Associations

CHAMBER CHOIR

Brief Background

This association was formed to boost up the singing in the seminary. However, it owes its origin to seminarian Vincent Muhindo (Kasese Diocese-2003) who with a group of other students decided to have moments of singing after feeling tired of reading/revising. In fact, it turned out to be a moment of recreation for these students and after that pause they could go back and settle for reading. They were later joined by some other students and sometimes the staff members joined them; good enough the rector and staff supported this group and they were encouraged to get some other time other than affecting class time. Thereafter, they were to find out how they can incorporate the good melodies into the liturgy; it took the role of animating the liturgical singing practices which automatically became part of the seminary program.

Activities of the chamber choir

It is the chamber choir which leads the community as far as singing is concerned

The members fully participate in the singing of the Christmas and Easter carols and some of these songs are recorded. It is the duty of the chamber choir members (chairman and choirmaster) to allocate the students the hymn books to ensure personal responsibility. They are always preoccupied with the singing, learning and thereafter teaching the community new songs especially the liturgical hymns. Wonderfully selected hymns are chanted as part of entertainment to the visitors of Kinyamasika Seminary. The chamber choir organizes and makes the sitting arrangement for the students in the chapel. The choir animates and boosts up the liturgy in the nearby institutions on specific days.

 

Aims and objectives of the chamber choir

To boost up liturgical singing in the seminary by putting into practice the basic knowledge of music and skills acquired in music lectures.

To have students experience the joy of singing and thereafter take-up the same spirit to the ministry. In a way, the choir aims at preparing the members to be good trainers in the future.

To find out the music of the different songs and hymns and later endeavour to teach the rest of the community

To evangelise the community outside the seminary through the songs chanted by the chamber choir members

To give room to incoming composers to have a plat-form for composing of new songs. In a way, the chamber choir aims at promoting the art of reading and composing music.

Addendum

It is notable that the spirit of singing in Kinyamasika seminary had declined. Some good-willed students who of course had a wonderful interest in music saw it right and fitting to start a separate group of new members who were always seen on the compound busy learning music. As time went by, the chamber choir took over the department of singing in its entirety. Initially the intention was to get more students who can read and interpret church music. Usually the choir members meet after supper on Tuesdays and Thursday s for practice. Therefore, the music program is oriented towards future pastoral application of the knowledge and experience acquired in the seminary, for the sake of enhancing liturgical and community life in parishes and dioceses.

 

SCOUTING ASSOCIATION

Brief Origin

Scouting was founded by Robert Stephenson Smith Baden Powell. His parents were prof. Rev. H. J. Powell of Oxford University and his mother was a daughter of a British administrator W.T. Smith. He was born on 22nd Feb 1857. Powell lived a glorious life of outdoor activities like camping. Hiking, playing football and music. He was not outstanding in academics but was liked by every pupil, student and teacher in school because as a scout he always brought joy where there was sadness. He was full of life. Baden-Powell continued to guide the scouts and girl guides, going on world tours throughout the rest of his life until ill health caused him to retire to Kenya in 1938 where he died on 8th January 1941.

Scouting in this community commenced during the first semester of 1994/1995. However it officially began on the 12th February 1995. Since then, its presence has been felt whenever there are public gatherings here. Occasionally, the scouts have an opportunity to have mass celebrated by the chaplain to give special tips and confirm their readiness to prayer.

 

Aims and objectives of the scouting movement

The stated aim of the scouting association is to promote the development of young people in achieving the full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, responsible citizens ad as members of their local , national and international communities, scouting is based on the principles of loving and serving God, of human dignity and the rights of individuals, and of recognizing the obligation of members to develop and use their potential it is a movement dedicated to bringing out the best in people. It is this aim that is so blossomed in Kinyamasika.

 

Specific objectives

Character Development

Here, one’s growth in moral strength and character is emphasized. We may define this as what the student himself is-his personal qualities, his values, his outlook.

Citizenship Training

The second is participating citizenship. Used broadly, citizenship means the seminarian’s relationship with others. He comes to learn his obligations to other people; seminary staff, fellow youths and seminarians, his duties and obligations to his community and to the government.

Personal Fitness

Development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind (able to think and solve problems), and the emotions (self-control, courage, and self-respect).

For, at Kinyamasika these activities are rather simplified:

1. The scouts endeavour to hoist respective flags (Uganda National Flag, Vatican/seminary Flag and Tooro Kingdom Flag) every day. There are radio talks, sometimes training is done at the district and at the seminary
2. The scouts endeavour to do the Good Turn (in form of community service and any other form of service to preserve nature). These activities are done on a personal basis and are done every day to strengthen the members of the scouting club to be responsible seminarians and citizens.
3. The scouts endeavour to give a hand whenever called upon for every service in the community like fetching palms to be used on palm Sunday, lighting fire on the Easter Vigil, picking balls when the seminary has matches specially football, among others.
4. Scouts endeavour to have a parade on the Independence Day in honour of our nation and her nationals when they overcame being dependents on the British rule.
5. The scouts always endeavour to have “A Parade” and “A Guard of Honour” on the commissioning Day of the Theology four students (finalists) to remind them of the scout principles namely; Duty to God, Duty to others, and Duty to oneself. This indicates that they are called to serve God among his people and not to be served.

Addendum

The motto for the scouts suggests; “Be prepared.” This ought to be part of our formation system. We therefore, need to be prepared always and be visible soldiers of Christ the good shepherd; for, this must remain our call as seminarians. Always remember the scout promise: “on my honour, I promise that I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, to help all people at all times and to obey the scout law.” As far as its leadership is concerned, they have got a troop leader, assistant troop leader, coordinator, secretary and treasurer.

 

IGWE FRATERNITY

Brief Background

Igwe is an association which in simple terms provides fun to the community. Although it was stealthily started by Denis Ocanda in 2003 with the so-called ‘tree of practical life,’ this was its beginning in Kinyamasika walls. The Igwe fraternity was officially inaugurated in the seminary during the second semester of 2004. In fact, on the 13th March, 2014, the fraternity marked 10 years since its inception. The mission of Igwe as an association is to be a tool of safety and invention for both seminarians’ lifestyle and staff relations, to aid formation and uprightness in society and priesthood in particular.

Aims and objectives

To safe guard the cultural norms of individuals groups within the seminary

To sensitize the community on serious formation disorders and laxity that cost vocations

To simplify vocation interests and cope practices for seminarians.

Keeping and abiding by its sound motto and slogan

Addendum:

Igwe per excellence does not limit membership: so, as long as one likes fun and love of culture. However, originally Igwe membership targeted opposites in society such as the tallest and the smallest, smartest and the shabbiest, most talkative and most-quiet. Currently, all those who abide by what is expressed by Igwe members become automatically Igwe members. The leader of this group (Chairman) is referred to as the ‘Arch-Igwe’ and the group members automatically are the ‘Igwes.’ It is worth noting, that despite being fun, the association keeps the community going and full of life giving free expression and narrowing the student-staff gap for better self-formation. Its role is very vibrant when we are to host teams from other institutions for sports activities; they fully give morale to the players and the matches are well boosted up.