Dear Parishioners

I spent 6 weeks with Father Steven in Kenya last summer. Todenyang, where Father Steven is Parish Priest is a desolate and primordial stretch of baked sand between Kenya and Ethiopia, west of Lake Turkana. Since the dawn of time, its people have been engaged in an ongoing fight for survival not just against hunger and thirst but from the constant threat of attack from the neighbouring Ethiopian tribe, the Dassenach. It is a place where every family has two high powered rifles (in case there is no ammunition available for one of them) and where theft, violence and death are common methods of settling disputes over fishing and grazing rights.
When I arrived in Todenyang last summer, I confess to being taken aback by a people so disconnected from the rest of the world that they would swarm around the land cruiser to catch glimpses of their reflections in the wing mirrors. By the time I left however, it was not the people but their Governmental support that left me in wonder.
To find an example that illustrated the disingenuousness of the Kenyan Government, I had to flip back through my diary all of two pages. About a month ago, there was an outbreak of cholera that may have affected thousands of locals (as yet, there are no official figures). It took a Government official at least ten days to arrive and the only provisions he carried were a small box of Doxycycline (enough to treat around 30 adults) and 20 litres of infusion fluid. Ten days after the ‘relief package’ was delivered, a second visit was made to assess the situation. That marked the end of the Government’s involvement in the matter.
As my stay in Turkana lengthened, I became closer to the people and increasingly convinced that their Government utilise a ‘bare-minimum’ approach when dealing with their problems. Such inadequacies on behalf of the Government have had severe repercussions for the Turkanas but perhaps none more so than their failure to act in 2008.
First, I should tell you that in 2005, MCSPA priest, Fr Steven Ochieng managed to secure a peace agreement between the Turkanas and the Dassenach. For three years afterwards the two communities lived in harmony and were even happy to work and be educated together. Unfortunately, in late 2008, a dispute between men from either tribe resulted in the deaths of three Turkana fishermen. Panic and outrage erupted on both sides but the Ethiopian Government, who had been content with the peace, took matters into their own hands. They sent a military brute squad to beat villagers of the Dassenach tribe, from which the offenders came, for a week. After that, most people from both tribes considered the case closed. However, a group of Turkanas considered that death should be repaid with death and ambushed and slaughtered several Dassenach. Here is when the Kenyan Government should have acted.
The Ethiopians demanded that the Turkanas be punished as they had been. Instead, the Kenyan Government embarked on an inquiry that took place over several months which resulted in absolutely no action whatsoever. Livid, the Dassenach concluded that murderous retribution was their only option. Since then, it has been a free-for-all with punitive killings and cold-blooded ambushes ensuing from either side. The Kenyan Government’s failure to act not only opened the door for the murders of over sixty people to date but massively compromised the Mission’s work.
The subsequent loss of respect for the Mission couldn’t have been more brutally demonstrated than on my sixth day in Todenyang. A group of approximately fourteen Dassenach surrounded and executed a mechanic working for Fr. Steven who had helped build a water pump in their village the day before. They deliberately murdered an unarmed mission worker, from a different tribe, in a completely different part of Kenya. His young wife, the nurse in the dispensary, was three months pregnant with their first child.
In our time, the world is so connected that economic crashes are felt globally, victims of natural disasters are met with aid from every nation and five year olds can video conference across continents. The people of Todenyang have been left behind because they have never been considered by those whose job it is to protect and serve them. The average shepherd has more bullets in this gun than his entire family have years of education. He does not understand that he is being neglected but he appreciates every kindness. Must individuals like Fr Steven Ochieng be the only ones trying to help?

Sean Kennedy

Last Sunday’s Collection came to £1007.46   The week before it was £1242.00.   The January Standing Orders came to £3915.55.  Thank you all

Stations of the Cross in St Gabriel’s Warwick Square 7pm Friday

First Communion Parents and Children next Sun 7^th March 3.00pm

 Next Cake Stall Sunday 7^th March

Ascent Meeting Tue 2^nd March 3.30pm

Choir for Easter – Men’s  Practise Tue. 7.00pm

2^nd March – For everybody Friday 12^th March and  Tuesday 16^th March

Getting Married?

The next PreMarriage Course for couples marrying within the next 12 months will be 3 sessions in May – Mon 17^th, Fri 21^st and Mon 24^th.  To book a place on this contact Fr Pat for booking form.

Retreat Day for Parish Catechists & Volunteers  Sat 13 March at the Daughters of Charity Provincial House, Mill Hill, NW7 1RE * 10am to 12noon Optional Guided Quiet Time; 1pm  to 4pm Led By Bishop Alan Hopes * Tel: 020 7798 9150 or email: catadmin@rcdow.org.uk to book – places are limited.

Have you a child for Baptism in the next few months?  There is a meeting for parents on Wed 10^th March at 7.30pm in the Priests House

Family Quiz Night sponsored by the Youth Group on Saturday 6th March after the 6pm mass. Light food available for purchase. £3/pp or £15/family Tickets on sale next week.

ICT Assistant Wanted

We are currently seeking an ICT Assistant to support the ICT Manager in the efficient running of the ICT department. Under the guidance of the ICT Manager, the post-holder will provide specialist ICT support to diocesan staff and assist in the maintenance of the diocesan computer and telephone networks. The successful candidate must possess knowledge and experience of computer networks, hardware and Microsoft software applications, including basic administration systems. S/he must also demonstrate an ability to be calm under pressure, to resolve ICT problems, have excellent communication skills and work well as part of a close-knit team in support of the ICT Manager

Hours of work:  35 hours per week (9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday)

Salary range: £23-25k (neg according to experience)

Closing date: 19 March 2010 Interview date:  w/c 22 March 2010

For a job description and application form, please go to the job section of our website at www.rcdow.org.uk  or contact Julie Dauncey, HR department, Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street London SW1P 1QN Tel 020 7798 9167 email; juliedauncey@rcdow.org.uk

LiveSimply starts this weekend, collecting dried and tinned food. Next week it is Men’s Underwear, vests and socks, sleeping bags and blankets.If you miss a week no problem—just bring it in the following week. This Lent initiative supports The Open Door Meal and The Passage.

Come and meet Fr Steven from our twin parish in Turkana, Kenya and catch up with all his news, on Wednesday 3 March between 7 and 9pm in the white room.  Wine and nibbles available. 

Thinking of the Priesthood?

A day at Ealing Abbey “Discovering Priesthood Today” with Secular and Religious Priests from 10am till 4pm on Saturday 13^th March. Contact Deacon Gordon Nunn 0n 020 8862 2162 or deacongordon@ealingabbey.org.uk

The Visitor – A play in 2 Acts in the Crypt Westminster Cathedral Thurs and Friday March 4^th and 5^th at 7.30pm on the Carthusian Martyrs in London. Tickets £10 from 020 7582 9880

Eucharistic Ministers Training day There will be a training day for all Eucharistic Ministers old and new on Saturday 6th March from 10am – 1.00pm here in the Parish Hall – led by Fr John Hemer MHM – Professor of Scripture

Divine Mercy Day of Prayer at Westminster Cathedral 6th of March 2010 from 9.30 am till 4.30 pm. There will be two talks on Divine Mercy. The day event will be led by Mgr Keith Bartlop, Fr Andrew and Fr Wojciech Jasinski MIC.

Mind the Gap: Faith in Film – ‘Film nights’ with refreshments and discussion. 1 March 2010 - Maximilian Kolbe: Saint of Auschwitz     Time: 7.00-9.30pm (6.30pm refreshments) Venue: Our Lady of the Assumption & St Gregory Church, Warwick St, W1B (2 min. Piccadilly Circus) All Young Adults welcome. daveburke@rcdow.org.uk

Are you celebrating 10^th, 25^th, 40^th, 50^th 60^th

Anniversary of Marriage this year? Archbishop Vincent invites you both to a special Mass of Thanksgiving in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 22^nd May at 3.00pm.  Please let Fr Pat have your names and contact details

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Wed from after the 9.30am Mass till 1.00pm.  – also Saturdays from 5.00pm till 5.45.