Comboni missionaries ordained in colourful celebration
It was a very joyful occasion when four Comboni Missionaries were ordained deacons by Bishop James O'Brien on Sunday. The colourful Eucharistic celebration took place at St Teresa's Catholic parish in Borehamwood, in the archdiocese of Westminster. Despite the cold weather, hundreds of people from as far as from Glasgow in Scotland, the Midlands, Liverpool, East, South, North and West London, Kenya, Mexico, Togo, Uganda and the United States packed the church beyond capacity. In an animated, multi-cultural liturgy - with much ululation and dancing by both young and old - Armando Gonzalez from Mexico, Clement Orango from Kenya, Victor Kouande from Togo and Denis Kizito from Uganda stepped forward to publicly declare their intent to offer their lives for the service of God and his people. A smile was all that the church needed in these difficult times. On this day God was revealing his presence and care for us. Today proved that the church still has many young men offering her their lives. In his homily, Bishop Patrick reminded the new deacons of the great gift God was putting into their hands as ministers of his word and body and blood. He reminded them to strive to create a relationship with Christ, since he is the sole energy of our journey towards reaching the ideals of Christianity. This day will forever remain engraved in the hearts of the many who attended and those who learn about it. God has really visited his people and sent more labourers to the vineyard. The four deacons will continue finalising their studies at the Missionary institute of London for another six months, before being ordained to the priesthood. After this, they will be sent to various missions of the world to serve the people of God. For the time being they are being posted to the following parishes in London: Armando Gonzalez will be based at St Teresa's parish in Borehamwood; Victor Kuoande will be based at Our Lady of Fatima parish in White City; Clement Orango will go to St Anne's, Customs House in Docklands in the diocese of Brentwood and Denis Kizito will live at St Anthony's of Padua parish at Edgware in north London.