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Dear
friends of St. Kieran,
On March 16, early, at about 5 am, I went out to the
courtyard to wait for the coming of the new day. I stood still. the
breeze was gentle, cool and soothing.
The watchman came to greet me and to hand over the key of the gate,
ready to part. It was still dark. I asked him if it was safe to
leave. He answered affirmatively, “Yes.” For him, the looming
darkness was giving way to light and I knew he has been waiting for
such a moment.
This reminded me of the recent violence in Kenya. Kenya
was a dark world, facing a dark future. Everyday seemed to last
forever. All we needed was the life jacket of hope as we moved
through the tunnel of the turmoil that alarmed the entire world.
It was Palm Sunday. I prepared myself to go to Kibera —
about fifteen minutes by car to (the) nearest station and another
fifteen minutes walk into the slum.
We know the readings of the day — emotionally charged
not only with jubilations but also with all kinds of violence and
abuses — betrayal, insults, beating, scourging and killing! What did
Kibera (and Kenya at large) not see in the last three months of all
these! The qualms and uncertainties about the events generating
bewilderment; making the soul float between hope and discouragement!
I guess, as you wait for the spring after the frigid
winter of Chicago, so is Kenya, from the violent scuffle, is waiting
for the new beginnings of life. With the signing of the peace deal
on February 28, we sense that the end of the tunnel is close, ...
dawn is coming — we are walking out of darkness into light.
Forty days ago when we began Lent, who thought we would
have a one-hour long procession in the slum of Kibera, walking
across the Luo and Kikuyu dominated areas with an attack? Who
thought we would ever celebrate this year’s Palm Sunday Mass in the
open in Line Saba of Kibera? Who imagined we would ever have this
Maundy Thursday Mass in the evening at 7 pm without the police or
the militias threatening? Who thought forty days ago, we would ever
have such calm?! I can say that we sleep now without worrying that
the door will be knocked down. The dawn has come!! It is not all
over, but it has come.
“Redemption is offered to us in the sense that we have
been given hope, trustworthy hope, by virtue of which we can face
our present, even if it is arduous, ...” Benedict VI says (Spe Salvi,
#1). You believed in this. I felt it. I felt the power of your
prayers and support. Some of you sent e-mail every other day to
make sure things are ok with me and assuring me of their prayers.
Anita (Kowalisyn) was great keeping in touch. Many of you did so:
The Alessandrinis, Deacons Gene and Dave, Lee (Brauer), the Narcisis,
the Stefanaks, the Vaseks, (Jim) Slacks, etc. It was awesome.
Through Joan (Hair) and Joe (Boudreau) [and the Human Dignity
Committee], you offered money to face some of the emergencies we are
faced with. You were my Peter of Cyrene, you were my Veronica—not
only for me but for all the other who have been directly touched by
your kind and prompt support (my community, Rose [a lady burnt in
her house], young people whom we could take care of when they
escaped in our community for some days, David’s wife and baby after
the afterbirth complication, etc.)! I remember that with delight. I
have remembered you particularly on each and every Friday of Lent as
I walked the way of the Cross.
Again I say, thank you for your prayers and support. You
have walked us through the tunnel with love. I have always felt your
closeness. I am grateful. We are called to witness to Christ’s
Resurrection. May he make us faithful witnesses of his resurrection
and of his Gospel of life in the steps of all who inspire us with
their examples of Christian life! May God shower you and your
families and loved ones with abundant blessings! Have a joy-filled
Easter!
Fr.
Raphael
Nairobi,
March ‘08
PS. Happy
Easter. I praise God we passed Easter in a peaceful atmosphere. All
the churches were filled and jubilating—the mood we missed for the
last three months.
I had my
Mass in the slum of Kibera, one of the places most affected by the
violence.
Click Pictures to Enlarge
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Returning
home, I became the chef. I prepared turkey and baked potatoes. The
dessert was brownies. That was colorful enough! I did not miss my
chocolate...! |
