‹‹ Go out to the whole world, proclaim the gospel to all creation›› Mk 16:15
On May 25, 2025 was the inauguration of the new Shone mission in the Vicariate of Hosanna at the Parish of Mary the Covenant of Mercy (Kidane Miheret).
By Timothy Wanjala Wanyonyi *
The Christians of Shone were happy to welcome all the participants who were gathered to celebrate the great day that the Lord has done. The group of choirs welcomed warmly Bishop Seyoum Fransua and other priests to the Church. The faithful were deeply happy and welcomed all the participants in this great day.
The Holy Mass was presided over by Bishop Seyoum Fransua, concelebrated by Father Tamene Asaro, IMC, the regional Superior of Consolata Missionaries in Ethiopia, and other Consolata Fathers and priests from the nearby parishes. In the beginning of the Holy Mass, Bishop Siyoum Fransua directed his warm welcoming to the Consolata Fathers in his Vicariate, in Shone quoting the word of God from Rm.10:15 ‹‹ How beautiful are the feet of the messenger of good news››. He praised the Consolata Missionaries for their past and present faithfulness to the mission, proclaiming the gospel during difficult moments and challenging times in Ethiopia.
The bishop added that he himself is the fruit of the Consolata Missionaries work and continued praising and admiring the Christians of Shone for their prayers, their welcoming heart and love that attracted the missionaries, and he extended his gratitude to all the priests and sisters who had served that church up to the today of the handover to the Consolata Missionaries.
Then Father Adane Woldemariam from the Vicariate of Hosanna in his homily underlined that passage of the gospel of Saint John that says: ‹‹whoever loves me will keep my word›› (Jn.14:23). He encouraged the faithful to love the Lord by keeping his words and to be faithful to the Catholic faith which is the true church founded by Jesus himself; he deeply stimulated them to keep their faith alive recalling Jesus’ words: ‹‹You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it›› (Mt. 16:18.) It was a very encouraging and motivating homily in this particular time when our faith is facing challenges in the world.
At the end of the Holy Mass, Bishop Siyoum Fransua welcomed Father Tamene Asaro and Fr.Timothy Wanjala saying ‹‹I welcome you as my brothers in this Vicariate››. Bishop Siyoum together with Fr. Tamene introduced to the faithful Fr. Timothy Wanjala as the new responsible of the Church in Shone, asking at the same time prayers and closeness to Fr. Timothy. Bishop Siyoum encouraged the Christians to accept Fr. Timothy Wanjala as their brother and spiritual father, and to collaborate with him for the growth of the Church. The faithful present in the church welcomed Fr. Timothy with great joy. Fr. Tamene together with a representative of Consolata sisters animated and encouraged the young ones to join the religious life to proclaim the gospel.
The Christian community in appreciation, gave gifts to BishopSeyoum Fransua, Fr. Zeleke Ginnamo,the previous parish priest, and to Fr. Timothy Wanjala the new father in-charge. The Consolata Fathers also offered gifts to the church committees as a sign of gratitude.
At the conclusion of the Holy Mass photos were taken in remembrance of this great and joyful day, and lunch was offered in the nearby school compound. The food was delicious, and while eating the Bishop thanked all those who collaborated to the different activities, and encouraged them to proclaim the gospel in their way of serving.
After lunch they prepared coffee ceremony and concluded the great event with prayer and the final blessing. Fr. Timothy Wanjala remained in the mission with his people and the others participants returned to their residence thanking the Lord for this beautiful day and for the gift of the Consolata Missionaries in Shone, Mary the Covenant of Mercy parish.
The presence of the Consolata Missionaries gave to the people of Shone a great joy and hope.
We are all grateful to God and all the persons who contributed to this great event and we pray that this mission may be fruitful.
* Father Timothy Wanjala Wanyonyi, IMC, missionary in Ethiopia.
