Local news – 21.02.12 - Lent brings Christians back to their senses says the co-ordinator

The peace and justice co-ordinator catholic diocese of Lodwar, Mr. Christopher Losiapat has stressed that lent season is not just for prayer, but also enables Christians to come back to their senses and be able to give to their brothers.
Speaking at St. Teresa's pastoral center, during the one day workshop, that brought together the 25 parishes of the catholic diocese of Lodwar, Ekaru said that beginning from the ash Wednesday, to a period of 5 weeks Christians are supposed to fast and pray spiritual strength.
He said as peace and justice department, they are involved in preaching peace , uniting different communities and facilitating guidance to other paralegals.
Mr. Ekaru called for Christians to involve everybody, including those who are not Christians, to this activity that is demanding.
The commissioner of peace and justice in charge of the central dinary Mrs. Veronica Lojao called for the participants in the workshop to be ambassadors of peace in their various parishes. She said that it is important for men and women, to unite and transform Kenya in preparation of the celebration of the world women's day on march 8th 2012.
The workshop was facilitated by the peace and justice co-ordinator Mr. Christopher Ekaru, paralegal officer Mr. Daniel Edaan and peace officer Mr. Joseph Ekuwam both from the peace and justice catholic diocese of Lodwar.

LOCAL NEWS - 16.04.2011 - By Zacheaus Otaba - The Diocesan personnel celebrate the lent season at st. Teresa's pastoral center.

The medical team of the diocese of Lodwar organized a prayer for the diocesan personnel to celebrate the lent season, at st. Teresa's pastoral center. Speaking during the celebration, Fr. Geoffrey Nakutan who was the speaker of the day, urged the personnel to think much about the 40 days journey. Giving an example of the 40 days events, he noted the life of Jesus, floods, Israelites in the desert, Elijah and moses among others. He urged the workers to imitate the life of Jesus christ by considering others first. The priest added that one's faith has to begin from inside and always appreciate where you belong as a worker, without regrets. He said that God is using them as instruments, therefore there is need to keep on doing what they are doing, with right intension and let people and God speak on their behalf. However he said that during these seasonal prayers, every one has to think deeply about him/her self. Fr. Nakutan said that lent is meant for reconciliation. The ceremony brought together more than forty workers from every department all over the diocese and ended with the holy mass conducted by Fr. Nakutan. During his sermon, he asked the members to promote peace and unity in their place of work, irrespective of the wounds they may have.
However the same prayers are always conducted during three important seasons of the year, that is Advent, Christmas and Lent.

Local news – 20.3.11 - By Mary Tioko - Christian Journey during Lent season

The Journey of a christian life is a tough one especially all seasons of Lenten campaign. Addressing the faithfuls of St. Augustine's Cathedral parish during his homily, Fr. John Kizito Manzi said that this is a journey of life and death and thus the faithfuls have to be prepared well for this journey of their faith..
The priest said that every body has her/his own way of Journeying in this season. He said that when one plans a journey, he/she plans on how the journey will be. He also said that in this lent , Christians start a journey of 40 days of repentance and putting things right with God and with one another.
Fr. Manzi said that the readings of the day talked on how Abraham was told to live his motherland and go to a foreign land where God directed him and he did as he was told without hesitation. The priest likewise said that Christians can be called to follow Jesus in various ways but people fail to listen to his voice, instead people listen to voices of other gods who sway them astray. He also said that our journeys should be combined with love, commitment and faith. He said Abraham was a man of hope. And thus knew his lord will not direct him to a wrong place. Fr. Manzi challenged the faithfuls to have patience with all the troubles they face because of their faith as that journey they make changes them and their faith. Touching on the transfiguration of Jesus, He said that Christians also have to be transformed and that they also have to transform others during this season.
Fr. Manzi asked the Christians to make changes in other peoples lives this Lenten period. He said that the faith of Abraham cancels all their curses and instead gives them blessings in this season. He encouraged all to help the needy, first and give their best to the needy and eventually pray for the strength to overcome the temptations from the evil one.

Local news – 13.3.11 - By Mary Tioko - The faithfuls of St. Augustine's Cathedral parish were today called upon by to resist the temptations as they u

The faithfuls of St. Augustine's cathedral parish were invited to resist the temptations as they undergo this lent season in their first Sunday of lent today. Celebrating the mass, Fr. Simon Mutai addressed the three temptations of Jesus during this 40 days of fasting where he said that the church knows that the we can be tempted. Fr. Mutai said that the need for the basic needs is always a temptations and referred to how Jesus was tempted to convert stones to bread. The priest said that christ stood firm and said that man cannot live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the father.
He said that christ showed that human race can overcome the temptations. He also said that when one prays your sacrifice the time and devote to prayer.
The faithfuls were asked to reflect on reasons as to why they attend mass. He asked them to be people who believe in God who is a able God and can really help them overcome the temptations. Fr. Mutai challenged the faithfuls by asking them to give him reasons why people change churches! He said that many people have different expectation of God and when their needs are not promptly answered they lose hope and defect, he said that, that is a sign of people of little faith and thus he encouraged the faithfuls to pray hard to strengthened their faith.
The priest encouraged the Christians to be strong like the 2nd Adam who resisted the temptations and believe in God alone. He said that they are unique from all creation and that is why they can have the power of resisting temptations and preserve their dignity as human beings . He went ahead stressing on devotion to prayer, fasting what one likes most and helping the needy during this lent season.