RWASEYEZA HIIKA IN KISHANJE PARISH RECEIVES A STATUE OF MARY.

Catholics of St. Charles Lwanga Rwaseyeza Hiika in Kishanje Parish on Sunday, October 27, 2024 received a Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary donated to them by Mrs Jacqueline Katabazi, wife to Col. Emmanuel Katabazi, Deputy Director General of Internal Security Organization (ISO).

While preaching during Mass on 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Rev. Fr. Ireneus Tibemanya, the Parish Priest of Kishanje Parish said that some people are spiritually blind the way Bartimeus was bind and needed Jesus’ touch. He urged Christians to remove spiritual blindness and fervently serve God.

Fr. Ireneus said that Bartimeus son of Timeus was healed of physical blindness by Jesus after people had shut him down when he cried to Jesus for help. He said there are people who are good at bringing others down, discouraging them or even shutting them down when they are doing good to others. He praised Mrs. Katabazi for her thoughtful donation as a sign of being spiritually alive.

Mrs. Jacqueline Katabazi on Sunday afternoon donated a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Catholic community of Rwaseyeza Hiika and the donation came as a response to the request from the Christians of Rwaseyeza Hiika who had constructed the grotto but did not have the statue.

This donation isn’t about politics. It’s about the respect and love that my family and I have for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mother Mary has done so much for my family, and I believe she will do the same for you – Mrs. Jacqueline Katabazi to the Christians of Rwaseyeza Hiika.

She recounted that her special attachment and devotion to Mary reached the apex when her husband Col. Emmy Katabazi was imprisoned, and while in prison, he could recite the rosary daily as he listened to Radio Maria. It is through the intercession of Blessed Virgin Mary that he was released. Mrs Katabazi revealed that the donation wasn’t about politics, but her love and respect she has for the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Mrs. Katabazi shared that when she learned of the Rwaseyeza’s wish for a statue, she felt compelled to fulfill it. “I promised myself to deliver it. I discussed it with my family, and we agreed to bring it to you”, said Mrs Katabazi. She also donated a solar system to provide light in the grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary and contributed 1 million shillings towards expansion of the Church.

The statue of Mary was welcomed by a throng of people who gathered to witness this special moment. As the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary arrived, the Christians, knowing the importance of her intercession, were overcome with emotion. Many shed tears of joy, others danced and sang, celebrating the arrival of the Mother Mary with heartfelt devotion and promised to pray for Mrs. Jacqueline Katabazi in order to attain her desired goals.

In return, the Christians of Rwaseyeza Hiika thanked Mrs. Jacqueline Katabazi for sacrificing her time and resources and sharing them with the Christians. They thanked her for gifting them with the Statue of Mary and promised to pray for her in her aspirations and programs. The Christians also thanked chairman Kasyaba for grading the road to Rwaseyeza Catholic Church.

Mr. Posiano Nshekantebirwe, the catechist of Rwaseyeza Hiika, who is also the head Catechist for Kishanje Parish shared that Rwaseyeza community had built a grotto for the Blessed Virgin Mary over the past three years. He mentioned that although others had promised to donate a statue, none had fulfilled the promise until Mrs. Katabazi quenched their thirst. He said the first car to reach Rwaseyeza Church was delivering this statue of Mary, and said this is the beginning of a new chapter for Rwaseyeza Hiika and Kishanje Parish in general.

Mrs. Clare Kemitumba, president of the Legion of Mary in Kishanje Parish appreciated Mrs. Katabazi’s special gift to Rwaseyeza Hiika. She noted that the prayers of Rwaseyeza Catholics through the Blessed Virgin Mary could bring Mrs. Katabazi success in her ambition to become the Woman MP for Rubanda District. Mrs. Jacqueline Katabazi has expressed interest in running for the position of Woman MP for Rubanda District in 2026.

St. Charles Lwanga Rwaseyeza Hiika was started 1936 and officially opened in 1940. The first Catholics to be baptized at Benedicto Bitaama. The late Sr. Odila was one of the first religious sisters from Rwaseyeza Hiika. First priest born from Rwaseyeza Hiika is Fr. Charles Mugabi ordained in 2016 followed by Fr. Alex Biryomumaisho ordained in 2017 in Cincinnati in USA.

Among the plans for the Hiika include expansion of the Church so that the Hiika can be elevated to the level of an Eucharistic centre. After 88 years of existence, there is need to expand the church because the number of occupants has increased.