Pp. Francis to . I myself was privileged as

HABARI NEWS Chairperson of AOSK to give a brief talk regarding religious life of women in Kenya. A NAIROBI PRIORY most blessed event. We are so very grateful for this year of the Lord 2015 with all its gifts. Year of the Lord 2015

From the Prioress’ Desk CHRISTMAS DAY The year of 2015 held many

special events for the Church May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love and the people of Kenya. Beginning with the of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be first ever of a on Kenyan soil, with you all!!! that of Irene Stefani in May. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us The next big event which took place in July was rejoice and be glad in it. The celestial choir is the official visit of the President of the United proclaiming the glory of God. All the States. For the people of Kenya they felt that it angelically tell the wonder of the Lord. They sung was their son coming home. “Gloria in excelsis Deo…” proclaiming the birth of a greater King in Bethlehem. Closer to ‘home’ were the events stemming from the year dedicated to the Consecrated Life. In We all converged in the Chapel for the first September a symposium on various aspects solemn vespers for Christmas. Already the related to religious life was held at the large whether had changed and even the sisters’ way of amphitheater of the Catholic University of East dressing symbolizes a great event which was now Africa with over 5,000 women and men religious at hand. The singing was so fine with harmonized in attendance. It was organized by the association voices as never before. The Church was well of male [RSCK] and female [AOSK] religious decorated and the lights and stars were all brightly organizations of Kenya along with Tangaza shining. University a University created by a consortium of male religious communities in Kenya. The presence of His Eminence Joáo Cardinal Bráz de Aviz, the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life was of special account.

Following the 5 day symposium an ongoing the alter could also speak by itself Who had appeared formation program of one month was offered to on earth. the nuns of Kenya of which there are 18 congregations. This was held at our Subiaco After vespers we proceeded to the Chapter room center. Of special note Sr. Jania of Norfolk and raising our voices in joyous praise striving to Sr. Jeana of Ferdinand Benedictines were among awaken the world for the Son of Man was with us, the lecturers for this course for nuns. in a manger with arms widely opened ready to receive us as we are. Our Prioress Sr. And the most significant event was the visit of Marie welcomed us to the solemn feast by sharing with us the Christmas message from Mother

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Angela and her own Christmas message in which she reminded us of the request during his Every morning a bell is usually rung to awaken us visit to Kenya…He whispered to her “pray for in preparation for morning prayers, but on this day me.” She invited us also to pray together with her being a great day we were awakened by for Francis. Christmas music; which was loud enough that The postulants performed a small skit symbolizing everybody could hear. In a short while we were the birth of our Lord. This was followed by some already gathered for Morning Prayer and this was Christmas Carrols following which we proceeded followed by the shepherds mass. to the refectory for supper then in wait for the On the evening of this great feast we gathered in vigil mass that was to be presided over by our the refectory after the evening prayer. It usually chaplain Fr. Gregor. As usual the Mass was happens that each gathering in the refectory is colorful with Christmas songs, lights all over and preceded by common prayers in the church. We glittering stars not mentioning the liturgical dined together and shared the joy of the love of dances from our Novices and Postulants. The Jesus whose birth we were celebrating. The floor aromatic smell of the incense filled the chapel. Fr. was full of merry singing and dancing; it was a Gregor was keen enough to recognize our time to exercise whichever gift and talent one has neighbors who year after year join us for Vigil including the gift of our vocation. masses of Christmas and Easter. The choir was so vibrant you could think it was morning mass no We had entertainments, Novices on stage, one of one could miss any note because of sleeping. Who them taking the part of Christ, asks, “Young lady, could sleep when Christ has come among us in where are you going?” “Don’t you see this flesh and blood? battered tent; A tent full of holes?” “My daughter don’t be troubled, come with me for this is my After the Mass there was great joy as sisters very dwelling place. You shall see how beautiful and happily greeted and wished each other Merry wonderful it is to belong… On your own you Christmas while enjoying snacks in the refectory. can’t make it but the son of man can.” If you trust I could not believe that it was approaching and believe in him, he shall take a way the midnight for the night was as clear as the day and battered tent and fashion you with a new one. The so were my eyes. As we are known for great battered tent is likened to our wounded hearts… silence this is one of the exceptional days in which Many are times when our hearts are torn but the the great silence is not observed because of the compassionate and merciful Father accepts them great joy that comes with the new born Christ. We and renews them once again through the love he departed to our cells one by one to rest for the few renews by the birth of his son in our midst. hours waiting to welcome the dawn of glory and join the angels in singing the Gloria during the The Postulants also entered the stage like John the shepherds-mass. Baptist preparing us for the great poem they recited in unison and conviction with joy radiating from their faces. Nobody wanted to be left out and so the juniors also had a skit depicting how the message of the new born King was received by different people in different ways. Some accepted it for the sake of saving their lives.

The little and yet called the Mighty King is already welcoming us. 2

The sisters on the other hand took over the roles and tasks done by the workers and the workers were like Kings and Queens.

It was really a special scene to observe how sisters and novitiate members gathering their efforts running up and down to make the day wonderful and great for their guests.

Those in the kitchen made sure that they put forth all their skills so that every stomach was well cared for; The sisters in the refectory also made the glittering Christmas tree symbolizing the Great sure that the guests are warmly welcomed and light which has shown on us!!! each had a placed to comfortably sit; not A quiet evening to welcome the New Year forgetting the most important place the church, it approached. We all gathered in the Church, was like heaven on earth yet we were still in silence prevailed; adoration was at hand. advent season. Those who might have forgotten Intercessory prayers began, one could experience what was to take place thought that we were the Spirit of God moving among us. All of us mistaken by celebrating Christmas earlier on 12th received favor in the sight of the Almighty one, Dec. instead of 25th Dec. The sisters did not only we were fully touched. This was a moment to pour care for the stomachs of the employees but also out our hearts to him for he had worked wonders for their souls and those of their families and in our lives during the year. Welcoming another friends. year was not an easy task as it calls us to a time of The celebration was opened officially with the atonement and purification of sins. Adoration Holy mass officiated by Rev. Fr. , a ended at 12:00 Midnight everyone was a wake Redemptorist. He really prepared very wonderful ready to usher in the New Year 2016. Silence was food for the soul and served it well. I was moved broken and all over the area could be heard by his homily as he said, “All of us are stewards fireworks and jubilation neither were the sisters being entrusted with something and God will left out. demand an accountability from our stewardship. So came another session of merriment, we had Nobody is a boss! The sisters, priest or the seen anew day with a difference…another phase employees, we are all God’s stewards in his of the moon and another face of the coin. Things vineyard.” were to restart. The joyfulness of the New Year He went on to say that the employees should was to be put on by all of us expressed with cheers always be appreciative to the work God has given and dances in the refectory. them and should avoiding comparing themselves Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!! with others by saying “ why is he/she working in By Post. Celestine the dispensary, Subiaco and I in the garden or with EMPLOYEES CHRISTMASS PARTY THAT pigs?” Rather, they should praise God for having given them the opportunity to work because there LEFT SMILES IN THEIR HEARTS are so many people who are seeking jobs to no Special and different from the previous years avail. By the time the mass ended I was already during this years’ Christmas party the workers satisfied by this wonderful food of the soul. Even were not allowed to step onto the compound though it was meant for the staff I found it fitting wearing their working clothes but in suits and ties. also for me being that I am also a worker in God’s They were to come with their families and friends. vineyard. 3

After mass came the next part, the other sweetest years back and where the parents are the children part, which we all enjoy most when we attend a will be one day be. party and that is food. Most interesting, when it came to serving there was no high or low table, As Fr. Raphael had said during mass that we the tables for sisters or for employees; all shared should learn to be appreciative, the sisters showed the same meal, great and small a like, employer this in action by giving gifts to the employees, and employee. This made this year’s Christmas party for the employees different from the past years celebrations. It showed unity among the sisters and the employees and it symbolizes the heavenly banquet.

When Mr. Stomach had received something, now came a time to shake the muscles and for the

employees to show that they have appreciated us as there employers. This was accompanied by nice Many smiles were seen on the employees’ faces music in which the workers danced in shifts in as they were receiving the gifts. As a sign of relation to their respective working areas, that is: gratitude, the employees also in return gave the Convent, Subiaco and St. Odilia’s Dispensary sisters gifts by making them go through physical who showed that they not only know how to exercises. You cannot imagine Sr. Serve going prescribe and dispense medicine to the patients down to the ground dancing without saying ‘ai but that they can also shake their bones in rhythm wai wai wai…mama yangu’ to the music. As in any other big celebrations, the cake winds When it came to the turn of their children, I wish up the day yet it is the climax. As one writer said, you could have been there to watch because I have “something special is always special you don’t no words to express it. The children showed there wash your hands when you are going to eat a parents that they are younger and more flexible cake.” than there parents especially Blessing the daughter

of Mama Jane. She seems to have learnt the

It is true, even the doctors that day forgot about the sanitation when they were served with a cake. We all shared the cake with them after which they left at their own pleasure with big smiling faces.

The children showing their talents in dancing Thank you Sisters and Novitiate members for making the day very colorful and enjoyable, I styles even before she was formed in her mother’s wish it could come back, I could have enjoyed womb. As God told that “I called you double. May God bless you all!!! even before you were born” it seems that Blessing was given that talent even before By Nov. Regina conception. The children showed their parents that where the children are the parents were some

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WASAFI KAREN YOUTH GROUP This year’s Christmas was of its own kind, they were visited by Sr. Serva and Sr. Jacinta who When it is Christmas season everyone wants to shared with them the joy of the new King (Jesus) celebrate and no one would like to go without the who was to be born for us to unite us. They celebration. The Wasafi Karen youth group as themselves were also ready to receive the King they are known is a group of young men who have who was to be born among them because their decided to change their life for the better. The lives were totally changed and even the nature of the work of Sr. Serva part of which is surrounding people could recognize their oneness shopping whenever there is need. During her and the love they have for each other. business errands, she came across this group of young men who used to beg from her whenever Surely salvation dawned on them in that their she passed either to the Post office or for Good Samaritan organized for their medication shopping. It is so easy to help a person when support from the Koreans. At the moment, they he/she approaches you for the first time with a are stable and even have an account in which they genuine need, but when it becomes continuous it can keep little savings for any eventuality. becomes more of a bother. Sr. Serva also felt that This group met Christ through Sr. Serva, let us the need of these young men was increasing day also make Christ known and be realized in the by day and she could not manage to support them. small activities that we do for our fellow brothers She challenged them one day that they could and sisters. Together we are able to see how they organize themselves and support each other are full of gratitude in their hearts as they rejoice because it is not life-sustaining to live by begging. at the birth of their Savior. Their idleness and frustration lead some of them to drugs, alcohol and some could even steal so as to have something for the day. Being a missionary and a Christian, Sr. Serva felt for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd this was because they were not officially recognized and even the Police could chase them from where they were doing some The poor jobs of washing the parked cars and shoe wasafi youth group posing for a photo together with shining. They themselves sing how their Good sisters Serva and Jacinta Samaritan was united with them when they decided to form a group and have an identity, they By Sr. Christine went ahead to register the group to make it legal so that they could be recognized. CELEBRATING ST. ANDREAS AHMREIN’S DAY 29TH DEC 2015

The long awaited day now approached, the day when the sisters were to exercise their talents in terms of foot work, hand and so on.

At 2:30 p.m. the bell was rung and indeed this was the hour. We all assembled in the garden behind novitiate block and waited for the instructions from the mistress of ceremony of the day. The wasafi Karen youth group with Sr.Serva

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Sr. Helen who was the referee looked at her and threatened the rest saying, “someone is going to

be defeated right away.” Was she of the day announcing from the wilderness that people should tighten their muscles and loosen

their joints? God granted us hope because after all we needed strong losers and winners.

The so called netballers emerged in the field; tall, Sisters enter the field with style strong and tough. This was the hardest, toughest as a sign of warming up and most enjoyed game. Out of its rules, we had to Who is who?? People were different. Dressed like change the referee to one who knows its rules so young men, fully armed to face the opponent. We that justice could prevail. were already grouped into two teams of Katharina Goal keeping, defending and shooting was not and Ahmrein, two strong teams so to say. easy. Those who could not make long gallops Yes, the exercise began solemnly with a word of were disadvantaged. prayer as St. Benedict encourages that we put God first in all your undertakings. Then the instructions were laid down as to the order of the day. All the games of the day were announced and to open the games ropes were laid in the field in readiness for skipping. This was done in intervals. We were to jump while the referee of the day counted from 1-30, if you manage to jump to the count of 30 gained a score for your team, if as usual spectators are more worried than the people in the field you missed a jump you gained a loss for your team. Sr. Michael Marie being a missionary also wanted to exercise her mission life and decided to lead her The next game was 100 meters race from goal to team as one of their shooters. To shoot is easy to goal. This was the moment you could doubt hit the ring is neigh impossible except for the whether the person was really coming or going. advantaged Post. Celestine who is also blessed People took cover and tried their best. with height, on receiving the ball there was no Congratulations to Sr. Loice for emerging the doubt that she would hit the ring so even before best. This could be eventually seen just by looking she scored people were already moving to the at her tall physique. center to start for the other side and the one responsible for recording scores could automatically give a score. This gave Katharina’s team great hope that they would defeat Ahmrein’s team which they were almost doing.

Katharina had 9 points while Ahmrein had only 4 from the netball; the joy was theirs which later was to turn upside down.

Sr. Lucina and Nov. Regina waiting for referee asthey At this point another game surfaced from our ready themselves to race. Mother Michael Marie simple but technical. This one did not need height, built body or strength. 6

My goodness, throwing and receiving of balloons refreshed. As the people were dancing and taking filled with water. The greatest intercessor and refreshing drinks everything was good. The cheerer was prowling around the field, Sr. Pascha ‘weather’ changed however when the scores were shaking the tambourine and swaying like Miriam released. Since Katharina’s team had been

in the book of Exodus. leading all along they thought they were the leaders forgetting the balloon wash. They started Nobody knew celebrating in advance only to hear that Ahmrein which team Sr. defeated them with one point this was enough to Pascha belonged, put others into a coma. Thanks be to God the gifts she was half / half. were shared equally at the end. Is it that she was warming the field in As the day’s ending drew near everything was readiness for her silenced and we all sat down in deep adoration game of and reverence of Almighty God who had made it specialization; wonderful day. Thank you sisters for having the Walking with an best plans and ensuring that both ends were brought to their meeting point. Supper followed egg carried on a spoon in her mouth and and people dismissed at their pleasure. balancing the empty bottle of soda on her head? Thank you Sr. Pascha for your majesty and magic By Nov. Felistus in the game. You did it perfectly right though, you did not win! Nov. Regina won and that is THE MANIFESTATION OF THE STAR TO THE Ahmrein. WISE MEN

Back to the balloons since the initiator of the Epiphany as it is called is the manifestation of game was of the Ahmrein team, it seems she Christ to the three wise men known as the Magi. It might have coached the members and so they had is rightly observed on 6th of January every year. the trick and they washed the Katharina’s team to The Epiphany of 2016 was the most unique one the fullest. according to my observation as compared to the past years’ and I hope others which are still to Break dance followed, whereby each and every come will follow suit or will be better than this one joined the frenzy dance full of joy and year’s. It began by solemn first Vespers on gratitude. Tuesday the 5th, at the entrance to the Church there was a glittering star which symbolizes something special like the star which was seen by the Magi.

When I looked at the Manger, the magi had already reached and were now praying and ready to offer their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Our Lady was looking at them with wonder but kept the wonder to herself as usual while gave them his place so that they

could have a good glance at the little boy Jesus, The time for free dance to close the day while Jesus himself seemed to have welcomed them with a big smile as if he had been waiting for This is where you could identify the Congolese in them. their true styles. After all it was to enjoy and fill

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We entered in the Church in procession After the game and receiving of gifts, we had recognizing and acknowledging the presence of short night prayers and retired to bed after the new born Christ in each other by a bow as we receiving the blessings all along the day. usually do in our Benedictine way of life. After prayers we were free being that it was a free By Nov. Mildred evening in preparation of the big day following.

The material day dawned and we assembled for the solemn lauds of the Epiphany which was then followed by the vibrant Eucharistic Celebration presided over by our chaplain Fr. Gregor in which our novices represented the three Magi and brought to the Community the three gifts of Gold, Frankincense and myrrh during offertory.

As our motto of prayer and work we had to break from work as usual for Midday prayers and lunch. At 5:00Pm we were to meet again before Vespers for another special occasion of the day, which was the blessing of the Priory house, the Subiaco Retreat center and hermitages, St. Ocillia’s Dispensary, garage and garden. We assembled in groups in which some were given special duties as leaders, Inscribers, Incensers’; others were to sprinkle holy water while those remaining were to lead in singing. We all gathered in the Church for the opening prayer which was led by our Prioress Sr. Michael Marie OSB and then each group took its direction.

It took almost an hour, after which we came together for Vespers followed by supper. To crown the day, as Christ received gifts on Epiphany, we also as a community after supper we gathered to receive gifts but, in a special way. We had a game by the name Bingo which was directed by Sr. Michael Marie, so we were to receive these gifts out of luck; you had to win in one way or the other as per the rules of the game then through raffles pick a number; the number corresponded to a pre-wrapped gift which the winner received. One was to open the gift and show to the community what gift was. The naturally lucky ones who won the game several times could then offer the gift to the not so lucky ones, in this way all could receive a gift.

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