CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE SSABAKRISTU/ HEAD OF THE LAITY NAGGULU PARISH

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As we joyfully celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, I extend warm Christmas greetings to all parishioners and friends of Our Lady and St. Jude Parish, Naggulu. We thank God for His abundant graces throughout 2025.

I thank our Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Bbuye Joseph Mary, for his Pastoral leadership and guiding us through the year in all the Parish Activities. I also thank the Assistants, Rev Fr. Stephen Syambi and Rev Fr. Raymond Balikudembe, for their support and for actively following up on all the liturgical and administrative duties which uphold the Parish.

I also thank the Sabakristus of the Small Christian Communities for mobilizing and supporting the Parishioners in their Communities to remain focused in their faith. The heads of Departments of the Parish Council are appreciated for responding to the continuous programs required of them, especially from the Archdiocese, and engaging the Parishioners to participate.

Special thanks go to the Building Committee, who have continued to follow up on the progress of the construction of the Church project, including the big challenge of mobilizing the requisite funds. We thank the fundraising drives like Kamu kamu. The progress is visible and we pray that this effort is blessed with more resources.

Also appreciated are the Catechists for the Catechetical support, especially to our children and the Married couples. The staff members of the Parish who continuously sustain the daily Parish activities are also acknowledged for their dedication. We continue to pray through our Patron Saints, Mother Mary and St. Jude, to continue interceding for us in our respective responsibilities.

I congratulate all those who were blessed during the period, those who have been wedded, and those who have been blessed in various ways. I also extend our prayers to the sick in our communities and condolences to those who have lost their dear ones, and pray to the Almighty God to grant them eternal rest.

SOME OF THE NOTABLE PASTORAL EVENTS / ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR 2025

I wish to thank God that I was able to make the Holy Pilgrimage to Rome, from 21st to 30th November 2025. My self and Fr. Marvin represented our Parish in this important Act of faith in this Jubilee year of 2025. We received the Pope's blessing and were able to perform the pilgrimage, the act of passing through the holy doors.

1. The Parishioners of Our Lady and St Jude made the Holy Year pilgrimage to Munyonyo Minor Basilica in August 2025. They were led by Fr. Marvin Lukyamuzi. I wish to thank the members of the Liturgy department and the Sabakristus for the mobilization.

2. The Parish Priest and the Sabakristu attended the Lubaga Cathedral @100 years and Archdiocese celebration at Lubaga Cathedral. We were appreciated for the YOYOTA support.

3. The Deputy Sabakristu Mr. Sebalu Kyompitira attended the Naggulu Denary meeting which took place at Ntinda St Charles Lwanga.

4. The St. Jude Novena for July 2025 and for October 2025 were successfully organized as scheduled and were very well attended. Also, the St. Jude's Patron Saint day, was very well organized and attended, where we hosted HE President Museveni as the Chief Pilgrim and His Grace Rt. Rev Mark Kadima from Bungoma Diocese Kenya, along with many Pilgrims and Devotees. We thank the Central Organizing Committee (COC) supported by the Parish Priest and the Parish Council, for the good preparation. The COC sat in the Evaluation meeting and pointed out the successes and gaps and policy guidelines are being developed to guide us on how to prepare these celebrations and the financial guidelines.

5. The Parish Day celebrations of 71 years took place on 29th June with low key celebrations during our Sunday Masses but majorly looked at the achievements registered throughout the year. An account of the activities undertaken in the year was given in summary in the Sunday Parishioner of 29th June 2025. I thank the Sabakristus and the departments who spearheaded the activities.

6. The Process of Making the Strategic plan for our Parish is still ongoing, we have been consulted at all levels and we expect the plan to be completed before the beginning of the Lenten season 2026.

7. The Registration (Census) of our Parishioners is still open but the available data show that the Parish has a total of 1855. Parishioners including children. We wish to include the members of our daily masses who make an integral part of our Parish. We shall ensure that this is completed before the beginning of the Lenten season and later updated continuously.

8. The Parish Outreach programs have continued within schools, workplaces (Centenary bank, Auto Link) and St. Jude Nakawa Market, St Antony, St Ponsiano, and St Gonzaga). I wish to thank our Priests for this Pastoral work.

9. Departmental heads undertook several programs in their respective sectors. Liturgy, PMS, Catholic Women's guild, Men's Guild, Youth, Choir members, Children's Ministry, and Oratorio. I wish to acknowledge with thanks those performing departments and thank the Parish Priest for the support.

10. The Liturgy Department is appreciated for implementing the liturgical calendar activities, and also the launch of St. Jude Novena at the beginning of the Month and the re-launch of the prayer for the successful Completion of Our Lady and St. Jude Shrine. The choirs are appreciated for singing and encouraged to improve.

11. The Catechists Team is commended for its continued commitment to catechizing our children for all sacraments, including the Baptism, first Holy Communion, and high Communion, and they received these sacraments in October and November 2025.

We are in the process of compiling and completing our Annual Parish Report 2025, which will also be forwarded to the Archdiocese. I request all Sabakristus of Small Christian Communities and the departmental leaders to complete their reports and hand them in to the Parish Priest or Parish Secretary/ Administrator. 

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

The Development Committee is planning to enhance the Oratorio space and construct additional toilets, particularly to cater for large congregations during events such as the Novena. Parish projects, including St. Jude Primary School and St. Jude Nursery School, require significant improvements. In addition, the parish gardens and church premises need a second access point. There is also a need to plan for the construction of an improved Parish Presbytery that aligns with the high standards of the magnificent church structure currently being developed.

COMING YEAR 2026 GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND PROGRAMS:

As we await the stated theme, goals, and objectives of our Parish from our Strategic plan, the main focus for the year 2026 will be to complete our Church, St Jude Shrine. We shall also strive to make the Parish an all-inclusive Parish where members can come for both spiritual and social solace can be got. Programs towards the achievement of this ideal will be supported in every category of Christian Youth, the Married Couples, the Aged, the Sick, and the children alike. We will strive to improve our financial and social well-being to make our Parish reclaim its posture in the Deanery. The Program for next year 2026, will be concluded by the Secretariat after the one from the Archdiocese has been received. With Mother Mary and St. Jude, we shall accomplish Our Lady and St. Jude Naggulu Shrine.

I wish to thank our Parish Priest for continuously holding together the Parish and being sensitive to the needs of the Parishioners. I also thank the Sabakristus and the members of the Executive supporting the Parish Programs. Our Curates are also appreciated for supporting the Parish Priest in delivering his pastoral mandate. The Parish Staff is equally thanked for their support throughout the year.

As we enter the New Year 2026 with hope, may the light of Christ renew our faith, unity, and commitment to completing Our Lady and St. Jude Shrine. Through the intercession of Mother Mary and St. Jude, may our Parish continue to grow spiritually and socially.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed, fruitful New Year 2026.

 

 

Thu 25, Dec 2025 04:12 am