First of all, as I told you last week, I have been in the parish for a month. I also explained that I am in the first step of the theological method: to see. I am watching the reality of Holy Trinity Church. Even though I am in the first step of this method, I have been making some small changes. I do not know if you are aware of them, but I would like to share with you some of them.
We now have a procession at the beginning, at the presentation of the gifts, and at the end of Sunday masses (Saturday evening as well) when I preside the Eucharist. We have Dc. Gary Terrana, who is a great help to our parish, is processing with the book of the Gospels at the beginning of the Mass and serving in his duties as a deacon. When the deacon is not present, the lector is processing with the Book of the Gospels. Part of my spiritual life is my devotion to our mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. I pray and consecrate to her at the end of the Mass. Also, I pray “Glory be to…” at the end of my homilies. These are not part of the liturgy. These are part of my faith and love for God, our mother, and the Roman Catholic Church.
Another change that you probably have seen is in the bulletin. We are now adding the current Sunday intention for the Mass until the following Sunday in the bulletin. The reason is because I think that it is very important that all of us know what is the intention of the Mass that we are participating in. In addition, we are highlighting the fact that liturgically Sunday starts on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. For this reason, even though the Vigil Mass (Saturday) is celebrated, we already read Sunday. This is not a typing mistake. Saturday evening is already Sunday in the Roman Catholic Church. For this reason, we have Saturday’s evening Mass because we are in the first vespers of Sunday already.
Secondly, as you heard this past Sunday, Fr. John Omboga is preaching about his home diocese, Diocese of Ngong in Kenya. I want to share something that Fr. Omboga wrote about his diocese.
“The Catholic Diocese of Ngong was created from Nakuru and Kisumu Dioceses, back in 1961 as a prefecture then lead by Monsignor John De Reeper, who in 1963 handed on to Monsignor Collin Davies all are deceased. Monsignor Davies led the diocese until he was made full fledged diocese in 1977 under his leadership, he handed on the mantle of leadership to Bishop Emeritus Cornelius Schilder, who resigned on health grounds in 2009. The dioceses was led by an apostolic administrator until 2012 when the current bishop John Oballa Owaa was consecrated.
It was created to take care of the Maasai people who are the majority in the two counties of Kajiado and Narok that our diocese covers. In evangelization, social well-being, education and economic state of the people.
The theme of this year’s MCP: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the many children were affected, and others left as orphans. The funds will be used to offer counselling, tuition for those who cannot afford, and provide medical care when unable to pay for prescription in our health facilities, and to enhance the work of evangelization.
Thank for your generosity as always. May the good God bless and reward. We really, as parish, value and appreciate your spirit and heart of giving.”
My brothers and sisters… let us welcome Fr. Omboga and be generous with his mission.
Let us remember, “The Parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build.”
God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. George
