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Fr.
Xavier Mwakio Mwashighadi
pastoral
experience in Kongowea, Chaani,
Kinango, Malindi, Lushangoni and Mwatate
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Coastweek
- - "To everything there
is a season," says Ben Sirach.
The sad news reached us
on the 8th February that Rev. Fr. Xavier Mwakio Mwashighadi together
with Francis Maghanga, a teacher from Sagalla Secondary School had
passed away in a motorcycle accident having been crushed by a trailer
at Kasarani, the Voi/ Mombasa junction.
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Fr. Xavier stopped to
pick up Francis Maghanga a teacher at Sagalla Secondary School.
The accident occurred at
Kasarani, Voi.
Everyone especially the
family and the Archbishop and Priests are in a state of profound
shock.
He was ordained with Fr.
Raphael Khanga, Fr. Michael Mwambegu, Fr. Henry Ndune Zoka and Fr.
Joseph Karani Ngala.
Fr. Xavier was born on the
14th February 1972. He is the son of Mr. Teddy Mwashighadi and
Mrs. Elisabeth Mrunde. |
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Coastweek
- -
Late Rev. Fr.
Xavier Mwakio
Mwashighadi. |
He was the youngest of
eight brothers and three sisters. He
attended St Lwanga Primary School, Changamwe followed by St Mary's
Minor Seminary, Kwale.
In 1992 he entered
Christ the King, Major Seminary, Nyeri and completed in 1999.
He had pastoral
experience in Kongowea, Chaani, Kinango, Malindi, Lushangoni and
Mwatate.
His Parish at the time
of the accident was Sagalla where he has been working with great zeal
especially with the youth.
The Holy Ghost Cathedral
on 14th February 2003 was packed and overflowing for the last journey
of Fr Xavier.
People had come from all
parts of the Archdiocese especially Taita and Changamwe.
The celebration of "Life"
in the Cathedral was the culmination of the prayer begun on the day of
Fr Xavier's passing.
On Thursday 13th
February Mass was held at Maungu and then the cortège moved to
Mombasa for the Vigil in Holy Ghost Cathedral.
The main celebrant for
the Funeral Mass was the Most Rev. John Njenga, Archbishop of Mombasa.
Priests came from
Nairobi, Kitui, Kakamega, Embu and Nyeri among others.
Fr. Xavier's brother, a
parishioner of Changamwe read the Readings
Fr Michael Mwambegu, one
of the group in which Fr. Xavier was ordained intoned the Gospel
reading of St John in Bethany and the famous lines:
"I am the
Resurrection and the Life".
It was beautifully done.
The Church was silent in
wrapped attention.
During Offertory the
Breviary of Fr. Xavier was one of the items offered.
Many words of condolence
came from the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Rev Giovanni Tonnucci, the Kenyan
Bishops especially of Garissa and Malindi.
Our Priests in Italy,
U.S.A., U.K. and Jamaica plus Sisters and others from various places
also sent messages of sympathy.
Fr. Ngoma, the Apostolic
Vicar for Taita/ Taveta then spoke. Fr. Joseph Kengah, the Chairperson
for the Diocesan Priest's Association thanked everyone again.
Fr. Maxwell Okello
Parish Priest of Changamwe and Dean of Mombasa West, as well as the MC
for the occasion also thanked everyone.
The Vicar General, Fr.
Ernest Mutua then introduced the Archbishop.
It was a very touching
moment.
After the last blessing
the cortège moved to Mbaraki Cemetery, stopping all the traffic in
Nyerere Avenue.
The last journey was
well-organised thanks to the Saint Joseph's Society.
Thanks go to all, too
many to name, for their generosity and assistance at this moment.
Death especially of a
young person is very difficult to understand.
The Lord's ways are
surely not ours.
We pray for Fr. Xavier,
his family, the Archbishop, the Priests, his friends and all those who
know him.
It is a great loss to
the Archdiocese.
- Sister
Maggie Kennedy, Catholic Archdiocese Of Mombasa.
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