50 years jubilee of CMM in Kenya

50 YEARS JUBILEE

BROTHERS CMM

OCTOBER 2008

INKENYA

50YEARS

OF DEDICATION INTRODUCTION BY BR. ANDREA SIFUNA CMM

“As the Provincial Superior of the Brothers CMM in Kenya I am honoured to offer you this jubilee publication about our works of mercy in Kenya and Tanzania. October 18, we celebrate the 50 years presence of the Brothers CMM in Kenya. I am very glad we have grown over those years to a vivid province with about 50 brothers in seven communities in the South West of Kenya and in Tanzania. We are dedicated to the works of mercy for the poor by giving education and by community development. In this jubilee publication we inform you about our actual work, about our inspiration, about our own history and about the worldwide work of the Brothers CMM. In that way you get to know us better. May it inspire us all to continue this important work for the Kenyan and Tanzanian people and for the Kingdom of God.”

THE COLOURS

OFMERCY A DESCRIPTION OF THE CMM SPIRITUALITY BY BR. ANDREA SIFUNA CMM (NAIROBII) “Practice of mercy is no doubt a rich spirituality. It is a spirituality that marks the earliest known relationship of man with God. It has been throughout salvation history the basis of every turning point of new God-man relationship. Israel of old looked to God’s mercy as a source of inspiration and a guarantee that God will fulfil his promises to them. In the new biblical testament, the story of mercy assumes new and unprecedented proportions in the incarnation of God’s son in human flesh, a fact that surpassed all expectations of Israel, and indeed all human expectations of the entire history. Even

today, a God who shares human nature with us is not readily embraced. Mercy as a spirituality may be seen in several aspects that we can conveniently call colours. Like a ray of light, looking at the overall concept denies one the view of the details, the greens, blues, reds and so forth. In this article, we shall briefly look at ‘the colours of mercy’, so to say, in order to see the entire concept of this spirituality in relation to our everyday life.”

Read the complete article at pages 6 and 7.

TABLE OF CONTENT PROVINCIAL AND GENERAL BOARD

02/03

BROTHERHOOD

04/05

SPIRITUALITY

06/07

CONGRATULATIONS

08

EDUCATIONAL APOSTOLATE

09

WORKS OF MERCY

10/11

CMM WORLDWIDE

12

MEMORIES

13

HISTORY

14/15

#02 PROVINCIAL BOARD CMM KENYA

WITNESSING MERCY IS OUR HALLMARK

BY BR. ATHANASIUS ONYONI PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR BROTHERS CMM KENYA 2002-2008 “As Brothers CMM in Kenya we have a long way of 50 years presence behind us.

With the help of God we will continue our work for the poor. In this article I will tell you about the directions of our work and about the challenges the Brothers CMM in Kenya will meet.

Being merciful, carrying mercy, witnessing mercy will be our hallmark. Bringing mercy in a merciful way to those with whom we work, to those to whom we are sent and to members of our own community. These groups of persons will remain foremost in our minds and actions.

Our merciful presence in the world must cut across the boundaries of tribe, race, character, social status and age. In order to achieve this we need to develop high standards of self-discipline and personal integrity.

DIRECTIONS The above elements form the bedrock upon which we shall have to build our life in the apostolate for any meaningful positive change. Most of our actual work will fall mainly in the following categories: 1. Catechetics: faith education in the parish as well as in the school.

2. Community development: to work as catalysts of social change, we must prepare ourselves for tasks in various areas, e.g. agricultural development and improved methods of food production; cooperative development to help people pull resources together for economic and social growth.

3. Administration: prepare ourselves in fields of teaching in grammar, technical and special education schools, as well as in guidance and counselling, secretarial functions, library and laboratory sciences, financial and human resource management. We also have to be familiar with issues regarding human labour and social justice.

4. Management: fields other than those mentioned under administration, include disaster management, conflict resolution, administering first aid, catering and simple housekeeping skills.

This is not all. The preferential option for the poor is the guiding principle at all levels and all times.

DEVELOPING CATECHETICAL APPROACHES When speaking about the future, one sees signs of hope but also obstacles to be overcome. There is hope because of a constant, but small group of young people interested in serving God as consecrated religious persons. We also hope that we can work effectively in the fields of education and pastoral care, both at the parish and school levels.

What are obstacles we encounter? Good educational background and professional training are necessary for quality leadership. Providing the right professional training is a special challenge. Much of what one does raises political questions making leadership difficult in Kenya. Teaching careers seem to appeal to many young people. However, the academic results of high school can be a big hindrance for advanced training. Alternative choices for apostolates that render service within a school system, e.g. secretarial work, school laboratory science, catering and housekeeping, human resource management, pastoral catechesis, often do not seem attractive. Furthermore, preparing for the future will require a lot of effort and energy from those in leadership positions. Aspects of leadership within our province are dedication to our spirituality and knowledge of religious life and community living. All this is really required from all, and not only from those in charge.

PASTORAL ISSUES There is a lack of carefully designed and lovingly executed pastoral approaches in parishes and schools regarding the needs of the youth. Often the young are seen as troublemakers and labelled as such. There is no tailor-made programme for correcting and guiding youth to reach the expected standards of behaviour. It is indeed not easy to offer practical solutions to make the youth feel at home in the Church and have a sense of belonging. However, without a good approach toward young people, the youth will remain ignorant about the teaching of the Catholic Church. They will also not understand current problems and trends in social, religious, economic, and human development issues. We, Brothers CMM, need to develop catechetical approaches that will help the youth of today to become the responsible persons of tomorrow, both in the Church and in society.

When young men come to our houses for seminars, we realize that they have many unanswered questions in all kinds of fields. They come to us, so we could offer them enlightenment and preparation for the future.

NEW PROVINCIAL BOARD

August 29, the Provincial Chapter of the CMM Brothers Kenya has appointed a new Provincial Board for the next period of six years (2008-2014). ^ Picture From left to right Br. Leo van de Weijer, Deputy Provincial Superior, Br. John Karungai, Board-member, Br. Andrea Sifuna, Provincial Superior, Br. James Ochwangi, Board-member, Br. Richard Sure, Board-member. < Picture August 29, 2008, the General Board of the Brothers CMM appointed in Kenya a new Provincial Board for the next period of six years (2008-2014).

GENERAL BOARD BROTHERS CMM #03

INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF INTERNATIONALIZATION

BY BR. BROER HUITEMA, SUPERIOR GENERAL BROTHERS CMM

“Fifty years ago, in 1958, the first brothers arrived in Kenya, to start their mission. It must have been a very special experience for them. Not knowing what they could expect, they were probably a bit excited about what was awaiting them. But they did start, in all simplicity and with faith.”

“They must have realized the importance of their mission and they believed in it. Their faith and trust, their perseverance and patience helped to begin a journey of 50 years for the Congregation in Kenya. Now, we should be very grateful to these pioneers who made all the developments since the start possible. During these 50 years, CMM has developed well in Kenya. During the first 25 years, the Dutch and Belgian brothers were mainly involved in teaching. As good professionals and dedicated teachers, they were quite successful. In the beginning, the emphasis was on the mission and not so much on trying to get vocations. It took 25 years before the first Kenyan young men entered the Congregation. But after these first brothers joined CMM, there has been a gradual development; we can now be happy that a flourishing Kenyan branch is developing. We are happy that now, after 50 years, the first Kenyan brother – Br. Vincent Odhiambo - is celebrating his silver jubilee. We are happy that now, after 50 years, the Province of Kenya consists of almost 50 brothers.

During the past decades, the Province of Kenya became a more autonomous part of the Congregation and the brothers there are now intensely involved in the process of internationalization within the Congregation CMM. We can see their contribution on three levels: the central administration of the Congregation, the field of mission and the field of spirituality and formation. In March of this year, during the General

Chapter of the Congregation, a brother from Kenya has been elected a member of the General Board. It was only six years ago, in 2002, that for the first time in history, brothers from outside The Netherlands were elected into the General Board. Two Indonesian were chosen and they went to Tilburg to take their place in the central administration. Now, six years later, an African brother has become a member of the General Board. These historic moments reflect the developments within the Congregation: over the past decades the Congregation became more and more international. The centre of gravity is moving away from Europe towards the Southern hemisphere!

There is yet another important movement with respect to the process of internationalization. In the past, only Dutch and Belgian brothers were sent for missions abroad. However, the missionary spirit is not limited to European brothers.

Sending brothers for a mission wherever there is need, belongs to the very nature of our being religious. Nowadays brothers from Indonesia and Kenya are sent to other parts of the world. Although the Province of Kenya is still small, the province has sent several brothers to other countries. A few brothers were sent to Namibia to assist in the formation of new candidates. The province also started a new mission in Urambo, Tanzania. As brothers, our mission is not merely limited to the place where we come from: our mission is worldwide. We as Brothers CMM want to express our mission

of mercy in a worldwide brotherhood. The international world is the field where brothers live and work for the sake of the coming of the Kingdom of God. Finally, the Province of Kenya is providing hospitality to brothers from elsewhere: for study, for formation and for international Congregational meetings. Sigona and Nakuru are international formation houses for candidates from various African countries. Several international Congregational meetings have taken place within the Congregation over the past years. Also in this respect, the Province of Kenya is accepting fully responsibility for the needs of the Congregation.

After 50 years, we may congratulate the province with all these developments. We wish the brothers a blessed future.

May the brothers of the Province of Kenya continue to witness mercy in a worldwide brotherhood, within this beautiful country of Kenya and at all places where they will be sent.”

THE PROVINCIALATE BUILDING In 2008 the brotherhouse of the CMM community of our Lady, Mother of God, in Nairobi (Rhapta Road) is rebuilt.

Last spring the old buildings were broken down to build a new and larger brotherhouse. In this house the provincial board is established. The new provincialate is designed to accommodate our current needs in the province.

There are four areas: 1. The administration wing which houses the secretarial services, the parlours for the provincial superior and bursar, and the provincial boardroom.

2. A guest wing for CMM guests or CMM brothers who need special care.

3. The records wing for the archives of the province and for the collections of various brothers that have a future relevance.

4. Hospitality: There will be a large dining and living room, as well as bedrooms for students who need to study in Nairobi and for visitors who come to our province, either on transit or on official visit.

The provincialate is not the only building on the CMM compound. In order to become financially more self-reliant as a province, two flats with eight rental houses will be constructed.

OLD SITUATION

NEW SITUATION

BROTHERHOUSES KENYA

#04 BROTHERHOOD

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NAIROBI-RHAPTA ROAD COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY, MOTHER OF GOD P.O. BOX 14916 NAIROBI, WESTLANDS 00800 TEL. +254 20 444 84 96 EMAIL SIFUNAANDREA@YAHOO.COM

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NAIROBI-UMOJA COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY, QUEEN AND MOTHER P.O.BOX 641 BURU BURU NAIROBI 00515 TEL. +254 20 785 299 EMAIL BROUMOJA@WANANCHI.COM

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MOSOCHO COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY OF MERCY P.O. BOX 4064 KISII 40200 TEL. +254 58 315 23 NAKURU COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY OF THE VISITATION (POSTULATE) P.O.BOX 12049 NAKURU 20100 TEL. +254 51 221 5208 EMAIL CMMBROTHERS@WANANCHI.COM

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OYUGIS COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY OF THE ANNUNCIATION P.O.BOX 355 OYUGIS 40222 TEL. +254 59 310 86 BROCMMOYUGIS@WANANCHI.COM SIGONA COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY (NOVICIATE) P.O.BOX 1112 KIKUYU 00902 TEL. +254 20 202 0863 SIKRI COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY, QUEEN OF AFRICA P.O.BOX 194 OYUGIS 40222 +254 59 312 64

THE PROVINCE OF KENYA IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR A CMM COMMUNITY IN TANZANIA: URAMBO COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY OF MERCY P.O.BOX 138 URAMBO TEL. +255 787765735

25 YEARS A BROTHER CMM

BY BR. VINCENT ODHIAMBO CMM (OYUGIS)

Br. Vincent Odhiambo is the first Kenyan Brother CMM who celebrates his silver jubilee. In this article he personally tells about his vocation.

“My vocation as a Brother CMM came through the encouragement of my late father Leonard Oguok and the Brothers Leo van de Weijer, Linus Schoutsen and Frederick Hazen. These were the persons God used as his instruments to call me to the religious life as a brother. At that time the Brothers CMM were conducting a Christian Awareness Programme (C.A.P.) in various schools and also in my Nyabondo Parish.

Afterwards they would have an opportunity to talk to young people about the possibility of becoming a Brother CMM. My father asked if I was willing to attend such a meeting, to which I responded: “I will see.” I liked what the brothers said and wanted to see their home; there we would have the opportunity to share the brothers’ life for a short time. In April 1982 I went to ‘Shirikisho Senta’ in Oyugis. As I entered the house, Brother Leo asked me what I wanted. I told him: “I want to be a brother”. Upon returning home, my father bought me a pair of long trousers and a pair of shoes. I placed my belongings in a cardboard box, since I did not have a suitcase, tied a string around it and left for Oyugis on May 4, 1982. The Brothers Leo and Frederick warmly welcomed me. I was given a room and joined the brothers in painting the house since it was a new community under construction. After about a year I was asked whether I wanted to become a postulant.

Even though I was the only candidate, I accepted and was guided by Brother Leo. On October 16, 1983, I became a novice in the Congregation, with Brother Leo as my novice-master. What moved me to become a Brother CMM was the encouraging influence of my late father and of the Brothers CMM, and also the simple community life of Shirikisho Senta in Oyugis. I realized that Jesus called me to be his merciful brother, not just for a few days, but every day of my life. In my twenty-five years as a Brother CMM I have relied on God’s protection and guidance: his goal is going to be achieved, not mine.”

BROTHERHOOD #05

WHAT IS A

NOVICIATE? A noviciate is both a house and a community that is designated for the formation of young men or women who feel called to a religious way of life. It is not a seminary nor is it a school or college. However, in a nutshell one can refer to a noviciate as ‘a school of prayer’. Those admitted into the noviciate follow a strict spiritual formation study program aimed at preparing them for a religious way of life as brothers or sisters in the Catholic Church. The formation process in the noviciate of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy (CMM) takes two years. The persons in the noviciate are referred to as ‘novices’.

A DAY IN SIGONA

BY BR. LAWRENCE OBIKO CMM (MEMBER OF THE GENERAL BOARD, FORMER NOVICE-MASTER)

“The noviciate is an environment that offers a wonderful opportunity for one to grow closer to God. It is a spiritual centre where one discovers the treasure of his inner life.

even if they will not end up becoming religious.

5.15 – 06.15 A.M TIME FOR MEDITATION

Looking back at the experience of 11 years as a formator, I must admit that they were years of rich experiences but also quite challenging. There were moments of joy but also moments of pain. Moments of joy came when those who were in their process of discernment reached a positive decision of making their first profession as Brothers CMM. Painful and challenging moments came when I had to face the difficult decision of assisting a novice to leave the formation process.

COMMUNAL WORK Within the community there are various activities that have to be carried out each day. These include the cleaning of the rooms, keeping the compound neat, feeding the animals, gardening, organizing the liturgy, etc. The different activities assigned to the novices are meant to stimulate in them the positive attitude towards service, but also the sense of contributing towards community building.

6.15 – 06.30 A.M TIME FOR MORNING PRAYER

In the process of guiding the postulants and novices, I found it a wonderful and unique experience to see the unfolding of each person in his process of growth. Such encounters were quite fulfilling. However, with fulfilment comes desolation.

Sometimes it was a challenge to part with those that you have journeyed with so as to start all over again. Every year I accompany a group of novices to the point of making their first profession, and then it was time to meet a new group. Starting afresh is a good thing but it requires quite some energy. There are five major areas that mark each day in the noviciate:

LESSONS A number of subjects covered in the study programme of the noviciate are geared towards deepening their knowledge of God and the Church. They include: study of the Scriptures, liturgy, Church history, the history of religious life, the history of the Congregation, the CMM spirituality (St. Vincent, Mary), the CMM Constitutions, the Documents of the Catholic Church, i.e. Canon Law, encyclicals, etc., social teaching of the Church, catechesis, etc.

8.15 – 09.00 A.M MANUAL WORK

PRAYER Four times a day the novices with their formator(s) come together for those moments of prayer. The different moments of prayer during the day offer the novices opportunities to deepen their relationship with Jesus and develop a passion for God. The spiritual exercises during the first year of noviciate form the basis on which the novices discern God’s call in their lives. The novices are introduced to different forms of prayer to help them find their own rhythm and suitable way of praying, as well become familiar with the prayers of the Church, (the breviary).

MEALS A noviciate community is like a family set-up. Those experiencing formation in the noviciate are expected to develop an attitude of a family where they feel at home as brother to one another. Here the challenge is to start to learn how to live in a mixed community. Though the aspect of community living is not foreign to Africans, the fact that those drawn into this formation community (the novices) come from different counties and tribes, require from them extra effort to learn how to form a new family that is bonded not by blood relations but by the love of Christ. Each novice is encouraged to participate in the preparation of the meals, so as to give them opportunity to exercise their creativity.

GAMES AND RECREATION From time to time some games are organized between the CMM postulants and novices and few other occasions with novices of other congregations and with the youth within the parish. Such moments offer the novices some possibilities to socialize with others. At the end of each day, there is time to socialize together as a community. Recreating together offers opportunities for the novices to share their experiences and impressions of the day. Such moments are surrounded by some games such as playing of cards, draft, solving cross-word puzzles, watching a movie, etc.”

6.30 – 07.20 A.M TIME FOR MASS 7.15 – 08.15 A.M BREAKFAST

9.30 – 12.00 A.M MORNING LESSONS 12.30 – 1.00 P.M MIDDAY PRAYERS 1.00 - 2.30 P.M LUNCH BREAK 2.30 – 4.00 P.M AFTERNOON LESSONS 4.00 – 5.00 P.M TIME FOR GAMES 5.30 – 6.00 P.M TIME FOR SPIRITUAL READING 6.00 – 6.20 P.M PRAYING THE ROSARY 6.45 – 7.00 P.M EVENING PRAYER 7.00 – 8.00 P.M TIME FOR SUPPER 9.00 – 10.00 P.M TIME FOR RECREATION 10.00 ------- P.M NIGHT PRAYERS – RETIRE TO REST.

TIME TABLE

I believe that those who enter into this experience will remain inwardly transformed,

Contemplating the face of Christ is contemplating the ‘face of mercy’. Jesus is the true crystallization of the mercy of God in human history. In Him the human and the divine are in love and constant dialogue. He is the unique case in which the historical battles of justice and mercy are reconciled, giving forth peace, gladness, truth and hope.

1. MERCY AS LOVE Love and mercy are in real life inseparable. God’s love for man truly speaking can only be merciful love. The Father’s love for man is an act of mercy. The parable of the Good Samaritan gives us some insight into this (Luke 10:29-36).

The Samaritan reached out to the wounded man out of mercy. The wounded man did not even belong to ‘his tribe’. He had all the justifications to ignore him. But moved by mercy for this unknown victim of the violence of the day, he treated him as though he were his blood brother. And on the basis of this Jesus concluded this teaching by the words, “Go, and do the same yourself”. By these words Jesus sets new standards for love, and by extension mercy. ‘Do for the other what his real brother/sister would do for him in time of need’. The wounded man is the image of the human being, and the Good Samaritan is Jesus, who sacrifices all for lesser beings out of merciful love. Hence there are no longer excuses for not reaching out with food, medicines, water and other life-supporting necessities for the children in Southern Sudan or those in Somalia who die every day due to lack of these goods. It is inexcusable to say ‘they are not of my country’. Such is the challenge of mercy in our global world today.

2. MERCY AS DIALOGUE Dialogue is communication. To communicate with the other so that he also can know, can understand, is a great need of our time. And so dialogue is nothing else but removing the veil that covers people’s eyes. To communicate is to break down walls that keep people apart, walls that inspire hatred and violence among peoples of different races, tribes, faiths and ideologies. The dialogue of the Father with man was the incarnation. In Jesus the Father has fully revealed Himself to man, and through Jesus the human being can fully reveal himself to God. The biblical case of such a dialogue is best represented by the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman (John 4). Jesus overcame the walls that kept Jews and Samaritans apart by engaging in a heart-to-heart dialogue with a Samaritan woman. At the threshold, this woman had a lot to hide, and a lot to be embarrassed about. And so when Jesus asked her to go and call her husband (John 4:16), she hid the fact that five men had gone

through her life, and she was on her sixth man. Which human being even in our modern liberalized society would not be embarrassed about such a life? Yet in this dialogue Jesus manages to go around these sensitive and sharp edges to the astonishment of this woman, “Come and see a man who has told me everything I have done; could this be the Christ?” (John 4:26).

3. MERCY AS PEACE Peace building efforts are a special face of mercy in action. All peace lovers can be classified as merciful people. Perpetration of violence, even when it can be justified, is offensive to the calling of mercy. Jesus Himself said, “Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be recognized as children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Peace was also his special gift to his disciples upon his ascension to heaven, “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36). When in our own country Kenya post-election violence threatened to spill blood on an unprecedented level, many eminent people from all quarters rushed to our rescue by leading peace efforts. The driving force for these men and women can more correctly be discerned as mercy for the Kenyan people.

On the graves of our beloved ones we often read the message, ‘Rest in Peace’. When we express this wish for our loved ones lying beneath the face of the earth, we express a profound sense of mercy for them and indeed for ourselves when our turn to join them comes. We recognize their struggles and challenges on earth, and we sigh a sense of relief that it is now over, and they can sleep in peace for eternity.

4. MERCY AS JUSTICE The encyclical “Rich in Mercy” of Pope John Paul II treats the uneasy relationship between mercy and justice. John Paul II argues that justice deprived of mercy becomes in fact ‘injustice’ to the victim (no. 12). Mercy makes justice acceptable and able to serve the corrective aim of all punishments.

Mercy is not about the aggressed swapping places with the aggressor.

Rather, “mercy is manifested in its true and proper aspect when it restores to value, promotes and draws good from all the forms of evil existing in the

PHOTO’S: WINDOWS CHAPEL BROTHERHOUSE NAKURU

A DESCRIPTION OF THE CMM SPIRITUALITY BY BR. ANDREA SIFUNA CMM (SIKRI)

THE COLOURS OFMERCY

#06 SPIRITUALITY

SPIRITUALITY #07

world and in man” (no. 6). No punishment should be exercised in such a manner that it deprives the victim of an opportunity to reform.

In Kenya, particularly in urban places, it is not uncommon to see mobs baying for the blood of another person in the name of justice. John’s Gospel chapter 8 gives a good example of this reality played out before the Face of Mercy (Jesus). It is instructive to note that Jesus, when pressed to intervene, did not focus his first attention on the woman, but on the men baying for her blood - ‘if you have no sin, be the first to throw the stone’. With this simple message Jesus gave a fundamental teaching regarding how we should treat those we regard to be deserving of punishment as a restoration of just relationships in society.

The factual search for truth should be exclusively left to the exploration in sciences that uncover laws of nature. A human being is a far more complex being. Man, good or bad, in a sense enjoys a special protection with regard to his God-given human rights that may not be violated under the guise of searching for the truth. No matter how bad he may be, he should never be approached as though he were just living biological matter.

6. MERCY AS GLADNESS Mercy as gladness is that ability for each person to recognize his or her need for mercy. And here it is not only true for divine mercy but even for human mercy. It is a joyful and non-complicated way of accepting our limitations. It is perhaps easy to practice mercy towards others but more difficult to receive mercy. In her Magnificat, Mary gives us the best example of how to receive God’s mercy: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour; for He has looked upon the humiliation of his servant” (Luke 1:46-48). Mary, though recognized as having no personal sin, receives God’s mercy as though she was a great sinner.

Her son Jesus would continue with this humility. He went about doing good and healing people in his public ministry. But on Calvary He became Himself a person in need of mercy.

Jesus’ behaviour on the cross, as sung by the early Christians (Phil 2:5-11) demonstrated his greatness in receiving mercy at his lowest point in life. He generously rewarded the ‘good thief’ who bestowed mercy on Him by declaring Him innocent. None of us is so self-sufficient as to always be the only one assisting others. None of us is always right and has never the need to say: “I am sorry, please pardon me”. And even the poorest of the poor can give us something back, a smile, a blessing. We should attach value to that too.

7. MERCY AS HOPE Who among us can live without hope? What would life be if all ended with death? That indeed would have deprived human life of real meaning. But for the Christian, life on earth is a rehearsal for life in eternity. Just as St. Paul talks of ‘no gospel without the resurrection’, so for us too there is no ‘life without eternity’. Life would be unbearable and meaningless. And so hope for salvation has inspired human history and rendered meaning to human existence. And yet a critical look at this hope rests on God’s mercy.

Indeed for many people God’s mercy is the only realistic avenue through which salvation can be accessed. And so the notion of salvation merited through good lives excludes a vast majority of humanity.

In recent times, specifically in the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, the Feast of Divine Mercy celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter was inaugurated. Within Church circles various movements promoting trust in God’s mercy have increased. For instance, from the 2nd to the 6th of April 2008, the First World Congress on Divine Mercy was hosted in Rome and participants came in the thousands from all quarters of the universal Church to make a statement about this great spirituality of our time. This congress brought together people from far beyond the confines of the Catholic Church; they were all united in confessing trust in God’s mercy at this point in history as the only source that brings peoples together as one family giving hope to a new world held together by bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood. The Congregation as a stake-holder in the spirituality of mercy was represented at this congress by two Brothers CMM.

MODERN WORLD AND CHURCH ABOUT MERCY In the modern world, the notion of mercy is challenged by unbelievable breakthroughs in the technological world. Tendencies are developing among the rich that man does not need mercy. The notion that development and science can solve man’s problems is easily seen in the increasing de-Christianization. To appear to open up one’s horizon to the invisible hand of divine providence is in the judgement of new emerging ideologies a certain form of withdrawal from reality to the infant world, or worse still, - the magical world.

The universal Church under the leadership of Rome offered several responses and challenges. In this respect we can mention the recent encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, “God is Love” (2007), in which he addresses this tendency. He argues that at no point can human development replace the need for love and mercy among peoples. There will always be in each person’s life a space that yearns for human love and understanding (mercy). His predecessor, John Paul II, in the early part of his papal ministry, devoted an encyclical on the theme of mercy (“Rich in Mercy”, 1980). These two encyclicals do address the same reality, the merciful love of God for man despite the latter’s tendency to resist the face of a loving and merciful God.

ZWIJSEN, VINCENTIUS AND MARY For us as Brothers CMM, our way to salvation is by living the spirituality of mercy as received and handed over by our Founder Bishop Joannes Zwijsen in the 19th century.

Zwijsen is believed to have been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul, a French priest who devoted his energy and fervour to serving the rural poor in France. When Vincent made this choice, many priests of his time and location were quietly concentrating their ministry on the urban rich from whom they got fat stipends. His radical discovery of the ‘special presence of Jesus’ in the poor revitalized the Church of his time and made him an icon of the poor in the wider judgement of society - indeed far beyond the boundaries of France. Many Congregations carry Mary in their name, with all kind of titles. In the name of the Congregation of the Brothers CMM Mary is indicated as 'Mother of Mercy'. For us it is an appealing title. Mary is an example of a woman in the movement of mercy. ‘We honour Mary, the lowly one to whom the Almighty has shown mercy, as the protectress of the Congregation: the Mother of Mercy’ (Constitutions Brothers CMM).

PHOTO ABOVE: JOANNES ZWIJSEN | PHOTO LEFT (NEXT TO MARIA): VINCENT DE PAUL

5. MERCY AS TRUTH Obviously we should make one point clear: mercy is not about hiding or burying one’s face in the sand, or turning the other way so that you may appear not to have seen a situation that requires action. On the contrary, mercy can only be mercy when it rests on the bosom of truth, the truth about man - sinful man. The encounter of Jesus with Zacchaeus offers us a good example (Luke 19). The self-invitation of Jesus to Zacchaeus’ house and the equally generous acceptance of this invitation demonstrate how the interplay of truth and mercy can be exercised in real life. Jesus knew and understood Zacchaeus’ background, and Zacchaeus accepted deeply and humbly his own unenviable standing in the religious society of his time. He was a man considered to be far divorced from salvation. This story teaches us that people are not afraid about the truths of their lives, even the most embarrassing truths, as long as we can access this part in mercy as Jesus did.

#08 CONGRATULATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS FROM 7 DIFFERENT PROVINCES AND REGIONS FROM INDONESIA

BR. MARTINUS LENI CMM, PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR

“WE FEEL A PARTICULAR BOND WITH OUR BROTHERS WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN DIFFICULTIES OR WHO ARE WORKING IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.”

“Our heartfelt Congratulations to

novices, started a community in Urambo (Tanzania)

the Province of Kenya on the

and the brothers from Indonesia got the opportunity

occasion of the 50th Anniversary.

to study in Kenya. We realized that in the course of

Hopefully, the Province of Kenya

these exchange programs there were many challenges

will grow and become a strong

and difficulties. But we do not have any doubt about

province in our Congregation. It is like, “…the smallest

improvement. We shall continue to cooperate with

of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it will become a

the Province of Kenya. Thanks for your friendship!

huge tree and the birds of the sky will come and

Selamat Pesta!”

dwell in its branches.” In the recent past years, the Province of Kenya and Indonesia have had good

(CONSTITUTIONS, I, 169-170)

cooperation. We had exchange programmes for

FROM THE NETHERLANDS BR. JAN KOPPENS CMM, PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR

FROM BELGIUM

BR. RENÉ SEGERS, REGIONAL SUPERIOR

“On behalf of our province I

for Oyugis to help to continue this work of mercy.

“The region of Belgium congratu-

would like to congratulate the

Last, but not least, I remember vividly the intense

lates the province of Kenya with

tion, expressed as an amount of brothers in the

Kenyan brothers with the 50

contacts by phone with Kenyan brothers during the

this golden jubilee. May the brot-

Kenyan mission, has been very modest, but fortunately

years jubilee. We feel a deep

crisis after the elections, December 2007. The violence

hers in Kenya keep doing their

we could give a lot of financial and moral support for

relationship with the brothers in

seemed to destroy your beautiful country. I was tou-

merciful work for the poor in the

the OIP via our foundation `Hartesteun´. I’m glad that

Kenya. I think of three important moments in recent

ched by the brotherhood in the Kenyan communities

future fruitfully! We feel quite involved in the educa-

we can thus give meaning to our brotherhood, world-

Kenyan history that touched us very much and dee-

as an example to overcome the trible conflicts. We

tional work, also because of the Belgian brothers who

wide. We really hope the Kenyan province will grow

Oyugis Crafts Training Centre (OCTC). Our contribu-

pened our involvement. First I think of the tragic death

like to express our feelings about these moments by

worked or still work in Kenyan schools. I think of Br.

with brothers who want to dedicate their lives disinte-

of Brother Anthony Koning who inspired so many

some poems on different pages in this journal. May

Raymond Wouters (†2005), Br. Marcel Achten with

restedly to this work for Kenyan society, May the Lord

people. Secondly, I think of the important work in

the Lord bless you!”

his work for sign language, and Br. Frans Janssen who

bless this beautiful work abundantly and may our

Oyugis. In The Netherlands there is a lot of support

is still dedicated to the St. Anthony School and the

Lady, the Mother of Mercy, protect it!”

FROM BRAZIL

FROM CALIFORNIA

BR. CRISTINO GEMEN CMM, REGIONAL SUPERIOR

BR. ANTHONY SMULDERS CMM, REGIONAL SUPERIOR

“It is with a great sense of delight

the context of Kenya. In the year of the Apostle Paul

‘Congratulations on the 50th

that the brothers of the Region

we want to repeat the words of his Second Letter to the

Anniversary

Kenyan

thought: “Maybe one day I will be able to go to

Brazil make use of this opportunity

Thessalonians: "We ought to thank God always for

Province. It is quite a milestone,

Kenya.” It was not to be; I was selected to be one of the five pioneers to start the CMM Region California,

of

the

given to the first group of brothers. In my heart I

to send you their heartfelt congra-

you, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith flourishes

achieved with hard work, loving

tulations, on the occasion of the

ever more, and the love of every one of you for one

support and prayer. The Brothers

USA. Over the years our small region has been for-

fifty years’ presence of the Brothers CMM in Kenya.

another grows ever greater. Accordingly, we ourselves

of the Region California want to wish you all the

tunate to support the work of the brothers in Kenya

Much has happened in those years. Together you

boast of you in the churches of God regarding your

best. When I was a young student at St. Stanislaus

through financial means and providing for a variety

have experienced joy and sorrow. Together you have

endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the

Teachers’

The

of magazines, as well as prayer books and journals.

Both Br. John Grever and I had the opportunity of

Training

College

in

Tilburg,

also looked for new approaches, found creative ways

afflictions you endure." (Thes 1:3-4). May the Prince

Netherlands, I distinctly remember the 1958 visit of

and adapted them to the direct pastoral needs to give

of Peace give you always peace, joy and happiness

then Bishop Maurice Otunga, who was asking for

visiting the Province of Kenya in person. We are with

expression to the Movement of Mercy. And together

in all your pastoral activities. On behalf of the brothers

brothers to be sent to Kenya. I also recall the farewell

you in thought and prayers.

you have given shape to the religious way of life as it

of Brazil I wish you all a splendid celebration and the

is lived in the congregation, but then in a new way in

very best for the future.”

FROM NAMIBIA

BR. HERMENEGILDUS BERIS CMM, REGIONAL SUPERIOR

FROM SURINAM

BR. LAMBERTUS BERKERS CMM, REGIONAL SUPERIOR

`On the occasion of the 50-year

the Kenyan Provincial Board was generous enough

“During my year as novice (1957-

Kenya. The news produced immediate a new élan,

celebration of the Province of

to send brothers for the initial formation of candidates

1958) the decision was made to

not only in the noviciate, but in the congregation as a whole. The foundation in Kenya has prospered and

Kenya, the brothers in Namibia

in Namibia. Furthermore, they agreed to accept

start a foundation of the Brothers

would like to congratulate the

Namibian postulants and novices in their formation

CMM in Kenya. I recall that

now the Province of Kenya is administered by Kenyan

province as a whole and all indi-

houses, as since by that time Namibia did not have

Brother Novatus Vinckx, the then

fellow-brothers. A cause for immense gratitude and a

vidual brothers most sincerely. We wish you God’s

any hope to launch soon an own formation

recently elected Superior General, personally came

abundant blessing over the years to come. Namibia

programme. From that time on, Namibia is sending

to tell that news to the 20 (!) novices. With Brother

On behalf of the Brothers Laurenti Verhoeven, Adolfus

has an extra reason to be happy, because a special

each year some postulants to the noviciate at

Engelbert Verrijt, who had been in Surinam for a long

Mallens and Johannes van Berkel of the 106-year old

relationship has been built up between the Province

Sigona. Thank you, Kenyan fellow-brothers! May

time, he came back from a working visit through

Region of Surinam, our heartfelt congratulations!”

of Kenya and the Region of Namibia. When some

CMM grow in Kenya for the benefit of the poor and

ten years ago the first signs of vocations appeared

disadvantaged, and for the missionary efforts of the

in Namibia, the Kenyan Province was asked to

Brothers CMM in Namibia and Tanzania. Ad

come to our assistance and send some brothers to

Multos Annos!!`"

guide the applicants. In spite of a shortage of brothers,

reason for congratulations.

WORK OF MERCY: EDUCATIONAL APOSTOLATE #09

EDUCATION FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE

BY MR. CYPRIAN MAKIYA, GUARDIAN OF A CP MOSO CHO STUDENT

CP SCHOOLS ASSISTANCE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

BY BR. ANDREA SIFUNA CMM

“For the Brothers CMM the origin and purpose of the CP schools in Kenya have to do with the proclamation of the gospel of mercy. From a historical point, the schools are an offshoot of the Diocesan Youth Meetings, the Brothers’ community of Mosocho started hosting annually, in 1993. This exposure to the world of young people also disclosed another deepseated need, that of further schooling after primary education.

The costs of secondary education had escalated beyond the reach of poor folk. In one such meeting Mr. Peter Nyambasora told the young people that despite the fact that he was a respected head teacher of St. Mary’s Primary, few people knew that he himself as a student never had set foot in a secondary school. His formal education ended at standard seven (primary) due to poverty. However, he chose to further his studies privately by studying on his own at home with the aim of registering himself for a secondary school certificate once he felt ready. This indeed he did, and obtained a satisfactory pass that allowed him to enrol in a teachers’ training college. He successfully graduated and was posted to teach in primary. This testimony of Mr. Nyambasora gave the Brothers CMM a much needed life example of how young people, confronted by poverty, could be assisted to claim a brighter future and a life of promise and dignity, through a simpler and affordable way. A year later, the Brothers CMM in Mosocho sought the Provincial Board’s permission to assist young people based on Mr. Nyambasora’s experience. In February 1995, the first four needy youths from the Mosocho area started their journey in the secondary school syllabus.

Three of these were from the Youth Meetings. The classes were conducted in the Mosocho library in the afternoons, and the teachers were all volunteers. The young people came as they were, and participated in the Coaching Programme (CP) - as it was known at that time - in the measure that suited their

personal situation. The brothers purchased textbooks for them, provided study facilities and also recruited qualified coaches (teachers). This groundbreaking event captured the admiration of many locals and soon there were more young people who wanted to enrol in the programme. But that was not all, more schools not directly managed by the Brothers CMM, but inspired by the same spirit, continued to open and operate in close consultation with the Brothers CMM. Presently, the brothers have three CPs directly under their care and one (St. Patrick’s) taken over by the government. Also the structure has since changed and the CPs now run like normal secondary day schools, but with a clear preference for the poor. Today many graduates of the CP schools are to be found at all levels of social, political and economic life, giving their contribution and service to society. Indeed many of them endeavour from their different perspectives to live the word about mercy. The CP schools’ commitment to quality and holistic Christian education has been amplified by the good results that all of them have obtained, often meriting mention in the category of best performers in the country."

CP SCHOOLS KENYA/TANZANIA ST. JUSTINO SEC. SCHOOL (NAIROBI) ST. VINCENT SEC. SCHOOL (OYUGIS) ST. GEORGE SEC. SCHOOL (SIKRI) ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SEC. SCHOOL (URAMBO)

OPEN-MINDEDNESS FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

BY MR. PAUL WANGILA, FORMER PRINCIPAL CP SCHOOL

NAIROBI

“One point that keeps impressing me, as a collaborator in the CP School, is the cooperation between lay staff and the Brothers CMM. In my opinion the secret for the success of such work lies in the open-mindedness that allows for community participation. It is the communion within the Church where lay people collaborate with the religious to carry out the mission of Christ. The famous American writer Steve Covey describes this as a move from independence to interdependence. In this state of affairs we recognize the good, both in ourselves and in others, and put it into a common pool in order to accomplish many tasks. The special calling of the Brothers CMM in this area has proven the truth of the saying that ‘you only know the tree from its fruits.’ Yes, I am convinced that the future is still green in the field of education for the poor in Kenya. To expand this kind of education I would suggest: provision of primary education in the same spirit, as well as postsecondary school training in skills and creative maintenance of the current CP school.”

`Long live CMM! I feel so much indebted to these great missionaries of good will who are doing an incredible job in providing education to the less fortunate. In my case, without a sustainable source of income, yet bound by the parental responsibility of providing education for our children, only God knew how it was going to be possible for me to educate our son. But the Brothers CMM created a way.

The fee at St. Patrick’s CP was less than at other schools, but still al lot of money for me. Even though I could only afford a fraction of it, my son finally finished school. The Brothers CMM are blessed to attract partners who assist improving our school’s classrooms and labs. Together we even introduced a program for providing lunch to our children, who before had to learn on empty stomachs. CMM knows better than just to settle for low quality education: they keep the teachers motivated. The teachers do their job with zeal, enabling our sons and daughters to perform well and later pursue further education. Some of them have now completed university and are successfully jostling for good jobs in today’s competitive job arena. Thank you, Brothers CMM, for rescuing us! May your mission live ever longer.`

ST. VINCENT’S SCHOOL IN TANZANIA

BY BR. JAMES O. NYANKUNDI CMM

“A school abroad under the responsibility of CMM Kenya is the St. Vincent de Paul Secondary School in Urambo (Tanzania). The start of the school in 2006 was an answer to the late Archbishop Mario Mgulunde's request to have a missionary school in his Archdiocese. Since the start the school has successfully expanded in terms of infrastructure and population. The first group of Form Two students sat for their national exams in 2007. All students passed the exams!

Teachers from Kenya, Tanzania and Indonesia played an immeasurable role in the improvement of our school. They have worked and they are still working for the academic, religious and social excellence of the school. Good public relations exists between the school, the Archdiocese and the society. Parents are thus assured of their children's growth, academically, physically and spiritually. We live in a world where values and lifestyles are constantly changing. We try to deal with those challenges by dialogue with students, the Archdiocese and parents, together with regular guidance and by offering counselling sessions to the students. With the support of CMM we intend to offer the Advanced Level (Form Six) by the year 2012 to ensure a smooth transition between secondary a tertiary education.”

#10 WORKS OF MERCY

OIPHELP LIVING POSITIVELY WITH A DISEASE

BY LILIAN ATIENO OGONYO

OIP MERCIFUL PRESENCE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

BY BR. LEO VAN DE WEIJER CMM (COORDINATOR OIP) OIP stands for Oyugis Integrated Project.

The project started on January 1, 1997.

Br. Anthony Koning (†2005) had made a survey of the HIV/AIDS situation in the Kasipul Division (Oyugis) in Rachuonyo District. He concluded there was a need for a holistic approach, because AIDS encompassed - and still encompasses medical, social and nutritional issues.

The integrated care for these three aspects was entrusted to the Brothers CMM, to some sisters and to a group of lay people. For fourteen years the Shirikisho Senta in Oyugis has been a place where the Brothers CMM give attention to the pressing needs from their surroundings: water, healthcare, housing and books for school. We offer medical care in a medical post in Oyugis. Here we can do some research and blood tests for people with HIV/AIDS. Important is also our Home Based Care program for those who are bed-ridden. About 120 volunteers work in ten zones. Each of them takes care of two or three patients.

These volunteers are often trained on several aspects and they weekly have a meeting with a nurse. In the environment of Oyugis a lot of people die because of HIV/AIDS. That means that a lot of orphans are left behind because of the death of parents and relatives. Sometimes a brother or a sister takes care, but that’s not appropriate. Most of the time the orphans are all alone. For these orphans OIP tries to arrange support in their own communities by providing them with education, health care, nutrition, housing and clothing (school uniforms). The grandparents especially take care of them and we try to empower them. By means of a school fund and a library, OIP supports the education of these children, because education is their best hope for the future. Supported by a management team, a lot of workers and volunteers, the Brothers CMM in Kenya run this important OIP project. We cannot prevent the death of a lot of people, but surrounded by our care they can die peacefully. We support their children in creating a good future for them. Our motto is: helping others helping themselves. The project also cooperates with other organizations, such as the Heifer Project International (providing livestock), hospitals and dispensaries. The Brothers CMM cover the costs, and we receive great support from a special OIP-foundation in The Netherlands.

We try to live day by day the following words of Jesus, our merciful Brother: “What you do for the least, you do for Me.” He himself was a merciful presence for all those who came for help.”

“The Oyugis Integrated Project (OIP) is very important for me because it made my life stable; I now feel that I really am somebody. Before I came across OIP, I was struggling with diseases as malaria and typhoid. My father died in 1997, leaving my mum a widow with five children. Nobody was taking care of us. We lived in a muddy house and slept on a mat on the cold floor. Our shamba (little garden) gave us some food. I went begging people for money to support us. My eldest brother passed away in 2000, leaving us with three children to care for. Life was very difficult for us.

OIP provides us with good and cheap healthcare. We are learning to use our shamba in a good way; now we produce food for ourselves and can even sell some on the market. Ever since I tested hiv-positive, I am a member of Tushauriane . Every Monday we come together to share our challenges. We sing and dance to make our life happy. We play drama to show people the causes and dangers of aids in daily life. So we teach people to be aware of hiv/aids.

We learn to live positively with the disease.”

COMPASSION AND CARE IN OYUGIS

BY BR. FRANS VAN PINXTEREN CMM (THE NETHERLANDS)

Here I am, reliving an experience of the recent past. Pamela is a nurse in Oyugis. When I am there for a visit, she proposes to join her visiting a few ill persons in the bush. We take blankets with us. Pamela herself wears a headscarf and an apron to protect her perfect white uniform. Then, we are on our way by truck. The first kilometres we have a reasonable road, afterwards paths of sand. No more villages, just cottages. Our driver doesn’t know anymore where to go. An old man appears. He shows us a path to a small house with a grandmother and her grandchildren. We are welcome. The old woman first want to pray with us. When I look to nurse Pamela I see not only her self-consciousness, but also her compassion. The grandmother takes care of her two grandchildren. All other members of the family have died. One of the grandchildren is ill. I assume she has fever. She needs medical care. A girl in another small house looks very ill too. Pamela tries to convince her to come to the hospital. The girl refuses. Three years ago one of his brothers was brought to the hospital. The staff had promised he would become better, but he never came back. He died in the hospital. So she resists. I see her tears of grief. Nurse Pamela respects the decision and gets the blankets for the woman and the children. We say goodbye and visit another patient. In the shadow of the roofs of two cottages lies a woman on a mattress. She has become very thin. Once she was a volunteer at the OIP, now she is very ill herself.

She has to go the hospital again for medical help. We pray with her, full of compassion, and take her with us in the truck. On our way to Oyugis I am very quiet, impressed by what I have seen. But behind me, I hear laughing in the truck. The people here have the ability to be glad in sadness. That strikes me and strengthens me. I’m glad to have this experience.

WORKS OF MERCY #11

Br. Linus Schoutsen and his team bring hope and joy within the walls of Kenyan prisons by visiting convicts. The circumstances in the Kenyan prisons are poor. They are overcrowded and filthy. Br. Linus gives not only personal attention but organizes trainings for the prisoners as well, so they are prepared for their return to society. He also supplies them with medicines and brings books and sports equipment for entertainment and distraction within the four walls.

“They are people too, so we cannot let them down.” That is what Br. Linus Schoutsen thought when he visited one of Kenya’s prisons in 1977. “One of the prisons in Kakamega, in the west of Kenya, was built for 400 prisoners. Now there are 1300 people. This is typical for other correction facilities. The government does nothing for the people who are literally stacked. In some cells the inmates have to wait their turn to sleep at night.” It does not look like the situation in the prisons will change in the near future. Partly because of the gap between rich and poor and the reigning corruption, the crime rates have increased to alarming heights.

“My dream is one of better circumstances for the prisoners; justice and humanity for the voiceless. So detainees may have hope and faith in this life again.”

A recent highlight were the national exams of 2007: over 3,000 prisoners around the country sat for national exams

FOTO TE KLEIN

in November. 414 Prisoners sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination (KCPE), while 2,716 did tests for various trades and crafts, while another 129 are registered for professional examinations. ‘We are happy to see that our prisons are becoming more and more places of training and learning,’ Br. Linus says.

The Fr. Grol’s Welfare Projects of Br. Linus works in the country’s 95 prisons, with an official population of about 50,000. The organization currently has a permanent team of only five and two part-time workers.

More information: www.frgrols.org

EX-PRISONER NOW FASHION DESIGNER Catherine was jailed for three years at the age of 21 years for assault. In prison she undertook a course in dressmaking and sewing and excelled in grade III and II. She was released from prison in 2005 and was provided with a sewing machine by Father Grols Welfare Project. With The skills learned in prison and the machine provided she is now fully employed at Vera Beauty College where she works as a fashion designer. She is now able to cover all her expenses and also take care of her family.

CMM AT WORK IN PARISH COMMUNITY KIKUYU

TOUCH MEPOEM

BRINGING HOPE FOR ETAINEES

THERE SHE STOOD A BEAUTIFUL, YOUNG AFRICAN, STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW.

I AM HIV POSITIVE! FOR A LONG TIME I CONCEALED IT PROFOUND PAIN, SHAME, FEAR. STRUCK BY THE ‘KILLER’ I SLIPPED AWAY INTO A DEEP RAVINE.

I YELLED LIKE A HYENA IN THE NIGHT CRIED LIKE A MONKEY STRUCK BY A POISONED ARROW STAMPED LIKE A RAMPANT ELEPHANT.

A HAND REACHED OUT TOUCHED ME AND MADE ME STAND UP. SLOWLY I CRAWLED OUT OF THE RAVINE.

DEEP WITHIN ME A POSITIVE VIEW DEVELOPED ABOUT THE REST OF MY LIFE. … THE REST OF MY LIFE …

I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG I MAY STILL LIVE. WHEN NEXT TIME YOU …

WILL I STILL BE HERE?

SHE MOISTENED HER LIPS SILENCE

BY BR. JOHN KARUNGAI CMM, NOVICE-MASTER “One year ago we moved to a new parish, Peter the Apostle. The pastor Fr. Wallace Nganga and his assistant Fr. Martin Kemama, welcomed us warmly and made us feel at home; we have become part of the parish community.

Now the brothers in the noviciate, help in distributing holy communion every Sunday in the main church (Kikuyu), as well as in one of the outstations, known as St. Anne Muthure. We are also assisting in PPI (Pastoral Programme Instructions). Brother Zacchaeus Odongo, a second-year novice, is teaching at Gatara Primary School of the parish.

All of this is done under the supervision of the priests.

Not only did we help the people, but assisting them has brought us closer together. It has given us the opportunity to witness mercy in a worldwide brotherhood to both young and old. Our service to the people of God in the parish made us grow in being better merciful brothers towards each other. Our Constitutions state: “Being of service is our task in life”. Since we live in a formation house, we feel that this is a good apostolate for the young brothers. They have to learn how to serve in all fields. We are happy to be members of Peter the Apostle parish. The service we carry out we do for the Kingdom of God. The parishioners are happy and appreciate our presence in the parish.”

I AM A HUMAN BEING JUST LIKE YOU YEARNING FOR LOVE FOR WARM AFFECTION. TOUCH ME LAY YOUR HAND ON MY SHOULDER FOR ME TO FEEL THAT I AM HUMAN YOUR SISTER.

BR. JAN KOPPENS CMM

#12 CMM WORLDWIDE

CONGREGATION WORLDWIDE IN EIGHT COUNTRIES OUR CONGRE-

ELIM, THE NETHERLANDS The Elim community in Tilburg weekly welcomes a lot of young people and adults. They participate in one of the choirs Elim is facilitating with a real studio. Or they join the meditations and prayers in our meditation room. We also offer a course program with formation courses about spirituality and Christian life. In these three ways we try to be a source for modern people. That’s why we chose the name Elim for our community. In the Holy Bible Elim is the watering place in the desert where the people of Israel, moving from Egypt to the Promised Land, finds a refuge and a shelter. At Elim they were able to quench their thirst and regain strength.

At Elim they were filled with energy in order to tackle new challenges they would face on their ways. In our community in Tilburg we try to achieve the same: to those who come to our community we want to offer a place of rest, of spiritual nourishment and of relaxation. In this atmosphere, people can hopefully find new tools in order to return peacefully and strengthened to their daily activities and commitments.

GATION WORKS IN THE FIELDS OF EDUCATION, YOUTH MINISTRY, SPIRITUALITY, AIDS CARE AND REFUGEES.

BY DOING THAT WE FEEL ASSOCIATED WITH ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LIVE IN THE WAY OF MERCY, ACROSS BOUNDARIES OF TIME, BACKGROUND AND RELIGION. ON THIS PAGE WE GIVE A FEW EXAMPLES OF OUR WORKS OF MERCY.

CHILDREN’S VILLAGE, BRAZIL The city of Coronel Fabriciano is situated in an area of heavy metal industry. On the outskirts of the city there is much poverty and many people are living miserable lives, without any perspective. In 1976 Bishop Dom Lara founded a Children’s Village to alleviate the plight of the neglected youth. Since 1988 the Brothers CMM are responsible for this Children’s Village. The Brothers Cristino Gemen and Adriano van den Berg were teachers and took care of the spiritual needs of the youth, while Brother Theodoro Adams was principally the educator at the Children’s Village. In spite of the economic progress during the past years of Brazil, the gap between the rich and the poor remains extremely large. Even the social programs of the government authorities does not solve all the social problems. During the past summer we were especially busy. There were of course quite a few children who were on vacation, nevertheless we received many requests for temporary childcare. We also took care of two babies. That means a lot of extra work, because the babies are malnourished and sickly. Their mothers are young and often are not able to properly take care of the children.

Our Children’s Village is a care facility for children and adolescents of problem families, who all can make use of one or more of the following services: a) Childcare in a foster home. We have three homes with a married couple who wants to take care of eight to ten children. They try to educate the children in a family atmosphere; b) Single mothers in the poor neighbourhood around us can take their little ones to our nursery and kindergarten; c) In order to assist the school children with their load of homework we offer tutoring and sports. In that way we try, together with others, to prevent that they enter the field of childlabour. For that reason we have many educational, sport and cultural activities; d) We also educate young people in vocational training.

We now have 12 courses! For technical skills, for building, for beauticians, for cooks, for tailoring,for creative painters, etc. We are able to do this thanks to volunteers and interns of the university.

DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION, CALIFORNIA Br. Anthony Smulders has been working in an advisory capacity in the area of drug abuse prevention, intervention, treatment and education, since the early seventies. He was for 30 years a member of the Los Angeles County Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Commission and served an unprecedented three terms as its chairman. He still serves in an advisory capacity to the Director of the State of California's Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. He has done research in the area of methamphetamine, alcohol and marijuana at the Integrated Substance Abuse Program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He teaches a popular college course: ”The Physiology of Drugs” at Loyola Marymount University.

HOSPITALITY FOR REFUGEES, THE NETHERLANDS IN THE COMMUNITY DE VUURHAARD The Elim community in Tilburg weekly welcomes a lot of young people and adults. They participate in one of the choirs Elim is facilitating with a real studio. Or they join the meditations and prayers in our meditation room. We also offer a course program with formation courses about spirituality and Christian life. In these three ways we try to be a source for modern people. That’s why we chose the name Elim for our community. In the Holy Bible Elim is the watering place in the desert where the people of Israel, moving from Egypt to the Promised Land, finds a refuge and a shelter. At Elim they were able to quench their thirst and regain strength. At Elim they were filled with energy in order to tackle new challenges they would face on their ways.

In our community in Tilburg we try to achieve the same: to those who come to our community we want to offer a place of rest, of spiritual nourishment and of relaxation. In this atmosphere, people can hopefully find new tools in order to return peacefully and strengthened to their daily activities and commitments.

MEMORIES #13

MEMORIES SIGN LANGUAGE AND SPORTS

BLACKDOLL

BY BR. CASPAR GEERTMAN (THE NETHERLANDS; KENYA 1991-1994) ”In Kenya I was a teacher at the Kaplong School of Nursing.

We had three classrooms: two for lectures and one for practical instructions. The latter had a variety of items to teach nurse students on nursing skills. Also a doll for instructional purposes. Unfortunately it was a doll with a white skin and it was damaged! For me it was a peculiar this doll wasn’t black like the students themselves. Thanks to many benefactors in Holland we could later purchase a black instruction doll in Nairobi.

Br. Marcel van Achten (1911) from Belgium was in 1978 and 1979 in Kenya. Although his memory is fading, he remembers his period very well, because in his second year there he stopped smoking. Apart from his vocation, this was an important turning point in his life. One evening he was waking with a farmer to watch over the cows. “This farmer took a small piece of journal paper to roll the tobacco he took from the ground, while I was smoking a beautiful cigar.

The contrast felt enormous, so I told the brothers driver he wouldn’t have to get cigars for me any more.”

It was quite an adventure for Br. Marcel to leave Belgium for Kenya. He was already a retired teacher and principal, when he was asked to go to Kenya. He first asked his aged mother if she could miss him. She agreed, so he went. Br. Marcel was adviser sign language for the deaf at Sikri. He taught sign language to the teachers of the school. “I was surprised they learned it fast and quite well. But we did

more. We built a gym hall in Sikri and we taught the pupils a lot of sports, like football and swimming. The brothers joined the games, so they also could have some sport`, so he says. Br. Marcel was a driven sportsman himself. A still painful knee reminds him of that period. Nevertheless, he had a good time in Kenya. ‘I really felt brotherhood between the European and the Kenyan brothers”, he says.

It came one day, all the way from Nairobi. It was a beautiful one and brand new, without any incomplete parts or whatsoever. Hopefully this doll is still alive, rendering services to many Kenyan future nurses! During my stay in Kenya I experienced real brotherhood, stressing more the unity than the cultural differences. I met lots of good and dedicated persons.

I still have nice contacts with a few Kenyan fellow brothers.

Kenya, thanks for all the things you taught me, while I was supposed to teach you!”

THE INSPIRATION OF BR.

ANTHONY KONING

BY HENK & CHRISTIANNE VAN DE WAL, ASSOCIATED MEMBERS CMM IN THE NETHERLANDS)

BR. SJAAK MAAS AND HIS

“Brother Anthony Koning CMM changed our life. We met him when he was the coordinator of the Oyugis Integrated Project. He inspired us, because he was a fighter and a very faithful Christian. He had a passion for Jesus and his patron St. Vincent de Paul, who said: “The poor people, that’s Jesus!”

With heart and soul Br. Anthony devoted himself to relieve the life and death of aids patients. He did not just believe in a life after death, but also in a life before death. With great devotion and perseverance he inspired people in his neighbourhood to take care of the poor, the widows and the orphans.

His goal in life was to enlighten their suffering lives. A year before he died, Brother Anthony told us: “I still believe that, after a life of teaching in a secondary school, of directing all kinds of educational and athletic organizations, of being a member on several boards in the Congregation CMM, still OIP is the best that ever happened to me. Because of OIP, I could work directly with the dying and the marginalized people; God has given me in that way a challenge for which I’m very grateful.”“Reactions at the time after his death taught us that Brother Anthony has inspired a lot of other people too. He was an example to fight aids, poverty, unfairness, and inhumanity.

He motivated people to be united on the way of mercy.”

LOVE FOR NATURE PRACTISING EQUALITY Brother Sjaak Maas (1928) has been living already for more than forty years in Kenya. He arrived in 1961 and never left. The greater part of all those years he spent teaching biology at Cardinal Otunga High School in Mosocho, Western Kenya. Currently he is quite busy writing the history of the Brothers CMM in Kenya. But also the Kenyan nature, particularly her plants and trees, do have his special interest. He taught his students to identify plants and trees, and how to build a herbarium. His own herbarium became a treasure-house of data. Our octogenarian still is making his daily 2-hour rounds each morning, walking through nature, observing changes and developments, noting down what is remarkable about trees and plants. In September 2007 he discovered a small plant he never had seen before. Identifying this one took some extra time, but he ended up having gathered.

BY BR. PATRICK KAPTEIJNS (THE NETHERLANDS; KENYA 1970-2006)

“My stay in Kenya has been the most important period in my life as a brother. I arrived in 1970, so I was a brother of the second generation. First there were merely European brothers, but soon the communities became more and more mixed with Kenyan brothers. One of the rules for living in good brotherhood was not to speak in our native language when Kenyan brothers or teachers were around. Also in our cooking we tried not to dominate the European culture. So we applied a diversity in preparing our meals. From time to time we also ate Ugali.

During my stay I saw the Kenyan province becoming really grown up, with more Kenyan brothers and finally with a Kenyan superior, Br. Athanasius. He did a very good job.

As European brothers we learned to respect more and more the approach of the Kenyans brothers. The more responsibilities they could take over, the more the Europeans were challenged to practice equality. That’s why it didn’t feel like a repatriation to my home country, when I returned to the Netherlands in 2006. In an internationally organized congregation the place of real brotherhood becomes one’s home. That brotherhood I felt in Kenya. Because I’ve been transferred quite often, I know most communities and a lot of brothers. I still have a lot of contacts with them. Kenya has got a special place in my heart.”

Br. Patrick has served several schools as a teacher. From 1993 tot 2006 he was Provincial Superior in Kenya.

#14 HISTORY

50 YEARS BROTHERS CMM IN KENYA WELCOME FRATERS The brothers will take over two schools: five brothers will initially work at the Teacher Training College in Asumbi and two brothers will run a primary and lower intermediate school in Nyabururu. The school children welcome their new teachers on 16 October 1958.

A TRAIN TO KENYA Seven brothers leave for Kenya on 29 September 1958: Adelbert van de Heuvel, Amator van Hugten, Innocens de Kok, Sixtus van Elewout, Roeland van Geloven, Petrus Nolascus Broeders and Simeon Luybregts, waiting here for the international train in Roosendaal.

INVITATION FROM AFRICA IT IS THE YOUNG BISHOP MAURICE OTUNGA (1923-2003) WHO ASKS THE CMM BROTHERS TO COME TO THE WEST KENYAN DIOCESE KISUMU, IN ORDER TO TAKE OVER SOME MILL HILL SCHOOLS AND BUILD UP A NETWORK OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION. AFTER A WORK VISIT TO THE BROTHER’S HEADQUARTERS IN THE NETHERLANDS, IN JULY 1958, OTUNGA WRITES A SHORT LETTER TO ALL FRATERS ‘HOPING THAT MANY OF THEM WILL ONE DAY SHARE MY WORK…’ THE DUTCH BISHOP BEKKERS WARMLY SUPPORTS THE INVITATION OF HIS AFRICAN COLLE-

HARD WORKING The brothers have some months preparation time before teaching begins.

But it is hard working for them: they have to organize their schools, learn the local language(s) and select the students: that’s delicate because there are far more students than places available.

Picture: the community of Asumbi in a calmer moment, drinking a cup of coffee after the Sunday Eucharist.

AGUE: ‘THE RELIGIOUS SHOULD GO WHERE THEY ARE MOST NEEDED’.

TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGE The TTC in Asumbi offers a two years programme for about 50 students per year. It is a boarding school for teacher students and the brothers are responsible for both teaching and lodging. The programme offers also a supervised practical training on schools in the region. The school population is mixed from the beginning, with 68 Luo, 24 Kisii and 2 Kuria students. The brothers teach as well some classes of a girl college close to Asumbi.

Pictures: Br. Adelbert van de Heuvel teaching biology; 2nd year’s class in 1962.

AFRICAN CULTURE Br Sixtus van Elewout is among the younger brothers sent to Kenya and he will stay in the country for more than 35 years. He is one of the brothers who are much interested in studying the local languages and culture.

Picture: brother Sixtus with Luo-students performing a traditional dance.

INSPECTOR OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Br. Adelbert van de Heuvel is appointed inspector of catholic schools by bishop Otunga. He supervises the 900 teachers in more than 200 catholic schools in the diocese. Among his tasks: the general education THE COMMUNITIES

policy, contacts with national authorities, quality

Only about one year after arrival, the community looses Br. Amator van

assessment and also many practical issues such as…

Hugten, who dies from a tropical disease. In the following years, some

the payment of teacher salaries!

other brothers from the Netherlands and Belgium join the mission.

Picture: Br. Adelbert pays the salaries in a mission

Portrait of both communities during the visit of the General Superior in

school.

1962: the brothers Sixtus van Elewout, Salesiano Hazen, Adelbert van de Heuvel, Roeland van Geloven, Wilbert van Weert, Jozuë Kuysters, Macharius Maas, Rainaldis Dinklo, Br. superior Novatus Vinckx, Gonzaga van Riel and Hugolinus Nuyen. Below: a village school in the region that is supported by the brothers.

HISTORY #15

CARDINAL OTUNGA HIGH SCHOOL In the beginning of 1961 the brothers start as well with a new secondary school: for this school they prefer the site of Mosocho, not far from Kisii, where they start building in 1962.

Mosocho develops into a huge school complex, which covers more than 16 hectares (including gardens and sports fields). The school is called Bishop (later: Cardinal) Otunga High School and offers quality education to 800 students per year.

Pictures: Bishop Otunga and Brother Superior at the opening of the school in 1962; a model of the school in 1984.

BROTHER MOREMBOCHO

GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION

Brother Innocens de Kok, first

In 1967 the Nyabururu primary

Director of the Mosocho High

school and brother house move to

School, is a very efficient admini-

Mosocho as well. This has several

strator who brings the school to

advantages: in this way the

high and flourishing standards.

congregation can realize a new

The African students call him

building and deal with both

Brother Morembocho, as he is a

schools on one site. And as many

very perfectionist man who wants

brothers are often traveling, it is

to realize things (too) quickly.

helpful for them to live in a bigger community.

Picture: St. Mary’s Primary School in Mosocho.

READING CULTURE The brothers invest in several library structures, not only for their own students but also open to

MOSOCHO SCHOOL ORCHESTRA The CMM brothers are well known for the music edu-

other young readers. Stimulating

cation they integrate in their school programmes. In

a reading culture is one of the

Mosocho they create a swinging school orchestra

elements of the congregation’s

which plays both European and African repertoire. In

educational policy.

its heighdays, with conductor brother Innocens de

Picture: the new school library in

Kok, the drumband is playing in many festivals across

Mosocho in 1972.

the country.

SPORTS Sports always have an important place in the programme of CMM boar-

TEACHING AND SERVING APOSTLES

ding schools. They help creating a good atmosphere among students

‘In order to carry out his apostolic task, a brother mis-

and add to the school’s prestige. Students of Mosocho often win first prices in national competitions. But Cardinal Otunga High School will never

sionary should take distance from western civilization,

become an elite institution: the brothers keep the school tuition low and

even if Christendom and Western culture are closely

distribute scholarships among poor students.

Picture: brother Anthony Koning and his students.

interlinked, and adapt as much as possible to the local culture in which he is living and working. He has to PRESIDENTIAL VISITS Immediately after the country’s independence in 1963, the President of Kenya, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, visits the TTC in Asumbi. In 1984, his successor Daniel Arap Moi visits Cardinal Otunga High School.

The brother’s educational and developmental policy is much appreciated by the national government, especially as the congregation pursues a gradual ‘africanisation’ of its staff and school structures. Good and accessible education is a national development target.

respect local culture and pay serious attention to it.

Serving in another world is demanding great courage, humility and flexibility: and Christ asks us such an attitude of serving. A brother-missionary has to treat all man as equal, which means that he acts against all kind of racial and ethnic discrimination. He has to be colour¬-blind, in order to live the ideal of Christian, worldwide brotherhood.’

Picture: president Kenyatta in Asumbi, on the background regional superior brother Roeland van

BROTHER SUPERIOR NOVATUS VINCKX,

Geloven.

TASKS AND ATTITUDES OF BROTHERS IN THE MISSION (1963)

#16 HISTORY

NEW SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY IN SIKRI In 1970 the brothers start with a new school in Sikri: it is a specialised institute for the blind, as this kind of education is still scarce in Kenya. Its first director is brother Theophaan Verhoeven, a Dutch specialist in the field.

Picture: br. Theophaan giving orientation exercises in Sikri.

AGRICULTURAL TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE BLIND AND DEAF The Sikri school offers a higher agricultural training, in order to allow blind students, and from 1976 also deaf students, to make a living in this sector. For this

BRAILLE PRINTING OFFICE

purpose the brothers start next to

Among the activities in Sikri is from 1970 till 1986 also a small braille

the school a huge animal and

printing office, which produces numerous books for the blind in Kenya

crops farm.

and surrounding countries.

Picture: blind students harvesting

Picture: the brothers Albertien van Rooij and Sixtus van Elewout, together

Nepiah.

with staff member Leonard Koyo Chiagra, in the printing office.

VILLAGE POLYTECHNICAL SCHOOL In order to further develop the Sikri and Mosocho schools, the brothers withdraw from the Asumbi TTC in 1974, which is handed over to African staff.

Technical training is a concrete means to help the poor, especially if linked to workshops where students can receive practical training and – getting the tools - continue working after graduation.

Picture: Polytechnical school in Kenyamware.

SHARING A small library next to the brothers community in Oyugis, a place of reflection and sharing. ‘We consider our fraternal sharing to be an act GIVE SIGHT GIVE LIFE

of justice, convinced as we are that the goods of this world are meant

Brother Athanasius Onyoni working in Sikri. Offering training to handi-

for all’ (CMM Constitutions, 139).

capped students is not common in Kenya. Promotion is essential, not only for the recruitment of new students, but also for a wider acceptance of the handicapped in society.

RURAL WATER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT The brothers bring to the Sikri region still another Dutch specialism: water management. The Rural Water Development Project starts in 1968 with several partners and aims at cleaning and creating new water sources and canals in West Kenya. The project is successful in preventing the spreading of diseases through polluted water and improving the quality of life in the region.

Picture: drilling machine of the project.

NEW NOVICIATE IN OYUGIS It is again Cardinal Otunga who asks the brothers to consider a new approach. He very much appreciates their work in the field of education and development, but he feels that the Dutch brothers will not be able to continue this work for a long time. Weren’t they getting fewer and older? Therefore he insists in opening a new CMM noviciate for African brothers, preceded by a thorough religious formation programme. The brothers are hesitating: their first experiences in the 1960s with candidates from Kenya had been difficult and unsuccessful. But

???

Young African brothers in the Sikri community, the brothers Athanasius Onyoni, Paul Onyisi and Balthazari

Musyoh

Karingi.

Behind them the portrait of bishop Joannes Zwijsen, founder of the congregation.

they agree with Cardinal Otunga that it is the only way to consolidate their projects in Africa. The congregation appoints two brothers responsible for the new formation programme, brothers Salesiano Hazen and Anthony Koning. And they open two new communities: in 1983 a noviciate in Oyugis, close to Sikri, and in 1984 a pastoral centre and postulant community in Sotik. New African candidates will be coached intensively and get a long acquaintance programme with religious life.

The new formula is immediately successful and from the early 1980s a number of young Kenyan brothers joins CMM.

HISTORY #17

CARING FOR THE SICK

DANCING

Among the young brother’s tasks

Local people in Oyugis wel-

is caring for the patients in a local

coming visitors from the Nether-

clinic in Oyugis. This work of

lands with a dance.

mercy is becoming more and more demanding with the quick dissemination of AIDS in the 1980s.

CARING FOR ORPHANS There are many orphan children in Oyugis who depend on the brother’s support. The brother’s don’t want to build a separate orphanage for UNDERSTANDING

them, but prefer to enable their relatives (grandmothers & aunts) in caring

THE EUROPEAN ROOTS

for the children.

One of the challenges in the

Pictures: grandmothers en orphan children in Oyugis.

Kenyan noviciate is making a link with the congregational roots in Europe and bridging intercultural

OIP IN THE NETHERLANDS

differences. Picture: the brothers

AND BELGIUM

Peter Chiori and James Makovo

The work of the OIP is supported

with a novice in the Oyugis com-

by a huge network of schools and

munity before the congregation

volunteers in the Netherlands and

bulletin board.

Belgium.

Picture: CMM Associated Members Henk and Christianne van der Wal, coordinators of the Dutch OIP-network, together with brother Francis Odoyo.

NAMIBIA From 1995, the CMM formation programme receives as well some young brothers from Namibia.

Picture:

Brothers

Sebastianus

Seters and Lawrence Obiko with young Kenyan and Namibian brothers in Sigona.

SHIRIKISHO SENTA From the early 1980s the brothers organize many bible meetings for young people in the so-called Christian Awareness Programme. In this way they get into contact with young people interested in religious life. The Shirikisho Senta (Sharing Community) in Oyugis develops as well a series publications about the spirituality of Mercy and Brotherhood. Picture: a meeting of the Christian Awareness Programme.

CMM-HEADQUARTERS IN NAIROBI In 1986 the brothers open a new community in Nairobi. In this way they can allow their young fellow brothers to follow studies at schools in the capital.

And the congregation gets closer to the government and church administration (Nairobi is also called ‘the small Vatican’). In 1993 the growing community in Kenya gains the ‘provincial’ status in the congregational organization, with more autonomy, and Rhapta Road Nairobi becomes the CMM-headquarter in the country.

NEW FORMATION HOUSE IN SIGONA

Picture: brother Rob Swinkels in front of the old brot-

In 1999 the brothers open a new noviciate community in Sigona, not far from Nairobi. As

her house.

many novices join also other formation programmes, it is better to have the formation house in a central position.

COACHING PROGRAMMES The brothers continue their educational work also in Nairobi. They set up several ‘informal’ secondary schools for the poor, also called Coaching Programmes (CP’s), which are gradually developing into official secondary schools.

Picture: St. Justino secondary school in a provisional building.

HOSPITALITY IN NAKURU

THE GOSPEL IN THE SLUMS

In 2005 also the postulants community moves closer

Many of the poor moved from the countryside to the city, where they live

to Nairobi, in Nakuru. It has moor rooms and a nice

in enormous suburbs under difficult circumstances. The brothers try to be

chapel. And it offers better hospitality facilities than

present in the slums, offering all kinds of support and living close to the

the house in Sotik. It allows brothers to organize mee-

poor.

tings and retreats.

Picture: one of the brothers visiting a poor family.

#18 HISTORY

SHORT HISTORY OF

EDUCATION AND BROTHERHOOD IN KENYA

BY BR. SJAAK MAAS CMM (MOSOCHO)

“In 1957 Pope Pius XII wrote a letter to the Church calling for more support for the missions in Africa. The Church should find its place in developments towards political independence by promoting Christ’s love among its people and increased indigenisation of its cadre. In the same year the Congregation CMM had a General Chapter which wished to respond to the Pope’s call.

Already the following year seven missionaries were sent to Kenya. Five brothers took over the Asumbi Teachers Training College. Priests were released for direct evangelisation and education of teachers was not interrupted. In 1959 P3 training started and in 1966 and 1967 P1 and P2 training.

More Brothers came to Asumbi up to 1970 and lay staff was increased. After independence government influence became greater through control of admission of trainees and the men’s and women’s colleges merging. Because of age, health and needs elsewhere the Brothers had to leave Asumbi in 1974. Two Brothers went to Nyabururu St. Mary’s intermediate school. After having started teaching in January 1959, Brother Aldelbert van den Heuvel was appointed as supervisor of all schools in the southern part of the diocese. Already in August Br. Salisiano (Frederik) Hazen arrived to teach and Br. Innocent de Kok became the headmaster. The following year another brother came to help in the boarding and to do shopping in Kisii town.

TOP SCHOOL The success of the school in national examinations improved from 55% passes in 1959 to 90% in 1960. Already in 1960 there were 200 applications for admission in Standard 5. Only 40 could be accepted. In 1960 the government wanted to convert the school into a secondary school. In 1961 Br. Innocent started a new secondary in two buildings of the mission. Meanwhile the General Board had approved to have the secondary at a plot of St. Patrick’s primary school. It was ready for occupation early 1962. At Nyabururu now headed by Br. Salisiano the problem of housing remained until the General Board was able to finance a entirely new school. After long negotiations the new St. Mary’s was built also at Mosocho next to the secondary school and started in 1967. The Brothers formed one community. St. Mary’s continued to perform excellently and was one of the top schools in the country. In 1983 the deputy headmaster, Mr. Peter Nyambosora, took over and maintained the standard. He retired in 2004 when the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin started to run the school. Until 1998 one brother remained in charge of the boarding.

SPORT RESULTS At the official opening and blessing ot the school at Mosocho it was named Bishop Otunga Scondary School after the first Bishop of Kisii. In 1973 it became Cardinal Otinga High School. It was a complete boarding school of four classes, a brotherhouse and a teachers’ house. The result of the first examination of Form IV in 1964 were satisfactory. Already the following year they were very good and remained like that to

make B.O.S.S. well-known in this country. In 1965 and 1966 the government added two more streams and in 1970 and 1973 the Forms V and VI in arts and science. These years of expansion saw much building activity, the first being the chapel, blessed by the Bishop in 1966. Br. Linus Schoutsen in charge of the compound learned the trade and after a few years acted as the contractor. The government began to give money also. Through foreign aid overseas teachers were contracted from 1965. The government upgraded local teachers by special courses and founded more training institutions and more Brothers joined the school. Br. Anthony Koning was one and he became soon deputy headmaster. A few Brothers became active in curriculum development and Br. Anthony with the students did research in local history and culture.

Their publications were exchanged with papers from Britisch and American universities. The school became also very famous for its athletics programme. A number of runners were recruited by colleges in the USA as student-athletes. In the 1980’s the hockey and basketball teams each became once the national champions. In 1987 the first African headmaster was appointed and the Brothers gradually retired for health, age or personal reasons..

FOR THE BLIND AND THE DEAF In 1963 Br. Theophane Verhoeven came to Asumbi. One of his assignments was to investigate the possibility of founding a school for the blind in Kenya. He had been the principal of such a school for the blind in The Netherlands. He realized it in 1970 when the Vocational Training Centre for the Blind was started at Sikri. The trainees were mainly taught agriculture, animal husbandry and making local tools and other implements. In this way they would be able to become largely independent and earn their own living, even advise farmers in their own communities. In 1971 Br. Theophane became seriously ill and hat to repatriate. He died already in 1972.

At Sikri things became difficult without his leadership. The number of trainees remained low and the boys who never had been to school were taken in. In 1975 deaf ones were admitted and came to outnumber the blind. With them speaking was the problem until Br. Marcel Achten came twice to develop complete communication by lip-reading and sign language in combination.

VOCATIONS Because of secularisation in Europe religious vocations were very few. The General Board asked to recruit members in Kenya. The Regional Board made a programme and asked all the Brothers to be involved. In 1982 the Shirikisho com-

munity was started by the Brothers Frederick and Linus, later followed by Br. Leo van de Weijer who would become the novice master. Also in 1982 the Christian Awareness Programma began. In parishes and schools Brothers conducted five meetings with youth to take their lives as catholics seriously. At the end those interested were invited for seminars at Shirikisho to explore further and religious life was considered. Those who wanted to become brothers could come and stay with the Brothers and experience their way of life.

The first one to stay on was Vincent Odhiambo who became a novice in 1983 as Br. Vincent. As part of the formation programme candidates and novices did some nursing and social work among the people. In 1984 the candidates moved to Sotik, later followed by the novices. In 1999 the novices got their own community at Sigona. Sotik was left in 2005 when the postulants settled in Nakuru. After the noviciate the Brothers did a temporary profession for one year, repeated until ready for the final vows. They were posted in other communities for different apostolates or professional studies. In 1983 the Oyugis Craft Training Centre was started by the Brothers Martin Peters and Rob Swinkels. Rural young men were trained to be able to get skilled employment in the area.

In 1986 Rhapta Road community in Nairobi was founded and in 1989 at Umoja. Both served as a basis for professional studies and apostolate of the young Brothers. Later Rhapta Road became the provincial house after Kenya had became a province of the Brothers CMM in 1993. Teaching at Cardinal Otunga High School, Br. Andrea Sifuna started a Coaching Programme for poor students in 1995. It grew into St. Patrick’s Day Secondary School. Later similar schools in Oyugis area, Sikri and Soweto in Nairobi started. Finally, in 2005 a secondary school was started at Urambo in Tanzania by two Kenyan and two Indonesian Brothers.”

HISTORY #19

WEBSITE IT GOT DARK IN KENYA. NO SUN NOR MOON. PEOPLE FEARFULLY LOOKED AT THE BLACK HOLE. IT GOT DARK IN KENYA. HANDS DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO, EYES LOST THEIR STRENGTH, MORNING WAS NO MORE. IT GOT DARK IN KENYA. IN ONE SECOND LIFE WAS GONE, MOWED DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY, THE IRREVERSIBLE BLOW OF DEATH.

MY CALL

TO BROTHERHOOD

BY BR. ZACCHAEUS ODONGO CMM

“While at St. Justino, a CP school of the Brothers CMM, I felt the desire to become a merciful brother. Such a life of service for those in need, that love and total sacrifice appealed to me. The brothers’ life of sharing made me feel the desire to also become a person of service as a Brother CMM. From that time onwards, I felt the call from God. Once a brother said: “Everyone has his road to follow and follow it he must. Each and every person has been called by God to serve Him. This may be in different ways, and one of them is by giving oneself totally as a religious brother”. From then, I said: “I want to belong totally to God.” I thought about this for a period of two years and prayed about it. In my process of discernment I received encouragement from Br. Zacchaeus Odhiambo and Br. Peter Chiori. For that I am grateful.’

The CMM Brothers have a worldwide website. The address is www.cmmbrothers.org.

The website is in English, Dutch, Indonesian and Portuguese and contains news and background information from all congregational levels, provinces and regions. The site is meant to inform all the brothers and their relations about the worldwide work and the projects of the congregation. The website contains texts, pictures, downloads and even video programs.

IT GOT DARK IN KENYA. HE, WHO KEPT ON SOWING HOPE RETURNING LIFE TO THE DEFENCELESS, SUDDENLY LAY LIFELESS, CUT DOWN HIMSELF.

THE NETHERLANDS TEL.: +31 13 543 27 77 FAX: +31 13 544 14 05 GENERALBOARD@ CMMBROTHERS.NL

PRINTING Franciscan Kolbe Press Nairobi, Kenya

5041 DT TILBURG

BR. JAN KOPPENS CMM

DESIGN B&M Design Brielle, The Netherlands

GASTHUISRING 54

PHOTOGRAPHY ?????

ADDRESS GENERAL BOARD CMM BROTHERS

COORDINATOR Paul Simons

OYUGIS, MOURN NO LONGER! THE NIGHT IN THE TROPICS WILL TURN INTO A PALETTE OF COLOURS THAT LIVE. TAKE MY HAND, TOWARDS THE FUTURE.

TRANSLATION Paul Simons Br. Edward Gresnigt Br. Louis de Visser

IT GOT DARK IN KENYA. BUT THE NIGHT WILL NOT LAST, BECAUSE SO MANY BELIEVE IN THE DAWN IN WHICH LIFE WILL FLOURISH.

CONTRIBUTORS

NIGHT IN THE TROPICS POEM

‘ANTHONY IS NOT DEAD, HE LIVES.’

WWW.CMMBROTHERS.ORG

50 YEARS

JUBILEE

BROTHERS CMM PROVINCE OF KENYA OCTOBER 2008

50YEARS

OF DEDICATION INTRODUCTION BY BR. ANDREA SIFUNA CMM

“As the Provincial Superior of the CMM Brothers in Kenya I am honoured to offer you this jubilee publication about our works of mercy in Kenya and Tanzania. October 18, we celebrate the 50 years presence of CMM brothers in Kenya.

I am very glad we have grown in all those years to a vivid province with about 50 brothers in seven communities in the South West of Kenya and in Tanzania. We are dedicated to the work of mercy for the poor by giving education and by community development. In this jubilee publication we inform you about our actual work, about our inspiration, about our own history and about the worldwide work of the CMM Brothers. So you might learn to know us better. May it inspire us all to continue this important work for the Kenyan people and for the Kingdom of God.”

THE COLOURS

OFMERCY A DESCRIPTION OF THE CMM SPIRITUALITY BY BR. ANDREA SIFUNA CMM (SIKRI) “Mercy is no doubt a rich spirituality. It is a spirituality that marks the earliest known relationship of man with God. It has been throughout salvation history the basis of every turning point of new God-man relationship. Israel of old looked to God’s mercy as a source of inspiration and a guarantee that God will fulfil his promises to them. In the new biblical testament, the story of Mercy assumes new and unprecedented proportions in the incarnation of God’s son in human flesh, a fact that surpassed all expectations of Israel, and indeed all human expectations of the entire history. Even today, a

God who shares human nature with us is not readily embraced. Mercy as a spirituality can be seen in several aspects that we can conveniently call colours. Like a ray of light, looking at the overall concept denies one the view of the details, the greens, blues, reds and so forth. In this article, we shall briefly look at ‘the colours of mercy’, so to say, in order to see the entire concept of this spirituality in relation to our ordinary day-living.”

Read the complete article at pages 6 and 7.

TABLE OF CONTENT PROVINCIAL AND GENERAL BOARD

02/03

BROTHERHOOD

04/05

SPIRITUALITY

06/07

CONGRATULATIONS

08

EDUCATIONAL APOSTOLATE

09

WORKS OF MERCY

10/11

CMM WORLDWIDE

12

MEMORIES

13

HISTORY

14/15