UGANDA: Catholic Members of Parliament celebrate annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony
By Jacinta W. Odongo
With less than a week to the 2016 Christmas Day celebration, preparations are already underway in different parts of the world for this much anticipated festive event.
On December 13, Rt. Rev. Santus Lino Wanok, the Bishop of Nebbi Diocese led the Catholic Members of Parliament (MPs) in Uganda in the lighting and blessing of the Christmas tree, as per the tradition, in honor of Jesus Christ who was born as a Light of the World, the Rising Dawn and the Light to illuminate the nations (Luke 2, 32). The roots of the tree lighting date back more than 400 years and over the years has grown to include many countries across the world.
Parliament and their staff during the Holy Mass
The symbolic annual event took place at the entrance of Parliament at exactly 5.15 pm in the presence of Catholic MPs and their staff, Honorable Ministers, some of the employees of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) and selected segments of the public. During the function, Bishop Wanok invited the congregation to raise their hands over the massive 10-foot tree for blessings as he sprinkled Holy Water on it. Later, he illuminated the lights on the Christmas tree an occasion that was welcomed with joyous carols songs from the vibrant choir and the congregation.
“This Christmas Tree is a blessing to this parliament. May it remind you of all that is beautiful, all that is filled with gentleness and remind you of servant leadership. It stands in our midst as a tree of light that we promise each other to leave peacefully with another and promote peace in the whole world,” Bishop Wanok said as he handed over the Christmas tree to the Members and staff of parliament.
After the ceremony, the Bishop presided over a Holy Mass that was held at the Parliamentary Chapel. The Mass was con-celebrated by five priests including the Chaplain of the Uganda Parliamentary Chaplaincy, Re. Fr. Philip Balikudembe.
In his homily, Bishop Wanok urged the faithful to do God’s will in preparation for the coming of the Lord. “As we are about to celebrate the coming of Christ, God is asking us, are we doing His Will? I know it is difficult to discern the Will of God but we need to change our mind positively especially with the responsibilities we have both in words and deeds, so that we can represent the poor, the voiceless and stand up for them by doing God’s Will,” he said.
Present their offertory to BishopWanok
He also called upon the faithful to pray for the MPs, who are the legislatures so that whenever they make laws for the country, these laws positively transform on every citizens by ensuring the citizens know both their rights and duties to ensure there is lasting peace in the families, communities and the nation at large.
Meanwhile, after the Holy Mass, the bishop commissioned the new Catholic Parliamentary Chaplaincy Executive Committee that was recently elected. He blessed the Executive members with Holy Water and gave them Rosaries as a powerful weapon to guide them in their daily lives as they execute their duties. The function concluded in style with a cake cutting ceremony and a cocktail party.
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