The day was 16th June 2024. After more than a year of preparing several children for Confirmation and First Holy Communion, preparations were in high gear. None other than the Papal Nuncio, His Grace Luigi Bianco had been invited, and he confirmed his presence. The plans were set, and everything was ready. However, our plans took an unexpected turn when, on Friday, June 14, our beloved Fr. Joseph Okwara MHM passed away. He had been a fond and well-known priest among us. In panic and grief-stricken, the planned visit of the Papal Nuncio had to be called off as we mourned and celebrated the miracle life of Fr. Joseph until he was laid to rest on 19th June 2024. Even after the burial, our hearts were still full of sorrow and emptiness. We continue to pray for his eternal peace.
The planned visit of the Papal Nuncio lingered lightly in our hearts. Knowing his busy schedule, we did not expect the next appointment soon. Surprisingly, hardly a week later, Fr. Kajja Ronald Victor, the Rector of Nsambya Mill Hill House, informed the community that the Nuncio had accepted to come on Sunday, 30th June, to plant the seeds of faith in our little ones – the future Church. Oh, what special fondness and love the Nuncio has for his faithful, especially children.
On our end, we had six days to put everything in place. Indeed, on Sunday, 30th June, typical of his punctuality, the Nuncio was at the Mill Hill House Nsambya by 8 am. The children, under the watchful and motherly eyes of the committed catechists Maria and Sarah, were all on time, smartly dressed, as were the parents. As planned, at 9 am, the procession began with the Nuncio, the rector, and the children. The Nuncio’s homily that day focused on “the children and family,” highlighting the critical role of parents in guiding their children’s spiritual journey.
The Mill Hill Nsambya community is blessed to have hosted the Nuncio for the fourth time in a row to grace the Confirmation and First Holy Communion of the children. Like in all other previous occasions, the day was colourful and concluded with the Nuncio spending time with the children over a cup of tea.
Mr. Michael Ekisa
