Hoy, en la solemnidad del nacimiento de San Juan Bautista, el 24 de junio, la MCSPA y la Iglesia Católica en Turkana se regocijan con el regalo del recién ordenado sacerdote misionero Zacchaeus Okoth. La ceremonia de ordenación tuvo lugar la hermosa iglesia de San Pablo Apóstol en Nariokotome, Kenia. El ambiente estaba lleno de alegría y oración, con familiares, amigos, fieles y simpatizantes que vinieron a presenciar la gran ocasión cuando Zaqueo, quien ha pasado por años de formación, ha sido finalmente ordenado sacerdote por Mons. John Mbinda, obispo de la diócesis de Lodwar.

La ceremonia de ordenación fue seguida de una alegre celebración, durante la cual el sacerdote recién ordenado recibió las felicitaciones y bendiciones de los sacerdotes, miembros de la MCSPA, familiares y amigos. Ha sido un día de celebración lleno de gracia para la MCSPA, ya que acoge en su redil a un nuevo misionero, que continuará el carisma de la comunidad al estilo de San Pablo, y llevará la palabra de Dios hasta los confines de la tierra.

La celebración finalizó con una procesión de acción de gracias y recepción para todos. Deseamos a Zaqueo lo mejor en su misión, orando para que el espíritu de Dios esté siempre con él. También roguemos a Dios, por intercesión de San José, que el ejemplo de Zaqueo inspire y toque el corazón de muchos jóvenes, a ser valientes para dejar todo atrás y seguir una vocación misionera.

Michael Mwangi Aprendiz de la MCSPA

Today, on the solemnity of the birthday of Saint John the Baptist, June 24, the MCSPA and the Catholic Church in Turkana rejoice with the gift of the newly ordained missionary priest Zacchaeus Okoth. The ordination ceremony took place at a beautiful church of St. Paul the Apostle in Nariokotome, Kenya. The atmosphere was filled with happiness and prayer, with family, friends, faithful and well-wishers who came to witness the great occasion as Zacchaeus, who has undergone years of formation, is finally ordained priest by Msgr. John Mbinda, Bishop of the Diocese of Lodwar.

The ordination ceremony was followed by a cheerful celebration, during which the newly ordained priest received the congratulations and blessings of the priests, members of the MCSPA, family, and friends. It has been a graceful day of celebration for the MCSPA, as it welcomes a new missionary into its fold, who will carry on the charism of the community in the style of Saint Paul, and spread the word of God to the ends of the earth.

The celebration ended with the thanksgiving procession and a reception for everyone. We wish Zacchaeus well in his mission, praying that the spirit of God will be with him always. We also pray to God, through the intercession of St. Joseph, that the example of Zacchaeus may inspire and touch the hearts of many young people, to be brave to leave everything behind and follow a missionary vocation.

Michael Mwangi Aprendiz MCSPA

On Sunday, June 4^th, 2023 the Catholic Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The importance of this Solemnity was well embraced in Benga parish where people from all walks of life gathered as we blessed the renovated Holy Trinity, Chikowa Church. The church which was officially established in the year 1965 is located in the hilly areas between Nkhotakota and Ntchisi districts and it is a center for about 13 outstations. The church building has been under renovation beginning in mid-2022.

The celebration was presided over by Father Steven Ochieng of the MissionaryCommunity of St. Paul the Apostle, the Parish Priest of Benga Parish. In his homily, Fr. Steven emphasized the love that the Triune God shows to us human beings. He encouraged the people of Chikowa to remain united as the Holy Trinity, though in 3 persons, remains one God. “As people who are guided by the Most Holy Trinity, we must always beunited asthe Holy Trinityis oneGod. When we are united we will be identified as true Christians. We cannot accuse one another of witchcraft if we are united. We earn favor in God’s sight if we live in harmony with one another”  said Fr. Steven.

Also in attendance were some notable figures of theNkhotakoka and Ntchisi districts. Chiefs, Traditional Authorities Mwansambo and Kasakula, and a representative for the member of parliament for Nkhotakota South constituency did not miss out on such a great event . In addressing the people gathered,  Traditional Authority Mwansambo acknowledged that the church and the local government work hand in hand in promoting development. He said that construction of churches and other religious institutions is one of the signs a society needs when it comes to development. “When the number of churches increase in an area it means that people are not only focused on the worldly things but also on their relationship with God. It also shows that morality will be promoted in the area as the church isalso the source of moral code.” He, therefore, urged the people of his area to act in a way the church teaches them. The T.A. said that generosity is one of the acts that we as Christians ought to portray at all times even to strangers for God loves every individual without looking at their status. He further said that a Christian should always follow the footsteps of Christ who was crucified for the sins of all.

Indeed, it was a beautiful occasionfor the people of Chikowa Centre. The celebration was rounded up with lunch for all the congregants.

Daniel Jepter, MCSPA Apprentice.

Last Friday, at Startup Lions ICT Hub Loropio, we MCSPA missionaries of the Kokuselei mission held a two-day workshop with the 40 women volunteers of the committees responsible for our eleven Mother-Child Centers and the child-care agents of each centre. This celebration marked 15 years since the nutrition program was firmly established and has been running throughout in the mountain area of Nariokotome Parish. Two days in which we celebrated the generosity and perseverance of many people who have participated in concrete ways to the success of the program: hundreds of Turkana children every year who can eat twice a day and grow up healthy!

Our special thanks to the men and women of the committees of our mother-child centers, who have voluntarily and cheerfully served and unconditionally loved the children. All the families in more than 14 communities covered by the Kokuselei mission appreciate that these volunteers take on the daily responsibility of preparing breakfast, lunch and assisting in the daily hygiene of the children in a part of Kenya where hunger is still the main challenge to be solved.

We all thank the benefactors who have been part of starting and maintaining these children’s centres, thanks to which infant mortality caused by hunger has been reduced in this area. Our thanks also to the child-care agents, young women and men who help us to monitor the nutrition and health of the children and with various educational activities in each centre.

As missionaries, we want to continue to serve the most vulnerable and respond concretely to the needs of the children of Turkana.  And we trust that these children’s centres will continue to encourage their communities to transmit the virtues of generosity and perseverance, both essential to achieve true development.

Diana Trompetero MCSPA