St. Charles Lwanga Church Bids Farewell to Fr. Deshi, Celebrates Christmas and New Year
By Wanzala Kanenje, SJ
Happy New Year.
*Muyeye, December 22, 2024* — In a heartfelt gathering, the St. Charles Lwanga Church community in Muyeye bid farewell to Fr. Deshi, who had served the parish for two years. The farewell dinner, hosted on the parish grounds, brought together parishioners and guests in an evening filled with mixed emotions.
Many parishioners expressed gratitude for Fr. Deshi’s spiritual guidance and availability during his time with the community. In a gesture of appreciation and goodwill, the Jesuit Community organized a dinner at Malaika Restaurant to honor him and wish him success in his next mission.
Christmas Joy
The Christmas season at St. Charles Lwanga Parish began on a high note with carol singing on Christmas Eve. Five vibrant Eve Masses followed this celebrated at various locations, including Diamond Hotel, the Italian Community, Hotel Billionaire, Msoloni Outstation, and the parish itself.
Christmas Day saw the celebrations reach their peak with Holy Masses held at the parish and two outstations, Msoloni and Mayungu. During the homilies, clergy emphasized the core message of the season: embracing the joy, hope, peace, and light brought by the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
New Year Festivities
The parish ushered in the new year with a Thanksgiving Mass on New Year’s Eve, marking a reflective and jubilant conclusion to 2024. The Mass, animated by a lively choir, was a moment of deep gratitude for the blessings of the past year. Congregants were encouraged to embrace new beginnings with hope and gratitude as they stepped into 2025.
The festivities extended to homes and communities, where families celebrated with traditional Swahili delicacies such as mahamri, chapati, pilau, and the iconic mnazi drink. The atmosphere of joy, peace, and togetherness underscored the essence of Christ’s presence, bringing divine glory to the community. As the faithful celebrated and bonded, they embraced the spirit of the season, reflecting the message that Christ had indeed been born among them.
