Orione Kenya Communities' Meeting

This September 30th, we held our monthly Communities Meeting in the formation house of Nairobi. Were present at this meeting:

Fr Raphael Kailemiah, from Kaburugi Community

Fr James Waituika Njoroge, from Kaburugi Community

Fr Peter Wambulwa, from Kandisi Community

Fr Paul Mboche, from Nairobi Community

Fr Stanislas Gbeissay, from Nairobi Community

Deacon Morris Mawira, from Nairobi Community.

Fr Alejandro Ruiz apologized for a commitment.

The agenda of the meeting focused on the Orionine synod for Africa, which was held in Côte d'Ivoire from last September 8 to 10.

Making the feedback, Father Peter pointed a particular focus on one of the strong points on which the Synodal Fathers have emphasized: the collaboration. He also noted three other components that have defined the work of the Synod, The Formation, The Works of Charity and The Parishes.

September Recollection: “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:20)

This day, September 28th, we held our monthly recollection. The moment of sharing was moderated by Father Stan ACHI on the theme of the sacrament of Penance.
Began with the Night Prayer yesterday Friday, this moment of reflection ended with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father Joachim AKE.

Here below the full text of this recollection.

Excursion in Luke 5:18-20

Jesus sets the spiritual and physical in the right perspective. Since sin was responsible for the man's paralysis, He deals with the cause first, then the effect. All actions are subject to the law of cause and effect; for every action there is a reaction. The man's physical ailment was not nearly as heavy a burden as his spiritual corruption. In reality, physical healing is meaningless without a sound mind. Psalm 103:3 can be seen as a prophecy that the Christ would forgive sins related to sickness and disease.

Kwaheri Brother Njenga

After almost two months of vacation and some travel complications, Brother Anthony M. Njenga flies tonight for Italy.

Back for the holidays in his native Kenya, brother Anthony, student in Theology in our International Seminary in Rome was to return since last Monday. Being presented in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, he saw himself announced the cancellation of his flight due to the tragic situation which had just occured in the country, following the terrorist attacks of Westgate Mall in Nairobi. The flight reprogrammed for the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, he will go there again, passing nearly all the steps before boarding. But this time, due to a misunderstanding with an agent of the airline company, EgyptAir, he will once again be unable to travel. The latter refused to let him go under pretested of residence permits in Italy. The day of Wednesday will be exploited to clarify and even get a repair from the company for damage caused.

Prayer for the Orionine Missionary Year

Oh God, Father of all that is good,

we thank you for the gift of the missionary vocation

which animated Saint Luigi Orione

and his Little Work of Divine Providence.

In this Orionine Missionary Year

renew that apostolic fire through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Give us a hunger and thirst for souls,

and for the most ardent charity to restore all things in Christ.

Support the faith of the heralds of the Gospel,

with the gift of meekness and strength,

humility and charity.

Raise up new missionary vocations,

young people ready to dedicate their heart, time and goods

to give “along with bread for the body, the divine anointing of faith”

to the poor and outcast.

May the loving arms of the Church reach everyone

and may the unity of all humanity be fulfilled

in the reign of the justice and peace of Christ.

Mary, star of the new evangelisation,

and Saint Luigi Orione intercede for us.

Amen.

Logo and motto for the Missionary Year

Rome, 8^th September 2013

Dear Provincials, Confreres, Sisters, Lay People and Friends of the Orionine Family

The Peace of Christ!

Choice of logo and motto for the Missionary Year.

After having sought some opinions to gather suggestions for the logo and motto for the Missionary Year, we have chosen what you can see at the head of this letter.

The green tree: symbolises “the one tree with many branches” which is the Orionine Family, born of the charism of Don Orione and now with branches spread throughout the world.

The writing: ONLY CHARITY WILL SAVE THE WORLD is a well used motto of Don Orione and expresses the programme and missionary style and it is the motto of this period of government of the Congregation.

Orionine Missionary Year: is written in red at the base of the tree with the year 2013-2014.

I kindly ask that each area of the congregation send this message to the confreres translated into the local language.

The logo and the motto can be used in the various communications and publications.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy apostolate in the missions with the grace of God.

Yours fraternally,

Fr. Joao Batista de Freitas

Missionary Apostolate.

Message from the General Councillor for the Missions

Dear Confreres,

I am attaching three messages from the General Councillor for the Missions, Fr Joao Batista de Freitas for the Orionine Missionary Year 2013-2014 which starts on 20th October this year.

Please start discussing and making plans for celebrations in each nation of the Delegation for this year, especially celebrating the arrival of the first Orionine Missionaries to each country.

God bless you all,

Fr Malcolm

****************************************

Roma, 15^th August 2013

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dear Provincials, Vice-provincials, Delegate and  those in charge of the Missionary Apostolate,

The Peace of Christ!

With their letter of 1th July 2013 Fr Flavio Peloso, Superior General FDP and Sr Maria Mabel Spagnuolo, Superior General PSMC announced that from 20^th October 2013 until 8^th December 2014 we shall celebrate the ORIONINE MISSIONARY YEAR  in remembrance of the departure from Genoa of the first missionaries sent by Don Orione to Brazil.

It will be a great opportunity to revive the missionary and charismatic ardour which led the Saint of Charity to send out the first missionaries.

Some provinces have already announced some events for the celebrations in their respective territories.

As the beginning of this centenary, which involves the whole Orionine Family, approaches, I will be kindly asking the provinces, vice-provinces and delegation which have not yet made their plans for the Missionary Year to do so and send them to the General Secretary for the Missions.

Gradually the General Secretary for the Missions will also send suggestions and proposals for the events and celebrations during the centenary.

May this Orionine Missionary Year unite us more closely to Christ, because only in Him is there certainty for the future and a guarantee of genuine and long-lasting love.

Fr Joao Batista de Freitas

Missionary Apostolate

Nairobi Westgate Tragedy, three days of national mourning

Glory be to God, the prayers of each and everyone have had their fulfillment. As announced by the President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, the tragedy of Westgate is ended.

The four-day siege at Nairobi's Westgate shopping centre is over.

In a televised address to the nation, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta said five attackers were shot dead by troops and 11 suspects are in custody.

Three days of national mourning have been declared starting on Wednesday.

President Kenyatta said that several bodies lying under rubble from collapsed parts of the building were still to be recovered.

While praising God for his assistance and relief, let us remain in prayer, united with those who have lost loved ones, those who are injured and those traumatized by this sad event.

Harambee! #WeAreOne! May we all be truly united in a strong Kenyan nation blessed by God!

Ave Maria and forwards with St. Luigi Orione!