Christians have been urged to embrace Jesus and make him their personal friend in order to have a successful Christian life. This call was made by Rev. Fr. Ignatius Arinaitwe, chaplain of the Daughters of Our Lady of Fatima, Kabale Diocese who presided over Mass on Pentecost Sunday at Holy Family Buhara Parish.
Fr. Ignatius was closing a three day conference which started on Thursday focused on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You should not leave the Catholic Church where you see, touch and eat Jesus (Blessed Eucharist) to another place where Jesus is not seen, touched or eaten. When we are near Jesus, he supports us with his Holy Spirit and so we become successful in bearing him good fruit, Fr. Ignatius said.
The Catholic Church celebrates its birthday, the day when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, the day which concludes the Easter season. One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. The apostles were in fear of the Jews and awed indoors because their Master (Jesus) had been killed. This fear was quenched when the Holy Spirit came onto each of them in the form of what appeared like tongues of fire resting on each of them.
Pentecost marks 50 days of Easter since Christ was raised from the dead. The Easter season is the longest season celebrated in the Catholic Church apart from the Ordinary Time.
When you are led by the Spirit, you will not stray (Gal 5:16). You will have love, joy peace patience, mercy, and there is no law against them. Do not be like those who are not led by the Holy Spirit, because their fruits are known: sexual vice, impurity, and sensuality, the worship of false gods and sorcery; antagonisms and rivalry, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels, disagreements, factions and malice, drunkenness, orgies and all such things. And about these, I tell you now as I have told you in the past, that people who behave in these ways will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5:19-21).
On the other hand, those who are led by the Holy Spirit have known fruits and these include: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23).
The chairman Parish Council for Buhara Parish thanked Fr. Ignatius for leading them through the conference and praying for outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the people. He urged people to put the lessons learnt into practice and start walking the talk. He warned people not to talk loosely by always speaking with caution in order not to hurt others or bring disorder but words which bring harmony in society.
Hon. Catherine Ndamira, represented by her political assistant Mr. Alex Akampurira thanked the parish administration of Buhara Parish for transforming the parish through collaboration with the parish council and Catechists. She thanked the members of Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) for renewing themselves in the Holy Spirit and requested them to keep her in prayers for proper service delivery. She urged the parishioners of Buhara Parish to continue embracing government programs.
Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba, the legislator for Ndorwa East represented by his political assistant, Hon. Bridget Asinga (Finance secretary for Rushoroza Cathedral Parish) reminded the people to remain united and work together as Jesus sent the disciples in groups to do the ministry. He said that the water project for Bugarama, Karama, Karweru will soon start by the government. The people appreciated the two legislators for their hard work and supporting them and promised to pray for them for a successful term of office. Both legislators contributed 2m shillings to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal group in Buhara Parish.