TWO MORE SONS OF EYMARD WERE ORDAINED PRIESTS
On the 3rd, of August 2019, two more sons of Eymard were ordained priests. Rev. Fr. Ssenkasi Denis, SSS and Rev. Fr. Nsambu Herbert, SSS, were ordained priests at our Lady of sorrows Cathedral in Masaka Diocese. This memorable celebration was presided over by the new bishop of Masaka diocese; Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba, assisted by Bishop emeritus of the same diocese; Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa and several priests.
On the 3rd, of August 2019, two more sons of Eymard were ordained priests. Rev. Fr. Ssenkasi Denis, SSS and Rev. Fr. Nsambu Herbert, SSS, were ordained priests at our Lady of sorrows Cathedral in Masaka Diocese. This memorable celebration was presided over by the new bishop of Masaka diocese; Rt. Rev. Serverus Jjumba, assisted by Bishop emeritus of the same diocese; Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa and several priests.
This day will remain memorable in the history of the Ugandan SSS foundation and in the lives of our brothers; Fr. Ssenkasi Denis and Fr. Nsambu Herbert. That at the thirteenth and half hours of the third day of August, these our brothers Denis and Herbert were elevated to the order of priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church, a day after the feast of our Holy founder; Saint peter Julian Eymard.
Together with the a few family members of the newly ordained, and some members of the extended Eymardian family; the Adorers and Aggregates, the evening of this day saw a community celebration of this gift of priesthood and the feast of our holy founder. The day was followed by magnificent events of the Thanksgiving Masses of Fr. Herbert Nsambu at his parents’ home in Kimaanya, Kimaanya Parish; on Sunday, 4th of August, and Fr. Denis Ssenkasi, at his parent’s in Kyooko, Nkoni parish, on Monday 5th of August 2019.
The priestly ordination of our brothers is a very special event in our Eymardian family, here in Uganda, to the entire congregation and the Church. We give thanks and praise to our Eucharistic Lord; the Lord of the harvest, for the gift of religious life and priesthood. Together with the entire Congregation, the Province; Our Lady of the Assumptions (Philippines-Uganda-Hawaii), the Eymardian family Uganda celebrates this ordination with joy and welcomes the newly ordained into the ministry of service with hope.
We are immensely grateful to the General Council, the Provincial and his Council, for all the support received towards the formation of our brothers and more so, towards the preparations of their ordination.
Our Newly ordained brothers need our prayers and wholehearted support in their ministry. We pray that they may always model their lives after the example of Christ our high Priest under the maternal protection of our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and our Holy founder, Saint Peter Julian Eymard.
We thank the Lord for the gift of religious life and priesthood to the church, and for the success of all the events. (Fr. George Ssali, SSS)
Biennial Convention of the Association of the Major Superiors’ of the Philippines 2019
By Sr. Maria Fe Magbanua, SSS Provincial Superior (Servants of the Blessed Sacrament)
Every two years the Major Superiors of the Philippines both men and women have joint convention to bound together and to collectively witness in the building up of the Body of Christ. This year the convention’s theme is in line with the Year of the Youth, “Consecrated Persons Accompanying the Filipino Youth in Mission: Beloved, Gifted and Empowered.” The convention was held in Iloilo City, the city of Love from July 13-17, 2019.
Fr. Roel de la Cruz, SSS, Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and Sr. Maria Fe Magbanua, SSS, Provincial Superior of the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament participated in this meeting of all the religious servant leaders of the Philippine Church.
His Most Reverend Leopoldo Jaucian, Bishop of Bengued and the chairperson of the Episcopal Commission on Youth gave the keynote address. He used the story of Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35) as biblical framework emphasizing that as Jesus walks with the two disciples at Emmaus so He is also walking with the youth. He capped his keynote address with these words, “the Philippine youth have a heart that listens and we need to walk with them to let them recognize and see the realities of today’s world. We have to let them realize that they are beloved and gifted they have something to give and share. The challenge is for us religious to listen to them, lead them home and empower them.”
All the speakers enriched all participants through their sharing on the youth of today who are fondly call “millennials”. Even the presentation of the reports used technology to be attune on what keeps the attention of the youth. The highlight of the convention was the youth encounter that also served as a “mini” vocation promotion.
Mr. Sean Patrick Lovett, Vatican Chief Correspondent and Vice President, Center for Research and Education in Communication gave these parting words, “Let go and let God. The kingdom of God is about hope and joy. Hope is the light at the end of the tunnel. Joy is who we are. These are the instruments we have to use to reach out to the youth more than the technology for after all we all are God’s instruments.” On July 16, 2019, both the women and men major superiors separately voted for a new set of Board of Trustees. Fr. Roel de la Cruz, SSS was voted vice-chairperson of the men major superiors. Let us keep him in prayers and the rest of the newly elected Board of Trustees as they carry on the task to build up the Church that is full of hope and joy.
Mass and Candle Lighting for the 36 Accused of Inciting to Sedition
On August 6, 2019, Tuesday at 4:00 PM at the Christ the King Church along E. Rodriguez Sr. Boulevard in Quezon City, the mission partners and permanent commission of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines held a silent gathering to resist the shadow of fear cast on the nation and the Filipinos caused by thousands of unexplained summary killings and the persecution of Church leaders, priests and those who speak the truth. The groups call on the Philippine Government to uphold truth, justice and peace and further ask the country’s leaders to:
- end the senseless killings and holding responsible those who take away life,
- prioritize decent t jobs to end poverty,
- safeguard the country’s sovereignty, and,
- uphold the rights of the thirty-six (36) accused of inciting to sedition, cyber libel, libel and obstruction of justice by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation Division and the Office of the Solicitor General.
The silent gathering begun with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Reverend Fathers Angelo Cortez, OFM and Daniel Franklin Pilario, CM. Fr. Roel dela Cruz, sss and Fr. Alde Bureros,sss joined the occasion to represent the Congregation.