UGANDA: Six Daughter of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Perpetually Profess, Seventeen Celebrate Silver Jubilee
Masereka Peter
The Bishop Fort Portal Diocese Rt. Rev. Robert Muhirwa Akiiki has urged believers to respond to God’s call like the biblical Samuel, and to be open to be guided by others who can help them discern His voice amongst the attractive voices of the world.
In Holy Mass at Our Lady of Snow Virika Cathedral Fort-Portal Diocese on 6th January 2023, six members of the congregation of the Daughter of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus made their professions perpetual profession while seventeen celebrated their jubilees.
The six nuns professed a life of chastity, obedience and poverty before their Mother General Rev. Sr. Seraphina Kaitesirwa and the Ordinary of Fort Portal Diocese Rt. Rev. Robert K. Muhirwa Akiiki.
In his homily while presiding over Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Bishop Muhirwa commended the Sisters for deciding to offer their life to God and serve His people, urging all believers to discern the voice of the Lord from the earthly noise.
Bishop Muhirwa said as the world is now saturated with attractive voices via social media and others platforms, the Church is asking them to strive to heed the voice of God.
The Prelate further asked the Religious to surrender themselves to the Lord who looks on them with great love as well as offering all their attachments including families, worth and life ahead of the vows.
Bishop Muhirwa who asked Christians to offer their plans of the new year to the Lord made a special appeal to fathers in families to resolve to fulfill their parental roles in collaboration with their wives so as to nature the children well. He asks parents to give up the trend of over-spending on alcoholic drinks and eating to the negligence of their families.
The Mother General Rev. Sr. SeraphinaKaitesirwa who sympathized with the family of the Sister who fell sick a day to her final vows, welcomed the six and congratulated those jubilants, asking parents to allow their daughters to join Religious congregations so as to continue with the mission of Christ.
Rev. Sr. Maria Clara Ateenyi from St. Jude town Parish- Hoima Diocese who celebrated 70 years in Religious life under the theme “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” asked the newly professed to remain focused and prayerful and to nurture their vocation.
Speaking on the occasion of their profession, Sr Juliet Kabugho and Sr Sylvia Muhindo said it was God who has made it happen and congratulated their parents for supporting them through the journey of their life. They also ask all the faithful to continue praying for them.
Among the Jubilants, Rev. Sr. Maria Clara Ateenyi who hails from Hoima Diocese celebrated her Platinum Jubilee; Sr. Maria Annunciata, Sr. Maria Vincensio, Sr. Resumpta Asabaheebwa, Sr. Restetuta Kabanyaka, Sr. Margaret M Mabiiho from Fort Portal Diocese and Sr. Praxeda Kindiki from Hoima celebrated Diamond Jubilee while Sr Appollonia Kyakubananura from Mbarara Archdiocese, Sr Catherine Mbabazi , Sr. Redempta Maria and Sr. Pelagia Isoke from Fort Portal, Sr. Florance Nyangoma, Sr. Flora Nyakato, Sr. Sr. Spociaza Tibananuka from Hoima diocese celebrated Golden jubilee.
Bishop Muhirwa who presided the Mass was assisted by Bishop Vincent Kirabo of Hoima Catholic Diocese and priests from Mbarara Ecclesiastical province, Rwanda and Burundu among others.