By Sr. Laurencila Akinyi, FSSA
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, the Most Reverend Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, has issued a pastoral letter of encouragement and congratulations to St. Lucy Model Pre & Primary School at Catholic Mission Mambe in Bar’olo and Ras’olo, Fraksika, Maridi County, describing the work of teachers as sacred and emphasizing that humble beginnings do not diminish the dignity or potential of students.
In his letter addressed to Reverend Father Victor Sende, Head Teacher, along with teachers, parents, and pupils, Bishop Hiiboro wrote in a prayerful spirit with deep gratitude and sincere encouragement, extending heartfelt congratulations to all serving and studying at the school.
The Bishop sincerely commended Father Victor Sende, together with his collaborators, seminarians, catechists, teachers, parents, and all lay faithful who are faithfully building what he described as a young and growing mission. He said their dedication is a seed of hope planted for generations to come.
Seeing Promise in Humble Beginnings
Bishop Hiiboro acknowledged the challenging conditions facing students at the school, noting that many children still sit on wooden benches and write or copy their notes on their laps. However, he emphasized that this does not diminish their dignity or potential but rather reveals the humble beginnings of a great future being patiently and faithfully built.
The Bishop stressed that education is not measured only by comfort or facilities but by the formation of the mind, the shaping of character, and the growth of the heart. He said what is being sown in simplicity today will become tomorrow’s leadership, wisdom, service, and transformation.
Appreciation for Missionary Spirit
Bishop Hiiboro especially appreciated the missionary spirit of Father Victor Sende, describing his commitment to pastoral care, education, and social development as a living testimony of the Church among the people. He said that together with his collaborators, Father Sende is laying strong foundations for both human and spiritual growth in the community.
The Bishop extended gratitude to teachers, catechists, and all collaborators who continue to serve with patience, sacrifice, and love, often in difficult conditions, declaring that their work is truly sacred.
Teachers as Immortal Builders
In a particularly moving section of his letter, Bishop Hiiboro said it is often stated that teachers never die because what they give is not material wealth but knowledge, wisdom, and formation of life. He noted that while the community may not always have money or comfort, knowledge is a gift that endures. He told teachers they are shaping lives, building minds, and forming the future of society and the Church.
Words of Encouragement to Each Group
Bishop Hiiboro offered specific words of encouragement to different groups within the school community. To the Head Teacher and priest in charge, he called for leadership with vision, patience, and pastoral wisdom, urging them to strengthen both education and spiritual formation so that faith and knowledge grow together.
To teachers, the Bishop said they should be proud of their vocation as builders of minds and hearts. He encouraged them to teach with love, discipline, and dedication, reminding them that their labor is forming tomorrow’s Church and society.
To parents, Bishop Hiiboro urged support for children with encouragement, discipline, and sacrifice, emphasizing that education is a shared responsibility and that parental cooperation is essential for children’s growth and success.
To the pupils, the Bishop called for attentiveness, discipline, and respect. He encouraged them to dream with courage and work with determination, emphasizing that their present situation does not define their future and that God has great plans for them.
A Vision for Integral Formation
In his final encouragement, Bishop Hiiboro called on the school community to continue building with patience, hope, and faith. He expressed hope that the mission will grow as a place where children become not only educated persons but also strong disciples of Christ, rooted in truth, discipline, and love.
The Bishop concluded with prayers for abundant blessings on the mission, invoking the intercession of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr, the school’s patron saint. He prayed that the work would bear lasting fruits for the Church and society, congratulating all involved and urging them to remain steadfast in their noble mission.
Significance of the Letter
Bishop Hiiboro’s pastoral letter reflects the Catholic Church’s longstanding commitment to education as a means of integral human development and evangelization. By publicly recognizing and encouraging a school operating in challenging conditions, the Bishop affirms that the quality of education is determined not by material resources alone but by the dedication of teachers, the support of parents, and the formation of students in both knowledge and character.
St. Lucy Model Pre & Primary School represents one of many educational initiatives operated by the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio across Western Equatoria State. These schools often serve communities with limited access to government educational services, providing not only academic instruction but also spiritual formation and moral education grounded in Catholic values.
Father Victor Sende’s work in Mambe demonstrates the missionary dimension of priestly ministry, which extends beyond sacramental celebration to include education, social development, and community building. The Bishop’s recognition of this holistic approach to ministry affirms the Church’s vision of priests as servants of the whole person and the entire community.
The emphasis on Saint Lucy as patron saint is significant, as she is venerated as a virgin and martyr who represents faithfulness to Christ even unto death, as well as the light of knowledge that dispels darkness. Her patronage over the school symbolizes the hope that education, grounded in faith, can illuminate minds and transform lives.
As St. Lucy Model Pre & Primary School continues its mission of “Lighting Minds, Shaping the Future,” Bishop Hiiboro’s letter provides encouragement and validation for all involved, reminding them that their work, though conducted in humble circumstances, is preparing the next generation of leaders, professionals, and faithful Christians who will serve the Church and society in South Sudan.
