Catholic Education Day

Catholic Education Day for the Kitale dioceses was held at St. Anthony’s last week. There was much preparation in getting the school grounds all spruced up. It is the best the grounds have looked since I have been here. During the week the St. Anthony’s boys practiced greeting the guests on to the school grounds, as well as singing songs and dance for the Mass, and the entertainment part of the program. The faculty wanted everything to be the best since we were the host school. Over 50 primary and secondary schools were invited for the big day.

The Mass was supposed to start at 10:00. The actual starting time was 11:20. The entrance procession was lead by various school’s liturgical dancers followed by St. Anthony teachers, and then the bishop. All but the bishop danced in. The good news was that I was in the middle of our dance line, and I did not fall or knock anyone else down.

During offertory not only were their monetary gifts brought up but also fruit, whole bunches of bananas (stalk and all), vegetables, large bags of maize, live chickens, sheep and goats. It took twenty minutes for the procession and gift giving to the bishop to be completed. The Mass took two hours. Cindy and I estimated there were over 3000 people in attendance. Besides students there were priests, nuns, principals, teachers, PTA members, board of governors, local politicians, and other guests.

After Mass the St. Anthony’s staff helped serve lunch to the adult guests, about 500 people. Rice, pilau, cooked cabbage, potatoes, chapatti, stew and a soda were served. My job was to help get sodas to the three dining areas plus any other things that were needed to help serve. The schools had to furnish their own students’ food as it would not be practical for St. Anthony’s to supply food for 2500!
After lunch was entertainment. The first group of students was from a deaf school. They sang a song in sign language. Others did songs and dances, some in traditional dress. One group of primary age students played soccer. It was a most amazing, humbling, and inspirational experience to watch because they were physically handicapped. Some had only one leg and played on crutches, others had different deformities. The point their head teacher made was they may have a physical disability, but that did not mean they were not intelligent and any less of a human than anyone else. Many times here, children with handicaps are considered outcasts by their families.

Next were speeches from the bishop (his was the shortest), other school officials, the MP (like a US congressman) from Kitale, and the guest speaker. Some speeches were good about education. Others were about schools getting funds on time and the government not being so corrupt. Finally were the awards for various things like best schools, most improved school, best disciplined school, highest math and religious scores, etc.
I left home at 7:30. I called Cindy to pick me up and returned home at 6:45, just before dark. Yes, I was tired but it was a great experience. Our staff and students took a great deal of pride in making sure everyone had a great day.

To view more pictures of this special day click here.