EDITORIAL It is over a year since we were hit by unexpected pandemic that has affected everything and everyone. The pandemic has cost the world immensely and the world is still counting loses. The pope has remained a companion with all during the time of the pandemic calling for care for one another. We continue spreading this message of care for one another in our different places and efforts as Friends of Mill Hill. The pope says in his Urbi et orbi addresses to the city of Rome and the world: “In this time of tribulation and mourning, I hope that, where you are, you will be able to experi-
ence Jesus, who comes to meet you, greets you and says: “Rejoice” (cf. Mt 28:9). And may this greeting mobilize us to invoke and amplify the Good News of the Kingdom of God,” for this storm too shall pass. The Holy Father has reiterated on the need to be mindful of the after effect of COVID-19. In “Life after the Pandemic. He warns that with a danger that after the pandemic “… we may then be struck by an even worse virus, that of selfish indifference.” He calls upon all Christians to “be shaken by what is happening all around us” and recognize ourselves “as part of a single family and support one another.” 2
Fr Ignatius Nshing MHM Yes, love is and will always be the greatest weapon to win battles in life. We might be battling with the adverse effects of coronavirus, election violence, poverty, unemployment and generally, the uncertainty of the times, but these shouldn’t weigh us down. God assures us of His endless love even in the most difficult of times. He did, and always does this by dying on the cross; carrying his own cross, reminding us that it is at the foot of the cross that all burdens are lifted. The season of Lent is a journey of faith. Thus, even as we are surrounded by all this turmoil, we are reminded of our iniquities; a reminder is given to each of us to go into our spiritual deserts to come out clothed in Christ.
The Evangelist Mark describes Jesus going into the desert as spirit led: “At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days” (Mk 1: 12-13). Jesus was moved by the spirit to search and meditate on His spiritual brokenness and emptiness. The 40 days that Jesus spends in the desert are renewal days. He is tempted, tortured, and suffers in the wilderness. However, Jesus does not lose hope in God, he is in fact strengthened to move till the end. He puts all His trust in God who assures him: “You are my beloved child; with you, I am well pleased“ (Mk 1: 11). As we paddle through the trying times, do we hear God’s call and his assurance? Of course, there are times when we feel dejected; which, is our human frailty. It is one that Jesus shared in His search for God, He cries out to the Father; “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” (Mt 27:46) Instead, God promises that He will be there till the end of time. (Mathew 28:20) None the less, amidst the adversities, burdens and worries of the pressing time, Pope Francis recognizes that if we act as one people, even in the face of other epidemics that threaten us, we can make a real impact. One of these challenges is the political fever that hovers in our countries especially in East Africa. Coupled with numerous defections of politicians from party to party, the uncertainty of peaceful, democratic electoral processes, there remains one main call for every individual to remain faithful to the course
of truth, justice and to proclaim Gods presence always with joy, hope and without fear. St Joseph remains a paramount example for us in this life. As we celebrate the year of St Joseph we duly follow his dutiful example of obedience to God, Humility in all that we do and gentleness and care for one another as Joseph did to Mary and to Jesus. We wish everyone of our friends a joyful Easter and a fruitful celebration of the year of St Joseph.
FRIENDS FOR REAL The FOMH have been on the forefront to keep the mission of our missionaries in prayer. They have also from their little resourcescontributed to the well-being of Missionaries materially. Two years ago I wrote in this magazine about the friends visit to the formation house in Nairobi, something they had intended to do annually but corona made sure it does not happen last year and maybe this year. However, this does not mean it will never happen again. The friends are keen to see to it that the students in the formation house feel the joy of belonging. In the last seven years, we have successfully hosted two ordinations of the Mill Hill Missionaries. The contribution of the FOMH in all of them was encouraging.
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The one that took place in 2016 by Bishop Joseph Obanyi to mark the 150 years of Mill Hill evangelization in the world and the one that took place amidst the corona pandemic last year (2020). The FOMH were very active in planning and arrangements. I enjoyed the cooperation and support they provided. To my surprise, they had prepared a gift for all those who were being ordained including the Non-Mill Hill candidates. The FOMH were aware of the effects
of covid-19 and lockdown. They kept checking on us Mill Hills working in the parish. Two priests and two seminarians. They shared with us the little they had from their houses to eat and ensured we were safe. At some time they brought for us few bundles of maize flour so that we could have something to give to those who come seeking help from the parish. They are people with unmeasurable generosity. Last but not least, I have observed the
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FOMH commit to prayer which is their first priority. Despite their other commitments, they never fail to get time to pray for missionaries at least once in a month as a group. I admirably watched them come even in the rains just not to miss on keeping our Missionaries in prayer. They met together to pray for the soul of Fr. Cosmas Ondari mhm whom they had witnessed his ordination to diaconate at the parish in 2016. They kept the soul of Fr. Jim Fanning mhm in prayer whom they revere as their founding father and many more. Every Easter and Christmas, our Mill Hill Missionaries working in East Africa and those originating from East Africa receive a greeting card. What a warm sign that someone somewhere thinks and cares of them! I want to appreciate the work being done by this small but important group of FOMH in Shauri Moyo. Together with many other friends, we pray for them to be encouraged and blessed abundantly by God almighty especially in this year dedi cated to St. Joseph our patron saint. Long live Friends. Fr Francis Makuba MHM
MISSION TO THE BASOTHO
“Baptized and Sent” “As the Father has sent me so I am sending you, Jn, 20:12.” Faith in
the Risen Lord who sends and accompanies us in the mission enables us to listen and to respond with a renewed zeal to participate in the mission. We discover God’s power molding and shaping us in different ways to be authentic witnesses of his saving presence. It gives enlightenment that each missionary too is a “mission.” For me, this is an invitation for us the baptized, to go deep in our hearts, lives, families, churches, work, jobs and nations to rediscover various ways in which the Lord has graced us and reach out to others through prayers, love and generously share our graces as a sign of gratitude. My missionary service in Cameroon ended in early March 2019.The ongoing war claimed the death of a missionary companion (Fr. Cosmas Ondari mhm , Nov 21st, 2018) women, children and old men) whom I was serving. It compelled me to stop my missionary service and return to Kenya to cool off the head from the experience of war. Five months of resting was a healing and renewing experience. It was a time to look at myself as a “mission” and to reflect on the 2yrs and 7 months of my priesthood and missionary service, to find ways in which the Lord of the mission has blessed me and go for
mission again among the Basotho of South Africa. South Africa has a small number of Catholics. The communities of faith entrusted to my pastoral care live in locations that are linked by good roads. Unemployment is one of the major problems in these locations. People live in temporary houses walled and roofed with iron sheets (sharks). They are extremely cold in winter and hot in summer. Locations’ dwellers sit along the main roads and streets to wait for the local council or farmers to hire them for a day’s work but they fail and return home empty handed. Due to lack of job, there are those who survive on a meal a day. Some youths have resorted to alcohol and other related drugs. Diabetics has increased among the elderly parents in the locations, there are diabetes who have lost their eye sights and legs. Life seems difficult for the location dwellers but they are friendly and welcoming. Reaching out to them is always a learning experience. I witness the presence of Christ, his love active and alive in the mission. The good medical care given to the patients by their government suggested the healing hands of the Lord at work. It was a moving experience to meet a daughter who sacrifices to care for her diabetic father, her two children and a brother from the little income she gets from selling vegetables in the streets. Although the flock entrusted to my care is facing many challenges,
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I am not discouraged from reaching out to them. And I am aware too that the Lord of the mission is with me and accompanies me in the missionary efforts. As a family we assemble in different locations to listen to the word of God and to be nourished with the Eucharist. Besides that, I visit the sick every week to listen them, to pray and to give them the Blessed Sacrament. Those in great needs also receive some food after prayers to sustain them. Visiting the people of God strengthens their faith and shows the compassion of Jesus. These culminate in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration in different mission stations under the parish. Like other countries of the world, South Africa is not spared by secularism and its effects which dissociate
people from God. Sunday masses are attended by the elderly and a limited number of youths. Bars and streets are crowded with youths on the days of worship. This calls for the missionary presence, a humble service of love and mercy that emanates from our rootedness in the Lord of the mission. Besides celebrating the sacraments, there is a need for catechesis to deepen the faith of Christians and to reach out to the least brothers and sisters of Jesus who have fallen on the wayside through charity to help them to rediscover the love, mercy and the presence of Christ in their life challenges. May the Lord bless us and our missionary vocations. Fr. Lawrence Otieno M.H.M,
No thanks Evangelist Billy Graham tells of a time during the early years of his preaching ministry when he was due to lead a crusade meeting in a town in South Carolina, and he needed to mail a letter. He asked a little boy in the main street how he could get to the post office. The boy gave him directions. Billy said, “If you come to the Central Baptist Church tonight, I’ll tell you how to get to Heaven, God the Father’s house.” The boy replied, “No thanks. You don’t even know how to get to the post office, and you are going to teach me how to go to Heaven?!”
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UNPACKING THE PACKED LUGGAGE: THE DRAMA OF COVID-19 AND MY NEW APPOINTMENT TO LEMEK-KENYA “[The Lord] will rebuild the an- cians and the citizenry. Worst still cient ruins, [he] will raise up the the pandemic has placed the whole former devastations; and [He} will under lockdown with no hope of repair the ruined cities; the desola- near future normalcy. Today, we tions of many generations (Isaiah cannot congregate for worship, no 61:4).” This message of Prophet football games, no fun, no nothing. Isaiah to the exiled Israelites is what It is against this background that I the world is longing to hear when would like to share my experience all hopes seems to be shattered in of the aborted plans of taking up this critical time of the pandemic. I my first missionary appointment to am sure the current situation of the Ngong’ Diocese in Kenya. On 24th world is completely a new experi- of January 2020, I was ordained in ence which the world had not had Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ocodri before. The situation is pandemic in Parish-Arua Diocese. This day its literal sense. will indeed remain a memorable We may talk of the world wars but day in my life. This was to be folthese were not in the same intensi- lowed by two months of holy day ty as Covid-19 pandemic. Even all prior to taking up my appointment other outbreaks like HIV/AIDS, in late March. However, six days Ebola, Spanish flu, Cholera, Menin- to the end of my holy day, the first gitis, etc., combined together have positive case of Corona Virus was not affected the world in the same confirmed in Uganda. Thus I began gravity as we see it in the current sensing danger of whether I would crisis of Corona virus. Corona has be able to take up my appointment literally imposed new life style immediately. Worst still two days to on the world. It has even come up the end of my holy day, my beloved with its own expression/language. country Uganda was placed unAbove all it has taught us new hu- der 14days of lockdown hence my man values. For example, the pan- hopes of reporting were cut short. demic has taught us that humanity Since then the lockdown has been is one without such things as rich increased perpetually with no hopes and poor, black and white, educated of lifting it any sooner. This is due and uneducated, men and women, to the fact that the number of new first world and third world, politi- cases has kept going up steadily. 7
This has left me with no option other than getting involved in passive mission in my home parish. I now reside in my home parish with my Parish Priest. We continue to celebrate daily masses for the community and for the intentions of the world. But I am still hopeful that one day Corona virus will become history and life will get to normalcy. The message of prophet Isaiah to the exiled Israelites that one day the Lord will lift them up
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Fr Epiti William (MHM).
MY EXPERIENCE IN A KARAMOJONG HOMESTEAD
Homestead is the name of the homes in which the Karamojong live either as families or as clans. In the course of my Mission Experience Program in Kotido Diocese-Loyoro, Karamoja I came to learn that there are many values depicted by the homestead in Karamoja. The homes of the Karimojongs are constructed with the following materials namely grass and sticks from the bush. The homestead has the following structures, the section for animals, the section for the burial of the elder of the home8
again to be a people with their own dignity and rights and new identity remains my only hope against Corona pandemic. I am optimistic that one day I will report to Lemek to take up my appointment. May the Risen Lord the source of new life raise us up from this ash hip of Corona virus. Stay home, Stay safe.
stead, and the sections where the people live. They use many sticks in construction. Every homestead consists of families or clans. The homestead spells laughter, joy, and happiness to the outside. The Karimojong have different activities, which occur within the homestead. These different activities often general a lot of laughter, joy, and happiness within the homestead. The Karimojong are people of celebration especially during harvesting period. During celebration, everyone was bound to experience joy, happiness, and laughter.
In every occasions of celebration they shared their local drinks called Ebutia. This local drink is something which the people could take on daily bases. Indeed, most of the celebration could occur either in the homestead, outside the homestead or at the centers where people could gather. It was
ence the proper aspect of the reality of suffering. Although from the facial appearance of the people one can sense this reality of suffering and sadness. Hence, this facial appearance can be actualize when one visit the people in the homestead. Despite this reality of suffering, pain, and sadness the people
during such celebration that I could see the features of the Karimojong namely; hospitality, communal sharing, singing, and dancing. In a way, this was also moments of refreshing among the people. The homestead was a place where many things were hidden from the outside world. First the homestead hides the suffering and sadness of the people. During home visiting I came to notice the experience of suffering and sadness which families experience. It is only in the kraal that one can experi-
are hospital whenever they are visited. Secondly, the homestead hides the cruelty of husbands toward their wives and children. In the course of my encounter, with the people in the homestead I noticed that some men are very hard on their wives and children. In many cultures, men are very domineering. This dominating attitude of some men manifests itself in the way they treat their wives and children. Thus, this accounts to many challenges, which many families were experiencing.
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This dominating attitude of men toward women is one of the cultural practices, which need evangelization. Thirdly, the homestead hides quarrels. In the course of visiting in the kraal, I experience many instances of quarrels within the homestead. Many of these quarrels were caused by misunderstanding in the families, too much consumption of alcohol, and failure to fulfill family obligations. The effects of these quarrels often manifested itself in fighting or burning of the homestead. The homestead was also a place where torture, torment, and discipline could occur. My experiences with the people within the kraal reveal to me the torture and torment that some wives and children were going through. The homestead was a place of discipline for children and men who went against the family norms and community principles. However, there is a gradual development in regard to the nature of homes in Karamoja. Many educated and uneducated are constructing bungalow. This bungalow also helps in the preservation of trees. The aspect of cutting trees in Karamoja is a common phenomenon. The cutting of trees contributes to the drought in Karamoja. Therefore, the people are encouraged to plant trees and to reduce the rate of trees cutting. In every homestead, there were many gates before one could reach where the people live.
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These gates are all made up of sticks. There are many reasons as to why the people construct many gates. First, raiding is a common activity in Karamoja where young men carried out. The animal brought from raiding have many purposes. Some of the purposes are for marriages and traditional ceremonies. Therefore, the gates help in that the enemies find it difficult to take away the animals through the gates. Secondly, the people have experienced constant attacks from the neighboring tribes so the many gates help to prevent the enemy to access the people and the animals. This reason accounts as to why the people live together so that in case of attack from the enemies, they can easily rescue themselves. Generally, the reed fence of the kraal hides plenty of things in the lives of the people. It was also an enriching and fulfilling experience for me whenever I visited the people in the homestead. I learned a lot in the course of my visit in the homestead. It was also an opportunity in which I learned a lot about their aspirations, their cultures, their desires, and their challenges. Perhaps, despite all these challenges within the homestead God cares for the people. Norbert Yashike
HOLY JOSEPH’S HOLY SILENCE Pope Francis has invited us to reflect on the edifying qualities of St Joseph by dedicated this year to this silent yet very influential saint. On 8th December 2020, the Pope in his Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde (With the Father’s Heart), celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Pope Pius IX’s proclamation of Joseph as Patron of the universal Church,declared the year, stretching from 8th December 2020 to 8th December 2021 as the Year of St Joseph. In this ‘Patris Corde’, Francis reminds us of what we know about St Joseph from the Scriptures: “We know that Joseph was a lowly carpenter (cf. Mt 13:55), betrothed to Mary (cf. Mt 1:18; Lk 1:27). He was a “just man” (Mt 1:19), ever ready to carry out God’s will as revealed to him in the Law (cf. Lk 2:22.27.39) and through four dreams (cf. Mt 1:20; 2:13.19.22). After a long and tiring journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, he beheld the birth of the Messiah in a stable, since “there was no place for them” elsewhere (cf. Lk 2:7). He witnessed the adoration of the shepherds (cf. Lk 2:820) and the Magi (cf. Mt 2:1-12), who represented respectively the people of Israel and the pagan peoples.” He did and witnessed all this with a father’s heart and in silent contemplation. Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish existen-
tial philosopher and theologian once said:“the present state of the world and the whole life is diseased. If I were a doctor and I were asked for my advice, I should reply: ‘Create silence! Bring people to silence! The word of God cannot be heard in the noisy world of today…. Therefore, create Silence.”Yes, indeed, while we may not be exactly wholly diseased, we certainly need silence and the silent saint, St Joseph shines out as a perfect model for us; a model of not just silence but Holy Silence. The holy silence of Joseph is not an expression of emptiness; it is rather an expression of fullness of faith and love he bears in his heart which guides his every thought and action. In this Silence, St Joseph in unison with Mary watches over the Word of God, Jesus, as a guardian and listens to the same Word as a disciple and servant. St Joseph invites us to the school of silence; holy silence without which there is no real relationship with God; without which there is no fruitful encounter with God, with ourselves and with others. For while in prayer we speak to God, in silence God meets and speaks to us. Dear Friends of Mill Hill, you are friends of St Joseph. Let us therefore like our friend, Joseph, cultivate a culture of Holy Silence so we can listen
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and hear God in his word, in his creation and in one another. Holy Silence is the nursery of great dreams; a place of encounters with the Risen Christ who breathes peace on us and invites us not to give up and give in to pandemics but to get up and
continue with him, the Victor! Happy Easter and a happy year with the Silent Joseph! Fr John Kwa Akain mHm Mill Hill Formation House, Jinja, Uganda.
BUSAANA PARISH
It is now about two years since the mission of Busaana was officially opened on 23rd May 2019 and handed on to the care of the MILL HILL Missionaries. Sixteen outstations that were part of the Kayunga parish constituted the new Busaana parish. The dominant community in Busaana is the Baganda. The Baganda as a people are equipped with a rich language and an intact cultural system of both leadership and social life; even the religious, because after decades of evangelization it is still so easy to notice the round houses in people’s home dedicated as places of invoking the deities(Amasabo). Among our Christians however, there are a number of other tribal groups; the Lugbara, the Samia, the Basoga, 12
the Jopadhola, the Bagisu, the Bakuku a.k.a Basudani and etc- an example of togetherness in diversity. The people here are predominantly farmers; thanks be to God for a fertile land. They plant Matooke, cassava, coffee, pineapples, sugarcane, rice, tomatoes, maize, vegetables, p a w paws, watermelons, soya beans, kidney beans etc etc. Despite the changing climate, we are blessed with two planting seasons a year. Myself and Fred were sent to serve here; well, actually Fred was sent and I joined him after my ordination. A new parish, no much systems in place. We have the task of adjusting the zone-leaders into parish leaders.
Another task is to instill the sense of being a single parish into what have for long been independent (and sometimes rival) sub-parishes. With such beginnings good leadership is a necessity. That is why most weekends in Busaana are occupied by different trainings; Parish council leaders, youth leaders, men’s guild, women’s guild leaders, SCC leaders, Catechists and their assistants, treasurers…all sorts of trainings needed. These are tuned into being reliable collaborators in mission. Home visitations and gathering of different groups and setting them into functional and committed groups is a good pastoral tool. Here is a community of believers that for long has not had much contact with priests or pastoral agents due to the peripheral nature of the place. A person who loves the serene life of a village has his place in Busaana. Rainy seasons are good for farmers here; but not for travelers since doing roads has not yet attracted the prioritization of the government of Uganda. For a pastoral worker, rain-boots are of great help since from time to time one has to abandon the comfort of a car and jump over the muddy potholes and streams in swamps. Fr Kevin Barasa (MHM) Busana Parish
THE BITTER AND SWEET OF COVID-19 Warm greetings to you all from the Mill Hill Formation House, Jinja. It is my hope that you are all coping with the times and their challenges. As for us, at the Formation House, we are taking one day at a time, using common sense to respect the SOPS against COVID-19, and over and above all we are hopeful in the saving and healing grace of God. The entire world has suffered a lot from the COVID-19 pandemic. Being part of the world, we are thus no exception to the painful aches and sufferings of the said pandemic. This time will be remembered from generation to generation and will hit history books for the destruction it has caused to our lives either directly or indirectly. To avoid its rapid spread, many governments including Ugandan Government declared terms of country wide lock downs. Mill Hill formation house Jinja was not left out from these restrictions. Our formation programmes were greatly affected from studies to sports; from liturgy to socials; from pastoral to personal pillars of formation. Indeed, the socialisation among the community members deteriorated due to the fear and insecurity created by the pandemic. This created a high voltage of boredom in the community.
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As mentioned above, one of the negative effects of the corona virus is that all education systems were and are still generally suspended. This had a strong negative impact on the intellectual pillar of our formation and brought relaxation in reading for none of the students was aware of when schools would reopen. Additionally, the completion of the syllabus was affected for there was no enough time to cover the entire syllabus as planned by lecturers. The lockdown also affected pastoral activities due to the closure of the pastoral areas including churches. This made the movement of both students and formators to be majorly within the compound with minimal movement outside the formation house. However, this period of time was not only doom and gloom. A lot of good things also happened. For example: we had more time to reflect and reconnect with ourselves, with others and with God; some students realized and developed some new talents like playing guitar and piano. This shows that no matter how bad something is, there are always some good lessons to learn from it; it also shows that no matter how long a journey is, there must be the destiny; and again it indicates that no matter how dark the night is, the sun of the day will certainly rise. We are beginning to see the glimpse of the day. With the coming of online studies in the world, PCJ was not left behind and
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this gave us hope for a brighter future in the academic field and consequently all other pillars of formation. Though it was an unexpected shift from face-to-face learning to virtual studies, it has helped us greatly especially in ensuring that we do not lose out on our studies. By and large, while this online learning is not without its setbacks, it is far better than nothing. We are therefore very grateful to God, to the PCJ administration and to our formators for making all this possible for us. While worship places were closed, prayers were not closed. Prayer became our only weapon; we turned to God as we pray for healing; healing of the whole world. Now, things are gradually taking shape; worship places are gradually opening up; and even schools are gradually opening up. This is also true for us at our formation house. As a family, respecting the SOPS, we are gradually carrying out our indoor activities such as growth group meetings, liturgies without outsiders and some sporting activities to keep us fit. God is with us. He will soon turn our mourning into dancing and our sorrows to joy as he brings us to a place of feasting after this period of fear. By Student’s chairperson, Mill Hill Formation House, Jinja, Daniel Bwire Okell
PERPETUAL OATH, DEACONATE AND PRIESTLY ORDINATIONS OF MILL HILL MISSIONARIES, NAIROBI KENYA 2020 Even though the current covid-19 family members and friends who pandemic has held the world and its due the current situation could not affairs hostage, the St. Joseph Mis- be present were able to follow live. sionary Society of Mill Hill still saw In his homily during the Mass for the reasons to thank God for making it Perpetual Oath, Rev. Fr. Joseph King possible to have six of their students MHM called on the new members to make their final commitment marked be disciples of peace and unity in a by the Perpetual Oath celebration society and world plagued by hate and which was followed by their ordina- envy. He further encouraged them to tion into the deaconate. These activ- develop and foster a good relationship ities which took place on the 24th of of prayer with Lord Jesus Christ who October in the Formation Centre and 25th of October in St. Joseph and Mary’s parish were under strict observation of the rules for the prevention of Covid-19. These six students are from two continents, Africa and Asia: Ntein Peter Yong, Ngi Malvin Nkebenya and Mufua Leonard Chia (Cameroonians), Agbasoa Guylain Agbasoa (DRC), From Left - Right, Agbasoa Guylain, Nayak Nayak Subrata and Ka- Subrata, Kalagura Nikhil, Peter Ntein, Leonlagura Nikhil (Indians). Six ard Mufua, Malvin Ngi of them, in the presence of the Society’s Representative for East has called them for mission. “Only Africa Area, the official delegate of through a life of prayer shall you be the General Superior, Rev. Fr Joseph able to be united with the Lord and King MHM made their Perpetual with one another, otherwise you beOath to become full members of the come instruments of division St. Joseph’s Missionary Society-Mill and if the shepherds are divided, what Hill Missionaries. becomes of the sheep and whom are It was an occasion which called for you witnessing to? He asked”. This media intervention as many social was further stressed on Sunday 25thof plat forms were used to broadcast October by the auxiliary bishop of the these celebrations, thanks to which Archdiocese of Nairobi, His Lordship
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David Kamau who ordained the six candidates as deacons and one as priest. He called on the candidates to remain faithful and united to the Lord who has called them for service as that is what the office of deacon invites the candidate to become a servant after Christ who came to serve and not to be served. One of the deacons while offering a vote of thanks, expressed their joy as God blessed them to be ordained with a new priest, anoth-
er Christ which was a pointer for the six of them that even though six is an incomplete number, to mean they are incomplete, they can always find completion in Christ who is the 7th person, marked by the ordination of Fr. Herman Menjuan MHM. The ordination of Fr Herman Menjuan MHM was so unique in that he is the first Malaysian to be ordained a Mill
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Hill Missionary and more to that, he was ordained in the same parish where he had his two-year Missionary Experience Program (MEP), the St. Joseph and Mary parish Shauri Moyo, Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya. These celebrations saw increase in the number of full members of the Mill Hill Missionaries who are sent out to where the need is greatest to Love and to Serve, a task that is always not easy and this explains why the Bishop called on all present and those following online to always pray and to support the newly ordained deacons and priest to carry out their work well and to live their vows. The Society’s Representative and the official delegate of the General Superior, Fr. King MHM, thanked the entire families of the seven newly ordained for their endless support and urged them to continue doing good. He encouraged other young people from Kenya to consider giving their lives for the work of God as Mill Hill Missionaries. By Chibe Maxcelinus (Mill Hill Student, Theology III, Nairobi - Kenya)
Prayer of the Year of ST. JOSEPH Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen
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Would you like to become a Mill Hill Missionary Priest? Friend of Mill Hill? Come follow me. 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 laborers are few.” (Mt. 9:37-38) The Mill Hill Missionaries are called to dedicate their lives to Evangelization 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 0724 596493 Tel. 057 2023908; e-mail: vocationeastafrica@millhillear.com
Fr. Silvester Odhiambo, MHM
In Uganda: P.O. Box 520 Jinja Uganda Mobile 0782474723 E-mail: vocationeastafrica@millhillear.com
Fr. Kajja
You can support the Mill Hill Missionaries with prayers and Ronald, MHM donations. For 500/- Ksh, or 12,000/- Ush per year you can be enrolled as a Friend of Mil Hill, and receive the magazine three times a year. In Kenya: Payment for membership of the Friends of Mill Hill should be Sent to Fr. Sylvester Odhiambo at P.). Box 2011, 40100 Kisumu, Kenya. Or via M-Pesa 0724 596493 In Uganda: Payment for membership of the Friends of Mill Hill should be Sent to Fr. Ronald Kajja at P.O. Box 520 Jinja, Uganda. Or via MTN mobile nmoney+256 782 474 723.
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Appreciation We sincerely thank Fr Philip Adede who was the Society Representative for the past five years until September 2020. Philip helped to steer society activities and mission in East Africa with enthusiasm, vision and Hope. We remain grateful to him and wish him God’s continuous blessings in his new assignments. As such we also welcome Fr Joe King Representative. May God endow him and courage to carry on the good work East Africa.
the new Society with strength of our society in
We remember and pray for the faithful departed mill Hill Missionaries, and Friends and Relatives of the Mill Hill Missionaries. May their souls rest in peace
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