Christians have been called upon to spare time and visit Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament. This call was made by Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Musinguzi, parish priest of Our Lady of Assumption Rwanyena Parish while installing the most Blessed Eucharist in Katuna Catholic Church in Rwanyena Greater Centre, Rwanyena Parish. The function took place on Easter Thursday, April 24, 2025 amidst jubilation from the Christians.
Fr. Musinguzi reminded the Christians that receiving the Blessed Sacrament doesn’t mean they have done it all, more responsibilities have come with it. “You have been coming to church anyhow, but now you must show reverence to Jesus in the tabernacle. It shows how you have expressed zeal in preparing your heart to receive the Lord,” said Fr. Musinguzi. He urged them to dedicate more time to personal prayer, approach the table of the Lord to receive sacraments especially penance and Eucharist, have time for Adoration especially on Thursdays and help your children know the dignity of the Eucharist and other sacraments. The priests in Rwanyena parish on the other hand received yet another added responsibly of celebrating Mass at Katuna church often times.
While preaching during Mass, Fr Deusdedit Musinguzi, parish priest of Our Lady of Assumption Rwanyena Parish said that from the book of Exodus, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt because the Egyptians could not look at them as people with dignity. They cried to the Lord and he heard their cry. The Lord vowed to liberate them from Egypt for he saw their suffering and he chose Moses to take the lead. In the same way, the people of Katuna have cried to the Lord for a long time to have the blessed Eucharist and the Lord has heard their cry through Bishop Callist Rubaramira.
In the Gospel according to Luke 24:13-35, two of the disciples were going to Emmaus from Jerusalem because they were disappointed with what had happened to Jesus. But Jesus followed them on their way and joined their conversation in order to help them understand what was to happen to him as foretold by the prophets. They only understood and recognized him after breaking the bread with them. In the sacrament of Eucharist, heaven meets with earth at consecration and therefore, all the attention should be at the altar with no distraction.
After the two disciples had recognized Jesus at the breaking of bread, the had all the courage and energy, they went back to Jerusalem. Jesus empowered them and they went back to Jerusalem to bear witness to him among others. Fr. Musinguzi reminded the Christians that the Blessed Sacrament they received should help them do an apostolate among the people but starting from their families, to basic Christian communities. He said every Thursday is a day to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and requested them to make use of it.
St. Paul reminds the Corinthians to always prepare themselves to eat at the Lord’s table (1 Corinthians 11:27-30). Those who do not receive the sacrament of Eucharist should mend their lives and return to Jesus. “The disciples returned from. Emmaus and went to Jerusalem. Go and tell others the goodness of the sacrament,” said Fr. Musinguzi. After Mass, there was procession with blessed sacrament before reopening it in the Blessed Tabernacle amidst jubilation and joy from the Christians.
Mr. Thomas Rwomushana, chairperson for Katuna Catholic Centre expressed joy that after a long time of waiting, Katuna has been elevated to Eucharistic centre. He said that in 1974, the first Eucharistic sacrifice of Mass was celebrated at Katuna and was led by Rev. Fr. Andrew Bakeihahwenki. In 2014, Rev. Fr. Godius Musinguzi elevated elevated Katuna to the level of sub centre. This gave them zeal to work hard and get centre status while in 2025, it elevated to Eucharistic centre with efforts of Fr. Deusdedit Musinguzi, the current parish priest of Our Lady of Assumption Rwanyena Parish.
On behalf of the Christians of Katuna centre, Mr. Rwomushana extended great appreciation to Rwanyena Parish Council that made a resolution to request the Bishop in order to elevate Katuna centre and an Eucharistic centre. He also thanked the Christians of Katuna centre and Karujanga Greater Centre for working together and preparing for the elevation of Katuna Eucharistic centre.
He noted that because of its location at the boarder with Rwanda, Katuna centre would be expecting visitors at any time including pilgrims to kibeho so they still need 17m to purchase liturgical vestments, liturgical vessels, monstrance for benediction among others, and appealed for more support. On that day a total of 5.3 million shillings was collected to support the church but essential items.
Dr. Abdon Birungi, Vice Chairperson of Rwanyena Parish Council welcomed the Bishop’s delegate and expressed gratitude on behalf of Rwanyena Parish to the Bishop who accepted that Katuna be elevated to level of Eucharist Centre. He also thanked the Catholics of Katuna centre for working very hard and constructing a good church to accommodate the blessed sacrament. He said that when Katuna lodged in their request to the parish council for the blessed sacrament, the request was in turn sent to the Bishop through parish priest and their requests was granted.
He said the purpose of Parish Council is to listen to people requests and cries and look for solutions. He also said that Karujanga greater centre and Kahungye greater centre needed services closer to the in the name of parish and at an opportune time, God will listen to their prayers.
Mr. Nelson Nshangabashaija, Chairperson L.C 5 for Kabale district congratulated Katuna for receiving the Blessed Sacrament. He thanked the Christians of Katuna for being accountable and using the funds well to build God’s house. He also urged people to embrace leadership especially lower positions like the Local Councils which people tend to underlook yet they are so important.
Fr. Boniface Barisigara, on behalf of priests Rwanyena Parish also congratulated the Christians of Katuna centre. He thanked the Bishop for his pastoral care and granting Katuna an Eucharistic centre. He advised the Christians that Jesus should not remain in the tabernacle, but must be consumed. He urged them to purify their hearts and receive Jesus with proper disposition.
Hon. Catherine Ndamira, Woman MP Kabale District congratulated Katuna centre for receiving the blessed sacrament and requested the Christians to visit the blessed Eucharist often times. She eulogized Pope Francis whom she and her husband had visited and gave them an Apostolic Blessing. She requested the Christians to work hard sho that they get what to offer and look after their church. She and her family contributed 2m towards the development activities of the area.