NATIONAL SHRINE OF ST. JUDE THADDEUS DEVOTION OFFICE REPORT 2024

“UNITED WITH MOTHER MARY AND ST. JUDE – WE REMAIN STRONG IN FAITH”

“NDI MUTUME MUWEEREZA – NTUMA”

“YUDA TADEO – ASHABIRA ABAMWESIGA”

“YUDA ALIYESAHAULIWA – HULETA MATUMAINI PALIPO KOSEKANA, NA KANISA JE? – LAMUHESHIMU KAMA MSAIDIZI KATIKA SHIDA ZIPITAZO NGUVU ZETU”

“YUDA TADEO OMUTUUKIRIVU – ATONGANIRA ABAMWESIGA”

As I write this report, I am so delighted and filled with joy as well as confidence that we are celebrating the feast of our beloved friend, St. Jude. It is now 31 years since the official inauguration of the devotion to St. Jude Thaddeus, which took place on 09^thJuly 1993.

Since then, we have been able to move freely within the entire Ugandan and Kenyan Catholic dioceses without discrimination. That is the reason for the numerous greetings at the beginning of this article.

The devotion has attracted many people both Catholic and non- Catholic. Many have received favors through his intercession and have given testimonies about this.

LEADERSHIP:

A. National Executive

The team has continued to work tirelessly executing their duties with deep love (devotion) and self-sacrifice towards the devotion’s progress. The team comprises of:

NAME

POSITION

DIOCESE

Rev. Fr, Joseph Mary Bbuye

Mr. Musoke Dominic

Mr, Ssemwogerere John Baptist

Ms Namatovu Winnie

Mrs. Kasibante Teopista

Mrs. Ntaki Victoria

Ms. Namutebi Thereza

Mr. Owor Alex Okoth

Ssalongo Kalema Joachim

Mr. Ruhweza John Maria

National Director

National Chairman

Vice National Chairman

National Secretary

Vice National Secretary

National Treasurer

Liturgy

Committee Member

Kampala

Jinja

Masaka

Kampala

Fort Portal

Jinja

Lugazi

Tororo

Kampala

Fort Portal

ACHIEVEMENTS:

I. Novenas:

Solemn novenas are carried out both at the national level and in the branches.

Monthly novenas recited in small groups and also individually have kept members together at

the parish level.

II. Meetings:

Much as the attendance at the National level is low, it is through these meetings that we find ways to boost the devotion’s development, progress and unity.

III. Pastoral Visits:

We were able to join some branch meetings. We have been able to recruit new members in the following parishes and dioceses.

Nangina deanery in Bungoma diocese (Kenya).

From four (4) parishes to now (15) parishes. We managed to attend diocesan days.

b) Lugazi diocese

c) Kampala Archdiocese

d) Rwebisiriza and Ndibatta parishes (K.M.D)

e) Jinja diocese

f) Tororo Archdiocese

IV. Donations:

It was agreed that items donated during the different Novenas be distributed among the various dioceses. E.g.

During the March novena, items and cash collected for the needy (bakateyamba) were donated to Kasese diocese.

Tororo Archdiocese was the beneficiary during the July novena, and

Masaka diocese will receive the items of this October novena.

All the funds collected for Seminarians during the three novenas annual novenas are forwarded to the Archbishop’s office in Kampala to aid seminarians in need.

What do dioceses do?

I. All dioceses hold scheduled meetings at parish, vicariate and diocesan levels.

II. The following dioceses celebrated St. Jude’s feast at the diocesan level; Fort Portal, Masaka, Lugazi, Kampala, and Jinja. Nangina will celebrate it on 28^th October 2024.

III. They visit prisoners and donate items towards the prisoners’ daily needs.

IV. They try to fulfill their obligations concerning the contribution of funds towards the ongoing construction of the new St. Jude shrine and the national bag.

CHALLENGES

a) All levels experience a low turn-up of members during scheduled meetings.

b) It has been noted that there is a tendency of some members to plot against their leaders. An act that is dampening morale and reducing the level of performance at all levels.

c) There is a need for pastoral visits, however, the availability of transport to various members is a challenge.

d) Some elected leaders do not carry out their duties.

e) Some leaders hold other positions of leadership in other devotions and this hinders their capacity to concentrate on spreading the St. Jude devotion.

f) Some elected members do not take their responsibilities seriously and this leads to:

i) Not being able to faithfully serve the devotion.

ii) Minimal contribution of funds towards the various activities of the devotion.

iii) Lack of total commitment because of personal issues.

v) Confusion due to there being many other devotions.

vi) Lack of leaders in some branches because some elected members are not in a proper disposition for the Sacrament of Holy Communion, they fear attending the scheduled meetings.

OBITUARY:

The devotion has to date lost many of its staunch members in all dioceses.

Mr. Bukenya Matthew – Kampala Archdiocese

Dorine Auma Wafula – Port Victoria – Bungoma Diocese

Mathias Ondiro – Nangina – Bungoma Diocese

Sikolastika Oduor – Nangina – Bungoma Diocese

Ntonina Nansamba – Mubende – Kiyinda Mityana Diocese

Sylvia Kivumbi Nalwoga – Namasuba – Kampala Archdiocese

Stella Asiimwe – Kasese Diocese

Betty Kahuje – Kasese Diocese

Luka Bakulu – Kasese Diocese among others.

Eternal Rest Grant unto them O Lord and let Your perpetual light shine upon them,

May they rest in peace. Amen.

WAY FORWARD:

1. Continue with pastoral visits to branches at the grassroots for mobilization, sensitization, and training, encouraging and recruiting new members.

2. Encourage all devotees and friends of St. Jude to solicit funds towards the completion of the St. Jude Shrine.

APPRECIATION:

I would like to express my gratitude to the following persons for their continued support spiritually, financially, and physically towards the spread and sustainability of the devotion.

i) The national director Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Bbuye.

ii) Rev. Fr. Viatory Muvunyi. We wish you the best in your new assignment.

iii) All priests at all levels for your spiritual support and guidance and most especially the priests who have celebrated masses during this years’ Novenas.

v) I thank Kabale and Lugazi dioceses for their timely contributions.

vi) Great appreciation to you Mr. Ssenkumbi Francis for your timely logistical support.

vii) I thank all choirs that have animated during novena and at the different functions of the devotion.

viii) To all our family members for their support and tolerance.

ix) All leaders at all levels for your mobilization as well as your efforts at sustaining members and the devotion from the grassroots.

ST. JUDE DEVOTION DIARY 2024 – 2025

November 2024 - 15^thFebruary 2025	Pastoral visits to branches i.e. dioceses and parishes
3^rd- 7^th February 2025	Preparations for March novena.
21^st - 22^nd February 2025	First National Executive Meeting at Naggulu
1^st – 9^th March 2025	First National Solemn Novena to St. Jude at Naggulu and parishes.
8^th March 2025	Recollection at Naggulu
14^th March – 8^th June 2025	Pastoral visit to branches
27^th June – 28^thJune 2025	Second National Executive meeting at Naggulu
Saturday 5^th – Sunday 13^th July 2025	Second National Solemn novena to St. Jude at Naggulu and the diocesan level.
20^th July – 6^th October 2025	Pastoral visits to branches
1^st – 10^th September 2025	Preparations for October novena and St. Jude feast
Sunday 19^th – Monday 27^th October 2025	Third National Solemn Novena to St. Jude. All pilgrims at Naggulu.
Monday 27^th October 2025	National Council Meeting at Naggulu
Tuesday 28^th October 2025	Feast of Saints. Simon and Jude. Diocese to lead??

God bless you all.

ST. JUDE PATRON OF THE DESPERATE – INTERCEDE FOR US.

Namatovu Winnie

National Secretary

St. Jude devotion.

Tue 29, Oct 2024 01:10 am

Namatovu Winnie - National Secretary St. Jude devotion.