Our parish is honoured to host members of the Cana Fraternity, who are set to deliver talks at all Masses today, on the theme of marriage and family life.

Founded in France in 1980, Cana is a mission of the Chemin Neuf (new path) Community, a Catholic movement with an ecumenical vocation that serves couples and families. The fraternity supports individuals and couples in their faith and relationships, helping them resolve challenges and grow together.

Cana’s mission is to strengthen the unity of couples and families, to consolidate their relationships so that they endure, bear fruit, and deepen their vocation to marriage. The fraternity creates an environment that fosters honest dialogue, leading to reconciliation with God and with one another.

In Uganda, the Cana Fraternity was established in 1995 within the Archdiocese of Kampala, and has since expanded to Mbarara, Masaka, Kasese, Jinja, Tororo, Kasana-Luweero, Hoima, Fort Portal, Kabale, Gulu, and, more recently Lira Diocese. To date, over 10,000 couples in Uganda have participated in the Cana Week program.

Within the Archdiocese of Kampala, the fraternity operates in several parishes. Today’s visiting team comes from our sister parish of Matugga.

Although the program is rooted in Christian values, no baptism certificate is required for participation. Experience has shown that the Cana programs are particularly relevant for couples aged 25 to 40, who are often in the early and sometimes most challenging years of married life.

Cana also extends its mission to:

• Individuals aged 20 to 35, whether living together or not, who wish to be married in the Church.

• Couples or single parents seeking accompaniment in their Christian parenting journey.

• Single people going through difficult circumstances such as separation, divorce, or widowhood, and

• Couples in new unions after separation or divorce, who wish to maintain a connection with the Church, which respects their unique situations.

The Cana Fraternity offers several enriching programs for couples, including:

• Cana Session: A six-day retreat for couples, whether married or not.

• Cana Retreat: A six-day spiritual retreat modelled on the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.

• Fraternal Life Retreat: A six-day retreat designed to help participants discover the beauty of life in fraternity.

• Martha & Mary: A program for helpers who serve during Cana Week.

The visiting team will provide more information about these and other programs during their brief addresses at all Masses today. They have also set up a table outside the church for parishioners who wish to speak with them and learn more about their mission.

Looking ahead, there are plans to hold a week-long Cana retreat or initiation program in Munyonyo parish in the near future.