Reception AFE Provincial

Nairobi (Kenya). On 20 August  2021, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from the East Africa Province O. L. of Hope (AFE) welcomed the Provincial, Sr. Ruth del Pilar Mora to Nairobi, Kenya.

Sr. Ruth was welcomed at the airport by songs from the Novices and the FMA. To welcome her at the Provincial House, she was given a kanga, the typical fabric of East Africa to wear. The Provincial of the previous six years, Sr. Gisele Ndekezi, accompanied her to the chapel of St. Mary Mazzarello, where she offered her three small flags representing the countries of the AFE Province: Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.

The Animator of the House, Sr. Rose Chindia, greeted her with a short discourse and, in procession with the other FMA, they headed for the Chapel. Sr. Ruth placed the flags at the foot of the statue of Our Lady, along with a candle received from Sr. Rose, with the wish to follow Christ and be a light for others.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr. Simon Asira Lipuku, Provincial of St. John Bosco Province (AFE) of the Salesians of Don Bosco, who in his homily commented on the Gospel passage from the Wedding at Cana.

After communion, Sr. Gisele Ndekezi read the letter from the Mother General of the FMA Institute, Sr. Yvonne Reungoat, with the official appointment of Sr. Ruth del Pilar Mora, Provincial of the AFE Province. Due to the health situation of the Coronavirus pandemic, the mandate of Sr. Gisele Ndekezi, who would end her service in October 2020, had been extended to allow Sr. Ruth to take up the post.

Sr. Gisele offered Sr. Ruth a key as a gift, which she placed at the foot of the statue of Mary. At the end of the celebration, a fraternal moment took place with an expression of gratitude to Sr. Gisele for her attentive and thoughtful animation service to the Sisters and works of the Province, and a warm welcome to Sr. Ruth, assuring collaboration and prayer.

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