St Therese and John Paul II

This JUMUIYA is a conglomerate of two adult Catechism classes commissioned in 2015 and 2016 respectively after receiving the sacraments of initiation into the Catholic faith.

St Therese of the Child Jesus SCC was formed in 2015 with a desire for the members to radiate the love depicted by ‘roses’ which St. Therese described as the ‘good deeds’ we should do to one another in life. The SCC was started in the year 2015 with more than 40 members. The second group –John Paul II was formed in 2016 with aspirations to serve God and Humanity with longevity and resilience like the one exemplified by Pope John Paul II in his 27-year pontificate

The two groups had shared objectives and have since joined hands into one formation under Rev. Fr. Simon Kamomoe as their chaplain. St Therese and John Paul II SCC animates masses as per the church Liturgy programme as well as conducting mass during the Feast of the Patron Saints (St. Therese 1st of October and John Paul II 22nd of October.

We usually meet at 10.00 am every Sunday at Cardinal Otunga annex meeting rooms on the 7th Floor

Love comprises all vocations – that love is everything, and because it is eternal, embraces all times and places.

 

 

St Therese of Lisieux born on 1st October 1873 was a French Catholic who became a Carmelite nun at the early age of 15 years.

She died in obscurity at the age of 24 in 1897.  Her book explains her spiritual path of love and selflessness, and she became one of only three females to be considered a doctor of the Catholic Church.

From an early age, it was Therese’s ambition and desire to be a saint. She was born into a pious and loving Catholic family. Her early childhood idyll was broken by the early death of her Mother (from breast cancer). Aged only four years old, she felt the pain of separation and instinctively turned to the Virgin Mary for comfort and reassurance

On Christmas Eve 1884, she got a remarkable conversion of spirit and lost her inclination to please herself with her own desires rather pray for the souls of others.  In the process, she felt a very strong calling to enter the convent at the unprecedented early age of fifteen.

Initially, the Church authorities refused to allow a girl, who was so young to enter holy orders. Therese was so determined she traveled to the Vatican to personally petition the Pope. Breaking protocol she spoke to the Pope asking for permission to enter a convent. Slightly taken aback Pope Leo XIII replied: “Well, my child, do what the superiors decide.” Soon after, her heart’s desire was fulfilled, and she was able to join her two sisters in the Carmelite convent of Lisieux.

Her philosophy was that – what was important was not doing great works, but doing little things with the power of love. She believed that if we can maintain the right attitude, then nothing shall remain that can’t be accomplished.

Towards the end of her life, when she was increasingly bedridden, St Therese was encouraged by the elder nuns to write down her way of spiritual practice. She wrote three books that explained her “little way” and included her personal spiritual autobiography ‘Story of a Soul’.

“The good God does not need years to accomplish His work of love in a soul; one ray from His Heart can, in an instant, make His flower bloom for eternity…” -St Therese.

St Therese died tragically early at the age of 24 from tuberculosis. However after her death, the writings became avidly read by, first other nuns, and then the wider Catholic community. 

St Therese was canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 17, 1925, only 26 years after her death.

Do not be afraid to take a chance on peace, to teach peace, to live peace. Peace will be the last word of history

 

 

 

 

 

St. John Paul II born 18th May 1920 Died 2nd April 2005

Feast day October, 22nd 

Survived an assassination attempt in 1981 He was beatified on 1st May 2014. He’s remembered for his successful efforts to end communism as well as for building bridges with people of other faiths and issuing the first Catholic Church apology for its action during World War II.

He traveled abroad extensively in an effort to promote greater understanding between countries, and religions and campaigned against political oppression, violence, and materialism.

He was the patron of Catholic Sports when he was a Blessed before being declared a Saint. He announced a Saint after it was proven he had performed two miracles both after his death.

The group settled on St. John Paul II because of his humanity and love for all people irrespective of their faith or race, he taught us forgiveness by asking for forgiveness on behalf of the church. His love for God and the church led him to travel extensively to spread his message of faith and peace. He challenges us to have a human heart and to love all people without discrimination.

Covid 19 Pandemic and how it has affected Church at SCC level-St Therese OF THE Child Jesus and

John Paul II SCC-HFB

Since March 2020, the onset of covid-19 pandemic came with disruption in Physical gatherings and hence controlled SCC meetings and Church in-person attendance. In particular, our Jumuia was supposed to animate mass on Palm Sunday 2020 but as the health guidelines would have it, we had to adjust quickly and communicate to our members that only 2 or 3 people would be required to attend mass in-person at the church. We organized for offerings to be availed by one person and the rest to follow mass online and on TV as the new norm would have it. Members shared instances where they contracted Covid and got well afterward, had relatives and colleagues who got sick, etc. We thank God that all our members have weathered the pandemic.

We adjusted quickly to prayer meetings on WhatsApp where we would do rosary and devine mercy at agreed times. The disruption saw a change in activity modality for instance sending 2-3 persons to represent in charity visits. At times the numbers attending recollection reduced due to the Covid scare and we had to combine with groups. While this might primarily be seen as a reduced commitment to faith matters, It may also be seen as a humanity retreat and an inward opportunity of revising our innermost heart relationship with God. Who knows we needed to reset from our ‘’complacency?’’

With the passage of time economic disruptions saw us adjust our membership monthly contributions. This has left a gap in group kitty balances where some members pleaded to have their 2020 contributions gaps forfeited. There was resilience and desire by members and on the resumption, of the church gathering, our members were supported to animate the first 8:00 am mass both at church and in the hall as numbers in each gathering were controlled.

Currently, we have managed to resume monthly meetings though with reduced numbers. We also managed to do our saint day mass as per our calendar in October 2021 (Reduced attendance noted) but those attending showing stamina. This was before the lifting of curfew and we are optimistic that with reduced infection rates and less psychological fears, our members will bounce back to church presence.

 Unique activities the group has achieved 

  • The group decided to make garments (aprons) that were donated to St. Teresa Children’s Home at Kasarani Nairobi. The aprons will be used by the staff.

Benefits of joining the Group 

  • Encourages one’s commitment in life in general: Family, work, community;
  • To nurture the Christian faith, especially after sacramental initiation which is critical for growth
  • To draw near to the church’s active participation as required by the Vatican II council
  • Christians have a sense of belonging because they fellowship with the people mostly known to them.
  • Christians participate directly in the building and well-being of the church through their contributions
  • To better Shape the young children in the church ways since it is impossible to do so if one remains just a mere churchgoer. 
  • Christians’ needs are met effectively and speedily by the clergy and priest.

Group’s Activities  

  1. Animating mass
  2. Participate in charitable activities; Visiting children’s homes, etc
  3. Organizing Retreats and Team Building;
  4. Prayer meetings; Visit Komarok Shrine, Resurrection Garden
  5. Organizing Spiritual events;
  6. Organize social functions and gatherings;
  7. Supporting the members in sickness, death in the family, etc.

FEAST DAY MASS 2021

For more information please contact the parish office 

GROUP ACTIVITIES IN PICTURES