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TRIBUTE TO JOHN OCHIENG THE CATECHIST
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Benard Gachie
Catechist John ochieng, takes his true position in the heart of St.John Catholic Foundation. He was never confined to spirituality but also social economic issues of the day In that way, he leaves more ‘orphans’ than just his immediate family. To all, much condolence. May his soul be at peace.
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Joseph Kimani
Ndugu, Wapendwa Kaka na dada kweli huu ni mwezi wa tanzia na majonzi kwetu hapa nchini kutokea kwa moto wa mukuru, ajali, na vileo vinavyo ua na sasa habari za Ndugu yetu mpendwe katekista John Ochieng. Kwangu haya nimengi ya kustahimili. Nimatumaini yangu kuwa Ndugu yetu Ochieng John atapumuzishwa pahali pema na Muumba wetu. Kama wengine walivyo tafakari- kwangu nimempoteza mwalimu na kakangu mkubwa katika shughuli za jamii. Sikuwahi kupatana na kaka aliye na moyo kama wake Francis wa Asisi wakujinyima na kujitolea, alipenda amani na akachukizwa na uovu na dhambi. Kwangu ni kumtolea Mungu shukrani kwa kutunukia zawadi na kunipa nafasi yakumjua Mungu kupitia kwa kazi za huduma alizofanya J.O. Kwa wapendwa, familia na Kanisa natoa zangu rambi rambi.
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Rose Nyawira
Dear Friends, I would also like to add my voice of sympathy and condolence to the family of Ako. It is very sad to loose a hero like John Ochieng but this is the reality of life. Lets take this opportunity to reflect individually and offer life the best. John Ochieng has left a legacy of great dedication to the lives of the many in Korogocho. His work shall surely be in our memories forever. I wish his family and friends peace during this moments and may his soul rest in eternal peace.
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Japheth Oluoch
Dear Friends, It was really sad letting go of John Ochieng yet life’s reality demands of us to accept what is beyond our human control. While we celebrate the achievements of John Ochieng in contributing to the emancipation of Korogocho, perhaps the greatest achievement which we ought to celebrate is the determination with which he struggled with sickness for several years. He succumbed to a war against disease with all his skills and refused to surrender. He died a hero. May God rest his soul in eternal peace
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Otieno Wandei
I take this moment to eulogise John Ochieng; I want to remember him as my catechista. I want to remember his presence during demonstrations to Baba Dogo Police Post. I want to remember his devotion to ensuring that I understood the Catholic Literature during my formative years. I want to remember his involvement in Maandamano on various issues and being at the forefront not one to only talk but to walk the walk. I want to remember his Megaphone on the walks around Koch-giving words of encouragement to all the pilgrims. I want to remember his work at Mukuru with Alcoholic Anonymous Group alongside Father Alex. I want to remember his work at Boma Rescue. I want to remember that he is a family man and grieve with his family and friends.
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Raphael Obonyo
Good people, The news of the sudden demise of catechist John Ochieng is one that has left many of us dumb founded. For most of us who grew up in Korogocho and more so at St John’s Catholic Church we shall remember him for enabling us to realize the importance of spiritual formation and the meaning of God. He truly earned the title John the Catechist. He proclaimed in word and deed a faith unbound by denomination, culture, tribe, gender, class, geography or age. He taught thousands of people the true meaning of God. For those who lived in Korogocho you will agree with me that it was almost impossible to tell whether John was a Catechist or a Priest. As a catechist he served with immeasurable devotion, humility and dedication that led some people to mistake him for a priest. He was real apostle. Later he would also double up his role as a catechist
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with serving at Boma Rescue Centre to rehabilitate ‘Street Children’. No doubt, people who served with him like Jeff, Njeru, Rapha and many others will attest to the fact that the task was enormous, challenging and unbearable for the faint hearted. But he served with passion and overwhelming love. He would also found together with Padre Alex Zanotelli, Udada program, an initiative that was geared towards emancipating and restoring the dignity of women and girls who were marginalized and considered as ‘out casts’ in our community. The challenge of giving them hope was laid on the shoulders of John the Catechist who was also the coordinator. And again he carried the heavy load with a smile. When we recently went to interview for the book that we are putting together about Padre Alex, John gave us an avalanche of information and materials. None of the people we have interviewed so far gave us such deep insights and information about Padre Alex like John did. Indeed, John Ochieng was a man who gave his all to the service of the people. He was inspiration to many. He truly exemplified the spirit of the people of Korogocho. I do not intend to make him larger in death than he was in life. Suffice it to say that his foot prints remain glaringly visible in Korogocho and beyond. More importantly his fine prints are in our hearts. Let us continue propagating the ideals that he selflessly endeavored to inculcate.
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Let us celebrate his life. Let us celebrate him. Like Saint Paul would say: He has fought a good fight, he has kept the faith and won the race. I urge all of us to support and comfort the family and especially Evelyn (Ako) during this very trying moment. I ask that we get in touch with Peter Mwashi and Emmy Kempa for details on our convening and participation.
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John Obonyo
He was a true icon of the Catholic Foundation Dedicated most of his time teaching and preaching the Good news was a human rights protagonist. He left nothing to chance in his bible advocacy and always followed Christ to Golgotha. In social life he was in the for front in Korogocho fighting tribalism,poverty,oppression etc He walked Fr. Alex the difficult path that many of us could not. He was the mentor of many of us and a role model to most of our souls. Personally he was my namesake and a source of Inspiration. He has died in Christ and already resurrected In Him whom he taught us. Rest in Peace Japuonj as you prepare a place for us in your Father’s KINGDOM. Amen
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Stanley Ogolla
May our good Lord give the family strength and provide for their needs during this trying times and all the times.
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Steve Ouma
Dear Sisters and Brothers When Cardinal Otunga inaugurated the St. John Centre in 1990 it was dusty and isolated centre with no life, no priest living there. At the time, there was a huge movement from the Kariobangi Holy Trinity Church where John Mapesa, Simon, John Njoroge and Elizabeth were renowned catechists. Two other Centre, the Baba Dogo Catholic Centre and Kariobangi South station had been great success of a de-centered influence of the Holy Trinity Church. The nucleus of the various centers varied depending on the economies of faith. The Baba Dogo Centre was constructed rapidly and was soon a favorite. By 1990 it was complete with a priest house (that was used by catholic nuns at the time). The Kariobangi South was however slow, known mainly for its production of novitiates who attempted to join various congregations to be trained as priests. There was often a sprinkle of other priest aspirants from Korogocho and Kariobangi North, but those who ‘portrayed the disposition’ at the time were mainly from Kariobangi South.
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The same kind of economies of faith applied amongst catechists. Often, this vocation was presented as aloft, miniature priests who although part of the congregation of believers, were a step ahead. When I was an altar-boy in Kariobangi in the 1980s, catechists and alter-boys were in constant competition to display ‘holiness’ more so during ‘high mass’ often presided over by Otunga who frequented Holy Trinity Church at the time. The conventional theology at the time never imagined altar girls! There was no doubt that spiritual work in Korogocho would require a different orientation and indeed distinct economy of faith. Soon, the outstations took root and the St. John Catholic centre was always the last option for altar-boys, catechists and may be priests. I for one did not serve as an altar boy at St. John. At the same time, almost all catechists who moved away from Kariobangi become leaders in their zonal councils (Barazas) with John as the few exceptions. When Fr. Alex took the bold spiritual step to come and live in Korogocho, his early days were most difficult. His decisions attracted aversion, awe and was ridiculed by many. I remember those early days more so in 1991 when as a student, I would meet Fr. Alex late in the evening negotiating his place in Korogocho. Soon many people embraced Fr. Alex for different reasons. There are those who saw in Fr. Alex access to power, for others it was about resources and many
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others associating with a ‘mafia’ (as Fr. Alex was often ridiculed in his early days). It is however, John Ochieng’ who transversed these bonds of materiality and power to embrace the rather new spirituality embodied by Fr. Alex. He was initially a parttime catechist and I often walked with John Ochieng’ many evenings in 1991- he would be from Industrial area while I was from Ofafa Jericho. Of course John was a faster walker than me! His destination was always the St. John to offer catechism classes. Later when he took over fulltime duties at the church in the late 1990s he became by all means a miniature Fr. Alex. He was at UDADA, Boma Rescue Centre, Huduma ya Litrugia, Huduma ya wagonjwa, the catechumens and in the shoulders of Fr. Alex. When we worked together at the Mukuru Rescue Centre in 1996 alongside Fr. John (who was in theology school at the time), Ochieng’ was rather unique. He may not have had the sophistry that I, Fr. John and other had but he had a deeper appreciation of spirituality that connected him, the church and the mission. One day when I was in deep tribulation over the locus of Pambazuko Library he told me ‘Take heart, I know you have had no benefit from it but your efforts shall be permanent’. Today Pambazuko Library has been renamed St. John Library and serves the same purpose for which it was contested. In his demise, Ochieng’ has left behind disciples, progeny (biological, political and spiritual) and a heritage. I am both
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his disciple and part of his heritage. He has taught us the blurred line between the spiritual and the secular; he had taught us the exact work that John the Baptists did. If Fr. Alex legacy was a success in Korogocho, John was both the preamble and testimony to that success. But most important John embodies the theology of the poor! He is the saint of our times! The gift to John is continues production of this novel yet ambivelent spirituality. We must cannonize John in our lives!
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Peter Mwashi
Mwalimu John Ochieng will remain synonymous to most of us who grew up spending most of our child hood at St Johns Korogocho.. He surely has played a part in who we are today.. we thank him for that and wish him well in his next life! Mwalimu you did your bit R.I Peace!