Faith Flourishes in Dry lands
Photos by Michael Kalunde
of the biggest challenges the missionaries faced. In the fifty years of existence the parish has managed to put up three outstations namely Logologo, Merille and Lontolio. On Sunday May 26, Bishop Emeritus Ambrogio Ravasi (IMC) led hundreds of parishioners and their friends in a colourful ceremony to mark the parish’s Golden Jubilee. The faithful from the outstations stations were transported in lorries, including a police lorry, to the venue of the celebrations. Armed police officers kept guard in the parish compound as security is still wanting in the area. “I am very grateful and happy to see everyone coming for the celebrations; from children, youth, men and women and more so the local priests who have come from this parish which, in itself, is a sign of fruits of their faith,” said Bishop Ravasi. “I am happy with the fact that I have experienced a community with a deep Christian faith because it is the year of faith. Many Christians rushed to Christianity or did not receive the sacraments and lost the original meaning of Christianity but in Laisamis I have seen faith grow in the believers,” said Bishop Ravasi in an interview with The
no priest or sister the faithful move on. I hope they will carry on with the good work,” he added. “We did not have any priest to help us we did it all by ourselves,” said Mr Edward Lentoror the chairman of the celebration’s organizing committee. “We thought 50 years in faith was not just going to pass without our acknowledgement. We thought of bringing our resources together through Small Christian communities and men and women groups. We got support from various people even those working in Nairobi but they all come from Laisamis,” said Mr Lentoror adding that 50 years in faith meant that they are now mature Christians that could sustain themselves. Though the parish has been without a parish priest the locals have still remained steadfast in faith. Fr Mario Lacchin, a Consolata Missionary, has been offering mass whenever possible as they wait for a resident priest. “It is true that we have stayed for a year without a priest but that cannot shake our faith .The Bishop has told us that there is a shortage of priests and he is not refusing to give us one. He personally came here and boosted our hopes by telling us if he gets one he will send him to us. We have faith that we will get a priest,” said Mr Lentoror. In his homily Bishop Ravasi thanked missionaries for their sacrifice.
“They left their families, countries to come and spread the word of God to you. Missionaries are like a father and mother to your faith. Thank God and ask Him to help you celebrate another 50 years to reach the Centenary.” “Be proud of your faith. Being a Christian is not a sin and is not a crime. Do not be ashamed of Christianity. You have the right to worship; though in some parts of the world it is different. We have some Christians getting killed because of their faith. Here in Kenya we are lucky that we have the freedom of worship,” added Bishop Ravasi. Bishop Ravasi further urged the faithful to assist local priests, who have come from Marsabit diocese, for they are their children. The Golden Jubilee mass was attended by four local priests Frs Isaiah Eikalo, Edward Lekidenye, Augostino Ledude and Jame s Wario Bante. Maralal Diocese was represented by Deacon Stephen Lekasuyan. In attendance were Comboni Sisters who worked in the parish until last April 2013. During the occasion two children were baptized, a sign of the growing faith in Laisamis. There are now eight local priests in the Catholic Diocese of Marsabit and 18 missionaries including Fidei Donum priests. Consolata missionaries ran the parish until 1990 when they passed it on to the Catholic Diocese of Marsabit.
yrs on
Rt Rev Ambrose Ravasi, Bishop Emeritus of Marsabit celebrates Mass to mark the Golden Jubilee of Laisamis Parish, in Marsabit County. With are Frs Lacchin, Lekidenye, Wario, Isaiah Eikalo, Augostino Ledude and Deacon Lekasuyan. By Michael Kalunde The journey to Laisamis is not for the faint hearted. For one, public transport from Isiolo is unpredictable and unreliable. It sometimes takes two or more days to get there especially when it rains or more scaring when security in the area deteriorates. To reach their destinations many opt to board transit trucks ferrying goods to and from the markets. This sometimes means travelling in the company of camels, goats and cows destined to the market; something the locals are used to. 24 The discomfort of this mode of travelling however does not stop the travelers from having a little fun chewing Khat (Miraa), even women and children partake in the practice. It took me two days to get to Laisamis part of my journey was made easier when I got a ride from Fr Mario Lacchin (IMC) from Sere Olipi onwards. It was one rough and tough ride; all the same after several dead birds courtesy of the windscreen, we arrived safely. Welcome to Laisamis Parish, 340 kilometers north of Nairobi, Kenya’s Capital. Now imagine the situation two Consolata Missionaries Fr Luigi Graiff and Fr Mario Valli had to face fifty years ago as they set up Laisamis Catholic Parish. The parish put up in August 1963, four months before Kenya got independence is the oldest in the larger Catholic Diocese of Marsabit. The terrain, topography, the local cultures and traditions and insecurity were some
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Currently the parish does not have a parish priest, in fact they have not had a parish priest in the last one year, but that did not stop them from celebrating 50 years of faith. The locals organized the celebrations through several fundraisings clocking close to Ksh 300,000. They did not receive any donations from outside; a sign of the ability of the local church moving towards self reliance. “I am proud of this Laisamis community,” said Bishop Ravasi. “This is the future Church where if there is
THE SEED - VOL 25, No. 7, JULY 2013
A police Lorry that ferried faithful to the Golden Jubilee Celebrations