A DOCUMENT ON HUMAN FRATERNITY · 20th August 2016 at St.Joseph and Mary Parish, Shauri Moyo, Nairobi by Bishop Joseph Obanyi of the Diocese of Kakamega. He was ordained priest on

1Friends of Mill Hill

2 Friends of Mill Hill

Abu Dhabi, 4 February 2019His Holiness Pope Francis Great Imam

of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyib(A selected section)

In the name of God who has created all human beings equal in rights, duties, and dignity, and who has called them to live together as brothers and sisters, to fill the earth and make known the values of goodness, love, and peace;

In the name of innocent human life that God has forbidden to kill, affirming that whoever kills a person is like one who kills the whole of humanity and that whoever saves a person is like one who saves the whole of humanity;

In the name of the poor, the destitute, the marginalized and those most in need whom God has commanded us to help as a duty required of all persons, especially the wealthy and of means;

In the name of orphans, widows, refugees and those exiled from their homes and their countries; in the name of all victims of wars, persecution and injustice; in the name of the weak, those who live in fear, prisoners of war and those tortured in any part of the world, without distinction;

In the name of peoples who have lost

their security, peace, and the possibility of living together, becoming victims of destruction, calamity, and war;

In the name of human fraternity that embraces all human beings, unites them and renders them equal;

In the name of this fraternity torn apart by policies of extremism and division, by systems of unrestrained profit or by hateful ideological tendencies that manipulate the actions and the future of men and women;

In the name of freedom, that God has given to all human beings creating them free and distinguishing them by this gift;

In the name of justice and mercy, the foundations of prosperity and the cornerstone of faith;

In the name of all persons of good will present in every part of the world;

In the name of God and of everything stated thus far; Al-Azhar al-Sharif and the Muslims of the East and West, together with the Catholic Church and the Catholics of the East and West, declare the adoption of a culture of dialogue as the path; mutual cooperation as the code of conduct; reciprocal understanding as the method and standard.

We, who believe in God and in the final meeting with Him and His judgment, on the basis of our religious and moral responsibility, and through this Document, call upon ourselves, upon the leaders of the world as well as the architects of international policy and world economy, to work strenuously to spread the culture of tolerance and of living together in peace; to intervene at the earliest opportunity to stop the shedding of innocent blood and bring an end to wars, conflicts, environmental decay and the moral and cultural decline that the world is presently experiencing.

A DOCUMENT ON HUMAN FRATERNITYFOR WORLD PEACE AND LIVING TOGETHER


By Jakob Kirchler

‘ C h r i s t ’ s resurrection is not an event of the past; it contains a vital power which has permeated this world. Where all seems to be dead,

signs of the resurrection suddenly spring up. It is an irresistible force….’ (Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, 276)

If it was not for the force, the power, and the reality of the Resurrection of Christ, the missionary life would not make sense. The death of a young missionary caught up in a political conflict in Cameroon, the death of a missionary in a tragic road accident in South Africa, the many sacrifices by missionaries and friends of missionaries make sense only in the light of Christ’s Resurrection. The desire to spread the Good News of the Kingdom of God lies behind the choice made by young men and women to become missionaries for life, it strengthens older missionaries –men and women- to continue working beyond retirement age, and it inspires

men and women to support the work of the missionaries by their friendship, their prayers and their financial donations. We celebrate Temporary and Perpetual Oath and Vows’ ceremonies, we celebrate ordinations and jubilees, we enjoy visits by Friends of Mill Hill, and yes, we also celebrate funerals. And all this, because Christ has risen, truly risen.

During the General Audience on 27th March 2019 the Pope said, ‘I intend to express my gratitude to all the missionaries, priests, religious and laity, who spread the seed of the Kingdom of God in every part of the world. Your work, dear missionaries, is great. You “burn” your life sowing the word of God with your testimony .

We admire the courage and wisdom of Pope Francis who together with the Great Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyib signed A DOCUMENT ON HUMAN FRATERNITY to encourage dialogue and collaboration of Christians and Muslims for a peaceful world.

We pray for missionary vocations, priests, brothers, sisters and lay people.

‘Such is the power of the resurrection, and all who evangelize are instruments of that power.’ (The Joy of the Gospel, Nr. 276)

Editorial

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Content2 A document on human fraternity3 editorial4 Tornado in Watakau5 Friends of Mill Hill/Kenya6 Safari of Friends of Mill Hill/Uganda8 Golden Jubilee of Br.Franz Bischof

10 In memory of Fr.Cosmas Ondari12 Tribute to Fr.Cosmas13 Return to Kembong14 Shauri Moyo, 40 years15 Annual Assembly16 Perpetual Oath and ordinations17 Obituaries

Friends of Mill Hill

4 Friends of Mill Hill4

by Fr.Ignatius Nshing

Watakau village is one of our biggest villages hosting several thousands of inhabitants a majority of whom are Christians. It is our most populated and vibrant Mission Stations with a lot of activity going on for different groups of people especially the youth. What has brought the people together and strengthened their bonds of unity, cooperation and team work has been the church which was established in the center. With the church building constructed over ten years ago people have continuously gathered to pray and sing and be instructed under the protective shade of the church.

The climate of Karamoja has continuously proved unique and unpredictable in the last few years. Rains have been irregular. For a while this year we thought that the usual swift winds experienced from December to March were not forthcoming. Even our windmill which supplies us with water failed for several weeks. On Monday 28th January

what started in the morning like a cool breeze soon transmuted into a strong and swift tornado which swept across the trading center of Watakau, dispersing people and scattering the merchandise and everything along its path. No sooner had it descended towards the church than the roof of the church was overpowered and pulled apart. The wind was so strong that it could have pulled the iron sheets and timber along its path but thanks to the trees planted around the church everything was kept close by, though the iron sheets, timber and electrical wiring remain only as exhibits of the damage and cannot be used anymore. The Christians immediately gathered to bemoan the damaged church roof. Even those who lost merchandise abandoned everything and came to the church awestruck at the scene. The next morning we gathered again as usual and celebrated mass asking for God’s guidance and protection and thanking God for the safety as no one was hurt or injured in the catastrophe.

We are left with an emergency situation and a big challenge of reroofing the church now. It is still the dry season and even though it is better with the wind and the dust, the rains might soon hit and we will lose even the furniture. Above all, the people are still in need of a decent place for prayer with protection from the wind, rain or scorching sunshine. This is far more than the people can afford. As the parish team continues to rally local support and contribution from the people, we are humbly asking for support from persons of goodwill elsewhere to help reroof the church.

Tornado at Watakau, Karamoja, Uganda


FRIENDSHIP: WHAT A GIFTOn Friday 8th February 2019, the Friends

of Mill Hill Missionaries (FOMH) from the parish of Shauri Moyo, Nairobi, paid a visit to the Second Cycle Formation Centre at Chelsea Marina. The reason was to celebrate the gift of friendship. It was on the day the African Church, particularly in Sudan, was celebrating the solemnity of St. Josephine Bakhita. This evening visit started with Mass celebrated in the beautiful chapel of the formation house presided over by Fr. Jakob. He talked passionately about St. Bakhita in relation to the theme of the day: the cost of discipleship. We are all involved in Christ’s mission that demands some kind of sacrifice.

Later we had a shared meal with the formation community. Very delicious as we socialized! The environment was so warm that it gave real meaning to friendship. The students’ representative, Br. Austin thanked the friends from Shauri Moyo for thinking of the missionaries and in particular the formation community at Chelsea Marina. Then Fr. Damien who is the rector, on behalf of the formation house said it was a historic moment in the more than 10 years of the existence of the formation house that the FOMH were coming together for supper and a social. As he put it, it has taken more than a decade for the distance between the Mill Hill parish in Shauri Moyo and the formation community to be covered. He thanked the visiting friends for their kind gesture. He thanked the friends for always thinking about them and the missionaries at large, and for the seasonal

greeting cards they faithfully send out to missionaries.

The representative of the friends, Mr. Richard Owino, said all Christians of Shauri Moyo are friends of Mill Hill and that the FOMH who had visited the formation house, were only a small committee. He assured the students, especially those from outside the Kenyan borders, that they are now part of the Mill Hill family, and they are their parents here; for they understand what their parents go through back home. He thanked the formation house for opening the doors to receive the delegation from Shauri Moyo. He assured them that every month the friends meet just to pray for the Missionaries.

It was a good and joyful meeting. As friends prepared to part ways that evening, one thing was clear, they wanted more of such visits so that the friendship may grow stronger and stronger. May God bless the Friends of Mill Hill worldwide. May he also bless the mission of the Mill Hill Missionaries.

Francis Makuba mhmShauri Moyo

Friends of Mill Hill/Shauri Moyo at the Formation Centre

Friends of Mill Hill (FOMH)/Kenya



Janet Alungat (Coordinator FOMH-UGANDA)

On the 14th of December 2018, Friends of Mill Hill (FOMH) from the different parishes and dioceses set off for their journey to visit the two communities that the Mill Hill Missionaries are working in: Panyangara and Loyoro in Kotido District. We were twelve in number. The journey was very interesting. We kept having stop overs to pick up other Friends of Mill Hill. As the famous African phrase goes ‘African time’’, most of them did not keep time at all, maybe because they thought the journey was short. Additionally, we were dropping off magazines for the FOMH in some parishes. I should say that the journey was very lively and interesting thanks to a flash owned by Francis the day’s driver which played a variety of music. This helped keep the mood happy, lively and

busy. In fact, at some point we had to get out and dance to stretch our legs.

This story wouldn’t have been interesting if it weren’t for the effort of the driver, a cheerful jovial man who knew all the roads and turns in Karamoja having plied the route several turns as a UN driver. His story telling techniques were the most striking, he told us stories about the rocks and for once, it reminded us about our lost childhoods.

We arrived at Panyangara parish at about 8:30pm

and were met by a big group of FOMH who were cheerfully waiting for us. Unfortunately, as we were later told, others had left after long hours of waiting. They sang so many songs. We felt at home straight away. Words fail me to describe how kind our Mill Hill Missionaries were to us. We were ushered in, given supper, allocated rooms, and later we retired to bed.

The following morning we attended Mass at 7:00am, met a few FOMH; then we headed for breakfast. As soon as it was done, we had a meeting with friends. Ruth, a FOMH, came all the way from Kabong. After the meeting, we set off to Napumpum chapel to meet other FOMH there. Interesting to see was the fact that most were Youth who were very eager to take us around the village, and show us the homesteads/Manyata. The FOMH were extremely excited to crawl into the small huts. We were grateful for the warm welcome by the community.After our sightseeing, we returned to the parish for lunch.

SAFARI OF THE FRIENDS OF MILL HILL


7Friends of Mill Hill 7

At 4.30pm we again embarked on another journey to Nakapilimoru to visit one of the ladies who had given birth to a girl the night we arrived in Panyangra. The mother- in-law wanted us to go and name the child. To my horror and grate honour, the baby was named Alungat Janet. After the naming ceremony, we all headed to Nakapilimoru to climb the Rock. Many of the FOMH members were very eager to climb the famous rock. However, a few others did not climb due to health reasons.

Interesting to note was that those who climbed the Rock later had a bitter- sweet experience. The elders confronted them for not seeking their consent and went on to declare that whoever had climbed the rock was going to die the next day. This left the FOMH in a frenzy and panic. It was absolutely funny watching them panic. The elders only wanted beer or money and they were just making use of the situation. Eventually, they were settled and we headed back to the parish reminiscing the experience and laughing our heads off.

The following day, 16th December we attended the first Mass in Panyangara with the intention of going to Loyoro parish for the 9:00am Mass afterwards, which Fr. Andrew had suggested to us . Unfortunately, we failed to keep time as much as we had tried to. Having missed Mass in the main church, Fr. Andrew took us to an outstation chapel called Lokanyona, where he was going for the next celebration of Mass and to say the least, the experience was marvellous!

To begin with, the church was full to the brim, the choir was fantastic. After mass, we had an opportunity to talk to a few friends and encouraged them to join the FOMH Association. Later, we proceeded to another chapel to meet the ever vibrant youth in Kopoth close to Kabongo. Young people have amazing energy, zest and zeal and it’s always a pleasure being entertained by them. And woow! Did they give us a wonderful sight? Music, dance and drama is what we were welcomed to. We talked with them and encouraged them too to join the FOMH family. They were so responsive and willing.

It seemed like the day was meant for nonstop entertainment because even after we left and got back to the parish, we were still welcomed by another group of the youth who went on to entertain us with a drama of how the missionaries brought Christianity to Karamoja. It was interesting to watch! The next day began at 7:00am. We had Mass, then headed off to see the women’s tailoring project. After that, we had breakfast, said our goodbyes, then left.

I would like to convey my deepest felt gratitude to our Mill Hill Missionaries in the two communities, Panyangara and Loyoro for the warm welcome and the comfortable ambiance that they afforded us. We pledge our prayers and support.

The communities that have welcomingly embraced our Mill Hill missionaries, thank you and please continue supporting them.

And finally, to the FOMH who have devoted their time, love and efforts in whatever way: It is always humbling to see your relentless efforts and sacrifices. May God continue blessing you abundantly, thank you.

‘TO LOVE AND TO SERVE’’



THANKFULNESS FOR GOD’S LOVELooking back over the 70plus

years of my life, I am filled with deep gratitude towards God for my being; all the good which HE has granted me, and the wonderful way that His Spirit has always guided and encouraged me to continue trusting in Him.

I am of a poor family and we had no possessions, so it was a difficult time after WW2. In spite of the ration-cards from the government, there was just no food around at times. When our mother managed to put some little food on the table for us, but did not eat herself, we might ask her why she was not eating, and she would reply

‘oh I have eaten already’, so as not to minimize the little portions for us. This was probably part of the seed for our faith, love and deep trust in God.

When I was an apprentice in the woodworking industry, I had to cut a long piece of timber into two with the help of the band-saw one day, under the supervision of the ‘master’. Due to my inexperience I caused the fast-running cutting-blade to jump off its rollers, and so it thrust uncontrolled around in the air! I still see the terrified , gone-white face of my ‘master’, and see it all as a miracle that I am able to tell the story, as I had not even as much as a scratch of injury on my body – and yet, I could have been decapitated on that day.

In 1961 I requested to be allowed to join the St.Joseph Mill Hill Missionary Society, and then on 19. March, 1962 I started my two years of formal training as a novice to the Brotherhood in Oosterbeek, The Netherlands, which was followed by five years as a temporary member. While I served in several of our society houses in Europe, I acquired skills in the English language, carpentry, welding and mechanical engineering; these should be of immense benefit in my future life as a missionary.

Although I did my Final Oath as a missionary in 1969, it was only in 1977 when I was finally appointed to

Golden Jubilee of Br.Franz Bischof mhm


leave for the missions in Kisii diocese in Kenya, where I happily worked in Nyabururu, Mbita (Mfangano Island), and Rakwaro Seminary.

When the Mill Hill Society was looking for volunteers to start a new beginning at the Coast in 1991, I became enthusiastically part of that team. I felt especially as God’s chosen tool when I was present and could effect some much needed help and show compassion during the floods of the great El Nino, and the tribal clashes which had occurred in the Tarasaa area in Tana River, and had brought so much unnecessary sufferings, including death to over 60 people. Now, nearing 30 years of our presence here, I can proudly say that we have witnessed a tremendous growth and change of the church in this part of the country.

I wish to mention speciallyFr.Jan van Dijk and Bro.Brian Thorpe, who worked tirelessly in Lamu parish and were loved by all the people, christian and muslim alike; they were great examples of faith to all of us, but God has called them to be with Him and share His joy and generosity forever.

Soon after moving to Malindi Cathedral Parish I found myself involved in improving the infrastructure of primary schools, which were situated in poor areas. In this way I was able to help improve the condition of 24 schools over a span of several years. Thousands of children have benefitted from that project.

At the same time the construction

of the large and beautiful church of Kisumudogo, dedicated to St.Francis Xavier, was in progress, and I was able to give a hand in that. Construction of two other churches followed: one in Maziwani outstation, the other – plus a nursery school – in Muyeye outstation.

I am very grateful that I was given the responsibility to build Pope Francis Rescue Home, and next door to that Bishop Francis Baldacchino Primary School; these are two beautiful projects made possible through the insight of our late and beloved Bishop Emanuel Barbara,and the generosity of an American couple, through CRS.

The last big project is the new church of Muyeye, as the first one became too small. It is still ongoing, will have a capacity of 600 plus, and be dedicated to St.CharlesLwanga – hopefully on 3rd of June, 2019, being the feastday of the Martyrs of Uganda.

I am filled with gratitude to God, who has enabled and guided me through all these years of service, and pray that through the intercession of St.Joseph and St.Francis Xavier many young people may discover and follow the vision of our founder Herbert Vaughan: to love and to serve, in simplicity.

How happy are we Christians, to know that there is this loving and merciful God, who sends His Spirit to guide us, each one of us if we permit Him, towards Him. And so I say again: Lord, here I am, I am ready to continue to do your will.


10 Friends of Mill Hill10 Friends of Mill Hill

Father Cosmas Omboto Ondari mhm died on Wednesday, 21st November 2018 at about 3.00pm, in Kembong, Cameroon at the age of 33.

Cosmas was born to Charles Omboto Nyatigo and Chrispinah Penina Nyansiaboka on 19th September 1985 in Gucha, Kisii. He had three brothers and four sisters; Cosmas was the 5th born.

He was baptized on 21st January 1989 in the parish of Sengera, Diocese of Kisii, confirmed on 21st April 2002 in the same parish, and received First Holy Communion on 28th November 1998 in the same parish.

Cosmas attended primary school at Kimai Primary School, Kisii from 1994 to 2001. His secondary school he attended at Matagaro S.D.A. Mixed Secondary School, Kisii from 2002 to 2005.

In 2007 Cosmas joined the Basic Formation Programme of the Mill Hill Missionaries in Luanda and s u b s e q u e n t l y proceeded to the Mill Hill formation house in Jinja, Uganda, where he studied Philosophy until 2011. He went on to our Mill Hill Formation Centre in Nairobi and studied Theology at the Tangaza University College there.

Cosmas did his Missionary Experience Programme in Fundong parish, Bamenda, Cameroon, where he dedicated his time to visiting the sick, the youth apostolate and leading prayer services. In October 2016 he received an appointment to the Diocese of Mamfe which he took up shortly after his ordination

He took the Perpetual Oath on 21st May 2016 in Kisumu. He was ordained deacon on 20th August 2016 at St.Joseph and Mary Parish, Shauri Moyo, Nairobi by Bishop Joseph Obanyi of the Diocese of Kakamega. He was ordained priest on 25th March 2017 at Our Lady of Assumption Nyamagwa Parish, diocese of Kisii by Bishop Joseph Mairura Okemwa of Kisii diocese.

On 21st November, Cosmas was standing outside his church in Kembong parish, Diocese of Mamfe, Cameroon while meeting refugees. At that moment soldiers entered the church compound at high speed in an army vehicle. As they drove by, they started shooting. At this the refugees fled into the church. Cosmas was still outside when he was hit in the thigh and chest. He was taken to hospital, but on arrival there pronounced dead.

In the final recommendation for his Perpetual Oath his rector wrote about Cosmas: “He is a man of peace and will seek ways of keeping people together and resolving

In memory of Father Cosmas Omboto Ondari mhm

11Friends of Mill Hill 11Friends of Mill Hill

issues in an amicable way.” This was also the experience of people who knew Cosmas recently, who say that he was a calm, soft-spoken and confident person. Apparently he was very happy with his parish priest, Fr. Tiberius Vuni, who despite the challenges of the tense situation in the country, continued to offer good leadership. Fr Tiberius was very appreciative of Cosmas, his assistant priest, and found him very supportive. Cosmas had shared recently, that he found the situation in Cameroon quite scary.

Before taking the Perpetual Oath on 21st May 2016 Cosmas was asked what brought him to this decision.

‘My parish was begun by Mill Hill Missionaries. I was baptised by the late Fr. Denis Treacy mhm. I used to hear stories of the Mill Hill Missionaries’ work, especially in my parish. Fr.Denis Treacy was the last Mill Hill Missionary to leave my parish when I was about 10 years old. I was inspired by the Gospel of the Lord proclaimed by the missionaries. I feel I have been greatly supported in the formation to achieve the dream I had as a young boy. Thanks to those who have supported me to reach this far.’ (quoted from FOMH magazine, August 2016)

On the 6th of December 2018, Fr Cosmas was laid to rest in Nyabururu parish cemetery, near fellow Mill Hill Missionaries some of whom had served in the parish as pioneer missionaries, died and were buried there.

The beautiful and solemn funeral mass that lasted close to 4 hours, and was attended by a huge crowd of mourners was led by Bishop Joseph Mairura of Kisii, assitsted by Bishop Andrew Nkea of Mamfe Diocese, Cameroon.

In his homily, bishop Mairura recalled that the Mill Hill missionaries were the pioneering missionaries in the Diocese of Kisii, opening Nyabururu parish in 1908, as the first parish in the Diocese.

The Bishop thanked the parents and family of Fr. Cosmas for giving their son to the Church to serve as a missionary priest, he equally thanked the Mill Hill Missionaries for having prepared Fr. Cosmas well for mission in Mamfe, Cameroon.

He further paid tribute to the late missionary, Cosmas, recalling him as a young committed courageous missionary who was ready to leave his home and country to work in a challenging mission in troubled Cameroon. He ended his homily by praying that the blood shed by the killing of Cosmas and that of many innocent people may help to bring change, a ceasing of hostilities and finding of justice and peace to a people who have suffered and continue to suffer in Mamfe and in the Anglophone part of Cameroon!

May Cosmas rest in peace in the eternal embrace of God. R.I.P.


by Fr. Philip AmekSociety Representative Kenya/Uganda

Those who are good die young. But you must have been too good to have died so young and so soon. You are truly a Mill Hill man, who lived his missionary life to the full. You attained the ultimate prize, the reward of martyrdom. You had opportunities to take an easy root of life, but you chose the road less traveled. You could have settled for a known path of certainty and security but you said yes to the unknown and lept into the dark guided by faith alone.The red sash is our mark of Missionary identity as Mill Hill members; we tie it around our waist as a symbol of our willingness to go wherever we are called to go but most especially to people who are most in need of grace. You did not just wear it, but you have lived it yourself, by accepting to work with people who needed you most. When you had the opportunity to save yourself, you remained faithful to the sash and chose to remain with the people. You gave your life defending the defenseless, and as a true soldier of Christ took a bullet on their behalf. May your blood, shed at the door of the Church, where as a good shepherd you stood protecting the people you loved most, be a constant reminder of our call into a world that need peace and reconciliation.You have been a true witness to the gospel: There has been no greater homily given by you than your death. It is the ultimate preaching, the ultimate teaching of compassion, mercy, love and self giving, and the self outpouring for others to have life. You may be physically gone, but your life will remain alive; your bright light, the smile and gentle voice will echo to the ends of the world. When we are all gone, you name will still be mentioned as the great martyr of the Kembong People, and of the whole Church. Your death, just like you, has been a celebration of a life well lived. For the wise, the dead are with the Lord. Your life has not ended but you have been raised to new life with the Lord. You are now gazing at the beauty of God that you so desired in your life here on earth. As a martyr, may your blood become the seed for vocations to Missionary life. May your death be an inspiration to the Mill Hill missionaries, and all missionaries on our resolve and firm commitment to reach out to people who need us most, especially the most abandoned.We pray for the family and your family in Cameroon, the people of Kembong whom you served so well, that through your death they may have peace and deep consolation. May the angels of the Lord receive your soul and lead you the bosom of the heavenly Father. Cosy Cosy, we shall dearly miss you. Fare thee well. Cosy Cosy rest in peace. Cosy Cosy may your smile remain alive in our lives.

Rest in eternal peace till me meet again.

Tribute to Cosmas



Fr. Tiberius Vuni mhm praying on the spot where Fr.Cosmas mhm was killed.The Parish Priest of Kembong, Fr Tiberius Vuni mhm, had been on leave when Fr Cosmas was killed, but insisted on returning; “I must be with my people” he said. Local MHM superior Fr Richard Njoroge wrote: At last what a joyful occasion it was in Kembong Mission, when Tiberius Vuni mhm arrived back on 24th January 2019, after two months away on home leave. Immediately Fr Vuni got to Kembong from Bamenda word got round the village like bush fire. People in hiding returned, exclaiming ‘Big Father don come!’ With tears of joy they gathered in the mission compound to welcome him. Having prayed on the Church steps where Cosmas was killed, he then spent the best part of a day with them.

They prayed together before Father returned to stay a few days in Mamfe. Since then he has taken up residence again in his parish and resumed his missionary work. We thank Tiberius Vuni for the missionary witness he continues to bring to the Christians of Kembong and for being in solidarity with them in their suffering at this very difficult time.”

Fr. Vuni with parishioners

Return to Kembong, CameroonI have to be with my people



Celebrating 40 years of Walking Together in FaithEvery year, at least for the last five years, we have come together to celebrate the

feast day of St. Joseph, husband of Mary (19th March). It is the feast day of the Mill Hill Society as well. This year we celebrated it in the context of 40 years of walking together in faith in this parish of Shauri Moyo. The theme was, “a chosen people’ 1 Ptr 2.9.

The day was preceded by a novena that concluded on Saturday, 16th March. We prayed together as a family in our church. Finally the day itself came, 17th March 2019. It was a hot Sunday and people streamed in quietly and steadily. There was isukuti, a traditional dance among Luhya people to welcome the guests.

As they took their seats, the choir was there ready to warm the atmosphere with their melodic tunes. Soon it was time to begin. Our chief celebrant being Fr. Andrew Mukulu, General Council member, assisted by Fr. Philip Adede who is the Mill Hill Society Representative for East Africa. Among those in the congregation were Mill Hill sisters and students, members from neighboring parishes and school children among others.

The celebration would not be complete without the couples who were to follow in the foot-steps of Joseph and Mary by sanctifying their families through holy matrimony. We had 11 couples in total. As the procession started, there were colourful PMC children dancing ahead, followed by the couples and then the ministers. Then we got to the altar and started our celebrations with Holy Mass.

The word of God was colorfully brought in by members of the St. Josephs choir in another traditional Luhya style procession. The responsorial psalm was sung melodiously. Fr. Philip gave a homily in which he encouraged the families to stay together and in harmony and to always follow the example of the Holy Family. This was very appropriate keeping in mind the 11 couples who were taking centre stage in the celebrations. After the homily, there was an exchange of vows of the couples. The offertory was another colorful event where the youths also played their part, bringing symbolic gifts in dance and song.

At the end of the event, we had a word from Fr. Andrew Mukulu. He observed that the community is so lively and appreciated the role played by the laity and especially the youth in the liturgy. He appreciated the tremendous changes he observed in the parish and asked people to continue in the same spirit. Finally he remembered to recognize and appreciate the 40 years of friendship and cooperation between the Mill Hill Missionaries and the Shauri Moyo community. He pointed out the many missionaries who have worked in Shauri Moyo. The friendship is now bearing fruits.

We later cut the cake and planted a tree to mark this important day. Then we had a family lunch together and what followed was the show-casing of different cultures through song and dance. It was very inspiring and enjoyable. Each group was enthusiastic to participate and present their own. The audience mainly composed of our Christians and our guests was very patient and enjoyed every bit of the entertainment. To conclude it, we rewarded all who participated with certificates and a final blessing from Fr. Andrew who was present throughout the presentations.

What a day it was! Long live Shauri Moyo, Long live Mill Hill.Fr. Francis Makuba MHM

Shauri Moyo, Nairobi



It took us nearly seven hours to drive from Nairobi to Kakamega. A long and tiring drive. But I was hugely impressed with the transformation of the Kenyan road system since I last travelled these regions in 2015. Kenya is making impressive strides forward in improving its roads infrastructure.

But just outside Kakamega on our way to the Bishop Stam Pastoral Centre we hit the roadworks and assorted dust clouds. Towards evening of Tuesday 8thJanuary a lively crowd of mostly young Mill Hill missionaries had assembled at the Bishop Stam Centre. They had come for the annual three-day assembly.The assembly kicked off with a morning of prayerful recollection on the theme of discipleship and, in the afternoon, a workshop on issues emerging from the Mill Hill Missionary ‘Protocol on Dealing with Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults’. Both were animated by yours truly.

The following day the 47 participants of the assembly turned their attention to a raft of reports from the region, from the different places of mission, formation/vocations and finance. After some group sharing in the morning Regional Representative Philip Adede fielded questions in the afternoon relating to the regional report and issues pertaining to the region.

The highlight of the day was the Eucharist celebrated in gratitude for the golden jubilee later this year of Brother Franz Bischof.

Fons Eppink mhm

Annual Assembly of the Mill Hill Missionaries/East Africa in Kakamega, Kenya



On Friday 14th September, 2018 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, four Mill Hill students took their Perpetual Oath in the presence of their family members, friends and Mill Hill family. This event took place at St. Joseph’s Formation Centre, Nairobi, during a joyful evening Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr. Des McGillicuddy, Vicar General of the Mill Hill Missionaries. The four who committed their lives to life-long service of the Gospel of Christ as Mill Hill Missionaries are: Zachaeus Okoth Adet, MHM and Brian Owino Kamau, MHM from Kenya, and Philip Shube Bawe, MHM and Linus Kang MHM from Cameroon. In his homily, the main celebrant exhorted the new members to continue to cultivate the same values of hard work, service and dedication which they had exhibited during their years in formation particularly during their MEP placements.

The following day, Saturday 15th September, 2018, the four new members were ordained deacons along with other candidates of the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society by Rt. Rev. Maurice Crowley, SPS in Holy Family Catholic Church, Utawala, in the Archdiocese of Nairobi. The prelate called on all the new deacons to be men of prayer and to assume an attitude of service like the Master himself who in washing the disciples’ feet gave us a model of what genuine service entails. He called on the deacons to be aware of the entrapment of power and materialism today which are counter-productive in our witness as missionary disciples.

The General Superior, Fr. Michael Corcoran, in a congratulatory message to the four new MHMs wrote: “It is wonderful to see this new generation of mhms following in the footsteps of missionaries and putting their own stamp on that mission. Welcome to Philip, Brian, Zachaeus and Linus. Our mission is yours which we entrust to you in full confidence.”

Damien Fuh, MHM

Priestly Ordinations 2019Zachaeus Okoth Adet will be ordained priest on 18th May 2019 in St Therese of the

Child Jesus Parish, Kakrigu, Diocese of Homa Bay, Kenya by Philip Anyolo Archbishop of Kisumu. Zachaeus has been appointed to the Diocese of Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan.

Philip Shube Bawe will be ordained priest on 7th June 2019 in the Parish of All Saints, Bayelle, Archdiocese of Bamenda, Cameroon by Michael Bibi, Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda. Philip has been appointed to further studies at Maynooth, Ireland.

Brian Owino Kamau will be ordained 18th May 2019 in St Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, Kakrigu, Diocese of Homa Bay, Kenya by Philip Anyolo Archbishop of Kisumu. Brian has been appointed to the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Linus Kang will be ordained priest on 15th June 2019 in St Anthony’s Parish, Njinikom, Archdiocese of Bamenda, Cameroon by George Nkuo Bishop of Kumbo Diocese. Linus has been appointed to the Archdiocese of Juba, South Sudan.

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Perpetual Oath and Diaconate Ordination



Obituaries


We remember our deceased missionaries and friendsFather John Melhuish mhm was born on 4 August 1949 at Eastbourne on the South coast of England. He took the Perpetual Oath at Mill Hill on 4 May 1974 and was ordained priest in Seaford on 15 June 1975 by Bishop Michael Bowen.In that same year John was appointed to Kisii, Western Kenya, and worked there for almost thirty years. His service included teaching and pastoral ministry as well as being Vocation Director. He started a Catechetical Formation Centre at Kadongo, Oriang in the Diocese of Homa Bay. John was extra-ordinarily tall and for that reason was sometimes called the ‘high priest’.In 2005 he was withdrawn from Kenya and appointed to Rustenburg in South Africa . On Saturday 23 March he was killed in a road accident about two kilometers from his parish, Bethanie parish. Brother Gerard Bouwhuis mhm was born on 1st January 1935 in Liederholthuis (Heino), in the Archdiocese of Utrecht, The Netherlands.During his formation to become a missionary brother he learnt the trade of gardener and applied himself also to masonry and building. On 19 March 1960 he took the Perpetual Oath.In 1962 the great desire of his heart was fulfilled when he received an appointment to Tororo, Uganda, where he arrived in November of that year.There he worked as a builder in a variety of projects, including building an extension to a hospital, schools and churches, and also taught himself the skills of a mechanic. A general councillor wrote in his visitation-report: “(Gerard) has built a very fine church at Teso College and is now finishing the church at Kapchorwa …” and added that Gerard is doing “all kinds of jobs”.In 1982, following doctor’s advice, he returned to The Netherlands with heart problems. Gerard died on 11th December 2018 at Missiehuis Vrijland in Oosterbeek, The Netherlands.Father Patrick Harrington mhm who died on 30th August 2018 aged 73, in Muyuka District Hospital, diocese of Buea, SW Cameroon.Father Jim (Jaap) Borst mhm who died on 5th September 2018, at 12.35 pm local time, aged 86, in Srinagar, Kashmir, India.Brother Gerrit Lansink mhm who died on 25th December 2018 in Enschede, The Netherlands, aged 87.Father Hans Stampfer mhm who died on 26th February 2019 at Herberthaus, Brixen, Italy, aged 90. Brother Josef Priller mhm who died on 14th March 2019 at Herberthaus, Brixen, Italy, aged 90.Mrs. Lillian Atieno FOMH who died on 13th October 2018. She was a fervent member of Friends of Mill Hill group, Shauri Moyo parish/Nairobi. Mr. Richard Begumana, father of Rev.John Baptist who died on 27th March 2019.



Would you like to become a Mill Hill Missionary Priest?Lay Missionary as an Associate?

“Come follow mw.” Say yes to the voice of God in your heart and take part in the adventure of making his Gospel known to the world. “The

harvest is rich, but labourers are few” (Mt. 9:37-38).

The Mill Hill Missionaries are called to dedicate their lives to Evangelisa-tion with preference for the poor, the oppressed and those in greatest

need.

“Yes, I am ready to follow you, Lord.”

For more information write to:Vocation Director

In Kenya: P.O. Box 2011, 40100 Kisumu,Kenya Mobile 0705 819 773 & 0732 458 117.

Email: [email protected]

In Uganda: P.O Box 520 Jinja, Uganda.Mobile: 0757 106 323

Email: [email protected]

Becoming a Friend of Mill Hill? You can support Mill Hill Missionaries with prayers and donations. For 500/- Ksh or 10,000/- Ush per year you can be

enrolled as a Friend of Mill Hill, and receive the FOMH magazine two times a year.

If using Pay Bill or MTN Mobile Phone please write or send an SMS with your name, address and the amount you sent.

In Kenya: Payment for membership of the Friends of Mill Hill should be sent to P.O. Box 2011, 40100, Kisumu, Kenya.

Or: Pay Bill Number: Business No. 811908 Account No. 0717 20 84 81

In Uganda: Payment for membership of the Friends of Mill Hill should be sent to P.O. Box 520, Jinja, Uganda.

Or via MTN Mobile Money 0784 786 184

Vocation Director of Kenya and Uganda: Fr. Ronald Kajja MHM


If undelivered, please return to:

Mill hill Missionaries,P.O. Box 2011,40100 Kisumu,Kenya.

Mill hill Missionaries,P.O. Box 520JinjaUganda.

BY AIR MAILPRINTED MATTER

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Documents

A DOCUMENT ON HUMAN FRATERNITY · 20th August 2016 at St.Joseph and Mary Parish, Shauri Moyo, Nairobi by Bishop Joseph Obanyi of the Diocese of Kakamega. He was ordained priest on