“In this way, we become the beautiful Church God desires, proclaiming the truth not only with words but with our minds, our hearts, and our hands,” Archbishop Anyolo said, noting that Catechists’ service is central to the mission of the Church.
Catechists, he said, are “hope givers” entrusted with guiding people to holiness.
“We are the hope givers. When we leave this place, let us carry with us the hope we have received. While others may teach worldly matters, you Catechists guide people toward the gate of heaven. For that, we are deeply grateful,” he said.
The Local Ordinary of ADN since his installation in November 2021 urged Catechists drawn from the ADN and its suffragan Dioceses of Kericho, Kitui, Machakos, Wote, Ngong, and Nakuru to take their service to the Church as a vocation.
“The work of a Catechist is God’s work. No earthly payment could ever be enough, because your true reward comes from God Himself. This is why your work is a service of sacrifice and devotion,” he said, adding, “The blessings we have received here today, the blessings of hope, must now be carried to those who may have lost it, so that they too may be strengthened. Hope is the gift of God, enabling us to surrender to Him, even at the last breath when we say, ‘Lord, I return my soul to You.’”
“The Church teaches us that Christians must be people of joy. Even though everyone faces struggles and sorrows, we are reminded to live joyfully. This was emphasized by St. Pope John Paul II during his visit to Kenya,” he recalled.
The 69-year-old Catholic Church leader went on to challenge Catechists to live up to both the expectations of the faithful and of God, saying, “When people call you for burials, for baptisms, for preparing marriages, they expect something of you. God too has expectations of you.”
“That is why He has called you. Fulfill those expectations. Bring holiness closer to your families, to the people you serve, and even to the places of grief,” Archbishop Anyolo said September 12.
He further appealed, “Let us build one family of faith, united in the pursuit of holiness. Our pastoral plans must always be guided by the mission of evangelization.”
Nicholas Waigwa is a Kenyan multimedia journalist and broadcast technician with a professional background in creating engaging news stories and broadcasting content across multiple media platforms. He is passionate about the media apostolate and Catholic Church communication.
