Uganda - General Councilor for Missions in Palabek, "an experience that touches the heart"

05 May 2023

(ANS - Palabek) - From April 29 to May 3, Fr. Alfred Maravilla, General Councilor for Missions, visited Salesian presences in Uganda, accompanied by Fr. Pierre Célestin Ngoboka, Superior of the Africa-Great Lakes (AGL) Vice-Province "St. Charles Lwanga."

On April 30, Fr. Maravilla presided over the Eucharist at the Salesian school in Namugongo in honor of St. John Bosco, which was attended by students, staff members, parents, and guests. During his homily, the Salesian emphasized that "Don Bosco did everything to bring young people closer to Jesus." That is why he then challenged parents, educators, and guests "to strive first of all to bring yourselves closer to Jesus so that you can bring others closer to Jesus, especially your children and families."

From May 2 to 3 he was then in Palabek, which was the main reason for his visit. Since 2017 the Salesians have been working to develop the Palabek Refugee Center, supporting the approximately 56,000 refugees from South Sudan and the 11,000 members of the host community in Palabek. A new group of refugees has arrived in recent months.

There the Missions Councilor met with the catechists of the 17 chapels entrusted to the Salesians around the refugee camp. Together with Fr. Ngoboka and Fr. Ubaldino Andrade, director of the Salesian work present inside the camp, they visited some of the communities where the recently arrived refugees from Sudan have settled. They also witnessed how the missionary group, composed of young refugees, visited the homes of other refugees to pray with them and do some works of mercy.

Fr. Maravilla also met with the whole community and shared with them the important elements of the Salesian ministry with refugees and the renewed missionary vision of our congregation. He expressed appreciation for their commitment and dedication to this ministry because "it is a most valuable work for the Congregation, a concrete expression of our Congregation's preferential option for the poor."

The highlight of his stay in Palabek was the Eucharist he celebrated in the "Don Bosco" Vocational Training Center, which offers courses in mechanics, sewing, construction, agriculture, solar energy, and hairdressing to refugees and locals. To make the celebration even more beautiful, during the Eucharist 17 students who have been through a catechumenate program were baptized. "You have received the light of faith," Fr. Maravilla urged them, "Now do not be ashamed, and do not be afraid to share the light of your faith in Jesus with your family and friends!"

The highlight of his stay in Palabek was the Eucharist he celebrated at the "Don Bosco" Vocational Training Center, which offers courses in mechanics, sewing, construction, agriculture, solar energy, and hairdressing to refugees and locals. To make the celebration even more beautiful, during the Eucharist 17 students who have been through a catechumenate program were baptized. "You have received the light of faith," Fr. Maravilla urged them, "Now do not be ashamed, and do not be afraid to share the light of your faith in Jesus with your family and friends!"

"The experience in Palabek touches the heart. One cannot leave without being moved, not only by the suffering of the refugees but especially by the great good that is being done by the Salesians there," commented, finally, Fr. Maravilla, who also visited the other Salesian presences in the country during his stay in Uganda.

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