From Ireland to Kenya – Twenty Year Anniversary

Sr. Goretti Butler DC (Provincial Daughters of Charity Ireland)

I had the joy of visiting our Mission in Kenya and joined with the Sisters in celebration of twenty years of the growth and development of the mission. Sr. Liz, co-ordinator of the Mission there, Sr. Catherine Mulligan and the Sisters were very keen to celebrate this milestone. They put a lot of planning into the celebration. Sr. Catherine has written the story of the mission from its beginning discussions in 2000 or earlier at the request of the General Council. This story makes wonderful reading. It is a story of hope and of what can be achieved by real co-operation and generosity by a pioneering group of Sisters from different Provinces of the Daughters of Charity.

The day of the celebration was Sunday 6th February 2022. The day began at 7.45am with a lovely celebration of the Eucharist which had singing, dancing and many symbols. It was celebrated by Fr. Edwin who is the leader of the Vincentian Fathers in Kenya. He gave a wonderful homily. Through it all there was a great sense of gratitude to God for the way the Mission has been blessed and of how the Mission has developed in ways that we could not have anticipated. All the Sisters who came from the different Provinces and have now returned as as those four Sisters who have died were remembered in a special way.

Mass was followed by breakfast and then it was time for the fun to begin. Sr. Liz welcomed all the Sisters and gave an interesting talk outlining all the developments and what we were there to celebrate. She thanked everyone for all they had done to make the day possible. Then each local community did an activity to celebrate the occasion. There were games, topical issues, music anddance. It finished with a special celebratory meal in the evening.

It was a wonderful day of thanksgiving and celebration and I was so privileged to be part of it. It will live long in my memory. Praise God!