Wednesday, March 31, 2010

It has been 25 years!

25 years has passed by with a speed of a missile! The celebration’s theme of ‘let me be your witness’, strikes me when I meet young and old fish members. We have been and continue to be witnesses of the Lord in various ways. I founded Kondele boys later known as on Nairobi area boys in 1986. Went to Consolata, Langata with Denis Odinga Okiya, Late Deacon Paul Okello and Innocent Owino Jeje. Finished Philosophy with Denis Odinga and went to Novitiate, Sagana. I left Denis with Consolata when I crossed to Mill Hill Missisonaries after being kicked out from Novitiate. Ordained in 1996, the first African Millhiller and went to Cameroon, came back to Kenya, Kilgoris then to South Africa in 2002 till today. I believe that those who continue to be witnesses of the Lord in the religious life as Fish priests like Fr Josiah Okal, Fr Gordon and others I have not mentioned besides many Fish religious sisters and brothers have many reasons to celebrate these 25 years. My wish is that this group of Fish Priest, Sisters and Brothers keep contacts and become a support group of themselves in line with the Fish aims and Objectives that in my opinion are still alive and necessary in our lives. One never stops being a Fish as long as the aims and objectives are kept alive!
Married and Single Fish members of my time continue to be witnesses of Christ in their own small ways. Older members of my time should move on and continue the witness in various ways including being resource people to our younger members. We should look back with pride and look a head with hope and enthusiasm! The pool of resources and talents that have been built within the 25 yrs in the Fish Family is breathtaking! Just to mention one, dear Fish, if you are struggling with the ‘bottle’ and your life is in danger or your relationship is under threat, please do not hesitate. All you need to do is to dial 0726249153 and Mr Ogendi will be more than ready and qualified to assist you!!! Many other talents and resources are there just waiting to be tapped. I suggest that as we rejuvenate Fish and make them Parish based, let the talents and resources within the Fish Family be tabulated and made known to the membership for others to make use.
LET US THANK THE LORD FOR PAST 25 YRS, MAY THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US REST IN PEACE AND LET US CONTINUE TO BE THE LORD’S WITNESSES IN OUR OWN SMALL WAYS.
JJ, Rustenburg, South Africa.