The celebration began with a nine-day novena to St. Arnold Janssen, which was faithfully followed by the congregation at the parish centre. The highlight of the celebration was attended by thousands of faithful, who came from the parish centre as well as representatives from 46 outstations spread across the five territorial zones of the parish. The presence of the faithful from various parts of the parish reflected the face of the Church, which is alive in a spirit of kinship, brotherhood and diversity, united by the same faith and the same spirit of mission. 

In particular, the Parish of St. Arnold Janssen Ariwa has a very large and challenging service area. In addition to serving congregations in remote villages and stations, this parish also oversees the Bidibidi refugee camp, which is mostly inhabited by refugees from South Sudan. In this context, the presence of the parish is truly a tangible sign of God’s love accompanying His wounded, marginalized people who are searching for new traces of hope.

The SSpS sisters also participated in the celebration. They have long walked alongside the SVD missionaries in their missionary work, especially in humanitarian and pastoral services for refugees. The collaboration between the SVD and SSpS missionaries, as brothers and sisters in the same vocation, as well as the involvement of the faithful and various parties, is a living testimony to the spirit of St. Arnold Janssen and the synodality of the Church, which prioritises cooperation in mission, intercultural openness, and sensitivity to the signs of the times.

In a festive atmosphere, the faithful were invited to reflect once again that the existence of St. Arnold Janssen Ariwa Parish is not a historical coincidence, but part of God’s plan of salvation. We should be grateful to the Holy Trinity, because through St. Arnold Janssen, God has awakened His grace by establishing three missionary congregations and sending missionaries to various parts of the world—including to the mission field of Uganda, especially in the area of St. Arnold Janssen Ariwa Parish.

As St. Arnold Janssen once said: “May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of Grace. And may the Heart of Jesus live in the Hearts of all. This quote is relevant in the context of parish ministry today. Amidst the challenges of poverty, the trauma of displacement, conflict, and uncertainty in life, the Church is called to be a light, a comfort, and a hope. St. Arnold Janssen Ariwa Parish, with all its limitations, continues to strive to present the merciful face of God and to be a light to free the faithful from the darkness of sin and blindness of faith.

This celebration is also a reflective invitation for all the faithful to emulate the spirituality of St. Arnold Janssen, who strongly emphasised prayer as the foundation of mission. He once said: ‘Prayer is the greatest source of strength for missionary work. Trust in God, even when the path seems dark and the future seems uncertain. In the light of this faith, the faithful of St. Arnold Janssen Ariwa Parish is invited to continue walking together, building a Church rooted in the Gospel, sensitive to the suffering of others, and faithful to the call to mission.

Finally, the first anniversary celebration of this parish and the Feast of St. Arnold Janssen this year confirm that God does not leave His children to walk and struggle alone. Through His Church, through missionaries, and through the community of believers, God’s love continues to be manifested in tangible ways. May the spirit of St. Arnold Janssen continue to live and bear fruit in the various dynamics and church life of the faithful in St. Arnold Janssen Ariwa Parish, so that this parish may truly be a sign of hope, brotherhood, and salvation for all, especially those most in need.