ST. JUDE

ST. JUDES’ SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

CATHOLIC CHURCH RUAKA

Patron Saint: Saint Jude Thaddaeus-Patron Saint of Hopeless Cases

St. Jude, also called Judas, Thaddaeus, or Lebbaeus, one of the original Twelve

Apostles of Jesus. Not much is known about St. Jude Thaddeus and his name is mentioned only a limited number of times in the New Testament. He is described by Matthew in the gospels as one of the “brethren” of Jesus, most likely his cousin. The Epistle of Jude mentions that it is written by Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James. St. Jude wrote this letter to the newly converted Christians in the Eastern Church who were suffering persecution. In his letter he warned them to be careful of the false teachers spreading wrong teachings about Christianity. He encouraged them to keep persevering and to stand firm in their faith in the midst of the harsh realities that they were facing.

Annual Jumuiya Activities

Prayer Retreats and Seminars
Charity Work
Team Building Sessions
Jude’s Feast Day

History of St. Jude SCC (2011-2019)

St. Jude Small Christian Community (S.C.C) was split from the bigger St. Anthony S.C.C. on 18^th May 2011. This was graced by the blessing of members’ homes which culminated in holy mass at Jason Maina’s house. The S.C.C kicked off with great enthusiasm under the leadership of Jane Kiome, Robert Wanderi, Veronicah Karegwa, Margaret Kinyanjui and Matuje Narugeta.

The following year, 2012, the Matujes and the Wanderis had a joint wedding ceremony. On 17^th March 2013 a new team of leaders was unveiled: Patrick Meria (Chair), Ann Kimani (Vice-chair), Josphine Maina (Secretary), Joseph Kaluki (Vice- secretary) and Anthony Wahome (Treasurer).

We were blessed to witness the Holy Matrimony ceremony of Robert and Josphine Gichuki the following year, 2014. The year was also marked by a fruitful Retreat and Seminar on family life at the Resurrection Gardens, a Visit at Mother’s Mercy Childrens’ Home, Kamiti Medium Prison and the Youth Correctional Centre, the rural homes of various jumuiya members and two Team Building sessions at Karura and Paradise Lost, Kiambu which was such a refreshing moment to the young and old alike.

The year 2015 was marked by a Pilgrimage to Subukia Shrine, the Wedding of Eunice and Morris, Secret Prayer Partner Prayers, a Seminar on Career Choices, Finding ones’ Passion and Management of Finances, Visiting of member’s rural homes and an End Year Party.

Elections were held in 2016 and all the previous officials were re-elected. Priscilla Wanjiku joined in later as Vice Secretary, replacing Josephine Maina who had traveled abroad. The year was also marked by a Visit at the Machakos Children’s Home, a Recollection at the Resurrection Garden, and a Seminar on Parenting, Communication in Relationships and Drug Abuse. We also had our Annual Team Building Session (Hiking at Mt. Longonot), another Seminar Child Nutrition, and celebrated the Holy Matrimony of Fridda and Joe Gitau.

In 2017, we had our Retreat at the Bible on the Ground, Nanyuki, celebrated the Wedding ceremonies of Candy Hellen and Collins and Gabriel Gitau and Maureen. For our Charity work, we bought uniforms for the Ruaka Pontifical Mission Children (PMC) as well as supported our Church Choir financially and in prayers. We also had a very engaging Team Building activity at The Dam, Redhill, had our Saint’s Day at the Runda Waterfall and an End Year Party at Gacharage Garden Park.

2018 kicked off well with a visit of the chairman’s (Meria) rural home for purposes of being with his mother. We had a Retreat at St. Benedict’s, Tigoni, visited Give Hope Children’s Home, did the lining of the PMC uniforms, had a Couples’ Dinner celebration with teachings on Communication in Marriage, Initimacy and Divorce.

2019 started off with election of new members into office: Priscilla Wanjiku (Secretary), Paul Karugu (Treasurer), Robert Wanderi (Vice-Secretary), Mercy Nyamasyo (Vice-Moderator) and Kevin Oduor (Moderator). The year, so far, has been marked by a Charity Visit to the Kagos’ home (Mzee Kago, a church member, was ailing), a Retreat at the Resurrection Garden, a Dinner with teachings on the Holy Eucharist and Holy Matrimony and a Funds Drive towards the Purchase of land for the church.A St. Jude, we are guided by the words of St. Peter in John 6:68, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go to? You have the words of eternal life.