HOLD ON YOUR FAITH IN PRACTICE-CHRISTIANS TOLD

Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki, speaking to some of the Christians. All Photos by Godwin Abedican.

By Godwin Abedican
 
Arua

The Assistant Pastoral coordinator of Arua diocese Rev. Fr. Terry Omen Madrwa, has challenged Christians in the diocese to put in to practice their calls as Christians.  
 Speaking while delivering his homily during the annual Bishops family prayer for Bishop Sabino Ocan Odoki, the Bishop ordinary of Arua diocese held at the Bishop’s residence on 10^th November 2024, he said many Christians have forgotten the call that they received as Christians.
 
“We should not simply be passive participants. We must be actively involved. In knowing our God, in serving our God and also in worshiping our God,” he said.
 
“The invitation of Christ is relevant. Let us all go to him, let us learn from him. The purpose for which we have been created should be realized in our lives and that is not a one day’s deal, but every day and we must make genuine efforts to be actively involved in our Christian ways of life,” Fr. Madrwa added.

Rev. Fr. Terry Omen Madrwa delivering his homily during the mass.

Sr. Leonora Torach, the diocesan pastoral counselor Arua says that just like any other person, the bishop and church leaders need prayers and encouragement during hard moments.
 
“We continue to put our hands together to pray for our diocese. The bishop represents us in the church. When we keep him in prayers that means it is also our joy when he is doing well, she said.
 
The bishop in his remarks during the prayers called upon the Christians to always put their leaders in prayers

“We the shepherds need a lot of prayers. Hardly do people think that there is need to pray for the Bishop. They think the mention during the mass is enough for me. You have to pray for the Bishop. Even at your home pray for the bishop, the Pope, and the church leaders so that, they can do their work properly, because they can also fail if they are not supported with prayers. For me when somebody says he is praying for me, I take it seriously and that helps me also because I believe when people pray for you, you will have the grace that comes from God,” Bishop Odoki said.
 
The Annual Bishop’s family prayer day was initiated in 2017 by the counseling department of diocese when the bishop lost his younger sister the late Acayo Josephine (RIP).
 
After her burial in Gulu, the team from the counseling office felt there was need to encourage the Bishop and family members through continuous prayers. A mass was organized and celebrated by a few members of the counseling team and BOG of the diocese, who after that mass had an evaluation and decided that, from that day every third Wednesday of the month of November annually, becomes a day entitled “Bishops annual family prayer day,” a day set apart to pray for the bishop, his personal intentions and for his family members who are alive and those who have died.
 
The members further suggested that, the counseling office maintains this Bishop’s annual prayer day even in future when another bishop comes in.
 
 
 

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