Kenya – Page 4 – Comboni Lay Missionaries

Knowing me (Enneagram)

30 October, 2023 by Alberto de la Portilla

The journey to knowing one’s self started about 2 years ago when I first heard the word Enneagram. For one reason or the other it had been so elusive until the long weekend of 19th to 22nd of October 2023 paved a good opportunity for this magic of knowing oneself.

We unusually arrived early from different parts of the country to congregate at the St Joseph Retreat Centre under the Contemplative Evangelizers of the Heart of Christ a conducive place for reflection, seminars and retreat. This retreat brought together 13 CLM, 4 Comboni Secular Missionaries, 1 friend and MCCJ. The first day was a day of preparation and briefing, carefully done by the CLM assessor Fr. Maciej preparing us for the next day. We were made to understand that the workshop is two hours intense engagement with only 30 minutes interval break. Good supper came in handy with the comfort of night prayers gave us a good sleep.

Friday being a public holiday in Kenya, we started with morning mass at 6:30am, and then at 8:20am we gathered in the hall ready for the workshop. The facilitator started the program with a quote “A beautiful appearance will last a few decade, but a beautiful personality will last a life time”. She explained that Enneagram is a system of topology that classifies human personality into nine basic types. Brief history was shared how enneagram started.it became interesting when we started exploring enneagram types; at first I thought that I had two types only later to discover that one was dominant. As we delved deeper into these nine types it came clear that everyone had identified and aligned themselves with one of the types.

It was an eye opener for most of us, I understood whom am really are, why I behave the way I do it made me be aware of myself, from the testimonies real scenarios and examples shared by most of us. It made us aware from which possible Enneagram wingers we could borrow help from. It was clear for the motivations, blind spots and how we are also connected in this web of personality test.

This was a big score for us not only for personal development but also to relate well with others in a community, our surrounding during pastoral work and our spirituality without judging them but walking with them and accompanying them with utmost understanding. Now we feel more empowered and would respond rather than react as we prepare for the mission. It’s true to the quote “when awareness is brought to your emotions, power is brought to your life”.

Martin Onyango, CLM

Triple Celebration in Kenya.

17 October, 2023 by Alberto de la Portilla

It was a triple celebration in Kenya when the feast of St Daniel Comboni coincided with the 50th celebration of Comboni MCCJ presence in Kenya as well as the Kenya nation was also celebrating “Huduma Day” loosely means Service Day.

The celebration was held at the Community of Postulants in the outskirts of Nairobi. The celebration started by a talk from by Fr. John Korir who is the vocation director. The theme of the day was “Rooted and Grounded In Christ” this is well in line with the writings of St Daniel Comboni .. “We will have to labor hard, to sweat, to die; but the thought that one sweats and dies for love of Christ and the salvation of the most abandoned souls in the world, is far too sweet for us to desist from this great enterprise” St Daniel Comboni, from the beginning knew where his strength will come from, which is Christ himself.

This celebration marked the 20th Anniversary of St Daniel Comboni Canonization, by St John Paul II who said “we need evangelizers with enthusiasm and apostolic outfit of St Daniel Comboni an apostle of Christ among the Africans” this reminds us to be apostles of Christ among those who are in the same reality and those who are abandoned. Comboni discerned and a abandoned his parents for the most abandoned in Africa.

On the Jubilee Celebrations for the MCCJ presence in Kenya, a brief history was shared how the MCCJ came from Uganda to Kenya in 1973, during the reign of Uganda dictator president Idi Amin. The Comboni Missionaries (MCCJ) came through the north west of Kenya in Kacheliba West Pokot, and then spread to other areas like Turkana, Marsabit, Wote, Naivasha and Nairobi. Some of the missions were handed over to the diocese. True to their charism of the most neglected and abandoned. The MCCJ presence is felt in areas that no one dares to go and evangelize, to date the Kenyan MCCJ are 30, Brothers – one in novitiate formation, Comboni Lay Missionaries – 6, Comboni Secular Missionaries – 4. Comboni sisters came to Kenya earlier in 1963.

It was a holiday for us also to celebrate the “Huduma Day” where citizens come together to help their brothers and sisters who are less fortunate, and offer services to the nation.

St Daniel Comboni said am dying but my work will not die, lets pray for more vocations for our youth and the laity that they may be sent to priestly ministry wholeheartedly.

Martin Onyango, CLM Kenya

A new member to the team for the service of God

23 May, 2023 by Alberto de la Portilla

The arrival of Marzena

We are really grateful with the presence of Marzena from Poland who has come for a mission in Kenya. Some members went to the airport to fetch her, we welcomed her with some music and gifts to make her feel loved and at home here in Kenya. Welcome to your second home.

At the airport

Meeting

The arrival date of Marzena was coincidental to the week of our meetings where we meet every 3rd weekend of the month and she was able to attend and get to meet the rest of the members. During our meetings we had great moments together where the topic on formation of our meeting was Vocation and Discernment. We were taken through the above topic and had fun afterwards. We also got a sharing from the life experience of an MCCJ, a brother and also from Marzena herself. In addition, we were joined by two new members, this is nice because it will help the 2new members to really know about the lay vocation and help them to discern.

Linda Mitcheleti who was away for her holidays shared with us the visit she had in Italy, the testimonies she gave to the CLM in Italy and how she taught them Pokot songs and in return she also taught us Italian song.

CLM members at the provincial house during our formation

Pastoral

We were to go for animation where we sell our products for our kitty but unfortunately it was postponed, however we decided to join the scholastic for their pastoral work at different parishes and We divided ourselves in different groups. Some went to Christ the king in Kibera to work with children, others at Our Lady of Guadalupe to work with the Deaf community and the rest at St Vincent Palloti to work with the youth.

In conclusion we thank God for this vocation and we pray we can give our all to the service He has called us to. And to Marzena we pray for Gods guidance in your life as you journey with us and to the community of Kitelakapel.

We had a rear moment to celebrating the birthday of Marzena, celebrating the 15years of priesthood from our beloved Assessor (Fr. Maciej) and also from the success of our former Provincial Superior of the MCCJ Fr. Austin Radol. Thank you all and best wishes.

Martin, CLM Kenya

Secular Comboni Missionaries: The First African Women profess in Kenya

9 May, 20235 May, 2023 by Alberto de la Portilla

On 22nd April 2023, four Kenyan ladies made history by becoming the first Secular Comboni Women Missionaries in Africa. Maria Pia Dal Zovo, the Institute leader, received their vows in the presence of two General Councilors; Gina Villamar Ultreras and Paola Ghelfi.

Fr Andrew Wanjohi, the Provincial Superior of the Comboni Missionaries in Kenya presided over the Eucharist. The choir comprising our scholastics was excellent. The colorful and joyful celebration marked the climax of a long discernment journey started some 10 years ago. In attendance were Isabella Dalessandro, the former institute leader, members of the Comboni family in Nairobi, parents and relatives of the newly professed.

Julia Wangui Ngari, Lucy Mutola Singa, Mary Watetu Ndungu and Ruth Wangjiru Mbugua were all smiles when they made their vows. The four started their discernment process with Fr Francesco Pierli. Eventually, he invited the leadership of the Secular Comboni Women Missionaries then to follow these ladies who had shown interest in joining the institute. Isabella and her council accepted the challenge and came down to Kenya to start the process of discernment with the candidates.

In his homily, Fr Andrew Wanjohi, thanked the ladies for their courage and faith. He encouraged them to remain faithful in their vocation. He also reminded them that to live as consecrated women outside a community will be a challenge. This is against the backdrop of Kenya’s context in which the vocation of consecrated women in a secular institute is yet to be understood. He assured them of the support of the Comboni family as they try to live their consecration and transform society from the inside. He also thanked their parents for offering them to the institute.

Mary Pia Dal Zovo, the institute leader, expressed her gratitude to the Comboni missionaries in Kenya for supporting the four newly professed in their discernment process. She was also glad to see the four becoming the seed of the Secular Comboni Women Missionaries in Africa. She urged them to live their consecration with commitment and joy. Similarly, that their example may inspire other to join and in this way the institute expands.

As an immediate preparation to their first vows, the newly professed had a five-days spiritual retreat preached by Fr Andrew Bwalya on the theme consecration and mission. Maria Pia, Gina, Paolo and Isabella also participated in the retreat. The newly professed are a small yet significant sign that Comboni’s dream to save Africa with Africa is being realized.

Fr Andrew Bwalya

Original: https://www.comboni.org/contenuti/115305

Happy New Year from CLM Kenya!

22 January, 2023 by Alberto de la Portilla

On 18th of December 2022, two candidates were commissioned, Maria and Belinda, who were undergoing formation. They have become officially Comboni Lay Missionaries, in the presence of MCCJ Fathers, parents of the candidates and other members of the Comboni Family. The celebration took place at St Daniel Comboni in Huruma, Kariobangi parish. We are overwhelmed with joy, congratulations to them!

On Christmas, some members joined the international community in Kitelakapel (Linda and Pius) to celebrate with them. They shared some beautiful moments and we also watched an amazing movie together as a community.

Christmas team in Kitelakapel (Fr. Maciek, Pius, Mercy, Linda and Neema)

In conjunction, we were invited to facilitate the youth retreat with the mccj at Chelopoy, Amakuriat parish, which was held from 26th to 29th December. This is a great achievement for us, as we are now extending our collaboration with the MCCJ also beyond our own parish.

With the team of facilitators in Chelopoy, Amakuriat parish, West Pokot

Just recently, at the beginning of January 2023, we had our assembly, where we planned and budgeted our activities for this year. We confirmed in their roles the leaders of the previous year, since they have to serve a term of 2 years.

In addition, we decided to add more roles and therefore nominated new leaders, so they can help the existing ones to make things run smoothly. To this purpose, we added the communications and projects coordinators.

We also included in our plan inputs from the African assembly in Benin, reviewed our constitution and later on had a moment of socialization, which did mark our occasion successfully.

We also included a new aspect in our formation meetings, as we decided to add to our monthly meetings moments of service in organisations, like visiting children’s homes and etc. For example, on the last day of our meeting we spent some time at the center of the sisters of charity, helping them looking after a group of disabled children.

We thank the Lord for all these fruitful events, the work we have done so far, the small and big achievements we have attained, the enthusiasm and commitment He has filled us with, and we trust that He will accompany us even more in the year that has just started, wishing a wonderful new start to all the other groups of CLM out there!!!

CLM Kenya