House Blessing

After over two years in the small house in the Archbishop's Compound, we finally have our own place to call home! On June 12 the Archbishop came and blessed the house, officially naming it "St. Joseph House." The blessing began outside, on the porch where early comers had been waiting.



Archbishop John Baptiste Odama had made a special effort to be here by 4:00 PM on Saturday, knowing that Susan and Patty were leaving right after Mass the next day. He traveled from Kampala, leaving behind a special party for one of his fellow Bishops who was celebrating 25 years as a Bishop, choosing us as his priority.

Using a special type of grass (cattle grass for blessings of "wealth") and native branches, the Archbishop blessed the bowl of water and sprinkled the outside of the house, walking entirely around it.



He even blessed the garden that Jo had planted in back! When he again arrived at the front of the house, he cut the ribbon blocking the entry to the front door, and entered the structure. He continued to bless each room, first the bedrooms and then each of the other rooms. Meanwhile, many of our guests crowded into the living room and dining room.

The actual prayer of blessing took place next. Each of us had a planned role, although Patty didn't get to do hers. Susan stayed with the Archbishop, holding the book and offering directives. Pat proclaimed the first reading. Marion led the petitions, and Jo gave a brief explanation of our gratitude for the warm welcome the people have continually given us and thanked the Archbishop and Archdiocese for this new house. We sang three Acoli songs, but ended with Sancte Joseph. We all posed for a group photo afterward.



It was a lovely ceremony! The group was then invited to move over to the hall belonging to the Catechist Training Center right next to our new home for a "tea." We served a wide variety of foods some of which are not common to the people here... Deviled eggs, hard-boiled eggs, mixed nuts and mints (brought by Susan and Patty), fruit salad, crackers and cheese, guacamole and chips, along with hot tea and lemonade. A special "cake-cutting" tradition was held... A member of every group represented at the party comes to the cake table and "helps" to cut the first piece! The cleanup took a while, but everyone seemed pleased.



On Sunday afternoon we were able to connect with Bishop Sabino, also, since he wasn't able to attend the house blessing. Besides arranging to meet us for a late lunch, he arranged to have an "entourage" to take Susan and Patty to the airport!