Parish Life: Kionyo, Kisaju & Meru
KENYA
Our Reflections
- Total control of our future is not possible … but our Faith, built on acts of kindness, builds a future with God
- When we are “instruments of God’s Mercy” (St. Eugene), we become miracle workers that transforms hearts
- Jesus taught us to serve: allow ourselves to be interrupted and serve others, brings healing and new life
Our Life in Kenya
Contact
Kionyo Parish
Introduction
The current Kionyo Parish community was part of the Igoji mission until 1960 when the mission of Igandene commenced. The first priest of this new mission was Fr Luigi Eandi IMC (Consolata). We remember with gratitude the late Bishop Laurence Besone for encouraging the development of the new Igandene mission. In 1965 the mission moved to Kanyakine where Fr Eandi IMC purchased land.
Kisaju Parish
Introduction
In January 2012, all the Mission members held a futuring conference in Meru, facilitated by the Vicar Provincial, Fr. Gilbert Mason, OMI. At this meeting, the Mission reviewed what we had, reflected on the gifts of each Oblate, and proposed several Mission priorities. One priority was the opening of a new parish which was also to assist the formation of the Oblate students in Nairobi. In mid-2012 an approach was then made to the Diocese of Ngong (newly installed Bishop John Obala since Jan, 2012), where an offer was made for a parish at Ololokirigirai Parish, near Narok. This was felt to be logistically difficult for the Mission at that time: personnel shortages, language challenges and the anticipated financial demand to establish. It was a huge parish in physical size, and access from Nairobi was difficult due to poor road conditions. It also failed the test of being close to the Pre-Novitiate in Karen.
Later, we were offered a portion of the very large Parish of Kitengela, centred at Kisaju Village near Isinya (Kajiado County), with 7 Prayer Houses/Centres. This was accepted after many meetings, and ministry started in June, 2013, while it was still part of St Monica’s Parish, Kitengela.
In early 2013, the Bishop of Ngong Diocese, enthusiastically invited the Oblates to form a new parish at Kisaju (in Kajiado County between Kitengela and Isinya), from the existing and huge parish of Kitengela (St Monica). This was quickly accepted, albeit with limited discussion with the Mission members. Due to the lack of a presbytery at Kisaju parish, Fr Mario Azrak OMI rented an apartment at Kitengela (20km north of Kisaju centre which is on the Namanga Rd), and began pastoral work in June 2013. He was later joined by Fr Gideon Rimberia OMI and Bro Dionisius Mwandiki OMI in July, 2013.
Early Beginnings
Fr Mario Azrak OMI was appointed to begin the Parish and he was quickly followed in July 2013 by Fr Gideon and Br Dionisius, who moved down from Kionyo Parish. The Mission purchased two small Suzuki Jimni/Vitara/Ventura 4WD vehicles.
It is in a fast growing area of the country, located just south of the Nairobi airport (50 km from the centre of Nairobi) about 100km north of the Tanzania border crossing at Namanga.
Meru Parish
Bishop Salesius Mugambi, Bishop of Meru Diocese has officially invited The Oblates to start a new parish in Meru Town.
The New Parish is Irinda (St. Anthony) that was an outstation for the Cathedral. The new Parish began on August 20, 2018. It has 3 outstations: Gachanka, Giantune and Kiamiriru. The new parish is located in a populated area, a mixture of average income, few middle class people and the low income people. There is a small slum in the area and a Muslim community as well.
The new Parish will open lots of possibilities for various ministries: Youth, Schools, social development, Justice and Peace and sacramental ministries, etc.
The Bishop of Meru responded positively to our request to name the new Parish after a Saint of our preference.
