St. Vincent dePaul Giathugu Parish
10 Solid Years as a Parsh and 100 Years of Faith
In the heart of Giathugu, where faith took root, the parish’s legacy began long before it officially became a parish. Established in 1924 by Rev. Fr. Domenico Gillio, a Consolata missionary, the first seeds of Catholicism were sown at lgana outstation. Giathugu was an outstation under the Gikondi mission, and it is from this simple beginning that we draw our rich heritage of faith. Father Gillio, alongside the Consolata Sisters sent by Bishop Philip Perla, worked tirelessly to establish a strong Catholic presence, influencing the region’s spiritual growth.
The Growth of the Parish: From Outstation to a Flourishing Community
Today, Giathugu Catholic Parish is a beacon of faith in the region. It was established in August 2014 as part of Our Lady of Providence, Gikondi Parish. Over the years, the parish was divided into two zones: Giathugu Zone ( ihuti, Karundu, Kinuri, Kigathi, and Giathugu) and Karuiro Zone (Karuiro, Kangurwe, Karaba, Mutonga and Kai-ini). This restructuring has allowed the parish to better serve its growing community, with each zone contributing to the spiritual, social, and educational fabric of the area. The vision for a fully established parish was realized in 1976.Currently, it has 10 outstations with 59 small Christian communities.
Ultimately: A Faithful Future Awaits
As we celebrate 100 years of faith and 10 years as an official parish, we look forward to even greater things. The rich history of St. Vincent DePaul. Giathugu Catholic Parish is a living testament to the power of faith, unity, and the guidance of our loving God. We have come so far, and with God’s grace, the journey ahead is even more promising. Let us continue to walk together, hand in hand building on the solid foundation of our past as we strive toward a brighter future.
Aluta continua! Long live Giathugu Catholic Parish!
Help Us Complete Giathugu Parish’s Modern Priests’ House
Imagine this: After a long day spent serving the community, guiding the faithful, and spreading God’s word, where does a priest go to rest? A simple, modest room with bare walls? Or a home designed to nurture not just the body, but the soul?
A place that offers peace, warmth, and a quiet space for prayer – where the spirit can be replenished, ready to serve again.
St. Vincent dePaul Giathugu Catholic Parish is on the verge of completing just such a home – a modern priests’ house that will be more than just a building: it will be a spiritual sanctuary for our priests. The structure is almost complete, with only the finishing touches remaining. And here’s where you come in. We need your help to make this vision a reality and complete the final phase of this transformative project.
This visionary priests’ house has been carefully designed to provide a serene space for both rest and reflection. With a beautiful chapel for private prayer, and spacious bedrooms for our priests. and communal spaces for fellowship and study, this house will serve as a home for spiritual growth and revitalization. It’s not just a place to sleep- it’s a place where our priests can recharge and deepen their relationship with God, so they can continue serving the Giathugu community with dedication and love.
Your Call to Action: Be Part of the Legacy
This is your moment to leave a lasting impact. The final fundraising event for this visionary project will be held on March 9, 2025, and we’re inviting everyone- parishioners, friends, and supporters to contribute in any way they can. Whether you adopt a room, contribute toward furnishings, or offer any amount, your support will bring us one step closer to completing this dream.
How You Can Help:
Together, we can build more than just walls; we can build a home that will nurture the spirituality of our parish leaders.
Karuiro Water Retention Project
In 2024, St. Vincent dePaul Giathugu Catholic Parish acquired two and a half acres of land in Gumba, laying the foundation for a transformative sustainability initiative. The site now hosts a beehive enterprise, greenhouses, and 24 water tanks, each with a 10,000-litre capacity, all contributing to a self-reliant and vibrant future.
The water tanks will provide reliable access to clean water, supporting farming and empowering the local community. The greenhouses are set to produce fresh vegetables, while the beehives will generate high-quality honey, creating sustainable revenue streams to fuel parish programs.
Thanks to The God Minute fundraising initiative led by Fr. Ron Hoye C.M., the project has received strong support from local and global communities, helping to make these dreams a reality.
The theme “Maji ni Uhai” meaning “Water is Life” was proudly proclaimed during the project’s launch. This powerful statement emphasizes the critical importance of water, not only for farming but as the foundation for the community’s health and prosperity. It highlights the parish’s commitment to ensuring a sustainable future where every drop of water fuels growth and resilience. This initiative underscores the faith-driven mission of St. Vincent dePaul Paul Parish: to grow spiritually and materially while uplifting its people. Every drop of water, every jar of honey, and every thriving crop speaks to a collective commitment to resilience and growth. As the Gumbo project flourishes, it stands as a beacon of faith in action, ensuring the parish continues to be a source of hope and sustainability for future generations.
Celebrating the Elderly: Honoring the Pillars of Our Society
On August 30th, 2024, the parish held a profound celebration of faith, gratitude, and community, marking a unique tradition – a day dedicated to honoring the elderly. This annual event, initiated in 2023, continues to grow in significance, reminding the parish of the invaluable role the elderly play in shaping both the Church and the community at large.
The day began with a Holy Mass dedicated to the elderly, a spiritual encounter that underscored their critical role as the custodians of faith and tradition. The Mass served as a moment of reflection, thanksgiving, and blessing, with the elderly receiving special prayers for their health, strength, and continued guidance in the community.
Following the Mass, the program extended to a Health Talk tailored specifically to address common challenges faced by the elderly. Delivered by healthcare professionals, these sessions provided invaluable advice on maintaining physical and mental well-being, empowering the elderly to live their golden years with dignity and vitality.
No celebration would be complete without tokens of appreciation. Each elderly participant received a thoughtfully curated gift pack to take home, a tangible expression of the parish’s love and gratitude. According to Fr. Mburu, this day was more than an event- it was a heartfelt tribute to the elders whose lives have been a testament to faith, resilience, and selflessness.
The elderly are the living pillars of our faith and culture, carrying the wisdom of generations and the blessings of experience. Honoring them is not just a gesture of gratitude but a reaffirmation of their invaluable role in shaping who we are as a community, he shared.
The parish hopes to make this celebration a permanent fixture in its calendar, with Fr. Mburu envisioning it as a day when the Church comes together to uplift its elders, both spiritually and socially. It’s a reminder to everyone – young and old – that the elderly deserve respect, care, and recognition, not just for what they have done in the past but for the enduring inspiration they provide.
As this tradition continues, the community is encouraged to reflect on how they, too, can honor and support the elderly in their midst. By doing so, they not only celebrate their elders but also uphold a culture of compassion and respect that ensures their legacy lives on.
Youths and Faith
St. Vincent dePaul Giathugu Catholic Parish wholeheartedly recognizes the invaluable contribution of youth in the faith community. They are not just the future of the Church-they are its present, leading with energy, creativity, and a profound commitment to faith.
Globally, young people are stepping up as leaders, driving initiatives for social justice, addressing critical issues, and championing change with passion. Their involvement in ministries, evangelization, and outreach is crucial in shaping the Church’s future.
By empowering youth to take active roles, the Church ensures its continued relevance and vitality. We believe in nurturing their leadership and supporting their spiritual journey, knowing that their energy and vision will keep our faith alive and flourishing for generations to come.
Social and Economical Development – Undugu Family
The name Undugu was derived from a Swahili word meaning brotherhood. The Undugu program involves 90 youths from the Mukurwe-ini constituency of St. Giathugu Parish who come together led by the parish priest Fr. Antony Kioko, C.M not only to strengthen one another spiritually but to farm together. During school holidays, they meet daily in the evening to farm.
The farm output is donated to the poor in the community, for domestic and some is given to the youths in need. Among the needs that led to the foundation of Undugu farm are;
- The sustainability needs of the parish and its members
- Engaging youths to know one another and making them responsible members of society
- Bringing the youths together
- To facilitate parish activities and respond to emergencies through farm outputs
- To sustain parish programs such as talent shows and photocopying, among others
Agriculture
Giathugu Parish practices agriculture specifically animal, poultry, banana plantation, and silage making. The Parish uses the animals for internal use and to help the needy in the community. The parish conducts agricultural training for the community members providing potential farmers from the training with an externality of farm input such as goat, chicken, or cow. Since the project began, it has issued out 5 cows, 30 goats, and over 200 chickens
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