Msgr. John Vianney Sunday, Vicar General of Kabale Diocese has appreciated the work being done by the catechists in evangelization and instructing the faithful in Catechism. He said this on Friday while meeting with catechists who were being trained as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in Rushoroza Pastoral Centre. He thanked them for collaborating with the priests in parishes to ease the work of evangelization and Apostolate.
About 250 Catechists and selected Lay Faithful from all 43 parishes of Kabale Diocese gathered in Rushoroza Pastoral Centre from Thursday, 26.3.2026 for training and will be commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion on Palm Sunday during solemn Mass presided over by Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop of Kabale Diocese.
Msgr. Sunday reminded them that the Most Holy Eucharist is the Source and summit of Christian life. He warned of the possible profenation of the Most Holy Eucharist, but it should be handled with utmost reverence. You have the duty to teach and prepare people how to revere the Most Holy Eucharist.
He said that according to Canon Law (can. 910) Ordinary Minister of the most Holy Eucharist is the Bishop, priest or Deacon. Where there is necessity, Extraordinary Ministers may be duly prepared to distribute Holy Communion. Extraordinary Ministers may help in taking viaticum to the sick (Holy Communion given to the sick).
The Vicar General appealed to catechists to always make home visitations, prepare the sick to receive viaticum. Quoting canon law (can. 913) he said that Catechists are also charged with the duty of preparing people to receive the Most Holy Eucharist. Christians should be properly disposed in order to benefit from the Sacraments most especially the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist.
From the Family perspective, Rev. Sr. Judith Atukwatse, coordinator of family ministry in Kabale Diocese reminded married couples to be examples to the youth so that they admire family life and later embrace the vocation of marriage. She said this while meeting the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at Rushoroza Pastoral Centre.
“We love the blessed Sacrament but hate Jesus. You claim to serve God but you are not at peace with your family members. Respect each other in the family. Don’t use abusive language in your family. Don’t use your mouth to proclaim the word of God and use the same mouth to abuse others, said Sr. Atukwatse.
She said that Catechists should also join lay Apostolate movements, because in our stations (hiikas), the catechists are expected to be advisors to the members of lay Apostolate movements and associations and so they cannot give what they do not have.
Sr. Atukwatse also admonished catechists to develop a culture of saving so that their old age is not looked at as a burden to the other members. There are some things onep must stop doing because you command respect in society hence aging gracefully.
In his remarks, Rev. Fr. Dr. Deusdedit Musinguzi, Chairman of the Liturgical and Catechesis Commission and parish priest of Our Lady of Assumption Rwanyena Parish thanked the catechists for their selfless service to the people of God. He reminded them to seek guidance from God and be interested in knowing feedback from your audience. He urged the catechists to live and practice what they preach. They should live by example following Jesus the master.
Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers it’s because they are witnesses” – People Paul VI, on Evangelization in the Modern World, 41.
He clearly distinguished the role of the ordained as the ordinary ministers of the Most Holy Eucharist and Lay faithful as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in that the latter are to assist the former in distribution of Holy Communion and taking viaticum to the sick.
He said they should prepare themselves and the faithful well to encounter the Lord through the word of God, not their own word. While proclaiming the word of God, they should be audible, articulate the words clearly, and make eye contact where necessary. They are to bring the faithful closer to Christ and bring Christ to them.