Blessings Shine Down on Kenyan Mission

Four Kenyan Women Begin Discernment

NAIROBI, KENYA ~ January 18, 2008

On January 18, 2008, a Kenyan mission of the English speaking Provinces of the Daughters of Charity celebrated a very historic day. The mission was blessed with four young Kenyan women who entered the seminary to become a Daughter of Charity. This event also marked the opening of the first seminary for the Daughters in Nairobi — a very exciting time!

The seminary is a time set apart for reflection and study in a woman’s life prior to becoming a Daughter of Charity. These women join a local community of Daughters of Charity to become better acquainted with the spirit and works of the community. During this time, they continue to seek, understand, and discern God’s call in their own life. Following this stage of discernment, the women enter postulancy, the first official stage in initial formation, whereby each woman lives with a local community of Daughters of Charity and studies more intensely about the Daughters’ heritage and charism while joining in ministry with the Sisters.

The needs of the people in Kenya are great, so we ask that you please pray for the continuation of blessings upon them and for the lives that they touch. In a time of chaos and suffering throughout Kenya, their witness is a beacon of light and a sign of God’s presence among his suffering people. Pray also for the sisters of Australia, Ireland, Great Britain and the United States who staff and support the Kenyan missions.

Sisters on Mission in the Emmitsburg Province

Among the group of Sisters serving in Kenya, three are from the Emmitsburg Province: Sister Deborah Mallott, Sr. Mary Shea, and Sr. Patricia Beyrau. Their personal reflections on the mission, the Kenyan people and the work that they are involved in can be read online in Sr. Patricia Beyrau's reflection on her Kenyan Mission and in Sr. Deborah Mallott's news from Kenya.

History of the Kenyan Missions

Kenya is located on the east African coast, with a population of more than twenty-eight million people in thirty ethnic tribes. Once a British colony, it gained independence in 1963.

In January 2002, the Daughters of Charity opened two houses in Kenya; one is located in Thigio in the Archdiocese of Nairobi. With the growing needs among the Kenyans, more houses were needed. In September 2004, a third house was opened in the Karen/Nairobi area, called Chanzo, which means “roots or source.” Thus this house was established as the administrative headquarters for the Daughters of Charity in Kenya and where the new seminary resides. While the Province of Ireland takes responsibility for this Mission Outreach, it is a collaborative venture involving the five Provinces of the USA, Australia, and Great Britain and the African Provinces of Eritrea, Ethiopia and Nigeria.

Chanzo Seminary Ministries

The Daughters of Charity help the Kenyan people in so many ways:

Pastoral and social care
Women’s development project
Skills-based and income generating projects
Mobile medical clinics
Prison visitation
Pastoral service
Pre-school and specific after school tutorial programs, such as the PEACE school
Home visitation for the sick and elderly
Outreach to youth of the parish

As the chaos and violence continues in Kenya, please remember the Daughters and the people of Kenya in your prayers. Pray for them all! You can learn more about the Daughters of Charity mission activity and the progress of the four Kenyan Seminarians by visiting the website of the Daughters of Charity of the Irish Province.

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	Blessings Shine Down on Kenyan Mission
	Four Kenyan Women Begin Discernment

	NAIROBI, KENYA ~ January 18, 2008 On January 18, 2008, a Kenyan mission of the English speaking Provinces of the Daughters of Charity celebrated a very historic day. The mission was blessed with four young Kenyan women who entered the seminary to become a Daughter of Charity. This event also marked the opening of the first seminary for the Daughters in Nairobi — a very exciting time! The seminary is a time set apart for reflection and study in a woman’s life prior to becoming a Daughter of Charity. These women join a local community of Daughters of Charity to become better acquainted with the spirit and works of the community. During this time, they continue to seek, understand, and discern God’s call in their own life. Following this stage of discernment, the women enter postulancy, the first official stage in initial formation, whereby each woman lives with a local community of Daughters of Charity and studies more intensely about the Daughters’ heritage and charism while joining in ministry with the Sisters. The needs of the people in Kenya are great, so we ask that you please pray for the continuation of blessings upon them and for the lives that they touch. In a time of chaos and suffering throughout Kenya, their witness is a beacon of light and a sign of God’s presence among his suffering people. Pray also for the sisters of Australia, Ireland, Great Britain and the United States who staff and support the Kenyan missions. Sisters on Mission in the Emmitsburg Province Among the group of Sisters serving in Kenya, three are from the Emmitsburg Province: Sister Deborah Mallott, Sr. Mary Shea, and Sr. Patricia Beyrau. Their personal reflections on the mission, the Kenyan people and the work that they are involved in can be read online in Sr. Patricia Beyrau's reflection on her Kenyan Mission and in Sr. Deborah Mallott's news from Kenya. History of the Kenyan Missions Kenya is located on the east African coast, with a population of more than twenty-eight million people in thirty ethnic tribes. Once a British colony, it gained independence in 1963. In January 2002, the Daughters of Charity opened two houses in Kenya; one is located in Thigio in the Archdiocese of Nairobi. With the growing needs among the Kenyans, more houses were needed. In September 2004, a third house was opened in the Karen/Nairobi area, called Chanzo, which means “roots or source.” Thus this house was established as the administrative headquarters for the Daughters of Charity in Kenya and where the new seminary resides. While the Province of Ireland takes responsibility for this Mission Outreach, it is a collaborative venture involving the five Provinces of the USA, Australia, and Great Britain and the African Provinces of Eritrea, Ethiopia and Nigeria. Chanzo Seminary Ministries The Daughters of Charity help the Kenyan people in so many ways: Pastoral and social care Women’s development project Skills-based and income generating projects Mobile medical clinics Prison visitation Pastoral service Pre-school and specific after school tutorial programs, such as the PEACE school Home visitation for the sick and elderly Outreach to youth of the parish As the chaos and violence continues in Kenya, please remember the Daughters and the people of Kenya in your prayers. Pray for them all! You can learn more about the Daughters of Charity mission activity and the progress of the four Kenyan Seminarians by visiting the website of the Daughters of Charity of the Irish Province.

	>> close window