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An Update from the Human Dignity Committee:
Many parishioners have expressed deep concern for
the well-being and safety of Fr. Raphael and his seminarians in
Nairobi, given the violent political upheaval in Kenya these past
weeks. Here are some excerpts from Father’s January 5th and 7th
emails to the Parish:
“Dear Friends of St. Kieran,
I am very grateful for your prayers and concerns.
Now there is calm, but the aftermath of the war is what traumatizes
most.
Today, the Comboni sisters and other religious
orders went to a camp of the displaced people to give them some
food, clothing, medicines, etc. In other parts of the city and
country, many people visit, informally, parishes and religious
communities for help. We have to prepare for that. The political leaders cause havoc; the church works
to heal!
Our seminarians go to the slums of Kibera (one of
the most affected) for week-end ministries. For three days, a group
of 8 young men and women from this slum [found refuge within] our
community. We did not have proper accommodation [for them] but
transformed our conference room for their eating and sleeping space.
We shared what we had: rice, meat, and vegetable from our garden.
They have returned [home] but others still visit us, less for
accommodation, but for different needs: medicine, food ... and good
friendship.
And, as schools open soon, that will be another
need that we shall be challenged with.
[Because of the clashes last week, we have]
increased prices of commodities and transport, etc. and an increased
number of displaced people.
Infrastructures are at a standstill. Packages, if
small, would arrive when all was normal. Now, it is very uncertain.
Some businesses are operative.
This week international communities are holding
meetings with various parties involved. Hope is there, but fear
still reigns. ... many institutions and voices from within are
appealing for peace... there is a germ of hope to
resolve peacefully this crisis...
Our neighborhood is safe so far. Thank you so much
for all of your prayers and concerns. We need your prayers!
God bless you all.
Much love.
Fr. Raphael
The Human Dignity Committee is committed to
continuing support for Fr. Raphael, (as we did last year with the
Goat Project) his home village in Uganda, and his seminary in
Nairobi. We are communicating with him to seek immediate ways of
meeting his community’s needs in this time of unrest.
Watch this space and the vestibule Bulletin Board
for additional and more complete information.
And
PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for
peace in our troubled world! |
