|
|
| CANA MARRIAGE SESSIONS MASAKA DIOCESE
|
| |
| |
1.0 Introduction
The Cana Marriage Ministry Masaka Diocese, in a special way wish to extend our sincere thanks to MISSIO Germany for the financial support for Cana sessions this year which made a very big impact on our Cana week which took place from 23rd to 29th April, 2007. Since we started receiving support from Missio Germany, Cana sessions have greatly improved due to the fact that in past we could not manage to get enough requirements due to the low income levels of the local people, sleeping conditions and diet were always unfavorable. Marriages and families are attacked in many ways HIV/AIDS, poverty, child abuse, alcoholism and other drug abuse hence, marriage has become a risk factor and thus the need to address marital problems is very crucial in our times.
The turn up for the different groups and sessions were as follows:
a) Cana I 65 couples
b) Cana II 30 couples + one priest
c) Cana 4 22 couples (Martha and Mary)
d) Children 65 Children
e) Facilitators 7 Couples
f) Helpers 15 people
The programme started with an opening Mass which was led by Rev Fr. Jude Juuko who welcomed couples and thanked them for having spared time for their marriages. He thanked couples for understanding their call and work towards it. He went on to say that the family is the foundation of both the church and nation. If the couple is strong in their faith and relationship the off-spring will also be responsible people. He thanked the Bishop of Masaka for his on going support for family apostolate. He also thanked the organizers of Cana sessions every year which is a big support to many families. He noted that Cana takes place during Easter days as a sign of resurrection for many families. Father said that he has witnessed many families who have been restored through Cana sessions. Finally, he wished all participants a good week full of God’s blessings and graces.
2.0 Daily Schedule
Everyday, each group had its specific lessons but we were always together for morning and evening prayers, meals and Eucharistic celebrations.
On Thursday the whole group came together for a reconciliation service, which was lead by Rev. Fr. Matia Wasswa from SSembabule Parish was assisted by Rev Fr. Jude Juuko. This was a special day of healing between the couple and also reconciliation between the individual and God.
3.0 Martha and Mary
Martha and Mary, is a session for couples who have gone through Cana I-III. These couples are divided into two groups and attend class and serve in tern. Those who serve in the morning attend class in evening and vice-versa. This is the real mission of Cana for the individual couple and to others.
In the evenings after supper we listened to several testimonies of couples who have done Cana session of what God has done in their marriages
• We give thanks to God for renewal in many marriages.
• Many couples are able to relate together and communication has improved.
• Couples have improved parent child relationship.
4.0 Cana Feast
Saturday evening we had a CANA FEAST which started with the Eucharistic celebration led by Rev Fr Matia Wasswa, who represented the Director for family apostolate Rev Fr J K Lubega who was unable to attend. In this Eucharist eighteen of the participating couples had their marriages blessed. In his sermon Father challenged couple to carry on well their mission, to love, to cherish, to stay together for life and to bring up well the children that God entrusts to them. He warned parents who neglect their children and give them to their grand parents that it is not according to God’s plan it is the responsibility of both parents to care for their children. Father Wasswa requested couples to remain faithful to each other to portray the image of God, Love, and to take on that mission to all. He also noted that attending Cana sessions has enabled him to understand marriage life better and that now he is in a better position to help couples. “I have known the vocation of marriage and family in a deeper way”
Remarks
Cana sessions started taking place in Bishop Ddungu primary school since 2004, this year we had two staff couples joining our sessions and they greatly appreciated. Cana has grown in number and quality and now we can see many fruits. Many of those who have done Cana in the past have taken up leadership in church and nation. We have high expectations if Cana sessions go on, we will have a better church and nation since the family is the foundation of both.
Mr. Kiguli the deputy Headmaster of Bishop Ddungu primary school thanked the Cana family for choosing that school and always leaving it clean. “As two couples from our staff for the first time attend Cana, for us as a school we are so proud to have you here. He ended by welcoming Cana sessions for future years.
5.0 VISITING CANA FRATERNITIES.
14th ---17th May Mr.& Mrs. Renee & Andree Abernot from Cana International France, visited 17 fraternities found in 7 parishes: Bigada, Nkoni, Katimba Kyazanga, ViillaMaria, Butende and Kimaanya. Some fraternities ware not visited due to lack of time.
6.0 General Observations
Given the relevant training, couples can improve greatly in their families and develop in all areas of family life. Couples who join fraternities benefit more as they continue sharing their experiences with each other. They get support and encouragement from each other and in that way it becomes possible to keep the fire of Cana burning.
7.0 Challenges.
Many couples wanted to attend Cana week but many of them could not manage to raise transport to the place of sessions and to raise their contribution. This is due to low levels of income, and famine brought by lack of sufficient rain in many places of Masaka Diocese. On top of that transport is very high due to a raise in fuel. Cana taking place at the same time when priests are also having their annual retreat is a big challenge as it put a big load to the two priests who came to minister the sacrament of reconciliation.
Fraternities need constant follow-up as this encourages members, but some times this is not possible due to lack of transport. Some fraternities loose members due to lack of follow-up and some people go back to the old life if they do not join fraternities.
8.0 Acknowledgements
Once again we are so grateful to Missio Germany our funders who have enabled us to ran this program successfully without their support we wouldn’t have managed. We also thank the Cana committee, Masaka Diocese for putting in their effort to prepare Cana program. We thank Fr. Matia Wasswa who was with us for the whole week and his words of encouragement. We also thank Fr. Juuko Jude for being with us every year. Rev Sister Nipomukeno, thank you for your constant love and support for Cana. We thank Masaka diocesan family apostolate, Ssabafumbo and Nnabafumbo, Mr. Mugerwa Francis and Mrs. Mary Kikambi respectively for their support especially in mobilizing couples and for the good working relationship. Once again we thank so much Rev Fr. John Kennedy Lubega, Director for family apostolate, for his direction and guidance, Father keep up that spirit.
We thank the Director and staff of Bishop Ddungu primary school for allowing us use the school and for their co-operation. We are also grateful to chemin-Neuf community for starting Cana ministry in Masaka Diocese since 2000. In particular to Mr.& Mrs. Renee & Andree Abernot from France who have been a support since then and who have been with us for a whole week visiting fraternities in different parishes
Special thanks go to our Bishop Rt. Rev. J.B Kaggwa for his fatherly heart towards families, his encouragement and his recommendation towards funders both locally and internationally.
……………………………………………………………………
MR. & MRS. GONZAGA & PASKAZIA LUBEGA
CANA COORDINATORS MASAKA DIOCESE
|
| |
| |
| Date : |
2007-04-23 / 2007-04-27 |
|
| Geographical area : |
Uganda |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
IFFLP-FIDAF
Liaison Enlace Link Committee
Ce site est l'expression
du Comité de Liaison des Associations d'Action Familiale. Ce Comité a pour objectif
de maintenir les liens et de favoriser la communication entre les associations
qui s'intéressent à la promotion de la vie familiale, à la planification familiale
naturelle (PFN) dans un contexte d'éducation à la vie familiale (EVF) et en
accord avec ses principes directeurs.
This web site is the voice
of the Link Committee. The Committee has the objective to maintain the links
and to encourage communication between the associations that are interested
in promoting the family life, natural family planning, (NFP) in a context
of family life education (FLE) and in accordance with its basic
philosophy
El Comité de Enlace tiene
como objetivo mantener los lazos y favorecer la comunicación entre las asociaciones
que se interesan a la Planificación Natural de la Família (PFN) en un contexto
de Educación a la Vida Familiar (EVF) de acuerdo con los principios
directores