Christians have been called upon to mend their lives and prepare for the life after here. This call was made by Rev. Fr. Maniragaba Garasiano, curate at Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral and assistant director of Radio Maria while preaching during Mass on Sunday, November 17, 2024 in the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Fund (BAAF) drive by Kabale district which saw a total of 300m shillings collected.
Fr. Maniragaba said that Readings of the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Daniel 22:1-3, Hebrews 10:11-14.18, Mark 13:24-32) help the Christians to look into the future, to the parousia (second coming of Christ) and require one to make an accountability of the life they shall have lived on earth. He said that as BAAF projects are an accountability of the funds collected over time, there is also an accountability before God of how Christians will have spent their life here on earth. He said that Christians will give a report to God of what they did and their actions will determine the decision that God will make for them.
The readings on this 33rd Sunday offer us signs of hope, especially for those who know what to do, and they do it in the proper time. Those who lead others to righteousness will also shine like stars, meaning that it is the righteous that will reign with God -Fr. Maniragaba Garasiano.
Fr. Maniragaba reminded the Christians that the readings were not to frighten or scare them but to prepare them; to get ready with their accountability. The Gospel of Mark 13:24-32 points to eschatology (last things) of death (end of earthly life) and judgment (time of accountability). These will lead to the other two: Heaven for the best performance and Hell for the worst performance. Those who will live according to the will of his will inherit heaven while those who take things for granted will. “We are called to live wisely and justly in the present age because each will be rewarded accordingly. We are also to look to the future with hope and serenity, without fear of what is to come so that we are well prepared for it since the day is unknown, except to God alone,” said Fr. Maniragaba.
Dr. Abdon Birungi, the Chairperson organizing committee for BAAF Kabale district and District Health Officer (DHO) for Rubanda district in his remarks thanked the parishioners of Maziba, Rwanyena, Buhara, Christ the King and Rushoroza Cathedral for generously contributing towards BAAF and supporting that BAAF projects since inception in 2009.
Hon. Catherine Ndamira Atwakiire, the Kabale District Woman MP used the platform to implore parents to take care of their children who are joining holidays and those already in holidays, by making them busy in constructive ways. She also urged the Christians to start up some income generating projects like animal rearing and poultry keeping in order to boost their household income. Hon Catherine also called upon the general public to participate in registration and renewal of their National Identity Cards emphasizing the importance of having national IDs, without which people will miss out some services PDM funds, and will soon be a requirement for those entering into marriage. She contributed 5 million shillings towards BAAF drive.
Hon. Henry Musasizi Ariganyira, the State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development in charge of General Duties and MP for Rubanda East hailed Bishop Callist Rubaramira for initiating the idea of BAAF which has let to establishment of a number of projects like Radio Maria, Centenary Bank buildings (in Kabale, Kisoro and Rukungiri), St. Ignatius University Kabale among others. Hon. Musasizi called upon Christians to continue embracing income generating projects initiated by the government so that they can get funds to support the BAAF drives.
Minster Musasizi also implored students to always remain focused in their studies, with emphasis to those courses that prepare them for a brighter but competitive future. He advised students to focuses on courses in agriculture, industrialization, science technology and innovation which produce job makers rather than job seekers. He called upon all people of God to work hard and boost their household income so that they have the money to support BAAF projects with since in economics, contributing is the function of income. He contributed 10 million cash towards the BAAF drive.
Hon. David Bahati, Minister for trade industry and cooperative and MP for Ndorwa West thanked Bishop Callist Rubaramira in supporting the government in implementing its programs of boosting people’s household income and financial sustainability. He further appreciated the Bishop for being a visionary leader who has led to the transformation of Kabale Diocese through different BAAF projects. He contributed a total of 50 million shillings (in both cash and pledges). Other dignitaries present included Hon. Dr. Nicholas Kamara (Kabale Municipality), Hon Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East), Nshangabashaija Nelson (L.C. V Kabale), Godfrey Nyakahuma (RDC Kabale), Sheikh Kassim Kamugisha (RDC Wakiso), Mr. Baguma Alex (Chairman BAAF Kabale Diocese), Mr. Tumukwasiibwe Nicodemus Odo (Chairman Laity, Kabale Diocese) among others
In his remarks, Rt. Rev Callist Rubaramira Bishop of Kabale Diocese thanked the Christians for their generosity and goodwill in contributing as the could for the good of the Catholic Church in terms of development and faith building. The Bishop’s Annual Appeal Fund (BAAF) drive in Kabale district raised Shs. 247,294,200 in cash and Shs. 53,169,000 in pledges totaling to Shs. 300,463,200.