ST. LUIGI ORIONE PARISH, GAITU IN MERU DIOCESE OFFICIALLY OPENED AND PARISH CHURCH CONSECRATED

 On 12th June 2022 marked the beginning of a milestone in our Kenya Region. It was full of pomp and colour as the Christians of St Luigi Orione Gaitu Parish joined in the celebration of the official opening of St Luigi Orione Gaitu Parish and consecration of the Church presided over by Rt Rev Bishop Salesius Mugambi, Bishop of Meru Diocese.

The celebration began by welcoming the Bishop from the market place until the parish signifying the long awaited day for the faithfuls of Gaitu. Thereafter the former chairman gave a short history of how the parish began from our two mother churches Nkabune and Chaaria respectively not forgetting the challenges they underwent during the securing of the Land and the building of the Church. 

Thereafter followed the procession into the Parish Church for the blessing and consecration of the building as a sign of purification the place of worship. In addition, the members of the parish pastoral council were presents to the Bishop for the blessing who later asked them to work in collaboration with the parish priest.

In his homily the Bishop emphasized working in unity as the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy spirit). He also emphasized on supporting the Don Orione Fathers in their mission in the Parish and encouraged the Congregation to continue with the good work in the diocese. 

Fr. Maurice Mawira who will be the first parish priest of this new Orionine Parish recited the profession of faith (the creed) in front of the Bishop and the faithful. When the time for the anointing of the altar and walls with Chrism oil reached, the Christians remained calm, and their eyes fixed on the altar since it was a new experience for them. Then followed the procession of five pots signifying the five wounds and incensing signifying a holy place where the sacrifice will be offered during the holy mass. 

The climax of the main activities of the Day was the lighting of the candles on the altar and 12 candles signifying the foundation of the Church on the 12 apostles. The faith of St Luigi Orione Gaitu Parish is founded on the Apostles and the parishioners should uphold the teachings of the Apostles; the Bishop insisted.

Before the mass ended, we had the blessing of the new tabernacle where Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will be placed. The Bishop emphasized that the Christians should not leave Jesus alone and respect the Church at all times since it is a place of worship. After the Eucharistic celebration, the bishop proceeded to officially open and bless the community house where the members of our religious family will be residing as they serve the faithful of St. Luigi Orione Gaitu Parish. 

Don Orione charismatic family was well represented during the celebration since we had our Little Missionary Sisters of Charity, the Blind Sacramentine Sisters, the Orionine Lay Movement members. 

Fr. Thomas Gwaro congratulated the faithful of Gaitu Parish and gave a message on behalf of the Regional Superior Fr. Njenga who was in Italy for the General Chapter of the Congregation. It was a day full of joy and happiness for the whole family of St Luigi orione Gaitu Parish in Meru.We thank everyone who supported in a big and small to make this dream come true. We ask for your prayers for the whole family of Gaitu parish. May our mother Mary intercede for us always. May St. Luigi Orione pray for us. May God bless St Luigi Orione Gaitu parish and The Sons of Divine Providence in Kenya. AVE MARIA E AVANTI

DON ORIONE FATHERS START A COMMUNITY IN KISUMU ARCHDIOCESE-KENYA

It was all pomp and celebration in Nyadorera, Siaya County in the Archdiocese of Kisumu when the Kenyan region welcomed their 5^th community, St Elizabeth of Hungary Parish. The region had just culminated their silver jubilee celebrations and two days after on Monday 20^th a new mission was born. 

On Sunday 19 night, Christians had spent the whole night, in the mother Parish St. Lawrence Uradi, in a, eucharistic adoration vigil praying for the inauguration of the new. On Monday morning, at 6.30am, the pilgrimage started towards the new parish of Nyadorera. This act of pilgrimage to the new parish is also an aspect of inculturation in the sense that, in the local area and according to the culture and tradition of Luo people who are in Kisumu, when a young adult is ready to start a home, he is accompanied from the parents home to his home as a sign of guidance and support from the parents. The people walked to the old mother parish to the new created parish praying, the way of the cross, the rosary and with songs and dances.Hundreds assembled at the new mission grounds where mass was conducted by Fr Fredrick the Parish Priest of St Lawrence Uradi which is the Mother Parish and a sermon was given by Fr Ojijo, the Dean of Siaya deanery.

In a very lively sermon with a mix of Dholuo (local language), Kiswahili and English, Fr Ojijo mainly dwelt on the need for the Christians of the new parish to be people of faith and to actively support their priests who will be working there.

In some five points, Fr Ojijo urged the parish leaders to be at the forefront of leading with faith. This is through constant prayer. All parish work must begin and end in prayer, led by the leader.

On self-sustenance, Fr Ojijo brought in the centrality and importance of offertory, supporting the priests in prayer, in kind and in material. He taught them that, to move forward they had to own the priests and the parish.

In a tickle, he told them that the smartness of a priest reflects the generosity of the Christians that he serves. On behalf of Fr Raphael, he urged the Christians to be actively involved in providing for the basic needs as well as all what is needed in the parish.

10 Kenyan orionine priests, 25 seminarians and brothers as well as Orionine Lay Movement members were present at the inauguration of the new Parish Community.

The new Parish will be served by two priests Fr Raphael Kailemiah assisted by Fr James Njoroge. We wish them all the best as they purpose to be missionaries of Providence in the Western part of Kenya.

A new marriage or family, with passing of time, is marked by a new life. The following day on Tuesday 22, Fr. Raphael baptized 46 infants as a sign of new life in the Parish.St Elizabeth of Hungary Parish has three Chapels: St Elizabeth of Hungary, Parish Center, St Simon Peter Mahero and St Christine Sumba. The parish is located in Siaya county and borders Bungoma Diocese. It has a blend of Luo and the Abaluhya people. We wish well to Fr. Raphael and Fr. James as they serve the people of Nyadorera and as they make the orionine presence be felt.