Vision Group workers celebrate Ash Wednesday

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The Vision Group Catholic community has celebrated Ash Wednesday at the company's headquarters in Kampala city.

Ash Wednesday, which was marked on March 5, 2025, is a day of prayer and reflection that marks the beginning of Lent, a season of 40 days of prayer, repentance and charity that precedes Easter.

A spectacle of Vision Group employees during the Ash Wednesday mass at the company's head office in Kampala. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Mass was presided over by Fr Dr Joseph Mary Ssebunnya, a lecturer at St Mbaagas Major Seminary Ggaba, who also doubles as the director of the youth ministry of Kampala Archdiocese.

Delivering his homily during the afternoon mass, Ssebunnya called on the employees of Vision Group (and all Catholics in general) to embrace the mercy of God and share it with others.

Fr Dr Joseph Mary Ssebunnya delivers his homily during the Ash Wednesday mass at the Head Office of Vision Group in Kampala. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Referring to Pope Francis’ Letter of the Lenten Season, Let us Journey Together in Hope, Ssebunnya also put it to the Catholic faithful not to be devastated by the challenges and hardships they experience, but to cast the same hardships and challenges unto Jesus, who alone has the power of deliverance.

“Yes, there are problems and difficult situations on a personal level, family level, community level and international level. Problems at your workplaces. Many people are resigned. Whatever difficult situation you are going through, Pope Francis is asking you to remain hopeful because we have a mighty God who cannot abandon us. Just pray and God will show you his love and mercy,” Ssebunnya said.

Fr Ssebunnya administers ash on the forehead of Human Resource Officer Agatha Joyday. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Fr Dr Joseph Mary Ssebunnya administers ash on the foreheads of Vision Group's employees during the Ash Wednesday mass at the company's head office in Kampala. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Ssebunnya later asked the employees of Vision Group to perform acts of charity for the needy or disadvantaged people, such as the elderly, the sick, the poor, orphans and refugees. He nonetheless cautioned them against pompous fasting and charity, which he said, is very much detested by God.

Ssebunnya corrected the impression of some people that the Lenten rite of administering ashes on the forehead of Christians attracts death. He said ash just signifies humility and total surrender to God.

Vision Group employees carrying offertory during the Ash Wednesday mass. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

The mass was graced by Vision Group bosses, including the company’s CEO, Don Wanyama, deputy MD Gervase Ndyanabo, Deputy Editor in Chief Felix Osike, News Editor John Eremu and the leader of the company’s Catholic community, Michael Sssebowa.