A REPORT ON THE
ACTIVITIES AND PROGRESS OF YOUFRA – KAMPALA REGION AS AT 31ST AUG
2012
The Franciscan
Youth (Youfra) is the fellowship of young people who feel called by the Holy
Spirit to have an experience of Christian life, in fraternity, and in the light
of the message of Francis of Assisi, deepening their vocation within the realm
of the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO).
In the Ugandan
context, this group is referred to as the Young Franciscans (Youfra) and they
are to seek the living and acting person of Christ in the brothers and sisters,
in Holy Scriptures, in the Church and in liturgical celebrations. Activities of
Youfra in Uganda are decentralized to both regional and local fraternity level.
On the region, Youfra is organized into regions of Kampala, Tororo, Jinja, Lira
and Gulu and Mbarara. In the same line Kampala region is divided into the
Dioceses of Kampala, Kinda Mityana, Kasana Luwero, Masaka and Lugazi.
Young
Franciscans have not been active in this region until the recent past when the
Bright Doves of St. Francis the Youfra group in Kamwokya Parish set out to
rejuvenate and rekindle the light of the spirit of St. Francis in the region
through a program – Evangelical outreach.
Currently the
activities of Youfra in Kampala region are only active in the Parishes of
Kamwokya, Nsambya, Namayumba and Nansana in Kampala Archdiocese, Nkokonjeru in
Lugazi Diocese and Busunju in Kinda Mityana Diocese. These Parishes total to a
membership of 217 Youfras currently under formation.
- Our
approach:
Through the
evangelical outreach program, Bright Doves took a lead in reaching out to the
youth in other parishes starting with Kampala and fire up the spirit of St.
Francis by helping them form Youfra groups. With this program, the Bright Doves
approach the responsible people in the given Parish, take lead in liturgy of a
given Sunday where they are given platform to share with Christians on the
Franciscan spirituality and the Franciscan Youth. After this they call for
enrollment and follow up activities begin as far as engaging these youth is
concerned.
In March 2012,
Bright Doves visited Namayumba and helped introduce the Youfra group in the
Parish under the name St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity, in June 2012, the Bright
Doves were in Nansana on the same Agenda. Thanks to Simpson Mujuni for the work
well done.
Bright Doves has
also used the Youth Fellowship in Kamwokya Parish as a platform to create more
impact of the Franciscan Spirituality among the youth. As they take lead in the
fellowship every first Friday of the month, they engage the youth more in the Franciscan
values.
We have been
working with other Franciscans in reach including the Secular Franciscans –
thanks to Br. Richard Yiga and Br. Onyango Bernard for the support, Franciscan Capuchins
especially Fr. Baluku Lawrence, Fr. Kasibante Remigius, Fr. Anthony Jakwanga, among
others, Franciscan Convetuals – Fr. Voytek Male, the Little Sisters of St.
Francis and the Franciscan Missionaries for Africa.
There has also
been full collaboration with Parishes especially the Parish Priests and Fathers
responsible for the youth (Fr. James SSebayiga & Fr. John Peter Lugobe –
Kamwokya, Fr. Edward Sebikkora & Fr. Kato in Namayumba and Fr. Ronald
Bwanika in Nansana among others). These have in addition to youth leaders at
different levels helped in mobilizing the youth for these activities.
- Activities:
The Youfras in
these Parishes are engaged in different activities including;
·
Liturgical
singing
·
Music,
Dance and Drama
·
Sports
·
Sensitization
on JPIC values (Children Rights, active non-violence, health and environment, Catholic
Social Teaching, etc…)
·
Spiritual
formation
- Achievements:
As we embark on
rejuvenating the Franciscan spirit in the region, I will say so far so good as
the following will show;
·
As
we front liturgical singing, the Youfras in the region have already taken lead.
In Kamwokya Parish, the Bright Doves lead in the 9 o’clock Mass every third
Sunday of the month and the Children’s Mass which is also once a month. St.
Anthony of Padua Youfra – Namayumba lead in the second Mass every third Sunday
of the Month.
·
The
Bright Doves in Kamwokya Parish who are charged with the Children Ministry in
the Parish organized a successful Children retreat in 10th Aug 2012
which brought together over 600 children in the Parish.
·
We
have got a Franciscan desk in the Interreligious Dialogue offices (Old Kampala)
where we can coordinate the activities of region. Thanks to Br. Yiga Richard
for the initiative and support.
·
A
number of members from the region have received training on JPIC values in the
different in country trainings organized by JPICFA in conjunction with Youfra
Uganda at Mama Kevina social Centre - Iganga. The most recent one is the
training in Active non-violence just concluded on 25th Aug 2012.
·
Different
groups were able to organize one day retreats for the members aimed at
spiritual nourishment. The Bright Doves held a leaders retreat in March 2012
and Youfra Nsambya and Namayumba had their in June and July respectively.
·
The
Youfras took part in the National Prayer Day against terrorism on 11h July 2012
at Pope Paul VI Momorial Hotel as organized by the Franciscans and Mission
after Custody (MAC).
·
The
Youfras in Kamwokya organized a Franciscan carol service in commemoration of
the 25th Anniversary of the Spirit of Assisi. Thanks to the Little
Sisters (Sr. Margert Itadal) for the support in training. We encourage you
support so we can sustain this activity.
·
We
have been able to bring onboard the Franciscan capuchin who are charged with
the Youfras to over see our activities. Thanks to Fr. Baluku and Fr. Anthony in
Busunju.
·
We
have received formation materials (Booklets) from the Franciscan Capuchins and
these are already being used in Namayumba and Kamwokya. We hope to receive more
so that all the fraternities can have for smooth formation to go on.
·
Youfra
activities were introduced to the Archdiocese office early this year with the
hard work of Sr. Margret Awori (LSSF) and Fr. Harman (OFM). This allows for
extension of Youfra activities through out the archdiocese.
·
Different
groups have received balls and other sporting equipments for their sporting and
games activities. Thanks to the Coordinator – Mukundane Dennis for the links
with Beezsports International which provided the items.
·
The
Youfras have also been in advocacy work on the Radios. The Bright Doves in Kamwokya
have a Children Rights advocacy program on Mama FM and the Youfras in Nsambya
do a Catholic Social Teaching program on Radio Maria.
- Challenges:
As we spread the
spirit of St. Francis in the region, the following are viewed as challenges;
·
Ignorance
of the Christians on the Franciscan spirituality.
·
Lack
of funds to implement such programs as promotion of JPIC values
·
Lack
of a functional regional committee to run and over see the Youfra activities in
the region.
·
No
support from the Youfra National office.
·
Limited
support from the professed members of the order (both SFO and the religious)
·
We
lack the National statutes that should guide our operation.
·
Lack
of formators as majority when approached claim not to have time.
·
No
centre for coordination of the Youfra activities in the region.
·
Limited
manpower in the implementation of the JPIC programs
·
Poor
communication in form of reporting across the region.
·
Lack
of formation and other spiritual materials and as such most youth have little knowledge
of St. Francis and the Order.
·
Lack
of musical instruments much as uniforms and other costumes to support our
singing and music activities.
- Going
Forward/ Strategic Planning
As we continue
to streamline our operation on the region, the following will be put to focus;
·
Have
in place a regional committee to over see the activities in the region.
·
Roll
out and extend the activities of Youfra to more Parishes and Dioceses in the
region.
·
Enroll
more members and create a regional database.
·
Lobby
for funds both locally and internationally to finance the Youfra activities in
the region.
·
Work
with the National committee to come up with National statutes that will guide
the activities of Youfra.
·
Make
use of the Franciscan Desk at the Interreligious Dialogue offices to coordinate
Youfra activities in the region.
·
Encourage
more Franciscan groups to support our work as we work more with the SFOs and
the Religious.
·
Lobby
for more material (books and videos) especially on formation and Franciscan
spirituality.
·
Publish
a Youfra Newsletter that will expose our activities as Youfra in the region and
will be used to inform.
·
Encourage
the Youfra groups to start up Income Generating Activities (IGAs) that will
help them support the Fraternities on local level.
·
Implement
the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Follow up program as initiated by the
Bright Doves in coordination with Youfra Uganda.
·
Promote
a culture of saving among the Youfras in the region through encouraging members
to save for their future.
·
Encourage information sharing across the
region much as across the country to ensure that we are all on the same page.
·
Organize
retreats and workshops for members in the regions where members can learn and
share more about the spirituality.
·
Record
a Franciscan Music Album as a region and use it to promote Franciscanism in the
country.
·
Organize
both musical and sports galas which will bring together the Youfra to
appreciate their talents in both music and sports.
·
Organize
an environmental and health oriented competition on the region level aimed at
supporting the environmental and health campaign as a JPIC value.
- Upcoming
events:
As we enter into
the last quarter of the year, the following are yet to come;
o
The
Youfras will take part in the Uzima retreat from 31st August – 2nd Sept 2012 in
Kisumu – Kenya.
o
We
will join the Capuchin and the rest of the Franciscans to celebrate the Feast
of St. Padre Pio on 23rd Sept 2012.
o
Will
join the Conventual Friars in St. Francis Parish – Matugga to celebrate the
feast of St. Francis as they also open the new parish.
o
One Atwine Gloria from Nsambya will be
representing Youfra-Uganda to the annual session on Human Rights to water and
sanitation which will be held during the 21st session of the Human Rights
Council at the UN in Geneva staring 16th - 22nd September 2012 curtsy of
Franciscan International.
o
The
Bright Doves – Youfra in Kamwokya will stage a Franciscan/ Marian Carol service
on Sunday 28th October 2012 at Kamwokya Parish to celebrate the feast
of St. Francis.
o
The
Bright Doves are also organizing the Child Rights day in conjunction with the
National Council for Children on Saturday 17th November 2012.
o
Will
have a get together party on Saturday 15th Dec 2012 where we hope to
bring together all the Youfra groups formed as we facilitate networking.
- Conclusion:
I salute all
that made it possible for the Youfras in the different Parishes especially our
superiors in the Order and do urge you to come even closer to assist these
established groups to stabilize. I call upon the National council – Youfra
Uganda to support us as a region keeping in mind the challenges that surround
our progress and empower us to as we bring more groups on board .
Just wishing you
well and calling upon you to do routine visits to the region to monitor our
progress and encourage the members.
Prepared By;
……………………………..
MUKUNDANE DENNIS
Youfra Coordinator – Kampala Region
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