JUMUIYAS & CHRISTIAN GROUPS

The heart of St. Monica catholic church Njiru is the jumuiya, or Small Christian Community.

 

At St. Monica catholic church Parish, we have 86 of these, and our outstation Blessed Josphat has 35 small christian communities that meet during the week or on sundays at a member’s home or at the church to share the word of God, and very so often, get involved in the weekly mass celebrations.
The jumuiyas engage in activities such as cleaning the church and mass facilitation.

Small Christian Community Meetings


Weekly meeting and mass are announced during mass and the information may also be available at the parish office or through the jumuiya leaders.

All parishioners are encouraged to be part of a Jumuiya for the spiritual nourishment.

Jumuiya Mass Schedule


A schedule of home masses for each Small Christian Community, both at the parish and outstation is always available on Saturdays or midweek. Mass bookings for Jumuiyas and other church groups can be done in the office or through the jumuiya leaders.

Benefits of joining the Group 

  • One has an opportunity to witness  what the Holy Spirit has done in their life.
  • Come to a better understanding on one’s baptismal call.
  • Deepening of relationships with God and other Christians.
  • Faith development – through the use of prepared materials, and reflection on Scripture and Church teachings, members gain a better knowledge of the richness of their Faith and how Church teachings and the Scriptures relate to their lives.
  • Support in living as disciples of Jesus Christ and working to transform the society.
  • Challenged to grow spiritually as an individual. 
  • Deepening one’s commitment to family, work and community.
  • Mutual support – as community, members support one another in and through the events of life

Small Christian Community Activities  

  1. Animating mass 
  2. Participate in Acts of Mercy e.g. visit charitable homes, talk and pray with the inmates.
  3. Organizing Recollections and Retreats.
  4. Organize Spiritual talks given by the Priests and other invited guests as well as talks on various topics tackling problems faced by the members.
  5. Organize members social functions i.e. get-together parties, buying gifts for members on various occasions, visiting members in their homes during sickness, when one has a new born baby or death in the family. 

God’s Word reminds us that we are put in relationships in order to encourage one another in our pursuit of God and His Kingdom. Small Christian Communities are powerful vehicles for adult faith formation, providing opportunities for learning, prayer, mutual support and the shared experience of Christian living and service to church and society. 

C.W.A

This is a group for the ladies in the church

OBJECTIVES

  • Give a brief history and origin of the Catholic Women Association (CWA)
  • Why join CWA?
  • Personal intention of becoming a CWA

History and Origin of CWA

The Catholic Women Association (CWA) is a Catholic Lay movement whose main goal is to enhance the spiritual growth of Catholic Women and enable them participate more effectively in the evangelization and sanctification of humanity.

CWA in the Archdiocese of Nairobi aims at enhancing the spiritual growth of members, building unity among women in the Archdiocese and actively participate in the development of the Church. This can be achieved through prayers and other acts of evangelization. It encourages all women to move together with one vision in-order to achieve its goals. Members ought to practically actualize the visions and goals of the Association by answering their calling in their hearts and in their everyday lives.

PATRON

St. Monica who is a model wife, mother and Saint.

GOAL

Strengthening faith in all the members.

VISION

To seek and bear witness to Christ, committed to holistic development of Catholic Women and families in the Archdiocese of Nairobi.

MISSION

To empower Association members in the Archdiocese of Nairobi spiritually in-order to strengthen their faith to evangelize families and the society.

MOTTO

Strong in faith.

Steps in becoming a Full CWA member:

  • Be a baptized Catholic Woman and have attained age of 18 years.
  • Be in probation period of six months as one is undergoing Formation One classes.
  • Take promises, receive an Archdiocese Badge and where applicable. parish uniform is given as a sign of commitment during commissioning ceremony in the parish level conducted by a priest.
  • Continue formation for a period of 6 months to complete the topics.

ST. MONICA YOUTH

St. Monica Catholic church youth group is among other existing groups within St Monica catholic Parish with a strong catholic foundation. Currently under our able Chaplain and Father In-charge Father John Kiarie, other Priests and Brothers.

The main agendas of St. Monica Catholic church Youth are;

  • Enable the young to grow holistically in their faith through the church.
  • Positive influence on personal, social and educational development through engaging in both indoor and outdoor activities e.g Bible trivia, sports, CSRs etc
  • The church also provide us with guidance and knowledge of the outside world.

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 ” Young people, enjoy your youth. Be happy while you are still young. Do what you want to do, and follow your heart’s desire. But remember that God is going to judge you for whatever you do. Don’t let anything worry you or cause you pain. You aren’t going to be young very long”.

Investing in today’s youth is essential for the church in growing the body of Christ. Teaching young people in the church to grow in relationship with the Lord prepares them to serve Christ in everyday’s activities.

Coming together helps to minimize risks of youth, we should have equal access to resources that can improve our health, our education, and our overall role in the country’s development therefore we provide moral support and empower each other for social, economic and political growth.

Some of our incoming projects, activities and programs are charity events, environmental cleanup, and talent show, exchange program with youths from other churches, selling of sausages and eggs and planting of vegetables.

Youth meet every Sundays after First Mass for a bible study which is normally facilitated by our brothers and occasionally invite special guests for a talk and other AOBs. We have also dedicated every First Sunday of every month for Rosary at the Grotto mainly to thank God for His graces and for our loving Mother Virgin Mary for her continuous intercessions. This therefore strengthens our faith as Catholics and enhances our solidarity as Christian.

Much appreciation to Fr. Kiarie, the parish priest council and the whole congregation for their massive support.

C.M.A

1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1 CULTURAL BACKGROUND

In most African communities, the role of men was inculcated through the entire fabric of that society. When boys grew they were taught towards assuming the roles of men when they became of age and so were girls towards becoming responsible women.

As it can be inferred from the above background, man has without any sense of discrimination over his counterpart been endowed with serious and great community responsibilities over ages. He has been endowed with the roles of leadership, protection, providence and as caretaker among many other instrumental tasks.

1.2 BIBLICAL BACKGROUND

The role of man in both the Old and New Testaments is very clear placing models to be emulated by members of this association. From Adam whose creation account revels a very interpersonal relationship wit God, “Let us now make man in our Image and Likeness…” (Gen 1:26), going through Abraham with whom God made promises, “…I will make you father of a great nation…”I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you…” (Gen. 12:1-3), then Patriarchs, Judges, Kings, Prophets, and finally God’s only begotten Son as we read in, (Heb. 1:1-3

CMA 2018 Archdiocese Choir festivals held at St. Ignatius Catholic Chapel Prisons.

1.3 BACKGROUND OF CATHOLIC MEN ASSOCIATION – CMA

The Catholic Men Association is a lay non-profit making and non-political membership of baptized and devout male Christians of Roman Catholic Church.

Catholic Men Association in the Archdiocese of Nairobi collaborates with the National CMA coordination organ and participates in planned events as well as making affiliation contributions in support for the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Commission for the Pastoral and Lay Apostolate which brings together all men from all the dioceses. This association is affiliated to the International Council Of Catholic Men (ICCM) also known as ”unum omnes” which means “that all may be one” borrowed from (John 17:21a)

ST. JOSEPH: PATRON SAINT OF THE CATHOLIC MEN ASSOCIATION

The role played by St. Joseph gives both inspiration and encouragement to men of all times. As a model of the family and pious/just man, God entrusted His own son and the Blessed Virgin Mary under the stewardship of St. Joseph. Every man especially through the vehicle of membership in this association shall therefore make a personal and communal effort to understand and follow deeply the values lived and witnessed by St. Joseph.

CATHOLIC MEN MAIN EVENTS

  1. At the Archdiocese level, Catholic men celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph the Husband of Blessed Virgin Mary which falls on the 19th of March in the liturgical calendar.

2. The feast of St. Joseph the Worker is marked on 1st May at the deanery level.

3. The second Sunday of the month of September is recognized as International Men’s Day.

THE CMA CONSTITUTION

CMA Constitution is the standard by which every member in the association will be guided. As such, all members are to respect and adhere to the statutes with utmost reverence. The constitution is founded on the Ten commandments and church laws which are supreme to its dispensation.

VISION

A Catholic Men Association that enriches society by living gospel values in the family, Church and Community in the Archdiocese of Nairobi.

MISSION

To promote the family institution through companionship, fatherhood and active participation in the church’s mission of evangelization and sanctification of humanity.

OBJECTIVES

  1. To promote a cohesive Catholic family in which each member plays his or her role for the common good emulating the Holy Family of Nazareth. (Eph 5:22-32; 6:1-4)
  2. To live and propagate Catholic Faith in fulfilling the Baptismal promises as kings, prophets and priests.
  3. To evangelize through role modelling in solidarity with fellow Catholic Men.
  4. To inspire and contribute positively to social justice. (Mt. 5:13)

CORE VALUES

i. Humility

ii. understanding

iii. Deep faith

iv. Fortitude

v. Temperament

vi. Prayer

CHURCH FUNCTIONS

CHURCH FUNCTIONS