The Fish Group

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Dear All I got this mail from Patrick K'Onyino and I wonder what yur contributions can be.

Martin Opondo

Hi, I am about 40 yrs old, am i still elligible to join Kisumu town youth group? When i was a member of the same group about 15 - 20 years ago, the group was simply known as FISH GROUP. Has the group evolved hence the current name or are the objects the same, if it has not, dont you think it needs to take another shape with a new name while leaving the old name to the youth who will fit within the objects, ARE WE "TAKING AWAY" WITH US A DREAM THAT THE CURRENT YOUTH NEED TODAY, LIKE WE DID YESTERDAY? FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

K'ONYINO PARTICK

1 comment:

Fr. Gordon said...: Hi Patrick,
Thanks for your Posting. I think as a Fish Old Member, you need not seek re-entry into the Fish Group. You were initiated once and for all thus should always see yourself a fish member however old you are. I think you have heard of Old Fish Members. Haven't you???

Secondly, I think that the Fish Youth Group has never changed its name nor its aims... It was founded for and like this: For the Youth of Kisumu (now we can refer to the Kisumu Diocese since it has grown beyond Kisumu Town). However, I remember quite well, when we were young chaps, 19-20years ago (I was 16-17 by then), we used to have Fish members who were quite of Age, at their late twenties or thirties and they still felt at home in the group. We had the Youth Leaders who were also of this age...

Now fine, if one feels too old to be called a youth member (which is ok), we have to think of Our Great Fish Guardians and thus still feel part of this movement and leave the younger generation as protagonists. There is no way we can take away the dream of Kisumu Fish Youth Group with us. We have to pass the legacy from generation to generation always being there to support when we can.

I don't believe to have exhaustively replied to your concern but I hope to have shone some light on it and leave room for others members to air their views. It is just my opinion, a thought and a feeling.
Fr. Gordon - Consolata Missionaries, Spain.; September 9, 2008 at 6:41 PM

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

The Fish Group Profile

(a) Historical Background:-

The Fish youth group was founded in the year 1985 in Kisumu City by two catholic missionaries, Rev Fr. Anthony Chantry MHM and Rev. Sr. Mary Ellen Howard SND

Their main goal was to bring the catholic youths together to strengthen their common faith, become strong members of the church and grow into responsible adults.

The group was officially launched on 21^st April, 1985 when the first 22 trained youth leaders were sent out, two by two to start their groups.

Today after twenty three years of existence, the group is posed to take the next level of growth by a storm.

(b) Why the FISH?

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the apostles began the work of evangelization amidst persecution and execution of the followers of Christ. The early Christians agreed on a secret sign for identification so to avoid unnecessary sufferings. This sign was FISH which in Greek is ICHTHUS (IXOYZ) an acronym for

I = Jesus

X = Christ

O = God’s Son

Y = And

Z = Saviour

The sign of Fish is not only relevant to the early Christians but is also very relevant amongst the community in which the group was founded. Fish is the stable food for the inhabitants of Kisumu and the natives are revered for their expertise in eating the commodity withal the bones intact.

(c) Aims of the Fish group

1) To get to know each other as brothers and sisters of Christ.

2) To hear the word of God and by sharing and answering questions, find out how to apply it to our daily lives.

3) To pray for the coming kingdom of God.

4) To do a group ACTION to serve the local communities especially by helping the poor, the sick, the elderly and the suffering.

5) To arrange social and educational activities for the group such as sports, music, seminars/trainings etc

(d) Duties of the Fish members

1) To attend the HOLY MASS every Sunday and on holy days.

2) To attend all Fish meetings, taking full parts in them, and the activities of the group, co-operating with the leaders of the group.

3) To do the agreed ACTION of the group.

The three stones on which the Fish is cooking-(the tradition Luo-kendo

(e) The Fish Prayer

God our Father,

We have gathered here together in the name of your son Jesus Christ.

He has promised to be present among us now, and will speak to us through your word, help us to do what you want us to do in our lives, so that through our good works all people will know you.

We ask this in the name of your son Jesus Christ.

Amen!

(f) A small Christian community for the youth?

The Fish group was founded on the principles of the small Christian communities. The motto of the group is SHARING which enables the members to grow and nourish their faith by encouraging each other to be faithful to God as they fellowship continuously. At least here, the youths have a church group they can call their own.

Compiled by: - Steve Owiti for the updates of the blog.