A first hand report from the Dominican
Mission in Kisumu, Kenya -
Feb 1, 2008 - With respect to Kisumu, things are getting a
bit worse. Yesterday all the roads were blockaded following
the killing of another MP. Our car carrying an Assumption Sister
of Eldoret and some employees was stoned. Only three hits, all
on fenders; but it was a close call. The passengers kept throwing
50 and 100 Ksh notes out the windows to get through the areas
from Manyatta to Kondele to Mamboleo to Kanyakwar. Franciscan
sisters had to spend all night at a stranger's wake because
it was the safest place in town to be until dawn. They were
trapped in town at about 2 PM. They finally got back to their
convent at 6 AM. The sisters are all Luos; but they were still
in danger.
People are trapped in similar circumstances all over the country.
It took one of our students almost four days to get from Nairobi
to Kisumu. At one point, his bus was surrounded by Kikuyus demanding
all Luos be handed over. The Kikuyu driver spoke to them in
Kikuyu and drove on. The boy is a Luo. At the moment, we have
a teacher moving from Nakuru to Kisumu. He has been going gradually
for three days. As you know it usually takes three to four hours.
Violence is escalating in Kisumu's local communities. Food and
medicine are becoming scarce because so much of the national
transportation infrastructure has been damaged. Most of the
Kisumu violence now seems to be criminal activity. Most Kikuyus,
Meruans, and Embuans are long gone or are in hiding. Looting
continues against almost any store or shop not protected.
Schools are still closed in Nyanza Province and we have about
a hundred students living on the compound. We a cannot send
them in either direction (home or school) at present. We are
doing a makeshift tutoring program for primary and secondary.
We have plenty of water so far and we have been fortunate to
have been able to get food supplies sufficient to meet our needs.
We are attempting to establish a routine of sorts in the midst
of all the commotion. So far no one directly associated us with
has been injured or killed.
God bless
Martin, OP
(Fr. Martin Martiny, OP)
Fr. Ken Announces Change of Assignment
Dear Friends,
This Sunday's gospel provides the very best context for the
call I received to return to St. Pius V Parish in Providence,
Rhode Island.
I am writing this letter as I return to Cincinnati after
spending 2 days with my recuperating mother. Thanks to your
prayers, she is on the mend and should be home by the time
you read this. The timing of this medical emergency provided
a further indication that this change of assignment is part
of God's plan.
As I opened Magnificat to check this Sunday's gospel,
I was once again supported by the power of God's Word. Notice
the surprising nature of Jesus' call (why not carpenters from
Nazareth or learned scribes from Jerusalem?) and the immediacy
of the first four apostles' response. Following Jesus and
receiving the strength He will provide makes their leave-taking
possible.
I am most grateful for all the support I have received following
last week's announcement. Jesus spoke to me through you in
so many ways. I look forward to the 10 weeks ahead to further
prepare this next chapter in our lives. (My final day will
be March 31st - the Feast of the Annunciation.)
By now I hope we have elected a new Prior and pastor. The
Provincial and his council will need to approve this choice.
This process may take some time. Please continue your prayerful
support for this process.
St. Pius V, my home parish where I served from '89-'99, is
across the street from Dominican run Providence College. The
Dominican sisters from Nashville teach in our parish school.
It is a city parish of 1450 families. St. Pius is smaller
and considerably less resourced than St. Gertrude's. The current
pastor's term expires at Easter and the Provincial and his
council came to the decision that I was the right friar for
this mission.
Peter, Andrew, James, and John had the gift of going with
their brothers to Jesus. I will be going to Providence with
all of you in my heart. Your gifts to me over these 8 1/2
years have equipped me in new ways to face the challenges
ahead.
I conclude with the words of today's responsorial psalm:
"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom should
I fear?"
May we continue without fear to follow the call of Jesus
to bring His light to the ends of the earth.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Ken
Download our new
catalog of ministries and learn what opportunities are
available to serve at the parish.
Learn more about religious vocations at the Archdiocese
of Cincinnati's vocations web site!
Help encourage children's prayer! Bring your little ones to
children's hour at Eucharistic Adoration, Thursdays from
2-3 pm in the church! (note new date & time!)
Catholic Men - Deepen your faith!
Our Men's Fellowship Group meets every 2nd and 4th Saturday
of the month in the Parish Center from 7:30-9:00 am. All are
welcome!
