Thanks for your reflection about the Year of Mercy tied together with Our Mother of Grace. His Holiness was in Uganda at the end of November and he left an impact that will galvanise christian communities that are proud of their baptism.

You have brought forth the teaching on indulgences which needs to be revisited especially when the reformation fervor is waning. Many fundraisers in church can manipulate peoples’ good will and faith to achieve objectives that are always noble.

In Uganda, I always feel nervous when people are asked to contribute to building the local church, but sometimes the statements the fundraisers use can be almost near to magical. Put in your money and all your sorrows will be no more. Personally, I hate using faith in a magical way.

Lastly. I was last in Lexington in 1999. I was visiting Fr. John Moriarty. However, I have now lost contact. Let me hope is still alive and well. Let him know if you get a chance to meet him that there is your ‘Kentuckian friend’ in Uganda who would like to get in touch with his ‘Ugandan friend’ in Kentucky. We used to joke like that when we were in Mundelein Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. The environment in Kentucky was almost similar to that in Uganda,

I always enjoy your reflections, but because of the time difference, I read them later after my daily mass.

May God continue to bless you.

Fr. Charles Muhigirwa