UGANDA: Fundraising and Development Initiatives for Church Growth Characterize Christians in Lira Diocese
Fr Constanz Opiyo examining the couple at St Peter's Anai
Fr Isaac Ojok
The idea of erecting new parishes in Lira Diocese has compelled Christians to come up with initiatives to raise resources to enable them grow in mission, ministry and development in their respective places.
In Lira city, two sub parishes of Anai and Erute recently held the fundraising drive with the view of generating finances to support the construction of new church and the priests’ rectory respectively.
On 25th November 2023, Christians of St Peter’s Catholic sub-parish Anai happily gathered their resources together with the view of supporting the construction of a new church which is at the foundation level and is measured to accommodate two thousand worshippers according to the standard in the city.
The fundraising drive began with the Eucharistic celebration and was presided over by Fr Constanz Opiyo who called upon Christians to be firm in the faith just as St. Peter the fisherman who qualified to be called the rock by Jesus.
Fr. Opiyo a Comboni missionary currently serving in Ngetta Parish said the Christians of Anai Sub-parish have the opportunity to develop from the sub-parish into a parish only if they work together and put their differences aside since the parish will not only benefit the diocese but every Christian within the jurisdiction.
He mentioned that just as St. Peter who loved and believed in the Lord Jesus and that’s why Jesus said he is the rock and on that rock He would build his church.
“Every Christian should be like a rock that Jesus can build His church on,” said he during the homily.
At the same function during which Sacrament of Matrimony was administered, Fr. Opiyo said God created man in His image meaning that we are His ambassadors and that God also blessed marriage between the first couple Adam and Eve and told them to multiply and fill the earth.
“Marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman not man and man or woman and woman not even man or woman with animals,” he continued.
Fr. Opiyo challenged the married couples to respect one another and desist from issues of adultery which may end up breaking families, adding that young people and those who are still single must make meaningful decisions in marriage in a move to live decently.
Meanwhile on 26th November 2023 the similar fundraising drive was held in St Philip Neri Erute Sub-parish and it attracted Christians, politicians and the business fraternity who made commitment by contributing their resources towards construction of priests’ rectory.
During the fundraising drive, Christians from different chapels also gave animals like cows, goats, and sheep including assorted food items such as beans, peas, banana, cabbages, vegetables and water melon among other items to support development initiative.
The items given were later sold and the organizers were able to raise meaning amount which will be used to construct the priests’ residence at St Philip Neri Catholic sub-parish Erute.
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