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Pope Francis speaks to families in Ireland
God wants every family to be a beacon of the joy of his love in our world. What does this mean? It means that we, who have encountered God’s saving love, try, with or without words, to express it in little acts of kindness in our daily routine and in the most hidden moments of our day. That is what holiness is all about. I like to speak of the saints “next door”, all those ordinary people who reflect God’s presence in the life and history of our world (cf. Gaudete et Exsultate, 6-7). The vocation to love and to holiness is not something reserved for a privileged few. Even now, if we have eyes to see, we can see it being lived out all around us. It is silently present in the heart of all those families that offer love, forgiveness, and mercy when they see the need, and do so quietly, without great fanfare. The Gospel of the family is truly joy for the world, since there, in our families, Jesus can always be found, dwelling in simplicity and poverty as he did in the home of the Holy Family of Nazareth. 2
Christian marriage and family life are only seen in all their beauty and attractiveness if they are anchored in the love of God, who created us in his own image so that we might give him glory as icons of his love and holiness in the world. Fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, children and grandchildren: all of us are called to find, in the family, our fulfillment in love. There is no such thing as a perfect family; without the practice of forgiveness, families can grow sick and gradually collapse. To “forgive” means to “give” something of yourself. Jesus always forgives us. By the power of his forgiveness, we too can forgive others, if we really want to. Isn’t that what we pray for when we say the Our Father? Children learn to forgive when they see their parents forgiving one another. If we understand this, we can appreciate the grandeur of Jesus’ teaching about fidelity in marriage. Far from a cold legal obligation, it is above all a powerful promise of God’s own fidelity to his word and his unfailing grace. Christ died for us so that we, in turn, might forgive and be reconciled with one another. In this way, as individuals and as families, we can know the truth of Saint Paul’s words that, when all else passes away, “love never ends” (1 Cor 13:8).
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Editorial We are once again heading to the close of another year and we have just so much to thank God for. It can be true that each person has had a particular experience of God and received a particular grace or gift from God during this year. But also as Christians and as friends of Mill Hill we have been blessed with different memorable events and celebrations throughout this year ranging from Ordinations to Farewells and meetings which have also gone on so well. Although we humanly do not expect or desire to lose anyone of us, we have also experienced with regret the departure of many of our Mill Hill men and even family members. With all these we remain grateful to God who is the giver of life and every good gift. God continues to bless, unite and renew us through the different encounters. The light of the Word of God has continued to pierce through the darkness of our world and the difficult political and cultural situations we live in, through our different little efforts to love and to serve like Christ did. And so we have in this edition of the friends of Mill Hill Magazine, the experiences of Christians who just managed to receive the new life of Friends of Mill Hill
God through baptism few hours before their death; thanks to the immediate and loving presence of Fr Alex Kimbi in Witu; the great witness for over five years as a priest but indeed a long time since baptism of Fr Makuba in ShauriMoyo; the different extensions of our loving service in parishes, prisons and social centers. Indeed we have been blessed also with a number of ordinations this year. We can all but thank God for blessing our family of Mill Hill with special graces. True, as a family we can say that God continues to pass through us to bring about the Kingdom. God communicates salvation to humanity through the family. Of all the ways that God may have chosen to communicate the gift of salvation, God chose to do it through the bonds of family as we celebrate every time the happenings within and around the Christmas event. The Divine family (Trinity) spawned the human family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus; this family has in turn inspired human families throughout centuries. As such as family we have the potential of becoming a worldwide family of persons bonded not by genes or vows but by faith.Wishing you all a much more fulfilled and blessed time reading this edition and reaching out to others in loving service. By Ignatius Nshing mhm
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We Have Only Five Loaves By Francis Makuba mhm Number five has very little significance at least biblically. But at least we can say it is half of a decade. On 11th May 2018, I made five years of my ministerial priesthood, not forgetting I have been a priest from baptism. I look back on these five years with gratitude. I have experienced joy and fulfillment in my ministry since that Saturday of 11/5/2013. All this time I have served here at St.Joseph and Mary parish Shauri Moyo in Nairobi. I thank Fr. Benny Quinto mhm my first parish priest for helping me settle in my priestly ministry. He received me and directed me as a brother after my ordination. I also wish to mention Fr. John Baptist Tumusiime mhm who joined me the last two years. We had a wonderful time together supporting each other in serving our community. I want to thank all the parish leaders I have worked with all this time led by Mrs. Teresia Mwangangi. As a young priest, I received immense support and cooperation from them. Together we have moved some few steps in caring for and directing our parish community of Shauri Moyo. I indeed thank the Shauri Moyo fraternity for always praying for me and the Church. The community of Shauri Moyo has been coming to church every single day at 6.00 am to offer their prayers to God that we may be protected 4
and guided. They have been such an inspiration. It has been my joy to see pastoral groups like Catholic Men (CMA) and Middle Youth (students in secondaryMYM) come into existence. Also prayer groups like the Sacred Heart groups have injected new life in the parish. The youth group with its energy and vigor has continued to grow and bring out their best. They now animate one mass each Sunday in the parish. They do it so well that you will want to come back again and listen to them. The parish community has continued to grow forcing us not only to expand the church hall but also to increase the number of masses from two to three each Sunday. We continue to celebrate the sacraments as a community. This year 2018 we confirmed 120 Christians and we target to bless the marriage of at least 8 couples. I will not fail to mention the support of the Mill Hill world and especially the Nairobi cluster. May the Lord bless us all and bless our different areas of apostolate. May the same Lord bless St. Joseph and Mary parish- Shauri Moyo and all its Christians abundantly. I can only join the apostles in saying “……..all that we have with us is five loaves” Matthew 14:18
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Loving Service Alexander Kimbi, mhm; Kipini/ Witu, Kenya: On the 26th of June 2018, I received a phone call at about 9:00 pm from one of our Christians in an outstation. She informed me about a “Mzee” (an elderly man) in her neighbourhood who was sick. Considering the nature of our pastoral territory with security risks and the challenges of the season, moving at that time of the night would not be wise. I promised to be there the next morning to meet them. Arriving the next day, I went with two neighbours to the home of this sick man. In the house, there were two men, brothers, both in their late seventies. The elder brother was very sick and could not walk or eat. The younger brother was blind already for four years and could not help the sick brother in any way. I requested the n e i g h b o u rs to leave me with them so that I could talk with them privately. When I told them I was a priest, they got excited and freely shared with me their story. Being Friends of Mill Hill
very open to me, they said that they had never stepped inside a church since they were born. Their parents were neither Christians nor Muslims. They left their village as youths and moved from one place to another to make ends meet. Having moved a lot without achieving much in life, they settled down where they lived up to this date. Neither of them got married nor had children. They kept in contact with one of their brothers back a home in their village, who was also already very old. With this, they expressed their desire to go back home. Having discussed with them at length – with the younger brother doing all the talking, I told them about Christ who has journeyed with them for all these years even without them knowing who He is and who wants them to have a share in everlasting happiness with Him in heaven after this life on earth. After our talk, the younger brother expressed his wish to be baptized. As for his elder brother, he said his brother should say for himself if he wanted to be baptized or not. Though really struggling to say a few words, the elder brother requested to be baptized. Inviting the neighbours and telling them of their desire to be baptized, their neighbours received the news with joy. To prepare for the journey home after their baptism, I returned to the parish to put myself together and to make the trip together with them. They 5
had no hope of recognizing anyone at home apart from their older brother nor did they have the hope of being recognized by anyone. I met all the neighbours who came out to witness their baptism and to say goodbye to them. The neighbours helped to wash and dress them up. They were brought out of their little hut made of palm fronds. They sat at the door ready for baptism. Our catechist, who was also a neighbor, stood as their sponsor. We said prayers together and they were baptized. Considering that the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul was just two days away, we gave them the names Peter and Paul. Peter was the younger brother and Paul was elder. Considering Paul’s health situation the neighbours suggested that I take them to the hospital in Malindi Town with the hope that the family would come to pick them up from the hospital. Three neighbours readily offered to accompany us on the journey. After a journey of three hours we arrived at the hospital in Malindi town. The doctors attended to both of them and said Paul’s condition was critical. Peter for his part was healthy, apart from his sight. It was 7:00 pm by the time Paul was admitted. Their brother back home was not ready to do anything if it required him to spend money or energy in the process. When I called him on the phone he passed it to another relative to talk to us, he said: “Put the one who is still able to walk in the car and send him to us. We shall pick him up here in the village. 6
As for the one who was admitted, just abandon him there and go your way. If he dies the government will bury him.” For me those words were painful. I stood there with the neighbours who were looking up to me for every solution. Coming from the village, they had no place to spend the night. Peter was sitting there may be wondering what the future still held for him. I decided to contact the Chief of Kipini. Through him we were able to get in touch with the area chief of Peter and Paul’s village. At least, their chief gave us hope by requesting that his number be written on Paul’s hospital file. With that, we left him with the doctors already very late at night, to get an inn for the night. Early next morning, we looked for a vehicle to take Peter to the office of his area chief so that he could link him with his family. We headed back to Witu, leaving Paul at the mercy of God and the care of the doctors. After an hour’s drive, the chief called, informing us that Peter had arrived safe and that he had handed him over to the family. He also informed us that the doctor called to inform him that Paul had passed away early that morning on the 28th of June 2018. We went home with sorrow but grateful to God that Paul died having spent the few hours of his life as a Christian. We continue to pray for his brother Peter, that his family will be supportive to him at this time in his life.
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Hosting Pilgrims for Uganda Martyrs Day By Joe King mhm, St.Karoli Lwanga, Mbikko/ Uganda The month of May, apart from being the month of the rosary, has for us in St Karoli Lwanga Mbikko become a month of big preparations to welcome pilgrims en route to Namungongo for 3rd June Martyrs Day. These pilgrims come from Eastern Uganda and Western Kenya. Since my arrival in Mbikko at the end of 2013, I noticed that hundreds of pilgrims had been passing by the parish every year. My first year, we hosted 1,500 pilgrims. After that experience we sat as parish council and agreed to take up the ministry to the pilgrims as a yearly pastoral activity. The second year we had 3,000 and I thought ‘wow, we have done it’. We decided to build more toilets to accommodate the growing numbers. The following year 2017 we found ourselves with 4,000 pilgrims and this year 2018 we registered about 7,500 pilgrims with the highest number from Tororo Archdiocese who are leading this year’s celebrations. Mbikko Parish by virtue of its nearness to the highway has become home not only to Mill Hillers but a multitude of pilgrims. By the beginning of April each year, we receive letters from Nakuru, Kitale, Eldoret in Kenya, and parishes from Tororo Archdiocese and Soroti Diocese in Uganda informing us about the number of pilgrims passing by. What makes us popular is the fact that we offer pilgrims a place to rest, some food to eat, massaging their tired feet, and giving them medication. This we do with all our heart and our Christians find joy in doing so. We have taken this up as part of our prayer. This year has been exceptional. It has never happened that we had 5,000 pilgrims in the compound in one day at one time but we experienced this last Monday May 28th 2018. How we managed to feed them can only be compared to the miracle of the loaves; sharing ‘posho’ and beans, tea and porridge. The generosity of the Christians is amazing when it comes to this and each zone/ sub-parish takes up a responsibility. The Christians volunteer to cook and render medical services to pilgrims after having contributed the food items. Even some Muslims and Protestants having noticed the numbers this year and what we do as parish, stepped in to help. We were challenged but we overcame thanks to the spirit of sharing. From Busia to Kampala we are the only parish that pays such attention with such services to pilgrims and some parishes are now beginning to take a leaf from us. We feel more and more encouraged to do this and the prayers of the pilgrims inspire us as well. In a little way, we bear witness like the Uganda Martyrs. We make Mbikko our own Namungongo. Note that we are lucky to have the relics of St Charles Lwanga and Matia Mulumba in the church and we recently erected a statue of St Charles Lwanga outside the Church. We hope for the best for the coming years and continue to count on the goodwill of all to improve our hospitality even further. Friends of Mill Hill Friends of Mill Hill
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Prison Apostolate
By Zachaeus Okoth Adet (MHM)
Life in the prisons is not an easy experience to live or see others live it, and those who have entered inside the prisons can testify that the inmates surely need our presence, our listening ears and heart and for sure they need our prayers. Having had the opportunity to reach out to the inmates of Industrial Area prisons Nairobi, I must admit that visiting the inmates every weekend was such a blessing and teaching them some of the themes was a completely new encounter. Through the Zaidi program (a program that focuses on teaching basic theology to lay people), we journeyed together for one year, listening to each other, learning together and encouraging one another, enabling the inmates that God still loves them despite the hardships they are undergoing. Every weekend there was a particular theme and after every lesson there is always a chance for those willing to
Zachaeus Adet (MHM) in the prison chapel
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share something depending on the lessons learnt on that day. Sharing their personal experiences is always very touching since the inmates have different stories, experiences and reasons as to why they are within the prisons walls. Every time I met the inmates they have a smiling face (not as I had thought before entering prison), but whenever one listens to their stories, one becomes helpless. For my part, getting into the prison for the lessons is not an easy task. Firstly, I had to get a prison pass which takes quite some to be processed. Once I got the pass, every weekend there are three check points before getting inside to meet these inmates. Furthermore, I have to be accompanied by the catechist working in the prison from the moment I enter the prison till the time I leave. All these are just to ensure things are in order. At the end of program (April 2018), through consultation with the Zaidi leaders, we made certificates for those who had been consistently attending the classes. And on the final day, it was crowned with the celebration of Holy Eucharist, which Fr. Jakob Kirchler MHM accepted to preside over. It was moment of joy with the wonderful singing and dancing during Mass, after which twenty five participants received the certificates. Friends of Mill Hill
Novena to St. Joseph Monday, 11th March 2019 to Tuesday, 19th March 2019 Please join us in our 9 Day Novena of Masses and Prayers by reading the short daily Novena Prayer to St.Joseph given below. Novena Prayer to St. Joseph Ever glorious St.Joseph, good and faithful servant, God was pleased to place his own family in your care. We thank you for being such a wonderful example of humility and faith, of prayerfulness and courage, in your ordinary daily life. Through your intercession, may god grant us the blessing of living continually in his presence, and responding to his love in our daily lives. Most loving St.Joseph, accept our Novena prayers and obtain for us through your powerful intercession, the favours we ask for in this Novena‌‌(mention your requests) When we have lived our days on earth, may God give us the great joy he gave you, St.Joseph: that of entering eternal life in the company of Jesus and Mary.
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Novena to St. Joseph March 11th – March 19 (Feast of St.Joseph) Each day, please join our Novena: read and contemplate the thought for the day, and then read the Novena Prayer on pg. 9. Add: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be…. March 11th
Joseph took the child and his mother and left for Egypt. (Mt.2:14)
Joseph the patron and protector When Cardinal Vaughan founded the Mill Hill Missionaries (St.Joseph’s Missionary Society) in 1866, he chose St. Joseph to be the patron and protector of his missionaries – as he was for Jesus and Mary and is for us. H e also pointed to St. Joseph as a model for missionary life- steady, quiet work in an unusual faith situation, always close to Jesus and Mary his mother. March 12th
Joseph was a just man who always did what was right.(Mt. 1:19)
Joseph the just What a predicament Joseph was in when he discovered Mary was pregnant. He was a just man. God would show him. He trusted in God’s guidance to show him the way. When we are troubled and worried, may we too learn to trust in God.
March 13th
If you listen to me you will know what is right and just (Prov. 2:9)
Joseph the listener Joseph was one who listened. No spoken word is recorded of him. God’s word came to him in silence. Constant noise prevents us from listening and hearing. We ask Joseph to help us carve out a quiet time in our day to listen to God.
March 14th
The Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph (Mt. 1:20)
Joseph man of vision God spoke to him in dreams and visions, yet he was a very ordinary man. God speaks to each of us ordinary people. We ask Joseph to help us too be sensitive to God’s presence with us.
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March 15th
Joseph went to David’s town Bethlehem, because he was of the house of David. (Lk. 2:4)
Joseph the family man Though of the Royal family of David, Joseph was ordinary and faced many family problems such as Mary’s pregnancy, the threat to the life of Jesus, exile, how to make ends meet. We ask Joseph to protect our families too- and strengthen us in love. March 16th
Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival (Lk. 2:41).
Joseph man of prayer As husband and parent in the Holy Family, Joseph observed religious feasts; he went to the Synagogue on the Sabbath and prayed the Psalms at regular times during the day. We ask Joseph to help us to live prayerful lives, by spending quiet time in prayer each day, and taking part in the church’s liturgy. March 17th
And Joseph named him Jesus (Mt. 1:25)
Joseph the teacher Joseph taught Jesus his prayers, brought him to the Synagogue, introduced him to the Scriptures and taught him all the religious practices of a devout Jew. Strong family guidance, setting Christian standards of behavior and worship, are badly needed in families and society today. March 18th
Isn’t he the carpenter’s Son (Mt. 13:55)
Joseph the worker Joseph taught Jesus his trade. Joseph loved his work and knew its dignity. He also knew what people suffer in times of hardship and unemployment. Work is not just a means of making money. It is a service to others, a sharing in the redemptive work of Jesus, a means of creating order and beauty and making the world a better place. We ask Joseph to help us appreciate the dignity of work and grant us meaningful employment. March 19th
To love and to serve – Our Mill Hill Motto
Feast of St. Joseph ‘To love and to serve’ is the motto that was chosen by Herbert Vaughan in 1866 for St. Joseph’s Missionary Society. He pointed to the example of St. Joseph’s life of loving service and wanted his future missionaries to love and to serve. In 2016 the Mill Hill Missionaries celebrated 150 years of missionary service. We are also very aware that our mission continues: we now have over 90 Mill Hill priests from Africa and Asia and 150 students preparing for the priesthood. So we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph with gratitude for the past and hope for the future. Friends of Mill Hill
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Pope Francis’ 2019 Monthly Intentions JANUARY Evangelization – Young People: That young people, especially in Latin America, follow the example of Mary and respond to the call of the Lord to communicate the joy of the Gospel to the world. FEBRUARY Universal – Victims: For a generous welcome to the victims of human trafficking, enforced prostitution, and violence. MARCH Evangelization – Christian Cmmunities: That Christian communities, especially those who are persecuted, feel that they are close to Christ and have their rights respected. APRIL Universal – Workers in War Zones: For doctors and their humanitarian collaborators in war zones, who risk their lives to save the lives of others. MAY Evangelization – Church in Africa: That the Church in Africa, through the commitment of its members, may be the seed of unity among her peoples and a sign of hope for the continent. JUNE Evangelization – Priests: That priests, through the modesty and humility of their lives, commit themselves actively to a solidarity with those who are the most poor. JULY Universal – Justice: That those who administer justice may work with integrity and that the injustice which prevails in the world may not have the last word. AUGUST Evangelization – Families: That families, through their life of prayer and love, become ever more clearly “schools of true human growth”. SEPTEMBER Universal – Politicians, Scientists and Economists: That politicians, scientists and economists work together to protect the world’s seas and oceans. OCTOBER Evangelization – Holy Spirit: That the breath of the Holy Spirit engender a new missionary “spring” in the church. NOVEMBER Universal – Communication and Reconciliation: That a spirit of dialogue, encounter and reconciliation emerges in the Near East, where diverse religious communities share their lives together. DECEMBER Universal – The Very Young: That every country resolutely commits to taking the necessary measures to make the future of the very young, especially those who suffer, a priority. Pope Francis 12
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Ordinations
Tororo, Uganda: Ordination of Mark Owor mhm The great day on 7th July 2018 began when people from different destinations started gathering at the Cathedral of the Uganda Martyrs Nyan’gole, Archdiocese of Tororo. The celebration was presided over by Archbishop Emmanuel Obbo, assisted by Bishop Emeritus Denis Kiwanuka and a good number of priests. It was a blessing to the Archdiocese since those who were ordained included one deacon and ten priests of the archdiocese of Tororo, one Comboni Missionary, one St. Francis de Sales Missionary, and indeed one from the Mill Hill Missionaries, and that was none other than Mark Owor. In his homily, the Archbishop underlined that being a priest is a gift and a mystery and that ordained ministers are called to serve and to bring light to the people, thereby Friends of Mill Hill
giving the newly ordained deacon and priests courage and hope in their ministry. Friends of Mark Owor came from different areas including from his home parish, friends from Kenya and Uganda, and a good representation of the Mill Hill brothers and Sisters from both Kenya and Uganda. Mark hails from St. Kizito Catholic Church, Paya. It is a newly formed parish since before, it was under Nagongera Parish. He celebrated his thanksgiving Mass at Paya on 8th July 2018 , a truly colourful and joyous occasion. Mark has been appointed to Panyangara Catholic Church in Kotido diocese in Uganda. by Zachaeus Okoth Adet (MHM)
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Mathew Juma Ongany mhm was ordained priest on 28th April 2018 in Consolata Catholic Church, Likoni by Martin Kivuva Musonde, Archbishop of Mombasa. Mathew has been appointed to the Diocese of Kroonstad, South Africa.
Placide Elia Batondobi mhm was ordained together with two other priests and two deacons on Sunday 15 July 2018 in front of the soon-to-be-opened new cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Basankusu in the DRC by Bp. Joseph Mokobe Ndjoku. Placide has been appointed to Cameroon.
Thomas Ngong Nteban mhm was ordained on Saturday 26th May by Bishop Agapitus Nfon in a beautiful and colorful celebration in his home Parish of Djottin, in Kumbo Diocese Cameroon. Thomas has been appointed to Luanda parish in Kakamega Diocese
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Friends of of Mill Mill Hill Hill Friends
Report from East Africa area By Philip Adede mhm, Society Representative 1. Ordinations: Congratulations two Matthew Juma and Mark Owor who were ordained 2.
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in April and July respectively. It was a wonderful moment for the members and friends of Mill Hill who showed tremendous support and involvement. New appointments from the area: a. Gerry Hastie: We thank Gerry for his service in Kenya and Uganda. We wish him all the best in his new appointment in UK. b. Bernard Phelan: We thank him for the many years in EA, especially in Soroti, Karamoja and Kampala. We wish him all the best as he goes back to share his mission experience in his new apostolate with APF. c. Alois Valentin: We thank him for his great hospitality in the service of others and fellow missionaries. We wish him all the best as he returns home to the Tirol. d. Otto Bambokela: We thank him for his service in Kenya and Uganda. We wish him all the best as he embarks on a new mission in DRC. e. Innocent Wefon: We thank him for his service in Witu and Luanda. We wish him all the best as he takes up his new appointment in Cameroon. New appointments to the area: Join me in welcoming members appointed to EA. a. Thomas Ngong: Luanda b. Alex Kimbi: Witu c. Hillary Awiti: Nairobi d. Domnic Nyachoti: Luanda formation house e. Mark Owor: Panyangara f. John Akain: PCJ Jinja (From January, 2019) New appointments within the area: a. Ronald Kajja: Vocations director and Rector Kampala house b. Damien Fuh Afuti: Rector Nairobi Formation Center c. Anthony Emeka- for sabbatical d. Sylvester Odhiambo-for sabbatical Friends of Mill Hill Uganda: Friends of Mill hill Uganda are actively involved in their activities and activities of Mill Hill members. They held their annual gathering in Jinja formation house, attended by over two hundred members. They continue to be present to members in their joyful or sorrowful moments. The coordinator together with her leadership team continues to organize appeals and promotions in different parishes in Uganda. Kenya: Despite many challenges, the groups continue to grow and support. They continue to participate at Mill Hill occasions and appeals organized in their parishes. With Fr. John Baptist moving to Western Kenya, we hope to get someone to assist in the Nairobi region as the contact person for the friends of Mill hill. 2019 Assembly: Assembly of 2019 will be held in Kakamega. Dates: 8th -12th of Jan. Recently bereaved members: We continue to pray for our members who lost those dear to them in the last few months: Andrew Mukulu lost his mother and Johnson Tata lost his sister. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in Peace!
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Obituaries During the month of November we pray for our deceased members and benefactors, according to C19 of our Constitutions. Father Terry Gogarty mhm was born on 21 June
1936 at Donnybrook in the Archdiocese of Dublin, Ireland. He took the Perpetual Oath on 5 May 1960 and was ordained priest on 9 July 1961 at Mill Hill by Cardinal Godfrey. After his ordination Terry was appointed to Kenya to work among the Maasai people in Ngong Diocese. He spent his entire missionary life there; an impressive 49 years. He learnt both Maa – the Maasai language, and Swahili, Kenya’s national language. Due to the nomadic life-style, so characteristic for the Maasai people, Terry chose to invest his energy in being with them, trekking from place to place for pasture for their cattle, very much in the Biblical style of the shepherd in the midst of his flock. On the occasion of his Golden Jubilee the Superior General wrote in his letter to Terry: “You spent your many gifts and energy on developing and appreciating their [Maasai] culture, language and spiritual life with the intention of helping them to recognise Christ already in their midst.” In 2010 it was time to retire, and Terry was appointed to St Joseph’s House, Rathgar, Dublin. He took to retirement very graciously. Once he was settled he enjoyed his own space in his room. He walked the grounds and went on occasions to the local park. He loved to dress wearing his Maasai beads. As his physical health continued to decline he went to stay in Orwell House Nursing Home in April 2014, where he received the care he needed. His gentle manner, sense of humor, big smile and non-complaining ways endeared him to the staff. He died on March 15th 2018. May he rest in peace. Father Michael O’Neill mhm was born on 17th September 1941 in Pendlebury, Salford, England.. On 1st May 1965 he made a life-long commitment to missionary life by taking the Perpetual Oath, and was ordained priest on 9th July 1942 at Westminster Cathedral by Cardinal Heenan. Michael served the Society’s mission in Africa, the United States and Britain. His first appointment, from 1966 to 1969, was to the Diocese of Ngong, Kenya. He worked in Kilgoris as well as in Narok parish, serving as parish priest, first in Kajiado and then in Narok. Michael was recognised as being a very pastoral man who got on well with people of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds, involving himself tirelessly with building both the Christian community and the infrastructure of churches and schools. He died in Herbert House, Freshfield on 29th March 2019.
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Friends of Mill Hill Friends of Mill Hill
Father Karel van der Horst mhm was born on 14th January 1927 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He took his Perpetual Oath on 5th May 1951 and was ordained priest at St.Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, by Cardinal Griffin on 13th July 1952. Soon after ordination, Karel took up his missionary appointment to the Apostolic Vicariate of the Upper Nile. He returned home in 1960 to teach in our College in Hoorn. By 1965 he was back in East Africa, where in the meantime Uganda had become an independent nation and the Apostolic Vicariate had been divided into a number of dioceses. Karel was appointed to Kampala Diocese (and later to the split-off Diocese of Jinja). Here he devoted himself with great zeal to ministry among the Busoga peoples, often in isolated and poor areas. In the latter years, he developed a strong interest in the building of basic Christian communities. He also taught at the minor seminary in Jinja for a number of years. He lived through the turbulent years of Idi Amin’s dictatorship, and was still at his post as the country began to get back on its feet under Yoweri Museveni. In March 1998 Karel returned to the Netherlands. Karel was known for his friendly, hospitable and always-happy nature, which made him a valued companion wherever he lived. He was held in high esteem by his missionary colleagues, who considered him a wise man and a true friend. Karel died in Missiehuis Vrijland on 7th May 2018. Jan van den Hoorn mhm was born on 25th January 1935 in Langeraar, Diocese of Haarlem, The Netherlands. He took his Perpetual Oath on 5th May 1960 and was ordained priest on 9th July 1961 at Mill Hill by Cardinal Godfrey. A few months after his ordination Jan took up his appointment to Kisumu, Kenya. Suffering from a liver complaint, he was forced to return to the Netherlands in 1966, and – on doctor’s orders – could never return to Kisumu. Jan passed away on Wednesday, 29th August 2018 in Leystad, The Netherlands. Father Terence Lee mhm who died on 27th April 2018 in New York, USA. Father Hugh Lee mhm who died on 5th May 2018. Father James Meehan mhm who died on 23rd July 2018 in Kuching, Malaysia. Father Greg Rice mhm who died on 11th August 2018 in Phoenix, USA. Father Patrick Harrington mhm who died on 30th August 2018 in Cameroon. Father Jaap Borst mhm who died on 5th September 2018 in Srinagar/ India. The mother of Fr. Andrew Mukulu mhm. The sister of Fr.Johnson Tatah mhm. Francois Yufela, father of Frederik Botaka student of Mill Hill Missionaries, who died on 16th March 2018. The sister of Joseph Tamfu, student of Mill Hill Missionaries Eternal rest grant unto them, o Lord. And let Perpetual Light shine upon them. May they rest in Peace. Amen. Friends of Mill Hill
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Friends of Mill Hill Friends of Mill Hill
Would you like to become a Mill Hill Missionary Priest? Lay Missionary as an Associate? “Come follow mw.” Say yes to the voice of God in your heart and take part in the adventure of making his Gospel known to the world. “The harvest is rich, but labourers are few” (Mt. 9:37-38). The Mill Hill Missionaries are called to dedicate their lives to Evangelisation with preference for the poor, the oppressed and those in greatest need. “Yes, I am ready to follow you, Lord.” For more information write to: Vocation Director In Kenya: P.O. Box 2011, 40100 Kisumu, Kenya Mobile 0705 819 773 & 0732 458 117. Email: mhmvocationken@yahoo.com
Vocation Director of Kenya and Uganda: Fr. Ronald Kajja MHM
In Uganda: P.O Box 520 Jinja, Uganda. Mobile: 0757 106 323 Email: mhmvauganda51@yahoo.com
Becoming a Friend of Mill Hill? You can support Mill Hill Missionaries
with prayers and donations. For 500/- Ksh or 10,000/- Ush per year you can be enrolled as a Friend of Mill Hill, and receive the FOMH magazine two times a year. If using Pay Bill or MTN Mobile Phone please write or send an SMS with your name, address and the amount you sent. In Kenya: Payment for membership of the Friends of Mill Hill should be sent to P.O. Box 2011, 40100, Kisumu, Kenya. Or: Pay Bill Number: Business No. 811908 Account No. 0717 20 84 81 In Uganda: Payment for membership of the Friends of Mill Hill should be sent to P.O. Box 520, Jinja, Uganda. Or via MTN Mobile Money 0784 786 184 Friends of Mill Hill
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If undelivered, please return to: Mill hill Missionaries, P.O. Box 2011, 40100 Kisumu, Kenya.
Mill hill Missionaries, P.O. Box 520 Jinja Uganda.
BY AIR MAIL PRINTED MATTER
50 Kshs 20
1500 Ushs. Friends of Mill Hill