UWO

The setting of the sermon on the mountain reflects the event of the Israelites in the wilderness at Mount Sinai. Just as Moses was God Ás spokesman in delivering the Law, here Jesus assumes the authoritative role of God’s spokesman, who sets forth the nature and demands of God’s kingdom. It is no longer a law of an eye for an eye, but one of a blessing for a curse. It is a law of humility. The beatitudes remind us that we should be humble and as Saint Paul writes to the Corinthians; we have to take what the world regards as foolishness to be a Divine reality.

By embracing the beatitudes, Jesus is not implying that a Christian should tolerate and submit to injustices. Indeed He clearly specifies that it is in the name of the Gospel that those who are just will be blessed. Jesus is teaching about the source of true happiness. As Christians, we are called to seek for this happiness. Hence we should seek to exercise all the Christian virtues and shun from all vices. We should celebrate our nothingness in the eyes of the world because we know that at the end the Lord will fill it with the fruits of divine righteousness.

1^st Sunday of Lent:

Gen 2.7-9, 3.1-7; Rom 5.12-19; Mat 4.1-11.

Lent is a special period of purification, enlightenment and illumination. For the Catechumen, it is culmination of a long journey of seeking for the Master. For the baptized it is a moment to tally scores and reflect whether they are still living their baptismal vows. The first reading narrates the creation of man and how sin came to the world. God created man in his own image and likeness but man frustrated the privilege by giving in to temptations. Christ is the new Adam; he was tempted yet never sinned. See the three temptations; all are geared not for the Glory of God but for human exhortation: Power, wealth and pride. The devil quotes the Scripture accurately but for the wrong intention. Christ quotes the same Scripture perfectly for the good intention. This is our warfare as Christians:

The devil is always trying us. Many are the times when the Devil has come to us disguised as the Angel of light and we have given in to temptations. There are moments too when we have offered conditional prayers- “If you do this we will not forget to thank you.” Are we not trying our God unawares? Let us start this journey of faith with the Lord and reap its benefits.

2^nd Sunday of Lent;

Gen 12.1-4; 2 Tim 1.8-10; Mat 17.1-9.

We are used to our habitations hence it is a great challenge for one to tell us to leave them and go to unknown ones. It takes courage and bearing of much pain to say yes. We want to remain in our social, moral zone of comfort. Abraham accepts God’s invitation to leave his own land, and indeed the extended family, and go to a land unknown to him but assured with a promise. He is indeed to become a father of a great nation though at the time of his call he has no child. In the Gospel, Peter knows the challenge Jesus has been facing with the Jews.

He has seen a home of comfort with the intervention of Moses and Elijah. Jesus sees no comfort at the mountain but is focused to his mission. He has to descend so that he may ascend to the Father’s glory. Peter is reminded whom Jesus is with the words from the cloud. Like Abraham, God has promised us a land (Heaven) we have never known. It is assured. We have to leave our zone of comfort and seek the will of the Lord. We indeed are sharers of Christ’s mission. During this Lenten season, let us work to receive the glory and be pronounced as God’s beloved sons and daughters.

3^rd Sunday of Lent:

Ex 17.3-7; Rom 5.1-2, 5-8; Jn 4.5-42

John’s presentation of the discussion between Jesus and the Samaritan woman is a movement from the known to the unknown, from darkness to light, hence indeed a spiritual soul seeking exercise. The story starts at a point where both Jesus and the woman are well acquainted with the cultural, historical and political situation of the Israel. There existed an animosity between the Samaritans and other Jews. The Woman’s knowledge is human but Jesus’ is both human and divine. He has to deliver the woman from the darkness of cultural bias and make her know that he is actually the fountain of spiritual nourishment.

After her enlightenment she wants to share the joy of enlightenment with her town folk hence goes to call them to drink from the same fountain. Many Samaritans at the end come to believe in Jesus. See how a ‘catechumen’ preaches the Good News to her town folk. When we sit at the feet of Jesus, he instructs us and liberates us. Do we reflect this liberation by calling others to share the Gospel truths? Let us seek to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. Let us not only pride in sharing the history of our faith but also our involvement in it.

FR FRANCIS MAUNDU - ROME

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FEAST OF THE MONTH – FEBRUARY

THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD

During the presentation of the Lord, we celebrate the close of the Christmas festival of light. In the celebration, candles are blessed and Christians carry them in procession to welcome Christ, who is the light to enlighten the gentiles and the glory of his people. It is a device mystery where Christians hasten to meet Christ.

The lighted candles are a sign of the divine splendor of the one who comes to expect the dark shadows of evil and to make the whole universe radiant with the brilliance of his eternal light. Our Candles also show how bright our souls should be when we go to meet Christ.

The blessed virgin Mary, the Mother of God carried the true light in her arms and brought him to those who lay in darkness. Therefore, we too should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of the true light as we hasten to meet him. That light which has come has shone upon a world enveloped in shadows; the dayspring from on high has visited us and given light to those who lived in darkness. Being our celebration, we need to join the procession with lighted candles to reveal the light that has shone upon us and the glory that is yet to come to us through him.

That true light which has come, enlighten everyman who is born into this world. Let’s share the splendor of this light and be so filled with it that no one remains in darkness. Let us be shining ourselves as we go together to meet and to receive with the aged Simeon the light whose brilliance is eternal. Just as Simeon sang the song of thanksgiving, we need to sing to God, the father of the light, who sent the true light to dispel the darkness and to give us all a share in his splendor.

As Simeon was released from the bonds of this life when he had seen Christ, so we too were at once freed from our old state of sinfulness. By faith, we too embrace Christ, the salvation of God the father, as he came to us from Bethlehem. Gentiles before, we have now belong to the people of God. Our eyes have seen God incarnate, and because we have seen him present among us and have mentally relieved him into our arms, we are called the new Israel.

Reflections

Since our baptism, have we allowed Christ, the true light to shine upon our lives and lead us to our true home in heaven?

Having embraced that true light in our lives, do we allow it to spread its rays to others by enabling them to live meaningful lives.

Rev. Fr. Alphonse Muema

Day star University

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FAREWELL REV. FR. GEORGE MBINDA

The Catholic Diocese of Machakos is mourning the death of one of their brother priest Rev. Fr. George Mbinda who died on 28/12/2007 at Mater Hospital while undergoing treatment. During the memorial mass Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva said that it was the time for God to call Fr. George and let him have a rest after undergoing a burden of sickness in which he bore a lot of pain but with all these Fr. George Mbinda was very courageous.

He requested the church to pray for the soul of the late Fr. George Mbinda for God is always ready to answer our prayers. He stressed on the relationship we have with God, those who have died, those in purgatory and those who are alive.

We are not only mourning for Fr. George but also we are in solidarity with all the Kenyans who have died through the disaster of Political Violation, Bishop Martin said. We have all been requested to pray for peace in the Country. He requested us to believe in the resurrection of Christ and have faith for whatever kind of life we live here on earth will determine the life we live when we die. God loves us the way we are and we are called to love others with Christ’s love. The Bishop requested us to be a sign of encouragement to those we meet and those we work with and let us share our gifts wisely and well. He passed pole to the grieving family members, Priests, Sisters/Brothers. He prayed for more vocation in the Diocese.

He quoted on the Bishop’s letter released to all Kenyans and said that life is sacred, we all belong to one family of God, so let us restrain ourselves from all violent, destructive or divisive behaviour remarks or comments. Let us refuse to take part in any form of destruction, looting or even receiving stolen goods. By doing this it will bring life to the country and let us make an effort on helping one another so that we may grow closer to God.

He reminded us that we are not alone but God is always with us; “who can separate us from the love of Christ”. We thank Archbishop Emeritus Raphael Ndingi who was the main celebrant, the Vicar General and the priests from Kitui Diocese, priests from Mombasa and Nairobi Archdioceses. We thank too Rev. Fr. Peter Kimani from the Prisons chaplaincy who shared with us the life of the late whom they worked together.

Fr George has worked with the prisons since September 20th 2005 as a Senior Chaplain in charge of the Disciplined Forces in Coast Province attached to the Prison department. He initiated pastoral activities among the Uniformed Disciplined Services in coast province as the pastoral coordinator and started Catholic Church in Shimo La Tewa Prison. He will be missed for his dedication and going an extra mile in his tour of duty.

The late Fr. George fell sick while serving at his last posting and has been treated in Bishop Kioko Catholic Hospital and Mater Hospital until he succumbed to sickness at Mater Hospital on 28^th December 2007.

May God Rest his Soul in Eternal Peace. Amen.

Communication office

Machakos Diocese

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DEAR SEMINARIAN STEVE REST IN PEACE

The news took everyone by shock when we heard that our beloved seminarian had been carjacked and taken away by some unknown people. The much we could do was to go down to our knees and pray that God takes control.

So the prayer changed to the praying for his soul however, unbelievable it sounded. The 21^st December was then his burial day and early in the morning a good number of people including his family members, priests and seminarians gathered silently as though in disbelieve outside Machakos Funeral Home. There we received his body and moved on to Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral for a brief service presided over by Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva.

In his sermon he described the late Steve as a strong dedicated and zealous young man who was a good sign of service to the church. As he condemned the brutal act of murder on Steve, he revisited his experience with Steve few days before when he had passed by Mwala Parish and appreciated the warm welcome he was accorded. He sighted the death of Steve as a true sign of the reality of death and the need to stay prepared always because death is always a reality around us. He finally consoled the family, classmates, the priests who had worked with him and the whole family of friends who had gathered for the funeral. The Bishop then gave a blessing and we proceeded to Mitaboni, Steve’s home parish for his burial at home.

The service was presided over by Msgr. Alfons Mondiu who is the Diocesan Vicar General and co-incidentally a former Rector and teacher of Steve at Pope Paul IV Minor Seminary Katoloni. The service began with the celebration of the Holy Mass at Mitaboni Parish church and later the funeral service at Steve’s home. In his words, Msgr Alfons Mondiu expressed deep pain and sense of loss as well as sorrow of the departed Steve and at a point he asked “Why kill such an innocent young Man, why…. What wrong has he done?

The homily was delivered by Rev. Fr. Peter Muema who is the parish priest for Mitaboni and the vocations Director. He represented the loss of Steve but affirmed that Steve is with his eternal Father in heaven and has just gone past the physical world and will never suffer again. He urged all to pray for the conversion of the murderers and to forgive their unbelief.

After the Mass we proceeded to Steve’s home and we laid his body bid him farewell. We still extend our condolences to his family, classmates and friends.

May Eternal rest be granted unto you and perpetual light shine upon you now and for ever. Amen

Michael Kyalo

Seminarian - Machakos Cathedral Parish

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THE LENTEN PERIOD

“Repent for the kingdom of God is close at hand” Lent has been considered from the very beginning as a period of renewal. It is a period of turning away from Sin and returning back to God. During this period, there are three things to be done: praying, struggling against evil and fasting.

By means of prayer Christians beg from God the courage to change their ways and believe in the gospel “Repent and believe the gospel”. Struggling against evil is an important part for a Christian life. It is geared towards controlling passion and selfishness. Through fasting, we get that evil cannot be won without self sacrifice. Christians give up some of the things they like. After self sacrifice, what they have sacrificed, give to the poor or those in need. A practice called almsgiving. God is not pleased with sorrow and pain.

It is not fasting that pleases God as such but love for our brothers and sisters. There is a close connection between fasting and charity; through alms giving, it means that Christians have deprived themselves of something to help somebody else where (poor) to satisfy his/her hunger. That person who benefits from such in turn prays for the person who gives such a gift. God is pleased with that sacrifice which is geared towards helping others (charity). It is out of charity also Christians do much of the works of mercy.

During this period of lent, we need to come before the Lord and pray especially for our country, innocent blood has been shed, people have been killed and property destroyed. Rapes, torture just to mention but a few. As well, on the other side, try to see how we have ill-treated others, denied them of their right etc. We need to say to our God, “Lord have mercy for we have sinned.” Let us prepare ourselves during this period to embrace each other as brothers and sisters as we prepare to celebrate Easter.

It is also during this period the church prepares to baptize the catechumens. Before the baptism and especially during the Lenten period, the catechumens show their eagerness to become Christians by leading a smiles life. For the baptized remember the covenant you made with God and pray that you may stand firm in faith.

In summary, we can say that Lent is a period of reconciliation, between God and the church. We are re-admitted back into God’s house. It is a period to prepare for the sacrament of reconciliation. Remember the story of the prodigal son; he had the determination to return to his father’s house and repent for all he had done. He thought of the love of his father and started the journey back to his fathers’ house. God will never despite us due to our sins but will welcome us back as His sons and daughters. Then we will have all the reasons to enjoy Easter.

Have mercy on us Lord, for we have sinned against you.

Rev. Fr. Alphonse Muema

Daystar University

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A BEACON IN THE DARKNESS – MTITO ANDEI PARISH

14^th December 2007 marked a new beginning in Mangelete Mtito Andei Parish as the priests, sisters and the entire congregation witnessed the blessing of Ave Maria F.C convent and Ave Maria (mixed) boarding primary school at Mangelete – Mtito Andei, Kibwezi District.

His Lordship Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde officiated the ceremony accompanied by the Fr in charge Mtito Andei Parish, Rev. Fr. Alfonse Mutua, Fr in charge Kambu Parish Rev. Fr. Gregory Massawe, Assistant Priest Mtito Andei Rev. Fr. Anthony Muasya and other notifying Priests.

The Provincial Superior Alvernia province Rev. Sr. Mello from India and several other sisters from the sisters of the Franciscan clarist congregation were present to grace the occasion. The date of the blessings of the Ave Maria Convent 14^th December 2007 coincided with 14^th December 1988 when the sisters of the Franciscan Clarists congregation when they first came to Africa now they are in several countries including Kenya where they have now opened a new convent in Mtito Andei Parish.

Earlier the whole congregation jubilantly welcomed the bishop, Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde with songs and dance. The Bishop began with blessing of the Ave Maria convent and then the school; this was indeed a beacon of light in the darkness, a source of enlightenment for the community. After wards we began the Holy Eucharist celebration, with solemn blessing of the tabernacle for the Blessed Sacrament.

In his homily, Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva commented that it’s a prayer well answered as one of the pillars of faith in that area Mangelete Mama Catherine Yumbya used to go for mass at Kibwezi, then Kambu before Mtito Andei became a Parish. She used to pray that “God gives us a “Mission” (Kanisa mission) even after Mtito Andei was erected a parish she continued with her prayer. The bishop commented that her prayer has been answered.

He commented that the sisters of the Franciscan Clarists congregation –

Alvernia Province for taking up the challenge to come to evangelize at Mtito Andei Parish. The bishop congratulated them and assured them that this was indeed a beacon of light in the darkness, The Ave Maria and school will help the area shine for all people of God.

On education, the Bishop emphasized that the church and school are partners to promote quality education. He challenged the community to make use of the school. Before the end of the mass the bishop installed the Holy Eucharist in the tabernacle and reminded the Christians that this church is now different, it should never be used as a hall; there is Jesus present in the Eucharist (tabernacle) He urged them to be coming to bring their needs to Jesus in Mass and adoration.

Later, the Provincial Superior Rev. Sr. Mello thanked the Bishop for welcoming them to the Diocese of Machakos and she officially introduced the five sisters who will be residing at Mangelete Ave Maria convent with Rev. Sr. Litty as the Mother Superior of the house.

The Fr. in charge Rev. Fr. Alfonse Mutua thanked the Bishop for the honour of bringing sisters to Mtito Andei Parish at Mangelete.

Rev. Fr. Anthony Muasya

Mtito Andei Parish

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MAY YOU REST IN PEACE

Sr. Maria Rosa was born on 28^th April 1955, second born of Daniele and Giuseppina Panzeri. She was baptized three days later in a village near Milano in Italy.

During the year of the primary school she received the sacraments of Christian initiation. She attended the Secondary School and then later did her nursery teaching. During her teaching practice and her first years of work she came into contact with the congregation of the sisters of the Most Precious Blood.

She joined the congregation on 31^st August 1980 and did her First Religious Profession on 15^th September 1983. Thereafter, while teaching in the nursery school, she attended a course of theology. When still a juniores she was chosen by the congregation to be among the first 4 sisters who started the mission in Kenya at Kathonzweni – Machakos Diocese in 1987.

There, after studying the Kikamba, she offered her service in the pastoral work in the parish and in the schools. In 1993, with other two sisters, she opened the new community in Muguga Parish (Nairobi) where, beside the pastoral work, she was entrusted with the responsibility of the formation of the young sisters and in 1996; she also became the superior of the apostolic community.

In 2004 she was posted in the community of Makindu as Sister in charge and, with her usual promptness and generosity, she carried out several pastoral services in the Parish. From there the lord has called her to himself on 10^th January 2008 through a car accident on the Makueni Makindu road. May she rest in Peace Amen

The Most Precious Blood Sisters

Kathonzweni Community

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BISHOP’S DIARY

FEBRUARY

2^nd Diocesan Pilgrimage – Komarock Shrine

4th DEB Machakos

6^th Ash Wednesday – Machakos Cathedral

10^th Kathonzweni Parish – Mbuvo

16th Kitui Diocese - Ordination

17^th Kangundo Parish - Confirmation

18th Priests Council

19th Deans Meeting - Machakos

22-25th Kitui Diocese

26th P.C Nairobi

MARCH

1-2nd Makueni Parish - Confirmation

6th Caritas Meeting Nairobi

8th Pope Paul IV Seminary

9th Mutituni Parish Confirmation

10-15th Retreat

16th Palm Sunday - Mlolongo Parish

19th Kitui Diocese - Chrism Mass

20th Chrism Mass - Mks Cathedral

21st Good Friday - Cathedral

22nd Vigil Mass Kitui Cathedral

23rd Easter Sunday Machakos

24th Good Samaritan Centre -Mlolongo

28-30th Kitui Diocese

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If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. (Lk: 10:6)

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