St. Mary Magdalene

About St. Mary Magdalene

  • Mary Magdalene is one of the greatest Saints of the Bible and a legendary example of God’s mercy and grace.
  • Jesus cleansed her of seven demons (Luke 8:2 and Mark 16:9).
  • She is popularly referred to as Mary of Magdala, having come from the fishing town of Magdala.
  • She never abandoned Jesus at the hour of mortal danger. Even when all the men left, Mary of Magdala was one of the women who stayed with him, to the Crucifixion.
  • She witnessed crucifixion and burial of Jesus. John 19:25–26 further notes that she stood by the cross, near the virgin Mary and the unidentified apostle whom Jesus loved.
  • She was there when Joseph of Arimathea was placing the body of Jesus in the sepulcher, which was closed with a stone.
  • She was the first person to see the resurrected Christ (Mark 16:9–10 and John 20:14–17).
  • She was one of the women who accompanied and aided Jesus in Galilee (Luke 8:1–2)
  • St. Thomas Aquinas gave Mary Magdalene the title “Apostle of the Apostles” because it was Mary who was first sent to announce the Resurrection of Christ to the other disciples.

Key Lessons from St. Mary Magdalene

In all cases of Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Christ, we learn that there’s no greater joy than to be in the presence of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. The following lessons can be drawn from this passionate journey of St. Mary Magdalene and Christ: –

  • Serving God is never in vain.
  • Persistence in the walk with Jesus.
  • Jesus gives the ultimate peace of mind.
  • God loves and uses women to spread the Gospel.
  • Do not be afraid of what others may think, simply follow Jesus.
  • The past does not matter in serving Christ.
  • Jesus Calls You by Name.
  • Deflated hopes should not keep you down. You can rise again.
  • Seek First the Kingdom of Heaven.
  • It takes courage to follow Christ.
  • God does not play favouritism.
  • Keep the Sabbath Day.
  • God can cleanse us of our sins.
MODERATOR

JM Ogada

About Mary Magdalene Small Christian Community

Vision

To be an exemplary Small Christian Community of prayer and dedication to Christ, perpetually nourished by the word of God, guided by the Holy Spirit as we witness to one another God’s presence in our lives.

Mission

To provide an environment that enables sharing of prayer, faith, spirituality, and giving witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ as we strengthen our bonds, enabling each other to experience the loving presence of the Risen Lord.

Core Values

As Mary Magdalene SCC, we subscribe to 9 interdependent Core Values:

  • Concern for one another (1 Corinthians 12:24-25)
  • Love for one another (John 13:34-35)
  • Encourage and build one another (Thessalonians 5:11)
  • Confess sins to one another (James 5:16)
  • Pray for one another (James 5:16)
  • Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32)
  • Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
  • Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)
  • Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)

Current Leadership

Moderator – Maurice Juma Ogada

Vice Moderator – Daniel Kuria

Secretary – Judith Sarange

Vice Secretary – Rose Wagura

Treasurer –  Elias Kipchumba

There are also Jumuiya members serving the Church in different Leadership Positions:

  • Tabitha Kariuki, serving as Secretary of CWA at St. John the Baptists, Katua and Vice Secretary of CWA at the Parish
  • Mrs Serah Muchunga, serving as Vice Moderator of CWA at St. John the Baptist, Katua
  • Grace Wairimu, serving as CWA representative and Sunday School Teacher
  • Dan Kuria, serving also as Lectors.

Current Members of St. Mary Magdalene SCC

  1. Benard Nyariki
  2. Caroline Kamene
  3. Charity Teclah
  4. Christine Nyaga
  5. Dan Kuria
  6. Fred Mogiri
  7. Elias Kipchumba
  8. Jacinta Waweru
  9. Fred Kerama
  10. Maurice Ogada
  11. Grace Wairimu
  12. Mary Ndungu
  13. John Njoroge
  14. Pauline Ndungu
  15. Martin Karuri
  16. Patrick Mathai
  17. Nicholas Muchunga
  18. Walter Mbata
  19. Peter Maina
  20. Rose Wagura
  21. Tabitha Kariuki
  22. Ernest Odhiambo
  23. Elizabeth Kiama

Note: Although the SCC has 22 families, geographically, only about 50% are consistently active.

Brief History of St. Mary Magdalene SCC

St. Mary Magdalene SCC was formed on 20th April, 2008 from St. Veronica. The first group of Leaders were:

Chairman – Nicholas Muchunga

Vice Chairman – Regina Wambua/Stephen Warutumo

Secretary – Caroline Kamene

Vice Secretary – Stellamaries Kilonzi

Treasurer –  Mary Nthenya/Serah Muchunga/ Grace Ndirangu

Milestones in the tenure of the first leadership:

  • Jumuiya membership grew 
  • Three people got baptised and started receiving Holy Communion
  • Two children were baptised 

The second group of leaders was elected on 25th April, 2010 and the office bearers were as follows:

Chairman – Grace Ndirangu 

Vice Chairman – Stephen Warutumo

Secretary – Jane Kinuthia/Christine Wanjiku

Vice Secretary – Stellamaries Kilonzi

Treasurer –  Nicholas Muchunga/Rose Otieno

In April, 2013, the Jumuiya held its Third Elections and the following were elected:

Chairman – Isaac Mwaniki

Vice Chairman – Grace Ndirangu

Secretary – Christine Wanjiku

Vice Secretary – Esther Kimani

Treasurer –  Rose Otieno

Growth in membership would later lead to creation of more SCC, leading to split of Mary Magdalene into 3: St. Mary Magdalene, St. Mary Cleophas and St. Mary Salome, popularly known as the MARIES. Thus, from 26th July, 2015, the new St. Mary Magdalene had the following leadership:

Chairman – Peter Maina

Vice Chairman – Isaac Mwaniki

Secretary – Tabitha Kariuki

Vice Secretary – Jackline Ndanu

Treasurer –  Esther Kimani

Liturgy – Irene Nyamweya

The above team served until 13th January, 2019 when a new team was elected and the title “Chairman” being changed to “Moderator”. The new leaders were as follows: 

Moderator – Nicholas Muchunga

Vice Moderator – Evans Rotich

Secretary – Carolyne Lwangasi

Vice Secretary – Dorcas Munyi

Treasurer –  Pascaline Mwaniki

Liturgy – Esther Kimani

Ass. Liturgy – Irene Nyamweya

In June, 2022, St. Mary Magdalene would be further split to create St. Charles Lwanga and St. Antony of Padua. Other members of St. Mary Magdalene were also reassigned to St. Mary Cleophas. The interim Officials served until April, 2023 when the current Office bearers took over.

In 2024, the SCC received new members:

  • Rose Wagura 
  • Ernest Odhiambo 
  •  Mr and Mrs Mutua 

At the same time Dorcus Munyi and Madam Joan left the Jumuiya. One child was baptised in the same
period.

The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene 

Pope Francis elevated the memory of Mary Magdalene to the status of Festivity on 22 July, 2016 in order to stress the importance of this faithful disciple of Christ. Our SCC, therefore, has celebrated the Feast of Mary Magdalene since 2008 except in Covid-19 period. The specific dates and venues of previous celebrations are summarized below.

Our petitions on this St. Mary Magdalene Feast Day

  • Increased number of Holy Matrimony Sacrament in the Jumuiya 
  • Increased participation of youth and men in Jumuiya meetings 
  • Good health of members and their families 
  • Winning more souls to Christ 

Prayer of St. Mary Magdalene 

O God, whose Only Begotten Son entrusted Mary Magdalene before all others with announcing the
great joy of the Resurrection, grant, we pray, that, through her intercession and example, we may
proclaim the living Christ and come to see Him reigning in your glory.