Kenya Lenten Campaign Training Manual for Small …cjpckenya.org/userfiles/Lenten Handbook...

Kenya Lenten Campaign Training Manual for Small Christian Communities

Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund

Kenya Lenten CampaignTraining Manual for

Small Christian Communities

Lenten Campaign Programme

Produced by:Catholic Justice and Peace CommissionKenya Episcopal Conference - Catholic SecretariatP.O. Box 13475 - 00800Nairobi, KenyaTel: +254 4441112 / 4443133-5Email: [email protected]: www.cjpckenya.org

www.catholicchurch.or.ke

Printing & Design byAcken Media ServicesP.O. Box 29276-00625Nairobi, KenyaTel: +254 722 338801


ContentsAcknowledgement ......................................................................................................................... iPreface ......................................................................................................................................... ii

Background ............................................................................................ 1

Purpose of the Manual .......................................................................... 2

Section I: Lent in the Catholic Church ................................................... 31.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 31.2 What is Lent? .................................................................................................................... 31.3 The Season of Lent ......................................................................................................... 41.4 What is Ash Wednesday? .............................................................................................. 51.5 Why is Lenten Season 40 days? .................................................................................. 61.6 What is the Kenya Lenten Campaign? ...................................................................... 61.7 Why the Kenya Lenten Campaign? ........................................................................... 6

Section II: Lenten Contribution ............................................................. 82.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 82.2 Lent and Alms-giving ..................................................................................................... 82.3. About Kenya Lenten Campaign Contribution ...................................................... 92.4. How is the money used? ........................................................................................... 102.5.Lenten Campaign Activities ....................................................................................... 112.6. Reflection Questions ................................................................................................... 11

Section III: Lenten Campaign Training for SCC .................................. 123.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 123.2. Aim .................................................................................................................................... 123.3. Objective ......................................................................................................................... 123.4 Definition of Lenten Campaign and Advocacy .................................................. 123.5 Procedure for Developing Lenten or Advocacy Campaign ............................ 133.6 Elements of a successful Lenten Campaign or Advocacy ............................... 143.7 How to start and structure Lenten Campaign ...................................................... 153.8 What do you need for Lenten Campaign Training .............................................. 173.9 The Lenten Campaign Poster .................................................................................... 183.10 The Lenten Campaign Booklet ............................................................................... 19

References ................................................................................... 21


AcknowledgementOn behalf of the Kenya Episcopal Conference-Catholic Justice and Peace CommissionI wish to acknowledge all those who dedicated their valuable time and skills toproduce this Lenten Campaign Training Manual for Small Christian Communities.

Special thanks go to Catholic Justice and Peace Executive Committee, the staff BeatriceOdera (Ag. National Executive Secretary), Jane Marine (former National ExecutiveSecretarY), Martin Omwange (lead researcher), Regina Opondo, Stephen Kadenyo,Margaret Maithya, Constance Ikhabi and Isaiah Mulehi who devotedly put in theirefforts in different areas that enabled the completion of the task.

I further extend my gratitude to Ms. Mary Wambaria who took her time to edit thismanual and the CJPC theological advisors Rev. Fr. Peter Gichure

Rev. Fr. Paulino Mondo and Rev. Fr. Joseph Healey for their expertise and contributiontowards the development of this manual.

I wish to thank Fastenopfer (Swiss Lenten Campaign) for their kind and generoussupport towards the production of this manual.

Very Rev. Fr. Vincent WambuguSecretary GeneralKenya Episcopal Conference

iKenya Lenten Campaign Training Manual for Small Christian Communities

PrefaceLent is a time for self-examination and to let go of all traces of selfishness. That is whythe Church encourages almsgiving and being one another’s keeper. In almsgiving,we encounter Christ in his word and the sacraments manifest themselves in concreteworks of mercy.

The Lenten process of conversion is designed “to free our hearts every day from thepreoccupation of material things, from a self-centred relationship with the ‘world’that impoverishes us and prevents us from being available and open to God and ourneighbour”.

Through fasting, almsgiving and prayer, “Lent teaches us how to live the love of Christin an ever more radical way.” First, fasting helps people overcome selfishness andself-centeredness; second, almsgiving is a reminder of the sharing that should markeach day of a Christian’s life; and third, time dedicated to prayer is a reminder thattime belongs to God and his desire is for people to spend eternity with him.

The Catholic Church in Kenya recognizing the noble responsibility of Christians to bemindful of their brothers and sisters, reminds us annually in her Lenten Campaign topray, fast, and give alms to the Church and the poor. During the period of Lent, theChurch also asks her Christians to be advocates for one another through the LentenCampaign. Through Lenten Campaign, the Church advocates for promotion of HumanDignity and Common Good.

This manual will therefore provide information for the Small Christian Communitieson Lent and the Lenten Campaign. This is in recognition that the future of the CatholicChurch will be one built from the grassroots. This will be possible through the existenceof Small Christian Communities and realization of the Church as a Family Modelcommunity of believers which reflects the ecclesiology of communion of Vatican II.

The Most Rev. Zacchaeus OkothChairman Catholic Justice and Peace Commission

ii Kenya Lenten Campaign Training Manual for Small Christian Communities

1Kenya Lenten Campaign Training Manual for Small Christian Communities

Background Information

The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) was established in 1988 as theexecutive arm of the Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC) on matters of peace andjustice. The CJPC works to fulfil one of KEC objectives, that is, to promote justice andchallenge oppressive structures in society.

CJPC’s broad mandate is to sensitise individuals, communities, and the whole nationon justice, peace and reconciliation issues and their respective roles and duties inaddressing peace development, evangelization, governance, human advancementand human rights.

Some programmes that CJPC undertakes include;

Governance And DemocracyPeace Building and Conflict Resolution.Lenten Campaign.Transformative Civic Education

ObjectivesThe objectives of the Justice and Peace Commission as set out in the CATHOLICJUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION Pastoral Letter of 1988 are:

1.To work for the eradication of injustice wherever it is seen to exist, by

a) Analysing the situation in the light of the Gospel. b) Planning relevant steps and action in order to contribute to their solutions. c) Issuing official communiqués as to the stand of the Catholic Church in Kenya.

2. Advice, encourage and support the diocesan CJPC and other groups involved injustice and peace issues.

3. To cooperate with other institutions, churches and peoples in the spirit of ChristianUnity.

4. To approve the contents of formation on programmes and Lenten campaign 5. To discuss and make decisions on publications of the social teachings of the

Church in order to make them available in simple format and language

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The Purpose of the Manual

This manual is primarily intended to highlight basic information on Lent and theLenten Campaign. The manual also captures the spirit and focus of Lent and theLenten Campaign. The manual will cater for the spiritual welfare of the CatholicJustice and Peace Commissioners as they evangelize and animate Small ChristianCommunities especially during the Lenten period.

This manual is a tool to equip Catholics with knowledge about the Lenten Campaignand enable them to advocate for issues that affect the local communities throughoutthe country. The document will enable the CJPC diocesan Coordinators, Deaneries,Parishes, Small Christian Communities and individuals to understand how the LentenCampaign is conducted.

The manual aims to provide Catholic Justice and Peace Commissioners, with flexibletraining suggestions and material to support and enhance their efforts in LentenCampaign.

More specifically, the manual aims to achieve the following goals:

1. Provide ideas and resources for effective Lent and Lenten Campaign training;

2. Provide interactive materials that cover the basic conceptual dimensions of Lentand the Lenten Campaign;

3. Provide trainers with flexible but credible Catholic based options that allow themto tailor training to fit participants’ needs and their local context.

It is therefore expected that during Lent, Catholic Christians will turn their attentionto spiritual wellbeing and that of our neighbours more than any other season.


3Kenya Lenten Campaign Training Manual for Small Christian Communities

Section I: Lent in the Catholic Church

1.1 IntroductionAccording to the Catholic Church Liturgical calendar, Lent is one of the most importantseasons in the life of a Christian. This module introduces you to what is Lent, the Lentperiod, the significance of the Lenten period, what is Ash Wednesday and why weget ashes on our forehead on Ash Wednesday and why the Lenten season is 40 days.

1.1.1 AimThis module aims at equipping you with advocacy skills and knowledge which youcan apply in your justice and peace work.

1.1.2 Objectives

By the end of this module you should be able to

i) Define what is Lent;ii) Know the significance of the Lenten season;iii) What is Ash Wednesday and why we get ashes on our forehead on Ash

Wednesday; andiv) What is the context of the Kenya Lenten Campaign?

1.2 What is Lent?Lent, derived from the word Lenten, meaningspringtime - is a period of fasting, prayer, andpenitence before Easter. There is biblicalsupport for doing penance, but the season ofLent, like all Catholic liturgical seasons,developed over time.

In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesdayto Palm Sunday (Sundown).

1.2.1 The Lent period

The Lent period takes forty days from Ash Wednesday. Forty days fast are discussed inthe bible. These fasts mirror the Christian tradition and include those of Jesus, Mosesand Elijah. Specifically:

a) In the Old Testament, Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the tablets ofstone; the tablets of the covenant which the LORD made with the Israelites.

ReflectionWhich day does Lent begin?

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He stayed on the mountain for fortydays and forty nights. Moses neitherate bread nor drank water(Deuteronomy 9:9).

b) Elijah went to Mount Horeb and spentforty days and forty nights without taking food (1 Kings 19:8-9).

c) In the New Testament, Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness andfasted for forty days and forty nights (Matt 4:1-2).

What is common with Moses, Elijah and Jesus is that they did not eat at all for fortydays although Moses did not drink anything either.

Therefore in determining this period of forty days, the example of Moses, Elijah, andChrist must have exercised a predominant influence.

1.2.2 Significance of the Lent Period

The traditional purpose of Lent is to prepare the faithful — through prayer, repentance,giving of alms and self-denial. In other words it is an annual commemoration duringthe Holy Week, of the Death andResurrection of Jesus, which recalls theevents, linked to the Passion of Christ andculminates in Easter, the celebration ofthe Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Pope Leo the Great exhorts the faithfulto use Lent as a time to fight against thetemptations of the flesh and overcomethe self, that they might participate fullyin the Easter feast (Sermon XXXIX: onLent, I).

1.3.1 The Season of LentMany Catholics were taught as childrento “give up something” for Lent. Thesacrifices in Lent are really penance, inthe same spirit as the Ninevites whorepented after Jonah’s preaching.

Throughout history, Christians have considered prayer, fasting, and giving of alms asan important part of repentance and renewal. Today many Christians address issuessuch as personal habits which require rectification during lent, instead of giving upsomething. They may also reach out to the needy. It should be noted that even

ReflectionHow long does the Lent periodtake?

Lent is a period of forty days of fasting,prayer and penitence before Easter.

In Christian tradition, Lent is the periodof liturgical year from Ash Wednesdayto Easter.

Lent activities include:i. Prayerii. Repentanceiii. Almsgiving and Self-denial

The biblical support for the 40 days ofLent include Moses’ 40 days in themountain (Deut. 9:9), Elijah (1 Kings19:8-9) and Jesus in the wilderness(Matt.4:1-2).


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though it is not mandatory to “give up” something during lent doing nothing at allwould be really tragic.

The observance of Lent is related to the celebration of Easter. Traditionally, Lentbegins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. The season of Lentand preparation for Easter is marked by spiritual and liturgical catechumens beforethey are baptized in Easter.

During this period, the Church encourages her faithful from the age of 14 years toabstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday during Lent. Fasting is to beobserved on Ash Wednesday by all Catholics between 18 and 59 years of age. Thefaithful are expected to take only one full meal a day and two smaller meals ifnecessary to maintain strength. However, this depends on an individual’s need. Eatingsolid foods between meals is strictly prohibited the special Paschal fast and abstinenceare prescribed for Good Friday and also encouraged during Holy Saturday.

Through fasting, giving of alms and prayer the Church observes Lent from AshWednesday until the evening of Holy Thursday. The faithful and the catechumensshould strictly observe these three traditions. Failure to observe penitential days is torebel against the teachings of the church.

1.4 What is Ash Wednesday?In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent that marks thebeginning of the season of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on EasterSunday. In the Gospel of Saint Matthew we read:

“Woe to you, Chorazin Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyreand Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackclothand ashes” (Matthew 11:21).

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in the Catholic Church. It is the seasonof preparation for the celebration of Easter which is the climax of the holy season ofChristendom. In order to adequately prepare for Easter, repentance of sins is necessary.Ash Wednesday is always 46 days before Easter despite the fact that Lent comprisesof forty days. This is because the six Sundays of every week are not considered as partof Lent.


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1.4.1 Why do we get Ashes on Ash Wednesday?

The first Scriptural reference to ashes is found in the Book of II Samuel13:19. It readsas follows:

“And she (Tamar) put ashes on her head, and rent her long robe and laid her handsupon her head, and went on crying aloud as she went.”

Ashes are a symbol of repentance. Placing ashes on the forehead is prominentlysaying to everyone “I am sorry for having offended our Lord.” As the minister makesa mark with ashes on your forehead he says “repent and believe in the Gospel”. Thisserves as a reminder to us that we are sinners and in need of repentance.

1.5 Why is the Lenten Season 40 days?Throughout the history of the people of God, the number 40 has been very important.In some cases it refers to years while in others it refers to days. There are manyimportant events in the bible characterized by the number 40. For example, Mosesand the Israelites wandered for 40 years in the desert as they got ready to possess thePromised Land. In the time of Noah, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights so as tocleanse the earth of sin. Even Jesus the sinless Son of God fasted 40 days beforeembarking on his public ministry. Therefore, the significance of the number 40 isattributed to Jesus’ Jewish ancestry. Consequently, it has become an important aspectof our Christian heritage.

1.6 What is the Kenya Lenten Campaign?Lenten is period or a season for Christians to prepare for Easter. A campaign is a setof messages packaged as, either newsletters or follow-ups sent out to a particulargroup of people. In each campaign, there aretwo types of messages: newsletters (one-time messages sent on a specific date) andfollow-ups (can be through an automatedsequence of messages sent after each personjoins the list of recipients. Additionally, it mayinvolve revisiting the topics in physical groupslike in the parishes and Small ChristianCommunities. Lenten Campaign thereforelike any other campaign, can be defined as a set of activities organized by the CatholicChurch in Kenya during Lent to advocate for peace, justice and promotion of humandignity. This move seeks to transform communities by getting people to perform actsof charity, reflect on real life issues plaguing our society today and advocate forpositive social change.

Kenya Lenten Campaign is aset of activities that are organized

to create awareness to Kenyanpeople on particular issues

affecting the society.


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The Catholic Church Lenten Campaign in Kenya is a programme of the Kenya EpiscopalConference-Catholic Justice and Peace Commission. Like any other programme injustice and peace, it has been a useful advocacy tool for justice and peace in Kenya.The programme’s mandate is drawn from the “JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION-Pastoral Letter of Bishops of Kenya”, which was promulgated in 1988. Through thisPastoral Letter, the Justice and Peace Commission became the executive organ ofthe Kenya Episcopal Conference for all issues that touch on justice and peace. One ofthe major objectives as set out in the Pastoral Letter, National Justice and PeaceCommission is to “approve the concept of formation of programmes and LentenCampaign (cf. PL 10a). The efforts towards the realization of this mandate form thebasis of the development of this manual.

1.7 Why the Kenya Lenten Campaign?

In the spiritual mood of Lent, the Catholic Church in Kenya thought it is important toinform the public of problems affecting society and advocate for change. Throughthe Lenten Campaign, the Catholic Bishops call all Christians and people of goodwillto join them in addressing these problems and advocate for change. By joining theBishops in advocacy, individual efforts, our small voices becomes much louder andeach individual’s action is multiplied.


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Section II: Lenten Contribution

2.1 IntroductionIn the season of Lent, the Catholic Church calls her faithful to be in fellowship andsolidarity with their brothers and sisters who are less fortunate and support the Church.This can be done through self denial and alms giving among other means.

2.1.1 Aim

This module aim is to equip you with knowledge of Lenten Campaign spirituality,prayer, reflection, financial and material contribution and finally fundraising

2.1.2 Objectives

By the end of this module participants should understand

i) What is Lent, fasting, prayer and alms giving;ii) How Kenyan Lenten Campaign contribution is done;iii) How funds raised through Lenten contribution are utilized; andiv) Lenten Campaign activities

2.2 Lent and Alms-givingLent is a time of deep prayer, special reflection of the suffering of Jesus Christ, a callto repentance and conversion, self-denial and penance; but it is also a time offellowship and solidarity (Pope Paul VI, 1973). In reference to the Holy Scriptures, thebook of prophet Isaiah 58:6,7; guides us on what we should do in regard to Liturgy ofLent. It reads:

“This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: …sharing your bread with the hungry, shelteringthe oppressed and the homeless; clothing thenaked when you see them, and not turningyour back on your own”.

These exhortations echo the anxieties of theneedy people today. Each individual should truly share in the sufferings and misery ofall as a sign that Christ is the guide. Alms-giving and the gift of self should not beisolated and occasional acts, but the expression of brotherly union (Pope Paul VI,1973). This should be done in response to the awareness of the need to take collectiveresponsibility for the evil that weigh down mankind. Lent puts the faithful on their

Alms-giving and the gift of selfshould not be isolated and

occasional acts, but theexpression of brotherly union

(Pope Paul VI, 1973)


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guard against every form of waste, and urges them to make a united effort. Our efforttowards giving of alms as Christians should be informed by the Gospel of Mt. 25:35-36: “For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; …naked and you clothed me”. This appeal of Christ concerns every Christian. In doingthis as Christians we promote the human dignity of persons in need of our help. As acommunity of Christians, our sole responsibility today is to encourage commitmentand direct action to solve the problems affecting mankind.

In many countries Lent is the occasion for organized action by the Church. She asksevery individual to contribute materially towards the complete development of all.Providing the means needed for this human progress is an important task, and wehope that such efforts will be intensified, in a spirit of genuine sharing. Considerablesums of money are needed for various programmes and projects and the amountrequired can only be obtained if each individual makes his/her contribution. Eachperson even the children are expected to give according to their ability and shouldmake conscious effort to accomplish this.

2.3 About Kenya Lenten Campaign ContributionThe Lenten Campaign contribution is a national annual contribution made by theCatholic faithful and other well wishers. The program began in 1988 as a project ofthe Kenya Episcopal Conference, under the Catholic Justice and Peace Commissionin response to the social, political and economic injustices that plagued Kenya.

For about 25 years, Lenten Campaign contributions has offered Catholics and otherChristian communities in Kenya at both Parishes and Diocese levels in Kenya anopportunity to grow in faith and be aware of their social obligations, responsibilitiesand rights. At national level, the Lenten Contribution is being used to develop andpublish booklets and posters and create awareness of certain issues that affect Kenyaas a society. The issues range from peace, justice, environment, good governance,reconciliation among others.

2.3.1 How to Contribute

The Lenten Campaign contribution is made possible through the support of individualChristians and their support at the Small Christian Communities, and Parish levels andother citizens of good will. Different dioceses apply different fundraising strategiesto collect the Lenten Contributions. These include:

a) Use of the Family Packs

Family packs this can be a small box or a container where a family collects all theproceeds that the family members sacrifice during the Lenten period. At the end of


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the 40 days the family can then give the money collected to the Small ChristianCommunity treasurer or give it direct to the parish on the day the diocese/parishorganize to collect the Lenten proceeds.

b) Weekly Second Collection during Lenten Period at Parish and Outstations

In some Dioceses and Parishes, they organize for the second collection so thatChristians can give to the parish whatever they have sacrificed within the week. Thisis done for a period of 40 days and collection is done within the five Sundays of Lent.

c) Weekly Collection at Small Christian Communities

In some Parishes and Dioceses, the Christians collect Lenten Campaign contributionweekly basis when they meet in Small Christian Communities. In return the SmallChristian Communities hand in the money to the parish weekly or after the end ofthe five weeks of Lent.

d) Use of envelopes

The use of envelopes is common in many Parishes and Dioceses. These are envelopesgiven to families or individuals during lent for purposes of Lenten Campaign collections.They can be ordinary envelopes or special envelopes printed by the Parish or Diocesewith Parish/Diocese logo.

e) Use of exercise books to record what the family sacrifices in the period of Lent.This can be in form of food stuff or money.

f) Asking corporate organizations to contribute

Lenten Campaign contribution can beextended to corporate organization to seeksupport of particular projects at the Parish orDiocese level. The campaign can targetparticular organization with interest in socialdevelopment.

2.4 How is the MoneyContributed Used?

The Kenya Episcopal Conference in thePlenary held in 1991 passed a resolution onhow the Lenten Campaign was to becoordinated and animated. In the minutes ofthis plenary, the Catholic Bishops of Kenya

The total amount of Lenten Cam-paign Contribution is shared inthree third.

1/3-Remains at the parish to sup-port CJPC parish activities

1/3-Diocese to support the dio-cese activities CJPC activities

1/3-Kenya Episcopal Conference-Catholic Justice and Peace Com-mission in preparation for NationalLenten Campaign activities


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agreed that Lenten Contribution animation should be done at the Diocese level. Onthe proceeds of Lenten Contribution, the plenary resolved that they will be divided inthree equal portions. The first third should remain at the parish to support the CatholicJustice and Peace Commission Parish activities and formation of Christians on theSocial Teaching of the Catholic Church. The second one goes to the Diocese tosupport the Diocese activities while the remaining portion goes to the national officeof the Kenya Episcopal Conference-Catholic Justice and Peace Commission to supportthe development and production of Lenten Campaign Information, Education andCommunication (IEC) materials.

2.5 Lenten Campaign ActivitiesAt the Parish Level, the Lenten Campaign activities can include but not limited tothe following:

1. The funds can support the CJPC formation activities at the parish level2. Helping the needy persons in our Parishes especially those affected by social

and political injustices3. Support needy children in paying school fees.

At the diocese level, the Diocese can decide on how to use the fundsto support theLenten Campaign and CJPC activities. This can sometimes include supporting theCJPC diocese meetings as well as implementing community well fare projects forthe needy people in the society.

At National level, Lenten Campaign contribution that is submitted to the nationaloffice-CJPC is used in the following ways:

1. Holding Lenten evaluation, general and planning meetings annually2. Designing and Printing Lenten Campaign IEC materials3. Distributing the IEC materials4. Supporting the launch of Lenten Campaign annually5. If the funds can be improved even bigger projects like supporting the needy,

providing clean water in arid and disadvantaged areas can be undertaken.

2.6 Reflection Questions1. How do you animate the Lenten contribution as a Diocese?2. What are some of the challenges experienced in animating Lenten Campaign

contributions?3. How do you account for the Lenten contribution at the Small Christian

Communities, Parishes, Diocese and national levels?


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Section III: Lenten Campaign Trainingfor Small Christian Communities

3.1 IntroductionIn this module, you will be exposed to skills and knowledge giving information onLenten Campaign as an advocacy tool. Specifically, you will learn how to use theLenten Campaign Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials to createawareness and for advocacy during the Lenten period.

3.2 AimThe aim of this Module is to equip you with advocacy skills and knowledge which youcan apply in your justice and peace work.

3.3 ObjectivesBy the end of this module, participants should be able to

i. Define the term Lenten Campaign/advocacy;ii. Explain and illustrate the procedures for carrying out Lenten Campaign or

advocacy;iii. List and illustrate elements of a successful Lenten Campaign or advocacy;iv. Explain and illustrate how to use Lenten Campaign IEC material to carry out

an advocacy campaign;v. Explain and illustrate the procedure for monitoring and evaluating an

advocacy campaign;vi. Monitor and evaluate an advocacy campaign

3.4 Definition of Lenten Campaign and AdvocacyLenten Campaign is a people centred strategy or set of organized actions used bythe Catholic Church towards social transformation and the realization of human rightsand common good, through influencing public policies, socio-political change andchange in societal attitude.

Advocacy is a process aimed at promoting a particular cause of actions by achievinga specific policy change. It involves a set of organized and planned actions aimed atinfluencing decision, abrogating or enforcing a law, policy or a budget.


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3.5 Procedure for Developing Lenten Campaign or AdvocacyCampaign

Lenten Campaign or advocacy development needs an individual or a group to firsthave knowledge of issues you ought to advocate for in a particular context. Therefore,it is important for each Small Christian Community and the Church at large to:

a) To be clear about the problem on which you are advocatingi) Make sure your advocacy campaign concerns something you feel strongly

about;ii) Be sure you are doing more than just treating the symptoms; andiii) Advocacy is about changing a situation

b) Develop a set of goals and objectivesi) Consider what you can realistically do about the problem; andii) Move beyond emotion to a planned goal and objectives

c) Identify the target for your advocacyi) Be clear about who the target of your advocacy campaign is. It should be a

person or persons not an organization;ii) Consider who has the power/authority to make the changes that you are

looking for; andiii) Consider in advance how you have access to such people.

d) Identify other groups who are affected, or could be affected throughyour advocacy campaign (positively or negatively)i) Think through who will benefit and who will be negatively affected by your

campaign;ii) Consider who else might be on your side to support your campaign; andiii) Consider in advance who might object to your campaign and what you can do

to neutralize that objection.

e) Formulate the message for the mediai) Make sure your audience is clearly defined;ii) Make sure that your message is appropriate for the intended audience; andiii) Make sure that the medium you choose to deliver your message is appropriate

for your intended audience.


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3.6 Elements of a Successful Lenten Campaign or AdvocacyAdvocacy can be effectively practised at the grassroots levels and using simplesttools. However, most advocacy issues tend to be complex, especially those mattersrelating to influencing government policies. This requires in-depth analysis of concreteproblem in order to identify its possible cause of actions.

Lenten Campaign to be successful, the clergy must be involved in interpreting thetheme of Lenten Campaign. This could be done through animation of Small ChristianCommunities and to give homilies on the themes of the campaign during theirmasses in Lent.

There are several elements that characterize a successful advocacy strategy:

a) Existence of a problem

No advocacy is possible or necessary without an existing problem. Some problemsare straight forward. But not all problems are simple or apparent. There is oftenconsiderable confusion over issues; and problems. For example low literacy is anissue, but the problem could be that of low enrolment, high dropout rates, highteacher’s absenteeism, or poor quality of teaching. Of these teacher’s absenteeismmay be resolved through advocacy at the local level, while improving the quality ofteaching may be more of a teacher-training question. Not all problems have theirsolutions in advocacy.

b) Leadership

Leadership is a key element in advocacy. Leadership, particularly of the self-sacrificingtype, has to be in place. But where there is no single clear leadership the problemsarise in terms of several leaders, particularly in a coalition, competing to don themantle.

c) Information

Information is required at two levels: on the problem itself, and on the system.Organizations engaged in advocacy typically rely on field information, which is itselflargely undependable, to frame the argument. Such information, while useful, israrely adequate for effecting policy changes at a macro level. Influencing policymakers requires a broader information base and one that is more rigorous.

Equally important is the understanding of the system:

i) Which is the key decision making body?ii) What are its powers and functions?iii) What are its rules and procedures?


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iv) Who is the key decision maker? Andv) Who has the maximum influence on the decision making? Where/when is

the decision maker most vulnerable?

d) Framing the issue

Framing the issue is another important element of an advocacy strategy. In this regard,an instance of death due to hunger and drought could well be framed as part of alarger problem of increasing food insecurity and poor government policies to protectits citizenry from hunger.

Framing the specific act of food insecurity in terms of the wider problems is importantto secure lasting solutions. For example, when advocating for food security, thedemand should perhaps go beyond calling for immediate response to the hungersituation but pressure the government to put in place structures to ensure foodsecurity and protect human dignity.

e) Setting objectives

This is often a logical next step to the framing issues. Objectives need to beSMART aspossible. Thus to use the example of food insecurity and the immediate response ofthe government to feed the people affected could be a short term objective. But50% reduction in hunger over the next five years could be a long term objective. It isimportant to set short term objectives as people will stay involved if they see that thecampaign is producing some worthwhile and visible results in the short term (6months to 1 year).

3.7 How to Start and Structure Lenten CampaignThe Kenyan Lenten Campaign is an annual activity. It is a national campaign carriedout throughout the country within the Catholic jurisdiction and structures whichinclude the Kenya Episcopal Conference, 25 Diocese and military ordinariate, theParishes, outstations of Parishes and Small Christian Communities which are estimatedto be 40,000. The campaign therefore is carried out at all these levels.

3.7.1 Lenten Campaign at National Level

The campaign at national level is steered by the Catholic Justice and Peace CommissionNational Office. The activities at national level include

i) Formulating and approve Lenten Campaign theme and weekly reflectionaltopics;

ii) Development, printing and distributing the Information, Education andCommunication (IEC) materials;


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iii) National Launch of Lenten Campaign at the beginning of Lenten period;iv) Partnership for Lenten Campaign; andv) Monitoring and Evaluation of Lenten Campaign activities.

3.7.2 Lenten Campaign at Diocese Level

The Dioceses are the organizations with the constituents and targets groups to carryout the message of Lenten Campaign. At the diocese level, Lenten Campaign iscarried out by

i) Launching the campaign at the Diocese;ii) Distributing the Lenten Campaign materials to Parishes;iii) Training the Diocesan Catholic Justice and Peace Commissioners on the content and use of Lenten Campaign materials; andiv) Coordinating Lenten Campaign contributions.

3.7.3 Lenten Campaign at the Parish Level

The parish is a composition of local Churches (Out Stations), prayer houses and SmallChristian Communities. At this level, it is important for the Commissioners at theparish level to launch the Lenten Campaign and distribute the Lenten Campaignmaterials to the outstations, prayer houses and down to the Small ChristianCommunities in the remotest corner of the Parishes. The commissioners or the clergyat the Parish should explain to the Christians the theme of the campaign and theweekly reflection topics. Coordination for Lenten Campaign contribution is done atthe Parish levels with the Parish Priests as the coordinator assisted by the CJPCcommissioners.

3.7.4 Lenten Campaign at Small Christian Communities

Small Christian Community sharing groups, allow us to share our faith with others andto grow together as a community. Using the word of God, prayer, shared experiences,and explorations of faith, these Small Christian Community groups can create smallercommunity that enhances the life of the entire Parish. The Eucharistic Celebration isthe heart of any successful Lenten Campaign

The suggestions that follow come from various guides and descriptions of SmallChristian Community sharing groups and from the experiences of the Small ChristianCommunities in the Kenyan Catholic Church.

This particular guide uses the example of a Small Christian Community gathered toread Scriptures. A Small Christian Community group may form around other faith-sharing practices as well, for example, reading texts about Catholic actions in the


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world and discerning how to replicate the same in our daily lives. The group can alsostudy devotional readings, or examine how particular Church teachings are applicablein today’s world. This is the motivation behind the Catholic Lenten Campaign inKenya at the Small Christian Community level.

3.7.5 The Structure of the Small Christian Community SharingGroups

Organizing Small Christian Community Sharing Groups requires balancing severalfactors: the number of leaders available, the size of the group, the time available forpeople in the group, and the availability of Lenten Campaign materials.

a) Group Leaders

The Small Christian Community should identify some people who can act as leadersof their small groups. The leaders should have special knowledge about the Bible, yetthey should have deep Catholic Faith and knowledge on how to guide small discussiongroups guided by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They must also be willing to share theirunderstanding of what the Scriptures (or your overall topic) mean in their lives and toencourage others in the group to do the same. All Christians should know that noperson is too poor to share something good about Jesus Christ and his good news ofsalvation.

Generally, the Small Christian Community group leader is expected to do the following:

i) Encourage participation and the sharing of the Catholic faith and Lentenweekly reflection

ii) Encourage communal prayer and singingiii) Encourage participants to live out their faith commitments in daily actionsiv) Create an atmosphere of hospitality and trust among the participants

3.8 What do you need for Lenten Campaign Training?

Suggested Teaching and learning resources

The Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials for Lent are developedand shared with the dioceses annually. Therefore, as a trainer you must ensure thatyou have a copy of the poster and booklet of the current year. For effective LentenCampaign training, the leader of a group must ensure s/he has a check list for thefollowing items:

i) The Bibleii) Lenten Campaign Poster


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iii) Lenten Campaign Bookletiv) Any other advocacy material depending on the theme and specific context

in your diocese/parish

3.9 The Lenten Campaign PosterThe Lenten Campaign Poster contains the overall theme of the year and acartoonthat reflects the theme of the year. As a campaign/advocacy tool, the poster shouldbe displayed in an open space for the public to see and read the message. The postercan be displayed on any of the following places:

i) Notice boards in officesii) Notice boards outside in the Parishesiii) On the doors of the Parishesiv) Any other place accessible to the public.

3.9.1 How do you use a poster to teach a Small ChristianCommunity?

A poster has a cartoon. As it is commonly understood, a cartoon can be interpreted tomean many things at the same time. In order to use the poster as an instructionmaterial the leader should

i) Display the poster where it is visible to all the present members.ii) Ask one member to read the theme of the year displayed on the posteriii) Ask the members to critically examine the images on the posteriv) Identify the significance of the images to your society

3.9.3 Reflection on the Poster

The leader of the group should guide the members on how to reflect on the themeand cartoons on the Lenten Campaign poster. This can be done by studying thecartoons, through question and answer sessions. The group leader should show themembers how to share their understanding on the questions below:

1. What message does the theme and cartoon on the poster convey to us as aSmall Christian Community?

2. Does the message conveyed in the poster affect us as a Small ChristianCommunity?

3. What do we need to do as a Small Christian Community as a response to themessage on the poster?

4. How, when and where can we do it?5. What resources do we need?


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Note: This reflection should first focus on how the Small Christian Communitywill benefit as members and then proceed to discuss the kind of support thegroup will give the Catholic Church and the Bishops in Kenya in their questto realize the annual Lenten Campaign goal.

3.10 The Lenten Campaign BookletThe Lenten Campaign booklet is produced annually. The stories in the booklets depictthe current scenarios that affect society and which the Church and her faithful feelrequire immediate attention. The weekly topics are used as a guide to reflection andadvocacy during the period of Lent. Each weekly topic has four sections:

The Cartoons which figuratively illustrate the story of the week,The See- an imaginary story depicting real issues and situations in society,The Judge-a situational analysis of the realities portrayed in the “See” andcartoonsThe Act- reflection questions that guide us on how to deliberate and developconcrete action points on the weekly topic.

3.10.1 How we use the Weekly topics for Advocacy

Once you have the Lenten Campaign booklet in place, you can decide to make moredetailed decisions about how to achieve your Lenten Campaign goals. Some of themost important decisions you will make when implementing Lenten Campaignadvocacy are:

What do you see in the poster?What message is the Lenten Campaign theme and weekly topicscommunicating to the Kenyan public?How will we work as a Christian community to advocate for the issuesaddressed in Lenten Campaign handbook?How will you employ advocacy tactics to achieve your aim?

3.10.2 Suggested Approaches and Methods

Below are a few suggested methods on how to approach the weekly topics. Howeverthe trainer is not limited to them and may come up with other appropriate methodsdepending on the background of the leaders.

(i) Story telling

In the Small Christian Community meeting, the story (see) and judge (situation analysis)should be read loudly. The members then should share what they have heard, read


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and understood from the story. The leader of the group should be able to ask thegroup guiding to stir up questions on what they have heard and understood.

The leader of the group should use the questions in the act part of each weeklyreflection to guide the group to do a reflection on the weekly topic. The followingquestions can be used to help the Small Christian Community to reflect on the realsituation in their context and what action to take to advocate for a particular issue.

What do you think is the main problem being addressed in the story and inthe situation analysis?Does the story reflect what happens in our society today?How can we as a Small Christian Community advocate for the issue the storyis addressing?What are the resources that we need to effectively address the problemidentify in the story in our midst?

(ii) Relevant Lent period songs and hymns

Song and hymns can sometimes be the best means to pass the message of LentenCampaign. People are encouraged to be creative and even compose songs/hymnsor drama on the Lenten Campaign theme and weekly reflections.

(iii) Drama and role play

Drama and role play have things in common. Both involve two or more peopleplaying a role in a story, in which they portray a situation that is fictional but resemblessituations that those watching and taking part might easily find themselves in. It isencouraged therefore to have drama and role play to effectively convey the LentenCampaign message.

iv) Use of videos, pictures and films.

Visualization is a powerful tool that can be used. For example video on celebration ofthe Ash Wednesday, film on Lent period, or any other video or picture that is relevantto the theme of the year or weekly reflection can help participants understand better.

ConclusionAs the mother Church asks us to participate in the Lenten period, it should not beenough to slide through Lent by just observing the fast and abstinence laws. Weshould all undertake a Lenten program, an inward cleansing and purification, foroneself and the family. The program should be planned and organised. Ask thequestion: What shall I and my family do in this year for Lent? Goals and activitiesshould be realistic and reasonable.


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Annotated Bibliography

Books and Articles

Benedict XVI, Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Africa’s Commitment (AfricaeMunus), Nairobi: Pauline Publications Africa, 2011.

Healey, Joseph, “Small Christian Communities: Promoters of Reconciliation, Justiceand Peace in Eastern Africa” in Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator (ed.),Reconciliation, Justice and Peace-the Second Africa Synod. Maryknoll, New York:Orbis Books, 2011.

Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Compendium of the Social Teaching of theChurch. Nairobi: Pauline Publications Africa, 2005.

Internet ResourcesKenya Episcopal Conference Website (especially the Catholic Justice and Peace

Commission page). http://www.catholicchurch.or.ke

Small Christian Communities Global Collaborative Website and “Facebook Page”www.smallchristiancommunities.org

Feltoe, Charles Lett (Trans.). Sermon XXXIX: on Lent, I by Leo the Great, (440-461)http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/fathers/view.cfm?recnum=2215(Accessed on 30th September, 2011).

Pope John VI (1973). Message of His Holiness Paul VI. At http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/messages/lent/documents/hf_p-vi_mes_19730303_lent-1973_en.html. (Accessed on 3rd October 2011).

Lent. The Catholic Encyclopaedia

http://www.imcatholiccool.com


The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI exhorts each member of the Church Family to be “the salt of

the earth” and “the light of the world” (Mt. 5:13-14). “Being so” they should act, through the spirit, for the common good (Post-Synodal

Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus).

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