Kenya: Mill Hill Missionary Theology Student Reports on Annual Event of Catholic Women’s Association
On the 5th of February 2022, the Catholic Women Association (CWA) here in Kenya resumed their annual day of prayer at the Serene Marian shrine of Our Lady at Subukia off Nakuru City, over hundred kilometers away from Nairobi City. The usually annual event which was put on hold due to Covid-19 for the last two years was given a restart worth it this year. It was rather a big privilege for me to witness this event on three separate occasions. The previous two were during my MEP in Kajiado Parish, Ngong diocese, and the latter with the CWA of Our Lady of Fatima Parish still in Ngong Diocese where I do my diaconate apostolate.
We set off for Subukia on Friday early afternoon and were possibly among the first dozen of buses, mostly school buses, that made their way to the venue. Along the way, we had various prayers dominated of course with the rosary. Through the request of Mrs. Rose Kairo, the CWA chairlady in Our Lady of Fatima Ongata Rongai Parish, I had a taste of preaching while on a moving bus. Something common in Nairobi public means of transportation, but I believe my own was in a different context.
The event was graced by Rt. Rev bishops Joseph Mwongela and Michael Odiwa, the bishops of Kitui and Homa Bay Dioceses respectively, in an event where messages of peace in the forthcoming elections took the lead. The two bishops are the chairpersons of the lay apostolate led by Rt. Rev Mwongela and Rt. Rev Odiwa deputizes him.
In his sermon, Rt. Rev bishop Joseph invited the women who were there present and all the Christians in Kenya to make a difference in the forthcoming national elections in August. He quoted the past incidents where the country has experienced serious unrest during and after elections. He asked Kenyans and especially catholic Christians to pray and work for a different scenario come the 9th of August.
In his address, the Rt. Rev bishop Michael also spoke about unrest and uncertainties that elections have always brought in Kenya. He however believes that through the intercession of mother Mary, we should be settling for peaceful and calm elections. The CWA national chairlady and the CWA chaplain also urged Christians to pray for the same. The blue-colored event was drawn to a successful close by the two bishops with their solemn blessings.
Jean-Louis Lekandome MHM
