Kampala Archdiocese gets 59th parish

By Juliet Lukwago           

Kampala Archdiocese over the weekend (Sunday) inaugurated the 59th parish which it named Mary Queen of Martyrs Catholic Parish Mpala, located along Entebbe road in Wakiso district.

The new parish was launched by Auxiliary Bishop of Kampala, Christopher Kakooza, with the help of pastoral coordinator of Kampala Archdiocese Fr. Dr. Mark Richard Ssajjabi, the Archdiocese Chancellor, Fr.Joseph Mary Ssebunnya and several othe priests.
 
The colorful function started with Holy Mass held at Mpala Church premises at 10:00 am.

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Bishop Kakooza says the Holy Eucharist. All photos/Juliet Lukwago

 The function was attended by a big crowd of clergy and laity from the various parishes and institutions making up the Archdiocese of Kampala and beyond.
 
At the Holy Mass, also the “Brothers of the congregation Mon Pierre (locally known as Mapeera) and Brother Amans renewed their vows.

They received blessings of new parish priest, Fr. Simon Peter Lule and Fr. Lawrence Mutikka Mutebi.

During the mass Fr. Ssebunnya read a letter signed by head officials of the Archdiocese announcing the creation of the new parish, a result of the 2014 commitment by the Archdiocese.

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Bishop Kakooza receives offertory from a little girl

In his homily, Bishop Kakooza thanked Christians for togetherness both the priests, deacons, laity under the various organs of the Church who make the Church as one body of Christ.

He emphasized more on the institution of the religious, reminding the brothers that it is a day set aside for the renewal of their vows commitment and for personal assessment, as it marks the commemoration of the institution of the sacred brotherhood.
 
He reminded wished the brothers who made their vows that they are only instruments in the hands of God for the service of the Church and the entire people of God.
 
The Bishop further thanked the priests, parishioners, Pastoral Council, the various committees and statutory bodies that work for the common good of the parish, and all who sacrifice their time, talent and treasure for the good of the Church.

He advised the people to be at peace with one another and to avoid actions that may cause breach of peace in their various communities and Parishes.

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Celebration of the Gospel during the mass

The Bishop of Kasana-Luweero, Paul Ssemwongere, and Kampala Archdiocese pastoral coordinator Fr Ssajjabi and several priests and nuns come from the newly created parish.

The theme of day was “Thy will be done, it is only then that God’s light will be see in you,” extracted from (Luke 1:38).

The Parish entrusted to “Lady Queen of Martyrs” is among the lucky parishes erected in this jubilee year when the Church is preparing to commemorate 50 years since the Uganda Martyr’s were canonized by Pope Paul VI at Rome.
 
Parish priest Simon Peter Lule said that every big thing see started small.

“Even us who have been blessed to see who this sub-parish from the beginning to today when it is inaugurated as parish, let’s thank and praise God.”

He called upon Christians to pray for them, guide them and to work together to develop the parish.
 
The Episcopal Vicar of Wakiso zone, Msgr John Wynand Katende, also thanked the parishioners for the good work they have done to see that get a new parish. He added that this is 23rd Parish in Wakiso Vicariate.  
 
"Getting a parish brings another step closer to enlivening and enriching in our zone,"Msgr Katende.

"I am grateful to all those who are making every effort to cooperate with surrounding parishes, whether in mergers, linkages or partnerships as we move forward together to do the work of evangelization in the name of Jesus Christ."

According to head of laity, Gerald Mugalu, the church is located on 19 acres of land donated by  late Charles Bulasi, the land lord of Mpala village.

It has four sub-parishes including Mpala, St Donozio-Nkumba; one acre of land was donated by Nelson Ssebuggwawo, the grand father of Nabagereka Sylivia Nagginda, St Jude-Bayita-ababiri and St Christine Nkumba central.

He said that they have eleven priests born from their parish, two religious brothers, six nuns and one deacon.

At the function they also fundraised towards erecting the residential houses of the priests.