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When the Lord promised Abraham a land to live in, he confirmed the promise with a covenant. The covenant rite was different from any other made before. Abraham slaughtered the animals and God passed between them. Abraham did not pass through because this covenant was unconditional. Abraham lived by faith and the promise made to him came true. As we go through Lenten season we are being reminded that in Baptism we made an unconditional covenant with God. God remains faithful to us and as we move towards the Promised Land, heaven.

Have we kept our part of the covenant? The words proclaimed during the baptism of Jesus are repeated during the transfiguration; Jesus is the Beloved Son of the Father. Let us listen to him. We can not listen to him unless we are reconciled with him as Saint Paul reminds the Philippian Church, “Let us keep close to Christ who will transfigure our mortal bodies to become like his in glory.”

3^rd Week of Lent

Ex. 3.1-8, 13-15; 1Cor.10.1-6, 10-12;

Lk 13.1-9

Do we actually know the God whom we serve? We respond well to requests made by our friends. We do not want to offend them. We obey them because we know them well. Moses faced God when he was shepherding the flock of Jethro. God wanted to draw Moses from the silent life of tending the flock to a noble responsibility of leading the people of Israel. Moses had all the reasons to enquire from the one who was sending him. God made Himself known to Moses. “He is I Am” - a name above all names He is the source of salvation to the chosen people.

The people of Israel knew him but not by this name. We serve the Lord whom we know. He has revealed Himself to us in Jesus. He calls us to make him known to all people. During this Lenten season, the Lord calls us to re-examine ourselves and think whether we know the one whom we serve.

4^th Week of Lent

Joshua 5.9-12; 2Cor 5.17-21;

Lk 15.1-3, 11-32

The Parable of today can bear can be given different topics depending on the attitude we have. It can be the traditional prodigal son or the repentant son or the forgiving Father or the unforgiving brother. Jesus gives this parable after the Holier-than-thou Pharisees and Scribes came complaining why He ate with Tax-collectors and sinners.

During lent, God calls us to repent and return to him. The son found no better home than his Father’s. He resolves to go back regardless of his position after. The Father received him unconditionally. He loved his sons equally and did not favour the first born. The First born was not happy with his Father’s action of welcoming the lost son. In his heart, he had no room to see the good of his brother coming home. Our challenge as Christians is to ask ourselves how we treat the repentant sinners. Do we welcome them with love or we keep grumbling? Let us know that the Lord hates sin but loves those who repent. May we resolve to return to him.

5^th Week of Lent

Is 43.16-21; Phil 3.8-14; John 8.1-11

Lent is a period of renewal. As we come close to the Passion narratives, the Lord invites us to reflect on his love to those who want to return to him. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God wants to make us a new generation. We are no longer slaves of sin but people of righteousness. What a privilege to learn that God is not banking on our past but on our readiness to unite with him. St. Paul reminds us that when Christ raised us at baptism, we became heirs of the kingdom. We are no longer seeking to perfect ourselves because Christ is the one who perfects us.

When we accept to suffer in this present world for the sake of Christ, we accept also to rejoice with him at the eternal banquet. Let us acknowledge our sinfulness and allow the Lord to heal us. Let us not condemn and we shall not be condemned. The Lord calls us to sin no more, because the promised he made will be ours.

Rev. Fr. Francis Maundu

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FEAST OF THE MONTH – ST JOSEPH HUSBAND OF MARY

“Good and faithful servants enter into the joy of your Lord” St. Joseph was a simple village carpenter the husband of Mary and the guardian of the child Jesus. He has become the guardian and patron of Christ’s universal church. Joseph was chosen by God as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his highest treasures, namely his divine son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He granted him all the graces in order to accept that lofty vocations and that is why he fulfilled the task faithfully. He carried of this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying “God and faithful servant enter into the Joy of your Lord”. St. Joseph took care of the holy family.

He protected Mary and Jesus even during the most difficult times, he is a man who was chosen and set apart. Through him and under him Christ was fitting and honorably introduced into the world. Holy church in its entirety is indebted to the virgin Mother because through her, it was judged worthy to receive Christ. But after her life undoubtedly owe special gratitude and reverence to St. Joseph.

From the promised in the Old Testament, we get the fulfillments of the prophets through the birth of the Messiah. What the divine goodness had offered as a promise to them, he held in his arms. Obviously, Christ does not now deny to Joseph that intimacy, reverence and very high honour which he gave him on earth, as a son to the Father. Rather we must say that in heaven Christ completes and perfects all that he gave at Nazareth. Although the joy of eternal happiness enters into the soul of a man, the Lord preferred to say to Joseph: Enter into Joy.

Such words convey not only that this holy man possesses an inward joy, but also that it surrounds him and engulfs him like an infinite abyss. As we contemplate on the life of St. Joseph husband to Mary and foster father to our Lord Jesus Christ, we need to say “Remember us, St. Joseph and plead for us to your foster Christ. Ask your most holy bride, the Virgin Mary to look kindly upon us since she is the m other of him who with the father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns eternally amen.

Reflections:

Have you ever thought that like St. Joseph God has chosen you and set you apart for a mission?

How faithful and responsible have you been in your vocation that you will be happy to hear such words “Good and faithful servant, enter into the kingdom prepared for you by the Lord?”

Do you give your-self to the service of your brothers and sisters so that they can live comfortably here on earth?

“St. Joseph pray for us that we may be faithful to our vocations.”

Rev. Fr. Alphonse K. Muema

Day stay University

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YOU ARE A DONOR, I AM A DONOR - SELF RELIANT POSSIBLE

The self reliance of the community of Ivalini outstation of Athi River Parish cannot pass without a mention! As promised, His Lordship Martin Kivuva Musonde our Bishop returned to St. Francis Catholic church, Ivalini outstation, Athi River Parish on 9^th February 2007, three months after opening the church to receive donations pledged for church Benches. The Bishop arrived at dusk, from a crowded circuit of engagements through Nairobi, Tala and Koma Rock to the eagerly awaiting Christians, led by the church committee Chairman, Paul Wambua and Co-worker Magdalene Ngina and Julius Komu.

The Rev. Fr. Daniel Kitila, Fr in charge, Athi River Parish was accompanied by benches donors from St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Athi River, Josephine Mbithi, Francis Wavinya, John Kaindi, Simon Kyatha, Peter Wahome and Donald Muthengi. A prevailing atmosphere of abundance of food production brightened the Christians of Ivalini. In such spectacle of expectation, Bishop Kivuva led the gathered in a thanks giving prayer to God for the gift of good rains, and the ripening bumper crop of maize and other crops in the fields, good livestock in the pastures, green belts of trees, vegetation and water. He commended the people for their hard work in the fields for which they will reap a good harvest.

The Bishop advised the people not to yield to the temptation to sell their food stocks, after the harvest but to preserve the food supplies as security, using appropriate storage methods. At the same time he exhorted Christians in the parish for their steadfastness and the spirit of giving something back for service to God such as the completion of Ivalini church construction and helping to boost the Diocesan collection to an unprecedented level last year.

In the same spirit of giving, Christians gave the Bishop Cash donations amounting to Ksh. 262,000/- pledged by individual donors of groups to purchase the needed church benches at the price of 7,500/- a piece, which included his donation of 45,000/- for the six benches he had pledged. Fr. Daniel Kitila estimated that the proceeds will procure 35 benches which will be enough to meet the seating capacity of the church. Remember to pray for all the donors, for you are a donor and I am a donor. And the Joy of donor is to see the money given put to the right use. One of the ways to remember them is put inscription plaques bearing the names of the donors on each of the donated benches in appreciation.

By D.J. Muthengi

Athi River Parish

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CONFIRMATION AT KABAA PARISH

His Lordship Martin Kivuva arrived at Kabaa Parish early to start the day welcomed by Rev. Fr. Michael Wambua and Rev. Fr. Paul Kinyumu; He proceeded to say Mass for Kabaa high school students and St. Mary’s Polytechnic. The students were happy to be with their shepherd. He reminded them that the student body and staff will make Kabaa a place we can all be proud of.

After four years one is out to face the world which judges what you got in your exams! We cannot remain young and in school forever so prepare your self to face the future by working hard, said the Bishop. Later in the day some students joined the candidates for confirmation at the main Mass.

We were happy for 302 Christians who received the sacrament of confirmation. During the homily the Bishop advised Christians to repair their faith “Cracks” in prayer and love. The Bishop thanked the catechists who have worked tirelessly to promote faith in the church. He asked Christians to assist them in their daily work. He advised Christians to work in unity giving the example of a Baobab tree (Muamba) with its small leaves that is feeling part and parcel of the big “Muamba tree”. He thanked the priests, sisters and the Christians for the good work done.

By Paul Mwaniki - Parish Secretary

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DIOCESAN DAY OF PRAYER AT KOMAROCK SHRINE – MOTHER OF GOD

Saturday February 3^rd 2007 is the day that will go into the records of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos as an Historic day! It was a graceful day for the faithful of Machakos Diocese and other devoted faithful from other parts of our country to converge at Koma Rock Mother of God Shrine, a venerated hill in Komarock Parish. For many years now at this Shrine lives Fr. Thomas Vadassery, an elderly Priest of Indian descent. Individuals/groups from Parishes and even other Dioceses have been coming here to pray.

This time around the Catholic Diocese of Machakos had declared this day a Diocesan prayer day. Prayers of thanks giving for Gods goodness and blessings of the ended year 2006, especially the good harvest, Prayers for families and peaceful elections. Mary Mother of God is our mediator and Patroness of our Diocese. This was the first Diocesan Pilgrimage to the shrine at the beginning of the year. The congregation was much encouraged to have our shepherd Bishop Martin Kivuva who led us in the way of the cross. Every body was edified, inspired and ready to be nourished by the inspiring words of our Bishop. At the 4^th station where Jesus met his afflicted mother he told us that we should be touched by the suffering of other people and help them by mercy and love. We should show concern to the people tormented by poverty, oppression and unemployment.

At the 5^th station Jesus was stripped off his garments, a sing of sacrifice for our salvation a total surrender to the will of God. We too are to rid ourselves of things which hinder us from total surrender to the will of the Father cultural practices like ithitu, Mbingo, Ndundu hatred and lack of forgiveness. The main celebrant of the day, a golden Juberian and great devotee of Our Lady Archbishop Emeritus John Njenga. In his homily His Grace extorted the congregation to have devotion to our Lady Mother of God. His love to our Lady Mother of God comes from his late mother Wanjiru who died at the age of 100 years. The Arch Bishop attributed the blessings seen at work in Machakos Diocese to the help of our Lady mother of God. He continued to say that as King Solomon gathered people to worship Yahweh likewise our Bishop called his people to Komarock to worship God.

Explaining the importance of our Lady Mother of God in our Christian life he said that ‘mama’ at home is very important and that’s why everybody’s first word is ‘mum’ because mothers are always available at home. He told the congregation that the devotion to our Lady mother of God is biblical and is not an optional devotion to all Christians since the bible is not optional. Through the Angel Gabriel God pronounced our Lady as full of grace so this is as biblical as ‘Our Father. His Grace emphasized that we need grace, love and forgiveness. His Grace told the congregation that we can’t be Christians without love and forgiveness. It is the law of Christ to love (John 13:340 and to forgive (Mrk: 11:25) with love other people will know that we are Christ’s disciples. He invited us to be clothed with heart felt compassion, generosity, humility, gentleness, patience and love as the perfect bond because it is for this that we are called in one body. (Colossians 3:12). After Mass all had an opportunity of quiet moment of adoration after which His Lordship Bishop Martin Kivuva introduced this year Diocesan Theme as the year of the word of God. He presented each deanery with a bible as an inaugurative sign to the year of the word.

Finally Bishop Martin thanked His Lordship Bishop Emeritus Urbanus Kioko in his absence for his effort to make Koma Rock a home of prayer. He exhorted all Christians to make pilgrimages to Koma Rock Shrine especially during May and October the Marian months for prayer and worship. Thank you your Grace Archbishop Emeritus Bishop John Njenga, your Lordship Bishop Martin, and all who made the day to be a blessing for us. Our lady Mother of God, pray for us to assimilate the word of God into our daily activities in this year the word.

Rev. Fr. Peter Muthenya &

Seminarian Peter Ivia

Misyani Catholic Mission

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CHOIRS ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL – 2006

The Catholic Choirs Association (Machakos Diocese) successfully concluded its annual music festivals on 14^th, 15^th and 16^th December 2006. The overall four winners in various classes were as follows:

Class A Special: 14/12/06 {for choirs promoted from class A}

St. Patrick’s, Kawauni – Kitwii Parish

Christ the King, Kithunthi – Kangundo parish

St. Philomena, Tulimani – Tawa Parish

St. Joseph, Mbiuni – Mbiuni Parish

Class National: 15/12/06 {for senior choirs promoted from class A special}

St. John, Kabaa – Kabaa Parish

St. Martin, Kitwii – Kitwii Parish

St. John, Kusyomuomo – Machakos Parish

St. Augustine, Matuu – Matuu Parish

St. Joseph, Kithendu – Matuu Parish

Class Advanced: 16/12/06 {most senior choirs, those promoted from class National}

Kaluoki, Cathedral – Machakos Parish

St. Paul’s, Matuu – Matuu Parish

St. Lawrence, Kyau – Kaumoni Parish

Mbimbini – Makueni Parish

There are 5 class levels in total. Choirs in class B (for beginners) and class A perform at their respective deaneries and the best in class A normally promoted to class A special. Classes A special, National and advanced perform at diocesan level.

By Alfonse Kamelo

Cathedral Machakos

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BISHOP’S DIARY

MARCH

1^ST. Caritas executive

4^th. Golden Jubilee - Mombasa -Archbishop John Njenga

6th St Joseph club- Komarock/ Mua Girls

7-8^th PC workshop & meeting

13^th Deans meeting

15^th. K.E.C

17^th Fr. Hiran High School

18^th St. Joseph Parish (Mlolongo) Confirmations

20^th. Partnership leadership Meeting.

22nd Caritas Partners Meeting

23rd. INADES

24^th-25 St. Christopher (Kyumbi) Confirmations

APRIL

8^TH Cathedral Parish Machakos

9^TH Good Samaritan Centre

11. Tawa Girls - D.B.O.D

12-14 Kambu Parish Confirmation

17. Plenary Assembly Langata

21. Fr. Hiran High School Tala

22. Tulimani - Tawa

28. Choirs Cathedral

29 Final Profession Tala Parish

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Together in His love is a wonderful place to be. {1Thess: 3:12}

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