“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Ps 118:24)

13th July 2025 marked a joyful milestone, 50 years since the foundation of the Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle and Mary, Mother of the Church (MCSPA). It was a day filled with thanksgiving, joy, and renewed commitment to the missionary journey.

It was 50 years ago that Fr. Francisco “Paco” Andreo took the first step to put into practice his vocation to become a Shepherd to others, especially promoting vocations to the priesthood among the youth.

What began in 1975 as a small seed of faith planted by Fr. Paco has grown into a flourishing missionary family, present today in Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Malawi, the Philippines, Mexico and Colombia. A journey that began with simple acts, walking with the poor, helping the vulnerable, and nurturing vocations has become a living witness of the Gospel in action.

The Anniversary Mass was celebrated at Church of St. Paul the Apostle at Nariokotome Mission, Turkana, presided over by Bishop Dominic Kimengich of Eldoret. It brought together priests, sisters, lay members, and guests from the diocese and around the world to celebrate God’s faithfulness through the years.

The President of the MCSPA, Scholastica Wamalwa, gave an address in which she thanked all the bishops in whose dioceses members of the MCSPA work. Scholastica also encouraged the younger generation of the MCSPA to forge ahead with faith and hope because “Hope Does not Despair”, echoing the theme of this Jubilee Year. A deeply touching moment was the sharing by Fr. Albert and Cecilia, among the first companions of Fr. Paco. They recalled the early days of hope and hardship, of trust and perseverance, and how God has been present at every step of the journey.

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

The celebration continued with joyful songs, dances, shared meals and moving testimonies, reminders of the many lives that have been touched and transformed over the years. It was a day not only to look back with gratitude but also to look forward with hope and vision.

As we mark this Anniversary, we thank God for the path that we have travelled, the people who have walked with us, and the mission that continues to unfold. Let us keep praying for the MCSPA family across the world that we may remain faithful, generous and joyful in our call.

May the soul of our founder, Fr. Paco, who gave himself entirely to God’s mission, rest in peace.

Louis Mkweza & Joel Jeremiah

Junior Apprentices of the MCSPA

As we prepare to mark a milestone in our community, our 50th Anniversary invites us to look back with gratitude and hope. It asks of us to pause and give thanks, and also invites us to begin again and renew our commitment by deepening our bonds and to welcome new life into the heart of the community: it is both MEMORY and PROMISE.

At the cusp of our anniversary, we have been blessed with a quiet but powerful sign of life: the incorporation of 3 men into our community. These are not strangers or sudden arrivals. They have walked among us, prayed with us, eaten at our table, and worked beside us. They have lived the apprenticeship in the MCSPA not just in name but also in heart.

The stages that a potential young man or woman has to undergo before becoming a member are: Come and See, then Junior Apprentice and then Senior Apprentice.

The solemn incorporation of these new members took place on the evening of July 11th at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle at Nariokotome Mission, the motherhouse of the MCSPA.

The occasion started with a holy mass presided over by Fr. Andrew Yakulula who asked Zackayo Sakwa, Cosmus Onyango and Micheal Mwangi to always be humble as the day’s Gospel taught (Mt 10:16) because it is humility that will make them better members of the community. The three incorporated members were given a cross each as a symbol of their new life in the community: simple, silent but deeply meaningful.

At the same mass, 9 new Junior Apprentices were given scarves as a sign of commitment to their vocation on the road to being missionaries in the MCSPA. The new Junior Apprentices that received the scarves are:
1. Dionisius Kandar
2. Joel Jeremiah Robert John
3. Owen Mafupa
4. Emmanuel Okello
5. Brian Stephen Waswa
6. Patrick Omondi Oduor
7. Bereket Luigi
8. Bright Mwasangwale
9. Maria Vidal

They are from Indonesia, Malawi, Kenya, Malaysia, Ethiopia and Spain. Their presence reminds us that formation is a life-long process and the Spirit keeps beckoning.

We thank God for these signs of hope. As Scripture says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Is 43:19). May this Anniversary find us ready to remember with joy, to welcome with love, and to walk forward together, as a family in Christ Jesus!

By Sokakulo Peter & Benjamin Maketa (Apprentices of the MCSPA)