The partnership between the Catholic Diocese of Kitui and The Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis was officially unveiled on October 30, 2005, at the Kitui Cathedral in the presence of hundreds of faithful in the diocese of Kitui, and the visiting delegation of 16 members from the St. Paul Minneapolis, Minnesota.
On this Sunday, the Christians from both sides of the world witnessed the unveiling of the Vision and Mission statement that had been adopted by both partners during a joint meeting on previous day.
The History
For some time back, the diocese of Kitui had been working towards establishing international partnerships with external parishes/ Dioceses.
With support from the Catholic Relief Services (CRS); the diocese found a partner; the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who coincidentally, had been on the same road of Global Solidarity Partnership programmes since 2001.
This saw the formalizing of the partnership on October 14th, 2004, at Cannon falls, which was witnessed by His Grace Most rev. Archbishop Harry Flynn of the archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and (the then Bishop of Kitui) His Grace Most Rev. Archbishop Boniface Lele, among others during a Kitui Delegation Visit to ST. Paul and Minneapolis.
It was from this formalization of the partnership that led to another visit of a 16 member-strong delegation from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Minnesota, led by Fr. James Perkl of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Hastings) Parish to Kitui on mid October 2005 in company of Michelle Born, of CRS, and The Catholic Spirit (Archdiocesan Publication) Editor, Joe Towalski.
Vision/ Mission Statements
During a meeting held between the visitors and hosts on August 28-29th, 2005 at the pastoral centre, Kitui, the partners adopted a vision and mission statement for the partnership, which was unveiled on the Sunday of October 30, 2005.
The Vision Statement:
‘To make Jesus known and loved, by choosing to live the gospel in every moment of our lives’
The Mission Statement:
‘The Global Solidarity Partnership between the Catholic Diocese of Kitui and the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis , exists in recognition of our communion as the body of Christ, for the mutual sharing of our faith, our experience, our culture and our resources – Gifts to us from God’
The above was signed by all participants at the meeting.
From the vision and mission statements, the partners then came up with five main objectives; which are:-
- To develop closer relationships between the partners (Building relationships)
- To help each other in strengthening our faith
- To share our resources
- To create more awareness of this partnership, thus promoting it (intra/ Inter partners)
- To visit each other more often, once a year (alternating)
Plan of action would be developed from the above objectives.
For instance; in building relationships, the partners would move to interlink the church groups such as establishing pen pals among the children in both worlds etc.
In strengthening our faith; through Pastoral Programmes, there would be exchange of catechesis; holding prayer intentions (that may be sent from one partner to the other via channels of communication especially internet); sharing faith experiences such as way of life in SCCs/ Evangelization Christian Communities, etc
Water/ education: major issues
On sharing of resources; it was noted that Education and Water were major problems faced by both partners; For instance, while St. Paul and Minneapolis is endowed with untold water masses, including the largest river Mississippi in the world, the mismanagement of the same has been a problem. On the other hand, Kitui is rocked with lack of the resource. Thus, partners could exchange ideas, programmes and projects on this common front.
In education; both partners would for instance, cover 5 catholic schools and 5 parishes within the diocese/ Archdiocese within next one year in sacramental exchange programme.
The resources need not to be material, but also cultures, Music etc.
In creating awareness, each partner would undertake means, based on the available technology and structures, to create awareness within the diocese/ Archdiocese.
And between them, they would share publications, and audio visuals, while maintaining constant channels of communication, either directly (through internet/ teleconferencing (if Possible)) or through facilitation of CRS.
Lastly as a way of coming closer to each other, the partners agreed to be visiting each regularly, once a year, but in alternation. For example, since a delegation form St. Paul Minneapolis visited Kitui in 2005, Kitui Delegation would Visit St. Paul and Minneapolis in2006, while the Diocese hosts visitors from Minnesota in 2007.
(After a review meeting of the partnership during a delegation visit to Minnesota in September-October, 2007; the partners agreed to adjust the frequency of visitations; Thus, after a visit to and from; both partners would have a year of implementation of the planned activities. As a result, Kitui is expecting a delegation visit from St. Paul and Minneapolis in 2008)
The Structures
In order to achieve the above; Kitui Diocese set up subcommittees based on each objective, who in turn make up the partnership team in Kitui.
The members of the sub committee (and thus partnership team) represent various church groups in Kitui, including the secretariat.
The executive committee is made up of 8 members; the chairperson; secretary; The administrator (Currently)/ Bishop/ or His Representative, and the five chairpersons of the five subcommittees.
So far, Kitui is preparing to host Bishop Richard Pates sometimes later this year (2007). This is after 9-member strong Kitui delegation visited Minnesota between September 22nd and October 2nd, 2006.
Kitui delegation
The selection of the (10 proposed) delegates was based on one of the three criteria that had been set up by the Kitui Visitations’ planning committee, in that, there were five persons representing the five sub committees while the rest represented the church groups.
Nine persons out of the ten got their Visas (in exception of Mr Dominic Koli, Kitui Diocese’s Catholic Men Association chairperson, Kitui, who did not make it after two attempts).
Achievements
Among the notable achievements of this partnership so far was the participation in the world women Conference in New York of Agnes Musili, the Catholic Women Association chairlady (Kitui); in May 2006, Courtesy of extended invitation by our partners in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Also, is the famine intervention initiative in Mutomo and Mutha Divisions, a supplementary feeding programme implemented in combined efforts by the partners and CRS – Kenya.
In addition are water projects such as ‘tankering’ project that was being implemented in Ikutha, south of Kitui during the dry season in 2006.
When Kitui delegation visited St. Paul/ Minneapolis, another initiative, “Harvest of Hope” programme, was unveiled at St. Michael, Farmington, in presence of both delegates and members of partnership team in Minnesota.
In this project, some organizations, and individual members in Minnesota committed their resources to grow corn and Soya beans, whose proceeds (after harvesting and selling) would be used to support projects in Kitui. Also in the pipeline is the Food Resource bank aimed at supporting food security in Kitui.
As of today, October 15th, 2007, a Food Resource Bank project is almost taking off at Nuu, in the drier Eastern part of Kitui Diocese, following the approval of the Project Proposal by CRS. This five year long project being implemented in partnership with CRS, is meant to help the locals in Nuu and the proximity to easily access water, as well as develop livelihood projects towards food security.
During the visit, Kitui delegation was able to present a cultural present of Kamba people to American audience.
In addition, both sides have been able to exchange gifts from both sides of the continents.
Challenges
Among the challenges are technological differences between Kitui and Minnesota.
CRS’ role
Through the whole process, CRS has been very instrumental in helping this partnership take off; through facilitation, identifying the essentials; helping in putting up the structures.
This partnership is being praised/ celebrated locally and internationally.
(Back to Partnerships )
