FROM LENT TO RESURRECTION: A MESSAGE OF FAITH, CHARITY AND UNITY

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

As we celebrate the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you, our parishioners, friends of Naggulu, and devotees of St. Jude Thaddeus, for your dedication, faith, and perseverance throughout the Lenten season.

From the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, 18^th February 2026, we journeyed together as a Parish family through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These pillars of the Lenten season have not only helped us grow closer to God, but they have also strengthened the bonds of faith and solidarity within our Parish community.

During this Lenten season, the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, reminded the faithful that Lent is a privileged time to renew our hearts through prayer, fasting, and charity. The Holy Father encouraged Christians to listen attentively to the Word of God and to the cries of the poor, and to allow the season to transform our hearts so that we may become instruments of compassion, peace, and reconciliation in the world.

In the same spirit, the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Paul Ssemogerere, in his Ash Wednesday homily, urged Christians to use the Lenten season to renew their spiritual lives and avoid actions that could put their lives at risk. He described Lent as a time of spiritual battle, reminding the faithful that “Lent is a period to fight the works of Satan through prayer, fasting, and repentance.”

The Archbishop further emphasized the importance of charity and reconciliation, encouraging Christians to return to God, support those in need, and seek reconciliation with one another. He also noted that this year’s Lenten season coincided with the Muslim fasting period, inviting all believers to unite in prayer for our country and for peace within our communities.

In a special way, I would like to thank all those who put the spirit of charity into action during this Lenten season. On Tuesday, 3rd March 2026, the Good Samaritan Ministry of our Parish extended a helping hand to the needy members of our community. They were served lunch and also received hampers of foodstuffs. This act of compassion reflects the Gospel call to love and serve one another, especially the poor and vulnerable among us. I commend all those who generously contributed their time, resources, and effort to make this charitable initiative possible.

Dear brothers and sisters, the spiritual practices we embraced during Lent should not end with the season. Rather, they should become part of our daily Christian life. Let us continue to be prayerful people, both individually and as families. Let us practice fasting that purifies our hearts and strengthens our commitment to God. And let us continue to be generous in charity, especially toward the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable members of our community.

As a parish family, we are also reminded that the construction of our church is still underway. Much work remains to be done, and more resources are required for its completion. I therefore humbly appeal to your generosity and spirit of sacrifice so that together we may complete this important project. It is our prayer that we may soon move from our present small temporary place of worship into a larger and more fitting church - a shrine that will better accommodate our growing Parish and the many devotees who come to seek the intercession of St. Jude Thaddeus.

Allow me also to express my sincere gratitude for the support and collaboration you have shown to the Priests, the Parish Pastoral Council, and all the agents of evangelization in our Parish. Your commitment and cooperation have enabled us to carry out our pastoral mission with diligence and love.

I encourage all of us to remain united as one parish family - from our homes and Small Christian Communities to the wider Parish community. We must avoid any forms of division based on politics, language, tribe, or social differences. Such divisions weaken the Body of Christ. Instead, let us build a community founded on unity, mutual respect, and Christian love.

The Resurrection reminds us that suffering and death never have the final word. Jesus endured the cross for our salvation, but on the third day He rose again in glory. In His Resurrection, we find the assurance that even in the darkest moments of our lives, God is preparing a new dawn for us. Therefore, let us move forward with renewed faith and hope. Let the light of the Risen Christ guide our lives, strengthen our families, and renew our parish community.

As we celebrate this Easter season, I wish each one of you a blessed, joyful, and peaceful Easter.

May the Risen Lord fill your hearts with hope, strengthen your faith, and guide us as we continue to grow together in faith, unity, and love.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Tue 14, Apr 2026 04:04 am

The Tomb Could Not Hold Him

Dear Parishioners,

Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! On this glorious Easter Solemnity, the Church bursts forth with joy: the tomb is empty, death is conquered, and new life dawns for all. (Matt 28:1-10) As Mary Magdalene raced to the apostles, crying, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb," so we too run to proclaim the miracle that shattered the grave's silence. (John 20:1-9) The stone rolled away not by human hands, but by divine power, reveals the Risen Lord who calls us to believe without seeing.

Sin is conquered, and Christ triumphs even over death, in the Acts of the Apostles, Peter boldly testifies: "God shows no partiality," proclaiming Jesus' life, death, and resurrection to all who witnessed his works in Judea and Galilee. (Acts 10:34a, 37-43) This same Jesus, "whom they put to death by hanging on a tree," God raised on the third day, appearing to chosen witnesses who ate and drank with him. Echoing this, the Psalmist sings: "O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!" The rejected stone is now the cornerstone, God's deed before our eyes.(Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23)

St. Paul urges us heavenward that: "If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above... Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."(Like unleavened bread, we cast out old yeast of malice to celebrate with sincerity and truth, for Christ, our Paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed. (1 Cor 5:6b-8.)

Inspired by the teachings of Bishop Fulton Sheen's vivid imagery, envision the Cross as Calvary's throne where Love triumphed over hate, drawing all to the empty tomb, which is a victory so real it demands our witness in daily struggles. St. Josemaría Escrivá reminds us in his book, ‘Conversations with God’, that the Resurrection infuses ordinary life with divine power: amid work and family, we live as risen ones, turning mundane moments into encounters with the Living Christ, sanctifying the world through faithful love.

In the Apostle St. Paul's Easter Vigil’s epistle, we hear the call: "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."(Romans 6:3-6:11.) Let us rise today! Die to sin's old self; and live for God in Christ. Let baptism's waters propel us to heroic charity at home, work, and beyond. let us reveal his glory!

This Easter, let the empty tomb ignite your heart. Share the Good News that: The Tomb Could Not Hold Him!

Tue 14, Apr 2026 04:04 am

Easter Hope: Overcoming Fear through the Resurrection

“Do not be afraid.” Let us open our hearts to Christ, who is the source of true joy and lasting hope. Easter invites us to overcome fear and place our trust in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Him we discover the answer to the deepest longing of the human heart, the desire for happiness, meaning, and fulfillment in life.

The Risen Lord reminds us that the future depends on the choices we make today. As Christians, we are called to build a new society founded on generosity, love, and service. In doing so, we become prophets of life, witnesses of love, and messengers of joy in our communities.

St. John Paul II once reminded us that life is a talent entrusted to us (cf. Mt 25:14–30) so that we may nurture it, multiply it, and share it with others as a gift. No person is an isolated island drifting on the ocean of history. Each of us belongs to a greater family, and each has a unique place and role to play in God’s plan.

Selfishness makes people deaf and blind to others' needs, but love opens our eyes and hearts. Through love, every person can make an original and irreplaceable contribution to humanity, walking together with countless brothers and sisters—many of whom we may never know, yet with whom we share a common destiny.

A Call to the Youth

In the spirit of Easter hope, I invite all young people to work together with joy and enthusiasm as we prepare for Youth Day on 17th May 2026. Let us unite our efforts to contribute to this celebration and support the building of our new church by helping to purchase a door for it, a symbol of our shared faith and commitment to God’s house.

Let us never lose hope in ourselves, no matter the suffering or challenges we may face. Remember the ancient truth: “Sine Cruce, Non Victoria” — Without the Cross, there is no victory. Through the Cross, Christ won our salvation, and through perseverance, faith, and hard work in our daily lives, we too can become victors.

May the joy of the Risen Lord renew our strength, inspire our service, and fill our hearts with hope.

Happy Easter!

Tue 14, Apr 2026 04:04 am

SING ALLELUIA, THE LORD IS RISEN!

Indeed, He is risen. Alleluia!
Azukidde nga bweyagamba, Alleluia!

Dear Fellow Parishioners, our Parish Priest, and our Curates, Happy Easter to you all.

I warmly congratulate you upon completing the season of Lent — a sacred period of spiritual renewal through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Indeed, the Triduum of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ fills us with renewed faith, hope, and joy.

On behalf of the Parish Council, we thank the good Lord who has guided and blessed us throughout this season. We appreciate the many acts of charity carried out through the Samaritan Ministry, especially the visits to the sick, both in hospitals and in their homes.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to the Liturgy team for guiding us through the devotion of the Way of the Cross and for their dedicated preparations for the Eucharistic celebrations. In the same spirit, we acknowledge and appreciate the services rendered by the Xaverians, the Youth, and the Parish Choirs for their commitment and participation in the liturgical celebrations.

We particularly commend the initiative of taking the statue of St. Jude Thaddeus to the various communities within our parish. To all parishioners, devotees, and friends of St. Jude, these visits strengthened our devotion and deepened our trust in the intercession of our Patron, St. Jude Thaddeus — the helper in difficult and hopeless cases.

As we continue with the construction of our new Church/Shrine of Our Lady and St. Jude, we thank God for the great progress that has been made so far. We are grateful for the many graces and blessings bestowed upon our parish. We are currently in the stone cladding phase, which is still ongoing, as we prayerfully prepare to proceed to the roofing stage of the project. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all parishioners and the many generous and loving Christians who have supported this noble cause in different ways.

As we celebrate the joy of Easter, may the Risen Lord renew our hearts and strengthen our faith as a parish family. May the blessings of the Risen Christ fill your homes with joy and abundant grace.

Tue 14, Apr 2026 04:04 am

EASTER PROGRAMME

Wed 01, Apr 2026 04:04 am

CLOSING CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST ANNUAL SOLEMN NOVENA TO ST. JUDE THADDEUS -2026

The First Annual Solemn Novena to St. Jude Thaddeus concluded successfully last Sunday, 15th March 2026, drawing together pilgrims, devotees, parishioners and faithful in prayer and thanksgiving. The closing Holy Mass was solemnly celebrated by His Excellency, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, Apostolic Nuncio, who graciously presided over the final celebration of the novena.

Mon 23, Mar 2026 04:03 am

Trust in the Lord of Peace: Emmanuel Born for Us and With Us

As the Christmas octave unfolds, the Church invites us through the Office of Readings to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation: Christ, our Emmanuel "God with us" born as the Prince of Peace.( CCC, 2305) From December 29 to January 5, these readings draw us into the Letter to the Colossians (Year I), revealing the Incarnation within salvation history, or the Song of Songs (Year II), prefiguring God's union with humanity in Christ's sacred humanity. (The General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours, 148.) Echoing ancient sermons, particularly St. Augustine's expositions, we hear the resounding call: "Trust in the Lord" (Ps 36:3), for in the newborn Savior, true peace is given—not as the world offers, fragile and fleeting, but as the fruit of divine love. (Expositions on the Psalms - Psalm 37, 1.4.)

St. Augustine urges: "Trust in the Lord... And do good, and dwell in the land. And you shall be fed in its riches" (Ps 36:3-4). The Church is that "land," watered by Christ, whose riches are God Himself. In a world of Babel-like towers built on human strength, the Christmas ladder of Jacob descends: God comes to us in Bethlehem, bridging heaven and earth. (Eucharistic celebration presided at by Pope Francis on the anniversary of his visit to Lampedusa - 8 July 2019) "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man" (Ps 118:8-9), Augustine insists, for even angels are princes under God alone.(Expositions on the Psalms - Psalm 118, 4) The just see this, fear rightly, and trust in the Lord, finding refuge amid trials.(Expositions on the Psalms - Psalm 40, 6.)

This trust blossoms in peace, for "He is our peace" (Eph 2:14). Christ, pierced on the Cross yet born in a manger, reconciles us to God and one another by His blood, abolishing enmity. Pope John Paul II proclaimed: "Jesus is peace, he is our reconciliation", a peace rooted in the Eucharist and Penance, surpassing worldly compromises. (7 June 1999: Apostolic Journey to Poland, Torun - Homily.) As the Octave culminates in Mary, Mother of God, we ponder her fiat—her trust enabling the Savior's birth, making her Mother of the Church who intercedes for our peace.

In 2026's uncertainties, let this octave renew our trust. Amid global strife, echo Jacob: "The Lord shall be my God" (Gen 28:21). (Pope Francis, Lampedusa - 8 July 2019) Dwell in Christ's peace: forgive as He forgives, build unity as He unites, hope as He saves. Emmanuel is with us—born for peace, abiding in the sacraments. "O my God, I trust in you" (Ps 91:2). May this New Year dawn in His reconciling light.

Sat 03, Jan 2026 03:01 am

NOVENA TO ST.JUDE FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN UGANDA

Wed 31, Dec 2025 04:12 am

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE PARISH PRIEST

Dear parishioners of Our Lady and St. Jude Parish Naggulu, friends of the Parish and Devotees of St. Jude, I warmly greet you all and extend my heartfelt Christmas wishes to each one of you. In a special way, I salute all our parishioners, our friends near and far and all the devoted sons and daughters of St. Jude who continue to support and pray with our Parish community.

I congratulate you upon reaching this great and joyful feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the son of God made incarnate. This feast is not merely a remembrance of an event in the past, but a profound celebration of God’s love for humanity. In the birth of Jesus, God entered human history, took on our human nature, and thus began the work of our salvation in a visible and tangible way. Christmas reminds us that God is with us, walks with us and never abandon His people.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, we also do so at a significant moment for our nation. We are preparing for the General Elections scheduled for 15th January 2026. As Ugandans, and above all as Christians, we are reminded that we are one people despite our tribal, ethnic, cultural or political differences. The birth of Christ calls us to unity, peace and mutual respect and love for one another. Let us reject violence hatred and division, and instead promote dialogue, justice and peaceful coexistence.

May the Child Jesus, born in humility and peace, reign in our hearts, families, Parish and nation. May Our Lady and St. Jude continue to intercede for us, guiding us to remain faithful to God and committed to the common good.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with God’s blessings, peace and hope.

Thu 25, Dec 2025 05:12 am

Merry Christmas and A prosperous New Year

Dear Parishioners, I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank the Lord for the gift of life accorded to us and the various blessings bestowed upon us.

For a period of four weeks, we have celebrated the Advent season where John the Baptist has called us emphatically, “to prepare the way of the Lord and make his paths straight (Mathew 3:3). A thing I know we have heeded through going for the Sacrament of reconciliation, receiving the Eucharist, amidst other ways.

To the children, Naggulu Parish cherishes you, for you are a precious gift to the church. May the joy of our baby Jesus born today fill your hearts with joy, happiness, kindness, and obedience so that you continue to shine in your family (ies) and that your smiles can bring sparks to all those who come next to you.

To the youth, you are the strength and hope of the church of tomorrow. You have dreams and ambitions, embrace them by making informed decisions and the right choices. May Christ born today strengthen your faith and inspire you to live a life of integrity, purpose, respect, and compassion. Remember, ‘you are dearly and deeply valued and loved by God and the entire community of Naggulu Parish.’

To the elderly, we thank the Lord for the gift of your valuable life. We thank you for always inspiring us, guiding us, praying for us, your stories inspire us, your presences gives us hope, blessings and comfort that things are quite possible. May this Christmas bring you joy and happiness, good health and comfort.

As a Parish, let us use this festive season to promote love, joy, happiness, and peace in our different families. For he brings peace, hope, and happiness. May the light of Christ born in Bethlehem shine in our homes and lives. Today and always.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Thu 25, Dec 2025 05:12 am