sadmin By Imelda Lihavi
More than 300 candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation during a solemn Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Henry Juma Odonya at St. Kizito Matisi Parish. The celebration brought together priests, religious men and women, families of the candidates, and hundreds of faithful in a joyful expression of faith and communion.
In his homily, Bishop Odonya reflected on the Gospel parable of the sower, explaining that the different types of soil represent the different ways people receive and respond to the Word of God. He noted that while some seeds failed to grow because they fell on unsuitable ground, those that landed on good soil took root and produced an abundant harvest.
The Bishop encouraged the faithful to become “good soil” by opening their hearts to God’s Word and allowing it to transform their lives. He reminded them that the Christian journey is often marked by trials and challenges, but those who place their trust in God and remain steadfast in faith will bear lasting spiritual fruit.
He further urged Christians to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, active participation in the sacraments, meditation on Sacred Scripture, and a life of charity and service. He emphasized that authentic Christian witness is demonstrated not only through words but also through actions that reflect the Gospel in everyday life.
Addressing the newly confirmed candidates, Bishop Odonya reminded them that Confirmation strengthens them with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and commissions them to become courageous witnesses of Christ. He encouraged them to embrace and put into practice the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit—wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord—so that they may contribute actively to the mission of the Church and the service of their communities.
The Parish Priest, Fr. Vincent Saturday, expressed his gratitude to Bishop Odonya for presiding over the Confirmation celebration and thanked the parishioners for the love, cooperation, and support they had shown him throughout his pastoral ministry at St. Kizito Matisi Parish.
Fr. Saturday also informed the congregation that he would soon return to his religious congregation to undertake a new assignment focused on the formation and accompaniment of young people. He asked the faithful to keep him in their prayers as he prepares for this new ministry.
Speaking about the security situation in the area, Fr. Saturday expressed concern over a recent incident in which the parish watchman was attacked and seriously injured by unknown assailants. He appealed to the faithful to continue praying for the parish and its surrounding community, asking God to grant them peace, protection, and security.
Responding to the concern, Bishop Henry Juma Odonya called upon the relevant security agencies to strengthen security measures in Matisi and ensure the safety of residents and their property. He underscored that peace and security are essential for communities to worship freely and carry out their daily lives with dignity.
The Eucharistic celebration was also attended by the Assistant Parish Priest, Fr. Maurice Barasa, religious sisters and brothers, parish leaders, families of the newly confirmed faithful, and a large congregation that gathered to witness this important milestone in the spiritual life of the Church.If this is for a diocesan website or Catholic news outlet, I can also rewrite it in a more formal Catholic News Service (CNS) style with stronger journalistic lead paragraphs and direct quotations from Bishop Odonya.
