VOCATIONS DIRECTORS REPORT  2009   “Young men who intend to become priests are to receive the appropriate religious formation and instructions in the duties proper to priesthood in a major seminary for the whole of the time of formation”(CIC 235 part1). This formation continues even when seminarians break for their holidays. I must applaud those priest s who try their best to show our student s who are in the formation the right track to discover and realize fully their call. The following is the list of the Seminarians: SEMINARY SEMINARIAN PARISH St. Mary’s Major Seminary-MOLO 1.      Anthony Muthengi 2.      Maurice Mutati Mutune Kyuso St. Augustine’s Senior Seminary-BUNGOMA 3.      Charles Maingi (Phil. 1)          4.      Bonfac eMutisya (Phil. 1) 5.      John Kivosyo (Phil II) 6.      Stephene Kilonzo (Phil II) 7.      Francis Mutua (Phil III) 8.      Joseph Kivite (Phil III) Nguutani Kabati Mbitini Muthale Muthale Kavisuni     St. Mathias Mulumba Senior Seminary-TINDINYO 9.      Paul Mutemi (Theol I) 10.  Benard Kimuli (Theo. II) 11.  Joseph Kongo (Theo. III) 12.  Patrick Musya  (Theo. IV) 13.  Patrick Mwavu (Theo. IV) 14.  Jacob Mbiti   (Theo. IV) 15.  John Syengo  (Theo. IV) Kavisuni Kavisuni Nguutani Mutune Mugwani Migwani Migwani St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary –NAIROBI   16.  Alexander Kitonga (Theo. II) 17.  Josphat Musili (Theo. III) 18.  Francis Kauso  (Theo. I) Mulutu Kimangao Migwani Blessed Bakanja Seminary- CUEA 19.  Richard Mutia (Theo. III) 20.  Jeffersom Muli (Theo. III) Mutune Nuu FINISHERS 21. Cosmos Mulu             22. Daniel Mutia            }Deacons-to- be   23. Charles Musyula        Kabati Kimangao Ikanga     ORDINATIONS This year (2010) being the year for the priests. The Bishop has planned together with the committee for priests’year and the body of consultors to have ordination of two deacons on 19th June 2010 as a way of culminating the priests’ year. The two deacons to be ordained are:         i.            Rev. Cyprian Kaleve (Kabati Parish)       ii.            Rev. Edward Mulwa (Mutune Parish)   The Diocese through its three arm (CWA, CMA and Youth) shall visit their homes for Nthoki on 22nd May 2010. This is a way of thanking the parents for giving their sons to work in Lord’s the Vineyard.     Ordination Dates 29. 05. 2010  – Diaconate ordination at Kabati Parish of Cosmus Mulu 5. 6. 2010       - Diaconate Ordination at Ikanga parish of Charles Musyula 12.06.2010     - Diaconate ordination at Kimangao parish of Daniel Mutia 19.06.2010     - Priestly ordination at Cathedral of         i.            Rev. Edward Mulwa       ii.            Rev. Cyprian Kaleve    VOCATIONS COMMISSION This is the team that helps the Vocations’ Director in the formation of the Seminarians 1.      Fr. Peter Muvea 2.      Fr. Benson Katua 3.      Fr. Paul Ng’oku 4.      Fr. Joseph Mwongela 5.      Fr. John Mwandi 6.      Fr. Gabriel Manzi   One of the landmarks this commission did this year is the organization of the special workshop for young people at St. Josephs Seminary, Mwingi. The title of the workshop was [“Quo Vadis” – where are you going.] the attendance was good The vocations office will still hold another vocations workshop in December for both girls and boys.   Pontifical Missionary Societies (PMS) These are the societies that maintain the spirit of evangelization universally in the church.  The pontiff is the Chief Director of the pontifical missionary societies, although they are the Popes works, they are also the works, they are also the works of the entire episcopate and the whole people of God.   These societies are:- (a)     Pontifical Missionary Childhood. (b)   Pontifical society of St.Peter the apostles. (c)    Pontifical society of the propagation of faith. (d)   Pontifical missionary UNION.   (a)     Pontifical Missionary Childhood – is celebrated on 6th January or the nearest Sunday (of the feast of Epiphany)  * This year it was on 3rd January 2010                            *Next year epiphany shall be on 2nd January 2011 (b) Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle – is celebrated on every 4th Sunday of EASTER (Good Shepherd Sunday) .  For this Year, it was on 25th April 2010. This is the world’s day for vocations   (b) Pontifical Society for propagation of faith; this one is celebrated on the second last Sunday of October. This year it will be on 24th October 2010.   Pontifical Missionary Union This is basically a union that anchors on the prayer for missions.  The members pray for missions in the Diocese and the universal church.  Who can join this union? Lay people, seminarian, religious men and women and Priests.   ·         NB: – Priests being the main partakers of Christ’s Mission; it’s also good to remember that every 2nd Sunday of Easter is the DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY   PONTIFICAL MISSIONARY  CHILDHOOD PMC has taken root in our Diocese and mainly because of the support and cooperation from the Bishop and the PMS Office and also the priests in different parishes.   Since July 2009 we have managed to hold workshops and also visited different parishes and schools to bring awareness of PMC to teachers and promoters, children and Christians as well.   Due to this awareness, some of the parishes have managed to prepare their children for enrollment. These include Ikanga Parish – 10/12/2009 – 230 PMC children Nuu Parish – 13/03/2010    - 137 PMC children   Other Parishes like Kavisuni and Ikutha are ready for enrollment.   We have also managed to mobilize the PMC children and catechized them on their role in the church and that affect they have a sense of belonging and feel accepted and appreciated.   On 27/03/2010, we managed to gather the PMC children, their animators and also some youth chaplains who accompanied them for a PMC launching Mass at the Cathedral – Boma which was very well attended and the children had brought with them the epiphany collection which is sent to Rome to support Universal solidarity fund. The PMC children were seen to be happy of the occasion and excited as they offered their sacrifice knowing that it is to help other children who are in need hence “children helping children” as our PMC motto.   The PMC children managed to collect over fifty thousand shillings despite the short period of  time they had to sacrifice. Congratulations to the little ones of Jesus!   Last month on April, we held a one day workshop (As from 28th -30th April 2010) for PMC promoters and most of the parishes managed to sent at least  five promoters from each parish except the following parishes:   Kanyangi  - 1promoter Nuu           - 1 promoter Ikanga          - 3 promoters Nguni           - none Endau           - None Kiio                  - None Kyuso                - none Kamuw’ongo       - none   As an office we thank all of you our dear priests  for putting an hand in this movement of our young ones who are the church of today and tomorrow  and we urge those who have been left behind to put more effort  and seek for clarification and help.   Challenges Despite on the successes some ups and downs come to our way as we try our best to accomplish the mission for Christ. 1.       Transport due to long distances 2.       Resistance from some of our priests. 3.       Lack of qualified promoters/animators – mostly are children 4.       Shortage of promoters/animators in some parishes 5.       Lack of support from the youth chaplains in different parishes 6.       Some misunderstandings between PMC and the movement of Mary “Shirika”   7.       Lack of support of some of our promoters from the parish priests 8.       Poverty and orphaned  children sidelined 9.       Child abuse   We wish to thank all for your witness in your different capacities and encourage you to have a value for a child in your heart by being generous and responsible and giving you love for you cannot give what you don’t have.