Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

We remember you with much love this Christmas season and wish you Christmas blessings and

peace in the new year.

Father Francis Limo Riwa

The Adrian Dominican Sisters

The Staff at St. Clare

The St. Clare Girls

December 25th is one of the biggest occasions celebrated all over the world because it is the day that   we remember the birth of Jesus Christ.

That morning at St. Clare Centre, the crowing of the roster woke us up. The sun’s rays were beautiful as they were emerging from the east. The songs of the birds, which pierced the still morning, spurred us to rise swiftly. It was exactly 6.00 o’clock when everybody woke up to prepare the day. We hurried in the shower rooms and dressed immediately for Mass. The rays of the sun and the cool air informed us that this day was really different from other days.

The Mass was conducted by our priests, Fr. Francis and Fr. Benedict. Fr. Francis told very interesting story of Jesus. He said,” Jesus, the son of Joseph and Mary,  was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the town of David. Mary was a virgin and so she conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Because the king wanted every citizen of that country to be counted, Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem counted. While in Bethlehem the time came for Mary to have her child. There was no place available for her as all rooms were booked.”Father went on, “Nevertheless, the baby was born in a stable where Joseph and Mary had settled for the night. Mary wrapped him in and laid him in a manger. It is surprising that the long-awaited Messiah foretold by the Old Testament prophets should be born under such unfavorable conditions”, he said.

As soon as the Mass was ended we did not lose a single minute. We went directly to the dining hall for breakfast, a cup of porridge and a piece of bread for each of us. In the dining hall Madam Sarah played some very interesting Christmas songs.

Without wasting too much time, Madam Sarah, asked some senior girls to go to the kitchen to assist the cooks in preparing food while other seniors accompanied her and the junior girls for a short walk. Among the latter, I walked up to a place called Rwanjwee.

Our journey back to school started and everybody was eager to reach home. On the way,  we encountered a nearby spring of water where we found a green snake. Each of us wanted to bruise its head because according to our traditional understanding, whoever bruises the head of a snake will live seven days more.

On arrival at school we were surprised to see a very different lunch very different from what we normally eat. The lunch was spaghetti, beef, broth and stew. The children who had not seen such food referred to spaghetti as small snakes. When they tasted it, they found that it was more delicious than anything they ever had. This unique meal was a true surprise.

In addition, for supper we had chicken and chapati.  (Here the girls are making the chicken and chapati.)

We could not believe it. Everyone ate until our bellies would not allow any more. It was then that Madam Sarah told us the secret of satisfaction is exercise. She switched on the radio and everybody began doing her own style of dancing.  We danced until our stomachs were lighter so that we would be able to sleep.

Truly this was the best experience I have ever had in my second home. The day was a really enjoyable, unique and fantastic Christmas Day for me and for every member of St. Clare’s’ community.  (The girls dance after a wonderful dinner.)

We wish you a Merry Christmas and Joyful and Peaceful New Year. WE are most grateful for you loving support and compassion.
Fr. Francis Limo Riwa
The Adrian Dominican Sisters
The Staff at St. Clare
The St. Clare Girls

Pictured here are photos of the crèche set created by the children from materials they found “laying around.”

From these discarded materials, they have created a stable scene.  

The girls at St. Clare gather in the art room to create and compose their personal Christmas greeting to their sponsors in the United States. Each sponsored girl is creating her own greeting card and using her own artwork to express gratitude to her sponsor for the gift of life given to her.

Most of the girls will return to their home villages for two weeks at Christmas time. It will be their opportunity to once again hear their village languages, see village dances and hear village songs. Some girls will remain at St. Clare because it is not safe for them to return to their tribal villages.

Christmas is also very important for the girls’ teachers because many of them are working at St. Clare, which is hundreds of miles from their families, and this is their chance to return home to see their spouses and their children.