Christians have been urged to work together and be witnesses to Christ in their lives. This call was made on Friday, December 27, 2024 by Rev. Fr. Austen Christmas, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral Parish at the inauguration and opening of St. Alphonce Kishekyera Hiika in Kyanamira Sub Parish.
While preaching during Mass, Fr. Austen said that St. John whose feast was being celebrated, preached more about God’s love, and together with his brother James, left everything and followed Christ. He reminded the Christians that relatives should not deter them from serving the Lord, but instead bring them closer to Christ.
In his first letter, St. John reminds the community of the faithful that togetherness and unity is vital for the ministry. “You people of kishekyera hiika should remain united, work together, visit the sick, help the elderly and the frail” said Fr. Austen. He said there should be no divisionism, but as one family of God, people need to live and work together as children of God.
As John became an apostle of Jesus, we too should be Jesus’ partners in the ministry among his people living and working together – Fr. Austen Christmas.
As John witnessed Christ, people should also be witnesses to Christ among people through word and deed. There will be no witness if Christians don’t become examples to their children and peace not cultivated in families Let us go and preach the Gospel of joy to others.
Fr. Austen reminded the Christians that they are called to seek truth in Christ, for he is the way the truth and the life. After resurrection, Mary Magdalene took the message of resurrection to other. He noted that in today’s era, there are people who derive joy in spreading bad news, thereby destabilizing the peace of others and urged them to return to the sheepfold of Christ.
The chairperson of St. Alphonse Kishekyera hiika, Mr. Agaba Allan thanked the parish priest and parish administration for granting Kishekyera a l hiika status so that people of Kishekyera get services closer to them. He thanked Fr. Austen in a special way who has supported them in various ways to the establishment of the hiika. On behalf of the interim leadership, Mr. Allan donated a new runyankore rukiga Missal, a book used for Mass.
He thanked God for fulfilling their long long time desires. He said their parents had desires to have a church in their place for the last 70 years. He thanked the late Alphonse Kasaza who granted them a piece of land to construct the church that has been granted hiika status.
The chairperson Kyanamira hiika congratulated Kishekyera hiika upon attaining the hiika status and Mr. Arigye Odo, chairperson Kyanamira muluka thanked rushoroza cathedral parish administration for thinking about the people of Kishekyera to receive services closer to them. He said Kyanamira muluka now has 4 hiikas of Nyakatare, Kigata, Kishekyera and Kyanamira. He said noted that the muluka is looking for means of getting some. land around Kabalaga hill so that another hiika can be constructed there. He donated drum and shakers to be used by the church.
Mr. Gordian Minyeeto also congratulated the people of Kishekyera hiika and thanked all those those that core the idea of Kishekyera hiika, e.g Sagiri, Kasaza among others. He thanked the hiikas of Kigata and Nyakatare for granting pieces of land to Kishekyera. He said it was right and fitting to open Kishekyera hiika.
In his remarks as chief guest, Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba, member of parliament for Ndorwa East thanked people of Kishekyera and congratulated them. He urged parents to take care of their children and educate them so that their hiika develops. He encouraged them to work hard and as chairman of land board for Kabale Diocese they resolved that people should no longer construct semi permanent houses and churches. This calls for hard work in order to have permanent structures.
Hon. Niwagaba urged the hiika to use their land profitably so that it can care for their families. He also tasked the catechist to carry out home visitations carrying out both spiritual and health inspection so that people develop in both body and spirit. He contributed 2m to support the new hiika.
Mr. Remigio Byamukama, chairperson Rushoroza cathedral parish Council and Diocesan Education Secretary thanked the Bishop for his leadership and assenting that Kishekyera hiika be inaugurated in Rushoroza Cathedral parish. He also thanked Fr. Austen for the support and officially opening St. Alphonse Kishekyera hiika.
He reminded the Christians of Kishekyera hiika that each of them had received the hiika and urged them to work together for its growth and development. He asked them that as they have started with vigour, they should work together to see the church develop.
The church was inaugurated with the signing of the document that officially declared the opening of the hiika. This document was signed by the parish priest, chairman parish Council, hiika catechist, chairperson of Kyanamira centre. And a copy kept at the hiika, muluka, centre and parish.
A total of 4,603,500/= was collected to support the new church. St. Alphonce Kishekyera Hiika is the 39th Hiika in Rushoroza Cathedral Parish.