CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE PARISH PRIEST

Dear Parishioners,

Had I written my Christmas message a month ago it would have begun in a different tone than this one. As you all know God who continually visits us in various ways, paid us a visit on 28th November 2019 and took back home His long-serving servant and our beloved oldest priest here, Rev. Fr. Peter Katongole Byangwa. God had the right to come for his priest and give him rest, but we still loved to have a priest of that age among us from whom we could seek advice on many topics…….. In addition to Fr. Peter, a number of our relatives and parishioners were called home by the Father during the course of the year. We can only say with Job: “...the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Then as a community, we must do what we can to move forward.

We are thus celebrating Christmas this year. Let us celebrate it in the true sense it deserves. There is so much secularism and commercialism surrounding this solemnity today, that we may forget what the solemnity is all about. We do well to momentarily pause and ask ourselves whether we are not being swept away in the whirlwind of the “world manufactured Christmas”, leaving behind the God made and true Christmas! I would not like to see anyone of us getting diverted from the center of Christmas - our Lord Jesus Christ. It pleases him when he sees us celebrating as we silently pray that the hope, healing and peace he promises to bring may come our way. He will then be gratified that his becoming one like us was not in vain.

None of us knows the number of times we have repeated the following words this year: “remember rejoice renew, starting afresh from Christ”. Indeed as we remember and rejoice in what the Lord has done for us, and as we try to renew ourselves for a holier tomorrow; there is no better time to start afresh from Christ than Christmas time. This is the time when we open our doors to the child who brings the fullness of life and the Good News of God’s love, and invite him in.  Isaiah says this of him: “upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is 9:5). So as he enters with those attributes, can those who receive him fail to have a fresh beginning?

This Christmas, I pray that as a community of Naggulu parish, in everything we do, we start afresh from the child born to us. There are many tasks ahead of us, for example; putting into effect the “Nob View Hotel Brainstorming Conference” resolutions, strengthening our Christian Communities’ leadership, becoming more committed to giving back to God (financially, contributing ideas, offering our talents etc…) by every member of the community, working towards improving everybody’s “Sacramental life” and many other tasks. With our Saviour safely in, we can really start afresh.

As we start afresh, let us pray for one another, especially for those this day will never be the same again because of what has happened to them this year. In our wounded world we need to know that even in these darkest hours, a very bright star will lead us to the heart of Christ who will heal our brokenness, remove all evil from us and fill us with the peace and strength we need to carry on and to reclaim the fullness of life he brings to each one of us and our community as a whole.

Many thanks for being there to strengthen me as I try to live a normal life in spite of my health problems. Your material support, thoughts and prayers have gone a long way to make my quality of life be what it is. Let us go before the child born to us and pray for one another. I wish you all a very blessed, peaceful and joyful Christmas.

Fr. Godfrey Kyeyune.

Tue 24, Dec 2019 14:12 pm

APPRECIATION

On behalf of the Clergy and the Parish Council, I wish to extend our sincere heartfelt appreciation to you all Parishioners and Friends of Naggulu, for your kind support extended to us during the admission to hospital, and the subsequent funeral following the sad death of our beloved Priest The Late Rev. Fr. Peter Katongole Byangwa.

Fr. Byangwa will always be remembered and missed by many of us, because of who he was! We thank God for his dedicated service as a Priest for 55 years and also for his unwavering evangelization especially to us Parishioners of Naggulu.

What Fr. Byangwa needs most now are our prayers, let us remember him in our daily prayers, and also continue to support one another through Prayer, Love, Forgiveness and Charity as a true Family of God.

May the good Lord rest his soul in eternal peace, and may He bless you all too.

Margaret Sheila Matovu 

Tue 17, Dec 2019 15:12 pm

Last Solemn Novena of the Year

Pray the Solemn Novena to St. Jude

October 26th - November 3^rd

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When we gather together to celebrate the Solemn Novena to St. Jude, we are engaging in one of the oldest and most remarkable of traditions of faith. For nine days we offer up our needs, our gratitude, and our hope. We trust in St. Jude to intercede for us, and in this trust we can take great comfort. We invite you to send your special intentions for the Solemn Novena to the National Shrine of St. Jude.

The third and last Solemn Novena of the year to St. Jude, begins in less than a week from today.  On Saturday 19/10/2019 at 04:00 p.m. Rev. Fr. Denis Kibirige from Bukeerere Parish (Lugazi Diocese) will lead the Mass of Day 1 of the nine days. Uganda Martyrs S.S.S.  Choir will lead the singing. We have given a table of the celebrants, choir and time for each day. A more detailed programme is available on the notice board. Have a look at it.

Wed 16, Oct 2019 10:10 am

NADDANGIRA PARISH AND NAGGULU PARISH ARE TWINS

In the booklet “OBUTUME BW’OMUKATOLIKI MU SSAZA LY’E KAMPALA,  2006” Chapter XVI, G. 5; the Synod gives the following policy:

“Let there be twinning of Parishes in the Archdiocese with the aim of establishing a mutual relationship for the betterment of both.”

Naggulu Parish was twinned (by the Archdiocesan authorities) with Naddangira Parish, found in Kakiri-Wakiso District. This has been nominal until steps were taken to put it in practice; and on Saturday 24/8/2019 a team of 15 Naggulu Parish Leaders made a trip to Naddangira to officially sit down with our twin brother/sister and see how our relationship will be, firmly established, strengthened and driven.

The Team from Naggulu included, just to mention a few; the Parish Priest, the Vice Ssaabakristu and Chair of the Development Comm. Mr. Michael Ssebalu, the Parish Administrator Mr. Albert Olupot, the Secretary to the Parish Council Mr. Michael Mawerere, the Youth Leader Mr, Erickson Odama, the ICT Officer Mr. Gilbert Akampa. Sr. Namakula Imm. The head Catechist and the Leader of Communication Mr. Joseph Aruma.

At our twin brother/sister’s place we were warmly welcomed by a team that was led by the Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Caesar Matovu. Others just to mention some were Ssaabakristu, “Ssabasomesa” and the leader of CWG.

The story of what took place during the over three hours we spent there will be told on another day. Today we can only point out that the meeting of the twins was enlightening, profitable and successful. We were given a VI.P. welcome and well entertained. The future of our relationship is very bright.

Twinning

Today I would like to say something about twinning. This is not a Kampala Archdiocese  invention but something that happens in a number of Catholic Diocese around the world. It is usually between Parishes in Urban areas with rural parishes.

Reasons for the twinning are numerous, I will mention the following:  to build a mutual relationship between people of the two parishes; to promote justice and peace; to share the faith journeys in our Lord as experienced by people from different parts of the particular Diocese, learn from each other worship styles as experienced by people who live in different social environments and developing joyful friendship with each other. Since Jesus came to save us body and soul, areas where the twins can help one another to live a better life socially, economically, heath wise etc… are also looked into.

Care must be taken not to misunderstand twinning as one twin going out to impose his/her way of life on the other. For example an urban parish trying to change a rural Parish (or vice versa) to have a lifestyle similar to theirs. It is also very important that the economic part, although it is not to be neglected, should not be the first and main issue to address.

Before we left Naddangira we agreed to put in place a committee comprising of representatives from each side. Naddangira named theirs right away and Naggulu promised to do so as we travelled back home, which we did. This committee will deal with the necessary issues concerning our  twinning. It will then report to the two parishes through the official parish channels.

Long live Naddangira, long live Naggulu. May our twinning make us stronger and more resilient Christians.

Tue 17, Sep 2019 11:09 am

BISHOP SSEKAMAANYA CLOSES THE 2ND ANNUAL NOVENA TO ST.JUDE THADDEUS

The 82-year-old Bishop Emeritus of Lugazi, Matthias Ssekamaanya, surprised many who are used to waiting for Main Celebrants for hours, by arriving over an hour to the beginning of Mass on 14.07.2019. This Main Celebrant was in the area to lead the Mass for the closing of the second annual solemn novena to St. Jude!

At the appointed time of 10:15 a.m., we were at the graves of Msgrs. J.B. Kanyi and A. K. Kamya, for a brief prayer service and laying of wreaths to the tombs of each one of them.

Many thanks to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Narcis Byarugaba who cleaned the tombs days earlier and also brought wreaths for this ceremony, although they were caught up by time. May God reward their good corporal works of mercy; one of which as we know is: “bury the dead”.

The Bishop led the Mass well within reasonable time. The Choir that led the singing during the liturgy came from Kampala Archdiocese St. Jude Devotion.

In his homily, he urged Devotees of St. Jude:

1. To be like the Good Samaritan and not pass by when their brothers and sisters are in trouble. They should show their love for one another by helping them in their physical but mostly spiritual problems. Let them not look aside but approach them and offer all the assistance they can. :

2. He also stressed fidelity in our lives, in families and other vocations. He castigated men for being unfaithful in their marriages and for keeping on postponing  the Sacrament of Matrimony. When asked whether this was so, women responded that it is (whether this is the case or not, I do not know). But when the men were asked to defend themselves, there was a muffled response!!

3. Turning to devotees in general, he decried the present practice of going back to “ebyaffe” the wrong way; that is going back to idolatry, “Balongo” and devil worshipping. He counseled that St. Jude would like to see his devotees follow the path of Christ not of the evil one.

4. Lastly he reminded the devotees to always remember Msgr. Bonaventure Sserunkuuma, who was attacked here and severely injured with a machete during one of the Novenas, and became blind until his death, R.I.P.

Mr. Ssebalu, Vice Chairman of the Building Committee, gave a brief about the construction of our New Church. Much of the information can be found in our 65th anniversary and Parish Day Celebrations Magazine pp. 10 - 11.

The day ended with Lunch. According to the donor of our Lunch, during the March and July Novenas, such “Light Lunch” of pilao should be the order of the day and spare the feasting for the 28th October Feast. I did not stick around to see how the “Light Lunch” was served, I do not yet know who ate something and who did not!

One thing I am sure of is this: we successfully ended our novena, the conclusion ably handled by Bishop Emeritus of Lugazi, Matthias Ssekamaanya. We thank the Lord for a good weather and for the Holy Spirit who guided us throughout the nine days and made the final day a real climax of all we did.

Meanwhile let us go back and prepare the October Novena well. Till we meet.

Fri 02, Aug 2019 11:08 am

Naggulu Parish 65th Anniversary

Wed 19, Jun 2019 10:06 am

NAGGULU PARISH DAY

TIME LINE:

07:30 am: Liturgy Committee members assemble at church.

08:00 am: Parishioners assemble in the Gardens.

09:30 am: Procession participants gather in front of the church.

10:00 am: Procession begins                

12:30  pm: Concluding activities by C.O.C.

Beloved Parishioners,

This is our day. It is the day that the Lord has made; let  us be glad and rejoice in it!

Let us come and give thanks to God who has been with our Parish every second  of her life for the last 65 years.

Let us organize ourselves as individuals, families, groups, Catholic Movements such as Legio Mariae, St. Jude’s Devotion Asc. etc….) and come with thanksgiving gifts next Sunday. Your gift doesn’t have to be big.

It is that cheerful heart with which you give, as you give thanks for our 65 years as a Parish, that God loves so much.

Fr. Godfrey Kyeyune

Tue 11, Jun 2019 09:06 am

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Dear  people  of God,  it is with  exceeding  joy  that  we,  members   of the  Parish Council  of Naggulu, greet  you with  the  words  of the  Risen  Christ,  Peace be with you! the  same words which  he  pronounced  when  he  first  appeared   to  his  disciples  on the  evening  of the Resurrection!

This greeting  “Peace  be with  you”, was said three  times  by the  Risen Christ to his disciples, and each  time  Jesus greeted  them  with  these  words  he sought  to reassure  them when faced with a particular  threat.   

The above has implications  for each one of us;  as individual  Christians,  Christ’s  message of peace should  calm our personal  anxieties  and fears;  it should  assure  us that  we are able to rise above disappointments  and past  failures.   It should enable us to forgive ourselves, to forgive those who have hurt us and also seek to be reconciled with those we might have offended.

The message of Easter is equally relevant to us as Parishioners of Naggulu, it should give us the assurance that we are able to overcome every challenge we meet in our daily lives, if we look up to Jesus as our personal Saviour. The message of PEACE  encourages   us to put  an end to all immoral behavior,  it is a time  to turn  our backs to dishonesty,   indecency,   bribery   and corruption,  indiscipline,   disrespect   for  one another, gossip, domestic  violence and vengeance. 

This message  of Easter  must  help  us to turn  our efforts  in healing  the wounds  of division, reconciling  broken  families,   reuniting communities,    settling    disputes    among   people   of different   political   persuasions    and religious  faiths.  The message of the Risen Christ is not just his message to us; it is also our message to one another. 

Let us all embrace Peace, love of our neighbor, reconciliation and forgiveness; it has been a spiritually reflective journey of 40 days, culminating into Easter today! But it should not stop at that, we need to walk this same journey throughout our daily lives, stepping up our faith, through prayer, repentance and receiving the sacraments. But it is also very important to ensure that our faith is complimented and backed by kind hearts and acts of charity.

We cannot forget to thank our adorable Priests, led by our Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Godfrey Kyeyune, his Curates, Rev. Fr. Peter Byangwa and Rev. Fr. Joseph Kaseeta for always feeding our souls, most especially during this 40 days journey as we strive to open clean and fresh pages in our lives.

We wish to thank you so much for spiritually nourishing and guiding our souls to the great glory! We thank all the parishioners who individually participated in the special Church programmes during this time. We wish to thank our Catechist Sr. Immaculate Namakula and her team  selfless the Administrative staff, for their selfless support to the Clergy, the Good Samaritan Ministry who have visited, and comforted our sick and disadvantaged parishioners, the Parishioners who supported the Good Samaritans Ministry with finances and various items, the team that cleaned and beautifully decorated our Church. Thank you, Thank you to all of you and may God continue to bless you!

Once again, we say “Peace  be with  you!” and enjoy the Easter festive season!

Margaret Sheila Matovu: Ssabakristu, Naggulu Parish

Fri 26, Apr 2019 15:04 pm

Happy Easter you all

Alleluia Alleluia! 

He is risen as He said, Alleluia!

As usual on these special days of our Catholic Calendar, I bring you best wishes, happy celebrations and every thing spiritually good that our Creator gives to all who open their hearts to be filled up.

After that I normally find some light material to spice up the spirit of the particular Day or Season, and that is what I am about to do.

I have a couple of light material, all from Nature and I will begin with this one:

THE PALM TREE THAT WAVED ITS BRANCH ON PALM SUNDAY

You know my condition! These days when I am coming out of the “low side” of my health, — you remember my admission to UMC hospital —- I have a place in the back yard of our presbytery where I sit and admire the palm tree that is next to the “uni-port” used by the Legion of Mary and Charismatic Renewal Prayer Group. You know, that one between our garages and the Parish Hall. Mind you, from my vantage position, although I can only see the upper part of the tree, it is good enough for me.

Now throughout the Lenten Season, I’ve been keeping an eye on the top most branch of the tree. All the time, that thing appeared like a long finger pointing straight to the heavens. Every day I would look at it and thank God for that palm tree, because it was a reminder to me that “up there” (figuratively of course) in the heavens, where that long finger was pointing, sits upon the throne: The Holy one, the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come (Revelation 4:8ff). And Jesus, the Lamb that was slain; —— (who together with the One who sits upon the throne be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever! Rev. 5:13)”  —- wanted me, during this Lent, to do everything I can to remove the heavy burdens that might prevent me from getting to where the long finger was pointing. Day in day out I watched the long finger!

Then came Palm Sunday (7/4/2019), the day we started Holy Week, to commemorate and participate in the events of  the Lamb's last week on the journey that ended in hi s passion, death and resurrection. You know what? The long finger that was pointing upwards, decided to do what most Christians were doing! It opened itself (see photo) and as it were, was waving its branch and joining us in singing: “Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel: Hosanna in the highest.”(Mt 21:9)

Yes, it is a simple natural thing for a palm branch to open itself and eventually dry up and fall off. But the TIMING here made a great impact to me. All Lent, it has been a long spear-like finger pointing heavenwards,  on Palm Sunday while we are waving its brothers/sisters branches in its neighborhood, it also chooses to wave along with us? God is great!

That made me spend my Palm Sunday as a day to praise our God in a more reflective way; this God of ours  who reveals himself in many ways. Hope you had your own “thing” that made your Palm Sunday special and different from that of last year.

The palm tree has as usual grown another spear-like long finger again pointing heavenwards. Well, isn't He risen from the Dead and will be seen some time later, by his disciples disappearing up there in the crowds?

Fri 26, Apr 2019 15:04 pm

HOLY WEEK PROGRAMME 2019

Thu 11, Apr 2019 15:04 pm