The site where the 22 Uganda Martyrs were executed on 3rd June 1886
They were Canonised On Mission Sunday, 18 October 1964, and solemnly proclaimed Saints by Pope Paul VI in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome at an impressive ceremony attended by the vast majority of the Cardinals, Patriarchs, Archbishops and Bishops of the Catholic Church. Also present were representatives of the Government of Uganda and the Kabaka of Buganda.
World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08) will go down in history as the biggest youth event in history. It became cool and trendy again to be Catholic.
In Cologne His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI had invited the youth of the world to come to Sydney for World Youth Day 2008. And come they did! From all over the world. WYD08 was a triumph for the Catholic Church and its 81-year-old head, Pope Benedict XVI. About 400,000 people attended a final Mass on Sunday (July 20). In this congregation were about 200 Ugandans who flew in from Uganda.
The foundation of a great family is rooted in the strength and character its parents. UMCC's Mr. and Mrs. Nsereko epitomise this. Always present on Community days, they impart advice, encouragement laughter with all present. The first Community day of the year is Married Couples Day, and this takes place in January of every year.
2008 saw some of UMCCs finest get married. The weddings were well attended, and many singles are understood to have been greatly inspired.
UMCC celebrates Youth Day every year and on this day the youth manage the activities of the day. Many parents are made proud when they see their children acting responsibly. They also perform, give speeches and get to know each other. Some youth are recognised publicly for some of their work or academic achievements on the day. Many members of the community do work with youth in various capacities, as seen below, our Chaplain Father Balinnya with his class
The last few years have visited a spate of violence on our youth never seen before in the United Kingdom. In a frenzy of carnage that has been the hallmark of 2007 and 2008, one Ugandan Yusuf Miiro would loose his life in a senseless murder.
UMCC campaigns against violence among youth, through our Newsletter, and website
3rd June of every year is the most celebrated day, the Higlight in the UMCC calendar. The main Celebrant on a number of occassions has been a Bishop from Uganda. This is a day of coming together, to celebrate, meet long lost friends in communal inspiration and comradeship, bound together, by the one thing that is dear to us all, Our Catholic Faith, the sacrifice of the 22 Martrys bringing all of us together in Union with God. Once again, this year, UMCC is preparing for another busy, packed and wonderful day of worship and fellowship.
This day is celebrated world wide by Catholic Communities especially those affiliated to the 22 Martyrs. In Uganda the celebrations start early with people going on pilgrimage to Namugongo.
The Martyrs’ Day celebrations always begin with a Novena in various parts of the country especially in places where different Martyrs were either born or killed. The Novena begins from 25th May to 2nd June.Many of these pilgrims, young and old, walk miles and miles from their home areas up to Namugongo as a sign of honour to the Martyrs who shed their blood for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pilgrims also spend weeks on this long journey. The climax is the celebrations of a Pontifical High Mass on 3rd June.
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
UMCC encourages parents to get in touch with the following organisations. Ugandan children who have joined any of these organisations have gone on to earn good grades at GCSE, 6th Form and University. Some of these organisations also help with getting work.
National Black Boys Can Association
The Parents of Black Children Conference Season, June-Nov 2008 was launched on Saturday 7 June by Dawn Butler MP. Other speakers included Dr Cheron Byfield from Excell3, Martin Glynn - Author and Andre Anderson, member of the National Black Boys Can Youth Council.
Windsor Fellowship
The I have a dream... programme offers highly motivated A-Level students from Black and Asian minority ethnic backgrounds an intensive 4 week placement with Deutsche Bank during the summer and personal development training from the Fellowship.
Sutton Trust
Sutton Trust Summer Schools offer an opportunity to try University life for over 800 young people every year. The programme consists of lectures, seminars and tutorials but also various social activities. The programme started in 1997 at Oxford and the Trust has subsequently expanded it to Bristol, Cambridge, Nottingham and St Andrews Universities.
YES YOU CAN
Both couples are fully engaged in UMCC activities through out the year while also holding down full-time jobs in their chosen careers. Both weddings were full of fun and joy for the wider community.
There were many other weddings that took place last year. Check out our new album, select the Wedding album to view pictures from weddings that took place in 2008. May our married couples be Blessed in their marriages and we look forward to patter of little steps running around soon. (Muzaale mwale).
Fathers that have helped the UMCC Chaplain and the main Celebrant celebrate Martyrs day include Father Ssajjabbi, Father Mweebe, Father Musaala and many others through the years. They also visit from time to time, and usually are greatly missed on those other community days, when they are engaged else where.
This day would not be complete without our Choir. The UMCC Choir is on great demand on Community days and also on private functions. On 3rd June every year, they always wow the celebration with new songs that always earn them a standing ovation greater than the year before.
If Nnyonza means anything to you, they do it, if it is moving in Christ's name come and see them, should your wedding entertainment be stuck, their magical touch will get things moving. The official UMCC Choir works hard to inspire and engage its listeners. 3rd June Martyrs day is when they pull out all the stop plugs, so do not miss them this year. ENDORSED
O God, by whose providence the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church: Grant that we who remember before thee the blessed martyrs of Uganda, may, like them, be steadfast in our faith in Jesus Christ, to whom they gave obedience even unto death, and by their sacrifice brought forth a plentiful harvest; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end, Amen
Mr. and Mrs. Kibuuka
Mr. and Mrs. Kitayimbwa
