Omugo Parish Gathers in Joy on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker
Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki of Arua Diocese has called on Christians to embrace a Eucharistic way
of life, urging them to receive Holy Communion with deep reverence and allow Christ to transform their
daily living. The Bishop made these remarks while presiding over the Parish Day celebrations of Joseph the
Worker Catholic Parish in Omugo.
"I am the Bread of Life" - John 6:35 -
Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Parish in Omugo marked its annual Parish Day with a joyful and
spiritually enriching celebration on the Solemnity of St. Joseph the Worker. The occasion
brought together priests, religious, and the lay faithful of Omugo Parish, alongside brothers
and sisters from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki,
Bishop of the Diocese of Arua, who, drawing on the day's Scripture readings, called the
congregation to a renewed encounter with Christ in the Eucharist.
Guided by the theme "I am the Bread of Life" (John 6:35), the celebration centered on
Christ in every reflection and moment of worship. Guest speakers included Rev. Fr. Pius
Yobutta, Mrs. Eimani Monica, and Mr. Simon Taban.
Drawing from the Letter to the Colossians and the Book of Genesis, the Bishop reminded
the faithful that the Eucharist is no ordinary gift. "Receiving this means receiving
God," he affirmed. "It leads us to full communion with Him and brings us into the life
of His divinity." He challenged Small Christian Communities, zones, chapels, parishes,
and the diocese itself to become truly Eucharistic communities, radiating the love that
St. Paul describes as "the perfect bond of unity."
Bishop Sabino also praised the special privilege given to mankind, citing Genesis: "Let
us make man in our image and likeness." He urged Christians to live responsibly,
mindful that they represent God in their daily lives.
He addressed the candidates for First Holy Communion and Confirmation, urging them
to prayerfully discern their vocation from an early age. He emphasized that
vocation is not limited to priesthood or religious life, but includes all states
of life and professions such as marriage, teaching, nursing, farming, and mechanics
when lived in service to God and humanity.
The Bishop also shared greetings from His Holiness Pope Leo, conveyed from the
recent visit of the Bishops of Uganda to Rome four weeks earlier. He noted that
during the visit, the bishops extended an invitation to the Holy Father to visit
Uganda, and that the nation now awaits his response in hopeful prayer. "I would
love the Holy Father to come to Arua Diocese," the Bishop declared warmly, expressing
a special hope that a papal visit would bless the many refugees from South Sudan and
the Democratic Republic of Congo living within the diocese.
He acknowledged the presence of brothers and sisters from South Sudan and the DRC,
thanking them for their fellowship and praying earnestly for peace in their homelands.
"We hope the time comes when they return to their countries and that we also visit them,"
he said, "because we are one people, as we were before the colonialists."
