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| Bishop Robert, Rector Paul Masolo and students in group photo on graduation day |
By Isaac Ojok, St. Mary’s National Major Seminary
The vice Chairperson of Uganda Episcopal Conference Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa has urged graduates of St. Mary’s National Seminary to use the knowledge they have acquired to fulfill the ministry that God has entrusted to them.
He made the remarks while presiding over the 47thgraduation ceremony at St. Mary’s National Seminary Ggaba on Thursday 23th May where 43 students in the Deacon Class were commissioned.
The 47thgraduation ceremony was held under the theme, “Here I am Lord, send me”, taken from the Book of Prophet (Isaiah 6:8) and attracted priests, Religious men and women including civil servants and other Government dignitaries.
In his speech, the Bishop said with vast knowledge acquired during the years of formation in the Seminary, there is need for the graduates to play a leading role in the formation and spiritual growth of the Christian communities.
Upon their commissioning, the chief guest urged the students to go out with determination and commitment in the ministry after their thorough training as leaders of the society.
Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa who is also the Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese appealed to all Christians who attended the graduation ceremony to detach themselves from earthly riches so that they may obtain graces and other spiritual benefits from God.
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| Bishop Robert Muhiirwa awarding gifts to students |
He exhorted the continuing students to continue working hard and utilize all the available opportunities in their lives.
Meanwhile Rev. Fr. Dr. Paul Masolo the Rector of the Seminary appealed to the Deacons to focus on doing God’s will in their priestly ministry.
Making his reflection on Heb 7:1 that speaks about the priesthood of Melchizedek, the Rector appealed to the deacons and future priests to be men of peace and not of war.
“Wherever you go, be men of peace and not of war! We are priests of the Most High of God”, he said as he quoted the letter to the Hebrews.
The Rector also expressed his gratitude to the people of God and the formatters for having given their whole life in preparing students in the seminary formation. Because of you, he said, “We have noted with great joy, the consistent growth of our sons whom we are commissioning today”.
In his address, he ended his message by asking the lay faithful to pray for the priests who sometimes meet people who are hard-hearted so that they succeed in their ministry.
During the graduation ceremony, different students who excelled in academic and other sphere of seminary training were given different gifts by the staff.
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