CFD UGANDA HOLDS SUCCESSFUL 2nd FORMATION MEETING-WHAT A BLESSING!

CFD Uganda members focused during the meeting/traning

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.-2 Timothy 4:2

For thou art receiving armour against the adverse power, armour against heresies, against Jews, and Samaritans[5], and Gentiles. Thou hast many enemies; take to thee many darts, for thou hast many to hurl them at: and thou hast need to learn how to strike down the Greek, how to contend against heretic, against Jew and Samaritan. And the armour is ready, and most ready the sword of the Spirit[6]: but thou also must stretch forth thy right hand with good resolution, that thou mayest war the Lord’s warfare, and overcome adverse powers, and become invincible against every heretical attempt.-St.Cyril of Jerusalem(Catechetical lectures 4th Century)

Dear brothers and Sisters, the Lord is always good and He is always at hand to help those in need (James 1:5). The thrust of CFD Uganda is hinged on love for God and for the Church and we are very much confident of God’s assistance in every thing we do.

Sunday 5th July 2015 saw another successful meeting and Apologetics training for CFD Uganda members which took place at St.Andrew Kaggwa Catholic Church in Holy Trinity Parish from 2-5pm Ugandan time.

Bro. Aloysius leading proceedings during the meeting/training

Sister Cleo reading from the Holy Bible during the training

This was a follow up meeting on the first CFD Uganda Apologetics meeting which took place on 28th June 2015. Last Sunday’s meeting was carried out with an 8 item agenda which included;

1. Opening Prayer
2. Communication from the Chairperson
3. Introduction of new members
4. Recap
5. Apologetics(continued…)-Why learn and defend the Catholic Faith?
6. Election of CFD Uganda Interim leadership Committee
7. AOB
8. Closing prayer and Departure

The meeting was attended by 8 founding members: Bro.Aloysius Kayiwa, Bro. Edwin Kinene, Bro. Geofrey Ssebina, Sister. Cleophas Pacumbe, Bro. Nicholas Mukasa, Bro. Felix Turyasiima.  One new member, Sister Winnie Namanya(a medical Nurse by Profession) also attended the meeting while another interested member who is outside Uganda followed the proceedings via Skype. Three members were absent with an Apology!

Bro Aloysius training members during the meeting

During the meeting, Bro.Aloysius thanked the Lord for keeping the members alive and healthy and welcomed them for yet another meeting. He thanked Bro.Edwin for securing a good venue for the meeting and specifically welcomed the new member; Sister Winnie Namanya.

Bro.Aloysius informed the members that the last meeting has led to wide exposure of CFD Uganda chapter and is optimistic that CFD Uganda will grow bigger and bigger. We thank the Lord for the continued guidance of Fr.Abe Arganiosa and the compliments from many good brothers and Sisters from Uganda and world over who have sent us very many good messages since the formation of our Chapter.

In the meeting, Apologetics training continued and the members were trained on “Why there is need to learn and defend the Catholic Faith” They were strongly equipped with the knowledge that everyone can learn their faith and were informed that just knowing the faith is not enough. We also need to live it and grower closer to God. A good knowledge of the faith can help a Catholic deal with as many challenges from Anti-Catholics who often misrepresent the Catholic faith and use all kinds of baseless accusations and lies in order to mislead and steal the brethren from the Church into their sects and cults.

Members in discussion during the meeting

Members were surprised to discover that the Catholic Church is the fullness, pillar and safeguard of all Truth of Jesus Christ after an exposition to 1 Timothy 3:15.  Bro.Aloysius asked the members that if Jesus said “I am the way the Truth and the life.” How then can the Church which is the body of Christ (Romans 12:4, 1 Corithians 12:12, Ephesians 1:22 -23, 5:23, Colossians 1:18) be a path of error and corruption as Fundamentalist insinuate?

From a Biblical perspective, the CHURCH which Jesus established on Peter is so important to Him, that our Lord went to extent of dying for HIS CHURCH, and by doing so, HE Glorified His Church:

EPHESIANS 5:25

“. . . . as Christ also loved the CHURCH, and delivered himself up for it.”

So then what does the Holy Bible say with regards to all the other religious organisations circulating, claiming to be the true Church of Christ?HEBREWS 6:1 FORBIDS LAYING AGAIN the foundation of coming back to Christ.

When promising the apostles the Holy Spirit Our Lord affirms: “And I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16). Elsewhere, our Lord promised:

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world” (Mt. 28:20).

Or as Isaiah foretold:

“This is my covenant with them, saith the Lord: My spirit that is in thee, and my words that I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, with the Lord, from henceforth and for ever” (Is. 59:21).

Because the Holy Spirit is the soul of the Catholic Church to guide its true leaders in truth, we can have the confidence of St. Paul writing to St. Timothy:

“But if I tarry long, if i am delayed, that thou mayest know how thou ought to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Tim. 3:15).

This Church was led by sinful and weak men, who were given charisms which enabled them to rise above their imperfections and shepherd the flock of Christ, so that God might be glorified “in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.” (Ephesians 3:21) This Church has continued throughout the ages. She has produced both saints and sinners, but she remains forever “the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.” (1Timothy 3:15).

“There is nothing in the Catholic Faith that can not be proved from the Holy Scriptures. Everything is there!” affirmed Bro. Aloysius -a revert from Pentecostalism

After this Apologetics training session, members embarked on the election of CFD interim leadership that will steer CFD Uganda until a fully fledged leadership structure is put in place in the near future.Below are the elected leaders;

Bro. Aloysius Kayiwa- Chairperson CFD Uganda

Bro. Geofrey Ssebina- Vice Chairperson CFD Uganda

Bro. Nicholas Mukasa- Secretary

Bro. Edwin Kinene-Accountant/Treasurer

Sister Cleophas Pacumbe and Bro.Felix Turyasiima- Mobilisers/Publicity Secretaries

Sister Winnie Namanya-Animator

CFD members after the training. From left to right: Nicholas Mukasa(Secretary), Felix Turyasiima(Publicity/Mobilization),Geofrey Ssebina(Vice Chairman), Cleo Pacumbe(Publicity/Mobilization), Edwin Kinene(Accountant),Winnie Namanya(Animator)

The meeting ended with members discussing way forward and sharing Apologetic materials. Accordingly members suggested recruitment of more members so that the Chapter may grow bigger. It was suggested that the Catechist at St.Andrew Catholic Church allow her students/Catechumens to join CFD trainings so that they can be well educated in truth of the Catholic faith in the hope that they will not be misled by Fundamentalists when as they mature up. CFD Uganda members will also assist the Catechist by volunteering to clean the Church premises, assist in training of Catechumens, promote the faith in the Parish and encourage Christians to attend prayers regularly.

Bro. Aloysius Kayiwa-Chairperson and leader CFD Uganda has been instrumental in formation of CFD. He also doubles as Splendor Blog Correspondent for Africa

 Geofrey Ssebina-Interim Vice Chairman CFD Uganda

The next CFD meeting will take place on Sunday 12th July 2015 at St.Andrew Kaggwa Catholic Church.  God’s graces and blessings are already being poured on our CFD Chapter in the Pearl of Africa. We are so hopeful in God that our Ministry will reach many of our brothers and Sisters in Uganda both for the Glory of God and the Church. Pro Deo et Ecclessia!

Dear Brothers and Sisters, please continue to pray for CFD Uganda. May the good Lord bless you always!

ATTENDANCE LIST FOR CFD UGANDA 2nd APOLOGETICS MEETING/ TRAINING ON 5^TH JULY 2015

Absent with Apology;

Stella Kitondekijja Nalubwama

Ivan Ssekyanzi Garvin

Lawrence Nyankwarara

Followed proceedings via Skype/Facebook

Robert Mugisha

TESTIMONIES FROM MEMBERS

Sister Winnie Namanya; “I am grateful for being a member of CFD which is going to enlighten me more on how to defend my faith and mostly in answering questions from different misguided attackers. CFD is a weapon that will help us to defend our faith”

Bro. Felix Turyasiima; “Ohh in life we need to belong to a meaningful and significant life, i have always wanted to know about many questions within and without our Catholic faith, I am fully convinced that CFD is a right platform i must subscribe to. i want to learn apologetics and defend my faith since its a spiritual work of mercy,that is instructing the ignorant, Bravo CFD!!! This is where i belong”

Bro. Edwin Kinene; “Being part of CFD I am in the right place!I am moved by the zeal of my fellow CFD members concerning Christ’s Church and the Gospel. Every one talks with passion! Some trek long distances to attend meetings.If this is not the love of God and the Church,then what can it be? Discussing the Scripture’s on essential Catholic beliefs and Fundamentalist objections is the most moving part for me .People speaking the same language filled with the love of Christ to learn and defend the faith!”

Bro. Nicholas Mukasa; “Its my responsibility to understand what I believe, CFD is doing me a favor in that area. It is a blessing to be part of something I always yearned for. Dear God, bless all Members of CFD and just use them to do your will…Amen.”

CFD Uganda Girls- Winnie Namanya(Medical Nurse) and Cleophas Pacumbe(Surveillance Systems controller at Ballore Africa Logistics)