As we celebrate our 50 years of dedicated service in the Lord’s vineyard, we reflect with gratitude on the commitments of those who came before us. This anniversary prompts us to consider important questions: Have our perspectives changed or clarified over time?
By Fr. Jacob Muia, Mccj
The Golden Jubilee marks a significant opportunity for reflection and reconnection with our past. It is a time to document and share our history, commemorating a milestone with the reverence it deserves. As we celebrate our 50 years of dedicated service in the Lord’s vineyard, we reflect with gratitude on the commitments of those who came before us. This anniversary prompts us to consider important questions: Have our perspectives changed or clarified over time? What has motivated our continued efforts in missionary and pastoral work? What challenges whether missionary, economic, or pastoral have we faced over these fifty years? And, most crucially, how have we been granted the grace to endure?
A Biblical Framework for the Jubilee
The Jubilee provides an occasion to look both backward and forward, as illustrated in Leviticus 25:8-28. This sacred time allows us to recall past events, repent for mistakes, redeem what has been lost, rejoice in the blessings received, acknowledge God’s mercy, and recommit ourselves to manifesting the Kingdom of God on Earth (Mark 1:16). As we celebrate this golden jubilee and look towards the future, it is essential to understand the journey that has brought us to this point. This article aims to shed light on the presence and impact of the Comboni Missionaries in Kenya, focusing on Kacheliba in West Pokot.
The Mission of the Comboni Missionaries
The Comboni Missionaries, despite facing numerous challenges, have remained unwavering in their commitment to serving God’s people. For over 150 years, they have traversed the globe, spreading the Good News of Christ and working to uphold human dignity. Their dedication and enthusiasm have driven them to establish new missions and reach out to those in need of the gospel. One such mission is Kacheliba. The unpredictable regime of Idi Amin Dada in Uganda characterized by visa denials, residence permit refusals, and expulsions necessitated the creation of the Kacheliba mission and the Kenya province. Established in 1973, Kacheliba remains the oldest mission in the province.
Innovative Approaches to Evangelization
Evangelization has always been the primary focus of the Comboni Missionaries. Upon their arrival in Kacheliba, they employed a variety of methods to spread the word of God, including films, crusades, catechism classes, traditional dances, and feeding programs in chapels and schools. Health concerns also prompted the establishment of clinics and hospitals. Social development and youth ministries were emphasized as well. The Comboni sisters established skill-training centers for Pokot women, teaching sewing and attracting many who were not in school. They provided essential hygiene education, including lessons on house cleaning, personal hygiene, and childcare. Their presence in Kacheliba significantly improved formal education, with many successful individuals today benefiting from their scholarship programs.
Understanding and Embracing Local Culture
The Pokot people’s traditions and stories, which have evolved over centuries, are among the most captivating in Kenya. Their rich cultural practices including ceremonies, festivals, dancing, and music have significantly contributed to the country’s cultural tapestry. Key social ceremonies mark life transitions, such as the cleansing rituals for expectant couples and newborns. As the Comboni Missionaries engage with the Pokot community, they practice inculturation, a process essential to their mission. Inculturation involves understanding, appreciating, and integrating local cultural elements into their evangelization efforts, without abandoning their cultural identities. This approach facilitates effective communication and demonstrates Gospel witness and solidarity. The Pokot culture, like any other, contains valuable elements that resonate with Gospel values, such as communal living, respect for elders, a sense of the sacred, and belief in the supernatural. Communalism is a cornerstone of Pokot identity, encapsulated in the phrase “cognatus ergo sum” (I am related to others; therefore, I exist).
Overcoming Challenges
Despite their dedication, the Comboni Missionaries have faced several challenges. Some Pokot parents were reluctant to send their children to school, questioning the value of education. The presence of foreign missionaries sometimes triggered fear and suspicion, creating barriers to effective communication and trust. Language barriers also posted significant difficulties, as understanding and speaking local languages were crucial for successful evangelization and community engagement. Nevertheless, the Comboni Missionaries have persisted in their mission, continuing to spread the gospel, provide education, and foster social and economic development in the Pokot region.
The Evolution of the Parish
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our presence in Kacheliba, we recognize that the parish has evolved into a vibrant community of Christian faithful, firmly rooted in Catholic faith and life in Christ. Our parish serves as a “primary place” of evangelization, where the faithful, priests, and laity are called to live out their baptismal vocation by imitating Christ in His priestly, prophetic, and kingly roles. The parish fosters the ordinary expression of liturgical life, teaches Christ’s saving doctrine, and practices charity through good works and brotherly love. We are each called to discern Christ’s role in our lives, follow Him, and share our Faith.
A Vision for the Future
To inspire others, we must cultivate a passionate vision for the future. Are we truly passionate about what lies ahead? Can we envision a time when the Kingdom of God flourishes on Earth through our active outreach, sharing the hope and healing that come from Christ? Imagine a future where each of us plays a role in transforming lives by introducing people to the Living Presence of Jesus. This vision fulfills our prayers for our loved ones and our mission. It is a future to be excited about! Our future is guided by a roadmap with five key elements: Worship, Grow, Serve, Connect, and Give. Stewardship Prayer is crucial in realizing this vision. We encourage everyone to pray it for themselves, their loved ones, and all those involved in the great work of God.
STEWARDSHIP PRAYER
My mission is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is.
It will be friendly if I am. It will be holy if I am.
Its pews will be filled if I help fill them.
It will do great work if I work. It will be prayerful if I pray.
It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am a generous giver.
It will bring others into worship if I invite and bring them in.
It will be a place of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith,
of compassion, charity, and mercy if I, who make it what it is,
am filled with these same things.
Therefore, with the help of God, I now dedicate myself to the task
of being all the things that I want my mission to be.
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