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Sylvester on the day of his ordination
On 29th March, Deacon Sylvester Odhiambo became a missionary priest of the ever-growing society of the Mill Hill Missionaries, going out to preach the Gospel and make followers for Christ.
Not even the dull clouds could dampen the mood on this day, not even the drawing threat of a downpour. All in Sega parish had to escort their son in responding to God’s call of making him a ‘fisher of men.’
The liturgical dancers alongside students from the neighbouring schools led the entrance procession, gyrating their bodies, making the whole scene impressive. Behind them was a number Mill Hill priests and associates who had come from their Regional Assembly held in Kakamega. These included Willem Klaver, Stan Bondoko, Dermot Byrne, Benny Quinto, Donnie O’ Connor, Fred Marmolejo, Ko Klaver, Herman Schaepman, Alfons Eppink, Hans Burgman, Otto Bambokela, John Courtney among others alongside some Diocesan priests. The Vocations Director of the East African region, Fr. Michael Ochwo and Mill Hill Formators, Fr. Theodore Wubbels and Fr. Liam Cummins nodded cheerfully to the songs. At the end of the long entrance procession was the Archbishop of Kisumu Diocese, Most Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth, alongside the General Superior of the Mill Hill Missionaries, Tony Chantry.
The 1st and 2nd Cycle students from the Mill Hill Formation Houses in both Nairobi and Jinja took a break from their studies to witness this special occasion.
The Eucharist was celebrated in the Dholuo language, and what amazed many people present was the fact that the General Superior, Tony Chantry, having worked in the Kisumu diocese, still had the magic of speaking Dholuo, perfectly!
In his homily, Archbishop Okoth commended the immense role the Mill Hill Society had played in the vocational aspect and urged them to continue sowing more seeds of evangelisation for Christ. He also urged the faithful to learn from the previous skirmishes that had affected the country and embrace one another in the spirit of unity.
When Sylvester was called upon by Fr. Liam Cummins, he rose from his seat and was escorted to the altar by his brother accopanied by his mother. The Litany of Saints followed and finally, Deacon Sylvester took up his new role as a priest, and all these took place in the presence of his parents and the community that have bred him.
He was then vested with the priestly garment and congratulated on his special day.
The new priest was carried shoulder high and applauded by all those present, the loudest coming from the tent where the Mill Hill students were.
Fr. Sylvester Odhiambo, as a member of the St. Joseph’s Missionar Society, is expected to take up his pastoral work in Kotido, Northern Uganda and will work alongside Fr. Bernard Phelan, who is a former Vicar General of the Mill Hill Fathers.
They say everybody has a special day in his/her life that he/she cherishes and this is one day that will remain etched in the minds of Sega Parishioners and all those present; the day when Fr. Sylvester responded to the call to love and serve.
Stephen Musyoka
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