, but it manages to come up once more. This fulfils what Saint Beatrice
had been told. That her order would be put out like a lamp but later, it would
come up and this is actually what happened years later. In the year 1511, the
Holy Father Pope Julius II definitely approved the rules and the way of life of
our order.
Continued next issue
By Sr. Celestina Ndangwa Muthusi O.I.C
Monastery of Saint Anne -
We had a colorful day for the Diocesan
Collection on 11/11/2006.
Congratulations to those who were blessed to receive a gift from the
Diocese. In group A the most
improved Parish was Kalawa Parish, Group B the most improved was Kasikeu
Parish and Group C the most Improved was Makindu Parish. We thank
every body who contributed to the success of the day. May God bless you all.
It is very clear that
from November onwards, it is impossible to forget that Christmas is coming in
many countries. This celebration of
Christmas on December 25th is a
The real Christmas
story is found in the Christian bible.
It is told in the gospel of Mathew and Luke chapter 1 and 2. These chapters tell how Jesus was born as a
baby of many. This was no ordinary birth
since Mary was not married and a virgin.
An angel breaks the story to her.
When they had to travel from their home in
Jesus was born that right and as they had no
bed for him, they used an animal feeding box, filled with the dry grass the
animals ate. This was a very poor place
for Jesus to start his life on earth.
Christians believe that it was exactly God’s plan that things happen
this way. They say that it shows that
Jesus came as a humble, poor person and not as a strong, rich king. What is the real message of Christmas? The
message is “that the word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.” He was made man like us and lived among us to
tell us about the Father, what we are for the father and his plan for us. If we want to know the father, we need to behold Christ, see what he does,
listen to what he says and teachers, watch how he believes, the people he goes
with, where he takes his meals and with whom, the persons he chooses, those he rebukes and those he defends,
because this is what the Father does.
Jesus makes the father visible.
Christmas reveals to us that God loves human kind.
He is a God who likes
human company, and saves rather than finishing.
As Christians, Christmas festival calls us to love other people just
like the Father loves us, no hatred, jealousy, killing etc, “The word which
became flesh” is also a light which overpowers darkness (sin). Jesus is the beginning of a new creation. Creation that is filled with the light of God,
the darkness represent the forces of evil; sin, selfishness, exploitation,
oppression, bribery, corruption, violence, hatred, unfaithfulness etc. The light fights this darkness without doing
away with it immediately, but the darkness cannot overpower the light. Such a struggle will continue until the light
will be fully victorious and this victory has already been assured by the
resurrection of Christ.
Reflections
How have we prepared
ourselves for the birth of Christ spiritually or will he be born in a dirty
place? (Our hearts filled with evils)?
Are we ready to share with the other people what we have, as a sign of
that love for which God lives humanity and we are called for the same? Let us
allow Christ, the new star to show us the way to the Father.
Wishing you a
Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2007.
By Rev. Fr. Alphonse
K. Muema
Day star University
The Diocese wishes to
say pole to Fr. Fidelis Nzuki who lost his Father. Take courage Fr and be assured of our support
and prayers. May God bless you.
In his homily, the
Bishop exhorted Christians to use the church to spread the word of God and to
eradicate evil from the society.
Confirming the first born of Ivalini, he commissioned them to be strong
Christian’s soldiers. He told the
Christians to embrace, “I am a donor, you are a donor” spirit, in church
development programmes. An impromptu
pledging drive he conducted raised 27 church benches, 20 plastic chairs and a
steel gate. He pledged support for piped
water to the church. Enroute, the Bishop blessed Kalusya outstation church
site, and pledged Ksh. 100,000/- to Nzoiani outstation on going church construction,
committing Christians to cap Ksh. 200,000/- completion balance. Touching base
at
Parishioners and visitors
from the neighborhood of
He commissioned the
Dean together with the other Priests to co-ordinate church activities within
their jurisdiction. Counting the blessings, the Bishop said there were 52
Parishes and additional five in formation.
The Diocese led in priests (130), sisters, Deacons (19), Catechists (1,
4650 and the Diocesan collection last year.
The Diocese has priests in Malindi, Kitale, Lodwar and Garissa Dioceses
and the U.S.A has applied for two priests.
The Bishop intimated that he proposed to split the Diocese to a separate
Diocese of Makueni, which remains a possibility. As for the building
developments targeted for demolition at Mlolongo road reserve, the Bishop
called for extension of time to the innocent developers to comply and payments
of compensation for loss of property.
He also urged Kenyans to take advantage of the
reopened Kenya Meat Commission factory in order to benefit from its economic
potential. Bravo your Lordship!
By D.J. Muthengi
1. Fr. Joseph Makau -Asst. Makaveti Parish
2. Fr. Francis Muumbi - Asst. Mavoloni Parish
3. Fr. Patrick Muoka - Kithangaini Parish
Congratulations and take
courage in your daily apostolate. Be
assured of our prayers.
On Saturday 4th
of November 2006, all the Sisters of our Lady of the Missions assembled in
their Provincial House, in
The Bishop
congratulated the Jubilarians and marveled at the commitment to their call, as
religious, for sixty years. The Bishop thanked the Missionaries who planted the
seed of Christian faith in our land. Sr.
Stanislaus, from
Sr. Aileen, from
The celebration was
extended with a shared scrumptious meal, followed by singing, dancing and the
offering of the gifts. We thank His Lordship and Fr. Richard for availing
themselves to celebrate with us despite their busy schedule. Bravo! Sr. Aileen and Sr. Stanislaus, May God
continue to bless you in your missionary endeavors. Thank you! R.N.D.M’s
Novices
DECEMBER
2nd Final Profession - Mbiuni Parish
8th Diaconate Ordinations – Machakos Cathedral
6-10th Mtito Andei Parish - Confirmation
9th Professions Carmelite Monastery
16-17th Ikalaasa Parish - Confirmation
21st Bishop’s meeting Hospital Board, Education & Land
22nd Kathonzweni Parish - Confirmation
24th Mass - Cathedral Machakos
25th Mass - Cathedral/Kyumbi
31st Family Mass - Cathedral Machakos
JANUARY 2007
1st Our Lady of
6th Missionary Children - Emali
13th –14th Kaumoni
Confirmation
16th-22
World Social Forum
23rd Investments committee
26th KCS- PC
28th Kabaa Confirmation
People come
into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which
it is, you’ll know exactly what to do.
Catholic
Diocese of Machakos
P.O. Box -
344 -90100 Machakos
Tel.
+254-44-20484; Fax. +254-44-21308
E-mail: bishopsomks@wananchi.com
Website: http/www.machakosdiocese.org