Fr. Alex Campón and Cosmus Onyango of the Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle, on Saturday, March 9, attended a Youth Conference on the theme “Mission Talk 2024”, organised by the Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro at Iloilo City in the Philippines.

This conference, targeting the youths of the whole archdiocese, bore the theme of “Mission: An Occasion of Grace and Moving Towards Serving our Neighbour”, saw more than 100 youths, religious sisters and lay persons in attendance.

The series of talk delivered by Fr. Peter John Guarin of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Calmay, Iloilo, and Fr. Alex Campón captured the attention of the audience by concrete and emotional experiences of mission in Turkana North, Kenya. Fr. Peter served at the Holy Family Parish, Kaaleng, in the Diocese of Lodwar, Kenya, as a fidei donum priest in a collaboration with the Archdiocese of Jaro and the Diocese of Lodwar.

These two dioceses first established a relationship of serving the Catholic Church in Turkana in 2019, a product of the MCSPA’s bridge-building initiative between local churches. Since then, the Archdiocese of Jaro has been sending priests for mission in Turkana. Besides, the Diocese of San José, Antique, also has a similar arrangement with the Diocese of Lodwar, sending priests to work in Kaikor Parish also in the Diocese of Lodwar for more than 8 years now. The MCSPA’s zeal to build bridges between the Diocese of Lodwar and the local churches in Asia has also seen the arrival of a religious sisters’ congregation – the Mensa Domini Sisters or Sisters of the Lord’s Table – to join in the evangelisation in Turkana. These sisters, at present, have permanent communities in Kaaleng and Lodwar, and soon at Nariamawoi.

Fr. Peter Guarin reflected on one’s physical presence in a mission as the highest generosity with which we can respond to the call to be sent. He explains, “For the Turkana people, presence is enough. It is enough that you are with them. There are moments that I had no food to offer yet they told me that it was okay: ‘We are fine with it, Father, because you have stayed with us here.’” He advised the youth to be gifts to the mission and encouraged his brother priests to go out on mission because “mission is Grace, allowing us to be instruments of love and hope for the people who need us.”

Fr. Alex’s talk drew on the vast experience of his 28 years of priesthood and as a missionary in Kenya. There have been big moments for him as a missionary though his early days in the mission remain remarkable. It was while he was assigned to keep records of babies and mothers at the nutrition programs that he found his purpose. Fr. Alex emotionally narrates, “It was really an incredible discovery for me. I can now say that it was there in Turkana when I clearly saw the confirmation that God wanted me to become a missionary priest and dedicate my life to it. Certainly, the most significant was not the input that I gave there as a volunteer, or the efforts or effects of my volunteering work, rather it was what I received in return as my experience there.” Besides, Fr. Alex encouraged the audience of the need to move from and to go out of our comfortable and established set-ups and embrace new states of mind and purpose. This is our discovery of the grace that represents mission.

A discussion session followed after the talks with some from the audience wanting to know the challenges of being in a mission. Fr. Alex responded that loneliness can rob one of the joys of being in a mission. He recalled certain moments during the Covid-19 pandemic when he felt the pangs of loneliness, being locked out from his fellow missionaries: “At times you can feel empty in the face of need, when you don’t have solutions to problems of the people.”

Fr. Peter added that it is easy to fall into the temptation of being “busy” to a point of forgetting to pray and to be with the Lord who provides. Mission work can be very demanding and we can easily get lost in the work. He encouraged the audience to pray for missionaries for that is also part of being on a mission.

The Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle (MCSPA) thanks the Archdiocese of Jaro under the guidance of the Most Reverend Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo, for its warm welcome. And of course, we thank Fr. Arthur “King” Flores, the Director of the Archdiocesan Commission on Mission, and Fr. John who is the director of the Youth Commission and to all the organising team of the “Mission Talk 2024″ for their invitation and opportunity to speak to the youth of Jaro. “Damo nga salamat!”

Cosmus Onyango, MCSPA Apprentice,
Metro Manila, Philippines.

In the vast semi-arid land of Turkana, where drought is common-place, showers become a pure source of happiness the moment it pours … much like the transformative power of the Word of God in our lives. God’s Word too bears fruit in plenty, as Isaiah points out: “For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Is 55:10-11)

Turkana, the northern region of Kenya, has always been known as the “harsh” land … often a desolate expanse, with straggling trees and vegetation. At this time of the year, the sun beats down relentlessly, scorching the earth; the wind whips up the dust devils, which spiral across the dry landscape. It rains once or twice in a year or, on some years, it fails to rain at all.

That is why even light showers will transform the land. Imagine how it would be if this land was receiving rains every day or month, it would be teeming with life!

At the start of this year, we began to experience something peculiar. The rains have indeed been falling albeit sporadically, and this has brought happiness to the people. The landscape has been transformed … an expanse of soft green has pleasantly covered the land; observing this from the top of Lobur Mission especially, the terrain appears amazingly changed. The gentle breeze produces undulating waves on the carpet of grass and flowers. Every tree has fresh buds and newly-formed leaves, while millions of little insects teem in the vegetation. The dust cover is gone, and the livestock have something fresh to feed on.

This transformative power of rain on all living creatures illustrates the power of God’s Word in our daily lives, as the Prophet Isaiah rightly pointed out. We do not find peace, joy and happiness when our hearts are dry like a barren land, with selfish forces, akin to the strong, hot winds, making us harbour intentions that are unhealthy and unkind towards others.

But when God’s Word sinks into us and we interiorise it, we too are transformed. We learn to love … and many others find comfort in us because of the new life gained, very much like the newly-sprouted shoots and branches that host birds and insects.

Thus, those who receive God’s Word have the capacity to make the lives of others better and more noble. Just as rain transforms the barren terrain into a flourishing landscape, the values of the Gospel have the power to bring abundance and fruitfulness into our lives, nurturing the seeds of hope and kindness that is sown in the soil of our existence. The Word of God, like the rains in Turkana, has the potential to turn barren lifelessness into a harvest of virtues, bringing forth the fruits of love, compassion and joy in abundance.

We are much privileged to be receiving His Word every day in our lives. Therefore, like the barren land soaking in the rains that fall from the heavens, may our hearts too thirst and yearn for the Word of God daily and be transformed by it so that we may attain newness of life in and with Christ.

By Louis Mkweza, MCSPA Apprentice.
St. John Evangelist, Lobur Mission, Turkana, Kenya.

We would like to celebrate and give thanks to the families of Colombia who have taken a step towards generosity without measure. They have come together with unconditional love to stand in solidarity with families that are less fortunate and who suffer poverty in Turkana, Kenya.

A few months ago, while we were in the city of Villavicencio we presented the need for scholarships for Turkana children whose families simply cannot afford to put them through school due to extreme poverty. These children however possess enormous potential and we were disheartened at a bleak future for them due to the lack of resources.

Hence, some families did feel called to not only assist with the studies of these children but to also get involved in a closer way with the MCSPA. Today we are creating a network of support between families in Villavicencio and Kokuselei Mission to give a boost to these children’s education. We hope that this network will continue to grow and that both parties can feel that love is concretised in works that lead to common good, where everyone has something to give, and no one is exempt from receiving.

We wish to continue promoting values of solidarity since we firmly believe that we can all give to those who need our helping hands, ideas, service, and financial support, so that we all have the opportunity to live lives in full.

Alexia Moreno, MCSPA

Bogotá, Colombia.

The inauguration of a building housing the new Operating Room took place near the Dispensary of Nariokotome Mission on February 23.

The building was blessed by Frs. Antonio Aguirre and Zacchaeus Okoth and officially opened by Dr. José Luis Gil and his wife Angelina Ruiz de Temiño, and Dr. Paco Galván and his wife Lola, who have been part of this project since its inception and represented all those involved in it but who could not attend the ceremony.

This project consists of an isolated building which boasts two fully-equipped operating rooms for minor outpatient surgeries. In addition, the building also has a patient recovery room for both surgical patients and for pregnant and postpartum women. Likewise, multi-purpose rooms were built for consultations and nutrition-related programs coordinated by Scholastica Wamalwa and the Health Team of Nariokotome Dispensary.

With this news, we would like to thank the efforts of all those who contributed to the development of this project, especially the missionaries at Nariokotome Mission.

We also want to thank the people who in one way or another have been part of this project, such as Jorge, Victoria, Luis Carlos, María Jesús, Begoña, Alfredo, and many other doctors, architects, engineers, and different benefactors who have made this reality possible.

It was through the Founder of the MCSPA, Fr. Francisco “Paco” Andreo who spread his enthusiasm for Turkana in 2006 to his doctor-friend, Dr. Ana Mañas, and together with her husband, Dr. Emilio Cuevas, also a traumatologist, that we created a bond of friendship and collaboration. We thank the dedication of Emilio and Ana, who continue to come to Nariokotome every year, bringing with them relatives, friends and various collaborators.

We end this news report with a saying much quoted by Paco: “Actions speak louder than words”. Today, this has been fulfilled!

By Scholastica Wamalwa, Doctor Ana Mañas and a team of friends and doctors from Spain

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

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

Yesterday we started a procession with Mother Mary in preparations for our centenary celebrations of Ave Maria Parish, in South Sudan, on the 1st of May. The image of Our Lady will visit all our outstations in the two parishes, Ave Maria in Ngboko and St. Thomas in Source Yubu.

Enjoy some photos of our 3 hour rosary procession at Ave Maria.

Let’s Join our hands in prayer and ask God to grant us peace in South Sudan.

Lillian Omari MCSPA

It has been ten years since Paco left us yet as we have seen, his memories and life are still very much imprinted in ours. That means that he truly lives for ever! To talk of Paco, is not easy since he influenced and changed the lives of so many people, as Fernando said yesterday, there are very many versions of the Man! These versions of Paco also changed with the passing of years, and nobody can do justice to his persona since we all experienced him in different shades. That is why allow me to give my version and my understanding of my experience having lived with Paco for 20 years! Though somehow some aspects do stand out!!

It was in 1993, when I was only 20 years old when Paco met me in the streets of Nairobi, near Jamuhuri Estate. This encounter started a relationship that would change my life; it’s a journey that has been repeated in this house. It involved eggs from Othaya house, and it would lead to my visit of Turkana in that same year. It was then that I was attracted to this missionary community; then followed a call to leave everything and follow Christ.

In these years, I experienced 4 kinds of love in him that have been in turn infectious towards us.

Tender love
It was Paco’s tender love that revealed to me the love of Christ at first-hand. It was his tenderness that marked my soul and changed me. It was not only to me but mostly to the poor, to the elderly and to the downtrodden. He did not see people as trees, (as in the story of Mark 8:22-26) or a landscape. He saw people as they were, people.

In many ways he was like the Samaritan man in the story of the good Samaritan: He cared and patched the wounds of those whom he met and were broken. Many times, he was also the father in the story of the prodigal son, who received us with open arms when we had wasted love. How many times did that happen to me?

He loved everybody and paid attention to all, either you were the excavator driver, or a waiter, Paco would pay attention to you. He did that to me and that is why I am here; he saw in me that which I didn’t see in myself, and being from different cultures and race, I was for him his sheep as was the rest. He treated people as Christ treated us, selflessly.

Tough love
Paco combined and sewed together the tender love with tough love. He was tough, no doubt since he insisted on truth and honesty from us. He did not entertain mediocrity. This made us be aware of our weaknesses. He did not sugar-coat it, he said it as it was; he called a spade a spade, in this way he did not allow us to shipwreck our lives, since for him truth telling was more important than peace keeping. By peace keeping I mean being politically correct. His tough love stood out and this for those who were with him did help us to bring the best version of ourselves!

Sacrificial love
In this fusing of tender and tough love, Paco also portrayed the sacrificial love to us in many ways. He always put us first before himself. I remember once we were visiting the Nuncio in Spain and Paco immediately mentioned that we didn’t have a good reputation, but the Nuncio was quick to respond that we do not need a good reputation here on earth but rather in heaven. He didn’t mind sacrificing his reputation for what was right. Paco dedicated his life for us so that we might live, he dedicated his energies so that the world might become a garden. Until his last breath he was out there working making manure and gabions even when he was very sick, there was no self-gratification, but rather to build a community of Christ, a community that is to do good, as in the words of evangelist Mark (Mark 8:34-35), “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it” this sacrificial love was not just a feeling but an action. And that is why MCSPA members we are ready to go out to the most challenging missions, to places where few would rather venture, since this sacrificial love has been infused in us by Paco. As Paco found his strength in the Lord, so shall we.

Radical love
Lastly Paco combined the tender love, tough love, and sacrificial love with radical love. In the tempest of trouble, he would not defend himself. He would rather turn the other cheek than fight. Even when we suffered division, he was ready to give everything! For Paco there was no bare minimum, it was all or nothing. A dam had to be bigger. If we had to support someone, there was never halfway, it must be all the way! As in Matthew 22:37-40, Paco loved with all his heart, soul, and mind. And these lessons we have learnt well, we go beyond the call of duty. In living this radical love, we try to break the vicious cycle of hunger, war, and drought and not to be indifferent in the middle of people’s suffering.

Paco was tough with us, so that we can live and be a sign of this love in the world, in the places where we work. It’s been ten years since you left us, you showed us that this is the best way to imitate Christ; as written in your tombstone, “to be a good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep”. You too were the good shepherd who lied down your life for your sheep. Continue watching over us, continue resting in peace!

Fr. Steven Ochieng MCSPA