Clare
A total of Twenty three couples, Four from Virika Deanery and nineteen from Katoosa have on january 13, 2023 celebrated their union two joyous mass wedding at Virika Cathedral in Fort Portal City and Kyarusozi Parish in Kyenjojo district, at the climax of a week-long retreat organized by the CANA Catholic movement in the Fort Portal Diocese.
The newlyweds in Fort Portal, are Mr. Tadeo Agaba & Miss Esther Orishaba from Kanyamukare parish, Mr. Wenceslaus Sanyu Rwakatoke & Miss Costansio Sanyu from Rwimi Parish, Mr. Charles Babara and Miss Kyosimire Mary Assumpta from Rwimi Parish, and Mr. Abraham & Miss Gertrude also from Yerya Parish.
During his homily to the couples, the Pastoral coordinator, Rev. Fr. Gerald Akugizibwe who presided over the Virika cathedral mass wedding, encouraged them to cultivate marriages based on the foundational pillars of prayer, patience, communication, and hard work.
He highlighted that understanding each other is crucial to preventing the breakdown of marriages urging couples to perceive marriage as a divine blessing, striving to lead families that reflect the goodness of God and raise children who take pride in being raised by them.
The jubilant newlyweds expressed their gratitude to the CANA leadership in Fort Portal Diocese for facilitating the sacrament of Holy Matrimony and providing valuable guidance on building robust marriages.
Charles Babara, who had just sealed the holy matrimony sacrament with his dear wife Mary Assumpta Kyosiimire from Rwimi Parish, noted that it was a dream come true for him to be joined with his dear wife. He credited CANA movement for their rich content, hoping to prepare his marriage by their teachings.
Miss Esther Orishaba, who had also been wedded by his lovely husband Tadeo Orishaba, promised to push forward her marriage by the faithful teachings of CANA movement, including socioeconomic and spiritual content. She was grateful to be part of the mass wedding of this year.
The couples also commended the delightful reception organized for them at St. Maria Goretti Girls in Fort Portal City.
Mr.& Mrs Aloysious Mugisa, a lead couple who were also the organizers, explained that the one week retreat attracted 114 couples in Virika deanery and 240 couples in Katosa from all parishes in the diocese marking a genuine increase of participants compared to last year. These have reportedly walked away with valuable marriage tips that they have been asked to share with other marrieds in their respective parishes.
Mr & Mrs Mugisa, attributed the success to the immense support from parish priests, and Bishop Rober Muhiirwa who has time and again advocated for better Christian families through encouraging Christians to join Cana Movement
Katoosa deanery registers 19 couples
Relatedly, the Katoosa Deanery celebrated a remarkable milestone over the weekend, hosting the larger number of newlyweds in a mass wedding event that took place at Kyarusozi parish within the Diocese of Fort Portal.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rwamwenge, prominent figures in the CANA family-based pastoral movement, shared that a total of 19 couples exchanged vows in a heartwarming ceremony at Kyarusozi Parish in an event that commenced with a solemn Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. James Burasa CSC, the Parish priest of Kyarusozi.
Remarkably, 12 out of the 19 couples hailed from Kyarusozi, outshining the Virika Deanery’s mass wedding, which saw the union of only four couples.
During his homily to the newlyweds, Rev. Fr. Burasa urged them to embrace the practice of praying together. He emphasized that a family united in prayer not only stays together but also conquers challenges collectively, making it resilient against disintegration.
He also tasked them to entrust their marriages to the intercession of mother Mary for better outcomes.
Expressing gratitude, Mr. Rwamwenge praised the Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa, for his unwavering support of the CANA movement, encouraging other Christians to contemplate joining this movement, highlighting its positive impact on nurturing stable and robust families within the community.
