Local news – 4.4.12 - By Sofari Wycliffe and Mary Tioko - Be other Christ: Bishop Says.

Priest from all the parishes of Lodwar Diocese yesterday converged at St. Augustine's Cathedral Parish for the blessing of Oils liturgically known as Chrism Mass. The holy mass was celebrated by Bishop Dominic Kimengich who also had chance of meeting with his priests.
Addressing the Priests in his Homily, His Lordship Dominic told the priests that their call to priesthood is a special gift which they have to treasure and guard it well against the pleasures of the world. His lordship said that the priests represent Christ in their various parishes and that the holiness of every parish depends to the holiness of the Priest in charge. He informed them that they are the other Christ.
His Lordship informed the priest that their presence in the parishes gives the parishioners Grace as their blessings makes them clean in the sacrament of penance. He also informed them to make some of the rooms special for prayers so as to be communicating with their God always. He said that when they place prayer places away from them they also become far from God. His Lordship added that the Eucharist celebration has to be respected and that priest should be prepared when going to celebrate it.
As they renewed their commitment to God, priests also blessed the holy oils that are used to anoint the sick, Catechumens and Ordinations. He encouraged the laity to support the priests and help them to continue following christ. Bishop Kimengich wished all a happy Easter as they go back to their various Parishes.

Local news – 3.4.2012 - By Sofari Wycliffe and Michael Simiyu Nyongesa - Teachers urged to preach Abstinence in schools

Teachers and parents today at St. Teresa pastoral Center had a chance of sharing issues pertaining school children. Abstinence was the key issue geared towards youth leading better lives in future. The workshop which was organized by Diocesan Education Secretary Sr. Rose Macharia brought together 12 Participants.
The conference which started on Monday this week came to an end with a word of challenge from Rose Macharia who urged teachers to spear head the fight against H.I.V AIDS
Sr. Rose Macharia on her Teachings emphasized on the importance of teaching the pupils and students on abstainers and not to stigmatize any if infected in schools.
She further challenged the parents to be close to their children in order to help them if one is positive to live positively and if one is negative to abstain to help them be a confidant as they proceed with their studies .
She re-emphasized on teachers drugs avoidance to avoid poor performance as they are a role model in schools. She quoted that the seed they plant in the lives of those children will be reflected in future. She told the teachers to preach abstinence to help the coming generation live a free H.I.V ADS life.

Local news – 1.4.12 - By Mary Tioko - Palm Sunday celebrations

Christians of St. Augustine's Cathedral Parish have been encouraged to thank God for his Gift of Jesus Christ to them. Speaking During his homily, Bishop Dominic Kimengich said that Christ humbled himself to an extend of riding on a donkey when entering Jerusalem. He said this when celebrating the palm Sunday mass at St. Augustine's Cathedral Parish at the beginning of the holy week. The faithfuls were encouraged to be people of patience as Christ himself persevered until death. He also urged the faithful to learn to be patient as there is no short cut in the word of God. He said this when the faithfuls showed restlessness when the long readings of the day were read. He also informed them that when they have Christ in their lives they will always remain upright in their day to day lives. That reminds them of their salvation. Speaking on the discovery of Oil in the County, his lordship recalled on his visit few days ago to Lokori Parish where he had a chance of blessing the area where the oil has been found popularly known as Ngamia 1 on his way. He added that the oil discovery in Turkana County can either bring blessings or curse to the county saying that some Kenyans have already shown interest of Coming to grab the area where oil is found. He also mentioned on the rumors that the place where oil was discovered has been sold at 800 million shillings! He told the Christians and the people of Turkana County to thank God for that gift of oil.

Local news – 28.3.2012 - By Ken Simiyu and Francis Kamar -County ball games called off

The county ball games expected to have been carried out today have left fans wondering as none of the teams have appeared at the scheduled pitch in Lodwar mixed primary school.
This comes a week after dilemma that arose between the district games committee and the DEOs office in Turkana central district which was supposed to be the host of the county event. Contacted over the phone, the DEO Turkana south confirmed that his district has no team to present, while the DEO Turkana North said that he had no idea if the games were to take place, while the DEO Turkana Central deciding that his district team will represent the county in the provincial levels.
Turkana county is anticipated to participate in this games at the provincial level that is to take place on 4th April. It has been assumed that primary games ends at the district level while secondary games go beyond district. However, all these has come after the claims that the district education offices do not have enough funds to run all co-curricula activities.
Last week the district sports board blamed the Turkana district officer for not responding positively on the camping and practicing of the selected pupils in the games to be.

Local news - By Sofari Wycliffe – 1.4.2012 - Holy family kanamkemer among the palm sunday celebree

The Holy Family Basilica Christians kanamkemer today celebrated their mass by having the sign of the cross walk from Kanamkemer white house to the main church a few kilometers from the starting point.In his homily the parish priest encouraged the Christian to be strong and look upon Christ as their Saviour in times of problems and never loose hope in him.
Giving illustration from the two disciples of Jesus Judas Iscariot and peter, The priest said the two disciples had their own interest to fulfill and not the Christ call within themselves. He encouraged the Christians to trust in God and look upon him even when thins are going bad than running into alternatives elsewhere
He further said no mater what negative plans people might have upon one at the end God's will must prevail giving the example of Joseph who was sold into slavery only for his brothers to realize they were preparing way for him contrary to their expectation.
He finished by saying that todays Sunday reminds Christian an idea of the pain and suffering of Jesus and so if Christians have to know the pain, they have to follow the Friday cross.

Local news – 26.3.12 - By Mary Tioko - The choices we have are Gifts, we need to preserve them : Says Priest

The Executive secretary to the Bishop's office of the Diocese of Lodwar Fr. John Kizito Manzi said that the choices people have are gifts which they need to preserve. Addressing the Diocesan secretariat during the Monday Staff Mass at St. Thomas Chapel today, Fr. Manzi said that work is a divine activity which was instituted by God Himself and people need to preserve their various responsibilities and work for God.
Fr. Manzi was giving an example of Mary the Mother of Jesus who took the responsibility of accepting to conceive Jesus without giving excuses who later become the Saviour of the whole world. He thus encouraged the staff to be committed to the work they are doing in the Diocese saying that it is their God given talent that they are working in their various capacities. He also added that whatever favors they have in life depends on the generosity of the one giving them referring to God or any other person giving you the opportunity.
Fr. Manzi also informed them that the choice of Mary teaches them to have responsibility to do the activities assigned to them and respond to the choices without allowing other items to destruct them from what they are expected to do. He assured them that God is with them and that they are struggling to be with Him.
Elsewhere the Director of eRko Mr. Marian C'auc'ik who is coordinating programmes since 1998 was invited to introduce his team as follows, Director of programmes in Nairobi office Jane Akach, Programme officer for eRko Darina and Radio Lumen Slovakia reporter Jana Veresova who came to monitor the funded projects in the Diocese.