On Friday, March 31, 2023, the parish of Santiago Apóstol Tlilapan, Veracruz, welcomed its new pastor: Father Louis Kivuya Muke a.a., originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Several parishioners from the different communities that make up the parish gathered for this event.
Some priests from nearby parishes were present, and Father Louis was also accompanied by the Assumptionist Fathers and Brothers from the various communities. Representing the Provincial Superior, Father Peter Precourt a.a. was present, as well as the Regional Superior, Father Flavio Bustos Castillo, a.a.
The celebration was presided over by Monsignor Eduardo Cervantes Merino, Bishop of the Diocese of Orizaba. As part of the rite of taking possession of a parish, Father Juan Carlos Villa, Chancellor Secretary, read the appointment.
During the homily, Monsignor Eduardo emphasized the function of the pastor: ” The mission of the pastors is to look for all the means so that the word of God is announced; the mission of the pastor is to center the word and to make that the word is sown in the community and in the groups of apostolate”.
He exhorted Father Louis to favor the encounter with Christ through the joyful proclamation of the Gospel. He then emphasized three essential points, the duty of the pastor towards the people: the word, the sacraments and charity.
After the homily, the rite continued with the profession of faith and the oath of fidelity to the church. Afterwards, he was given the signs and places of the church, among them, the keys of the church, the confessional, the tabernacle, the baptismal font and the see, as a symbol of the responsibility he is assuming.
The celebration could not end without thanking the outgoing pastor, Father Oswaldo Garcia Sanchez, a.a., who served this parish community for 6 years. Monsignor Eduardo, as well as the people, expressed their gratitude to the outgoing pastor with a strong applause.
After the celebration, the parish council and the pastoral groups had prepared a social gathering. A wind band entertained this moment, as well as the traditional dance of the region.
We wish Father Louis a favorable mission in this new assignment. May this love for the Church, proper to our Assumptionist charism, inspire him to lead many to an encounter with Christ, always announcing the coming of the Kingdom.
Brother José Alberto Mejía Peña, a.a.
See more photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3JpWeabgdcAxRxpc6