By Alex Bimo.
A new pastoral chapter has begun at St. Mary Catholic Parish in Yambio following the official assignment of Deacon Luis to serve the parish community, as part of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio’s ongoing efforts to strengthen pastoral services in local parishes.
The appointment was made by the Most Reverend Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, and reflects the diocese’s commitment to ensuring that the spiritual needs of Christians across the region are well served.
The news was formally shared with the faithful on Sunday at the end of the morning Mass. During the announcement, the parish priest of St. Mary Catholic Parish Yambio, Reverend Father Alfred Bassana, introduced Deacon Luis to the congregation and welcomed him to the parish community. Father Bassana explained that the assignment demonstrates the bishop’s dedication to supporting parish life and enhancing the quality of pastoral care available to the faithful.
He encouraged the congregation to warmly receive the new deacon and cooperate with him in pastoral activities, emphasizing that effective ministry requires collaboration between clergy and the community they serve.
Deacon Luis expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve at St. Mary Parish and asked the congregation for prayers and support as he begins his ministry among the people of Yambio. He pledged to work closely with the parish priest and church leaders to promote unity, faith, and service within the Christian community, recognizing that his role as deacon involves supporting both liturgical functions and pastoral outreach.
Christians present at the Mass welcomed the announcement with joy, saying the presence of an additional church minister would help strengthen pastoral outreach, liturgical services, and community programs within the parish. Many parishioners expressed hope that the assignment would enable the parish to expand its ministries and reach more people with the Gospel message and practical support.
The Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio continues to deploy clergy and pastoral workers across its parishes in Western Equatoria State to support evangelization, pastoral care, and community development. The diocese operates numerous parishes, schools, health facilities, and social programs throughout the region, making it one of the most significant institutions providing services to communities in Western Equatoria.
The assignment of Deacon Luis to St. Mary Parish comes at a time when the Catholic Church in South Sudan continues to play a vital role not only in spiritual formation but also in peacebuilding, education, healthcare, and humanitarian assistance. Deacons serve an important function in the Church, assisting priests in liturgical celebrations, preaching, baptizing, witnessing marriages, and engaging in various forms of pastoral ministry and charitable work.
St. Mary Catholic Parish in Yambio is one of the central parishes in the diocese and serves a large Christian community in the state capital. The parish has been actively involved in various pastoral programs, youth ministry, catechetical formation, and social outreach initiatives. The addition of Deacon Luis to the pastoral team is expected to enhance the parish’s capacity to serve its growing congregation and respond to the diverse needs of the community.
