Uganda Episcopal Conference

Pope on Earth Day: “It is time to act!
Lessons from the pandemic
As the world continues to take measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, Pope Francis highlighted that the crisis has shown us “what happens when the world stops, pauses, even for a few months.”

He noted the pandemic’s impact on nature and on climate change, which shows us all that global nature needs our lives on this planet.

“It affects us all, albeit in multiple, diverse and unequivocal forms; and so it teaches us even more about what we need to do to create a just, equitable, environmentally safe planet,” the Holy Father pointed out.

Furthermore, “the Covid pandemic taught us this interdependence, this sharing of the planet,” Pope Francis said, adding that both global catastrophes - Covid-19 and the climate emergency - show us that we are running out of time.

“We have the means, it is time to act, we are at the limit,” he urged.

Pope on Earth Day: “It is time to act!
Lessons from the pandemic
As the world continues to take measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, Pope Francis highlighted that the crisis has shown us “what happens when the world stops, pauses, even for a few months.”

He noted the pandemic’s impact on nature and on climate change, which shows us all that global nature needs our lives on this planet.

“It affects us all, albeit in multiple, diverse and unequivocal forms; and so it teaches us even more about what we need to do to create a just, equitable, environmentally safe planet,” the Holy Father pointed out.

Furthermore, “the Covid pandemic taught us this interdependence, this sharing of the planet,” Pope Francis said, adding that both global catastrophes - Covid-19 and the climate emergency - show us that we are running out of time.

“We have the means, it is time to act, we are at the limit,” he urged.

Prayer for Friday, April 23

Prayer After A Surgery
Blessed Savior, I thank you that this operation is safely past, and now I rest in your abiding presence, relaxing every tension, releasing every care and anxiety, receiving more and more of your healing life into every part of my being. In moments of pain I turn to you for strength, in times of loneliness I feel your loving nearness. Grant that your life and love and joy may flow through me for the healing of others in your name. Amen.

We wish you a great day.

Prayer for Friday, April 23

Prayer After A Surgery
Blessed Savior, I thank you that this operation is safely past, and now I rest in your abiding presence, relaxing every tension, releasing every care and anxiety, receiving more and more of your healing life into every part of my being. In moments of pain I turn to you for strength, in times of loneliness I feel your loving nearness. Grant that your life and love and joy may flow through me for the healing of others in your name. Amen.

We wish you a great day.

Congratulations to the Franciscan Friars in Uganda.

Prayer for Eternal life with God
Heavenly Father,
in glorifying Jesus
and sending us your Spirit,
You open the way to eternal life.
May my sharing in this Gift increase my love
and make my faith grow stronger.
Send Your Spirit to cleanse my life
so that the offering of myself to You at Mass
may be pleasing to You.
May my sharing in the Eucharist,
our Bread of Life,
bring me eternal life
Have a blessed day

Prayer for Eternal life with God
Heavenly Father,
in glorifying Jesus
and sending us your Spirit,
You open the way to eternal life.
May my sharing in this Gift increase my love
and make my faith grow stronger.
Send Your Spirit to cleanse my life
so that the offering of myself to You at Mass
may be pleasing to You.
May my sharing in the Eucharist,
our Bread of Life,
bring me eternal life
Have a blessed day

All affected by the pandemic
Pope Francis drew attention to the millions of people who have died as a result of the pandemic, and those who are sick, noting that the health emergency has made no distinctions, affecting people of every culture, creed and socio-economic class.

“We all know and have felt the loss of someone close to us who has died from coronavirus, or who has suffered the effects of the contagion,” the Pope said, further highlighting the pain of families who have not been able to be close to their loved ones to offer them comfort, and the tragic impact the pandemic has had on children and young people.

In this regard, the Pope hailed the work of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, as well as chaplains and volunteers who, at the risk of their lives, have treated the sick and have also been the “families and friends” of those missing their loved ones.

All affected by the pandemic
Pope Francis drew attention to the millions of people who have died as a result of the pandemic, and those who are sick, noting that the health emergency has made no distinctions, affecting people of every culture, creed and socio-economic class.

“We all know and have felt the loss of someone close to us who has died from coronavirus, or who has suffered the effects of the contagion,” the Pope said, further highlighting the pain of families who have not been able to be close to their loved ones to offer them comfort, and the tragic impact the pandemic has had on children and young people.

In this regard, the Pope hailed the work of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, as well as chaplains and volunteers who, at the risk of their lives, have treated the sick and have also been the “families and friends” of those missing their loved ones.

The surest way to pray to God
Pope Francis notes that “the first human prayer is always a vocal recitation. The lips always move first.”

While recognizing that prayer does not consist in simply repeating words without meaning, he nonetheless insisted that vocal prayer is the “surest” means of speaking with God. Feelings, he said, can be uncertain and unpredictable, as can the graces that come from prayer. At times, the mysterious “prayer of the heart” can be lacking.

Vocal prayer, however, “can always be practiced” and is necessary, even when our feelings are confused.

The surest way to pray to God
Pope Francis notes that “the first human prayer is always a vocal recitation. The lips always move first.”

While recognizing that prayer does not consist in simply repeating words without meaning, he nonetheless insisted that vocal prayer is the “surest” means of speaking with God. Feelings, he said, can be uncertain and unpredictable, as can the graces that come from prayer. At times, the mysterious “prayer of the heart” can be lacking.

Vocal prayer, however, “can always be practiced” and is necessary, even when our feelings are confused.

Pope’s condolences for late Cardinal Khoarai of Lesotho
Cardinal Sebastian Koto Khoarai of Lesotho passed away on Saturday, April 17. The 91-year-old bishop emeritus of Mohale’s Hoek was Lesotho’s first cardinal.

Pope’s condolences for late Cardinal Khoarai of Lesotho
Cardinal Sebastian Koto Khoarai of Lesotho passed away on Saturday, April 17. The 91-year-old bishop emeritus of Mohale’s Hoek was Lesotho’s first cardinal.

Prayer for Wednesday, April 21

A Prayer for the Dying and a Special Soul
O most merciful Jesus,
Lover of souls,
I beseech Thee,
by the agony of Thy most Sacred Heart,
and by the sorrows of Thine Immaculate Mother,
wash clean in the Thy Blood
the sinners of the whole world
who are to die this day.

Remember most especially the soul I spiritually adopt
with the intention of entrusting him or her to Thy
Shepherd's care:
I beseech Thee for the grace to move this sinner,
who is in danger of going to Hell, to repent.
I ask this because of my trust in Thy great mercy.

If it should please Thy Majesty to send me a suffering
this day
in exchange for the grace I ask for this soul,
then, it, too, shall please me very much,
and I thank Thee, Most Sweet Jesus,
Shepherd and Lover of Souls;
I thank Thee for this opportunity to give mercy
in thanksgiving for all the mercies
Thou hast shown me.

Amen.

Heart of Jesus, once in agony,
have mercy on the dying.
We wish you a happy day.

Prayer for Wednesday, April 21

A Prayer for the Dying and a Special Soul
O most merciful Jesus,
Lover of souls,
I beseech Thee,
by the agony of Thy most Sacred Heart,
and by the sorrows of Thine Immaculate Mother,
wash clean in the Thy Blood
the sinners of the whole world
who are to die this day.

Remember most especially the soul I spiritually adopt
with the intention of entrusting him or her to Thy
Shepherd's care:
I beseech Thee for the grace to move this sinner,
who is in danger of going to Hell, to repent.
I ask this because of my trust in Thy great mercy.

If it should please Thy Majesty to send me a suffering
this day
in exchange for the grace I ask for this soul,
then, it, too, shall please me very much,
and I thank Thee, Most Sweet Jesus,
Shepherd and Lover of Souls;
I thank Thee for this opportunity to give mercy
in thanksgiving for all the mercies
Thou hast shown me.

Amen.

Heart of Jesus, once in agony,
have mercy on the dying.
We wish you a happy day.

Card. Sebastian Koto died on April 17 at 91 years old. He was the bishop of Mohale's Hoek, in Lesotho, a small country with just over two million inhabitants and completely surrounded by South Africa.

Pope Francis named him a cardinal in 2016. RIP

Card. Sebastian Koto died on April 17 at 91 years old. He was the bishop of Mohale's Hoek, in Lesotho, a small country with just over two million inhabitants and completely surrounded by South Africa.

Pope Francis named him a cardinal in 2016. RIP

Pope Francis to ordain nine priests for the Diocese of Rome
Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome, will ordain nine deacons to the priesthood at St. Peter’s Basilica, on 25 April, which coincides with the liturgical celebration of Good Shepherd Sunday.

The Mass will begin at 9:00 am, and will be broadcast live on Vatican Media, Telepace, Tv2000 and on the page of the diocese of Rome.
In-person participation at the ordinations will be strictly in compliance with Covid-19 health regulations, including body temperature checks, wearing of masks and hand sanitization.

Pope Francis to ordain nine priests for the Diocese of Rome
Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome, will ordain nine deacons to the priesthood at St. Peter’s Basilica, on 25 April, which coincides with the liturgical celebration of Good Shepherd Sunday.

The Mass will begin at 9:00 am, and will be broadcast live on Vatican Media, Telepace, Tv2000 and on the page of the diocese of Rome.
In-person participation at the ordinations will be strictly in compliance with Covid-19 health regulations, including body temperature checks, wearing of masks and hand sanitization.

Prayer for Tuesday, April 20

Children's Prayer For Parents
Dear Lord! Fill our parents with Thy choicest blessings;
enrich their souls with Thy holy grace;
grant that they may faithfully
and constantly guard that likeness to Thy union with Thy Church,
which Thou didst imprint upon them on their wedding day.
Fill them with Thy spirit of holy fear,
which is the beginning of wisdom;
inspire them to impart it to their children.
May they ever walk in the way of Thy commandments,
and may we their children be their joy on earth
and their crown of glory in heaven.
Finally, Lord God, grant that both our father and mother
may attain to extreme old age
and enjoy continuous health in mind and body.
May they give Thee abundant thanks
because Thou bast bestowed upon them the great gift of parenthood.

Amen.

We wish you a blessed day.

Prayer for Tuesday, April 20

Children's Prayer For Parents
Dear Lord! Fill our parents with Thy choicest blessings;
enrich their souls with Thy holy grace;
grant that they may faithfully
and constantly guard that likeness to Thy union with Thy Church,
which Thou didst imprint upon them on their wedding day.
Fill them with Thy spirit of holy fear,
which is the beginning of wisdom;
inspire them to impart it to their children.
May they ever walk in the way of Thy commandments,
and may we their children be their joy on earth
and their crown of glory in heaven.
Finally, Lord God, grant that both our father and mother
may attain to extreme old age
and enjoy continuous health in mind and body.
May they give Thee abundant thanks
because Thou bast bestowed upon them the great gift of parenthood.

Amen.

We wish you a blessed day.

Christianity is relationship, care and joy
The Pope explained that three very tangible verbs characterize this Gospel passage: they are looking, touching and eating.
Looking: the first step against indifference
Jesus, the Pope continued, says “See my hands and my feet” and this tells us that “looking is not only seeing, it is more; it also involves intention, will.”

“For this reason, it is one of the verbs of love. A mother and father look at their child; lovers look at each other; a good doctor looks at the patient carefully…. Looking is a first step against indifference, against the temptation to turn the face before the difficulties and sufferings of others,” he said

Christianity is relationship, care and joy
The Pope explained that three very tangible verbs characterize this Gospel passage: they are looking, touching and eating.
Looking: the first step against indifference
Jesus, the Pope continued, says “See my hands and my feet” and this tells us that “looking is not only seeing, it is more; it also involves intention, will.”

“For this reason, it is one of the verbs of love. A mother and father look at their child; lovers look at each other; a good doctor looks at the patient carefully…. Looking is a first step against indifference, against the temptation to turn the face before the difficulties and sufferings of others,” he said

Prayer for Monday, April 19

Stewardship Prayer
Almighty and ever-faithful Lord,
gratefully acknowledging Your mercy
and humbly admitting our need,
we pledge our trust in You and each other.

Filled with desire,
we respond to Your call for discipleship
by shaping our lives in imitation of Christ.
We profess that the call requires us
to be stewards of Your gifts.
As stewards, we receive Your gifts gratefully,
cherish and tend them in a responsible manner,
share them in practice and love with others,
and return them with increase to the Lord.

We pledge to our ongoing formation as stewards
and our responsibility to call others to that same endeavor.
Almighty and ever-faithful God,
it is our fervent hope and prayer
that You who have begun this good work in us
will bring it to fulfillment in Jesus Christ,
our Lord. Amen

We wish you a happy day.

Prayer for Monday, April 19

Stewardship Prayer
Almighty and ever-faithful Lord,
gratefully acknowledging Your mercy
and humbly admitting our need,
we pledge our trust in You and each other.

Filled with desire,
we respond to Your call for discipleship
by shaping our lives in imitation of Christ.
We profess that the call requires us
to be stewards of Your gifts.
As stewards, we receive Your gifts gratefully,
cherish and tend them in a responsible manner,
share them in practice and love with others,
and return them with increase to the Lord.

We pledge to our ongoing formation as stewards
and our responsibility to call others to that same endeavor.
Almighty and ever-faithful God,
it is our fervent hope and prayer
that You who have begun this good work in us
will bring it to fulfillment in Jesus Christ,
our Lord. Amen

We wish you a happy day.

Photos from St. Balikuddembe Catholic Parish - Buloba's post

SOUTH SUDAN: Archbishop Lukudu Eulogized as Servant Leader and Beacon of Peace

At farewell Mass for Most Rev. Paulino Lukudu Loro on Monday, April 12, the Archbishop-emeritus of Juba Archdiocese who died Monday, April 5, has been remembered as a prelate who dedicated his service to God and His people of God and untiringly worked for peace and reconciliation in South Sudan.

Reading the eulogy of the late Archbishop, the Auxiliary Bishop of Juba Rt. Rev. Santo Loku Pio highlighted that the late emeritus participated in various occasion to promote peace in the society.

The Metropolitan Archbishop “worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation, justice, equality and human development,” Rt. Rev. Santo read the eulogy to mourners and continued, “In 1986, he led an ecumenical delegation to meet the then Prime Minister of Khartoum and later in Addis Ababa and his efforts resulted into a declaration which called for a Sudan free from racism, tribalism and all causes of discrimination and disparity.”

He further emphasized the late Archbishop’s effort in promotion of peace adding that during his leadership as the President of Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSCBC) Archbishop Lukudu together with members of South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) intensified peace negotiations with the government of Sudan.

The late Archbishop who was a member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ) “led delegation of the Sudan ecumenical forum to Kampala (Uganda) and Nairobi (Kenya) on peace missions,” Bishop Santo disclosed, “He also led another delegation to London where Christians proclaimed with one voice the right of self-determination for the people of South Sudan in a document “Let My People Choose.”

According to Bishop Santo, the Archbishop emeritus who served as a Prelate for over 30 year, was to receive an award for reconciliation and interfaith cooperation in the course of this year (2021).

Other Religious and political leaders affirmed the late Archbishop’s efforts towards peace restoration and emphasized his role as a servant leader in the Church.

“During his long reign as spiritual leader of South Sudan, His Grace demonstrated not only a profound desire to minister to the needs of the Catholic Church but also a strong commitment to building up friendship and communion with the other Christian churches and communities,” the Coordinator of Education in the Archdiocese of Juba Fr. Gabriel Asida narrated while reading condolences message from his Holiness Pope Tawadros II the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria and the Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.

Addressing the Catholic Church of Juba, Pope Tawadros II’s condolences message read, “Under his leadership (Archbishop Lukudu), the Catholic Church has seen remarkable revival and growth both in Juba and other territories of Sudan.”

On his part, the State President of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit sent his eulogy and noted that the people of South Sudan will remember the pastoral care of the late Lukudu as a priest and a Prelate.

“In memory of his work, I call upon you to remember his many years of pastoral work within our communities and to pray that God in his infinite power gives us the comfort we need to withstand this moment of sadness,” reads in part the condolences message to the Catholic fraternity.

Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Vice President for Economic Cluster Dr. James Wani Igga noted in his condolences that “Archbishop Lukudu has been an icon of struggle and a milestone tower among those who fought fearlessly for the people of South Sudan to gain our current independence from the colonial Sudan Arabs oppressors’ regimes.”

SOUTH SUDAN: Archbishop Lukudu Eulogized as Servant Leader and Beacon of Peace

At farewell Mass for Most Rev. Paulino Lukudu Loro on Monday, April 12, the Archbishop-emeritus of Juba Archdiocese who died Monday, April 5, has been remembered as a prelate who dedicated his service to God and His people of God and untiringly worked for peace and reconciliation in South Sudan.

Reading the eulogy of the late Archbishop, the Auxiliary Bishop of Juba Rt. Rev. Santo Loku Pio highlighted that the late emeritus participated in various occasion to promote peace in the society.

The Metropolitan Archbishop “worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation, justice, equality and human development,” Rt. Rev. Santo read the eulogy to mourners and continued, “In 1986, he led an ecumenical delegation to meet the then Prime Minister of Khartoum and later in Addis Ababa and his efforts resulted into a declaration which called for a Sudan free from racism, tribalism and all causes of discrimination and disparity.”

He further emphasized the late Archbishop’s effort in promotion of peace adding that during his leadership as the President of Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SSCBC) Archbishop Lukudu together with members of South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) intensified peace negotiations with the government of Sudan.

The late Archbishop who was a member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ) “led delegation of the Sudan ecumenical forum to Kampala (Uganda) and Nairobi (Kenya) on peace missions,” Bishop Santo disclosed, “He also led another delegation to London where Christians proclaimed with one voice the right of self-determination for the people of South Sudan in a document “Let My People Choose.”

According to Bishop Santo, the Archbishop emeritus who served as a Prelate for over 30 year, was to receive an award for reconciliation and interfaith cooperation in the course of this year (2021).

Other Religious and political leaders affirmed the late Archbishop’s efforts towards peace restoration and emphasized his role as a servant leader in the Church.

“During his long reign as spiritual leader of South Sudan, His Grace demonstrated not only a profound desire to minister to the needs of the Catholic Church but also a strong commitment to building up friendship and communion with the other Christian churches and communities,” the Coordinator of Education in the Archdiocese of Juba Fr. Gabriel Asida narrated while reading condolences message from his Holiness Pope Tawadros II the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria and the Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.

Addressing the Catholic Church of Juba, Pope Tawadros II’s condolences message read, “Under his leadership (Archbishop Lukudu), the Catholic Church has seen remarkable revival and growth both in Juba and other territories of Sudan.”

On his part, the State President of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit sent his eulogy and noted that the people of South Sudan will remember the pastoral care of the late Lukudu as a priest and a Prelate.

“In memory of his work, I call upon you to remember his many years of pastoral work within our communities and to pray that God in his infinite power gives us the comfort we need to withstand this moment of sadness,” reads in part the condolences message to the Catholic fraternity.

Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Vice President for Economic Cluster Dr. James Wani Igga noted in his condolences that “Archbishop Lukudu has been an icon of struggle and a milestone tower among those who fought fearlessly for the people of South Sudan to gain our current independence from the colonial Sudan Arabs oppressors’ regimes.”