St. Cecilia Lubaga Cathedral choir celebrated 100 years of serving the Lord, through singing, praising and worshipping.
The centennial celebrations started with processions led by a brass band from the parking area to the Lubaga Cathedral, followed by the main celebrant of the Holy Mass, the Pope Nuncio Emeritus Archbishop Augustine Kasujja on the Solemnity of Christ the King Sunday.
In his homily Archbishop Kasujja congratulated the Board and members of St. Cecilia Choir upon the milestone and achievements since their establishment in November 1924, a year before the official blessing and consecration of the Lubaga Cathedral Church in 1925.
He said that the choir has been so instrumental by leading the faithful in praising and worship in the cathedral and outside, and that many members have reached their destinations through singing with this oldest choir in Uganda.
The centennial choir, he said whose Patron Saint Cecilia was a brave girl who also on her wedding day because of her talent and love for singing, made a performance to praise God, and entertain those that attended the event.
He encouraged them to emulate her love for serving God and attract more people to join them adding that because they have been exemplary, many choirs have come up and many members have joined them.
The Archbishop Kasujja also thanked them for the good voices, melodies and having different categories of people in their choir such as those in religious life, workers, students, the youth, elders, employers, among others.
He recalled Pope Francis’s speech to choir members where he thanked the choristers for helping the faithful in worshipping and warned them that their role is not singing for the Christians but helping them to pray.
He said that their music and songs are truly evangelical to the extent that they bear witness to the depth of the word of God which touches people’s hearts and to the extent that they assist during the celebration of the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist allowing Christians to the beauty of paradise.
The Centennial Choir Chairperson Paul Mukoota Nsubuga said that as members of St. Cecilia they are proud of their service to the Lord and those that have been part for making it possible to celebrate 100 years adding that after this big milestone and achievements, they are looking forward to seeing that the choir remains in service and an example to others.
Lubaga Cathedral Administrator, Rev. Fr. Achilles Mayanja Ssali and Rev. Fr. Anthony Aliddeki Musaala who is responsible for choirs and music at Lubaga Cathedral Parish congratulated the jubilees for making it noting that their service has been relevant and they are proud of them because they have lifted the image of Lubaga Cathedral and attracted many Christians to attend mass at Lubaga.
The Mass was followed with other events including the luncheon, performance from the choir, live band speeches and many more as guided by the day’s Master of Ceremonies Deogratius Ssebadduka Kipala, who is the publicity secretary to the Choir.
By Gideon Peter Ssebulime
25 Nov 2024
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