Maula Cathedral Celebrates First Holy Communion on 2nd Sunday of Advent

Maula Cathedral has celebrated a joyous milestone on the Second Sunday of Advent, December 7, 2025, as 52 children received their First Holy Communion. The Holy Mass marked the spiritual culmination of a year-long preparation for the 2024-2025 Communion class.

A child receives the Body of Christ for the very first time on the Second Sunday of Advent. May their faith grow strong!

Speaking on behalf of the jubilant children, Kayla Ntambi Gadama expressed her gratitude to the clergy, teachers, and parents who guided them toward this sacrament.

Addressing the congregation, Kayla highlighted the significance of their faith journey:

"We are humbled to celebrate this milestone with our 2024-2025 Communion class. We have spent one year and three months learning about our Catholic faith with Teacher Emmanuel who has guided us with love and patience."

Kayla Ntambi Gadama, the voice of the First Holy Communicants

She offered special thanks to the outgoing Parish Priest, Fr. Louis Chikanya, for his influence:

"Father, your leadership and support mean the world to us. Your homilies inspire us, and your presence is a blessing. You have helped shape us into young Catholics, and we are grateful."

Kayla also acknowledged the immense dedication of the Sunday School team:

"Teacher Emmanuel, thank you for your help... Your dedication and hard work. You have prepared us well and we are proud of our achievements."

Responding to the children, Parish Priest Fr. Louis Chikanya thanked the children and teachers for their acknowledgment, recognizing the significant work involved in shaping their young minds "to think Catholic and understand the Holy Eucharist."

One year and three months of learning culminated in this sacred moment. Congratulations to the First Holy Communicants!

In what served as a powerful final message, Fr. Chikanya directed his words specifically to the newly initiated communicants, focusing on the foundational importance of the Eucharist:

"The thing that you have started receiving today is the thing that has brought everybody here... Without the Eucharist, we wouldn't have this building... Respect the Eucharist. It's the source. It's the summit. It's the beginning and the end of everything that we do in the church. It's Jesus Christ Himself."

The love of Christ shared. Fr. Chikanya distributes the Body of Christ in one of his final acts of ministry at Maula Cathedral

Fr. Chikanya also offered special thanks to the Sunday School teachers, led by Teacher Emmanuel, and the parents for their crucial dedication in building the children's faith while they are still tender.

The joy of the First Holy Communion celebration was intricately linked to the farewell ceremony for the departing priests, Fr. Louis Chikanya and Fr. Geoffrey Chikapa.

Chekwas Okoronkwo, representing the international community, beautifully linked the two events by asking the priests to cherish the memory of the children.

"Fathers, as you can see, I think God organized it in a very wonderful way, that these are wonderful kids that are receiving Holy Communion on the same day that we are bidding you farewell... Remember these kids, let them be a parting gift to you as you are leaving."

As Fr. Chikanya prepares for his mission in Latvia and Fr. Chikapa moves to St. Anthony of Padua Parish, the sight of the 52 children making their First Holy Communion serves as a vibrant reminder of the perpetual life and growth of the Church they served.

From Left to Right: Br. Bright Jossam, Fr. Louis Chikanya and Fr. Geoffrey Chikapa

Contributors: Edwin Sitima (Writer) and Jerry Mathews (Photographer)