In the 1970s and 1980s I used to help on a committee that worked hard to help the Capuchin Mission in Garissa, Kenya.
Sometime in the early 1980s, when Fr Paul Darmanin, OFM, Cap. was elected Bishop of Garissa, through personal contacts, telephone calls, and letters published in the local press, I asked for help in the form of good clothing, guitars, typewriters, fridges and other items that eventually filled two containers which were sent to the Capuchin mission. The items included used wedding, First Holy Communion, and Holy Confirmation dresses, new shoes from two local factories, and a handsome sum of money. Mgr Darmanin remained ever grateful for the generosity shown by the Maltese and before he left for Garissa he asked me if I could help him obtain a PA system for his church in Garissa.
I was then teaching at the Girls’ Junior Lyceum at Blata-l-Bajda. I sent around a short note to all the staff asking for a contribution and, by the afternoon, I had the money needed to buy the equipment. On the morrow, I presented the apparatus to Mgr Darmanin at my house where he agreed to join my family for a modest dinner. The generosity of the Maltese and Gozitans on that occasion was truly great.
Today I would like to make a similar appeal.
Some time ago, a great friend of mine, another Capuchin, Fr Joe Alessandro, OFM, Cap., was nominated co-adjutor Bishop of Garissa. I rejoiced and congratulated him for this nomination. Fr Alessandro, who has the mission at heart, had miraculously survived an attack when, in the course of his duties, he was shot in the leg while driving in Garissa.
Bishop Mgr Alessandro (at present at the Capuchins’ Convent, Floriana) is preparing to return to Garissa for his new assignment, to help his brother Bishop Mgr Pawlu Darmanin. He will be leaving on 3 November.
On my own initiative, I am humbly asking if any of your readers would contribute some money that Bishop Alessandro could take with him to his mission.
This initiative has the full consent of Bishop Alessandro, whom I informed about it and invited home to meet my family on 31 October.
I am inviting those who would like to contribute (money only – there are too many problems today to send containers) to address their cheque to Bishop Mgr Joe Alessandro, OFM, Cap. and send it to me at the address given below.
Donors should enclose with the cheque their name, surname and full home address. Bishop Alessandro will be sending personal letters signed by him, thanking each donor and indicating the amount received, as a receipt.
The contributions have to reach me by post or by hand, by noon of Wednesday, 31 October. In the evening, they will be handed over to Bishop Alessandro, who, from the morrow, will be posting the letters of thanks.
Joe Zammit Ciantar
Santa Luċija