Newly Ordained Kenyan-born Spiritan Priests Look Back at “long journey” of Priestly Formation, Say Ready for Mission

Credit: ACI Africa

“I have a positive mind with Nigeria. My experience in Pokot will be of great help. I’m very positive about going to Nigeria and I’m very happy for the appointment. I am ready to go and serve the people of God there,” the Kenyan Spiritan Priest told ACI Africa.

He recalled the message of the Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, at the end of the Ordination celebration calling the newly ordained Priests to let the Holy Spirit carry them on and guide their Priestly ministry.

“We always need to be open to the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit carries you to wherever you want; you cannot dictate to Him; you give yourself to Him and you always be free for Him to take you wherever He wants you to be,” Fr. Dominic said.

Also speaking to ACI Africa, Fr. Geoffrey Mbindyo expressed his joy and fulfillment following his Priestly Ordination. He said, “I really feel happy and fulfilled because it has been a long journey; I’m so grateful to the Lord.”

Fr. Geoffrey Mbindyo. Credit: ACI Africa

Fr. Geoffrey, who has been commissioned to begin his Priestly ministry the Spiritan Province of Kenya and South Sudan said he is yet to know the particular mission he is to begin his service as a Priest. 

The native of Wote Diocese appealed for spiritual solidarity, urging the people of God to pray for him and “for all Priests so that they may partake in the work of the Lord with a lot of zeal and passion.”

Credit: ACI Africa

Fr. Francis Joseph Odhiambo Odero, who has also been commissioned to begin his Priestly ministry in the Spiritan Province of Kenya and South Sudan expressed his excitement following the realization of his 11-year journey. 

“This is a great opportunity; I’m extremely excited, very happy because this journey started a long time ago; I’ve been in the formation house for the past 11 years,” Fr. Francis Joseph told ACI Africa.

Fr. Francis Joseph Odhiambo Odero. Credit: ACI Africa

The native the Catholic Diocese of Homa Bay described the formation journey as having been characterized by “challenges, ups and downs, but by the grace of God I’ve reached this level.”

Fr. Francis Joseph said he is ready to “serve the people of God and to serve them very well because it is the Lord who has called me.”

Credit: ACI Africa

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“I ask the people of God to continue to pray for me to be stable as I serve the Lord,” he said on the sideline of the Priestly Ordination event that Bishop John Mbinda of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar in Kenya presided over.

Fr. David Mwanthi Munyao described his Priestly ordination as a source of “amazing joys” that he said are “really flooding in my heart.”

Fr. David Mwanthi Munyao. Credit: ACI Africa

“I give thanks to God, my parents, and in a very special way my brother, Rt Rev. Bishop Mbinda because he journeyed with me; he knew how he guided my vocation; he encouraged me and I pray for him; I pray for his Christians and I pray for my people, my parishioners and all the Christians who have aided me to reach this altar of God,” Fr. David, who has been commissioned to the Spiritan Province of Tanzania told ACI Africa. 

Credit: ACI Africa

Reflecting on his first mission as a Priest, he said, “I started my Philosophy in Tanzania; I did my novitiate in Tanzania, so, I know a little bit of the culture there and the language and I will be so happy to work with the people of God there. I love the people of God in Tanzania and am coming there with a lot of love.”

“I pray for special graces that I may embrace this vocation with love and humility,” the native of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos further said.

On his part, Fr. Francis Juma Wasike described his Priestly ordination as a “gift”.

Fr. Francis Juma Wasike. Credit: ACI Africa

“I really thank God for that gift, these graces that He has given unto me this time and I always pray that He may guide me throughout this mission that He has appointed me to do; to work in His vineyard that I may serve His people well, guided by the love from God,” the native of the Catholic Diocese of Bungoma said.

Reflecting on the mission in the Province of Africa Northwest, where he has been commissioned, Fr. Francis Juma said, “I’ve been appointed to go to Senegal and by the grace of God I hope all will be fine. As a missionary, you need to be ready for anything and when you trust in God’s love, you will be able.”

Credit: ACI Africa

“I’m not worried because I’ve been there and I know some French and by the love of God and the guidance of God I’m going to attain what God has planned for me,” he said, and appealed for “your prayers so that this mission that I have been appointed by God, I may be faithful and work for God’s people.”

Fr. Nicholas Omondi Otieno, a native of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kisumu, who is to begin his Priestly Ministry in the Spiritan Province of Angola said he counts on God’s grace.

Fr. Nicholas Omondi Otieno. Credit: ACI Africa

“God who calls fulfills,” Fr. Nicholas said, and added, “I’m ready for the task ahead.”

Credit: ACI Africa

He appealed for spiritual solidarity, saying, “I ask for your prayers in this new mission.”

In his speech during the Priestly Ordination celebration that had the Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, and Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe, one of the three Auxiliary Bishops of ADN in attendance, the Provincial Superior of the Spiritan Province of Kenya and South Sudan, said Fr. Kevin Makokha Anyembe, a native of Kakamega Diocese had been commissioned to Taiwan. 

Fr. Kevin Makokha Anyembe

Fr. Thomas Mutua Ngundi, who hails from the Catholic Diocese of Kitui and Fr. James Kamau, a native of the ADN are to begin their Priestly ministries in the Spiritan Provinces of Uganda and in Malawi respectively, Fr. Frederick Elima Wafula said, adding that the newly ordained Priests are to report in their respective missions within the next three months.

Fr. Thomas Mutua Ngundi (right) and Fr. James Kamau (left)