Issue No. 47: May, 2007
The Truth: Machakos Link Newsletter
An organ of communication of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos
“peace be with you”
{Jn: 20:19}
“GOOD SAMARITAN” RECEIVES A GREAT BOOST
ODINATION INVITATION! ORDINATION INVITATION!
FEAST OF THE MONTH – PENTECOST
ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH MLOLONGO FEAST DAY
EXPERIENCING JESUS AT MBOONI GIRLS
On the first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together…..Jesus appeared to them while the doors were closed’! Easter Monday this year, one would have thought that the priests are resting somewhere after the tough Holy Week Liturgies. This was not so in Machakos Diocese. We demonstrated solidarity rallying behind a project dear to them all, Good Samaritan Centre.
With the whether just perfect, the function, kicked off with sumptuous buffet Luncheon served in the style of a six star Hotel. Thanks to the catholic women leaders from Mlolongo Parish lead by Sr. Bernadette Munyao the CWA, CMA co-coordinator and the St. Joseph Choir that provided the ambience! The clergy of the Diocese had agreed to meet at the Good Samaritan Centre together with their friends to have a luncheon and to contribute (“ukiiti”) towards the completion of this important Diocesan facility situated at Mlolongo Parish near the International Airport.
This time was the priests contributing and assisted by their friends. A surprise of Kenya shilling One million one hundred thousand was raised. ($16,000). The presence of Bishop Anthony Muheria of Embu Diocese a guest and a friend to our Diocese was a clear sign of the Bishop’s collegiality, support and importance attached to this project targeting the clergy of Machakos and Kenya at large.
As your Bishop, and indeed the entire Diocese a BIG THANK YOU to all the religious present, the visitors of our priests, the people of good will from Nairobi and elsewhere who made this day a success. You are our Good Samaritan! na wi wa Kiamba. This indeed will be an Easter Monday to remember, an Easter Monday with a difference! Thank you for the sacrifices made and generosity shown by one and all.
Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF MACHAKOS
U’wo congratulates the 17 Deacons to be ordained Priests on 31st May 2007 at Machakos Stadium starting at 10.00 a.m.
ALL ARE WELCOME
CONGRATULATIONS OUR DEAR BROTHERS
AUGUSTINIAN RECOLLECT NUNS {Monks} Makueni Parish. The Blessing of the Foundations of the new monastery in Makueni Parish welcomes the second monastery in the Diocese.
On 10th April 2007 the Bishop Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva Lead the community and
Sisters to a ground breaking and a blessing ceremony to Mark the official beginning of the construction of OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION MONASTERY, This makes the second monastery in the Diocese. The Carmelite nuns have their monastery in Machakos town.
14th April 2007 Mtito Andei Parish was pleased to welcome Franciscan Clarist Sisters. They will take on evangelization through Education. They hope to start a Primary Boarding school. The Bishop came to welcome the Sisters in the community. It was a joyful event as they take up their new challenge!
1st. May 2007 Assisi Sisters( “Green Garden Sisters”) Have now opened their convent Rt. Rev. Bishop Martin Kivuva blessed the new convent on the Feast of St. Joseph the worker, this being the second convent in Africa.
Now Mlolongo Parish is blessed to have four religious communities.
FEEL AT MACHAKOS DIOCESE.
KARIBUNI
5th Sunday Easter
Acts 14:21- 27; Rev. 21:1- 5a; John 13:31- 33a, 34- 35
The message of love is central in the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. It actually distinguishes his followers from any other religious group. Christ in the Gospel reading gives his disciples a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.. The followers of Christ are challenged by this command. Do Christians actually love one another as Christ loved us? The Lord calls each of his followers to seek for genuine love. As we break the bread together let us remember that we are commemorating a banquet of love. Christ empties himself for humanity. May we seek to empty ourselves in our service to humanity and more so to the Christian community.
6th Sunday Easter
Acts 15:1-2.22- 29; Rev. 21: 10-14. 22- 23; John 14: 23-29
In the, Eucharistic celebration, the word peace is used many times. Peace is a gift that the Lord gave to his Apostles before ascension. The Holy Spirit is the source of this gift. Peace is not absence of war but an inner tranquility. We can not rejoice when a country has external peace yet her citizens are languishing. The church can not rejoice when there is external peace yet there are internal chaos among the believers. The council of Jerusalem was meant to make a resolution about an issue that was causing divisions among the believers. Without a solution, there was no peace the decision that Paul, Barnabas and other church leaders made was wise. There was need to consult the leaders in Jerusalem. A resolution was made that restored the lost inner peace. We are reminded not to discourage those who are new in Christ with conditions which are not from the Lord. Are there moments when we have taken away the peace of our brethren? Let us learn from the first community of believers
The Ascension
Acts 1.1-11; Eph. 1.17-23; Lk 24.46-53
The narrative of the ascension as presented by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles leaves the reader with many questions un answered. Actually what happened at the ascension? Did Jesus just disappear? Many will be the questions but few the answers. As Christians our basic act of faith is that the Lord ascended into heaven. After the resurrection, Christ spent forty days on earth. This time he was not appearing to all the people but to his chosen. He leaves no doubt in them that he is risen. To the Jews the number forty was associated with perfection of preparation or of instruction. Having lived with the risen Lord for forty days, the apostles were perfectly instructed. We too have been instructed throughout the forty days. Let us keep our faith.
Rev. Fr. Francis Maundu
“On the day of Pentecost, they had all gathered together in one place. Out of the heavens suddenly there came the sound of a great wind which filled the whole house”. {Acts: 2:1}
Before Jesus died on the cross, he promised his disciples that he would not leave them alone and that he would be sending them his spirits (Jn: 14:16,26). It is of great importance to know that Pentecost was an ancient traditional Jewish feast, celebrated fifty days after Passover.
The feast commemorated the arrival of the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, where Moses went up to the mountain, met God and received the law for his people. Hebrews felt so proud for having been chosen to receive this gift, so the people of Israel celebrated Pentecost to thank God for having chosen them. Saying that the apostles received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost day is to say that for the Christians, the Holy Spirit has substituted the Law of Moses with a new one. God had given the people of Israel the law, but their behaviours never changed.
He decided to change the heart of his people with a new heart; Israel would not need an external law but would do good by following the impulses coming from within. That is what the law of the spirit is: it is the new heart, the life of God which once it enters a person, transforms and changes this person into a good fruit tree, capable of producing the fruits of the work of God. The moment a Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit; there is a full transformation of life such that he loves with the same love as God loves. He/she loves a life of perfect in the struggle to avoid sin.
Therefore, there is no need for anyone to teach us, we don’t need any law (1John 2:27) because the Holy Spirit is our teacher. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is the only law for the Christians. By receiving the Holy Spirit, the apostles spoke in tongues but they could understand each other. This means the church is universal.
The gospel (good news) is for all people. The gospel transcends all languages, race and tribal barriers. All those who allow themselves to be transformed by the gospel and by the spirit speak a language that everyone can understand and that can unite all together once again. This is the language of love, out of this love then brings forth forgiveness, perseverance, kindness, honesty, generosity, politeness among many other virtues.
The Holy Spirit forms a new family (church) where all can understand and love one another. Therefore, if we are not to be scorched and made unfruitful, we need the dew of God. Since we have our accuser, we need an advocate as well. Through the Holy Spirit, the image and inspiration of the father and the son have been given to us, and it is our duty to use the coin committed to our charge and make it yield a rich profit for the Lord. Let us pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit in order to transform our lives and bear good fruits.
Reflections:
Have we opened our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit sent to us by the father and the son in order to transform our lives and bear good fruits?
If we reflect upon our actions, do they reflect the guidance of the Holy Spirit or the evil spirit? The Holy Spirit brings us the love of God and that the church becomes united. Do we love the other people and are we ready to assist them so that we may remain united just as Christ prayed for the church to be united. “To receive the Holy Spirit is to drive away the darkness of Sin”
Rev. Fr. Alfonse Muema
Day Star University
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church started in the year 2000 and today it is serving two outstations and six small Christian communities. It consists of more than 2000 catholic.
This year the Feast of St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and the Patron of the Parish at Mlolongo, scheduled on 18th March 2007 at 9.30 am.
His Lordship Bishop Martin Kivuva of the Diocese of Machakos officiated the feast day with a Solemn Eucharistic celebration. All Christians from the Parish, including Mlolongo, Katani, Ngelani and other near by parishes and the deanery of Athi-River gathered at the main road to welcome the Bishop in a procession. Mass started with a procession from the priest’s house to the church with beautiful hymns, liturgical dance, choir and the candidates for the confirmation.
It was really a meaningful celebration. On this day, 55 candidates received the sacrament of Confirmation. Afterwards, the newly elected Parish Council members took charge officially after the Communion. It was also a day of joy for us because the Bishop officially announced the newly formed sixth Small Christian Community named after St. Francis de Sales, followed by Novena to St. Joseph.
After the mass the entire faithful gathered to present their gifts to the Bishop. And then we had the common Lunch together.
MARCH 19TH 2007, OPENING OF THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED DEPARTMENT IN MOTOR VECHICLE MECHANIC
St. Joseph’s Vocational Training Centre started in the year 2002 October. Currently, there are four departments, namely Department of IT, Computer, Accountancy, Tailoring and the newly erected motor vehicle mechanic department. The section of MVM is sponsored by people and the government of Japan through the embassy of Japan.
The opening of this new department had long been awaited. The main guest was His Excellency Mr. Satoru Miyamura, Ambassador of Japan.
The Celebration started at 10.00 am and ended at 12.30 noon. It started with a word of prayer by His Lordship Bishop Martin Kivuva –Diocese of Machakos. His Excellency Mr. Satoru Miyamura was the chief guest and he officially opened the new department by cutting the ribbon and unveiling the plague.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Martin Kivuva, the Bishop of Machakos officially blessed the newly built department. Besides them, Dr. Manu Chandaria – the Chairman of Comcraft group of Companies, Mr. Werner Muller and the team from Switzerland from the organization of Salesan, Rev. Fr. Thomas Olickal – Provincial of the Missionary of St. Francis de Sales, Province of East Africa, Government officials, Invited guests, Priests, Sisters, Teachers and Students all attended the celebration.
After the official opening, everybody gathered at the main hall and there were a few speeches and entertainments. His Excellency Mr. Satoru Miyamura, the ambassador of Japan congratulated the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales for their dedication and selfless service to the community especially providing job opportunity for the marginalized youth of Kenya. The program ended with a word of prayer and the lunch. It was a beautiful day.
Rev. Fr. Joseph
Mlolongo Parish
The word vocation comes from the Latin word ‘vocare’ which means to call. God is the one who calls and hence vocation is a free gift from God. God calls people for a particular mission and he calls each one according to his will.
None of us has any vocation. God calls us so that he may use us as his instruments. Let us remember God has no mouth, he uses our mouths to proclaim his word. He has no legs, he uses our legs to take his message to different parts of the world, “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the gospel to all creation…cf Mark: 16:15-16. He has no hands, he wants to use our hands to bless and carry out his work.
When we are called by God, we are expected to respond generously and unconditionally. God calls his people to serve him either as priests, brothers, sisters or parents. Each kind of vocation compliments one another. In our Diocese we are blessed by God with a lot of vocations. We have very many men and women married in the church. At the same time we have many Priests, Brothers and Sisters working within the Diocese and outside.
The total number of priests serving in the Diocese is 146. Among these 21 are missionaries and 125 are Diocesan priests. At the same time we have 94 seminarians.
On 31st May 2007 we will have a priestly ordination of 17 deacons. This is a great blessing from God we sincerely need to thank him.
We are called by God to love, appreciate, practice, enjoy and take care of the gift of vocation. To achieve this we must be committed, responsible and devoted in the service of God in our daily lives. However, challenges will be there, but with God we shall overcome. Let us pray for families, priests, brothers and sisters always. Above all let us pray and help our sons and daughters so that they may discern their vocation well.
Great thanks to His Lordship Bishop Martin Kivuva Musonde for the promotion and support of vocations in the Diocese. Let us pray for him so that his zeal to love priests, sisters, brothers, seminarians and families in the Diocese may continue burning. To achieve this we need to support him fully and always.
Rev. Fr. Bernard Musyoki
Vocations Director
To our deacons preparing for Ordination, to be Priesthood is something transcendent. Through baptism a priest it brings souls to new birth, through the sacrament of penance he purifies them, through Eucharist he gives them our Lord’s body as he himself did at the last supper, and at their death he helps them to appear before the beloved by giving them their final forgiveness and the supreme strength.
Every single day of his life, a priest does what Jesus did during his three years of ministry. He teaches men to know, love and serve their good master. “What a vocation.” Wish you a good time as you prepare for the ordination to priesthood.
Rev. Fr. Alfonse Muema
Day Star University
THEME: LET MANY WOMEN STAND, LET MANY WOMEN VOTE!
Report from the women gender desk shows that the day was well accepted and the people responded positively. This is a clear indication of the continual support of the WOMAN.
Each Parish was supposed to arrange for an act of charity and plan when and where to mark this day. We thank God for giving the woman a chance to come out of her cocoon shell she had always been enclosed in. The following are some of the activities performed in the Parishes;
At Kilala Market, women from different parts of Makueni came in large numbers to mark this day.
Cathedral Parish - The women converged and had talks from different persons to strengthen and enlighten them.
Kitwii Parish – The women decided to clean the whole of the public market and they proceeded to the church where they prayed together and held talks.
Kyale Parish – The women attended a special mass for their own intentions and they proceeded to a small home where they visited the vulnerable children and prayed with them and made them feel that they are loved and cared for.
Matiliku Parish – The women decided to have a day to sit and talk freely about many issues concerning them and they freely expressed their views freely towards solving their problems.
Other Parishes who had an activity on this day include:
Katoloni Parish
Kilungu Parish
Kanzalu Parish
Ikalaasa Parish
Mukuyuni Parish
Katangi Parish
This day was observed as a day when the women in Kenya being far away from each other, with the different styles in life merged together to remind each other that Kenya has a place for them all.
To mark the International Women’s day, the Development office could not help but hold a cocktail for the women in general. This was to show their continual support for the women in the Diocese and in the whole country. This was led by the women gender co-ordinator, who thanked God for hearing the prayers of the woman, the woman who has always been the subject of ridicule abuse of all forms, the underestimated and the prejudiced lot. She wishes all a happy women's day
By Redemta
Secretary DDS
The students of Mbooni Girls would like to sincerely thank Fr. Shijo and the Vincentian Brothers for the wonderful retreat they had. The period as from 15th – 17th February 2007 was one of the most inspiring moments in Mbooni Girls and it was a time we made peace with God.
Among the topics we shared with the speakers are; Love of God and neighbours, Faith, Sin and repentance, Morality of today. We must acknowledge that the retreat was a blessing. We felt the true nature of God’s love to his people. It had been a moving and inspiring call towards God and commitment to prayer. We felt really renewed and had changed hearts and minds to prayer life.
By Interacting with Fr. Shijo and the Vincentian Brothers, and sharing about life, it occurred to us that God should always be the Big Picture in our lives. The retreat was Great, Inspiring, Fabulous and touching. That weekend was thus a gift from God. We really made up our minds to follow all what we learnt as life would be better that way.
We can’t forget the beautiful song we learned from the speakers,
Jambo Jesus loves you
Are you happy, he is with you?
Karibu, into his presence
Why do you worry?
Hakuna Matata ohh…….”
Much thanks to Fr. Shijo, Brothers Jomesh, Stephen and Jobby.
By Mbooni Girls Students
MAY
1st St. Joseph the Worker
5th Subukia National Pilgrimage
8th PC KEC
11th Tala Holy Rosary B.O.G
12th Ordinations - Kitui Diocese
13th Katangi Parish
16 - 23rd Holy Land
27TH Kithimani Parish -Opening
31st Ordinations Machakos
JUNE
The Bishop will be out of the country, all general administrative matters will be attended by the Diocesan Vicar General, Monsignor Alfons Mondiu.
10th July Deans Meeting
11th - 12th July A.G.M Pastoral Centre
22nd - 26th Oct. 1st Group Retreat Pastoral Centre
26th - 31st Oct. 2nd Group Retreat Pastoral Centre
3rd Nov. Diocesan Collection {Muvothi} - Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral Machakos
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