A New Commandment

It is Maundy Thursday when we reflect on Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, commanding his followers  to "love one another as I have loved you", and giving us the gift of the Eucharist. St. Augustine said of the Eucharist that “we become what we receive” we receive the Body of Christ to be the body of Christ for the world.

The lay Catechists at St. Wilbrod’s Parish, Nagongera, Uganda are not only being the body of Christ, in their own locality, they also enable others to receive the Body of Christ.

St. Wilbrod’s Parish is made-up of 30 out-stations that are spread out over a wide geographical area. It is not possible for the Parish Priest, Fr. Pius Okech, to care for all his parishioners (who are mainly subsistence farmers) effectively on his own. He therefore shares his ministry with 50 lay Catechists who provide pastoral care and organise Eucharistic services in the out-stations. The work of the Catechists has been facilitated by a SURVIVE-MIVA grant of £1,900 (the price includes carriage and freight plus assembly), which funded 30 bicycles for the Catechists to use (one bicycle for each out-station).

The bicycles are delivered.

The Catechists prepare to road test the new bicycles