26th Session in Progress
đđđđĄ đđđŹđŹđ˘đ¨đ§ đ˘đ§ đđŤđ¨đ đŤđđŹđŹ  The 26th Session of the St. John Paul II Sabbatical Program, which began on January 5, 2026, is now underway! Participants were warmly welcomed by Rt.Rev James Maria Wainaina, Bishop of Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Murang’a and vision-bearer of the Program, who presided over the sessionâs Opening Mass. The Bishop, […]
Director of St. John Paul II Sabbatical Program Laid to Rest
The Director of the St. John Paul II Sabbatical Program, Rev. Fr. Joseph Gatamu, was laid to rest on January 19 in Kenyaâs Catholic Diocese of Nakuru. Fr. Gatamu, who had served as Director since the programâs inception in 2013, passed away on January 7 at the age of 71, after bravely bearing illness since […]
Our Director Has Passed On
It is with deep sadness, yet humble acceptance of Godâs will, that we announce the passing of Rev. Fr. Joseph Gatamu, Director of the St. John Paul II Sabbatical Program and a priest of Kenyaâs Catholic Diocese of Nakuru. Fr. Gatamu was instrumental in shaping the Program into what it is today, having served as […]
Healing and Renewal: Voices from the 25th Session
Healing After a Brush With Death When Fr. Sergius Shiyntum of Cameroonâs Catholic Diocese of Kumbo was kidnapped by separatists in 2023, he believed death was imminent, as others in similar circumstances had not survived. After a week in captivity, he was dragged into a public square where executions were regularly carried out. Accused of […]
St. John Paul II Sabbatical Program Graduates Its Largest Cohort Yet
The 25th Session of the St. John Paul II Sabbatical Program concluded on Friday, December 5, with the graduation of 38 participantsâthe largest number in the Programâs 12-year history. The colourful ceremony was held at the Beatitudes Christian Formation Centre, home to the Program in Kenyaâs Catholic Diocese of Murangâa. Held under the theme âAbide […]
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Construction of St. John Paul II Sabbatical Centre
The Bishop of Kenyaâs Catholic Diocese of Murangâa, Rt. Rev. James Maria Wainaina, on Monday, September 8, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the St. John Paul II Sabbatical Centre. The project will see the diocese construct a 45-room multistorey facility that will permanently host the St. John Paul II Sabbatical Program. […]
25th Session in Progress
The 25th Session of the St. John Paul II Sabbatical Program, which began on August 4, 2025, is now underway! Participants were warmly welcomed by Rt. Rev. James Maria Wainaina, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Murangâa and vision-bearer of the Program, who also celebrated the Opening Mass. This session brings together 38 participantsâ32 priests […]
Sr. Agnes Mwongela, ASN: A Calling Shaped by Persistence, Renewed by Rest
For Sr. Agnes Mwongela, the call to religious life came early and it never let go. From her childhood in Kenya, her path was shaped by admiration, resistance, divine redirection, and above all, a quiet perseverance that has carried her through 43 years as a religious sister. She was drawn to religious life at an […]
Fr. Michael Waswa: A Vocation Nurtured at Home, Renewed in Sabbatical
After two decades of priestly service in Kenyaâs Kakamega Diocese, Fr. Michael Shitemi Waswa arrived at the 24th session of the St. John Paul II Sabbatical Program in Kenyaâs Catholic Diocese of Murangâa with a quiet desperation in his heart. Years of pastoral work had worn him down. âI came here feeling very tired,â he […]
Sr. Cordelia Ogene, OLA: A Grace-Filled Mission Across Continents
37! That is the number of years Sr. Cordelia Ogene has been a member of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA Sisters), Nigeria Province. Yet that number could just as easily be mistaken for her age. So whatâs her secret? Sr. Cordelia smiles gently. âItâs the Lordâs doingâHis grace,â she says, her […]