On 21st January 2024, the Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr. Charles Kibe, led the faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a in Inauguration of the Year of the Children – 2024, an event that took place at St. Joseph the Worker Mumbi Catholic Parish.
This memorable event was attended by hundreds of Christians from all corners of the Diocese in various categories: Deans or their representatives, priests, religious leaders, delegates from various parishes, students and some members of this parish. Some of the priests joined the Vicar General in this Inauguration process include but not limited to: Rev. Fr. Moses Kagunya (Bishop Executive Secretary), Rev. Fr. Robert Ngaruro (Dean Murang’a Deanery), Rev. Fr. Jeremiah Njoroge (Dean Mwea Deanery), Rev. Fr. David Gitau (Dean Maragua Deanery), Rev. Fr. Josiah Muthee (Dean Tuthu Deanery), Rev. Fr. Denis Muriithi (Kianyaga Deanery Representative) among other priests.
During this colorful event, the Vicar General blessed all the instruments/symbols that were to be used in overseeing the success of the year of children. These included; Logo of the Year of the Children, Banner, a prayer to our children and the guideline book that has the information and will lead us in this celebration. He also blessed the children present and later commissioned the Year of the Children.
Some Highlights of the Year of the Children
In the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a, the Year of Children was proposed to be celebrated every seventh year back in 2017 as we closed the same celebration and we thank the Almighty God for making us arrive to this vision. This Year of the Children have the following main points:
Theme: Jesus embraced the children, laid hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:16)
Rallying Call: Let the children grow, in favour with God and with people.
Kikuyu version: Rekei ciana cikure, cikiendagwo ni Ngai ona andu.
The Year of the children is unfolded under the following four Pillars: Grow, Know, Love and Serve.
The Bishop thanked the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DiPC) led by the Vicar General for their tirelessly effort to ensure they have prepared everything needed in this new year in our Diocese.
On his messaged led by the Vicar General, the Bishop also advised the Christians to take this year as an opportunity for our children to grow, know, love and serve the Christ. He added that Jesus Christ love children and He is always happy when we let them go closer to Him. He concluded by requesting the faithful to accompany their children in this journey and like the apostles, take the children to the Lord so that He may embrace them, lay hand on them and bless them.
Author: – James Muriithi
– CDM Social Communication Department
