By Sr. Henriette Anne, FSSA
Father Usumo Emmanuel Sahangagine Peter a South Sudanese priest from the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY) on sharing his pastoral experience for the last two and half months in Kenya acknowledged that he has learned a lot especially in the area of “Small Christian Communities (SCCs), a grassroot model of Church that is thriving in Kenya that contributes a lot in the growth of the Catholic Church”.
Fr. Usumo who was assigned at St. Peter’s Parish Narok in Ngong Diocese noted that there is need to educate Christians before implementing or integrating what they have learned.
“Back home, we need to introduce these ideas slowly, with education and formation,” he explains. “But once people understand, SCCs can transform parish life. They bring faith down to the family level.”
During the interview with Rurugene Online Newsletter, he shared that alongside the parish team, they visited families, praying with them, and listening to their faith journey an experience he believes is hands on approach that Church in South Sudan can benefit from.
“The first time I arrived at St Peter’s Parish Narok, the parish priest, Fr. Tarimo organized a very special program for all the four priests living in the parish, to visit SCCs, to have dialogue with the people, we move from house to house, we spent that time with our Christians to dialogue and also they shared some of the challenges they face in the journey of faith, and kind of evaluation of the parish, it was a nice program that we can adopt”, Fr. Usumo said.
Fr. Usumo who is only six months old in priesthood, expressed that he has been struck by the friendliness of the people and the supportive nature of the Kenyan clergy.
“I was afraid I wouldn’t connect with the community because I didn’t know Swahili,” he says. “But the welcome I received surprised me. The people here are loving, caring, and ready to help.”
He added, “There’s a group of young people here that I organized who come to me every weekend for an evening walk. During the walk they teach me Swahili, places and some cultures”.
He acknowledged that even though the language barrier remains a challenge but he has made a great stride of even celebrating Mass in Swahili.
As he thanked Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala the local ordinary of CDTY for the exposure, he said, “The experience here is rich and full of lessons. When we go back home, we won’t just have stories, we’ll have practical knowledge to help our people grow in faith.”
