It was a beautiful moment on 13th/07/2023 when the Archbishop of the Kampala Archdiocese came on a special invitation to the Salesian Community of Namugongo to administer the sacraments of initiation to over 167 children. The archbishop arrived at 9:20 am welcomed by the school brass band. On arrival, he had breakfast with the community members and other invited guests. After breakfast, Mass started at 10:00 am with a procession led by the band and the school choir.
In his sermon, the Archbishop asserted that parents have the biggest responsibility in upbringing their children in the Church and so they shouldn’t leave all these responsibilities to the teachers who have many children from different backgrounds to educate. He therefore encouraged parents to continue from where the catechism instructors had stopped, so these children can grow in faith.
After the Eucharistic celebration, some entertainment items were presented together with some speeches. The ceremony proceeded with lunch with the Archbishop and the community members. After lunch, His Grace the Archbishop gave his final blessing and departed back to Kampala at around 04:30 pm.
Back to the children who received the sacraments.
They had been under Catechism classes in preparation for these sacraments since June last year (2022). The main teachers of these children are Brother Joseph Mugisa SDB, Sister Ainembabazi Santrina of the Sisters of Good Counsel and four Novice sisters from the congregation of the Comboni sisters Namugongo. The catechism instructions take place every Saturday afternoon and Sunday after Mass.
Of the 167 children, about 13 children don’t attend school in the Don Bosco Nursery and Primary School but attend Mass in our Public Chapel. This means that most of these children receive their basic education from our community. Of the 167, 26 children were baptized, 56 received the First Holy Communion, 41 were confirmed and 46 made their final commitment.
We as a community are so grateful to God for having enabled these children to reach this important moment in their life. We are as well grateful to the Archbishop who accepted our invitation without hesitation and we are grateful to everyone who contributed in one way or another towards the sacramental journey of these children. May the good Lord bless us all.
Joseph Mugisa, sdb
