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Worship and Sacraments

Mass Schedule

Holy Mass (Eucharistic Celebration) is the source and summit of our parish life. All are welcome to join us for the Sacrifice of the Mass at the following times[10]:

  • Daily Mass: 6:30 AM, Tuesday through Sunday (Mondays the parish is closed and no Mass). This early morning Mass is a peaceful way to start the day with the Lord. (Note: On some weekday evenings, instead of a Mass at the parish, Mass is celebrated in one of the Small Christian Communities – see below.)
  • Sunday Masses:
  • First Mass: 6:30 AM – A quiet, early service favored by those who have work or travel, and those who prefer a smaller crowd.
  • Second Mass (Youth Mass): 8:30 AM – A lively liturgy led by the youth choir and readers. The homily often includes a message directed to the young people. All are welcome (not youth only!), but expect youthful songs and energy.
  • Third Mass: 10:00 AM – Our largest Mass, with the full parish choir. This tends to be more in English/Kiswahili mix, whereas earlier Masses might include more local languages depending on attendees.

(On certain Feast Days or special occasions, the Sunday schedule is adjusted: usually one big Mass at 9:00 AM to unite everyone, especially for patronal feast or diocesan events[11]. Advance notice is given in the bulletin.)

  • SCC Masses (Evenings): Instead of an evening parish Mass, we take Mass to the people! On a rotating basis, our priests celebrate Mass in the neighborhoods through the SCCs. Typically one SCC per weekday will host Mass at a member’s home around 5:30 PM (the exact schedule is announced monthly). This beautiful practice brings the Eucharist into the heart of the community and allows those who cannot make morning Mass to participate. It also sanctifies our homes as “domestic churches.” Check the Events or parish notice board for which Jumuiya is scheduled on a given day. All nearby Catholics (even if not from that SCC) are invited to join that home Mass.

Other Sacraments and Devotions

  • Reconciliation (Confession): Available Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the church or parish office[9]. Our priests make time each day to hear confessions; simply approach the priest or come during the stated hours. You may also make an appointment if you need a longer counseling session. On Sundays, a priest is usually available to hear confessions by request between the Masses. We also hold Penitential Services in Advent and Lent where multiple priests come for confessions (with scripture and song service) – a great opportunity for those who have been away from the sacrament.
  • Baptism: Infant baptisms are normally held monthly, every last Saturday, during the 6:30 AM Mass or at 7:30 AM (following a preparatory class). Parents and godparents are required to attend a Pre-Baptismal Instruction class, usually on the Thursday before the baptism date. Please register at the office at least two weeks in advance. We also baptize older children and adults through our RCIA program – they receive Sacraments at Easter after a period of instruction. Last year, we baptized over 30 infants and 10 adults at the Easter Vigil, joyfully growing the family of God!
  • First Holy Communion: We offer a two-year First Holy Communion course for children (ages ~7-13). Classes meet on Saturday mornings. The children are taught the basics of the faith, prayers, and the meaning of the Eucharist by our catechists. First Communion is usually celebrated on Corpus Christi Sunday or another designated feast, with a beautiful Mass where children receive Jesus for the first time, dressed in white. In 2024, 45 children made their First Communion.
  • Confirmation: Youth (typically ages 14-18) and any adults who missed Confirmation undergo a year-long preparation which includes classes, a retreat, and service hours. The Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred by our Bishop (or his delegate) when he visits the parish, usually once every two years or as pastoral needs dictate. In November 2024, Bishop Willybard Lagho confirmed 50 of our teens and young adults, sealing them with the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was a powerful event – see our blog for highlights on that day.
  • Matrimony (Weddings): Couples intending to marry in the Church should contact the parish at least six months in advance of the desired wedding date. This allows time for the necessary preparation: baptism/confirmation document verification, freedom to marry affidavit, and completion of a Pre-Cana marriage preparation course. We periodically offer an intensive Marriage Preparation seminar in collaboration with the diocesan family life office. Our parish encourages couples to also take advantage of the Marriage Encounter movement (see Ministries) both before and after marriage, to enrich their relationship. Weddings are scheduled on Saturdays (late morning or afternoon). We have a simple yet beautiful church, and our choir is happy to sing for your big day! Nuptial Masses can be in English, Kiswahili, or bilingual. Note: We also assist with marriage blessings/regularizations for those married civilly or traditionally – don’t hesitate to approach us; in 2022 alone, eight couples had their unions blessed in the Church, a source of great grace for their families.
  • Anointing of the Sick: Contact the parish office whenever someone is seriously ill or about to undergo surgery, so a priest can administer the Anointing. We organize pastoral visits to Malindi Hospital and local clinics on a monthly basis as well. The priests, sometimes accompanied by the Legion of Mary or youth, visit the sick to pray and, if Catholic, anoint or give Holy Communion. In emergencies, a priest can be reached to anoint at any time. Twice a year (during Lent and around October), we hold a communal Anointing Mass for the elderly and chronically ill at the parish, complete with volunteers helping transport those who need assistance.
  • Funerals and Christian Burial: In the event of a death, please notify the priests for prayers and support. We assist families in conducting vigil services (usually in the home) and requiem Masses. The pastoral team and SCC of the deceased person rally to offer comfort and help with funeral arrangements. We ensure the rite of Christian burial is done with dignity, either at the public cemetery or the family land as the case may be. The parish bereavement ministry continues to check in on and pray with the bereaved family in the months following, fulfilling the beatitude, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
  • Eucharistic Adoration: Currently, we have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every first Friday of the month. The schedule is: Mass at 6:30 AM followed by Exposition and silent Adoration until 5:00 PM, concluding with Benediction. Different groups and SCCs sign up for one-hour slots so that Jesus is never left alone. This practice has greatly deepened the prayer life of the parish. We hope to increase Adoration times in the future, even possibly establishing a small Adoration Chapel. Parishioners are always welcome to stop by the church during the day for private prayer before the tabernacle as well.
  • Devotions:
  • Marian Devotion: As mentioned, May is observed with daily Rosary in the grotto at 5:30 PM, led by various groups. October likewise. The Legion of Mary (if present) or Wanamaria girls often animate these. The grotto, completed in 2023, is a lovely shaded spot open 24/7 for anyone who wants to light a candle or seek Mother Mary’s intercession.
  • Way of the Cross: Every Friday in Lent at 5:00 PM, the parish community (often by SCCs) leads the Stations of the Cross around the compound, ending at the grotto. This is very well attended as we meditate on Christ’s passion.
  • Sacred Heart: June being dedicated to the Sacred Heart, we have a special consecration prayer after Mass every Friday of June. Many families enthrone the Sacred Heart image in their homes with priestly blessing.
  • Saints: We celebrate the feasts of our patron and secondary patrons with special solemnity. June 3 (Uganda Martyrs) is our big Parish Day (with Mass, cultural entertainment, and communal meal). October 4, St. Francis of Assisi – we have blessing of animals in Msoloni in his honor. November 3, St. Martin de Porres – the Justice & Peace group often does an outreach to the poor that day. We incorporate African and Swahili songs for martyrs and saints of Africa to contextualize our devotions.
  • Retreats and Recollections: A unique blessing of having Jesuits is the availability of Ignatian spiritual programs. The Jesuit Community House adjacent to the parish doubles as a simple retreat center. We host about 30–40 retreatants annually for individually directed retreats (especially the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in miniature form over a weekend, or 8-day retreats for religious). Parish groups also benefit: for example, the Parish Council and ministry leaders go on a one-day annual recollection during Advent and again in Lent, facilitated by one of the priests or a guest speaker. These recollections help us refocus on God’s call amidst our service. We encourage parishioners to take time for a retreat – just speak to the priests to arrange one, even a simple one-day desert day can be organized at our grounds or by the beach. The Jesuit Fathers are also available for spiritual direction for those who seek regular guidance in their faith journey.

Our worship and sacramental life aim to be holistic – nourishing the soul through Word and Sacrament, and sending us forth to love and serve. As Pope Francis often reminds us, the parish must be a “field hospital” and a “fountain of mercy.” We try to live that by being readily available with the sacraments and pastoral care for all who come. If you have been away from the Church or feel hesitant, know that you are welcomed with open arms. There is no sin too great for God’s mercy in Confession, no wound too deep for Jesus’ healing touch in the Eucharist. Come and encounter the Lord of Life with us!