Nuns feted in Kakamega as they celebrate 50 years of service to church
Bishop Joseph Obanyi of the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega leads 16 sisters to renew their vows after 50 years of service to the church. The ceremony was held at Mukumu Parish on August 27, 2016. PHOTO | ISAAC WALE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The sisters were showered with presents by relatives and friends who turned up to congratulate them.
- Sr Itebete, who served as the principal of Mukumu Girls Secondary School for 25 years, gave a moving testimony of her life and times and those of her colleagues.
- Tall and confident, Sr Itebete is fondly remembered for her stewardship of the school which saw the academic giant excel in national exams.
- Bishop Obanyi said the celebrations provided an opportunity for the sisters to reflect on their journey to serve the church and renew their vows.
Sixteen nuns attached to Kakamega Catholic Diocese Saturday renewed their vows after 50 years of service to the church.
Thousands of Christians attended the celebrations at Mukumu convent grounds to witness the nuns of the Sisters of Mary rededicate their lives to serve the church with resilience and commitment.
Kakamega Catholic Bishop Joseph Obanyi Sagwe celebrated the colourful event attended by Bishop Emeritus Philip Sulumeti, Bungoma Catholic Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua and his Kisii counterpart Joseph Mairura Okemwa.
Those feted at the ceremony were Sr Mary Rita Itebeta who served at the Sacred Heart Mukumu, Sr Mary Boromeo Nasambu of Christ the King Cathedral Bungoma, Sr Mary Anselm Bunyasi of St Mary Immaculate Kisoko in Busia County and Sr Mary Emerentia Wabuyaga of Nyando Parish, Tororo Archdiocese.
Twelve others joined their colleagues in marking the Silver Jubilee celebrations.
GIVEN PRESENTS
The sisters were showered with presents by relatives and friends who turned up to congratulate them.
Sr Itebete, who served as the principal of Mukumu Girls Secondary School for 25 years, gave a moving testimony of her life and times and those of her colleagues.
Tall and confident, Sr Itebete is fondly remembered for her stewardship of the school which saw the academic giant excel in national exams.
Bishop Obanyi said the celebrations provided an opportunity for the sisters to reflect on their journey to serve the church and renew their vows.
“Fifty years is a long time and let’s therefore celebrate the jubilee so that tomorrow we can better understand how God has been able to transform our lives through the work and services our sisters have offered [to] the church and society,” said Bishop Obanyi in his sermon.
Sr Josepha Atswele, the Mother General, said the Silver and Golden Jubilee celebrations marked a turning point in the lives of her “daughters” who were still energetic to offer services to improve livelihoods in the diocese.
