Holy Week 2017

Join us as we gather in REMEMBRANCE of Christ’s Last Supper and our call to serve our brothers and sisters. MOURN as we reflect on Christ’s painful death and crucifixion, and as we CELEBRATE the central act of our faith and of our salvation. COME and worship with us during The Holy Week as we celebrate the central mystery of the church year.

PALM SUNDAY

SUNDAY, APRIL 9

Luke 19:38 – “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

HFMB Christians at a past Palm Sunday event

Mass schedule with some adjustments

07:00 a.m – Swahili Mass
08:15 a.m – English Mass
10:00 a.m – Swahili Mass
11:50 a.m – English Mass
06:00 p.m – English Mass

Palm Sunday is when Christians recall Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. But it is also  known as the Sunday of the Passion, for the joy of the triumphal entry soon dies away as the heartbreak of Jesus’ suffering and death begins to unfold.

Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter; thus marking the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of lent. The worship services on Palm Sunday include a procession of the faithful carrying palms representing the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. The Symbolism of the donkey may refer to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, versus the horse, which is the animal of war. A king would have ridden a horse when he was bent on war and ridden a donkey to symbolize his arrival in peace. Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem would have thus symbolized his entry as the Prince of Peace, not as a war-waging King. The feast coincides with that of Passion Sunday, which is the focus of the Mass which follows the service of the blessing of Palms. The vestments for the day are deep scarlet red, the colour of blood, indicating the supreme redemptive sacrifice Christ was entering to fulfill: His Passion and Resurrection in Jerusalem. 

Holy Minor Basilica (HFMB) will observe Palm Sunday with processions, palms, and song before entering into the somberness of the Passion. Each Mass will begin with the Blessing of Palms at the Cross outside the Church, and a procession into the church. Once Christians are in the church, focus changes abruptly from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the solemnity of the Passion.

HOLY THURSDAY

THURSDAY, APRIL 13

CHRISM MASS at 10.00 am

Exodus 30:25 – “And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.”

On Holy Thursday morning His Eminence John Cardinal John Njue will be joined by the clergy at the Holy Minor Basilica (HFMB) church to celebrate the Chrism Mass. This Mass manifests the unity of the priests with the Cardinal. During this Mass which comes just once a year, the Cardinal blesses the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick, and the oil of chrism. We use the first for adult catechumens and infants, the second for anointing the sick, and the sacred oil of chrism for baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests, and the consecration of altars. All three are basically just olive oil but chrism is scented with perfume, traditionally balsam.

As His Eminence John Cardinal Njue blesses these three oils at the chrism Mass this year, our hearts turn to our gracious Lord who bestows his infinite love and mercy to us through these sacraments. Let us also pray for the Cardinal, the bishops and the priests who are the ministers of the sacraments in the Catholic Church, that they may be the humble and generous servants of the Lord.

THE LORD’S SUPPER at 5.00 pm

The Paschal Triduum

1 Corinthians 11:26 – “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes”

Rev. Fr. Jack washing the feet of 12 chosen men to represent the men in the church during the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, Year 2016

This service marks the official end of the Lenten Season and the beginning of the Triduum. We celebrate the Washing of the Feet, an ancient ritual calling us to be servants to each other.

We will have Benediction for one hour after mass.  Thereafter, the Adoration Chapel will be opened through to mid-night for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for individuals and solidarity groups. You are invited to remain in the chapel to pray following the liturgy as the disciples did with Jesus.

GOOD FRIDAY

FRIDAY, APRIL 14

WAY OF THE CROSS at 8.30 am

Luke 23:46 – “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” 

HFMB Christians along Arboretum drive participating in the Way Of the Cross Procession, Year 2016

Traditionally, Holy Family Minor Basilica (HFMB) plan and stage a “Way of the Cross” event on Good Friday, connecting the sufferings of Christ during his passion with the suffering of our brothers and sisters at the hands of violence, greed, poverty, sickness and war.  Good Friday is when the church commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a day of fasting and special acts of discipline and self-denial. Please join us for this moving and prayerful event on Friday, April 14 starting 8.30 am as we proceed through the Central Business District (CBD) of Nairobi with prayers, meditations and songs. Departure begins from the church compound with His Eminence John Cardinal Njue taking the first station.

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S PASSION at 3:00 pm

Matthew 12:40 – “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth”

Rev. Fr. Simon Kamomoe kneeling before the crucifix during the celebrations of the Lord’s Passion, year 2016

At the opening of this service, we gather in silence as we prepare to meditate on the final walk of Jesus’ life. After the presiding priest venerates the cross, each person is invited to come forward to show his or her own sign of veneration such as kissing the cross, touching the cross reverently, genuflecting or bowing before the cross.

In bowing or kneeling before the crucifix and kissing it we are paying the highest honor to our Lord’s cross as the instrument of our salvation. Because the Cross is inseparable from His sacrifice, in reverencing His Cross we, in effect, adore Christ. Thus we affirm: “we adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee because by Thy Holy Cross Thou has Redeemed the World.” At the close of the service, we leave in silence.

HOLY SATURDAY

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

Holy Saturday is an incredibly powerful space and time for reflection. You are invited to spend some time in prayer and reflection, meditating on the story of Jesus’ friends coming to anoint his body as it lay in the tomb.

EASTER VIGIL IN THE HOLY NIGHT at 6.00pm

Genesis 1:3 – Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

The Blessing of the Easter Candle by Rev. Fr. Simon Nganga at the celebration of the Easter Vigil, Year 2016

During Easter Vigil, we experience the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—the Passover from death into life. We experience this in four ways during this service: First, in the fire: the Light of Christ coming again into the world; Second, in the stories from the Old Testament: we hear of God’s saving actions in the lives of the people of Israel and the passing of the slaves through the Red Sea; Third, In the lives of those who are to be received into the Catholic Church: We See God’s saving actions in the lives of people today as the new members of our church act on their call from God; and Four, in the Eucharist: during which we take part once again in Christ’s giving of his body and blood once and for all, for all our sins and we receive Jesus in our lives, seeing the saving actions of God in each one of us today.

The evening begins by gathering around a fire to bless the Fire and Bless the Easter Candle. Mass continues and we welcome new members into the Catholic Church. Adults and older children profess their faith and are immersed in the Baptismal font. As witnesses, we also renew our own baptismal vows and profess our faith.

EASTER SUNDAY

SUNDAY, APRIL 16

Luke 24: 6 – He is not here; he has risen!

THE CELEBRATION: RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
Normal mass schedule,

07:00 a.m – Swahili Mass
08:30 a.m – English Mass
10:00 a.m – Swahili Mass
11:30 a.m – English Mass
06:00 p.m – Engilsh Mass

On this Easter Day we rejoice because the Lord is risen from the dead. But it is much more than that. Not only has Christ conquered death but he has also broken the chains of death that bound us all. We, who are baptized in his name, have the promise of eternal life. While humankind was created in the image by our original sin, by the power of the Resurrection we have been recreated in the likeness of Christ and share His new life. Alleluia!

Everyone is welcome to join Holy Family Minor Basilica in the observance of Holy Week and Easter

By The HFMB Parish Pastoral Council

1st March 2017 is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Holy Family Minor Basilica will have celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, with the imposition of ashes at

Please note that there will be no distribution of ashes outside the mass. Do observe the timings to avoid inconveniences.

Family life board message for Sunday 12^th Feb 2017

Today, 12th February 2017 is world marriage day.   World Marriage day is celebrated on the 2^nd Sunday of February every year to honour husband and wife as the foundation of the family, the basic unit of the society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily marriage life.

Nelly & Francis Njuguna presenting host and wine during mass cebrating World Marriage Day

It’s celebration started in Louisiana, New Orleans, USA in 1981 as “we believe in marriage day”. It was later adopted by Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s National leadership. In 1983, the name was changed to World Marriage Day (WMD) and in 1993, St John Paul II, the then Pope, imparted his Apostolic Blessing on word marriage day.

The theme for WMD has been permanently adopted as “Love One Another”. This phrase is the commandment given to us by Jesus in John 15:12. It speaks to us in a simple but challenging way of how our Father wishes us to live daily. Our Lord Jesus Christ defined love as “On one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friend” (John 15:13, the African Bible). This is redemptive love or Agape love, where we do all we can to save souls by directing them to God in total submission to God’s will. To love your neighbor as you love yourself then would mean that just as you would like your soul to live in eternity with God, do exactly the same for your neighbor. Redemptive love must not be confused with western popular romantic love. 

Goi Villegas & Charmaine Lector Renewing their Vows during the World Marrige Day Celebrations

As men and women can independently pursue education, professions and careers, they do not need each other to prosper as individuals. However, neither can bear a child without the other. Therefore, the greatest and irreplaceable value of the male-female relationship is procreation and moral education of the children. The man’s role is the protector – the moral keeper. He provides an environment in which the woman and children thrive. Morally, he is the figure head of God in the family. The order of leadership in the family is God, Christ then man. The woman role is to bears and nurtures the children. Both provide. Without morally upright children, a community would soon die.

Stephen Mwangi & Nancy Wambui renewing their vows during the World Marriage Day celebrations

It takes 18-24 years to prepare a child to become socially independent. Investing such a long time and requisite energy on a project needs a firm commitment driven and sustained by the love of God. This commitment is the sacrament of matrimony and is the foundation on which a marriage and family should be built. The sacrament of matrimony is the entry into a CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN married life. The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and woman establish themselves a partnership of the whole of life and which is ordered by it nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of the offspring, has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament between the baptized. (Cannon 1055). A covenant is an enriched contract in that it is one, Sacred, two Places primary emphasis on mutual personal commitment of the spouses as opposed to the mutual rights and obligations of marriage and three,  Fosters a more balanced attention to both marriage preparation programs as well as programs to assist couples in living out their marriages. This later part (assisting couples in living out their marriage) has unfortunately been neglected to the detriment of marriage. (New commentary no the Code of the Cannon law pg. 1242). And the essential properties of marriage are unity and indissolubility, which is Christian marriage obtains a special firmness by reason of the sacrament (Canon 1056). The consent of the parties, legitimately manifested between persons qualified by law, makes marriage; no human power is able to supply this consent. (Canno 1057, 1). Consent, not cohabitation makes marriage! Matrimonial consent is an act of the will by which a man and a woman mutually give and accept each other through an irrevocable covenant in order to establish marriage. (Cannon 1057, 2). Note that is our society, there are types of marriages (mutual consent) that are different from the CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN marriage. In the majority of other Christian denominations, marriage is not a sacrament. Marriage is consummated by the first penetrative vaginal intercourse.

Couples Renewing their vows During the World Marriage Day Celebrations

Neither the good of the spouses nor the procreation and education of the offspring’s is designated as the primary end (finalities or expected outcomes) of marriage. Instead, both are equally essential and inseparable in marriage. (New commentary on the Code of the Canon Law pg 1243). It is therefore morally wrong for a couple to marry and deliberately refuse to bear children but being naturally childless does not constitute invalidity of the marriage. A family is therefore defined as a man married to a woman with offspring’s (born or adopted).  A man living with a woman and who have offspring’s but are unmarried do not constitute a family but a cohabiting couple with children.

Couples Receiving Blessings from Cardinal John Njue during the World Marriage Day Celebrations

The glue that holds the family together is redemptive love as taught and demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ – selfless service to deliver mankind from sin in total submission to the will of God. On the other hand the glue that holds the many families together to form a community is chastity. Lack of chastity presents the most destructive force to the society as it destroys families which are the primary unit of the society. Chastity teaches the way to self-mastery and it simply means avoiding sexual activity outside the sacrament of matrimony.

Dear brothers and sisters, the prosperity of any community and country is founded on the moral quality of its children, which in turn depends on the integrity of the family unit.

Let us courageously and devotedly guard the principal of chastity, the marriage institution and the family unit, not just for prosperity but more importantly for the glory of God our Father.

By

Family Life Board,

Archdiocese of Nairobi

The term advent is derived from Latin “adventus” which means “coming”.  The pagans used the word to mean the coming of their god.  The term also meant the visit of a king to a city or the coronation day of the sovereign.

Early Christians (around 600 AD) purified this understanding and advent became a period of intense preparation for Christmas.  It therefore originated in the early church as a short period of intense preparation for celebration of the nativity/ birth of our lord Jesus Christ. It slowly came to be structured into the four weeks of advent we have today.

 Advent has twofold character and therefore divided into two.

1. From 1^st Sunday to 16^th In this period the focus of the liturgy, i.e. readings, prayers are on the second coming of Christ at the end of time.

2. From 17^th December to 24^th December when the focus is on Christmas. This time Christians are invited to observe a Novena, intensify their prayers; prepare their hearts through repentance to receive Christ in their hearts during Christmas.

At times we concentrate on what to slaughter, dress code, sites to visit etc. at the expense of interior preparations.

The period is generally marked with expectancy. The things we hope and wish to get, the liberation from worldly slavery and therefore we should pray intensely that with the birth of Christ we may get back our freedom. We join the Israelites who waited for the messiah with a lot of expectancy listening to the prophets.

Today two things prepare us for advent. The word, which is proclaimed at mass especially from prophet Isaiah, who was very explicit about the coming of the messiah and the sacraments, particularly Eucharist and penance. This will make our hearts ready to receive Christ when he is born and avoid creating a situation whereby he has to be born in a manger.

INNER ATTITUDES IN THIS SEASON

First and foremost there is much insistence on watchfulness .we tend to allow so many things to take much of our attention and energy like Job, money etc. We slowly lose sight of what is important. Advent is raising an alarm we should refocus now and be watchful.

Watchfulness leads us the second attitude namely the capacity to recognize The Lord who comes to us. In advent we are challenged to see how he makes his presence felt among us

This recognition leads us to welcome Christ in joy. Our expectancy takes concrete shape.

LITURGICAL ENVIRONMENT

1. Playing of musical instruments as well as floral decoration of the church is done in moderation that reflects the expectancy character of the season. Liturgical dance and the Gloria should be omitted. This restraint conveys the character of the season and prepares us for the joy of the nativity of The Lord at Christmas.

2. The colour is purple colour used for the sacrament of penance and reconciliation perhaps to reflect the reconciliation mood of the season in terms of preparation of the hearts.

3. Advent wreath is circle of evergreen branches with four candles one lighted for each week – three purple and one pink. The pink one is lighted on the third Sunday of advent. The candles symbolize the light that Christ will bring to the world when he is born.

4. The tree of Jesse can be prepared in different ways. This shows the genealogy of Jesus. Jesse was the father of King David and the promises God made to Abraham are being fulfilled in Jesus son of David. Pictures of important figures in the salvation history like Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist, the Blessed Virgin Mary may be hanged there. These last two are the most important figures who journey with us in advent. John the Baptist is sent as a forerunner to prepare the way for the messiah While the Blessed virgin Mary is the fully graced, the Chosen daughter of Israel who undid the sin of eve. She is the beautiful branch from the root of Jesse. Let us ask for their intercession.

May this advent make a difference in the way you conduct yourself as a dad, mum, son, and daughter in the family. May it transform you that you may exhibit Christian values at your place of work. May it help you to be more active in church activities and preserve your dignity and dignity of others. May it help me too to be more faithful in my dignified calling of priesthood. Let’s pray for each other and pray for our country Kenya that has been endorsed as a very important country in this region by His Holiness Pope Francis.

Prepared by:

Rev. Fr. Bernard N Kabiu

Parish Liturgist.

We wish to thank Parishioners for the excellent support in the successful conclusion of the following projects handled in the Parish in the recent past:

• Cardinal Otunga Plaza
• Painting of the Church – internal and external
• New Toilet Facilities
• Shifting of Parish Office
• Support to Our Lady of Fatima – Kiriko (twin Parish)

The above projects have cost a total of Kenya Shillings 180 million. Thank you one and all for the tremendous effort.

The Parish now wishes to embark on the next phase of development and to take on a dear project of expanding the capacity of our Adoration Chapel alongside obligations to the Archdiocese for which we are appealing for your support

Prayer is at the heart of our Christian life and it is important we improve on the facilities that we use for this by enhancing the environment to support deeper prayer life. We also need to continue to support the evangelical work done by the Archdiocese in preparing Clergy and Religious, assisting in setting up new Parishes, Charity Work and Education and Health Services

The two obligations will need Kes. 40 Million Kes. 35 Million for the expansion of Adoration Chapel and Kes. 5 Million for Archdiocese obligations. This is a lower figure than the cost of the work we have recently concluded and it is our hope that with God’s favour we shall be able to raise the resources for these noble projects

We plan to use our Harvest Sunday on 7th August 2016 as the day for putting together and blessing the contributions that will have been made.

We are thus appealing to all to support the projects in the following categories of contribution according to our ability:-

Please pick your category and from Sunday find in the pews envelopes you may use to return your contribution before 7th August 2016.

May God bless you as you undertake his work.

This year the Holy Family Basilica will celebrate their Feast Day on Sunday 20th December 2015 at the Basilica Grounds. The theme for this year’s family day  is “The family as a seedbed of Faith and Vocations”. His Eminence John Cardinal Njue will be the main celebrant at the mass at 10.45am. While the Morning mass schedule for the day will be observed (i.e. 7.00am and 8.30am), the 10.00am mass and 11.30am mass will be combined and commence at 10.45am.

At the mass, adult Catechumens will be received, 1st Holy Communion will be received by the children, and families present will receive special blessings from His Eminence. After the mass, we will have lunch as one family of God.  

The day will be preceded by a sporting event involving all Parishioners at the St. Mary’s Grounds. Part of the Sports activities include Crazy Soccer, Tug of war, Potato racing, Hide and seek among other team building activities.

Pope Francis visited in the Country from 25^th to 27^th November 2015. His visit entailed a coutersy call to the president, mass at the university of Nairobi grounds, a meeting with the clergy and religious, a visit to St. Joseph the worker Kangemi and a meeting with the youth at the Safaricom stadium Kasarani.

Christian from Basilica were in communion with the rest of the catholic community in the country, with many attending the Papal mass at the UON grounds and the youth gracing his talk at the Safaricom stadium Kasarani.

We continue to pray that the Papal visit was gracious and successful – strengthening our faith and giving encouragement to all Kenyans.