Ngong Diocese Bishop Tours Domus Mariae, Celebrates Eucharist

The Bishop of Ngong Diocese, his Lordship John Oballa, has visited Domus Mariae School in his first ever tour of Koinonia Community, appealing for peace as the country prepares for general elections due in a few days.

The visit to Domus Mariae by Bishop Oballa, on February 21 falls within this year’s Lenten period, an important season in the Christian calendar. His sojourn at the school saw him treated to an enthralling hospitality and tour around the facility by his host, the principal of Domus Mariae Mr Peter Apiyo.

The event was put together by the entire school staff and students that saw all those present and the invited guests converge at the school’s main hall for celebration of Holy Mass, conducted in honour of the school by the Bishop.

Also in attendance were representatives from other Koinonia Community projects and its top brass administrators Mr Harrison Kyalo and his deputy John Ndayishimiye.

In his homily address to the congregation, Bishop Oballa expressed his message of how blessed the young people were. His major call was on the upcoming General Elections due in a few days, where he called, for peace and tranquillity during the exercise.

“We call for peace and calmness during this important period in our country. We wish to see the elections conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner. Kenya will still exist even after the election, as it has before” he said.

Other events lined up in the afternoon after celebration of mass were speeches and presentations from the teachers and other Koinonia representatives. Later the evening was livened-up by riveting entertainment performed by the school’s traditional dance troupe that has earned its name and position among the best in previous national levels of the schools music and drama competitions.

Domus Mariae school, owned and run by Koinonia Community, a lay Christian Community, is among other 10 projects run by the organisation in Kenya that seeks to give priority to the marginalised in the society. The school which was opened in January, 2008, offers a place where young people can pursue academic excellence in an atmosphere of spiritual discipline for effective personal development, based on Christian morals.

The Bishop’s maiden visit to Domus Mariae was realised after the founder of Koinonia Community, Fr. Kizito, paid him a visit at his office and offered him to come and see the work the community was doing within his dominion. The later communications that followed saw him assent to the call, setting the date that was.

“A few weeks ago I was visited by Fr Kizito, and he did mention to me some of the communities [Koinonia projects] that do exist here in Ngong, three in Number”, he recalls. “He invited me saying well! Bishop if at some stage you would want to come over and visit our communities and if possible offer the Eucharist, you are most welcome.”

 The Bishop said his visit to Domus Mariae was more driven by the commitment the church has towards the youth whom he said form the society of today which needed more inspiration.

“I was more than glad to come here today knowing that we have young people here who are not only the society of tomorrow but of today. As a church we do treasure them and take every opportunity to give them an encouragement, so that they may realise their potential as intended by God”, said Bishop Oballa.

Tiberius Mogwasi, who represented the Koinonia Community Executive Council, said the Bishop’s visit was much important so that he could come and see what the Community does, especially with the disadvantaged children in society.

“Since Koinonia we are a lay Christian organisation, sometimes it is important for us to work with the clergy around. The Bishop was invited by Fr kizito to come and see what we are doing and he honoured this invitation. He wants to know what we are doing specifically with children and all projects we have here,” said Tiberius who also presented the Koinonia History and its objectives to serving humanity.

The Bishop commended the exceptional work Koinonia Community was doing, especially providing care to those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds
“As for the work done by Koinonia community is praise worthy and really falls within that ambit of caring for one another. They truly deserve God’s blessings and I do hope and pray that the work that they have started will continue for years to come.”

The Bishop in reward to Domus Mariae School and more so in honour of the commendable work Koinonia Community is doing within the Diocese,  pledged to pay the school visit again before the beginning of final national examinations due in October 2013, to celebrate mass in honour of the candidates.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent, a forty-day period of penance, reflection, and fasting among Christians. The period is observed through emulating Jesus Christ’s suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection marked on Easter Sunday.

Fr. John Oballa Owaa succeeded Bishop Cornelius Schilder who resigned, as Bishop of Ngong Diocese, following his appointment to the position on January 7 last year by the outgoing Pope Benedict XVI. Until his new appointment Fr Obala was the Rector of St Thomas Aquinas National Seminary in Nairobi.