JAMBO KENTAN

PRIESTLY ORDINATION OF REV. ALEX OWINO OMONDI BY HIS LORDSHIP RT. REV JOSEPH OBANYI (Catholic Bishop of Kakamega) on 26th May, 2018 at De paul centre, Karen Nairobi.

Rev Alex Owino Omondi is the son of Mr and Mrs Michael Owino. He was born in Mbaga, Siaya. He began aspiring to be a missionary in the year 2007, with one year of pre-postulancy period in soweto- Kayole.

In the year 2008 Deacon Alex began his philosophical studies at Consolata Institute of Philosophy and graduated in 2011. He entered the SVD novitiate at Nkwatia – Kwahu Ghana in 2011, professing his first vows on July 8, 2012.

He came back to Kenya and began his Theological studies at Tangaza University College School of Theology Nairobi from 2012 to 2014. Subsequently, he went to Germany for Oversees Training Program(OTP). Returning in 2016, He continued theological studies and completed his basic formation with profession of final vows on August 5, 2017.

In 13th october 2017 Alex was ordained Deacon at Sts Joachim and Ann Parish Soweto, Nairobi by His Lordship RT. Rev David Kamau (Diocese of Nairobi). He has been serving at the same parish(Sts Joachim and Ann soweto) until is priestly ordination. He is appointed to Germany for his first mission.

As a young man he likes reading, listening to gospel and inspirational music as well as playing and watching football and volleyball.

Bible verse he cherishes: PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13.”For i have learned to be content whatever the circumstance.”

Dec.  Osei Asante,  SVD

As Jesus was preparing to ascend to his Father, he made his disciples understand that he intended that the mission which he had began with them, should continue even after he had left.  Thus he commanded them to go to all the ends of the earth making disciples  for him (Mt.  28:19-20).

But St.  Paul poses a very important question: ‘How can they know Christ unless someone preaches to them?’ (Rm.  10:14-15).

It is in realization of this mandate to collaborate in his mission that we must always find more young men willing to follow in the footsteps of the the disciples in the mission of Christ because there is still more to be done for the world to really know Christ.

Today the 22/05/2015 the vocation office in Arusha district led by the director Fr. Norman Labutan,  held a “Come and See” program for our young aspirants. Three of them are from our own Epiphany Parish in Burka. The other two came from outside Arusha. One of them indeed came to know us through this platform.

The program included showcasing of our SVD charism, Missions in Kenya and Tanzania and particularly the different apostolate that define us as SVDs.

We congratulate the aspirants for this initial step and all the confreres in Arusha for facilitating the program.

Fr.  Lawrence Muthee,  SVD

 

“As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you” (Lk 11:27).

In the world today, their are many men and women who have left everything behind and dedicated their whole life to imitating Christ and serving humanity selflessly each day. These are the missionaries who work in and out of their home countries.

A missionary leaves his parents and kin unattended and goes out to serve other people with an undivided heart. Sometimes these men and women work in so remote and far distance lands from home that they rarely even get information about the welfare of their aging or sick parents.

However, God always takes care of these mothers and fathers of his servants in many ways. When the missionary goes out there to serve, there are others who are left behind and closer to his home. Visiting these families is a wonderful gesture to make them feel part of the mission of Christ. to make them realize that they have contributed enoumously to the mission by giving birth, bringing up and educating a son or a daughter, who now serves the Lord in far distance land.

It is in this spirit that our Provincial Superior Fr. Anthony Amissah, has set out to visit the families of the confreres working away from home. On behalf of all these families, JamboKenTan would like to thank him for this good gesture.

Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD.

Earlier on I wrote an article about: “Trees do not rain,  they are planted”. Well another misguided conviction that many peope have is that one cannot plant a tree and enjoy its shadow.  They say trees take time to grow.

This is a myth and not true and this is why.  It is only about two and half year that I planted the Christmas tree in the picture above, in Emboret Simanjiro, after cutting down the trunk of one which was dead and dry.  Last Sunday I went back there and enjoyed its shadow.

Some years ago we planted some trees in Soweto parish, in the middle of the Soweto slam and if you go there now you will be amazed at how big they are. This year only with the youth from Matepes we planted some trees. Here is how the look now.

The kind of weather pattens we are experiencing now – prolonged droughts and too much rainfall – is a clear sign of and environment that is reacting to the destruction of trees by us humans.

Let us all take responsibility and plant some trees for us and the next generations to benefit from them.

Fr.  Lawrence Muthee,  SVD

 

 

Archbishop Isaac Amani entering Loiborsiret grounds

When I was a little boy, I admired the Consolata Missionaries Fathers who worked in my parish, and I wanted one day to be like them. I especially was thrilled by their mastery of my mother tongue which they spoke with ease though with an italian accent. During those days, a missionary meant to me a white bearded man who drove a strong Land Rover that could never get stuck in mud. As little boys we used to enjoy pushing vehicles stuck in muddy roads for a few shillings fee. This happened especially during the April holidays because it was always wet.

 

Little did I know that I will also become a missionary and work in similar situations, driving not a Land Rover but Land Cruiser.

The newly blessed Loiborsiret Church

In Simanjiro District of Manyara Province, North East of Tanzania, The SVD missionaries run two parishes that cover an area of 200 Sq/Km. The population is mostly the Maasai people and so the area is called Maasai Steppe. I got an opportunity to work there during my Diaconate Experience. The Maasai people are generally kind and generous. Once they receive the faith, they hold it fast.

Blessing of the altar

Loiborsiret is one of the 26 outstations of the Good Shepherd parish run by SVD Missionaries. They have been constructing the Church building for the last 4 years. on Sunday 13, May 2018, was the day full of joy and celebrations. The new Archbishop of the Archdioces of Arusha where Simanjiro parish lies was visiting to Confer The Sacrament Confirmation as well as blessing of the Church building.

Pokea muhuri wa paji la Roho Mtakatifu – Receive the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit

No one would easily believe that this Church has been built by the contributions of the people themselves, considering the conditions in which the ppeople live there, majority of whom are normadic pastoralists. The Catholic Church has been present in this area for the last 50 years yet the evangelization is still regarded as primary. During the last 16 years of the presence of the SVDs, many steps have been made toward the growth of the faith. The biggest challenge is illiteracy and poverty.

The Sunday’s occasion brought together people of all walks of life from the area, especially some prominent people who hold important positions in the government and in the society. Among them was Mr. Ole Sedeka, the Provincial Commissioner of Jombe province and Mr. Toima who was once a Member of Parliament of the area.

The Archbishop and indeed the leaders who spoke, stressed a lot on the importance of taking the children to school if the community wanted to make quick progress.

It was an experience of its kind. We congratulate the people of Simanjiro and especially our confreres Fr. Michael Shaji and Fr. Albert Fuchs who have been working tirelessly in this mission.

Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD.