Sr Sophia Musiime OLGC- Vocation Animator/Ass chairperson DAVARC………………
In a heartwarming display of commitment to fostering religious vocations, Gulu Diocese recently welcomed a 21member participant team of dedicated promoters from Diocesan and Regional Vocational Animators (DARVA), ARU. Their visit was not just a routine event; it was a vibrant outreach aimed at inspiring the youth across several schools in the area to consider a life dedicated to service and faith.
For a week of engaging sessions from the 19th to 25th March, the DARVA team visited many schools, including St. Joseph’s College, Gulu High School, Gulu Army SS, St. Mary’s Lacor SS. Each visit was met with an enthusiastic response from students eager to learn more about the rich tapestry of religious life. Through interactive discussions, personal testimonies, and engaging activities, the promoters illuminated the paths of becoming priests, nuns, and religious brothers.
The energy was palpable as students poured into assembly halls, filled with curiosity and questions about life as a religious. The DARVA promoters shared their unique stories, joys of their journeys and the would be worries for anyone aspiring. They concluded by calling students to dedicate their lives to faith and community.
The Emeritus Bishop of Gulu, the Most Reverend John Baptist Odama, a revered figure in the diocese, yet so simple, whom the team had a chance to pay a visit, expressed his gratitude for the visit. “This initiative is crucial,’’ he stated. “It not only opens the doors of possibility for our youth but also strengthens the fabric of our community through dialogue and engagement. It’s about planting seeds that will grow into mighty trees of faith.’’
In each school, the DARVA team distributed resource materials, including brochures and vocation pamphlets, encouraging students to explore their potential calling. As the week drew to a close, the impact of the team was unmistakable. Many students expressed new found curiosity about spiritual life, with some feeling inspired to delve deeper into their faith journeys. The visit not only reignited the conversation about vocations but also reaffirmed the community’s commitment to nurturing future leaders of the church.
As the sun set over Gulu, there were several responses of hope from students, a promising sign that the seeds of faith had been sown, ready to blossom into a new generation of committed religious life. With its sights set on the future, Gulu diocese continues to be a beacon of hope, where faith meets youthful energy, creating a powerful momentum for the church’s next chapter. As the DARVA- ARU’S visit illustrates, the journey of faith is not solitary- it is a shared adventure waiting to be explored.
