By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
LENT SPECIAL
Rev. Fr. Edward Kabanda, Director Kiwamirembe Catholic Shrine has asked the faithful to do acts of kindness to the needy people during this lent season.
Kabanda was speaking to christians during Ash Wednesday second mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace – Kiwamirembe, Mother Mary Prayer Arena on Wednesday.
“Turn your greed into generosity and make the needs of others your own. Transform your jealousy into appreciation, replace hatred with love, reconciliation and forgiveness to renew yourselves during this lent,” he said
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the lent period. The ashes symbolize mortality of christians: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The day is observed by Catholics in the Roman rite, Lutherans, Moravians, Methodists, Nazarenes and Anglican church.
The 40 days period reflect the temptation of Jesus after he spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness and was crucified and died on the cross to save the sinners.
To help the faithful keep on track, the church offers three pillars on to which they should focus their efforts during the forty days of lent. They include; Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving
In his homily, the priest cautioned christians against abusing anybody that come to them seeking for aids.
“Some of you work in Kampala town where you meet street beggers, I urge you do not abuse or blame them. You either keep quiet or do something,” he cautioned.
At Kiwamirembe, the management has installed a charity box where christians can donate household materials and other basics to donate to the needy persons.
Fr. Kabanda encourages christians to give in donations like shoes, cloths, beddings, durable food items among others which the parish shall donate to the needy at the end of the Lenten season.
