†Paul Ssemogerere pastoral visit to St. Maria Gorreti SSS Katende on 18.06.2025
2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Psalms 111; Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
Do not be afraid. Christ knows “what is in man.” He alone knows it. So often today man does not know what is within him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often we are uncertain about the meaning of our life on this earth. We are assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair. We ask you therefore, we beg you with humility and trust, let Christ speak to you. He alone has words of life.
I have borrowed the above words in the inaugural homily of Pope St. John Paul II as he was beginning his Petrine ministry in 1978. These words are very strong and invite us to trust in the Lord who alone knows us. We should never despair however hard our situations maybe. Pope John Paul II faced a very hard life as a child. His mother died when he was only eight, he had already lost his sister before his birth, and at twelve years, he lost his only brother. He was left alone with his father. Despite all these tragedies, he grew up as a strong man full of faith in the providence of God and he would later lead the Church to greatness.
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, I greet you in the most affectionate way. I remember my old days here as a student. These are memories full of love and I hope you enjoy our school as we used to. I have started with words of encouragement from Pope St. John Paul II because I am very sure that life is very challenging especially to the youths of today. There is a lot of anxiety which breeds despair and, in the end, depression sets in. I have heard and read very many stories of young people like you who have lost hope in life, who do not think life is worth living anymore. I bring you hope, I bring you Good News that God knows you. He knows your every being; he knows your thoughts, he knows your struggles, he knows your challenges as we read in Psalms 139.
I thank the administration for the great work you do for our school. Katende has greatly improved and this gives me great joy. Thank you for the wonderful academic performance. You have kept the candle burning and raised our flag very high. I pray the Lord may give you more strength for such a greater sacrifice.
“Most schools aim at academics only, forgetting the other important aspects of a human being.”.
Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere.
Gravissimum education is number 5
St. Maria Goretti Katende has proved that it is indeed a catholic school. It is fighting hard not only to develop with special care the intellectual faculties of the students but also to form the ability to judge rightly, to hand on the cultural legacy of previous generations, to foster a sense of values, to prepare them for professional life. This was the spirit of the second Vatican council fathers as it is well illustrated in the document on Catholic education, Gravissimum education is number 5. You not only train students in academics only but you aim at formation of a whole person. Please keep this up because it is the portion that is missing in our schools today. Most schools aim at academics only, forgetting the other important aspects of a human being.
THE WORD OF GOD
St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians exhorts us to sow generously in order to reap generously. He has reminded us that thin sowing means thin reaping; the more we sow, the more we reap. This is a lesson that we must put our hearts in whatever we do and in turn the Lord will bless us. If its studying, let us study without sparing ourselves, if its music and other co curricular activities, we should do very well knowing that the more we do something with our whole being, the more we benefit. These days we are in the era of science and technology; I am very happy to always see you making use of the social media. I see your skits on Tik tok, on you tube, and other social media handles. This markets our school.
We thank our teachers who do their work of teaching faithfully. Daniel in his book exhorts the good teachers; “those who are wise will shine as brightly as the expanse of the heavens, and those who have instructed many in uprightness, as bright as stars for all eternity.” Teaching is a noble duty because it involves transferring knowledge to another person, it involves moulding another person into something you want. When I was here, I did not know that one day I would become the Archbishop of Kampala. It’s upon your foundation as teachers that I have become what I am today. Therefore, dear teachers, always do your work diligently, unsparingly because into your hands lie the future of these our children.
Dear students and our beloved teachers as we do our work here, let us be mindful of “doing what is right for the sake of being seen.” This is the concern of Jesus in the Gospel we have heard. Many people only do what is right because someone is watching. This is wrong and doesn’t allow us to sow generously. Jesus has warned us never to parade our good deeds before men to attract their notice. This has killed creativity, industriousness, and hard work. Jesus is calling us to do the right thing even when no one is watching, because our God is omnipotent and rewards all those who do well.
Dear students, do not be afraid to do what is right because you are young. Be strong in faith, work hard, follow Christ and pursue holiness. Do not be afraid to be holy. Open wide your hearts to Christ to fill you with his graces. Our patron saint Maria Goretti challenges us, at eleven years, she stood firm and said no to the advances of Allesandro who wanted to take away her purity. She resisted sin to the point of death and in the end, God crowned her. Always take her as your model in this filthy world full of impurity. Say no to sexual immorality because it destroys the Image of God that is in you. Let us always remember that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit as St. Paul tell us in the first letter of the Corinthians 6:19-20. Though you are still young, you can do great things.
CONCLUSION
Dear teachers and administrators I once again thank you for your wonderful contribution to the development of our school. I once again appeal to you to continue doing your work of moulding these our children with love, faith and diligence as our school motto states.
To the students, always remember that we are proud of you. This is the only time you have in school, it is the only time you have in St. Maria Goretti Katende. Read hard, behave well, respect each other and success will be yours.
Remember always that the world is not short of people who have academic qualifications but it yearns for qualified people with integrity. There are many doctors, teachers, lawyers, priests and all kinds of professionals, what is lacking is good doctors, good teachers, good priests, good journalists. Pursue integrity and the world will be yours to conquer. Moral authority comes from following universal and timeless principles like honesty, integrity and treating people with respect. As one writer Clement stone says; “Have the courage to say no even when all others are saying yes, have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.”
HE ALONE KNOWS
†Paul Ssemogerere meets the GenZs of St Maria Gorreti Katende. Video Credits: La Grande Studios