Ministries and Groups at St. Charles Lwanga Parish

At St. Charles Lwanga Parish in Muyeye, vibrant ministries and lay groups form the heart of community life, enabling parishioners to live their faith through fellowship, formation, and service. These sodalities cater to all ages and apostolates, fostering spiritual growth and outreach in our diverse, multi-ethnic setting. Rooted in Catholic tradition and Ignatian spirituality, they embody our mission of unity, justice, and evangelization.

Catholic Men Association (CMA): This fellowship unites men as husbands, fathers, and role models, inspired by St. Joseph and St. Ignatius Loyola. Monthly meetings focus on prayer, Christian parenting, workplace ethics, and Church leadership. CMA leads manual parish projects like building church benches and the Marian grotto, while offering community service such as home repairs for the elderly and income-generating initiatives. They promote family welfare and social justice, building brotherhood through recollections and inter-parish sports. (Chairperson: Mr. [Name]; Chaplain: Fr. Sossy, SJ)

Catholic Women Association (CWA): Known as “Wanawake Wakatoliki,” this dynamic group empowers women across generations to nurture faith like St. Monica. Through prayer, Bible studies, and workshops, members practice mercy by feeding the hungry, visiting orphans and the sick, and mentoring youth in purity and resilience. They address poverty, girls’ education, and domestic violence via microfinance table-banking and campaigns. Visible in blue/white attire, they lead the mothers’ choir, altar decoration, and hospitality. In September 2024, 80 women were received into CWA during a deanery Mass blessed by Bishop Lagho, who urged them to let faith nourish all activities. (Chairlady: Mrs. [Name]; Chaplain: Fr. Damas, SJ)

Youth Group (Vijana wa Parokia): For ages 16–35, this lively group meets Saturdays for Bible sharing, catechesis, sports, and life discussions. They animate the 8:30 AM Youth Mass with energetic liturgy. Service includes church cleaning, fundraising, catechism teaching, hospital visits, street clean-ups, and tree planting during the Season of Creation. Representing the parish at diocesan events, the subgroup Magis (~20 members) offers Ignatian formation, retreats, and creative projects like a youth blog. Their motto, “Youth for Christ and Church,” counters societal pressures with wholesome friendships. (Leader: [Name]; Patron: Fr. Sossy, SJ, with Sch. Kanenje, SJ)

Pontifical Missionary Children (PMC): For ages 6–14, “Mtoto wa Kanisa” instills missionary zeal through Saturday sessions of prayer, songs, catechism, and global Church stories. In uniforms of green, yellow, white, and red, children perform small charities, save for the poor, and lead Mission Sunday in October with presentations. Christmas caroling and Nativity plays raise funds for needy kids, embodying “children helping children.” In February 2025, PMC’s joyful performance at Mayungu’s St. Bakhita Feast highlighted their enthusiasm. (Animators: Mrs. Margreth Mutinda & team; Chaplain: Fr. Damas, SJ)

Daughters of Mary (Wana Maria): Young girls (6–16) focus on Marian virtues—purity, obedience, and service—via Rosary, saint stories, and practical lessons. They sing Marian hymns, learn crafts, and lead processions on feasts like the Assumption. Mentored by CWA women, they build sisterhood and perform skits at events, offering a counter-cultural space for faith. (Coordinator: Mrs. [Name]; Guide: Sr. Mary Nzisa, FSA)

St. Anna Women’s Group: Elder women and mothers emphasize family faith transmission, inspired by St. Anne. Monthly prayers for families and wisdom-sharing cover marriage conflicts and parenting. They distribute rosaries, aid struggling families with groceries or uniforms, and host mother-daughter events on September 8. (Coordinator: [Name]; Chaplain: Jesuit priest or Sr. Mary)

Choirs: The Charles Lwanga Choir (main adult group) sings at 10:00 AM Mass and events in multiple languages, composing originals like a Jumuiya anthem. The Youth Choir adds contemporary praise at 8:30 AM, while the Children’s Choir (PMC-led) performs for holidays. Combined for feasts, they host Taizé evenings and Way of the Cross. Open to all, music evangelizes and supports members personally. (Master: Mr. [Name]; Organist: [Name]; Patron: St. Cecilia)

Justice and Peace (CJPD) Group: Aligned with diocesan efforts, this ministry promotes Catholic Social Teaching on rights, peace, and creation care. Activities include civic education on elections and trafficking, interfaith dialogues (e.g., 2023 peace tree-planting with Muslims), sustainable outreach like kitchen gardens, and COVID-19 relief. Environmental actions feature tree-planting (100 annually), waste management, cookstoves, and a parish tree nursery. (Coordinator: Mr. [Name]; Advisor: Fr. Damas, SJ)

Marriage Encounter & Family Life Ministry: Couples enrich bonds through weekends, seminars, and “Couples Dinners” with vow renewals. Small groups discuss family topics; support includes convalidation and counseling for challenges like infertility or cultural pressures. Focuses on sanctity of life and addressing divorce or cohabitation per Strategic Plan SI#4. (Coordinators: Mr. & Mrs. [Name]; Chaplain: Fr. Sossy, SJ)

Other Groups: Altar Servers (post-First Communion) train for reverent service, with annual outings (Patron: St. John Berchmans). Legion of Mary is restarting for apostolic works. Sacred Heart Confraternity prays First Fridays. Vocations Club discerns calls via visits to seminaries, yielding fruits like a seminarian and nun.

These ministries weave a tapestry of service, inviting all to contribute charisms for the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12). Join via bulletin or office—together, we glorify God and aid souls.