Weekly bulletins, schedules and helpful Information
FROM FATHER'S DESK
Dear Friends, “Peace be with you.” Last Sunday, we celebrated the Ascension of the Lord to heaven.
Special thanks and congratulations to Shepherd of the Hills as the conditions for celebrating public Mass were met and will begin this Pentecost Sunday. I would like to ask you to adhere to the guidelines put in place for the safety of everyone who comes to pray.
We are still working on the basic requirements to have Holy Infant cleared for the celebration of public Masses on the weekend and week days.
Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles to inaugurate the Evangelization work of Jesus through the preaching of the Apostles and their successors.
The Holy Spirit as Advocate, Teacher, and Comforter would be present with the Apostles in their task of preaching and making disciples of all nations.
When Jesus says; “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jesus gives the Spirit for the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name. Forgiveness will bring redemption and salvation.
The prayer of Absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is deeply connected with the work of the Holy Spirit- “God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his son has reconciled the world with himself and sent the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins.” Let us endeavor to live the life of the Spirit by our ability to forgive and willingness to ask for forgiveness.
Paul counsels us to live by the Spirit other than by the desire of the flesh. “The fruits of the Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Gal.5:22-23.
In our Catechetical formation in particular preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation we learnt about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Many Saints have lived the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up the Body of Christ.
On Wednesday June 3rd 2020 is the Uganda Martyrs Saints Day. This is a public holiday set aside to enable the faithful from many parts of the world to make a pilgrimage to the Namugongo the former execution site but now a place of prayer and faith rejuvenation.
I personally consider this time around the year of many pilgrims who flock to the various Shrines of the Uganda Martyrs as an occasion for Evangelization.
This year, all pilgrimages to the Martyr’s’ Shrine have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Uganda Martyrs were 45 young men who worked at the King’s court as pages. They had been introduced to Christianity by both the Anglican and Catholic Missionaries. King Mwanga had threatened to kill all who refused to abandon the faith. The pages were also killed due to the fact that they refused the homosexual tendencies of king.
The majority of the Martyrs were killed on June 3rd 1886 at Namugongo execution site after severe torture and mutilation. They were burnt alive at the fires of Namugongo.
The 22 Catholic Martyrs were beatified in 1922 and canonized as Saints on October 18th 1964 by Pope Paul VI.
In July 29th of 1969, Paul VI made his historical pilgrimage to Uganda and Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine where an impressive Shrine and Basilica stands in place. May the Uganda Martyrs and Saints intercede for us as exemplary and heroic witnesses of Jesus and virtue.
Please try to read and find more about the Uganda Martyrs and Saints.
Have a Blessed Week