BANNABIKIRA DISPATCH

Bound by the Rosary: Gathering in Faith, Hope, and Prayer This October

Dear Friends of Bannabikira and People of God,

As we step into October, our hearts naturally turn toward the Blessed Virgin Mary. In our daily lives as Daughters of Mary, praying the Rosary is at the very center of what we do, it is how we honor Our Mother, meditate on the life of Jesus, grow in our relationship with God, and lift up the needs of all His people. During the months of October and May, this devotion becomes even more special as we enrich our prayer with Adoration and Benediction.

Growing up, I always cherished these dedicated months of the Rosary. I remember gathering at my father’s house, where we would beat the drum to call family and neighbors together. We prayed as one community, and often, we walked from house to house to pray with different families. To us, those visits felt like Mother Mary herself was entering each household. Those simple, beautiful practices brought us together, deepened our faith, and gave us reason to celebrate our Catholic faith.

Now, though many of us are far from home, I am constantly reminded that God is good and the Church is truly universal. The landscape may change, but the lived experience of faith remains the same. Beyond our daily Rosary in the convent, we have the joy of praying alongside our local parishioners. And through the vocation committee of the Ugandan Catholic Community, we carry on that wonderful tradition of bringing the Blessed Mother into different households. 

Why share all of this now? The point is simple: as we prepare for this month of Mary, we warmly invite everyone to join the Church in praying the Rosary. Given the turmoil, uncertainties, and instabilities across the whole world, we need this togetherness more desperately than ever. Throughout history, Mother Mary has always intervened in desperate times. We trust completely in her intercession, and we are praying for the whole world.

Before we look to the far ends of the earth, however, we want to encourage each and every household right where you are: find time every day to sit down and pray the Rosary together, and more fervently, during the month of the Rosary.

Finally, we know that this season also carries weight. The Daughters of Mary have experienced great losses (one sister after another) this September, and we have witnessed losses in so many other lives as well. We stand with everyone who is suffering, and we offer our deepest condolences to all who have lost loved ones or are facing life’s challenges. Be assured of our continuous prayers, especially throughout this month of October.

Thank you, Friends of Bannabikira. Thank you, People of God.

Blessings!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We Can’t Do It Alone

​Our Dear Friends of Bannabikira: 

Why do we need help? Why do we reach out to another person when we are in need? Is it the fear of realizing we cannot do it alone, or is it the beautiful realization that we were never meant to?

​Today is Labor Day, a time when people across the country take a moment to reflect and rest. Students rejoice over a long weekend, and friends reach out to extend good wishes and offer thanks for the hard work being done around them. ​Borrowing a central theme from this day, we know that Labor Day was created to recognize the countless contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the nation.​That brings us to an essential question: Who are the workers that we, as the Bannabikira-Daughters of Mary Sisters, want to recognize today? 

First and foremost, we want to recognize you, our beloved “Friends of Bannabikira.”

​As a community that has existed for 116 years, an incredible amount of labor, sacrifice, and devotion has been poured into our history. If we tried to list every single contributor, we would surely leave someone out, but the foundation is clear:

• ​God, who made all of this possible, choosing and sending Archbishop Henry Streicher with the vision and wisdom to establish our congregation.
• ​Stanislaus Mugwanya, who generously provided the land we occupy at Bwanda, Masaka in Uganda.
• ​Our dedicated formators, Superior Generals, Bishops, and Spiritual Directors, who have guided our path through the generations.

​Fast forward to today: the Bannabikira Sisters continue to carry out our mission and ministry because of the many sacrifices made by people like you. As Friends of Bannabikira, you are not just readers or supporters; you are a vital part and parcel of our mission.

​No human being, and no organization, can thrive without spiritual, social, and physical nourishment. We simply cannot do it alone.

​Thank you, dear friends, for your steadfast support of the Bannabikira Sisters and our ministries. May God abundantly bless the work of your hands, and may you be richly nourished in return for every kindness and support you give.

​Happy Labor Day!