All the regions of the Consolata missionaries the world over congregated on June 20, to celebrate the feast of Our Lady Consolata, the foundress of the congregation.
The Kenya/Uganda region celebrated their feast at Consolata Catholic Parish, Sagana in the Diocese of Murang’a.
The celebration was attended by the Consolata Fathers, Consolata Sisters together with the lay Consolata missionaries, Consolata friends, volunteers, benefactors and the members of the communities where they work.
During the Eucharistic celebration, His Lordship Hieronymus Joya, IMC, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Maralal who presided over the mass, called the members to re-think and reflect on the current congregational changes emphasising that “…the congregation is at moments of era changes for leadership, but the biggest challenges are to: appreciate the ancestors who have tirelessly given their lives and natured what we have at stake; remember the heroes who were before us, and have tremendously contributed to what we have – sick, old, deceased and even credit to the current energetic missionaries taking the missions to a better option; and hardest of all, is to keep the congregation standing and making the evangelical options with the new change of guard which is occurring every time”.
In his homily, Bishop Joya echoed the word of God from Acts 13:2. He reminded all present that, as Barnabas and Saul, each one is set apart for mission and that is shown clearly by the dedication all present and even absent have to the Consolata missionaries. “Let us not get tired of doing what is good, and without noise” he said.
The feast was also coloured with celebrations of jubilarians for both the Consolata Fathers and Brothers and the Consolata Sisters for 25 years and 70 years of priesthood and religious life.
As a gesture of charity too, the offertory and free donations were given to the MC for their needful institutions.
The day ended with a sharing of cake cutting and lunch, which was held at Bethany House – Sagana.
By Fr. Mike Mutinda, IMC – Bethany House, Sagana..
