Christians have been urged to share with others as God has given them. This call was made by Rev. Fr. Byomuhangi Fisher Parish Priest Rutooma Parish in Rukungiri district while preaching during Mass at the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Fund (BAAF), a function held at Nyakibale Parish on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Fr. Fisher said that God wants people to use what they have in order to do his will by serving others. He enabled Moses use the stick which he had to liberate the Israelites by crossing the Red Sea. Let us use what we have in order to do the works of God.
The function coincided with the feast of the Dedication of Lateran Basilica which was constructed by Emperor Constantine and consecrated by Pope Sylvester. Fr. Fisher in his preaching said that the universal Church celebrates this feast in order to show unity with the Bishop of Rome. Fr. Fisher said, “Today we celebrate this feast with the Bishop of Kabale Diocese here in Rukungiri.”
Let us share what we have with others and building up the community of believers. God will bless whatever we have if we put in the right attitude and generosity. God created us for a three-fold purpose: to know him, to love him and to serve him. Therefore, use your wealth for serve God through his people. When God has blessed you, don’t forget to give thanks to him. Be appreciative to him – Fr. Byomuhangi Fisher.
Quoting from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans Chapter 12, Fr. Fisher said that St. Paul advises Christians on how they should live. He said the body had many parts and each part has its own purpose, but all these body parts serve different functions, all for the wellbeing of one body. In the same way, God gave different gifts to different people all for the wellbeing of the same community of believers. Let us use our gifts well so that God rewards us for the good we shall have done. Fr. Fisher thanked all those that have already supported the Bishop in establishing different projects meant to develop Kabale Diocese. Different projects established by BAAF include Radio Maria, commercial building in Kabale, commercial building in Kisoro, commercial building in Rukungiri, St. Ignatius University Kabale among others.
Mr. Manige Wenceslas, the chairperson Organizing Committee for BAAF Rukungiri thanked Bishop Callist Rubaramira for the BAAF programs. He also thanked the Parish Priests and Parish Councils for the coordination to make the day successful. He also thanked the Christians and all the people of good will who have contributed in various ways for the well-being of Kabale Diocese.
The Rukungiri Municipality legislator, Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa thanked Bishop Callist Rubaramira for the idea of BAAF that is making the diocese progress in development. He thanked Rukungiri team for supporting the Bishop. He contributed 2 million shillings towards BAAF. BAAF Rukungiri saw a total of Shs. 312,015,100 with cash of Shs.300,515,100 in cash and pledges of Shs. 11,500,000.
In his remarks as Guest of Honor, Mr. Earnest Ngabirano Katara, a senior manager in charge of administration in National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) thanked organizing committee for BAAF Rukungiri for inviting him to officiate as guest of honor. He said that when God has been generous to people, they too should be generous to others especially to the less privileged. He also thanked Bishop Callist Rubaramira for being innovative to the extent that other faith based organizations are benchmarking and starting projects after his example.
He said that people should cut themselves from 3Cs and J (Comparing, competing, complaining and jealousy) for with these, there is no progress and development in any community. He called on people to be united and work hard to develop themselves. He also urged people to always make consultation especially where they cannot make it, other than being jealousy of those who are a read of them. He delivered a contribution of 5m from NWSC and 20m from his family and friends.
Gen. Jim Muhwezi, MP Rujumbura and minister for security thanked Bishop Callist for his visit to Rukungiri. Thanked all parishes in Rukungiri district for various contributions towards BAAF. He said the idea of starting BAAF was a bright one for it has brought economic transformation in the diocese. Thanked him for leadership skills which have brought unity with other faiths and also supporting government in bringing social services to people. He said that government supports the church in various aspects e.g health, education, community empowerment among others. He contributed 3m to cater for people’s lunch and deliver a contribution of 10m to support BAAF project 2024. He announced Nyakibale Parish as the winner of BAAF Rukungiri 2024, having collected 72m cash and was given a gift for this position.
Bishop Callist Rubaramira, in his remarks thanked all that contributed, each in their capacity and out of generosity. Thanked Mr. Manige Wenceslas and Rukungiri team for the successful organization of the function. He also thanked Hon. Minister Jim Muhwezi for the lunch he had prepared for the people. He reminded people to always listen to the voice of God and do his will and be generous in giving in order to build the kingdom of God here on earth. He said the Diocese gives public accountability through the projects established, but also does annual auditing.