A Wonderful Week in Our Community and Mission
This week has been a truly wonderful and grace-filled time in our community and settlement mission. We joyfully welcomed back one of our SSpS sisters who returned from her home leave and has now resumed her missionary work with us. Her return brought renewed energy and encouragement to our mission family.
We also joined all refugees in celebrating South Sudan’s Independence Day, a significant and heartfelt occasion for many of our community members. On the same day, we celebrated the birthday of one of our confreres. During the celebration, we sang the “Happy Birthday” song and offered prayers for him during our community Mass.
Earlier in the week, we celebrated a conditional baptism for a candidate during one of our liturgies. At the same Mass, we also offered a special blessing for an SSpS sister who will soon move to her new mission community in Dufile, Arua Diocese.
On Tuesday, our pastoral team visited the Catholic Women Action Group in St. Joseph Freinademetz and St. Francis Chapels in the Swinga zone. It was a fruitful time of sharing, prayer, and encouragement for the women leaders.
On Wednesday, we went to St. Arnold Janssen Parish to celebrate Mass and hold a seminar for all catechists of Zone Five. The seminar focused on the theme: “How to Become a Good Leader and Lead Their Communities.” It was a valuable moment of formation, reflection, and strengthening the catechists in their vital role as lay leaders in the Church.
On Thursday, we also welcome new candidates who desire to become part of the SVD family. They join us to begin experiencing SVD community life for about one week in our formation house in Lodonga. We thank God for their vocation and pray that the Spirit continues to guide them on their journey of discernment and commitment.
Looking ahead to Saturday, we are preparing for a busy and impactful day. Our teams will:
- Visit chapels in Swinga Zone and Bidibidi Zone to conduct seminars for the youth.
- Celebrate Mass and organize the Holy Childhood Missionary Competition at St. Arnold Janssen Parish, bringing together children from all chapels of Zone 5.
- Visit schools in Yoyo and Bidibidi Zones to celebrate Masses for the students, encouraging their faith and participation in the life of the Church.
Indeed, this week has been full of life, mission, and celebration. We give thanks to the Lord our God for His many blessings, and we continue to pray for peace in the world and for the fruitfulness of our SVD missions.
