Ambassador attends 10th Year Celebrations for the Catholic Church

A colorful choir performs during the Kenyan Catholic Community and Friends (KCCAF) 10th year anniversary at in Winthrop, Mass.. N. Wa-Mbarii/Ajabu

Story and pics by Nguyaii -Wa- Mbarii, Ajabu Africa News

WINTHROP, Mass, NOVEMBER 14_ SAINT John the Evangelist parish in Winthrop, Mass. was last week the venue for a major worshipping and celebration to commemorate the Kenyan Catholic Community and Friends (KCCAF) 10th year of existence.

The event which was hosted by the Catholic Community in the Arch-Diocese of Boston was attended by more than five hundred people from all walks of life.  Among them was the Kenyan Ambassador in the United States H.E. Peter Ogego, a staunch Catholic and several talented choirs from the Uganda and the Tanzanian communities in Massachusetts.

Dan Kurema, who is also the chairman of the KCCAF served as the mcee for the colorful and auspicious event.  The Patron Priest was Father Michael Komu from St. Michael's Parish in Lowell, Mass. and the host of the ceremony was Father Bourke, also the Parish priest of St. John the Evangelist, Winthrop.

The church history was very moving as well. It told of group of Kenyan Catholic whose faith was immovable despite their number.

A Kenyan priest prays for a baby's blessings

The ceremony was a crowning event to the many years of prayers and hopes for the then few Kenyan Catholics who never gave up their hope and belief in God and the Catholic faith.

The Mass ceremony was so moving in its richness in the African culture and faith. Represented at the ceremony were diverse groups of the Faithful from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon and Nigeria and other countries around the world including America.

As one sat in pews, you saw a rainbow of Catholic priests and alter boys and as one stood at the altar, you couldn’t help but be moved by the faithful dressed in rich cultural and faith attires.  

Children wore smiles throughout the ceremony. During the Mass, you could not help but feel the presence of God as the worshipers praised Him in different languages representing different dialects and dancing happily.

Believers presented various items to the priest for use in prayers of blessings.

One believer presented table salt right from his kitchen while another presented a child for prayers.

A colorful reception followed right after the Mass.

The reception, held at a hall within the church compound, was another showcase of a well organized event. The hall was filled to capacity and a wide spectrum of African dishes and soft drinks was galore.

It was encouraging to see the youth calm and collected as they dutifully served food and ushered in the multitude. 

There was entertainment and joy as people got to meet others.  After the meal came the presentation of certificates of appreciation by Ambassador Ogego.

Kenyan Ambassador in the United States H.E. Peter Ogego during the Catholic church celebrations

In his speech, the envoy reminded Kenyans that his office was open to all Kenyans in the US at any time.

Hon. Ogego is one of the most accessible diplomats Kenyans have ever seen, and usually gives out his cell phone number to any Kenyan who asks to call on condition that the calls are of responsible and progressive nature.

The diplomat encouraged all Kenyans to seek help any time if there was meaningful need. There was calm as he spoke and jubilant cheers after his speech. 

He congratulated the Catholic Church in Boston for their immense achievement at ten years of continued growth and service to the faithful.

“The Church has never let us down in the hour of need,” said the ambassador.

On his part, Fr. Bourke praised Kenyans who attended the event and asked them to continue putting God first in everything they did.

At the event, different groups took part in entertaining the crowd at different times. The crowd responded by dancing to the traditional tunes and cheering.

Hundrends of Catholic faithful literally fill the Saint John's the Evangelist Church in Winthrop , Mass during celebrations to mark the 10th year of continous growth of the church.

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