Once again I am very happy to visit your Parish. It humbles me to see how much is done to make me feel so welcome in the Parish and at the Presbytery. Your love and care is such a consolation to me.

My Parishioners and the Bishop send their warmest greetings and wish to thank you for your help and generosity (see display of letters).

Last summer, whilst I was here, some kind people had embarked on fund raising to provide 10 boreholes. The fundraising was a great success. We anticipate that 12 boreholes may be provided if our application for a matching grant from Rotary International is successful.

Meanwhile, our first application for a matching grant was successful, allowing the provision of 6 boreholes which are now supplying fresh clean water to 6 schools and their nearby villages. Your caring efforts reflect the words of Jesus who said: “When I am thirsty you gave me to drink”.

When I went to check on the progress of the drilling, the local people were singing and dancing with joy. They thanked me – but it is you who have brought such happiness to their lives.

To those of you who donate to my funds on a regular basis – a big thank you. This regular income allows me to plan my work more effectively. Without this help Fr John and myself could not afford to visit our 55 outstations so frequently. We have been asked to arrange training in basic health care for women from various out stations. As a result there has been a great improvement in health and quality of life in their communities.

Since my last visit I have managed to finance 4 local catechists for training. As a result, they are more effective in teaching others at their outstations. I have already organised training for another 67 catechists with training for their wives as health workers.

Your generous help and sponsorship has helped many orphans and poor children to attend school. They are all doing so well and send you their love. The two boys, Claudio and Amon, who are sponsored by the Scouts and Mr Clive Spalding respectively, have joined our minor seminary. Please pray that your kindness leads to their vocations as future priests. Another boy from the Parish (Michael Kagonna) has also joined the seminary. His parents are unable to afford the £30 a month costs of his education. If you feel you could help – please contact me.

As I have said before in my Newsletters to you, there are always more demands than my funds can cope with, but your responses to my last appeal last year has enabled me to help 4 more orphans to be educated. My housekeeper George, who died of cancer 5 years ago, left 6 children and I would dearly like to help them with sponsorship.

I am happy to tell you our two seminarians Paul and Achilleo, who are being sponsored by you, were ordained a priest and a Deacon respectively on 15 August 2009. Another church student (George Kisige) who was assigned to my Parish for Pastoral work during May and June of this year needs £200 to pay for his studies.

Looking after the orphans is a major drain on my resources, especially during holiday periods when feeding and caring for them requires £800.

They are growing big and 7 of the 16 I look after are teenagers with big appetites! The prayer group in Leicester raised this money for me when I visited in April but I need to find the same amount each holiday to care for their basic needs.

If you would like to help me with any of these projects you can fill in a Standing Order form or make a donation in an envelope addressed to Fr Vincent’s Projects” and return it to myself, Mrs Maura Roche, Fr Greg or Fr Chris. Please come and talk to me if you want further details.

Here are some examples of costs:

1 To drill a bore hole                                                 £5000

2 To educate a pupil or an orphan                                   £30 a month

3 To assist a church student                                        £200 a year

4 To buy petrol for outstation visits                               £20 a month

5 To buy Communion hosts and wine                                £30 a month

In closing, I would like to give you my heartfelt thanks for all your generosity – it makes such as vast difference to my ministry and work. I can’t imagine how I would cope with all the demands without your wonderful help and support.

God bless you,

Fr Vincent