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With the arrival of the Bishop at exactly 10:00 am, the Holy Mass began with the entrance procession by all the sisters who had celebrated the Jubilee of Religious Life. The jubilarians then followed after them with colorful flowers in tow. The Lectionary Procession was danced by some students of the Catholic School of Health Sciences and a few sisters and novices.
During the homily, Bishop George Nkuo said that Jubilee celebration is a time to reflect on the commitment made and kept by the sisters for several years. It is therefore a moment for the sisters to re-dedicate themselves in their commitment to the life of the Territory Sisters. He told those gathered that the work of the sisters is animated by the spirit of St. Francis and that their services to the poor have taken them to many places.
It was a day full of memories, and for treasuring the lives and accomplishments of each the jubilarians. It offered an opportune moment to render gratitude for their services rendered so far and their sacramental presence to each other.
Bishop Nkuo reminded the jubilarians of their commitment to wear the same habit, a living trust of God’s witness. He equally commended their dedication to this way of life and underscored the importance of patience, trust, and perseverance and added that patience is deeply associated with religious life. He further encouraged the jubilarians not to relent their efforts in the face of daily trials and hardships. He also exhorted them to continue trusting in God because ”the Lord’s hands are measurably big and give overflowing graces”. By learning to trust God you can be generous and ready to give.
The Bishop viewed the event as an opportunity to celebrate the generosity of the jubilarians who have offered themselves totally to the Lord. Through their generosity, he said, “Christ has worked many miracles in our midst”. He invited all present to feed their souls, the hungry and the needy. Alluding to the feeding of the multitude in the Scriptures with just five loaves and two fish, Bishop Nkuo said that when we give all our trust to God, we will never regret. He ended his sermon thus: ”…it is a celebration of total self-giving to God without any reservation and we cannot outdo God in generosity”.
After the homily, the rite of renewal of vows took place beginning with diamond jubilarians (60 years), golden jubilarians (50 years) and lastly the silver jubilarians (50 years) in the presence of the Superior General of the TSSF.
During offertory, significant gifts accompanied the Bread and Wine Procession. After Holy Communion, the Magnificat was sung. The Provincial Superior of St. Francis Province, Sr. Olivia Waika, appreciated the presence of the Bishop, concelebrating priests, the General Leadership Team, the Provincial Leadership Teams of the other provinces, family members and friends of the jubilarians.
She also thanked the jubilarians for their legacy of perseverance which is a source of encouragement to the sisters and reminded them that they are celebrating their Jubilee of Consecrated Life within the context of the Jubilee Year with the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope”. Against this backdrop, she encouraged them to hold firm to Christ through the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. She further urged the sisters to be “messengers of peacebuilding and to create communities of hope and reconciliation”.
The jubilarians sang the praises of Yahweh’s goodness, esteemed their formators for the formation received, thanked the Bishop for his presence and spiritual nourishment, acknowledged with gratitude their family members for nurturing their vocation, their friends for the prayerful support and rendered unqualified gratitude to the TSSF family for the support received in community over the years. After the Eucharistic celebrations, there was feasting in a convivial and joyous atmosphere.