JRS Adjumani

Beginning of March, we had the distribution of textbooks to our Senior school scholarship holders in their respective communities (Sts. Peter, Paul, Bakitha, Daniel Comboni, and Christ the King and Holy Rosary) and two boarding schools where our senior 3 &4 students are enrolled.

They were elated to have new books on five major subjects (Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology) in the new curriculum of Competency Based Education. Some were kissing the new books to enjoy the smell of the newness.

Before the distribution, we had thanksgiving prayers for our donor. Also, I had a few words of motivation encouraging serious study with these supplements to enhance their lives as students. 

After the distribution, I told them that I have very good news to share with them. They forgot about the books, and inquired, “Fr. What’s that good news?”. Then I broke the news about my departure from JRS Adjumani. They were shocked and sad, faces became dim. We were speechless. Then one student asked, “Fr. to whom shall we appeal for the change of this decision?”. All kept quiet. Then one responded, “Fr. shall we tell Pope Francis to change”? All laughed. I asked the reason for that appeal as Pope Francis is a close friend of them. He spontaneously responded, “Pope Francis loves us we refugees”. I left all the distribution points with deep sadness.

Then we had three senior students who have excelled in their Senior 4 public exams. Two of them were blessed to be admitted to Senior5 (AL s) in Ocer Campion Jesuit College in Gulu, around 100 kilometres away from Ayilo Settlement. Idro Felix was one of them who studied in the local school, day schooling with many hardships. He was the best among all of them. He has no father, and the maternal uncle is the guardian. Bro. Sean accompanied John Tut, who was also to be admitted. I volunteered to accompany Idro Felix to Ocer Campion College and to introduce him to Jesuit fathers.

After the official admission process at the college, which was done very well by the Jesuit administration, Idro went down to meet the matron of the hostel who was doing the check list of his trunk. Meanwhile, I went up to say thank you for Frs. Stephen Meyo, the head teacher, Paschal Mwijage the Rector of the community and the bursar. As I approached the place where Idro was with the matron, the matron told me, “Fr., this boy lacks many requirements which were prescribed by the college, even the blanket & slippers”.  I was bit annoyed. Then I responded, “Idro, I told you very clearly regarding the requirements the other day. Why did you miss them?”. He did not respond. Then suddenly, I looked at him. His eyes were with tears. Then I remembered that Idro is fatherless, and his mother does not have a proper income and totally depends on the guardian. Those tears struck me, “From whom could I get father I do not have anyone”. Immedieately, I responded saying that I will provide them as soon as possible.

As I was biding goodbye to him, Idro hugged me and said, “Father, you are a father to me. Thank you so much. I do not know how to say thank you” with tears.

My journey back from Gulu to Adjumani, I was reliving those memories with Idro at Ocer Campion, “From whom we could ask we do not have anyone”.

Departures not only bring you sadness and pain but also a sense of fulfilment. The workshop for women as supporters for the senior catechists in respective communities was very encouraging. They were so eager to become agents of children’s catechesis and to prepare children for the orderly celebration of the Eucharist. Surely the mamas have a great impact. I could see after the workshop how they were involved in organizing the way of the cross, the sitting arrangements with the children even with small sticks in their hands and even after Mass how the children left the chapel. The workshop yields fruit.

The Liturgical Procession for the word of God is amazing especially in the Dinka communities. It was one of the main points stressed at the Youth Catechists’ workshop. All the communities are really enthusiastic regarding the procession, practicing the procession and selecting hymns and even the solemn procession of the one who bears the scriptures. They are getting into the mood of Catholic Liturgy after so many years of praying without a priest.

The recent altar servers’ training was amazing. They travelled all the way to a common chapel. Most of them were more than 16 years and some are vey tall as usual Dinka youth. Br. Philip conducted the program. The way they practiced the entrance procession with folded hands, the way of genuflection, bowing before the altar and using the thurible revealed their devotion and love to learn more about the Catholic liturgy. On Palm Sunday, as we celebrated together (Dinka & Madi Communities) at St. Bakitha Chapel, the altar servers and the dancers did extremely well. They have absorbed the training well.

As the students from senior 3 & 4 have transferred to boarding schools under the scholarship, the senior students from form 1 &2 (the juniors) are taking the lead in all the communities, arranging for Mass, Scripture readings, organizing the choir and even leading the prayers. That is the budding leadership.

All these observations and reflection on the observations make me so happy and fulfilled.

Fr. James Moro, a Tertian from Nairobi Tertianship will be joining us for Holy Week services and Easter Celebrations- ever grateful to Fr. Kifle Wansamo the Assistant Tertian Master for his connectivity.