The Time to Be “closer to God ... is now”: Catholic Bishop in Kenya to Young Christian Workers

The Catholic Diocese of Ngong has described YCW as members of a workers’ “movement that comprises young people between the ages of 26-35 years,” who are “presumed to have completed university or college and are in employment.” 

The movement that is under the patronage of St. Joseph the Worker is made up members who “strive to create or nurture things that will outlast them.” They are guided to be guided by the commitment to “making your mark on the world by caring for others, as well as through creating and accomplishing things that make the world a better place,” the Kenyan Catholic Diocese indicates on its website.

Credit: Nicholas Waigwa

In his October 29 homily, Bishop Oballa called upon young Catholic adults under his pastoral care to let Jesus Christ be their light and hope.

Jesus Christ, the Kenyan Catholic Bishop said, “invites you to listen to His Word, participate in His mysteries, and receive Him for spiritual nourishment.”

The Local Ordinary of Ngong Diocese, where he started his Episcopal Ministry in April 2012 also cautioned YCW members against the tendency to hesitate “to transition” to the Catholic Women Association (CWA) and Catholic Men Association (CMA) when they turn 40. 

Credit: Nicholas Waigwa

“When you reach 40, it’s time to transition,” he said, noting that “many say, ‘the transition is challenging,’ and people want to stay on into their 40s, feeling safe as YCW.”

“No, life is about moving forward,” the 66-year-old Kenyan Catholic Bishop emphasized during the October 29 Eucharistic celebration at which he conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation to 148 candidates and commissioned new YCW, CWA, and CMA members.

He encouraged young Catholic adults to “transition to the next group so you may continue to defend your faith there as well.”

 

Credit: Nicholas Waigwa

Bishop Oballa went on to urge the people of God under St. Stanislaus Eor-Ekule outstation that he was blessing and opening to take their church building as a special gift from God, a place to listen to His Word, participate in the celebration of Holy Mass, and visit anytime for personal adoration of Jesus Christ.

“The world is full of noise, but you can come here for quiet adoration; Jesus Christ is present here. It is the same Jesus who walked this earth two thousand years ago, now here in the Blessed Sacrament,” he said.

Bishop Oballa emphasized that the newly blessed and opened church of St. Stanislaus is “now dedicated as a sacred place of prayer, worship, and encountering Christ, who strengthens us in life.”

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He called upon the new CWA and CMA members he was commissioning to embrace the unique calling to the marriage vocation, saying, “Fathers and mothers embrace this mission; discipleship begins at home to grow God’s kingdom. This is the mystery of Jesus and His Church – the mystery of marriage.”

Marriage, the Kenyan Catholic Bishop said, “it calls for mutual sacrifice, service, and a shared journey in faith, making disciples of Christ within the family.”

Addressing the 148 Confirmation candidates, the Local Ordinary of the Kenyan Diocese that is under the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nairobi called for their active participation in the evangelization mission of the Catholic Church.

Credit: Nicholas Waigwa

“This is our responsibility, beloved of God—not only parents united by unique love and respect, but all of us, the youth and children,” he told the Confirmation Candidates, adding that the Sacrament of Confirmation empowers them with the Holy Spirit to become strong witnesses of Christ and His Gospel, “to spread the Lord’s Gospel so that God’s Kingdom may continue to grow.”

Bishop Oballa implored the people of God to let “the seed of God’s Word flourish within their individual and family lives.” 

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Through the intercession of St. Stanislaus, he prayed that the people of God strive to “make each family resemble the Holy Family of Nazareth – Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – a place of love, peace, forgiveness, reconciliation, and prayer, where all things are done according to God’s will.”

Nicholas Waigwa contributed to the writing of this story.