Today we were privileged to have had the visit of Mons. Marvyn Maceda, DD, the Bishop of San Jose de Antique (of the Philippines) at Nariokotome Mission.

Bishop Marvyn has supported the Diocese of Lodwar by sending priests from his diocese to Lodwar as fidei donum (Gift of Faith) priests.

Bishop Marvyn has a missionary vision and says that when one is blessed we must not keep the blessing to ourselves but share it out with others.

At present, there are 3 sisters from the filipino congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Lord’s Table working at Kaaleng Mission and 4 fidei donum priests: 2 at Kaikor from Bishop Marvyn’s diocese and 2 others from the Archdiocese of Jaro for Kaaleng.

The Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle will continue in its efforts to act as bridges between Asia, America and Africa, to bring in different congregations and missionaries to work in the different African dioceses where we are present.

“Go to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to the whole of creation”
[Mark 16:15]

Lillian Omari MCSPA

Today the Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle and Mary Mother of the Church (MCSPA) are celebrating their feast day in their different missions around the world.

One of the most important parts of our charism is to be missionaries in the style of St. Paul.

Paul was a very versatile Apostle. He was advanced for his time. We could also say that he was a radical man, since he went from doing bad to being a herald if Christ spreading the good news.

He had so much Apostolic zeal moving from place to place, empty or full stomach, free or imprisoned, happy or beaten up. He was encountering and inspiring communities as well as men, women, and also couples, to leave everything behind and transform their lives for Christ. He was a totally committed man and he persevered until the end.

Our lives are so short and there is so much to do, that we need not to waste time and energy in useless things, but to live our lives for Christ as St. Paul did.

There is much we need to learn about Paul and reflect upon. On his feast we invite everyone to read his letters, deepen our knowledge about him and pray for the grace of God to transform our hearts for Christ, in the style of St. Paul.

Fr. Angel Valdivia

Today, 24th January is International Education Day, lets ensure that our children receive quality education in our institutions.

On 24th December, 51 children were baptized at the Mission of Naturomoe, in Nyangatom, South Ethiopia, close to the Kenya border.

On the same day, a child was born – a baby girl – to one of our catechists. They are refugees from South Sudan, and they live in a dusty plain at the foot of the hills which act as the frontier with their country. Their faith is one of the few things they have not lost. They cannot go back to their country and they are less than 5,000 people, the minimum number required for the settlement to be considered a refugee camp … Hence, they have nowhere to rest, just like Joseph and Mary!

If Jesus were to be born today, would he be a refugee? We can’t know for certain, but, what we know for sure is that he would be standing up for the millions of people that suffer the consequences of wars and forced displacements.

Nyangatom Mission – which was began by the MCSPA about 5 years ago – is in a remote area: it is Ethiopian territory, but many inhabitants are South Sudanese and they live just a few kilometres from Kenya! Here, peace is being preached as the main Good News of the Gospel, and it is so often related with the need for water for survival.

The joy of the people surprises one, because despite their difficult situation, they enjoy moments like the Christmas celebration, and song and dance are so much a part of our Eucharist celebration here. They made a crib out of mud – a crib with a lot of animals! That is the ideal condition! We painted the faces of the children with colours for the celebration. And after that, chocolate for everybody!

The men, hardened by the violent escape from their country, were moved and touched when they saw their children celebrating, and the songs retrieved a certain feeling that hovered between nostalgia and joy.

On 24th December, 51 children were baptized at the Mission of Naturomoe, in Nyangatom, South Ethiopia, close to the Kenya border.

On the same day, a child was born – a baby girl – to one of our catechists. They are refugees from South Sudan, and they live in a dusty plain at the foot of the hills which act as the frontier with their country. Their faith is one of the few things they have not lost. They cannot go back to their country and they are less than 5,000 people, the minimum number required for the settlement to be considered a refugee camp … Hence, they have nowhere to rest, just like Joseph and Mary!

If Jesus were to be born today, would he be a refugee? We can’t know for certain, but, what we know for sure is that he would be standing up for the millions of people that suffer the consequences of wars and forced displacements.

Nyangatom Mission – which was began by the MCSPA about 5 years ago – is in a remote area: it is Ethiopian territory, but many inhabitants are South Sudanese and they live just a few kilometres from Kenya! Here, peace is being preached as the main Good News of the Gospel, and it is so often related with the need for water for survival.

The joy of the people surprises one, because despite their difficult situation, they enjoy moments like the Christmas celebration, and song and dance are so much a part of our Eucharist celebration here. They made a crib out of mud – a crib with a lot of animals! That is the ideal condition! We painted the faces of the children with colours for the celebration. And after that, chocolate for everybody!

The men, hardened by the violent escape from their country, were moved and touched when they saw their children celebrating, and the songs retrieved a certain feeling that hovered between nostalgia and joy.

Our missionaries and some volunteers from Muke Turi Mission assisted at the Youth Meeting of the Diocese of Emdibir under the motto Vocation and Mission. More than 800 young people came to the event from the different parishes of the Eparchy.

Through music and drama, the youth expressed their ideas on the motto. The MCSPA participated with their testimonies and some songs.

The common vocation of the baptized and the universal mission of the Church were some of the topics exhibited. The Bishop and the organizers thanked the MCSPA deeply for their participation and testimony.

Lourdes Larruy MCSPA

At the St. Joseph’s Mother and Child Center at Muketuri, we welcomed Advent with a play. On 5th December, the children of Grade 3 acted out the passage of Isaiah which describes how the wild beasts would be led in peace under the protection of a little child who announces peace.
In this time of violence and uncertainty in the country, the MCSPA promotes peace through different activities.

Lourdes Larruy MCSPA

It was with great joy to have several of our farmers graduate from the furrows in the dessert program at Lobur. They were given certificates, signed by Arava higher Institute of Agriculture – Israel and a set of basic tools for starting their farms back at home.

The Caritas coordinator of Lodwar diocese was the guest of honour, she presented the certificates to the farmers. We would like to thank Mrs. Agnes Mana the chief guest of the day, for her kindness and support.

During the celebration we were blessed by heavy rains. That was a blessing because all the farmers of SITFA who attended the graduation and held their annual General Assembly, planted 700 indigenous trees to combat climate change and improve soil erosion.

Our gratitude goes to all our supporters from Spain, Israel, Germany, U.K. and overall Kenya, the Lobur mission staff, the furrows team and the MCSPA community in Lobur mission. Thank you all for making this programme successful.

Lillian Omari

From the 2nd to 7th Decemeber 2019, the youth from 26 parishes of the Diocese of Lodwar gathered at Queen of Peace Primary School-Lodwar for the 2019 Diocesan Youth Convention. The theme was “YOUTH: AGENTS OF EVANGELIZATION. The event was graced by facilitators from various sectors and different important topics were addressed. We pray and hope that this convention will be helpful to these young people as far as shaping their lives is concerned. The youth from MCSPA run parishes also attended; Nariokotome, Todonyang and Kibish.

Fr. Wycliffe Ochieng, MCSPA

Today we had an early Christmas celebration with some children that are involved in our outreach programme from Daan Tubo. We held the Christmas party here at the MCSPA Formation House at Quezon City, Manila. A total of 50 kids and 5 mothers were able to attend the party which was facilitated by friends from Singapore and Philippines.

The children are part of a group that we give remedial classes to, for Math, English and Science, while the younger ones are encouraged to improve their communication skills in english through drawing and coloring and conversation.

By Timothy Kaburu
MCSPA Apprentice
Manila