On June 8, 2024, the friars at the St. Bonaventure Formation House in Langata – Nairobi celebrated Environment Day together with some ladies from our St. Catherine of Alexandria South C Parish.
As Franciscans taking care of mother earth, we decided to invite the ladies from the parish because in Africa, the figure of the mother is of great importance in our culture. The program during the day included a talk by Friar Paul Njuguna KIARIE about the first four days of Creation. He stressed that in the beginning of everything there is God. The power to create is exclusively divine and we need to have faith in Him who is the source of our life. God creates because, according to St. Maximillian Kolbe, only love has the power to create. That is why creation and environment are like a ‘gospel’ that teaches us about His love. Friar Paul’s talk about the first four days of Creation prepared the ladies and the friars for Eucharistic adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation. Some members of the formation house administered the sacrament, namely, Friars Anthony AKUMAH, Dennis Ntabo GWARO, Pius MUSYOKA and Francis KANYIRI.
Soon after, Mass was celebrated with the Guardian of the formation house, Friar Pius MUSYOKA, presiding. Immediately after Mass, we began planting trees. This activity was coupled with Franciscan joy and the African sense of mothers taking care of the environment for future generations.
While we have time, let us do good.
Friar Paul Njuguna KIARIE
