The Mill Hill Missionaries (MHMs) of the East Africa Region held their Regional Assembly from 6th to 10th January 2026 at the Bishop Stam Pastoral Centre, Kakamega. The Assembly brought together members from across the Region under the theme “Missionaries in Our Contemporary World,” offering a privileged space for prayer, reflection, evaluation, and renewed commitment to our missionary calling.
The Assembly began on a deeply spiritual note with a recollection facilitated by Rev. Fr. Samson O. Gwara, OCD. His reflections centred on the theme “Keeping Our Sanity as Missionaries Today: Secrets and Confidentiality.” Drawing from pastoral experience and spiritual wisdom, Fr. Gwara challenged members to cultivate interior balance, integrity, and responsible boundaries in ministry, emphasizing the importance of personal wellbeing and ethical accountability in contemporary mission contexts.
The subsequent days of the Assembly were dedicated to substantive deliberations on key issues affecting the life and mission of the Region. Among the matters discussed were pre-convocation reflections in preparation for the General Chapter 2027, the Regional Representative’s Report, Finance Report, Friends of Mill Hill (FOMH) Report, Local Formation Community (LFC) Report, Safeguarding, and a comprehensive report by Rev. Gerard Hastie, Vicar General and Councillor for Formation and Finance. Other important areas of discussion included the Development Desk, Transparency and Accountability (by Rev. Fr. Thomas Otanga, OCD), Teamwork, and a brief comprehensive Report on the Mission in South Sudan, among others. Members were also offered free medical check up by the AAR Medical Insurance Team and service providers.
A significant moment during the Assembly was the collective commitment responsible mission work. Members formally signed the Safeguarding Commitment Forms as well as the Pledge of Transparency and Accountability, reaffirming the Region’s resolve to uphold the highest standards of integrity, care, and stewardship in all our activities.
As the Assembly drew to a close, members renewed their dedication to the charism of the Mill Hill Missionaries—responding to the call of Christ among the poor and those on the margins. The Assembly concluded in a spirit of gratitude and hope, with members entrusting the year ahead to God’s providence.
We pray for a fruitful year of mission excellence, ever mindful of our dependence on God’s grace as we continue to love and serve God’s people in our contemporary world.
Hillary Awiti, MHM
