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| Rt. Rev. Henry Ssentongo during the consecration of his successor in Moroto last year. |
Most
of the sheep that didn’t miss out were visibly worked out. They looked easily
attached already to the main issue and the main character of the week for this
Catholic community. Theirs was now to simply attend his last service and take
home his last words of inspiration. Mine was obliviously still more inclined on
the procedure of our Catholic mass as usual and the admiration of the beauty of
a bishop leading the Sunday prayer. News is power! Now I know.
Former
Bishop of Moroto diocese Rt. Rev. Henry Ssentongo Saturday had a send-off mass
which attracted a large number of Christ’s followers from within and outside
Moroto. Flocks came from many a parish in Karamoja and other parts of Uganda
and Kenya. Details of the speeches, the gifts,
the songs and blessings passed on just like running water under the bridge. This
blog puzzlingly missed out in attendance because it kept focus on another
picture in the world.
Nonetheless,
it was equally beneficial to capture some of bishop Ssentongo’s key
recommendations for the people of Regina Mundi parish and the people of Moroto
as he led his last Sunday prayer in this Church. He will be heading to his
retirement ground in Masaka district, but bishop Ssentongo made some powerful
observations for the Christians in Regina Mundi Parish:
First,
he heartily reacted to the wholesome words of appreciation by Parish Council
Chairperson, Paul Abul. Mr. Abul observed that the bishop had more attachment
to Regina Mundi than any other parish as he resided within and easily “shared
mass with the parishioners quite often”. In response, the Retired bishop said,
“Thanks giving is an unbroken chain in the lives of committed Christians”.
Abul’s
other significant question of compassion, love and honor was captured from the
songs of Pupils of Kalas Girls School who presented on Saturday. “Bishop
Ssentongo you are going, will you come back?” I believe, the answer to this will
roll home when our beloved bishop returns one day for a visit. He seemed
determined to always come back as he clearly requested that his name be kept in
the list of honorary parishioners of Regina Mundi.
The
bishop awakened members of this parish to recognise their apparent advantages
over other parishes within the region. He sighted the Cathedral status, and the
strategic location of the parish as some of the key attributes that make Regina
Mundi stand admirably aside.
He
also looked at key institutions within the parish; Moroto Regional Referral
Hospital, The UPDF Army Third Division Headquarters, The Central Police
Station, and the Prisons. Other institutions he recognised included; Don
Victorio Youth Center, the Primary Teacher Training College, Moroto High School
and all the NGO offices within Moroto Municipality.
He
pointed out that the army is quite an important institution to community
although sometimes people might have minimal complaints on their way of work.
He equally commended the service of the prison describing it as a destination
where people easily get to “understand the human situation.”
Bishop
Ssentongo advised members to coexist with the above institutions. "Let us use
and appreciate them". He encouraged internal excursions before running to other
parts of the world. In
his homily, the bishop encouraged Christians to work harder in life and ensure
that what God requires of humanity is duly fulfilled however stiff it may be
and however long it may take for man to see results of toiling for the Lord. “The sacrifices we make to God today are
sources of blessings and reward, we may not experience it now, but it comes” he
said.
Last
year, Italian born Rev. Damiano Giulio Guzzetti was sanctified as new bishop of
Moroto Diaocese to replace Rt. Rev. Ssentongo. Whatever the different angles in
telling the story of this man of God, Regina Mundi Parish Community will surely
miss the service of Bishop Ssentongo.
