Issue No. 69: April, 2009
The Truth:
Machakos Link Newsletter
An organ of
communication of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos
He is Risen, Alleluia
REST IN PEACE – 1ST
DEATH ANNIVERSARY
The Palm Sunday
Isa 50:4-7; Phil
2:6-11; Mark 14:1-15:47
The
Triumphant entry of Jesus into
The
response to this question ends with a condemnation of an institution or a
personality. Some are more culpable than others. The best answer at his time
will be that all were responsible. We also are involved on our part and may
have participated in one way or another in re-crucifying Christ. The one we
applauded at Baptism has become an object of shame due to moral and social
decadence. During this Holy week let us intensify our search for the reunion
with the Lord.
Easter
Sunday
Acts
10:34, 37-43;
The Liturgy of the last six
Sundays has prepared us enough to realize the joy of repentance and forgiveness
of our sins. We have been reunited with our Lord. The richness in the diversity
of the Easter account, found in all the Gospels, reflects its importance to the
church. One thing holds: The empty tomb. This emptiness is the first
announcement. The Gospel according to
We have been preparing for
this great commemoration. The greatest gift we can offer to others is to live a
life that announces to them that we believe that Christ rose from the dead and
will raise us from the dead. The Church's mood is not one of exuberant triumph,
but one of wonder and calm. Faith must come to terms with the new creation
brought into existence by the Paschal Mystery. It is impossible to forget
the price that has been paid: the one who "went about doing good" has
died "hanging on a tree". He is risen from the dead. Alleluia!!
2nd Sunday of
Easter
Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31
We continue reflecting on the
joy and the effects of the resurrection. Today's readings are a celebration of
the Resurrection faith that makes it possible for us to know and enter into the
Paschal Mystery. They come to a climax with the story of how the original
"doubting Thomas" found faith. The gospel presents us with a moment
of tension in which the risen Lord comes to the very ones who had deserted him
at the moment of want. Possibly the Apostles expected him to rebuke them or
dismiss them.
In the contrary, He shares
with them the gift of peace and the power to forgive sins. Our faith is not
based on the eye witness but on preaching of the witnesses through the ages.
The first community of believers did not prosper in abundance but in sharing
and unity. As we share the joy of Easter, let us think about how much we share
with others and witness Christ through our generosity. An authentic faith in
the risen Lord should awaken a sense of responsibility and bring a call to
mission: "As the Father sent me, so am I sending you".
3rd Sunday of
Easter
Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2:1-5; Luke 24:35-48
All three readings of today
make reference to sin and
the need for conversion. Our immediate reaction may well be to think that
those are themes for Lent, why stress them in the midst of our Easter
celebration? But can we understand what has been achieved in the Lord's
Paschal Mystery without taking into account of the reality of sin? No! The
risen Lord is challenging us to take notice not to lose the Easter light. The
faithfulness of Jesus in His choice of the disciples is a consolation from
their fear and unbelief. In sin, like the Israelites, we forget the author of
life.
The Jews did this out of
ignorance, what will be the reason of our betraying Christ with all the
knowledge received from the Holy Spirit today?
Rev. Fr. Francis
Maundu
Mark is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus
Christ. He went with
Tradition dating from the third century says that
he founded the church in
Like the other apostles Mark preached on the
cross of Christ which is a reflection of his unconditional love for
humanity.
This Message preached by Mark in his work of
evangelization is complete absurdity to those who are headed for ruin but to
Christians experiencing salvation is the power of God. This is because in God’s
wisdom the world did not come to know him through ‘wisdom’. It pleased God to save those who believe
through the absurdity of the preaching of the Gospel. Mark preached Christ’ crucified – a stumbling
block to Jews, an absurdity to gentiles; but to those who are called Jews and
Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. God chose those whom the world considers
absurd to shame.
The wise he singled out the weak of this world to
shame the strong. He chose the worlds
low born and despised, who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who
were something; so that mankind can do no boasting before God. Who has given them life in Christ Jesus. He has made him our wisdom and also our
justice, our sanctification and our redemption.
St. Mark actually presents to us the good news about Jesus Christ the
son of God- as a man of Action and authority.
His authority is seen in His teaching in His power over demons and in
forgiving people’s sins.
He presents the story of Jesus in a straight
forward, vigorous way, with emphasis on what Jesus did, rather than on his
words and teachings. Mark invites all
the Christians to open up their hearts and invite Christ for a healing of the
spiritual sicknesses.
Rev. Fr. Alfonse Muema
Communication Secretary
All the Christians, Priests Religious Men/Women of
the Catholic Diocese of Machakos gathered at our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral on
16th March 2009 to mark the 1st Anniversary of the Late
Bishop Urbanus J. Kioko. The holy Mass
began with a procession that drew every one to the altar of the Lord. In his homily
Bishop Martin Kivuva said that today is a blessed day as we meet as a family to
pray for the one who planted the seed of faith in many people for over 30
years.
We remember the late Bishop Urbanus Kioko who in
his last days had many plans for the Diocese of Machakos, though retired the
diocese was in his heart. At the time of
his appointment, the Diocese had 12 parishes and 6 Diocesan Priests, but by the
time he retired as the Bishop of Machakos in 2003 the Diocese had 42 parishes
and over 100 diocesan priests, 13 Religious Congregations of sisters including
the Monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at Kenya Israel Machakos.
This reminds us of the seed he planted through
teaching, preaching and even through his interactions with different groups of
people. In his pastoral ministry he was once appointed as the Education
Secretary for
Today we celebrate the fruits of his efforts for
it is through him that the diocese of Machakos is in this kind of picture of
self reliance and strong faith which has encouraged many even up to today the
diocese is strongly supported by the local contributions from the Christians. With this he started a strong foundation of
the Diocesan collection. Bishop Kioko
planted a good seed which had produced admirable fruits. He had the virtue of humility; he would go
wherever he would be appointed.
During his time in his preaching he would mostly
stress on vocation and reminded the Christians that a church without vocation
is a dead church. His life of prayer was
encouraging, praying the Rosary and particularly during his last days of
suffering and pain he would pray to the blessed Mary to grant him strength and
courage in his sickness. He never
showed any sign of complain, he was always happy and strong. We thank the Lord,
for the gift of our beloved Bishop Joseph Urbanus Kioko. We remember him with
love and gratitude. We cherish his committed and dedicated life.
Bishop
Martin thanked all those who supported the Diocese materially and financially
during the time when Bishop Kioko was undergoing his medication, it is through
their support and prayers the diocese was able to cater for his expenses. He thanked the staff at Mater and
On 11th February 2008 Bishop
Kioko was admitted in
Sr. Juliana Kimanzi ASN
It was joy and
jubilation as the Christians of Kabati Parish from Kitui Diocese flocked at Our
Lady of Lourdes Cathedral on 21st February 2009 to come and just say
thanks to Bishop Martin Kivuva. “God has done great things” {Ngai niwikite
maundu ma usenyo,} Bishop Martin said.
In his homily Bishop
Martin expressed how he has been a mwinzikya to Kitui Diocese for one and half
years. As he quoted the gospel of the
day he said that our sins make us sick and become weak in our faith.
God is not happy with
us because of our sins. We need to change
our way of living. ‘Get up, pick up
your mat, and walk’? By our faith we
can encourage one another, and can change the world. Jesus reminds us that we can over come them
and not to feel discouraged in life. Our
faith pushes us to think of our way of living.
We are all called to
join together and change our way of living.
God really wants to see our actions and how we participate in changing
our way of living. God gives us the chance
to know that we are with him. As
Christians let us ask our self how do I carry the burden of others? We can do
this by prayer, support and encouragement in life. We need to change and follow
God’s law.
If we believe in Jesus
we can by God’s grace. Let’s pray that
God will give us the grace to take responsibilities.
During the speeches
Fr. Anthony Mutio the Fr in charge of Kabati Parish introduced his parish
council and thanked Bishop Martin for the great work and support he gave them
when he was the Apostolic Administrator of Kitui Diocese. It is not easy for many
people to say thank you, their visit to Machakos was just to say ‘thank
you.’ He added that Bishop Martin
helped them buy a vehicle for the parish.
He is a Bishop of Surprises, very hard working, committed in his
duties.
In his speech Bishop Martin said that today is a
history in his life for receiving 540 Christians from Kabati Parish. He thanked Christians of kabati for the great
visit which is a sign of love. He thanked Fr Anthony, Fr Julius and Fr Justus for
the great work of evangelization they are doing at Kabati Parish. He also thanked the Christians of Cathedral
parish for taking the responsibility to welcome the visitors. He wished all a blessed Lenten season and a
happy Easter.
Communication office
Machakos Diocese
The word Easter means Passover. This is the earliest and greatest annual
festival of the Christian calendar. The intention being to give special
prominence to that Sunday which fell nearest to the actual season of the resurrection. Originally, Easter was a one night
celebration (like Passover) recalling both the death and the resurrection of
Christ.
The ceremony included the lighting of the paschal
candle, prayer, reading from scripture and the joy full celebration of the
Eucharist. This also became the ideal
occasion for baptisms. With
resurrection, new life was symbolized by the white robes of great importance to
note that Christ’s resurrection was not simply a coming back from the dead,
rather when he rose from the dead, we got the first fruits (1Cor 15:20, 25) of
a new kind of human life, a life which his body was made perfect, no longer
subject to weaknesses, aging or death but to live eternally.
After the resurrection, some of his disciples
could not recognize him like the two disciples on their journey to Emmaus (Lk
24:31), Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:14-16).
These appearances after the resurrection indicate that there was a
considerable degree of continuity between the physical appearances of Jesus
before his death and after his resurrection form the doctrine of the
resurrection, we learn that the physical resurrection of Christ and His eternal
possession of a physical body, gave clear affirmation of the goodness of the
material creation that God originally made and God saw everything that He had
made and behold, it was very good (Gen 1:31).
The resurrected man and woman will live forever in new heaven and new
earth in which righteousness dwells.
We will live in a renewed earth that will be set
free from bondage and decay (Rom 8:21) and become like the new Garden of
Eden. There will be a New Jerusalem and
people shall bring into it the glory and the honour of the Nations (Rev.
21:26). The resurrection of Christ
affirms the goodness of God’s original creation of man, not as a mere spirit
like angels, but as a creature with physical body that was very good, Christ’s
resurrection assures us three things that Jesus earned for us a new life just
like him.
Peter says we have been born a new to a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1Peter 1:3), after
Jesus resurrection, He assured His disciples of his power “You shall receive
power when the Holy Spirit will come down upon you and you shall be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, all of Judea and Samaria and to the end of the
earth. (Acts 1:8). Christ’s resurrection assures us our
justification. Paul connects Jesus
resurrection with our justification when he says “Jesus was put to death for
our trespasses and raised for our justification (Rom 4:25).
When Christ rose from the dead, it was God’s
declaration of approval of Christ work of redemption. Christ resurrection enhance that we will
receive perfect resurrection of our bodies as well. The New Testament severally connects Jesus
resurrection with our final body resurrection.
Critically, He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus.
Remember: Death is, but an extinguished candle because
the light has come. Death has no place in the life of a Christian, for Christ
our light has risen from the dead.
Wishing you a blessed Easter.
Fr.
Alphonse Muema
Diocesan
Communication Secretary
A priest is the one called by God for others; to
love and serve the people for him and in his name. From the letter to the Hebrews 5:1-4 it is
clear that every high priest is chosen from his fellow men and appointed to
serve God on their behalf, to offer sacrifices and offerings for Sin, since he
himself is weak in many ways he is able to be gentle with those who are
ignorant and make mistakes. And because
he himself is weak, he must offer sacrifices not only for the sins of the
people but also for his own sins……..
Therefore a priest is called by God from the
people and sent back to them to serve God on their behalf. “And you shall attend to the duties of the
sanctuary and of the altar… Num 18:5-7) the initiative is God’s own and His
choice. No one forces Him to call “You
did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear
fruits, and that your fruit should abide,(Jn 15:16).This choice that God makes
is for a mission; a task to bear fruit and bear testimony to His love.
This indicates a task of spreading the goodness
everywhere. It is also a task to tend
the flock willingly and eagerly. (1pt
5:2-4). This service to the flock is
from a free will, not for shameful gain, not as a dominion over those you are
in charge but being an example to the flock.
All this is out of love for the chief Shepherd. From John 21:15-16, Peter had to make a
three fold profession of love before he was entrusted with “My sheep” the only
motive of tending and feeding is pure love for Jesus.
Some
qualities of priesthood are;
Faithfulness: A priest should do according to what is in
God’s heart and mind. (1Sam 2:35). A priest has to be faithful to his duty of
sanctification of the people of God, faithful to his moments of prayers and
reading of the sacred scriptures with which he feeds his flock.
A
Holy Priest: a man after my own heart (1Sam
13:4). Therefore, like the heart of the
beloved disciples, a priest heart must lean upon the breath of the lord Jesus
Christ (Jn 13:25)
A
teacher: Since he is knowledgeable, he has
to exercise the role of a teacher, handing over to the people the right
doctrines and teaching them the Word of God faithfully.
A
Reconciler: a priest leads the people to
heaven. Due to the human weaknesses,
people go astray. They sin against God,
neighbour and themselves. So a priest
comes to reconcile themselves back to God and between themselves offering
sacrifices and offerings for such sins.
He sees to it that there is peace among the people of God. The primary
duty of the priest is to devote to prayer and to the Ministry of the word. (Acts 6:2-4).
The Word of God heals and prayer brings power to
preaching one needs to have devotion to it; which means dedication to the
primary of the spirit. Give importance
to spiritual aspect of life and the rest will take care of itself. A priest
should be disciplined, if a priest has no self-discipline and self control,
then he can’t be a good and true disciple of the Lord.
Eventually, such priest loses his efficiency and
moral understanding in life and Ministry.
The church needs God-fearing priests, holiness of life must be the sign
of his life (Sir 45:12). They should
give example to be emulated by others.
To conclude, priest should not be blinded by the ideologies and philosophies
of the world. The spirit of the world should not enter into their lives,
anything that enslaves a priest, be it money, beer, other people, material
possessions blinds him.
He loses the taste to serve the people of
God. Remember you can’t serve two
masters. You have been called by God,
called for a mission to serve the people of God, called and consecrated. Burn your life for the sake of the
flock. Bear this in mind that “the
greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them”
(Jn 15:13)
Rev.
Fr. Alphonse Muema
Fr Frank Egan former Parish priest of Masii went
to his eternal reward on February 19th 2009. He also ministered in
Muthetheni, Kaumoni & Tala for a short time in 1963. Lord rest his
soul in Eternal peace. About the Shrine
of Our Lady Mother of God at Koma Rock there is a small tower on the top of the
rock which was originally the bell tower at Tala when the mission was opened in
1963 - for some reason it was removed and planted on the top of Koma Rock - I hope
it is still there. The initial clearing of the site of
the shrine is interesting - the rocks were quarried by a company
tarmacking the Tala -
abandon removing the quarried stones and go elsewhere as there was
local opposition and they left the place as it is today. Tala had
a very interesting beginning which I had written up in detail - too
difficult to remember now - the court cases etc but Archbishop Mwana'
Nzeki was part and parcel of the beginnings and had to attend some
court case on behalf of Tala Mission as we expatriates were not
allowed to attend such was the fitina!! These and many more are the
pleasant memories of Tala some 50 years ago.
Fr Brendan Heeran CSSp.
April
1st Metropolitan
NRB
3rd B.O.G
4th Cathedral
Parish - Confirmation
9th Holy
Thursday – Chrism Mass
10th Good
Friday - Cathedral
11th Cathedral
Machakos
12th Easter
– Cathedral Machakos
19th Kyumbi
Parish – Divine Mercy Shrine
20th Diocesan
Meeting all Priests
21st – 24th
K.C.E Plenary
30th NRB – Caritas/ Mass J.J McCarthy Centre
MAY
1st Cathedral Catholic Men
2nd Diocesan Youth Mass - Cathedral
3rd Kangundo - Kwa Kathule
5th P.C. - KCS
7th PACIS AGM -
9-10th Mbitini
Confirmation
15th
16th Mbooni Parish
17th Kangundo Silver Jubilee
20th Hospital B.O.G
24th Misyani Parish - Confirmation
30-31st Holy
Spirit Parish - Confirmation
He is the God of the
living, not of the dead, for to Him all are alive.
(Lk: 20:38)
Catholic Diocese of Machakos
P.O. Box - 344 -90100 Machakos
Tel. +254-44-20484; Fax. +254-44-21308
Office
E-mail: bishopsomks@wananchi.com