Welcome Fr Amos Ruto and Fr Vitalis Barasa

ST John’s parish and the people of Tralee recently welcomed Fr. Amos Ruto and Fr Vitalis Barasa to the diocese. Both are from the Diocese of Kitale in western Kenya. They will be working in the Kerry Diocese for the next three years. They will be based in St John’s parish for a year of induction and familiarisation. The priests have been here just a few months and are already enjoying life learning about Ireland and its history. Their visit is seen very much as a gift from a younger church to an older, established church, in the sense that both priests will gain a wider understanding of the Church in Ireland.

Fr Amos and Fr Vitalis share their ambitions and motivations;

“Coming to Ireland is going to be an opportunity for me to see this beautiful country where most of the missionaries (St. Patrick’s Missionary Society and others) who evangelised many Dioceses in my country, came from.

The community here have been very good to me. They have welcomed and encouraged me and I now feel it is like a home away from home. For the short period of time I have been here I have witnessed a very strong and committed Christian community. I believe that it is through the daily prayers of the people that the Church in Ireland continues to stand firm”, says Fr. Amos.

On my arrival, I was overwhelmed by the reception I received. Irish people are exemplary and wonderful. This gave me the courage to face this new experience in my life. There is great Faith; and I must acknowledge that the support I am receiving is incredible.” I am happy to be part of this great family of St. John’s Parish; the priests, Christians, and entire community of Tralee and Kerry Diocese as a whole’ said Fr. Vitalis.