The Loss of a Child

We received news this weekend that one of the children who is part of our Children's Rosary group in Rombo, Kenya died. 

This past Sunday the Children's Rosary group in Rombo traveled to the boy's home to hold their Children's Rosary (see photo above).  Several of the other Children's Rosary group leaders from the area also attended and the Pastor.  Br. Cleophus shared that the family was greatly comforted by the children coming to pray with them. The boy who passed away was just 11 years old and died of lung failure.  His sister is present in the photo praying with the other children.

Seeing this sight of the children coming together to support each other in such times of pain and struggle one sees how important such support is for children.  Children like adults suffer illness, pain and loss.  They too need support and prayers from their friends. 

The sad news continued this weekend for the Children's Rosary.  One of our Children' s Rosary group leaders, Shiny, lost her daughter tragically Sunday.  Through an accident her daughter was run over accidentally by a fire department vehicle responding to a call. She was just 19 years old.  

We ask that you keep these two young people in your prayers and their families.  Our Lord told us to take up our cross and follow Him. 

Yet when we are surrounded by love, support and prayers we can find comfort in our suffering. These families will need our prayers. It is never easy when one loses a child. In a special way Our Blessed Mother knows such pain and we ask her to come and provide solace and comfort to the mothers and fathers of these children along with their families.

Remembering a Loved One: Mary Ikhusa

It is with sadness that I share the news that little Mary Ikhusa age 5 who is a member of the Children's Rosary passed away February 1st 2015.  She was hit by a car while walking.  Mary was a beloved daughter of Mr and Mrs Samson Etali and sister to Samson Etali.

Mary's Children's Rosary Group

Mary had been a most cherished member of the Children's Rosary from St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Nairobi, Kenya.  Her group meets each Saturday morning in the Kibera Slum.  There was a beautiful little gift given to this group just before her passing.  It has been our hope to have a Mass said for each new Children's Rosary group that forms.  However, for financial reasons we were unable to continue this since June of 2014.  In December of 2014 a person came forward wanting to make a donation for just that purpose.  We were able to request Masses for several groups.  On Saturday January 31st 2015 a Mass was said for Mary's Children's Rosary group.  This would be one day before the accident.  In reflection it was such a consolation that Our Lord gave this group this extra blessing before such suffering was to come.  This little gift, given unknowingly at just the right moment, feels in a very special way to express the love and tenderness of Our Lord.  

In thinking about the children of Mary's group, who are struggling with the loss of their friend, it is so important that in a time when one feels so helpless and does not know how to help both Mary and her grieving family, their is something each child can do.  They can continue to pray.  In that time of prayer they find a way to share their love and also find a soothing of their own pain.  With their Heavenly Mother watching over them they can support each other.  We are very grateful to Jeremiah Mumo and Sr. Mary Magdalene who helped begin this group.  In a special way this group that they formed and the tragedy that has occurred underscores how such prayer support is needed as we walk on this journey together.  In this time of grieving may I humbly ask our members and all who read this too keep these children and families as well as Mary Ikhusa in your prayers.

Thank you all and God Bless.

Why are Some Children Born with Disabilities?

Patty Schweitzer

This is a question that I found myself asking some years ago.  As I myself was born with a genetic disability that in my 20s began to fully manifest itself into significant limitations requiring help from my family for many normal tasks.  Recently, my 6 year old son was diagnosed with this same genetic condition.  Yet there are children born with even more severe disabilities than mine which present in a profound way from birth.  Why should these children suffer from the moment they enter the world?  What would be the reason for this?  Several years ago I heard an answer at Mass which came from the Gospel of John: 

As He passed by He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him” (John 9:1-3).

Today at the funeral Mass of Patty Schweitzer I understood these words in the most beautiful way.  Little Patty was born with severe disabilities preventing her from speaking or caring for herself.  The doctors told her parents that she would never be able to do anything or understand what was being said to her.  However, Patty came from a loving Lord and was born into a loving family with two gentle parents and later 5 siblings.  Today at her funeral Mass her siblings would say she was the center of their family.  Patty taught them compassion and love.  For those who knew her and her family we would say her family taught us so beautifully through their example the deepest and most sincere form of love tested through suffering and sacrifice.  Yet all this was done with a joy that could not be missed.  Despite the heart break that clearly was visible on the faces of Patty’s parents today there was a joy that their sweet angel was flying high.  Although Patty was on this earth 51 years she looked very much like a child.  Her casket was tiny and one would expect it only to fit a 6 or 7 year old child.  During visitation hours last night she lay with her favorite doll and stuffed animal in her pretty pink tulle dress. 

During the funeral there was so much love present in that Church that for a time the Kingdom of Heaven dipped down right into our midst.  Tears rolled down my face but not out of sadness.  To be in the presence of that much love brings weeping of joy at the taste of something so pure and good.  Yes, this is when I understood the words the Lord had said to the apostles.  As Ave Maria was sung I looked at Our Lady depicted holding baby Jesus and one could feel the love of Our Lady for her children.  Through Patty the love of Our Lord could be felt and that of His Mother for her children.  It was true, through children such as these “the works of God might be made visible”.