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Bishop’s Wisdom Guides Seekers to Deeper Spiritual Connection at the Tomb of Titarani Bishop Gasi Abangite

Sr. Henriette Anne FSSA

As the days draw near for the pilgrimage to the Tomb of Titarani Bishop Gasi Abangite, bishop Eduardo Kussala noted that it is essential to understand the deeper purpose behind this annual tradition and how one can maximize the experience. Here are some key points to consider before and during the pilgrimage:

1. Clarify Your Intentions: Before setting out on the pilgrimage, take time to reflect on your intentions. Why are you participating in this pilgrimage? What spiritual or personal goals do you hope to achieve? He encourages the participants to set clear intentions for their journey, whether it’s seeking spiritual growth, solace, healing, or a deeper connection with God.
2. Spirit of Prayer and Intercession: He called upon the pilgrims to emphasize the power of prayer during the pilgrimage, to not only pray for themselves but also to pray for others, whether it’s loved ones, the community, or the world at large. This collective intercession can bring a sense of unity and purpose to the journey, the bishop explained.
3. Spiritual Engagement Along the Way: As pilgrims travel to Yambio, he said, “I encourage them to visit churches and parishes along the route. Take time to pray and engage with the local communities and fellow pilgrims you encounter”. These moments of connection can enrich the pilgrimage experience and highlight the broader community of faith.
4. Openness and Mutual Support: He stressed the importance of being open to connecting with fellow pilgrims. Encouraging a spirit of mutual support. He added that Pilgrimages often provide opportunities to form deep and lasting relationships with people who share a similar spiritual journey.
5. Embrace Adaptability: He reminded pilgrims that challenges and unexpected situations are a natural part of any pilgrimage. He has called upon all Church leaders to encourage pilgrims to maintain a positive and adaptable mindset, as some of the most profound experiences can arise from overcoming obstacles.
6. Accepting Diversity: He explained in his statement that pilgrimages often bring together people from various backgrounds asking pilgrims to embrace the diversity they encounter along the way, recognizing that everyone is on their own unique spiritual journey.
7. Documentation and Reflection: Suggest keeping a journal or taking photos to document the pilgrimage experience. This can help pilgrims remember their journey and reflect on the insights and revelations they gain along the way.
8. Engagement with Authorities: He also said that the participants to inform local authorities about the pilgrimage, ensuring safety and coordination. This also shows respect for the community and authorities you will encounter.
9. Spiritual Legacy: Highlight the historical significance of the route you’re taking. Discuss how the roads you travel and the locations you visit have been part of the faith journey of those who came before you, including Titarani Bishop Gasi Abangite and the missionaries who brought the faith.
10. Spiritual Discovery: He emphasized that the pilgrimage is an opportunity to step away from the complexities of daily life and immerse oneself in a focused spiritual journey. He asked the participants to approach the pilgrimage with an open heart and mind, ready to discover new insights about themselves, their faith, and the world around them.

“Annual Pilgrimage Honoring Bishop Gasi Abangite: A Spiritual Journey of Renewal and Communal Unity”

By Sr. Henriette Anne FSSA

The tale of celebrating the life of Titarani Bishop Gasi Abangite began in 2012 during the joyous commemoration of the First Centenary in Mupoi. According to Bishop Eduardo, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY), People embarked on pilgrimages, traversing miles upon miles, guided by the compass of faith. Under the guidance of Fr. Mark Kumbonyeki, the faithful from St. Mary Mother of God Yambio walked with unwavering determination. Others, like Fr. Moudie from Bakhita, Fr. Richard Mangu from Naandi, Fr. Jacinto in Ezo, Fr. Bagare and Fr. Githinji in Rii-Yubu, Fr. Basana and Sangu in Tombura, and Fr. Kumyangi in Nzara, along with their parishioners, joined in this spiritual odyssey.

On his statement of August 24^th, shared with the Rurugene Online Newsletter, the prelate stated that the annual celebration of Bishop Gasi day is an opportunity for the renewal of their faith and as a CDTY family they need to hold onto it and use it profitably.

“Titarani Bishop Gasi Day is yet another milestone and a home opportunity for the annual renewal of our faith. As a diocesan family, we need to hold to it firmly and build our spiritual riches. Every one of us needs to use it profitably well for us as individuals and for those we stand up for as leaders or collaborators”.

He added that “Pilgrimage is a meaningful journey to a sacred place. It provides the opportunity to step out of the non-stop business of our lives, to seek a time of quiet and reflection. It gives us the chance to ‘walk through’ those issues that we have on our minds, whatever they might be. It is a time of simply ‘being’ rather than always ‘doing’”.

He further said that Pilgrimage is a communal affair, where strangers become companions on the road. Conversations flow like rivers, and bonds are formed like unbreakable threads. Physical, mental, and spiritual energies are rekindled, and a symbiotic connection with nature and cultural roots is re-established.

“Pilgrimage was a communal affair, where strangers became companions on the road. Conversations flowed like rivers, and bonds formed like unbreakable threads. Physical, mental, and spiritual energies were rekindled, and a symbiotic connection with nature and cultural roots was reestablished”.

Bishop Kussala explained that through the pilgrimage, the faithful rediscover the essence, in the footsteps of Titarani Bishop Gasi, the pilgrimage finds solace, inspiration, and an unbreakable connection to the eternal.

St. John Paul II Philosophicum Seminary Resumes Mission with Renewed Vigor After Pastoral Break

By Ballash Jerome

The seminary of St. John Paul II Philosophicum in the Catholic Diocese of Tambura-Yambio on Tuesday resumed its vocational mission following seminarians’ pastoral holidays of about three months. Addressing seminarians and religious faithful during a holy mass Rev. Fr Andrea Mbuniwai who presided over the Mass, reminded the Seminarians about commitment, unity, and love.

Fr Mbuniwai during a night event while addressing the seminarians says “Vocation is a process of transformation and seminary is a formation house where one is built both spiritual and physical. He encouraged the seminarians to follow the rules and regulations of their formation house in order to succeed in the process of their vocation to priesthood encouraging them to have goals for the spiritual profession.

On his part, Rev. Fr. Vairi Natale reactor –St. John Paul II Philosophicum seminary also urged the seminarians to behave rightly at the right time and to resist situations in their vocational journey by following the rules.

Fr. Natale with joy welcomed a new lecturer, Bro. Emmanuel from Nigeria to the seminary.

During the welcoming ceremony, new members were welcomed into the seminary.

“From Sacraments to Gardening: Fr. Luke Yugue’s Holistic Approach to Ministry”

By Sr. Henriette Anne FSSA

In a colorful celebration, on 6^th August 2023, in the presence of Christians and the local authorities, Fr Luke Yugue was installed as the Parish Priest of Nazareth Parish in Nagero. The Christians of Nagero are thankful after so many years has finally had a resident Parish Priest.

Ahead of the installation, the Christian community in Nagero built three tackles for the new Parish Priest. As one of his first works, Fr Luke has managed to reopen Nagero Secondary School. By now, it’s the only Secondary school in the County.

In an online interview with Rurugene Online Newsletter, Fr. Luke disclosed that he received the news of his appointment with great happiness.

To effectively manage the administrative and financial aspects of the Parish, Fr. Luke underscored that “he will train the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) to know their role as far as Parish administering the parish resources”, he added that his plan is to cooperate and collaborate with PPC in matters concerning their roles.

Fr. Luke further said that he will involve all the parishioner planning, and implementation of Parish activities in order to promote active participation and engagement of parishioners in various ministries and initiatives.

He went on to express that he will pay more attention to the celebration of the sacrament and the spiritual development of every Christian and ensure that he does something for himself like gardening.

“I will have to pay attention to the celebration of the Sacraments and the spiritual development of every Christian and make sure I also do something for myself for example; Gardening”.            

  He also promised to strengthen the connection between the parish and the broader community, including outreach efforts and partnerships with local organizations by reaching out to both the community and the local organization and partners.

“I will make sure that I reach out to them both the community and the local organization and the partners”.

He added that his vision is to ensure that Christians are helped to grow spiritually, to construct Parish houses and the Church since the Parish is in a mission land with no facility, to strengthen the capacity of the Secondary School, and push it to meet the required standard, to provide clean water, to open field for the Parish, and to begin some investments and self-help activities. He stressed that his goal is to see the parish flourishing both spiritually and in social activities.

Parishioners Come Together to Lift Up Grieving Catechist and His Family After Tragic Loss

By Sr. Henriette Anne FSSA

The Christians of St, Peter and Paul Parish, Nuvundio Chapel, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Mizeredi Simone came together to be in solidarity with their Catechist Anthony Mazabutu after losing his wife through a snake bite.

 “Actually, no one expected what happened, because she was not sick, she worked in the garden up to midday, in the evening she decided to go and uproot the cassava to boil for dinner, on her way back from the garden she was bitten by a snake, they rushed her to the hospital, almost reaching the hospital, she passed away and the body was brought back”, Fr. Simone narrated.

“Mr. Anthony has served for more than 20 years and at the same time his late wife has served as the chair Lady of the Legion of Mary group until the last day of her life on earth”, Fr. said.

Fr. Simone further explained that he mobilized the community towards the noble act of charity after learning about the untimely death of the Catechist’s wife.

“After learning about the passing of his wife, I started by writing letters to all apostolic groups in the parish, inviting them to come for a brief meeting in which I disclosed how we can go together and give support to our Catechist, they were happy to do it very quickly. And we decided to go and show him that we love him and to show him that we stand by him in the sad situation in which he was going through and also the family and community for the loose t of that great woman”.

He added, that the motivation behind this initiative was rooted in Anthony’s and his wife commitment to serving God and the community. Their genuine care and dedication inspired others to come together and provide practical and emotional support.

“What motivated us is actually by looking at his lifestyle since he has been serving God as a catechist and also his wife has been so committed. His commitment to the service of the church and also to the community of Nuvundio Chapel actually motivated us to take this initiative and go and pay a visit to him in times of distress so that we can stand beside our brothers and sisters”.

During the visit, Fr, Simone observed that the family and the community were happy with their presence in the community, they celebrated mass and prayed with the family and the entire community, shared with him words of consolation, and supported him with material things.

 “According to my observation, the family and community at large were so happy, first holy mass was offered for the passing of his wife and we prayed for himself and the entire community he was serving, secondly, we shared with him the words of consolation, and also supported him in both materially and spiritually. So, with all this mission, they were so happy and we were appreciated actually by family and the community at large”.

To continue providing support for Mr. Anthony and his family, Fr. Simone said,  “As members we must stand with our brothers and sisters when they are in bad situations consolation and love, and also our plan for this incident, we already have a meeting that day with the community and the family on how to care for this great man who has been offering great service to the church, so our plan is to identify a place where he can be put something like a “tuku” where he can establish himself and we shall continue to be close to him and make sure he gets better”.

Addressing his fellow priests and all those serving in the Church, Fr. Simone said, “My message is that my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we who are trying to serve God, to be the leaders in the church, the only thing we can show to our love is to act through action, words and actions, we cannot only preach in the church that ‘love one another, ‘show unity’, while you yourself, are not leaving by that example, through this we cannot make it, so the only thing we can do is to be close to our people, pay attention to them, the situation that they are going through we have to go with them and stand with them and show it by action, actually, through this, we can promote a vibrant community in the society”.

Finally, the Parish Priest explained that “Nuvundio Chapel is one of the oldest Chapel in St. Peter and Paul Catholic Parish. It has supported the parish in many ways. It has helped the parish in terms of evangelization from the grassroots, and also it has supported the parish in terms of material things, money, and other things like food. It has helped the Christian community of the parish at large to stick to their faith”.

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Efforts Ongoing to Apprehend Burglaries Who Stole Millions of SSP in Curia, Yambio

By Baraka John

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend criminals who broke into the finance office in Curia last week and made away with millions of pounds and thousands of American dollars.  

The incident happened on the night of Tuesday last week around 1-2 am, then thieves got into the compound of Curia and got into the finance section through the roof, and moved away with over seventeen million South Sudanese pounds and thirty-six thousand United States dollars.  

According to a statement issued by a committee formed to coordinate with the state intelligence organs to tress the thieves, no arrest has been made so far besides the two guards who were on duty on the night of the incident.

The administration in Curia said it took them the responsibility to report the case to the offices of government intelligence organs to investigate the two guards who were on duty that night. It said, “Some individuals in the department of finance were taken for investigation”.

The statement of the committee further recommended that the government will continue with its intervention and later presents its findings.

The administration requested the Diocesan Internal Audit team to take control of the departments of finance and verify the remaining cash in Diocesan Financial Inter-service, and provide concrete report of the cash stolen and the remaining balance as soon as possible.

The committee is appealing to those who are affected to remain calm as the investigation is ongoing.  

“We are indeed sorry for all that has happened, and it reminds us of the quote of the scripture the parable of Jesus which says “You realize that if a homeowner had known at what time of the night a thief was coming, he would have stayed awake. He would not have let the thief break into Mt. 24:43. He would surely watch and would not suffer his house to be broken Lk 12:39”. We have only gained our strength through your encouraging words especially when you have told us “We Christians are the people of Faith and Hope, and God is in charge always, that he loves us and he has plans for us. Therefore, every step that we are undertaking is going to be guided by your prayers and ours too, to God”.

Fr. Tombe Charles Takes the Helm of Central Deanery as its Episcopal Vicar

By Sr. Henriette Anne FSSA

In the quaint of St. Josephine Bakhita Catholic Parish, the air was filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement. The community gathered on Sunday 23^rd July 2023, to witness a momentous occasion- the installation of their new Episcopal Vicar, Fr. Tombe Charles. The event marked a new chapter in the spiritual journey of the Central Deanery, and Christians were eager to welcome their new spiritual leader.

In his homily, Fr. Benjamin Wasi, the Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Religious who presided over the occasion praised the deanery for its unwavering faith and emphasized the importance of a shared journey, serving a patient and compassionate God who gives us time to convert and repent from our sinful act.

Fr. Wasi further added, “Let us avoid being judgmental to our brothers and sisters because we are all sinners who need God’s forgiveness and mercy, let us correct and help our weak and sinful brothers and sisters through a good example and avoid criticizing them because God wants the bad and good to live together so that bad can have time to convert to God”.

The celebration was attended by priests and other representatives from the parishes under Central Deanery.