MSMMC The Institute of Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church–MSMMC, made another landmark on January 01, 2024, when the first group of four Sisters celebrated their Golden Jubilee. Thus, making this year’s profession more unique than ever! The four sisters, also referred to as the “Four Pillars of MSMMC,” include Sr. Ernesta Akulu, Sr. Nicholine Acen Atyang, Sr. (Mother) Elizabeth Mandera, and Sr. Rose Waro. Furthermore, Sr. Georgia Kyenda added color as a lone candidate for Silver Jubilee celebrations, ten sisters celebrated perpetual profession, ten sisters made their first profession, eight (8) joined novitiate and six became Postulants in the Missionary Institute that was founded by Rt. Rev. Caesar Asili (RIP) in 1970 in Lira Diocese.
After the general celebrations at institute level, some sisters went to join their biological families in thanksgiving. In his message to the sisters, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, Bishop of Lira gave thanks to God for revealing sisters the salvation mystery of His very person and for saying “Yes” to something God has hidden to the world. “..The new love is the new commandment: “love one another; you must love one another just as I have loved you.
It is by your love for one another, that everyone will recognize you as my disciples,” Jn. 13:34-35. He also challenged the sisters in the words of Pope Francis, “Mary was in particular, to be the mother of her son’s disciples, caring for them and their journey through life.” Such a care includes both spiritual and material and so are the MSMMC. Mother Liberata Mandhawun congratulated the sisters upon the different steps taken, for bravely following the footsteps of their Jesus. “May the Lord grant you the spirit of commitment and perseverance up to the end of your earthly lives. We thank the first members of our institute, the four pillars, who held the institute and allowed members to stand on their shoulders. We are who we are because they showed us the way…” She also cited the message of the Founder about the secret of perseverance of the first pillars: “Your sisters were happy and united with their founder. They succeeded because God gave them the gift of faith that works through charity, Gal.5:6.
They had faith in God, faith in themselves, faith in the cause and faith in their Congregation.” With the newly professed, the institute gained a total of 393 Sisters. The socio-pastoral ministries of the sisters include Catechesis, Education, Health service, Social Communication and Social action. However, these extends to include reading of the signs of the times. Thus calling the sisters to address issues pertaining to social justice and other contemporary issues like domestic violence, trafficking in persons and the like. As missionaries, the sisters serve humanity in different parts of the world. Currently, the sisters serve in different parts of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan and Italy. More missions are in the pipeline.
