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.