Holy Name of Jesus Friary – Rushooka, Mbarara Archdiocese, Uganda – friars Carmelo-Guardian, Kizito-Parish Priest, Teofil-Economo and Viateur were delighted that a young student of their parish,Sr M. Kemigisha  (Sylvia Tumwesigye-Rushooka) OSC committed herself to God-Her First Profession on 27 September, 2008. The new Mother Abbess Sr Andrew OSC invited us for this celebration.  Br Augustus and novices and Br Aimable-Guardian reached out to help them in preparing the place.

The celebration was great – all our friars were present, including Br Sebastian, our Minister Provincial.. Bishop Lambert led the celebration.

28 September, 2008:  Triple Celebration at St Francis of Assisi Church, Rushooka

1. Celebration of the Feast of St Paul
2. Celebration  of the Confirmation of 40 students from St Paul’s School
3. Celebrating Ten Years of the presence of the Daughters of Divine Charity.
   Both the Archbishop Paul and Auxillary Bishop Lambert were officiating.  Br Ivica, the first Parish Priest of Rushooka was present. He is now ministering at St Mary of the Angels friary, Kivumu, Rwanda.

DAUGHTERS OF DIVINE CHARITY (fdc)

Archbishop Paul Bakyenga on this occasion said:”Thanks for the cooperation of the friars and sisters the change in the Parish is tremendous. Thanks to God for what you have done in our midst.

Not just the basic needs Food, Shelter, clothing & education but also  and most important the Spiritiual needs-the Eucharist and Sacraments. Thanks to God”.

The Beginnings: Archbishop Paul Bakyenga gave us Rushooka and the out stations extending to  60*kms under the care of the Friars Minor-Franciscans in 1995.

Br Ivica Peric was the First Parish Priest in1995.  Our Fraternity had to begin from the scratch yet were blest by our gifted Missionaries of Africa who kept all the Pastoral records needed,as this was their outstation(Hiika).

Fr Ivica’s first project was DRINKING WATER, consulting his mentor fr Vjeko Curic ofm in Kivumu, Rwanda, of happy memory began planning and our fraternity felt the need of inviting sisters to help. The Search began.

By God grace, the next year on his holidays in Croatia, fr Ivica met Sr Nicolina fdc, Mother General of the Daughters of Divine Charity at Tuzla, Croatia who wanted to begin a Mission in Africa but could not go to Cameron,as decided because of God knows what? Fr Ivica invited her to Rushooka Uganda, She grasped the opportunity and Ivica did all that was necessary with our then Bishop Paul Bakyenga.

In January 1997 Sr Nicolina and her Counsellor Sr Aquila(now the Novice Mistress with 3 Novices) arrived. On the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary 7 October, 1998 an International Community of 5 sisters arrived: Sr Alaide(Superior) and Magna from Brazil, Sr Vedrana(named Mukiiga)-Croatia, Sr Ancilla-Germany and Sr Angelica-Poland. On 25 October, 1998 began their community life in tin-roofed house among the people.

The First house of our fdc sisters in Africa at Rushooka, Mbarara Diocese then. 10 years later they have two Communities: St Augustine-Rushooka with Sr Marlene fdc-Brazilian as the Superior and Sacred Heart of Jesus-Noviciate house-Kagando with Sr Mira-fdc-Superior-Croatian.  Their Foundress Mother Francisca Lechner motto:”To do good, to give joy, to make happy, and to lead to heaven” Speeches zeroed in to the life of the friars  and sisters-on the words of Jesus: “Whatsoever you do for the least of my people you do unto me”.

Our FDC  sisters began:

1. A Medical Clinic, Sr Alaide who gave up a big hospital in Brazil volunteered for Rushooka, The sick come in even from Kabale and long distances and the sisters too move towards them.
2. The Martha and Mary Centre for the uplift of the Dignity of women with trades and work possibilities of tailoring, and cooking.
3. Grinding Mill to help the people.
4. Vocation and Guidiance ministry.
5. Education, School assistance for orphans and the like especially taking serious people to hospitals.

Friars Ulrich and Ivica completed the first Church dedicated to St Francis of Assisi and the Church continues to be embellished by friars Kizito, Carmelo, Teofil & Viateur. The Archbishop Blessed a wonderful, artistic statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception from Italy-7 ft tall.

Friars Carmelo, Kizito and Sebastian went to St Paul’s School, The Arch bishop asked friar Sebastian, Provincial,to bless the P7, S4 and S6 students. Apart from our parish ministry of 21 Hiikas-Outstations and 6 Centres we also care for 100 plus orphans. Thanking th Lord for the grace of working.