Hundreds of Focolare members and friends of the movement concluded their annual retreat dubbed “The Mariapolis” at Sacred Heart Primary school Kyamusansala, a quite amile away from Masaka city.
Young people who constituted majority of participants embraced the ideal of the movement. Several schools and institutes across the nation attended this year’s event such as Immaculate Heart Girls’ School in Nyakibale who had hosted the previous edition of the event in Rukungiri, St Maria Goretti Girl’s SS Fort-Portal, St Mary’s Vocational School Kyamuhunga Bushenyi, Kitabi Seminary, Sacred Heart Sisters, Sisters of our Lady of Good Counsel, Banakalooli Sisters etc.
On arrival, guests were allocated different accommodation dormitories as their respective place of residence.
This year’s theme for the retreat was uniquely chosen to be “Be Constant in prayer”. In his concluding homily, Fr Katono encouraged participants to go and put in practice what they learnt during this retreat period such being one with each other, being the first to love in the society, team building, loving your enemies and not to be afraid to start the change in the society as Chiara Lubich asked the Lord decades ago during the interception of Focolare.
The weeklong activities would start early morning with well laid sequential activities such as rosary, praise, worship & confessions, meals, sharing experiences, sports for peace, talent show amongst others with charming fun packed emcees, entertainers and facilitators throughout but keeping in focus the spiritual ambiance of the day tackling scenarios that affect the young people these days such as Social Media etc.
Irrespective of their different age groups, the optimistic members of “the Work of Mary” organization kept interacting with each with high zeal including sister Makande from Fortportal.
In their appreciation remarks, the Legesse and Regina (responsibles) appreciated the venue hosts headed by Sr Hilda, organizing committee and everyone who attended the event for their dedication to welcome the word of God in their hearts and start early preparations for the celebrations of Focolare Diamond Jubilee scheduled for 2025 to mark 60 years since the interception in Uganda.
By end of the event, St Kagwa Community was blessed to be gifted in a random raffle while announcing the Jubilee declaration. The organization has laid down several upcoming activities such as pilgrimage to Kibheo scheduled from 12th – 14th October as well as the 3rd African Congress of New Humanity In Health which will happen in November this year at Namugongo with several health veterans across Africa attending.
The next event is scheduled for next year in yet an undisclosed part of the country that you shouldn’t think of missing.
Here are some of the photo gallery from the event
