1. Introduction

    For many this was a first time experience to travel to Magadi. This was during this year's Kiserian Deanery Mass held on 16th March, 2024.

    Magadi is a different place as the church is built on private property, an island that belongs to Magadi Soda, fully owned by Tata company. There are restrictions.

    This was the second such event after carving out of the new deanery from the former Ngong Deanery to form seven deaneries in Ngong Diocese, and taking nine parishes away with it, from Ngong Deanery.

  2. Homily

    This is the first of the deanery masses this year in the Diocese with an apt theme "Men journeying together as educators in faith"

    We are celebrating during the time of lent and also when our muslim brothers are celebrating Ramadhan. This is also just before we celebrate the feast of the solemnity of Joseph the Husband of Mary on 19 of March

    Jn20:30 says many works are not written but these written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah . To date, even those Jews in Jerusalem don't believe that Jesus is the Christ. Nicodemus in the gospel reading gave a half-hearted appeal for Jesus. He only said that we cannot judge someone without first listening to him.

    In the celebration of the Paschal mystries, we need to ask ourselves Who is Christ for us personally? This is what the readings of today are asking of us. Faith requires true surrender to Christ.

    Abraham as they went up the mountain with Issac who asked "where is the sacrifice?", His father answered, " God will provide". It took great faith on Abraham's part, unflinching faith in God.

    Joseph forgave his brothers after being sold to slave traders. He had no revenge and asked that his bones be taken back to his fathers land. When you have faith in God you have no revenge as faith nutures Love, understanding and forgiveness. Joseph just did what was God's will.

    Like a lamb taken to slaughter todays gospel "I have entrusted my life to you Lord". This shows great faith by Jeremiah, who suffered greatly in the hands of his own people because they could not 'stomach' the word of God entrusted to him, and they killed him. He entrusted his life to God even when his life was in danger.

    We are called upon, in or lives, to emulate these great prophets and fathers.

    Trials come to test the depth of your faith. These trials touch the very core of your being. Call on the lord, He will provide.The more faithful you are to Him, the more the trials. We need to accept this. These trials are for your good. You need to embrace them. Accept the cross.

    All saints had the attribute of humility. we must weed out any pride from your hearts. We express our faith in prayer not once in a while but daily.

    Who is Christ to me, the savoiur, redeemer, food for the journey, son of God, companion, Good shepherd, living bread, Emmanuel, son of David, Prince of peace, man of sorrows, the true vine, refuge of sinners, etc. Which titles do you Identify with? Which relates to you best? once we find one then we know what we are to Him.

Unless Jesus Christ makes a home in us, we cannot educate anybody, We cannot give what we don't have. When the Father of the family  prays, acknowledges sins, or follows the sacraments , especially the eucharist and pennance, everyone else will follow suit.

The central matter here is the word of God. we must be ready to share it. You can only give what you have deeply reflected on and truly believe and have experienced.

As you return home, ask yourself can you give Jesus Christ your complete alligience? This is the faith to share with your brothers and sisters, this is the faithto share with your family. There is a price to be paid, however, it will cost you because others may not accept your point of views. The choice is yours.

  • Speeches

    1. Caritas

      The Caritas Microfinance Bank representative, Moses Nganga, Head of Institutional Banking, gave a short history how the bank was formed from an initiative by Late Cardinal Morris Otunga, by a twenty two women whose first contribution was six hundred and eighty shillings. This was at a Parish, in the now Gatundu North, Kariko Parish, in 1973, which was further boosted by groups and through support by Archbishop Ndingi Mwana Nzeki and Cardinal John Njue, to a ten billion Kenya shilling turn over from the groups, today.

      It is only men that can empower themselves and each other to raise their quality of life by improving their own economic status. Men must defend our families, our wives and children. It is not possible without money.

      Caritas means love, abd has all the products that you can get in any commercial bank.

      Men were encouraged to open accounts through their phones. The team from Caritas would assist men to open mobile accounts and answer questions. After this members will be able to take loans to start a business, for example keeping high yielding dairy cows

    2. Parish Chairmen

      The Magadi Parish CMA Chairman explained that they were honoured to host this event and welcomed evryone and that this was the first such event that had taken part at the parish.

      He explained that the weather was unusually cool, even though a quick check reavealed that the temperature was about 350 C.

      'restrictions' and local politics

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    3. Coordinator

      His was about men formation and had two woes. Those men in process of being trained for commissioning not participating in events such as this one and second woe, those commissioned disappearing soon thereafter.

    4. Diocesan Chairman

      Reminded members that they need to participate in diocesan and National events. He emphasized on four events namely

      1. Participation in Calendar Events

        Members have not been representing the diocese in National events in the numbers expected and the chairman appealed that they make their presence felt. the following activities were upcomming.

        1. Plgrimages and Shrines

          Pilgrimage to Subukia which was slated for first Saturday in May, this year is 4th May. Let us all participate. we shall continue to contribute fifty shillings(50/=) of the subscription fee towards the Subukia shine

          Towards this end, Feasts of St Joseph Husband of Blessed Virgin Mary on 19th March, and St Joseph the Worker on 1st of March, where it was agreed during the Ammual General Assembly (AGA),that men contribute one hundred shillings (100/=) for each feast, towards the two shrines, in our diocese in Namanga and Mulot. We need to grow our own. Men wer asked to come out in large numbers to escort their contribution and be counted.

        2. National Prayer Day

          This years event will once again be held in Mombasa, scheduled on the 17th of August, 2024. Leaders were asked to make arrangements so tht they may take the opportunity to mingle and pray with men from all over the country.

        3. Diocesan Mass

          This was the ultimate Calendar event for men in the Diocese. Men were asked to ensure they make arrangements early to ensure that we fill the Ngong Cathedral, a feat that has not yet been achieved.

        4. Night Vigil

          Ngong Diocese had, by virtue of proximity to Resurrection Garden, been given the responsibility of organizing this National event. This event was typically held on the first Friday evening of November each year.

          The Chairman requested members to participate in large numbers.

      2. Membership

        All members had, by joining the Association, agreed to live up to the rules and regulations of the organisation.

        By failing to pay the requisite affiliation fee, we are failing to support the programs at all levels. Therefore from now on, those who have not paid will no longer be considered to be members.

      3. Empowerment

        After the talk from Caritas Microfinance Bank, we need to change from a poverty mindset. Let us take advantage of the facilities avalable  to improve our economic positions so that we can give gladly to the church and get God's blessings

         

      4. Insurance

        Last Respect has been taking a considerable amount of our savings. at the Diocese level it has been decided to take a Last Respect policy at a premium of three tousand five hundred shillings (Ksh 3500/=) per year. This will cover parents of both sides of the family, one husband, one wife and three children. Any extra to be provided for as extra premium

         

    5. Chaplain's Remarks

      Association is about meetings. Failure to attend is a sign of lack of commitment. Therefore, in future, those not attending three consecutive meetings or event, shall be required to return their badge and tie and will no longer be members . This is part of the CMA guidelines now ready in a booklet to be released.

      The training manual is turning into a guideline book that touches on spiritual, economic, social aspects of our lives

      The chaplain apologized for the Dean of the Deanery, Fr John Kariuki, who was unable to attend.

      He also asked men to support the bishop while gifting him, as this as used by the bishop to evangelize and assist parishes that are not so well endowed.

  • Closing

    The meeting ended with a blessing from the Bishop and a meal organized by the Deanery executive council.