Vocation Group

Had a lovely meeting just a while ago with my altar servers, the candidates for altar servers, the girls from their vocation group and the candidates to become members of girls' vocation group in our mission. They will come back later in the afternoon for the second session - a meeting, practice of the liturgy of the acceptance of candidates to altar servers and another one for girls to be admitted to their vocational group. The prevailing mood among all of us is of excitement and anticipation...


The candidates for altar servers will be blessed officially during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Last Supper. It has been my custom for many years to do so. The boys are very excited, their parents as well and all the community too. And I'm very proud of them! The liturgy is very solemn, they come to the altar with their parents and after the parents blessing they remain in the sanctuary putting on their official liturgical attire. Then twelve of them chosen according to their performance during the whole period of formation, sit in front of the altar and I wash their feet, which has a deeper meaning to me and others as I wash the feet of my disciples, my students, being their elder and formator... than washing feet of old men who could be my fathers, so the gesture of kneeling down in front of them and washing their feet is nothing strange or new...

The girls will be blessed as full members of vocational group on Vocation Sunday, which is always the Fourth Sunday of Easter. That day we will have a special fiesta - bonanza for all members of vocational groups in Kiabakari parish, with - hopefully (if they agree our invitation) - their counterparts from Butiama parish. This fiesta will consist of the Holy Mass in the shrine with the liturgy of blessing new members of girls' vocational group, cultural performances from both parishes, food shared together and dances. A day of true joy, connecting with each other and appreciating each others' vocation in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

No wonder, my girls and boys are overjoyed and excited. So I expect a good turnout in the afternoon meeting. They deserve acknowledgment for their dedicated services to the parish and the parochial church. This will be our way to say thank you to them...

Wish us luck that these plans can become reality and make our children and youth feel invaluable and indispensable part of the living community of believers in Kiabakari...