By Joseph Mary Buwule
KISUBI, UGANDA: More than 364 Catholic children at St Theresa Kisubi Girls Primary School have received key sacraments of the Catholic faith, including First Holy Communion and Confirmation, while others made their solemn commitment to the Catholic faith.
The celebrations were presided over by the Vicar General of the Kampala Archdiocese, Monsignor Dr. Vincent Rogers Kabuye Mukasa, who urged parents and guardians to introduce their children to the Catholic faith at an early age and provide them with a strong religious foundation.
The colourful ceremony also featured celebrations to mark the feast day of St Theresa of the Child Jesus, the patron saint of the school, bringing together pupils, parents, teachers, religious leaders and members of the school community.
In his homily, Msgr. Kabuye reminded the children who received the Sacrament of Confirmation that they had entered a new stage in their Christian journey and were now expected to become stronger witnesses of their faith.
“Those of you who have received, or are going to receive, the Sacrament of Confirmation, you are now soldiers of Christ,” Msgr. Kabuye told the children.
He explained that through Confirmation, the children receive the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that strengthened the apostles to proclaim the Gospel and remain committed to Jesus Christ despite challenges.
He challenged the children to demonstrate their faith not only inside the church but also in their daily lives, schools and communities.
Msgr. Kabuye said being a Christian requires courage to stand by one’s beliefs, even in situations where children may feel embarrassed or pressured by their peers.
He urged the candidates not to be ashamed of their Catholic identity, including publicly making the sign of the cross and participating in prayer.
“The Holy Spirit will give you the power and the courage to defend your faith. You may not be killed, but you have to defend your faith,” he said.
The Vicar General also used the occasion to remind the children that receiving the Holy Spirit comes with responsibilities and should be reflected through good conduct.
He cautioned them against cheating in examinations, stealing, fighting, insulting others and disrespecting teachers and parents.
“A person filled with the Holy Spirit does not copy. He does not steal. A person filled with the Holy Spirit does not fight,” Msgr. Kabuye said.
He also encouraged the children to respect their teachers and avoid giving them inappropriate nicknames, emphasizing that Christian values should influence the way they relate to other people.
According to Msgr. Kabuye, a child who is guided by the Holy Spirit should be prayerful, disciplined, kind, forgiving and obedient to parents and teachers.
He encouraged the newly confirmed children to allow their faith to influence their decisions as they grow into responsible members of society.
Parents urged to nurture faith at home
Msgr. Kabuye also called upon parents to take greater responsibility for the spiritual upbringing of their children.
He said religious education should not be left entirely to schools, churches or catechists, arguing that parents have an important role in helping children develop a strong relationship with God from an early age.
He urged parents to teach their children how to pray, attend Mass, respect others and live according to Christian values.
The Vicar General said that nurturing children in faith while they are still young can help them develop strong moral values that will guide them throughout their lives.
Children make solemn commitment of faith
Msgr. Kabuye also addressed pupils who made their solemn commitment of faith, explaining that the occasion should not be understood as graduation from the Catholic Church.
He asked the children whether they were “graduating” from the Catholic Church, before explaining that the profession marked another important stage in their Christian journey.
“When you are graduating, it means you are leaving one stage and going to the next stage. You are not graduating from the Catholic Church,” he told them.
He said the solemn commitment was instead a public declaration of their commitment to remain members of the Catholic Church and to live according to its teachings.
He reminded them that Christian commitment is a lifelong journey that requires faithfulness, prayer and good conduct.
St Theresa feast celebrated
The sacramental celebrations also coincided with the feast of St Theresa of the Child Jesus, the patron saint of St Theresa Kisubi Girls Primary School.
The occasion provided an opportunity for the school community to reflect on the life and Christian example of St Theresa, while celebrating the spiritual growth of the pupils.
The celebrations brought together the school administration, teachers, parents, pupils and religious leaders in a ceremony that combined worship, thanksgiving and commitment to the Christian faith.
Head teacher commends parents and candidates
The Head Teacher of St Theresa Kisubi Girls Primary School, Rev. Sr. Fausta Nakibira, thanked the candidates for embracing the school’s religious formation and participating in the various stages of Catholic Christian education.
She commended the pupils for taking their religious instruction seriously and encouraged them to continue putting into practice the values they had learnt.
Sr. Nakibira also appealed to parents to consider enrolling more children at the school, saying the institution remains committed to providing both academic and spiritual formation.
She emphasized the importance of a balanced education that develops children academically, morally and spiritually.
The head teacher further used the occasion to dedicate and pray for the school’s Primary Seven candidates as they prepare for their forthcoming examinations.
She encouraged the candidates to remain focused, disciplined and prayerful as they prepare to complete their primary education.
The celebrations ended with prayers and blessings for the children, with the school community calling on parents, teachers and the Church to continue working together to guide the pupils in their academic, spiritual and personal development.
The ceremony served as a reminder that the Catholic Church considers the formation of children a shared responsibility between the family, school and Church, with each playing a vital role in preparing young people to become responsible and faithful members of society.