Lodwar Catholic Diocese has celebrated its 2026 Diocesan Family Day, with church leaders urging Christians to embrace unity, generosity and shared responsibility in strengthening the Church's mission.
The celebrations, held under the theme “The Vine and Its Branches,” brought together clergy, religious groups, youth organisations and faithful from across the diocese.
Choir members, youth groups, the Catholic Women's Association (CWA), Catholic Men's Association (CMA), Missionary Youth Movement (MYM) and Pontifical Missionary Childhood (PMC) lined the procession route as His Grace Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba arrived to preside over the celebrations.
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The Mass was concelebrated by Rt. Rev. John Mbinda, Rt. Rev. Henry Juma, Rt. Rev. John Lelei and Rt. Rev. Vincent Ouma Odundo, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Kisumu.
In his homily, Bishop Vincent urged the faithful to recognise God's blessings and appreciate their place within the wider diocesan family.
“Each one of you has a reason to thank God,” he said, encouraging Christians to see themselves as members of one family, beginning with Small Christian Communities and extending through parishes to the diocese.
Drawing from the Gospel teaching of the vine and its branches, the bishop called on Christians to remain rooted in Christ and work together in harmony.
He explained that when every member of the Church, young and old, plays their part, the diocese becomes stronger and is better positioned to bear fruit through its pastoral and humanitarian activities.
The faithful were also encouraged to support the diocese through cheerful and generous giving, with the bishop emphasising the importance of collective responsibility in advancing the Church's mission.
Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, who also chairs the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), highlighted the impact of collective contributions by revealing that Lodwar Diocese had given KSh800,000 towards further development of the National Marian Shrine in Subukia.
He also noted that deaneries and parishes continue to nurture values of love, sharing and unity within the diocese.
Following the Mass, Immaculate Conception Shrine remained lively with songs, dances and cultural performances.
The celebrations also provided an opportunity for church leaders and the faithful to reflect on their shared responsibility in supporting the diocese through financial contributions.
The 2026 Family Day Mass was animated by the Northern Deanery, while the Central Deanery is expected to animate next year's celebration.