Kenyan Members' Impressions

On the occasion of the Beatification of our Founder Dun Gorg Preca by Pope John Paul II on his Jubilee Pilgrimage to Malta in the footsteps of St Paul, many Members of our Society from overseas came to Malta. Two of them came from Kenya. These were kind enough to give their impressions of the occasion in writing. They replied to questions set by Joseph Adami of ‘The Good Samaritan Home’, where they were also staying while in Malta. Here are their responses:

Question:	What is your name, and place of origin?
Evan:	My name is Evan Ngugi and I come from Ruiru SDC Centre, Kenya.
Simon:	My name is Simon Wekesa. I come from Kenya and attend the Mpeketoni Centre.

Question:	How did you enter the Society?
Evan:	Through the coming of the first Members of the Society of Christian Doctrine to Kenya in 1989, which was a blessing. At first I used to think that they were priests, but after some time I saw them gathering with the youths in a different area from where we used to meet for mass. I did not join the group from the beginning. I met one of the Brothers who came to our school for the Pastoral Programme, and after talking to him, he invited me to the meeting. After several meetings, I felt these meetings were very helpful to me.
Simon:	I first entered the Society because I was invited by Brother Vincent Meli who was House Superior at that time, i.e. in 1993, to attend the Sunday Union. Whereby I was moved by the sharing of the Bible. Later, inspired by my visits to the Blessed Sacrament, I felt that I was being called to the Society. And I responded to the call.

Question:	What is your role in the Centre?
Evan:	In the Ruiru Parish the Society has been given the responsibility of the Sunday school. I am in charge of one of the classes which we gather every Sunday. There are about two hundred children.
Simon:	a) I do apostolate in the primary schools, i.e. Pastoral Programme Instruction [PPI]. b) I prepare children for first Holy Communion and Confirmation, and also teach catechumens. c) Sometime I give talks to the youths when they have a seminar. d) I look after the farm of the Society which grows different crops. e) Wednesday is my day off. f) My contribution in the Assignment is presenting History of the Church, etc.

Question:	Have you visited any Centres in Malta?
Evan:	Yes, quite a number of them: Luqa, Siggiewi, B’Kara (St. Mary), Balzan, Birzebbugia, etc. They are very well-organised and well-arranged.
Simon:	Yes, I did, e.g. those at Birzebbuga, Siggiewi, Balzan and Luqa, and St. Mary B’Kara.

Question:	What is your impression about the Society in Malta?
Evan:	The Society in Malta is well-organised and it is really living according to the will of the Founder. The charisma of the Society of Christian Doctrine is “to make oneself holy and to make others holy.” The Founder stressed so much on this. He asked the members to nurture the spirit of prayer all the time, i.e. to be with the Lord for we can do nothing on our own. We need God’s grace to fulfil our mission (vocation). In Malta the Society has tried to keep the system that the Founder had been doing: to gather children every day and instruct them about God.
Simon:	The members appear to have dedicated their time and life for the Society in an organised programme. And the Society has become part of the surrounding community. Above all it is the school of Jesus with different classes.

Question:	How did you feel at Floriana and at the Society’s headquarters at Blata l-Bajda on the day of Beatification?
Evan:	As a Member of the Society of Christian Doctrine, I felt blessed since so many people praised God during the Ceremony. Our Founder made so many people gather for Mass and even His Holiness the Pope left the Vatican to come to celebrate the Holy Mass here in Floriana. I believe every Member felt a special joy that comes from the heart, for the Founder has set so many people on the way to the Lord.
Simon:	At Floriana I felt uplifted in the spirit and experienced the joy of the beatification with the whole Church. At the Headquarters I felt it more worthwhile to be in the Society than before. I also felt more the responsibility of being a Member.

Question:	During your days in Malta you stayed at ‘The Good Samaritan Home’. How are you going to describe these elderly Members to our Brothers in Kenya?
Evan:	The Members in ‘The Good Samaritan Home’ are very happy. They are joyful that they have spent their lives well. They have loved the charisma and the spirit of the Founder. They share with others the joy that they have which, for sure, comes from the Lord. They have treasured their possessions in heaven where no moths or thieves can reach them, as is stated in the Gospel of the Lord. As to the Members in Kenya, I wish to encourage them not to lose heart, for the Society of Christian Doctrine is a living monument that those who have persevered in it are good and joyful people. Let us persevere in the Society for it is the fulfilment of our commission entrusted to us by Christ Jesus (Matthew, Chapter 28:19).
Simon:	These Members, though being elderly, are very happy that they are still in the Society. They are living and reflecting on their life as members of the Society of Christian Doctrine. They still love the Society and they live a prayerful life. Some of them still attend their former Centre where they give a helping hand.

Question:	Do you like Malta?
Evan:	Yes. What a wonderful country is Malta!
Simon:	Yes, I like it; the Members were helpful.

Interviewer:
Thank you for your answers and congratulations for being among the first Members chosen by Providence to spread the Society of Christian Doctrine in Kenya. May your work prosper and bear abundant fruit for the glory of God and the benefit of people, Kenyans in particular. Let us all be humble and strive for holiness, in order that God would deign utilize our services, as our Founder so often used to exhort us. Peace be with you.