August 2012 Issue

Our Bishop John Oballa is very keen on communications. In this regard he has established a communications office which should be disseminating news to the parishes and to other relevant organs on what is going on in the diocese.In a conversation with one of our priests, the matter of the content of Ngong News came up. The priest expressed hope that the paper will in the future widen its scope beyond clerical matters.In view of the above, it is the plan of the editorial board to live up to the expecta-tion of our readers. You will note that we are talking of an editorial board which is a new development in Ngong News. Members of the board include Bishop as Chairman, Fr. Dominic Waweru, Communications Director, Fr. Francis Mwangi, Assistant Communi-cations Director, Esther Waweru and Daniel Kipngetich, a journalist.

FR.DOMINIC WAWERUEDITOR

wish to share this time my experiences in the parishes that I have visited. Let me first start by saying that I have been greatly impressed by the vastness of the diocese. Sec-ondly I have equally been impressed by the diversity of cultures as well. During my trips, I have undertaken pastoral activities like Confirmations, Marriage celebrations and Parish day Celebrations

In all those visits, I have been accorded very warm and cordial reception. Some Parishes have gone out of their way to buy me fish but I must however say I have felt challenged in the spirit of humility commanded by our Lord to accept whatever is set out before me to eat. On the area of vocations I wish to appreciate the work done by the Missionaries, our local clergy and Religious. In nearly all the parishes I have seen good and commend-able initiatives especially in health and education facilities. I do appreciate the active participation of the laity in the life of the Church, despite the many chal-lenges. My story would not be complete if I don’t express my personal grief over the passing on of Prof.George Sai-toti. I must say that the diocese lost a prominent person who was truly committed in promoting peace and development, not just in the Diocese but indeed the whole country. Last but not least, I wish to express my thanks to the diocese for having provided me a vehicle without which my pastoral visits would have been virtually impossible.May the work of evangelization continue at all fronts!

Bishop John Oballa

Editor’s Desk

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INSIDE STORIESBishop John Oballa’s Home Coming Pg 2New Appointments in the Diocese Pg 3Bishop meets the Seminarians Pg 3Other Stories Pg 4 & 5Launching Caritas, Bishop’s Diary Pg 6

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t was a great joy for the Christians of Kisumu Archdiocese to welcome their beloved son Bishop John Oballa back home after his Episcopal Ordination. This was on the 24th of May 2012. The Bishop got a V.I.P. reception at the airport. When he descended from the plane His Grace Archbishop Zacheaus Okoth, Bishop Linus Okok, his mother, Priests, Reli-gious Men and Women and the laity were there on the run way to welcome him to Kisumu City. The Bishop signed the visitor’s book before proceeding to St.Theresas’ Cathedral in a convoy of more than twenty motorcades. In the Cathe-dral, after short adoration the Bishop signed the visitors’ book before proceeding to Ukweli Pasto-ral Centre for a quick breakfast.

BISHOP JOHN OBALLA’S HOME COMING

At around 11 am the Bishop entered Uzima University grounds in style, accompanied by His Grace the Arch-bishop of Kisumu Archbishop Zachaeus, Bishop Linus Okok, members of the clergy, religious and laity. There was joy and jubilation. The Holy Mass begun at around noon, and was presided over by Bishop John Oballa. Archbishop Zach-eaus Okoth, Bishop Okok and many Priests concelebrated.The Bishop in his homily, thanked the people of Kisumu for bringing him up, for the warm welcome accorded to him, and for coming to Ngong for his ordination in great numbers. He asked for their continued prayers and he also promised them prayers and God’ choicest blessings, for everything is possi-ble with God.

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Grand welcome at Kisumu International Airport

Mass Procession at Uzima University grounds

Bishop is installed as an elder.

He also thanked the Christians and the clergy of Ngong Diocese for having accepted him as one of them in Ngong. His Grace Archbishop Zachaeus Okoth said that it is time for Kisumu to give back as it had received in 1964 Monsignor J.de Reeper when he was transferred from Ngong to Kisumu.

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Ngong Diocese Representatives

At the end of the Mass the Bishop was made an elder. He was also given various gifts. A number of Priests led by the Vicar General, Very, Rev. Fr. John Ntiseyia, and laity from various parishes in Ngong Diocese were present.

The following appointments have been made.Fr.Thomas Chepkwony------------------ [locum tenens] in Lolgorian.Fr. Paul Naikisi----------------------------Fr. In - charge in Entasekera.Fr. Francis Nga’nga------------------------Fr. In - charge in AbosiFr. Ambrose Musyoka------------------------Fr in charge in Narosura.Fr. Charles Ndemange----------------Assistant Priest in Narok [temporary].Fr. Antipas Hamisi---------------------Assistant Priest in N/Enkare.Fr. John Otieno A.J. --------------------Assistant Priest in Magadi.

Fr.Edmund Tarimo who has been the Fr. In charge in Naroosura has been appointed as the acting Rector of St. Mary’s Major Seminary in Molo. Fr. Tarimo is not new there as he worked there before. He has also been the Rector at St. Augustine’s Major Seminary Mabanga. The Bishop and the entire Diocese congratulates Fr. Tarimo and wish him all the best in his new appointment.

APPOINTMENTS IN THE DIOCESE

The Ngong diocesan seminarians had their annual get-together as from 31st of July to 2nd of August 2012 at the Watakatifu Wote Senta. They were 19 in number including the 4 who are doing pastoral work in various parishes in our diocese. The Bishop had time to meet each student individually. He also celebrated Mass for them. He asked them to take formation seriously and to accept corrections positively. He cautioned them against the vice of tribalism.

BISHOP OBALLA MEETS THE DIOCESAN SEMINARIANS

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The tenth of June 2012 was a sad day for Kenya. At around 9.30 am Professor George Saitoti, Minister for Internal Security and his assistant minister Joshua Orwa Ojode , together with their body guards and two pilots perished in a helicopter crash at Ngong forest in Kibiko.It was not only a sad day for the country but also for the diocese of Ngong and Kajiado County for the many development projects he had initiated. In the Diocese he was always ready when called upon in various fund rais-ings and when invited for any occasion.

THE LATE PROFESSOR GEORGE SAITOTI

His Eminence John Cardinal Njue and the 1st Secretary at the Nunciature consoles Mrs. Margaret Saitoti.

Funeral procession of the late professor Saitoti

H.E. the President, Hon. Prime Minister, H.E. Excellency the Vice President, Speaker of the National,

H.E. John Cardinal Njue, Rt. Rev. Bishops John Oballa Owaa and Martin Kivuva at Professor Saitoti’s burial.

He was a personal friend to many, hard

working, humble, kind and a very amiable

person. He easily inte-grated with the people

and steered clear of confrontational

politics.

Professor Saitoti was given a well deserving farewell requiem Masses one at the Basilica on the 15th June and the other one on the 16th June at his home at Enkasiti. Both His Eminence John Cardinal Njue and Bishop John Oballa asked the Government to speed up the investigations unto what really caused the acci-dent. Bishop Oballa also requested the Government to set aside the crash scene so as to build a monument or a shrine where people could go for prayers in memory of those who perished there in the spirit of giving and for aviation safety.

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NOTICESThere will be three {3} important events soon in the Diocese;1. There will be a farewell and thanks giving Mass for His Eminence John Cardinal Njue on the 28th August 2012 at the Watakatifu Wote Senta starting at 10.a.m.2. Priest’s Annual General Meeting will take place from the evening of 26th September to 28th September at W.W.S.3. Bishop Emeritus Colin Davies 60th Priestly anniversary Mass will be on the 29th Septem-ber starting at 10 a.m.

The debris of the helicopter that crashed at Kibiko killing Prof George Saitoti, his assistant Orwa Ojode, two pilots and their security detail was removed from the site of the crash on 4th July 2012. The incident was witnessed by the Appeal Judge Kalpana Rawal, who is heading the probe team and others. In the meantime the government formed a Commission of inquiry into the cause of the crash. It is hoped that the truth will be known soon! Professor Saitoti will definitely be missed by the Diocese and the entire people of Kenya.

Ngong Parish had a fundraising function on the 24th June 2012in aid of purchasing two parish vehicles. Fr. John Kariuki celebrated the Holy Mass before the fundraising begun. In his homily he challenged the Christians to own the Parish. He emphasized the spirit of self reliance. The fund-raising was successful.

THE COPTER CRASH AT KIBIKO FOREST

IN THE NAME OF GIVING

Due to the security situation in the country, Bishop John Oballa is asking all the parishes to establish security committees. This is for the safety of the Parish.I bet you only heard of “Operations Linda Kenya”. But the Moran of Kitengela and Opera-tion Linda Ngo’mbe coined in explanation to their killing of lions that had mutilated their goats. (Daily Nation 21/06/12)

SECURITY SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY

To our readers out there with writing talent, there is a call for submission of manuscripts of stories in a writing competition organized by a group by the name Kwani. The first prize is Kshs. 300,000.00. Deadline for submission of manuscripts is August 2012. Google “Kwani for email details as well as details on the competition.

WRITING COMPETITION

LEGEND OF NGONG HILLS A film by one Nkome Nyongo”Legend of Ngong Hills” purports to relate to origin of the word Ngong. It associated Ngong with an ogre that terrorized the Maasai and was killed by the Morans. The depressions you see on Ngong Hills are the upsurge of the grave of the ogre” that is Ngong Hills as the ogre struggles to wake up. Goes another legend, there is also the theory that Ngong originated from “Enkongu”, which are the knuckles of a closed fist. However the origi-nal name for Ngong town was actually ‘enchore muny”. Find out the Maasai mean-ing for that from any Maasai.

MIND BOGLING VENTURE Ordinarily one would expect that a person who takes a venture like walking around the world would do it to enter the Guinness book of world records. Not so for a French Cana-dian by name Jean Beliveau who completed a walk around the whole world. I hosted him at Kajiado Parish as he walked this African leg of the trip and he told me he was doing it for the peace of children of the world. I keep in touch with him and he is in good shape, and has suffered no physical injury. His website www.walk.org

It was jubilation and merrymaking when Bishop John Oballa launched Caritas Ngong at a ceremony that was held on 11th of May 2012 at the Watakatifu Wote Senta Ngong. The ceremony which was graced by the Caritas director to Kenya Mr peter Nguli becomes a new landmark for the Diocese in attainment of its mission statement of empowering the pastoralists and other marginalised groups

within the diocese for the betterment of their livelihoods.

BISHOP’S ITINERARY FOR AUGUST 2012 2nd W.W.S. Diocesan Seminarians’ Mass at 09.00 am. 4th W.W.S. A.O.S.K. Golden Jubilee celebration (Ngong Unit) 5th Ololulunga Pastoral visit: CMA and CWA Commissioning, Confirmations 12th Naroosura Parish Day, Confirmations 18th Kiserian Diocesan Youth Mass at 10.00 am.19th Ongata Rongai St. Mary’s Catholic Church Parish Day21-22 KEC Plenary 26th Loitokitok Parish Day 27 -31 W.W.S. Diocesan Pastoral Council 28th W.W.S. Farewell – H.E. John Cardinal Njue. Holy Mass at 10.00 am

Bishop John Oballa unveils Ngong Caritas Plaque

Catholic Diocese of NgongP.O Box 24801 - 00502, Karen, Kenya

Tel: (+254) 20 8029816, Mobile: (+254) 721491057, Fax: (+254) 20 2425019E-mail: bishop@ngongdiocese.orgWebsite: www.ngongdiocese.org