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Dear sisters,

Greetings from Kenya! Taarifu 2020 is here. The year 2020 looks unique, the double figure 20 and 20

gives a feeling double blessings, of abundance of grace which in turn brings with it a spirit of looking

forward to what the year actually unfolds to and for each one of us. Looking forward with shining eyes

and minds open to give and to receive. It is a while since we shared with you from our Province so we

begin the year offering you our experiences. I hope the articles will give you a glimpse of our life and

mission.

Like other parts of the world, Kenya has had a share of mother nature’s tiredness of our actions and our

reluctance to respond actively to her call. Rains started early October in many parts and have continued

to date. Many areas have experienced floods and landslides resulting to displacement of people in some

places. As a country we seem to be slow in responding positively to climate change, hopefully RNDMs

will move society to more action in our respective communities and ministries.

We are connected to the congregation Chapter which is in progress and we are journeying with our

delegates in prayer. We await the fruits of this special moment which we had prepared from last year.

The passing on of Sr. Marie Hogan from UK&I province is felt in the province since she served in Kenya

for many years. I believe she is enjoying God’s loving embrace.

The months of December 2019 and January 2020 saw the Province celebrate major events in her

history: the perpetual proffession of Sr. Jacinta Kisese, missioning of Sr. Margaret Mc Inerney to

Australia, the opening and blessing of Mbajone convent and blessing of foundation stone of Euphrasie

School (new school) in Meru Diocese. We share these and many more in this issue of our newsletter.

Welcome to Taarifu ya Kenya 2020!

Sr. Rose Musango RNDM.

RNDM Kenya Unveils a Special Gift to Church By Charles Muchiri

As Pope Francis once said, nuns are a gift, the leaven that carries the message of Christ. This is why Saturday 14th December 2019 was a special day for the Sisters of our Lady of the Missions (RNDM) Kenya. One brand new gift was being unveiled for the Vineyard of the Lord. This was in the form of the perpetual vows of Sr. Jacinta Kisese. The auspicious occasion which took place at Our Lady of Guadalupe was marked with a colourful Holy Mass. His Lordship Bishop David

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Kamau, the Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi was the main celebrant. "I have told the parents of Sr. Jacinta that after this, they should not expect any dowry for their daughter Sr. Jacinta," said Bishop Kamau, with tongue in the cheek. Sr. Jacinta was taking her perpetual vows exactly 11 years since she left her parents' home to join this congregation. The Bishop stressed on the profound sacrifice that the religious men and women make by taking up the vows of chastity and poverty. He noted that these two vows and subsequent way of life are special gift that those who undertake them give to God. Sister Jacinta, made her vows before the presence of her Province Leader of RNDM Sisters - Kenya, Sr. Magdalene Nyile. Other co-celebrants at the colourful ceremony were Rev. Fr. Javier Gonzalez the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Rev. Fr. Bonaventure of Matuu Parish and Rev. Fr. George Wambua of St. Austin's Parish. Sr. Jacinta was missioned to Meru, where she will be taking charge of promotion of vocations.

The writer of this article was honored to be the MC of this wonderful event

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF GRACE WITH THE RNDM SISTERS

The times we celebrate a well lived life have become very rare in our society, maybe it happens only

after we die and it is finally our burial day. But on this particular day, no one was dead. We were

celebrating our mother Grace for a life generously shared and her miraculous healing. Those who have

encountered Grace in the novitiate community know it too well when I call her ‘our mother’. She has

journeyed with many of us during our formation and she gave us more than the delicious food she

prepared; she gave us her ears, her heart and her time. She shared her whole self with the RNDM sisters

and co-workers. As they say, “a life of service is a life well and greatly lived” Grace shared a life of

service with the RNDM sisters. And it is for this reason we gathered together on this day -10th Dec 2019-

to say ‘Thank you’ to God for the gift of grace and ‘Thank you’ to Grace for her perfect charity in our

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community. We had mass in our

chapel celebrated by our chaplain Fr.

Charles. Novitiate community

members, Muuo women project

representatives and our workers

Sammy and Christine were in

attendance. Grace brought in her

daughter and her neighbor. The

chapel was nicely packed.

After mass we had a beautiful

procession to the dining hall, you can

imagine what happened to our hungry stomachs. There was eating & drinking, laughter, singing &

dancing, sharing gifts and speeches. We couldn’t say thank you enough and our hearts echoed a prayer

for GRACE; May you know joy that makes you share, troubles that make you thrive, sadness that makes

you care, hope that makes you dream, failure that makes you succeed, success that makes you rejoice,

Friends that make you laugh, passion that makes you live, love that makes you LOVE more and may you

have a full life. (Mercy Ndumia, Postuant)

Sharing with the most needy

“As scripture says: to the needy He gave without stint, His uprightness stands firm forever” (2Cor.9:9) Life

worth living is attained through self-fulfillment. Our spheres are surrounded by the poor and

downtrodden; each with a diverse need in life. While some crave for achievement, some lack the most

essential amenities for instance, a shelter or sufficient food to eat. Nevertheless that’s not all; some

individuals may be in need of mere affection; those who are longing to see smiles. We are blessed to be

living a contented life! How good it is to bring smiles to those poignant faces! Generosity is by far a

doable exercise. We should remember one thing that, helping others is a blessing in disguise. For the

grounds, when we assist others to soar we are nurtured as well in the process. It adds value and

meaning to our lives.

In response to the call to love and serve the needy, especially the marginalized women and children, the

poor and oppressed, through various forms of education and social ministry, enabling them to live with

dignity, respect and as responsible members of society (Constitutions.Art.35), and moved by the Spirit of

Jesus and in the footsteps of Euphrasie, the community joyfully reached out to twenty two needy

families in our surroundings, of which some we visited and enjoyed being among them. In addition, we

shared out Christmas gifts which included food stuff. The small gestures were joyfully, warmly and

gratuitously received by the considered families and we felt more blessed; their joy deepened our joy in

sharing in the Divine Missions. This marked part of our grounding for the Nativity; a joyful festive. We

are grateful to God for His provision and as the New Year, 2020 unfolds, aglow with zeal, we look ahead

to further outreaching especially to the poorest of the poor in our various capacities. “Find how much

God has given you and from it, take what you need; the remainder is needed by others”- St. Augustine.

(Jacinta Munyaka, Novice)

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CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. It is not only a season of rejoicing but also a time to

pause and reflect on the important things about us. It is also a time for wishing one another joy, love

and peace and moments full of light. Christmas day as it is to our tradition a day of celebrating not only

the gifts we receive from

sisters and friends but also

a day of celebrating the

gift beyond words, ‘’God’s

son’’, Jesus Christ. We

began our day with a Holy

mass at the Carmelite

Monastery. The day was

good though the morning

was a bit cool. It was a

pleasure to have Matuu

community invited in the

novitiate on this day to join us in prayer and celebration.

‘’Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand with one another in the

spirit of pure love, giving and forgiving’’. This was evident when the two communities came together as

one. The sisters from Matuu were three and a friend of one of the sisters who had visited the country

joined us too. In the novitiate community four sisters were present and two novices. When Matuu

community arrived, we all gathered in the chapel for prayers. We took some time to reflect on why is

Christmas better than other feasts and solemnities in the church and outside the church. This is

something that each religious observe deeply. After the prayers we had our meals which were delicious

and well served. I wish to compare the day with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure

and attention in the way the story begins, the anticipation of the turn it takes, the familiar moments of

suspense and the familiar climax and ending. That’s how it was to some of us. After the meals and a long

time of sharing we had moments of fun; laughter, dance and there was no worry at all.

As it is said ‘it is not a time to expect gifts from someone’. It is good to receive Christmas presents. We

were blessed to receive gifts from Matuu community. The magi invented for us the art of giving

Christmas presents and therefore we are in the circle of giving and receiving. As Euphrasie said before

her departure ‘remain united on earth so that we may be united in heaven’, that is who we are. Thanks

be to God for the Matuu sisters and the novitiate community for celebrating together. We ended with a

word of prayer and the sisters left at their own pleasure. May God be praised. (Veronica Oloo Otieno,

Novice)

A DAY OF MEMORIES AND GRATITUDE

The 29th December 2019 was a very special day for memories and gratitude as the Sisters in the Kenyan

Province gathered in Nairobi to say Farewell to me as I prepared to return to Australia. The day began

with the celebration of the Eucharist for the Feast of the Holy Family. The Celebrant, a Vincentian Priest

from India was celebrating the tenth anniversary of his Ordination. The readings and Father’s homily

were a reminder of the gift of Community and our call to participate in the One Mission of God. Sr.

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Salota had prepared a Power Point, which evoked many

memories of events in the life of the Province and the life

of individuals. It evoked memories of the Sisters I found

in this Province when I came who have returned to their

own Provinces. While I came to Kenya as member of the

Province in 1997 in the previous years I had visited and

been involved in decisions related to Formation and

purchase of the property in Nairobi. As the first Kenyans

celebrate 25 years of Profession I feel I have been part of

that twenty five years and am hopeful that RNDM

Mission in Kenya will continue to grow in the next

twenty-five years. Sr. Victoria prepared a special prayer

of thanksgiving and I received my Missioning letter from

the CLT. The day was also the occasion for the official

missioning of our three sisters who will begin our RNDM Mission in Mbajone, Meru. As the Sisters

shared memories and expressed gratitude I was touched by the wonder of the way our lives

interconnect. I came into the lives of most of the Sisters

at different points of their Initial Formation as RNDM. At

the conclusion of sharing of memories I was invited to

bless the Sisters in their Community groups and the PLT. I

continue to hold each one in my prayer knowing that

wherever I will be we are One Body and share One

Mission. I thank God for the privilege to have been part of

the second twenty- five years of RNDM presence in

Kenya- the time of the first twenty-five years of the life of

Kenyan professed members and for having been part of

planting seeds which will continue to see growth in RNDM

presence and Mission in Kenya.

OPENING OF MBAJONE

CONVENT IN CHARIA

PARISH,MERU DIOCESE

The blessing and official

opening of Mbajone convent

took place on the 4th of

January 2020, the birth

anniversary of Euphrasie

Barbier our foundress.

Mbajone is a Sub-Location in

Central Imenti, Meru County,

Kenya. Sisters from Nairobi,

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Matuu, Machakos and Kariakomo communities

arrived in Mbajone by 9.30am and assisted in the final

preparations for the opening ceremony. His Lordship

Bishop Salesius Mugambi of Meru Diocese presided

over the celebration of Mass and blessing of the

house and Euphrasie School.

The Mass started at 11.30am with a procession by all

the Sisters and Sister Victoria Kusalya gave a brief

history of the foundation of Kenya Province. At the

end of the Eucharist, Sister Annunciata Mwikali

welcomed the Bishop to lead the Sisters in opening

and blessing the community house.

The Bishop blessed the new house and reserved the

Blessed Sacrament in the chapel after which he

opened and blessed Euphrasie School. Cutting of the cake and planting of trees was done in memory of

the celebration and then speeches followed commenced by the area chief, chairlady of Mbajone Prayer

House, the Bishop, the Member of County Assembly who promised 20 chickens for the Sisters in the

new community and Member of Parliament who also gave cash for Euphrasie School class windows. Sr.

Magdalene Nyile, the Province leader concluded the speeches by recognizing all the RNDM Sisters

present and introducing the Sister members of Mbajone community, Sr. Annunciata Mwikali, Sr. Jacinta

Kisese and Sr. Silvia Onyain. Sr. Rose Musango gave a vote of thanks to all who had joined us for the

celebration. At the conclusion of the Eucharist we all shared a meal and the celebrants left at their own

pleasure. The Sisters at Mbajone community have kind and generous neighbours who have promised to

journey with them. We give all the glory to God for His continued Blessings. We are one, we are Love.

Admission to postulancy

A journey of hundred miles begins with a single step. 9TH

January 2020 was a special day in my life a day worth to

recall. This is the day when I was received as a postulant in

the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions .The reception

prayer service was headed by my formator Sr. Rose and Sr.

Magdalene Nyile received me into the congregation. The

reception took place at the novitiate chapel. I thank the

provincial leader and her provincial team for planning for this

day and more so for the two days recollection set aside for my

prayer and reflection in preparation to the reception day.

May God reward you abundantly. I feel grateful for the

Novitiate Community for continuous advise, encouragement

and support and for creating a conducive atmosphere to have

my recollection prayer and reflection. I thank my formator for

her tireless sacrifice before and during the reception to make

the day successful. The candle reminded me of my baptism. It

was a reminder that I should be light to the world. The reading revealed to me of the response God

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demands from me, “here I am Lord’’. The procession to the dining room was very colorful; photos were

captured as we danced towards the refreshment room. Variety of delicious foods, drinks and fruits were

presented. The climax was the cutting of the cake all creativity was applied to make every sister present

to feel in place. The cake cutting symbolized sharing and working in unity. I request the sisters ,my

formator and my fellow companions to pray for me, help me in my spiritual journey as I continue

seeking the will of God in my life as a postulant and as a religious sister. I feel peaceful, joyful and good

for the day. May God bless you all. (Josephine, Postulant)

For “I know the plans I have for you”,

says the Lord. “They are plans for

good and not for disaster, to give you

a future and a hope.”

It is the thunder you hear first, as if announcing the start of a new cycle. A thunder and a flash of light for the show to begin and it set all the activities in motion. The entire community washes away the dust from the past, the heat and the drudgery in the rain and prepares to start afresh. One of the main occupations in our place is agriculture. So most people seems busy preparing the land, sowing the seeds for a fresh start with a hope for a healthy crop. Children start another year in school hoping to learn new facts of life. And businesses gear up to provide to these growing activities. The last crop failed for lack of rains. The expectations of people were very great as we eagerly waited for the rains. After the second rains, the parched and broken land became full of life, and vibrant with new life. The blades of grass just appeared from nowhere and made the land green again. The rains lasted for long this time and all the farmers except a good harvest. For the formation community, for the province and for the entire Congregation new life came in the form of new candidates and those who were already in formation went to the next step and that is new life for us. Our fruit trees are producing fruits which are new life for the trees and for us who enjoy them. The little chicks in the small poultry farm show signs of new life in the increase in numbers. No matter which side we look, we see signs of new life. We can with one voice sing the song New life, New

life Christ came to give us new life. (Sr. Mary Mathew, RNDM)

Muuo Women’s Project: Women empowering women We appreciated so much the financial support received from IMDO towards the empowerment program and activities of women in MUUO Women’s Project.

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Earlier last year, more than fifty women came together to celebrate International Women’s day. The celebration normally recognizes the contribution women have contributed to their families, church, communities and in the society. Mrs Sarah M, Mutetei who facilitated the seminar for women on their day, expressed her gratitude to God for the significant roles women have played throughout their lives. She encouraged them to continue empowering other women within the village and beyond to embrace and appreciate who they are and to make use of the skills they learnt from the project. Air pollution was the theme of last year’s World Environment Day. The activities of the day began with women dramatizing the Biblical creation story. They then related the story to the current realities of our environment acknowledging our contribution to it. They even composed songs expressing the dangerous situation the environment is as of now. The women also had a chance to view some video clips on air pollution provided by the media. These were all challenging and learning points for all. Now they wish to do their part to save and help create a clean and healthy environment for their children and the next generation. Fruit trees were distributed for them to plant at home to mark the day and also to provide for their needs. A part from seminars, our women continue to find hope in their beads skills. They have learnt the skills and now they are earning their living from it. One of them has a daughter who is learning tailoring / sewing in the project. She could not pay her school fees and exam fees. The mother worked so hard in

making beads baskets. All baskets she had made were paid for, and the money she received she used in paying off her daughter’s fees. This is how the beads project has helped these women. On December 2nd, 3rd and 4th 2019, seven women did their National Industrial Trading Exam in Tailoring. All of them were well prepared for their exam although there were anxieties as some of them felt they are too old for such. It is our hope their results would be ready in time for their graduation in March 2020.

We expressed our gratitude to all of you who have contributed in the life changing empowerment program for women in Machakos. (Sr Salota Aimalefoa, rndm)

"What it feels to be a first time member of the chapter 2020." It has been a very historical moment for me to be at the 28th Congregation chapter in Hua Hin Bangkok, Thailand for the first time. Hua Hin is a Salesian Retreat center located very near to the beach, and three hours’ drive from Bangkok Airport. It is a very conducive place for our chapter gathering. I feel privileged to meet many or our sisters from the CLT, all the provinces, regions and new foundations and to share

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deeply the reality in our Congregation. I like the words which have been used here often "let us think and reflect Congregationally" i.e I came as a delegate for Kenya but in truth these days have made me realize that I am a delegate for the whole congregation not just for Kenya. We are here as a body and a voice for the whole. I feel very much connected with every member in the whole congregation through the representations of each sister here. The International/ intercultural identity of the congregation is very much felt and lived in this gathering. Being in a new country is very life giving for me and though we have not moved out much, I enjoy the beauty of the place, the vast beach and the environment is very appealing. I have learnt a lot from the sharing we have everyday from each other and from the presenters. In truth everyone is trying to think and see what is best way forward for the whole congregation and for the life of each member. I thank

God for this opportunity given me and I hope in the coming days we will enjoy the fruits of our gathering as we listen attentively to the guidance of the Holy spirit into the future. Manyblessing to all. (Sr. Felista Nyamasyo, RNDM)