Overview of St. Clare CJPC
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission- St. Clare parish was re-launched on 18th March 2018 With the help of Father in charge, Rev Fr. Francis Murira. Under his leadership, the group chose interim officials to spearhead the group’s operations in the parish. The interim office together with the Father In Charge organized and facilitated for the group to start formation training. After undergoing intense formation Training Workshops facilitated by Commissioner Araka and Commissioner Kamau (Immediate Former Chairman of CJPC at Ruaraka Deanery ), 32 participants were prepared for Commissioning. At end of training, 25 members were commissioned and given the mandate to execute the CJPC programs and activities in the parish.
CJPC Leadership in St. Clare Parish.
- Fr. Francis Murira – Patron
- Nicholas Araka – Moderator
- Peter Githaiga – Vice Moderator
- Eric Nyanumba – Secretary
- Brenda Wanyonyi – Vice Secretary
- Susan Riang’a – Treasurer
CJPC Membership in St. Clare.
Currently, St. Clare CJPC group has approximately 70 members. Commissioned and active members are 23 while those members who are yet to be commissioned but active in the group activities being 20. The commission has about 27 passive members in the group who participate occasionally in the group activities due to various commitments. We have a number of children who we purpose to mentor into future leaders and crusaders of Justice and peace in the society.
How does one become a CJPC member?
Membership of CJPC in St. Clare Parish is drawn from all Jumuias & Groups where the Jumuia appoints at least 2 representatives to represent them in the minstry.
All the Vice Secretaries of groups and SCCs in the church are considered CJPC members by default and as such they form the official link between the group/SCC and the Justice and peace ministry.
Any member of St. Clare church willing to join the group may do so by filling the membership form or liaising with any leader of the group for assistance. All new members are usually taken through a rigorous formation training to equip them with the required skills and knowledge in handling matters of justice and peace. To join the group, click the “Join group” Button below and fill the required information. Welcome.
Group Meetings.
CJPC holds regular group meetings to communicate or update members on the group activities and programs. We hold monthly meetings on the 2nd Sunday of every month. In our routine meetings, we start with prayers, then the day agenda, leaders communication and then close with prayers.
Occasionally, the group conducts an impromptu meeting where we meet on a short notice to discuss any matter that arises before the monthly meeting is held and requires urgent attention.
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Since its formation, CJPC in St. Clare Parish has been active and in the forefront in advocating for human development, good governance as well as justice and peace in our communities and within our christian structures. The group achieves this noble mandate through training workshops organized by the group, attending various forums to represent the church in matters that relate with our thematic areas as well as organizing and participating in group festivals that are aimed at educating the society on the most pressing issues discussed during the Lenten Campaign or observed in our communities. CJPC St. Clare Parish has organized and participated in a number of activities since it was formed.
Every year, CJPC organizes for the Celebration of World Peace Day which is Celebrated 0n 1st January every year; In 2019, the group marked this day by displaying a banner in the church compound and putting a white ribbon on every christian as a commitment to pursue and keep peace throughout the year we also used this opportunity to give a small talk in every mass to sensitize the congregation on CJPC roles in the church.
Members of CJPC have been very active in Serving mass as per the church calendar of events. The group organizes for readings, prayers of the faithful as well as Matega to be presented during mass. This has greatly helped members to grow in faith and offer themselves to serve the church.
CJPC is mandated to act as an election observer to ensure free and fair process takes place. In 2019 parish elections, the church gave us an opportunity to conduct and oversee a credible Parish elections for Jumuiyas and groups between-13th. to 27th. January. This exercise was concluded well with no disputes or questions of fairness and credibility arising.
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission is charged with the responsibility of spearheading the Parish Lenten Campaign. The group managed to stage colorful Lenten Campaign launch in both 2019 and 2020 in our parish where in both occasions we carried out the introduction of the theme of the year, a brief summary of the topics to be covered each week as well as facilitating topics at various Jumuias & groups.
While Holding the discussions of the Lenten Campaign topics at the Jumuia and parish level, St. Clare Parish CJPC also uses other platforms such as internet, social media and a talk show at radio Waumini to reach out to as many people as possible. After the Lenten period, we usually come together as a commission to carry out the Lenten Campaign review where we receive reports on the success of the program in different Jumuias and groups as well as point out any challenges that can be improved in the future.
CJPC COMPETITION FESTIVALS
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission in the archdiocese of Nairobi organizes Competition festivals where members from different parishes participate. The theme of all items presented is based on the Lenten Campaign theme of the year. This is meant to emphasize and enlighten the communities on the areas of concern in the country.
St. Clare CJPC has been performing extremely well in the competitions. In 2018 St. Clare CJPC emerged the best in Ruaraka deanery in the Play ” Uongozi Bora, Maisha Bora” and the Folk Song from the “Gusii Community” while they attained position 2 in the Choral Verse becoming number 1 overall. The group proceeded to the Archdiocese level where they performed extremely well in all the three items. The group was awarded the certificate of merit having scoped position two and three in the Choral verse and the folk song respectively at the Archdiocese level.
PARTICIPATION OF ST. CLARE CJPC IN THE DEANERY EVENTS.
Our parish’s CJPC has been very active in participating in various events and programs organized by the Deanery CJPC Executive. The following are some of the Deanery programs that we have participated over the past two years.
- Participating in Deanery CJPC elections in March.
- Participating in monthly meetings held at different parishes.
- Taking part in a tree planting event marking World Environment Day.
- Attending Deanery training at H.M.M.G. in May 2019 and at Queens early this year.
- Participating in Deanery Family Day celebrations in June 2019 where we played a crucial role in providing security and the distribution of the donated foodstuffs to the beneficiaries..
PARTICIPATION OF ST. CLARE CJPC IN THE ARCHDIOCESE EVENTS.
St. Clare CJPC has also been very active in participating in various events and programs organized by the Archdiocese CJPC. The following are some of the activities and programs that we have participated as a team or sent representatives to represent the group.
- Taking part in a tree planting event marking World Environment Day,
- Attending Nairobi County Conference in April.
- Taking part in a Public Participation on Anti-corruption Bill 2019.
- Jointly with IEBC participating in a walk show sensitization on a free, fair, credible and transparent election process in Kenya in June.
- Attending a Human Trafficking seminar at Cardinal Otunga in June.
- Attending climate change and ozone layer workshop in June.
At St. Clare CJPC our Motto is “Justice for All” aiming to ensure that all Christians and communities experience peaceful coexistence and Justice for all. Blessings!
St. Clare CJPC Gallery
Catholic Justice & Peace Commission-Ruaraka Deanery 