Fourth Quarter, 2014Issue 2September-October Edition

Inform | Transform | Restore Kshs.

100

vineyardA Magazine of St Paul’s University Chaplaincy and Parish

Love, Work & Family Mix

Love in Every Sense

Raising Catholic Faith-filled Children

Elusive Bread, Dry Cup Fighting Fair in Marriage is 100% Work.

Our Priests: Treasures Indeed

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Love Work & Family

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content

editorial

Publisher: THE VINEYARD is published quarterly by St Pauls Catholic University Chaplaincy.P.O. Box 41512, Nairobi Tel: 0716 568 855email: vineyardmagazinefosp@gmail.com Editor:Samuel Kanja

Photography:Manassehs Kinuthiamackpresso@gmail.com

Vineyard Team: Njeri Muathe, Louise Laura, Reginald Nalugala, Manassehs Kinuthia, Samuel Kanja, & James Njenga

Marketing & Circulation Team: Nicholas Muruka, Paul Peter Otieno & Wangui Mutahi

Coordinators: John Muriithi & Samuel Ndirangu;

Patron:Fr. Peter Kaigua

Design and Layout: RealONE Concepts Ltd info@realoneconcepts.com +254 20 2014741, Nairobi

Printed by: Colourprint limited info@colourprint.com

The VINEYARD of the Lord Almighty is the house of Israel and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight.

1. Editorial 3

2. St Pauls; the home 4

3. Love, work and family mix 5

4. Behind the scenes 7

5. Love in every sense 8

6. Fighting fair in marriage is 100% work 10

7. Juggling God, work and family 12

8. Raising catholic faith-filled children 14

9. Work as an encounter 15

10. The spirituality of work in life 16

11. Elusive bread, dry cup 18

12. Pictorial 20 13. Our priests: treasures indeed 22 14. The good in every human 23

15. Briefs 24

16. That’s love 26

17. Leisure 27

Dear Readers,

The vineyard of the Lord cannot be complete if there is no love. This love can only be expressed and felt in many ways but most importantly through and in the family and work. There is no short cut in bringing harmony among the three; there must be conscious sacrifice to achieve an optimal mix.

The theme of this Vineyard edition is Love, work and Family.These three aspects of life have one thing in common-they are divine infinite in nature. The family can only be sustained through work whereas love brings oneness in the working community as well as the family. This love is jealous and delicate; it can only survive in the most favourable conditions. Any pressure on it makes it diminish.

In every work and family there should be a growing seed of love. The size of the seed doesn’t matter; what counts is the way it grows. It must then be understood that love is the cord that brings broken pieces together and lifts the lamp of joy. The bible says ‘He will love and bless and multiply you; he will bless the fruit of your womb and produce of your soil….’ (Deut 7:13). From this verse, it is clear that love sustains the family (fruit of your womb) and work (produce of your soil).

Moreover, a balance between work and family life is another difficult to get. Attaining an equilibrium between the two is a struggle that each person should strive for because it is attainable and sustainable. Many people tend to spend more time on work and forget the family thus denying it the love it deserves and entitled.

There is time for everything and work should not be allowed to deplete the family values and principles. We work to have the daily bread as well as for passion but we must be aware of other aspects of life that touch on our spirituality, social and physical uprightness and wellness.

This vineyard magazine embarks on these three aspects of life and gives different perspectives to underline the importance of ensuring co-existence of the three. It is my hope that the articles will give newness to ones know-how on each of the areas highlighted in this magazine.

For all those who gave their best to submit, edit and design these articles, the Vineyard team is grateful. Be blessed.

‘Think before you speak. Read before you think’Have a great read.

Samuel Kanja Chief Editor

OID CH EC SR AA N U FR AU RMMI L

“Your Health our Concern!”

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Contacts Limuru Archdiocesan Farm P.O. Box 1479 – 00606 Sarit Centre Telephone : 020-2038218, Mobile: 0727 976 824, 0733 704 030 Email : enquiry@limurufarmadn.org Website: www.limurufarmadn.org

Limuru Archdiocesan Farm was accorded water packaging license and certificate by Kenya Bureau of Standard “KEBS” in the year 2010. The natural taste and an outstanding purity of Tigoni water have made it easy to penetrate the market thereby enabling the Farm to supply in huge volumes to our clients. Tigoni Natural Spring Water currently is rated second in revenue generation for the Farm after tea. This is triggered by its wide market scope, purity, quality and its natural taste.

Tigoni Natural springs water is a Natural Mineral Water that is bottled directly at the source. This makes the mineral water undoubtedly one of the finest pure natural spring mineral water in Kenya. The Source of our water was carefully selected to exceed the expectations from a natural spring located in the farm in Limuru; a part of Kenya renowned for its natural beauty and healthy climate.

From here, Tigoni Natural Springs Water is naturally filtered through UV filtration with a perfect PH balance, and the added benefit of a balanced mineral composition, offering a clean, crisp and invigorating taste from a brand you can trust. Our water is bottled under stringent hygiene conditions and is a water of exceptional purity.

The true church subsists in the Catholic Church.” That is how the document of the 2nd Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium no. 8:2 profoundly identifies the church. The

universality of our relationship makes us more and more Catholics and true. The presence of such a church, true one in this case has to be subsistence, akin to how peasant farmer will have all sorts of farming in their small piece of land. From such a piece of land, the farmer feeds the family and keeps a few animals as well. This becomes a home of relationships. True and close relationships between people, animals and plants!

The subsistence, and in this regard the true Church is indent at St. Paul’s Chapel. Weekdays are serene

St. Paul's, As our Home

Priest’s Desk

with an open sanctuary for personal prayer. People come in and walk out at will; some several times in a day. Some come in just to drink water from a tap next to the parking; of course no money is required. Come Sunday, members gather from all walks of life, to a locus point where they draw nourishment in the words and sacraments: Spiritual development and real interactions of a subsequent nature like life in the farmer’s small farm.

Despite that, one or two comes with ill intentions and steal small items. But aren’t our families composed of such assortment of characters? That notwithstanding, St. Paul’s is a home indeed where we pray and live together in the embrace of the Lord. We are a family!

Fr. Kaigua Ngugi, Chaplain University of Nairobi vy

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OID CH EC SR AA N U FR AU RMMI L

“Your Health our Concern!”

Tigoni Natural Springs Water

For All Fresh Farm Produce

These products includes: - capsicum, tomatoes, beetroots, cabbages, kales, spinach, broccolis, cauliflower, coriander, lettuce, leeks and white onions among others.

Organic Horticultural farming

NB: Free Delivery within Nairobi!

Contacts Limuru Archdiocesan Farm P.O. Box 1479 – 00606 Sarit Centre Telephone : 020-2038218, Mobile: 0727 976 824, 0733 704 030 Email : enquiry@limurufarmadn.org Website: www.limurufarmadn.org

Limuru Archdiocesan Farm was accorded water packaging license and certificate by Kenya Bureau of Standard “KEBS” in the year 2010. The natural taste and an outstanding purity of Tigoni water have made it easy to penetrate the market thereby enabling the Farm to supply in huge volumes to our clients. Tigoni Natural Spring Water currently is rated second in revenue generation for the Farm after tea. This is triggered by its wide market scope, purity, quality and its natural taste.

Tigoni Natural springs water is a Natural Mineral Water that is bottled directly at the source. This makes the mineral water undoubtedly one of the finest pure natural spring mineral water in Kenya. The Source of our water was carefully selected to exceed the expectations from a natural spring located in the farm in Limuru; a part of Kenya renowned for its natural beauty and healthy climate.

From here, Tigoni Natural Springs Water is naturally filtered through UV filtration with a perfect PH balance, and the added benefit of a balanced mineral composition, offering a clean, crisp and invigorating taste from a brand you can trust. Our water is bottled under stringent hygiene conditions and is a water of exceptional purity.

One characteristic of the continuous transformation of our society is that there are more and more

people living in an urban environment and nuclear families, far from traditional rural life. Access to wage labour opens the possibility of a social promotion. It also brings forth new questions

Love, Work and

and challenges. Tight daily schedules, exhausting commuting routes, divergent timetables reduce the time left for home.

A youth patron from an eastern Nairobi parish states: « It is our mistake if we fail to communicate faith to our younger generation. Our children see both of their parents working hard throughout the week and coming back

late in the evening with no time for them. When the week-end comes we are too exhausted and need to rest. Our children have understood that the material welfare of the family and consequently work is the supreme value. They can constrain themselves to study hard, and willingly enter into competition. Come the week-end they let pressure

Family MixSometimes it is not easy to find a healthy co-existence among love,work and family. These three are essential determinants of how ones relationships in life thrive. BRO. LUC of Taize Community gives a reflection on the link among these pillars.

Cover Story

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off claiming they need to compensate for their sacrifices and enjoy freedom to relax and entertain themselves ».

Has work become a threat to the foundation of society and the core values of our existence: family and love ? Can our faith help us to find our way?

A constant element of Christian faith is that work is good and in accordance with God’s will, « man, created in God’s image, received a mandate to subject to himself the earth and all that it contains, and to govern the world... » (Gaudium et spes). Jesus spent most of his life working as a carpenter. Paul boasts of working at his trade and earning his own bread. The Church clearly assesses the connection between family and work.

But work is more than the duty to cater for your family or to contribute to your children education. It also allows you to develop your deepest identity. « When a man works he develops himself, he learns much, he cultivates his resources, he goes outside of himself and beyond himself » (Gaudium et spes).

The Christian vision gives the right meaning of work: « A person is more precious for what he is than for what he has or does ». This is an invitation for a constant screening of our attitude and to give priority to the persons, especially those who have been entrusted to us by God in our family.

If the account of creation in Genesis gives its value to human work according to God’s image, it also gives the

foundation of that freedom towards work. « But if God is at work he also stopped on the seventh day to contemplate his work. Man ought to imitate God both in working and also in resting » (Laborem Exercens, 25). This is a call to master our work and activities, to respect a higher duty and to consent to moderate our spending and earnings in order not to end up living for work rather than working for life. These points of reference from our Christian faith should stimulate our creativity and initiatives in the different fields of our family life and in developing relationships both in the couple and with our children...

Making ourselves available for a contemplative and watchful rest requires energy. It will allow us to reconnect with our deeper self and my commitment, to listen to others and be able to carry their questions, worries or burdens. As a couple, make sure you take enough time to share with one another at least once a week. As a parent see that you offer special moments to listen and spend with each of your children. Propose family outings and common activities; celebrate together feasts, birthdays or other events.

The value of example is paramount. If young persons between 12 and 25 can meet on their way two or three adults, even elderly persons, who have kept alive the commitment made long ago and still live out the joy of giving their lives, this will become for them a solid foundation. The first actors and witnesses

of love are parents. A couple that radiates peace and joy will be a major contribution to build up a young person’s inner life.

There is no easy recipe to balance work, family and love. Love comes first and will give ultimate meaning to family as well as work but it requires constant vigilance and effort. « An inner effort on the part of the human spirit, guided by faith, hope and charity, is needed in order that through these points the work of the individual human being may be given the meaning which it has in the eyes of God and by means of which work enters into the salvation process. » (Laborem Exercens 24)

Br Frere Luc, Taizé Community, Mji wa furaha, luc@taize.fr

There is no easy recipe to balance

work, family and love. Love

comes first and will give ultimate

meaning to family as well as work but it

requires constant vigilance

and effort

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I am not who you think I am,Have been a house-girl for long-security! Custodian!,Change is inevitable, even of the title- ‘OUR girl’ is coolI am not just an employee,And if I am; not eight-five O’clock employee,I think I deserve more of you if not from you.

Imagine what I do-EVERYTHING,Security, cleanliness, diet, mothering & much More?When do I wake up; when do I sleep?My body rarely rests in comfort,Baby, clothes, house, you all and pets on me,Am no slave though; but can things be better?My pay is not in harmony with what I do,However, no pay will match my role in this our (No-It’s Your) family?I think I deserve more of you if not from you.

Think of what I don’t do,I resist harming-can’t I cause scenes?I refuse to hate or hurt in your house,I desist to mislead your fruits of love,I say No to any malicious act,Why? I see myself as part of you (hope it doesn’t hurt),But am I part of you?Am I trusted or you ever in fear of what I can do or mis-do?I think I deserve more of you if not from you.

Am I just a girl still?Am I not a mother to your kids?(But no wife to their father)I feel they behave as I do, they learn to walk from me,They call me ‘aunt’ but is that not a confirmation am yours?Am I then not a sister to either of you?Can get a better aunt but my mark in them remains,Am not asking for heaven but for respect,Respects will breed trust then love blossoms,I think I deserve more of you if not from you.

I pray for this our (Your) family,That it may be blessed,That it may have peace,That it may own the good sons and daughters,That it may make marriage a lifestyle,That joy may prevail,That goodness may abide in it,That all ‘aunts’ may remove ‘Y’ to own it as –(Y)-Ours,I think I deserve more of you if not from you.

By Samuel Kanja-Author& Motivational Speaker

Behind theScenestheme

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Fourth Quarter, 2013

Volume 3

Issue 5

March - July Edition

Inform | Transform | RestoreKshs.

100vineyardA Magazine of St Paul’s University Chaplaincy and Parish

Conversion

Positive thinking

Personal finances

St. Paul on resurrection

The christian challenge

The lent period

Resurrection

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Third Quarter, 2012Volume 2Issue 4September - December

Inform | Transform | Restore Kshs.100

vineyardA Magazine of St Paul’s University Chaplaincy and Parish

St. Paul on Love When should you pray? Jesus at the street mass

The Love of GodThe Love of God

Of alcohol, drugs and a good pen Marriage: A sacrament of service

Life is fair but the happenings of life tend to be harsh. Being pushed to the wall and having no other option but to let life flow and take its own course. The uncertainties of life do not entertain favorites;

any one can face the consuming fire of life. This happens to most people but it happened in a more serious manner to one courageous, faithful and trustworthy man, Wambua.

It was a very exciting moment closing in the insurance cover with the Doctor after several weeks of discussion and just as he was filling in the forms, the cell phone rang. It was his sister in law calling him to rush home urgently. “What could have gone wrong?’’ He wondered. Hastily, he begged to be excused and rushed out of the office towards the bus stop. It took ‘forever’ to get home and as he alighted, all he could think about was his ailing wife Esther and “what if… what if…”

Esther, Wambua’s wife had delivered their first born child, a daughter they named Patience. Her pregnancy

in Every SenseHere is a real life experience that highlights with clarity that love comes from within and that you can only make a commitment to love but not making a commitment after loving. MR.WAMBUA’s story is one that is deep for many to absorb but it is the one that best explains the real fabric of love.

was normal and everything was going on as expected until one fateful day when Esther became ill and was rushed to Kenyatta Hospital by a Good Samaritan, her neighbour. When he arrived at the hospital he was informed that she had been treated for fever and that she would be alright. On returning home, the fever did not subside and in fact, her temperature was rising.

Again, he hired a taxi and rolled back to the hospital. By this time, her breathing had become strained and she was unable to speak. They took her in for observation and tests for the night. In the morning, the doctors revealed that she had developed an infection that was affecting her nervous system. What started off as a fever, quickly turned into torment and tribulation as Esther drifted into a coma and upon awakening, she lost speech and movement of limbs. One night, two and three turned into four and a half months admission at the Kenyatta Hospital. All the while, there lay an infant yearning and crying for her mother’s milk.

The pressure to give up in this state of things would only be overcome by having faith in one’s faith and doubting ones doubts! This is what the couple had in abundance. They knew that this

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Love

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should not be the end; and surely, it was not! Wambua expected the hidden things from above as Jeremiah 33:3 says, ‘‘Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known.’’

Through this maze, one thing remained clear in Wambua’s mind and it was his pledge to wed Esther in holy matrimony; since the date had already been determined, he chose to stick to it. And so, on June 28th while still in hospital and seated on a wheel chair, Esther in the presence of Fr. John Kariba and close friends, was married by her love, Wambua. Despite the lack of glamour and the immense solemnity of the ceremony, the joy he felt was beyond description. He knew that even though she didn’t speak a word of their vows nor raise her fingers to slip on the ring, she was indeed a joyful soul. They had fulfilled their desire to be right in the eyes of God.

How many would really make such a ‘misleading’ decision. For many people, it looks uninformed one but to the two, especially Wambua, it was a spirit-filled decision which didn’t have any shape of a mistake. It is a wakeup call to most of us who always go for good health, riches, beauty, education and all outer looks in marriage.

Eventually, with minimal improvement they returned home, his wife now almost vegetative and completely dependent on assistance for all the basic bodily needs. It was an angelic relative, Eunice Ndunge who had been taking care of the baby while Esther lay in her hospital bed.

As they begun to adjust to the new life at home, it didn’t take long before murmurs begun in the neighborhood as one lady chose to determine the cause of illness. On that particular day, she had accosted the caregiver at home and tried to poison her to leave this “doomed ridden family”. She had said that Esther was a living corpse and she only had a short while to live. This had resulted in a major scuffle in the neighbourhood and unfortunately Esther heard it all while lying on the coach in the sitting room. So when the old lady released Wambua, he rushed to his house only to find Esther lying on the floor in tears, apparently she had tried to move with the hope of stopping the fight that had taken place outside because of her condition.

Anger and bitterness engulfed Wambua’s heart, he felt like he could squeeze the life out of that woman who had done this to his wife, it was painful to swallow that bitter pill but he reminded himself that revenge belongs to the Lord. By the sudden turn of events, barely two weeks later there was mourning in the neighbourhood, the husband to the lady had passed on, apparently he succumbed to cancer of the stomach.Wambua arranged for the family to relocate from Eastleigh to Umoja where his family would be comfortable and the expenses more manageable. With the condition affecting the nervous system, Esther required intensive medical care. Every week since then, Wambua has had to spare 5,000/- on a weekly basis spread over 3 days. This has called for

sacrifice on the amount of time he can spend at work as he has to juggle between work, hospital and attending to their daughter Patience.Eight years have since passed and amidst the burden of illness, there has been a shining light. Esther spends a lot of time in prayer, as she lies on her coach in the sitting room, she holds her rosary and mumbles prayers quietly. Probably this is what has contributed to the growth of the daughter, Patience as well as the ability to meet new clients for Wambua as he sells insurance. Life has been painful with the thorns of this suffering but grace has been sufficient as not once has there been a night when the family has slept hungry nor slept out in the dark. The school too has been very supportive and never have they sent Patience home for lack of fees. Despite everything it has been possible to juggle Work and Love to the amazement of many.In June 2013, the doctors at Kenyatta discovered that she has been suffering from Transverse Myelytis, a neurological disorder caused by the inflammation of the sides of the spinal cord. They advised that she undergoes an operation to improve her quality of life at a cost of 2.5m. At the time this article was submitted, Wambua with the help of friends and relatives was soliciting funds to finance the operation and see his wife walk and talk again.This is a true reflection in real life on what Paul said on Love. Wambua is loving in every sense and his love has not come to the end and it’s not fading soon.

Just think consciously about 1 Cor 13:1-8, which says:

“1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful;

5 it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

6 it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all

things, endures all things.8 Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will

pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”

Article submitted by Mary Anne Kabue vy

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Fighting Fair in Marriage is 100%Work

It takes two to tango. The tango is a dance which requires two partners moving in relation to each other - sometimes in tandem, sometimes in opposition.

Whichever way, each teammate gives a 100% input for it to earn its true intention. In a big way, the reality of tango is replicated in marriage life.

The bigger test to this is on the understanding that no two people in the world, no matter how they feel made for each other, will always agree about everything at all times. It is a disharmony shaped by nature to keep the ball rolling. It keeps

the spouses alert such that none sleeps on the job.

In 1809, Thomas Charlton quoted; “the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.” In view

of that, each partner ought to fasten

As God intended, marriage is meant to be fun, loving, caring and a refreshing experience for the man and woman involved. Marriage is work; and to that effect, the couple must work constantly and proactively to sustain this critical institution. BENEDICT & EDEL SAKWA Shares their views.

this fact upon their mind that for one not to activate a negative reaction in the other, it takes watching your steps day in day out. But if disagreement occurs, it should be allowed to remain true to its nature. To avoid driving the other into a corner, it must not be fanatical, deliberate or stage-managed.

A healthy relationship requires the skills necessary for fair-fighting .i.e. dealing with conflict respectfully and working together to find a solution. Fair fighting is meant to help couples discuss their differences within boundaries while preserving the relationship over the need to “win over” the other. So the conclusion should be as reasonable as the preceeding fight – no vengeance, physical fight or unrelenting bitterness.

What does fair fighting involve and how does it ensure the conflict works in favour of marriage? Embrace conflict: Conflict exposes differences between the couple, taking cognisant of things they can learn from each other. Often conflict helps a couple identify where and what they need to develop e.g. positive attitude, endurance etc.

Focus on subject of concern: The two sides should stick with the issue at hand. Diversionary tactics and past incidences should not be introduced as

a cover-up or to boost ones allegation.

Listen respectfully: When a spouse feels strongly about something, it’s only fair to hear him/her out. Acknowledging the feelings of the one

who has raised an issue is a courageous step towards an amicable solution. One is entitled to their feelings so long as they’re not

premeditated or meant to intimidate the other party. In any case, listening helps one to process and weigh up a claim in order to

respond with prudence.

Talk softly: The mere fact that a couple has unsolved matters does not amount to a contest. The number of

words one speaks per minute or the raising of one’s voice does not make him/her advantaged. The louder one

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yells, the less likely they are to be heard. If your partner yells, do not yell back. Noise excites. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Get curious, not defensive: Shedding light on an assertion is the start of healing process. Defending yourself in any given manner escalates the fight. Keep your cool and seek more information because the burden of proof is on the complainant. When you meet a complaint with curiosity, you make room for understanding.

Ask for specifics: He who does not carry the burden of proof carries the benefit of assumption. If you really feel your claim is not malicious and a solution to it is necessary, facilitate by giving some working illustrations. That helps both parties to solve the matter without tearing into each other’s character. Global statements that contain words like “you always” and “you never” do not hold water in supporting an allegation. Find points of agreement: Take a corrective action before things worsens. Avoid fixing the other party against the wall. Don’t take your spouse’s kindness

for weakness. Be wary of bragging that you are smarter. The Lord says in Jeremiah 9:23, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches. If you do the don’ts you are spoiling for a reaction.

Look for options: Fighting ends when cooperation begins. Ask the complainant to express his/her wish; caring to consider their opinion shows respect. If the case in question requires external solutions, let the accused commit to walk the talk and lead from front by even offering alternatives.

Make concessions: Small concessions can turn the situation around. One person’s compromise stimulates the other to act likewise. Since as a couple your account must balance before moving on, make it a contra-entry of a kind. As one party accepts debt entry, it becomes a credit on the opposite side. The funny bit is that it has no working formula or definite ratios; but where there is will there is way.

Make peace: If you want freshness in your relationship, make sure you sort out every matter of concern between you however small or petty. Most couples we have interacted with prefer ironing out any issues they have in the quietness of the night prior to retiring to bed. This gives them a fresh start to the new day.

Married life is a life-long journey. It is very important to recognize that what binds you is far much greater than what divides you. After research, the author of Ecclesiastes found that, “two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up,” Eccl 4:9-10.

Remember, listening to your spouse with ears, eyes and heart even at times of conflict is the secret to a successful journey. Lest you forget, “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere,” James 3:17.

Benedict & Edel Sakwa are coordinators of Family Life Program at St. Paul’s University Chapel and a Team Couple to Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

”

Fair fighting is meant to help

couples discuss their differences

within boundaries,

while preserving the relationship over the need to

“win over” the other

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JugglingGod, Work and Family?

For many people, it is a serious ‘hardship’ in finding the equilibrium on the love for God, family and the presence of work in life. Can there be a new way of handling the three or is it just the terminal state of things? PAUL PETER gives his thoughts on this.

Not very long ago, around early 2010, a very successful old man advised me, “Put God first, family second and your job at the third place”. That’s easier said than done, I thought to myself. This

is because in reality, it is often very hard to juggle among the three. It is a challenge facing most individuals and families.

In the present economy, we find it almost impractical to place our families and God at the right position in our congested lives, leave alone our jobs or businesses. We spend most of our time at the workplace, often ‘not a very exciting place’. We push ourselves to work, push ourselves to pray, and many at times try to squeeze the time for our families without much success. What could be causing all these? Could there be a formula that could help rearrange our lives in a way that would be pleasing

not only to God and family, but also to ourselves? Hope it did exist.

In Catechism, we are taught that God made us that we may know Him, love Him and serve Him. In the book of Jeremiah, God says that He knew us long before we were born and predestined us. It therefore means that in whatever we do, we must put God first. We are here to know Him and serve Him. That means that we should start recognizing that God is at the centre of everything. He guides us to find jobs, families, businesses and so we must give Him glory in everything we do. Our lives should be a testament that Jesus lives in us and that we are doing everything to his glory. For it is in doing our work that we serve God (Ref. Eph.6:7 and Col.3:23.) If you treat your colleagues, bosses, relatives, neighbors or anyone with contempt, that is not serving God. That is not putting God first!

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Why do we work? Have you ever asked yourself why you do what you do? Why, perhaps, you wake up in the morning, go through some routines then to your work-place, doing all that you do and come back, sometimes, late night or on another day? Many of us take it lightly that it is the way life is. Most probably, you do this to put a meal on the table. In my own opinion, that is not the only reason. Neither is it the most important reason. Not at all! It could be this belief that makes some people feel lethargic and drained. It could be a misplacement of priorities. This, if it is your reasoning, is not good ground to spend all the hours you do at your work-place.

Have you asked yourself why you were created? I want to believe that God did not create you because there was nothing else He could do. He had a purpose for you. There is something greater that God planted in you, the reason you were born, usually very much intertwined with your natural talents and skills and you often feel so great doing it, that the moment you discover it and start doing it, you start living again! By doing what you were created to do, you are serving Him better, He who created you for that purpose. This realization and practice will always inspire you, excite you and keep you alive, even enabling you, perhaps, to earn much more on the same. Much more important, it gives you satisfaction. Most people fail to find this passion-filled work and thus get over-occupied by what else they do so as to fill the void. They change from one challenging job to the most straining; working late to get some extra coins or just to meet deadlines.

Where do we place the family? Serving your family is part of the work, I trust, you are meant to do. In doing this, we serve God too. It is God who gave

you a family and he expects you to give it your best. A good family will certainly make a good worker. Abandoning the family is abandoning the giver and ignoring an essential component in your fulfilment. That is why it is important as well to create time, even if it means scheduling it in your diary, for your loved ones. You cannot claim to be working 24/7 for people that you do not even have time for those you value most. You are not likely to be happy this way and all you would be doing is similar to chasing the wind. This places your family ahead of your job.

The greatest commandment, Jesus said, is ‘love your God with all your heart...’ and the second is ‘love your neighbor as you love yourself’. In both cases, He did not talk much about ‘loving your work’ but if you realize how to show that love to your God and neighbor, it entails the little things we do for them, the services we offer. Like Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and not complaining. Doing your work with a positive mental attitude. That is when God blesses our work and that is where we also show our love for our neighbors (family herein included). By serving them.

We should, therefore understand that order of priority; that God is in all and at the centre of everything. That we should discover what God wants of us and pursue it just like Jesus did. Love our neighbors (family) thereby serving them with our gifts, talents, our daily work and thus work comes as the object through which we demonstrate our love for God and our fellow beings. Remember, “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all ‘these things’ shall be added unto you”. The things to be added are the likes of wealth, food, happiness, et cetera. It may be important to note that this order is indisputable and no lasting or fulfilling success can be achieved without it. That is how to juggle between God, Family and work.

It has been said thus: Do everything for Love. Thus there will be no little things: everything will be big. Perseverance in little things for Love is heroism. The Way, 813

Written by Otieno Paul-Peter (Soft-Skills Trainer, Live Your Dream Enterprises, pp@liveyourdream.co.ke)

We should, therefore understand that order of priority; that God is in all and at the centre of everything. That

we should discover what God wants of us and pursue it just like Jesus did

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Parents and guardians make most of the day to day decisions in the lives of their children. We choose what they wear when they are very young, what they eat inter

alia. Most importantly, the majority, make the choice to raise their children within the Catholic traditions and faith. Question is; are all parents always aware of what is really required of them in this lifetime journey of raising their children in a faith-filled environment?

As a parent and guardian, one should recognize that they are the first teachers to their children in everything. They are the role models and the first examples to their children. Talking to God regularly through prayers, songs (loved most by children) and having Him in the family life improves the family’s relationship with God. Unfortunately, this is an often neglected area by some and a struggle for many. Still, it’s an area that needs keen attention to bear good fruits in inculcating a faith influence on your child. Working at the same faith level with our children renews our own faith life and presents a perfect opportunity to rekindle our own faint convictions

Children as young as one can begin to pray with your help. Even by simply closing their eyes in silence and saying, “Amen!” Our Lord understands their language and knows their intentions. Parents and guardians should encourage and help them to thank God for the good things in their lives.

One of the features of the Catholic Faith is the celebration and marking of events and festivals in the Church. Children love events and always look forward to any celebration. The Christmas events surrounding the birth of Baby Jesus in the manger for example, always fascinate them. Marking and celebrating the main events in the Church year and teaching your children the meaning of each occasion can really be a special time for your family.

As Catholic parents, it is advisable to take our children to Catholic schools and institutions so that they can take part in activities that will teach them about the Catholic faith. Catholic schools have God at the centre of everything they do. They turn religion from a mere school additional element to an integral one impacting everything else in the children’s lives.

sons & daughters

Raising Catholic Faith-filled ChildrenRaising a son or a daughter within the confines of the catholic faith attracts more responsibility for any parent. Teaching can be no better lasting gift to your child than installation of faith at their tender age. This helps inculcate newness and spiritual growth. STANLEY NGACHO looks at it with informative simplicity.

You can’t give what you don’t have……One of the greatest blessings brought about by Vatican II

is the increasing realization that parents must be the primary evangelizers of their children. In order to accept and be nourished by the teachings of the Church, parents and guardians must be involved directly in teaching the faith to their children. Of course, in order to evangelize to our children, we must first develop our personal religious lives. You can’t give what you don’t have. To do this, we must participate in the Sacraments as much as possible and read the bible consistently. We open ourselves to His grace through frequent attendance of daily Mass and reception of Jesus in the Holy Communion. Secondly, we must begin to engage in meditative prayer to connect with God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Mother Mary, our guardian angels and the Saints.

Finally, it is very important that Catholic parents bring their children to Mass each Sunday. The church welcomes babies, toddlers, children and teenagers not just as the future Church, but through Baptism, as full members of the present Church. Children should be made to feel welcome within the Church and develop a sense of belonging thereby being let to actively participate in Mass. The examples parents set in the church is very crucial here. If parents don’t sing, the children too probably will not feel obliged to. For our children to benefit more out of Mass, we need to make an effort to lead by example.

Catholic parents can be and are the natural leaders of their children towards the Catholic Faith. While the parish and the school may help us parents to fulfil this task, our ultimate involvement in the faith life of your child is of utmost importance. All these support and prepare your child to receive the Sacraments.

By Stanley Ngache - Project Officer, UNES Consultancy. vy

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Our culture encourages people to think a lot about making good use of time. People try to multiply their

activities either by working feverishly or by multitasking. Some are moved by the need to make a living, others by the passion for positions and riches, others by a desire for their own fulfilment.

Meanwhile, other people try to work as little as possible and avoid anything they find irksome. They love free time though they don’t know how to use it and are bored. They seek to escape reality, with no intention of proving it. Probably most people fall between these two extremes.

There’s an obvious fact that applies to them all. As St. Augustine puts it: “Our whole life is nothing but a race towards death” (The City of God). So what really is the meaning of life? For some, it is all that frenetic activity, which will come to an end; for others, it is killing time. Everyone needs to pray with the Psalmist: “So teach us to number our days that we may acquire a wiser heart.” (Ps 90:12)

The greater part of the time and energy of a mature person is devoted to professional work. This is a noble reality, desired by God. From the beginning God created man “to work (Gen. 2:15). “Work is man’s original vocation. It is a

Work as an EncounterHow can work be in harmony with our lives? Should work be seen as a absolutely separate part of life. Work should add value to our lives because it is the source of joy and love for others is expressed through it. Ernest Njagi looks at this truth with candid thoughts.

blessing from God, and those who consider it a punishment are sadly mistaken. The Lord, who is the best of fathers, placed the first man in Paradise so that he would work” (Furrow no. 482). True, as a result of sin that reality has become something difficult – but remains a noble reality.

For a Christian, work is an occasion to love God, serve one’s neighbor, and collaborate in the divine tasks of the creation and redemption of the world: creation because God showed his intention to make man a co-operator when he gave him the task of dominating the earth and caring for it; redemption, since the fulfilment of our obligations often is an opportunity to associate oneself with the suffering of Christ.

To encounter and love God in work requires striving to be aware of his presence. It is useful to offer up work when starting and finishing, and to raise ones heart to God with little prayers of petition and acts of thanksgiving. Reminders like a crucifix or image of Our Lady on one’s desk can help. St. John Chtysostom said: “A woman occupied in the kitchen can always elevate her thoughts to heaven and invoke our Lord with fervor. One who goes to the market or is travelling along can easily pray with attention...The servant, if he cannot go to Church because he has to go to the market to make purchases or is in other occupations can always pray with attention

and with ardor. No place is indecorous for God.”

Work is also a privileged opportunity for serving. Often, of course, one must work to support oneself and their family. But one’s work is not a mere commodity for sale. It is service to others, and that spirit of service ennobles it, whether one is a businessman or a production line worker.

It is not Christian, then, to look down on any kind of work. All works is an opportunity to serve others and meet God. All jobs can be offered to God. But they must be done well. One cannot offer to God the sacrifice of Cain who gave the bad fruit of his fields: this is not an offering but a mockery.

It is necessary too to make use of a set of virtues that makes work efficient. The first is punctuality, which includes not postponing what we don’t like, not preferring what we do like, and doing what is most important first. One should not succumb to tedium, but should persevere to the last details. Every work seeks patience, temperance, honesty, respect and integrity. We cannot just work without thinking of the role we are playing in our colleagues, families and friends through it. Work must be in our life not along the periphery; it cannot be de-associated with ‘our other life.’

Another rule is to work with order. Order is necessary in planning a task and organizing the daily schedule as well as in physical arrangements: each thing in its place.

Work done like this for love of God is an encounter with him.

By Njagi Ernest – a student at University of Nairobi

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”For a Christian, work is an

occassion to love God, serve one’s neighbor, and collaborate in the divine tasks of the creation and

redemption of the world

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When you think of “WORK”, what comes to your mind? At the physical level there can be a sense of effort,

weight, obligation, even exhaustion. We have only to look at our world today to realise that forms of slavery still exist. We are all too aware of the millions of women, men, even children, who work long hours for little recompenses-in factories, in mines, in multinational industries.

We may feel challenged, even overwhelmed, in a variety of ways, and that is understandable. We may even choose to remain indifferent and say “There is nothing I can do.” Maybe the invitation is for me, as an individual to have a better understanding of the Spirituality of Work in my life. The words of John Henry Cardinal Newman come to mind. “God has created me to do some definite service; I am part of God’s great plan. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. God has created me for a good reason. He has not created me for naught.”

Let us turn to the Book of Genesis. There are several positive messages here: Work is a good thing instituted by God Work is not a curse Work allows me to become creative Work is our way of reflecting back the glory

of the Creator Work, all work, can have great dignity Work is a stewardship.sIn two stories of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus calls

us to be his followers. Jesus calls us to continue to do what He did and does in our world today. And he reminds us of the need for balance, a need to balance DO-ing and BE-ing. Luke tells us the story of a Samaritan man reaching out with mercy to the victim of a highway robbery. (Luke 10:31 – 37).

And the story concludes with the words of Jesus “DO as the Samaritan did. Reach out in time of need.” Emulating the good works of others is one of the best way of being better than we are.

SpiritualityThe

of Work in LifeSR. GERMAINE explores the divine aspect of work and how it can be used for the glory of God. Her message on work as a gift from God is filled with a tone of joy and essence of willingness.

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The story of the good Samaritan is followed immediately by another, (Luke 10:38 – 62), and the setting is the home of his friends, Martha and Mary. We can so easily identify with Martha, busy, busy, and perhaps there is a little self-pity. She complains and instead of the sympathy she was looking for Jesus reminds her, Jesus reminds us, that these is need for time to just be quiet. Jesus invites us to balance the active with the contemplative.

It is now over half a century since the opening ceremony of the SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL, a Council that changed the Church .Windows were opened and we were invited then, and are invited now, to “read the signs of the times”. Perhaps we need to return to the message of LUMEN GENTIUM and hear it afresh.

This Document highlights the irreplaceable mission of each LAY Christian in the world because they are the presence of the Church in places that only they can reach. Lay people, the congregation of Saint Paul’s, can transform our world. You are called, you have a vocation. Don’t give an excuse of being a lay person; that state actually puts you in an apt position to influence the lives of others positively at a personal level.

Vocations are not just for nuns and priests. The bank, the building site, the sports field, the shopping mall, can be places of sanctification. Work becomes vocational. So we are challenged to be Christ’s visible presence where ever we find ourselves. I think it is Teresa of Avila who said that Christ has no other hands now but mine, no other feet, no other arms but mine to embrace our heart broken women and men and children who carry burdens too heavy for them.

I invite you to ponder the words of OSCAR ROMERO who gave his life for what he believed in March, 1980.

He reminds us that we are human, we are not gods, we can do our little bit and do it well, and I find great freedom in his style of expressing that message.

We accomplish in our lifetimeOnly a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterpriseThat is God’s work.Nothing we do is complete,Which is another way of sayingThat the Kingdom always lies beyond us.

This is what we are about:We plant the seed that one day will grow.We water the seeds already planted,Knowing that they hold future promise.We lay foundations that will need further development,Provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everythingAnd there is a sense of liberation in realising thatThis enables us to do something and to do it very well.It may be incomplete, a step along the wayOpportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.We may never see the end results,That is the difference between the Master builder and the worker,We are workers, not master builders,Ministers, not messiahs,We are prophets of a future not our own.

Sr. Mary Germaine O’Neill (IBVM) is a Loreto Sister .Formerly a counsellor at St. Paul’s Chapel between 1988 - 2000.

Don’t give an excuse of being a

lay person; that state actually

puts you in an apt position to

influence the lives of others positively at a personal level

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You mean it’s almost noon? Given a chance, would you take breakfast or lunch?” My brother Mugo asks casually.

This triggers a debate. Out of a convergence of a dozen plus men and women of varied age and marital status, majority are raising matters of great concern. Each story alludes to ‘how to ignore hunger pangs.’ In my judgment, one cannot afford the luxury of having a meal just because the designated time for it has come; eat if food is available.

Such assemblage is replicated under every tree around. I can hear them talk about how early they woke up – some

Elusive Bread, Dry CupUnemployment and crime have matching proportions because everyone yearns for better life. That is why people without income generating activities are prone to evil deeds and poorly conceived decisions, asserts MANASSEHS KINUTHIA as he identifies God’s part in the unemployment menace.

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for interviews and flopped casual labors, as small-time investors discusses various business impediments. Others have embarked on fresh search for jobs after being rendered redundant. Somehow they are a dejected lot putting on a brave face. Sincerely speaking, joblessness is not a plight of those in the lower end of the social classes. It’s an epidemic which sweeps across the entire society in different scales, manners and effects.

It is incomprehensible how daily bread is deeply entrenched in the Lord’s Prayer as well as bill of rights, yet it’s getting scarce by the day. Though silently, I can’t help putting myself in their shoes and

justify their reaction since I can feel their pain.

I wonder; if someone offers me a job that can put food on my table, would I calculate whether it’s legal or illicit? I’d say to hell with whatever happens, and defend my ‘good conscience’ biblically. 2 Kings 7:3-4, says, “They said to each other, “Why stay here until we die? 4 If we say, ‘We’ll go into the city’—the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.” These people found no sense in dying without taking

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risk. Similarly, well intending people do surrender to dirty businesses as they seek to have their basic needs. But I’d shy away from 2 Kings 7:9 which states: Then they said to each other (as they perceived it evil to loot), “What we’re doing is not right.”

Many a times, Non-Governmental Organizations, NGOs, happens to positively impact on areas where the state is not in a hurry to reach, and act on what the state has put on the back burner. In the spirit of brotherhood and patriotism, would I buy the government’s allegation that NGOs are meddling with local politics, and should be sent packing? I’d weigh the possibility of the state giving equal solutions to those affected and potential job losers, and then take the lesser evil by not gambling with anyone’s lifeline. “Let them stay! A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” I’d shout.

What’s the likelihood of citizens sticking to loyalty-pledge? I pledge my loyalty to the flag and the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. It’s a worthwhile gospel but I’d be unfair to myself or my brother. Not when my dignity is going down the

drain courtesy of the state. A hungry man is an angry man!

Suddenly, it dawn on me that I’m unconsciously auditing the gaps in the state machinery which if filled would significantly transform even household economy. Eliminating unemployment is a sensitive Political and propaganda tool world-over.

History has it that it that industrialization thrives: Where bureaucracy is minimal and uncomplicated, where intellectual property rights are jealously protected, where subsidies are provided to ease the cost of production, where there are stringent measures against piracy and counterfeits, where oppressive laws and regulations that obstruct business prospects are abolished, where basic requirements like roads, power, water, schools and hospitals are available, and more importantly where over-all security is guaranteed so that investors may get confidence. It is common knowledge I dare say, that a great economy is founded on industrialization.

I’m intolerably worked up. Faintly, one of those sitting in the shade says, “Were it not for God’s mercy, we’d be long phased out. We’re orphaned.” This

Secondly, God never said we will never encounter challenges,” I continue, “But

He did say in Matt 28:20, “ I will be with you always

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disrupts my thought process. In a while, I switch to thinking of God’s goodness. “I presume I’m actually fighting an already won battle. I had better let go this contest. They have a comforter,” I conclude. “True!” with conviction, I put in a mixed up biblical overview, “ For God so loved the world that He said He will not leave us like orphans, He will send the Holy Spirit to be our helper; all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Eventually, I relax.

No sooner had I got that load off my shoulders than I ooze some different views in my mind. Firstly I dispel all fears lodged therein over the plight of the jobless, believing that God’s grace is sufficient. “At least I’m aware that grace is not complacency but God given satisfaction,” I mumble. Secondly, God never said we will never encounter challenges,” I continue, “But He did say in Matt 28:20, “I will be with you always.”

As I’m about to secrete the third point, a small voice says sluggishly, “calm down.” As I sit on a bench along Aga Khan Walk, Nairobi, I doze off. At last, my resentment is toned down.

The writer is a film director at Mackpress-Imagemakers, mackpresso@gmail.com

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1 PMC - Train children in the way they should go_ when they grow old, they will not depart from it

2 LECTIONARY- The concise guide to a healthy and satisfactory living.

3 PSALMS-Sisters with voices as they sing the responsorial psalm.

4 LISTENERS-The beauty of being a listener as opposed to being the main celebrant

5 MAIN CELEBRANT-The virtue of love resides deep in your heart. You are the custodian and manager of love wherever you may be - Fr Njoroge

6 MAMMOTH-St Pauls parishioners came in droves to celebrate 45 years since they decided to work as a family and regularly sharing a common meal

7 SPY CHOIR- St Paul Youth delivers in a rather unique way. Their songs

are a fusion of older version and their innovation

8 COMMUNITY CHOIR- Where keys and notes are a keynote. Their animation marks the novelty of St Pauls Chaplaincy

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9 OFFERTORY- Offertory dance is simply a perfection of steps in a quick succession. Older people demands longer training before they fit in

10 SIGNIFICANCE- A jar of porridge connotes an African customary practice where the beverage seves as an object of thanks giving

11 POETESS HUZNA CHELANGAT- In some way, forty is the age you keep your cool as you count your blessings.

But for a kid , forty is 39 plus one 12 POET LARRY LISA- We are under siege. On one hand is a united

church_on the other we are fractured as a nation. In my bag is the healing instructions

13 APPROVAL- A good thing is good for adults and children alike. This girl did find sense in giving a standing ovation for a job well done

14 MENU- Men in charge of food and

beverage. The big question is whether we need a high table down there or not. It a question of conscience

15 FEEDING THE DISCIPLES- After sharing in the heavenly party, let us also share in the the body building excercise. The proof of pudding is in eating!

16 LOVING MATTER- A hearty song and slow motion moves as it find its way to the heart bottom

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Our Priests:

Seeds of faith,Given to us by God,We have fed on their fruits,We feel satisfied but still want more,Many have heard the words; seen the actions,Grateful we are-to God and to you,

Treasures Indeed

Every day you nourish our souls,Service and sacrifice overflowing,The many hours you have been on the podium,We cannot pay for all this,We owe you a lot for all your dedication,Grateful we are-to God and to you

Who will not cry with joy?Who does not miss your next sermons?Who does not want to hear the message of hope?Who will not choose to miss the banquet of the Lord?None!Grateful we are-to God and to you

We shouldn’t forget our priests,We shouldn’t forget their words of wisdom,We will not forget your love for us,You are still one of us,You will remain in our hearts and in our thoughts,Grateful we are-to God and to you

We pray for you all, wishing you goodness,God’s blessings abide and find refuge in you,May favour from above shower on you,May the Lord be gracious to you,Grateful we are-to God and to you

We salute you for all you do to lead us,In the path of light, joy, truth and righteousness,We are in awe of your love for this community,You have become ours and us yours,

For that:Amen to your love,Amen to your care,Amen to your dedication,Amen to your faithfulness,Amen to your great work.Grateful we are-to God and to you

By Samuel Kanja-Friends of St Paul Member

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In 1989 I moved to Nairobi to start the Maryknoll Institute of African Studies – the third year of Tangaza’s existence. I have seen Tangaza grow over the years to its present form. And

only one of the lecturers, Rev. Dr. Nicholas Fogiacco, is still teaching from that early beginning.

Around 1968, I was driving from Musoma through Maasai Mara to Nairobi when the car suddenly stopped running near the Telecommunication Satellite Station. The first car along was driven by an African woman who stopped to see if she could help. I told her that I needed a small part for the engine ignition and asked if she would take it to Mai Mahiu and arrange for someone to bring back a spare. Her reply was: “I can’t leave you here alone you could be robbed. If you have a tow rope, I will tow you.” When I went to fetch the tow rope from the boot, I found the needed spare and was able to start the car – she followed me all the way to Mai Mahiu. My thoughts were that this woman must be a Christian, the good Samaritan, she did what the ordinary local person would not even think of doing.

There are only three things that are innate in human existence: Each one of us is born as an unique individual, there is no

other person that duplicated you. And this uniqueness applies to the whole of creation --to the entire cosmos -- such that even grains of sand are unique and un-duplicable.

Each of us after a long or short life passes away – explodes into a new form of life -- and this is the reality again of all creation. For example, our sun is half way through its life, and as it burns up all its energy it will expand dramatically burning up the earth and will eventually end up as a white dwarf. Likewise, once we die, the billions of atoms that make up our bodies will go off and become something else.

The third thing is the space and time between our births and deaths – where we are now. Outside of our bones, blood and flesh, which we share with all the higher primates, we are all spirit and speech. All we know, love and care for has been learned; our humanness grows out of and develops from that ethnic community of many concerned and supportive people who taught us how to be loving and responsible human beings.

Celebrating 50 years of apostolic work in East Africa, Rev. Prof. MICHAEL C. KIRWEN gives a reflection on three innate things in human existence. This is an excerpt of his article titled ‘Celebrating 50 years of Apostolic Works in East Africa’

The in Every HumanGoodIn reality, we can only become fully

mature human beings by interrelating with each other. And, this need/desire to be more than ourselves, is also spread throughout creation, throughout the cosmos. You put two elements in a test tube and they will try to unite, you put two people in a room and they will try to interact. To be isolated, cut off from human experiences is suicidal -- psychological death - as is reported frequently by people who have been locked up in solitary confinement and struggle to keep from going crazy.

The hard news is that it takes time, effort and sweat to not only learn your classroom lessons but also to learn how to be more and more your fully-human selves, graced with the works of the spirit. And this inner struggle can only be done by you alone. Nobody can do it for you – it is like swimming, driving a car. And there is always the possibility that you will fall out of being your real, fully-human selves and become witch-like, full of immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, and carousing, which are called by St. Paul in Gal: 5: 19:22, the works of the flesh which are the same as the works of the witch.

Rev. Prof. Michael C. Kirwen, M.M., is the Director: Maryknoll Institute of African Studies. Associate Dean: Saint Mary’s University. of MN/USA

...but also to learn how to

be more your fully

human selves, graced

with the works of

the spirit. And this

inner struggle can only be done

by you alone

”

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The Catholic Women Association (CWA) is one of the busiest groups at St Paul’s. In addition to monthly meetings and regular seminars for spiritual growth, we also have functions and events related to health, family

and social life.Two weeks ago on 7th June we had a health talk. We invited

experts to discuss pertinent issues such as nutrition and cancer. Cancer has become so common now that all of us must actively fight to keep it at bay or get it cured in its early stages. Screenings were done after the talk, and the gift of screening was extended to university students who are not CWA members.

The year 2014 is the year of the family. The CWA takes very seriously the role of being mother to parish priests. We have recently had two related functions.

On 19th May the CWA accompanied Fr. Hunja to his home in Gatundu to celebrate 8 years since his ordination. It was the third time members of the CWA were visiting his home. The first time they had visited to get to know his home, meet his parents and his family. The second time was to attend his mother’s funeral.

Catholic Women Association (Cwa) St Pauls

On 21st June the CWA visited Fr. Mbugua’s home to meet his parents and family. It was planned as a bonding activity for the CWA members. The weather was good and members received a very warm welcome from the family, relatives and neighbours of Fr. Mbugua. Mass was celebrated by four priests.

The homily was given by Fr. Kaigua and was divided into two parts. The first part encouraged all of us love and respect parents and the value of home. Fr. Kaigua stressed the fact that of all the gifts we receive or inherit from our parents, faith is the greatest. He went on to add that the problems facing Kenya today are connected to lack of faith. Many of the people in positions of leadership place no value on home and have no respect for parents. They have therefore missed out, while growing up, on the gift of faith which is bestowed on obedient children by their parents. Consequently such people, even when in leadership positions, have no value system with which to guide others.

The second part of Fr. Kaigua’s message was that growing up in a large family has many advantages. One of the advantages is the diversity involved. The Lord blesses each child with a unique gift or talent. The home, therefore, will be blessed with many different gifts.

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Some of the CWA activities and visits to St Paul’s Priests homes

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Below is an account by Sr. Mary Owens on the St Paul’s Medical Camp held on 6th September 2014. Her organisation, Lea Toto was the main partner in the camp.

Last year, Lea Toto Staff took part in a free Medical Camp organized by Friends of St. Paul’s, a Catholic parish which also serves Nairobi University. Our staff were so inspired by this experience of availing free medical services especially to the poor, and by the volunteer spirit of the medical and other personnel, that they requested we become more involved this year. Not only did more Lea Toto staff volunteer, but four of them offered to be on the planning committee.

In addition, Lea Toto also provided T-Shirts for the volunteers and the loan of equipment such as blood pressure testing

Touching Lives through Charitymachines and thermometers. I was equally inspired when I participated this year and witnessed the magnificent planning of medical services in place: Initial reception followed by height and weight check, temperature and blood pressure test. Individual consultations took place and referrals either to services at the Camp or hospital. Talks on various health topics were available. I was honored to be asked to be Guest of Honor and officially open the Medical Camp.

Beforehand, four mini camps were held in some of the informal communities, at which Lea Toto also volunteered. Thousands of people benefited from these undertakings which were only made possible by the overflowing love from individuals and the church community.

Sr. Mary Owens-Director, Lea Toto Foundation

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vy

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Give company to a lonely person, that is loveProvide a listening ear to a hurt person, that is loveGive your time to be with the despised, that is loveStand by a person who feels neglected by the world, that is loveKeep the promise of being faithful to a friend, that is loveTake your time to put a smile on a sad face, that is loveSwallow your pride, humble yourself and apologize, that is loveIf a spouse stands by their partner after a misfortune that changes life, that is loveGive hope to the hopeless and encouragement to the discouraged, that is loveGive a shoulder to lean on to a weary person on this journey of life, that is loveTake your time to walk for the physically handicapped, that is loveHear for the deaf, speak for the dumb and see for the blind, that is loveHave the best interests of other people at heart, that is great love.

By Mureithi Anthony

That’s Love Love is friendship that has caught

fire. It is quiet understanding,

mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.

”

inspiration

vy

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COLOURING PHOTO

children’s corner

Crossword Puzzle

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About St. Joseph

St. Joseph was the foster father of Jesus and he is the patron saint of workers. He is therefore called St. Joseph the Worker. He is the patron of workers partly because he was a worker himself - a carpenter. Jesus was also a good worker. When Jesus was a child, until it was time for him to go out into the world, He helped his foster father St. Joseph with the capentry work that needed to be done. We know that because Jesus never sinned, He certainly would have followed God’s commandment to honor His parents. It is certain that Jesus never dishonored St. Joseph by refusing to do the work which St. Joseph asked Him to do.

Families help each other even though it sometimes requires work. If you are ever frustrated by the work that you have to do to help your family, ask Jesus and St. Joseph to help you to be strong inside so that you can put away your bad feelings about it. Ask them to help you to remember how important it is for us not to ever be lazy and, most importantly, to serve each other for the sake of God’s kingdom.

Adapted from parentsduty.comCompiled by Njeri Muathe

Down2 Adam’s second son3 Cain’s first son (Gen 4:17)4 Adam’s first son6 Adam’s third son7 What creature tempted Eve8 Cain lived in this land10 First man12 First woman

Across1 Cain’s occupation (Gen 4:2)5 The______of Eden6 Adam and Eve’s first clothes

(Gen 3:21)9 Because of sin the ground

was____(Gen 3:17)11 Abel’s occupation (Gen 4:2)13 Cain became a______and a

vagabond (4:12)

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COLOURING PHOTO

children’s corner

Crossword Puzzle

27 vineyard

About St. Joseph

St. Joseph was the foster father of Jesus and he is the patron saint of workers. He is therefore called St. Joseph the Worker. He is the patron of workers partly because he was a worker himself - a carpenter. Jesus was also a good worker. When Jesus was a child, until it was time for him to go out into the world, He helped his foster father St. Joseph with the capentry work that needed to be done. We know that because Jesus never sinned, He certainly would have followed God’s commandment to honor His parents. It is certain that Jesus never dishonored St. Joseph by refusing to do the work which St. Joseph asked Him to do.

Families help each other even though it sometimes requires work. If you are ever frustrated by the work that you have to do to help your family, ask Jesus and St. Joseph to help you to be strong inside so that you can put away your bad feelings about it. Ask them to help you to remember how important it is for us not to ever be lazy and, most importantly, to serve each other for the sake of God’s kingdom.

Adapted from parentsduty.comCompiled by Njeri Muathe

Down2 Adam’s second son3 Cain’s first son (Gen 4:17)4 Adam’s first son6 Adam’s third son7 What creature tempted Eve8 Cain lived in this land10 First man12 First woman

Across1 Cain’s occupation (Gen 4:2)5 The______of Eden6 Adam and Eve’s first clothes

(Gen 3:21)9 Because of sin the ground

was____(Gen 3:17)11 Abel’s occupation (Gen 4:2)13 Cain became a______and a

vagabond (4:12)

children’scorner

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THE CORNER BROOK SCHOOL, JUJA (TCBS)Boys’ Boarding High School

A boys’ only school, 34kms from Nairobi city, set on a serene, conducive environment

Qualified teaching staff Fully equipped science lab Text books and boarding materials provided

For details and interviews:Call 0720 442 056, 0711 798 618, 0722 771 592Email: thecornerbrookschooljuja@gmail.comWebsite: www.thecornerbrookschool.org

To provide a conducive environment that empowers the boy child through imparting relevant knowledge and skills while nurturing and exploiting their talents thus enabling them to embrace global trends

OUR MISSION

OUR VISIONTo be a leading institution in boy child learning and empowerment

Key Features Secure boarding facility with hot water Balanced diet offering scrumptious meals Refreshing green learning environment Sporting facilities including soccer, rugby,

basketball, lawn tennis, volley ball and swimming

Semper Paratus

Welcome to the Corner Brook School, a school

that believes in the boy child and where

Learning is funThe Corner Brook School is a boys’ boarding

high school offering 8-4-4 education system,

situated on Juja Farm road, 4kms from Thika

Super Highway.