LODWAR DIOCESE: OUR LADY OF SORROW CELEBRATES THEIR FEAST DAY
Feast Day Celebrations: 70 Confirmed, 25 Join CWA, launch of a Choir and opening of Guest room all in one day.
By Fr Aloysius Nkwasiibwe, AJ
Bishop John Mbinda with Fr Aloysius join the faithful in a dance
The faithful of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish -Oropoi in the diocese of Lodwar turned up in large numbers to celebrate their Parish Family Day, filling the occasion with song, color and cultural expression. The Parish is under the pastoral care of the members of the Apostles of Jesus, fathers Aloysius Nkwasiibwe, AJ as the Parish Priest and Patrick Tumshabe, Aj ashis assistant. The Parish is located in the N.W. part of Kenya, in the County of Turkana. It boarders Sudan on the North and Uganda on the West.
Dressed in different colours and traditional regalia, the faithful joyfully blended Ng’aturkana (the Turkana songs) and Swahili songs during the Holy Mass, reflecting the cultural diversity and unity of the parish community.
The Mass was celebrated by His Lordship, Rt Rev John Mbinda, CSSp of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar. In his homily, Bishop Mbinda reflected on the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as taught by the Church. He encouraged the faithful to meditate on the sorrows of Mary and draw strength from her example of faith and hope.
Bishop Mbinda urged the faithful to remain hopeful in times of suffering, just as Mary remained faithful even as she witnessed her Son, Jesus Christ, suffer and die on the Cross. Despite her grief, Mary trusted in God’s promise and remained hopeful in the Resurrection.
“My dear brothers and sisters in Christ at Oropoi, let us learn something from our Mother Mary. She endured suffering as she saw Christ suffer, but after the death of Jesus, our Mother Mary had faith in Jesus’ teachings and also had hope in the Resurrection,” said Bishop Mbinda.
“I would like to urge you, brethren, no matter the pain or suffering you are enduring today, just have faith and hope like our Mother Mary. Have faith in God and remember that you are not alone in this world.” Concluded bishop Mbinda.
During the Mass, Bishop Mbinda also launched the St. Cecilia choir of Our Lady of Sorrows Oropoi Parish, which has 56 members. A total of 70 catechumens received the Sacrament of Confirmation, while the Catholic Women Association (CWA) welcomed 25 new members.
The parish also saw the launch of guestrooms and a multipurpose hall, a move towards self-reliance. The parish through mission cooperation with the Arch-Diocese of Freignburg-Germany, supported the project to its completion.
The parish priest Rev. Fr. Aloysius Nkwasiibwe, AJ thanked the Bishop Mbinda for visiting Oropoi for the second time in two years and for celebrating the Holy Mass with the congregants.
Fr. Aloysius also expressed his appreciation to the priests from the Northern Deanery who attended the celebrations and supported the parish during the occasion.
Among those in attendance were priests from the Northern Deanery, led by the Dean, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Wambua. Other priests included Rev. Fr. Francis, Rev. Fr. Felix Anguyo, Rev. Fr. Leonard Kipyegon, Fr. Patrick Tumshabe, AJ, Rev. Fr. Mchunguzi and Rev. Fr. Walter. Religious Brothers and Sisters also attended the celebrations.
