The Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Eciru Oliach, has called on employees across all sectors to prioritise their health and to be mindful of time, warning that neglect in these areas undermines productivity and personal fulfilment.
Bishop Eciru made the appeal on Friday during a special Mass at Uganda Martyrs Polytechnic College Soroti.
The event marked two major milestones including: the Installation of the Ministries of Acolyte and Lector, and the college’s first-ever graduation ceremony.
Addressing graduands, staff, clergy, students, and parents gathered under the bright morning sun on the college grounds, Bishop Eciru challenged workers, especially the youth entering the workforce, to embrace personal discipline rooted in spiritual values.
“Take care of your health. A sick or weak worker cannot be productive. Be mindful of your time. Time lost is opportunity lost,” he urged.
He stressed that managing time effectively was a key attribute of successful and responsible citizens, adding that time-wasting habits were rampant and destructive among young people today.
“Let us remember: God gave us time as a gift, and He will ask us how we used it,” he cautioned.
The bishop’s homily struck a balance between practical advice and spiritual exhortation.
He invited the congregation to reflect on the Biblical figure of St. Joseph, patron of workers, as a model of diligent, honest, and God-centred labour.
“Work with God as number one, and make Him the foundation of all you do,” he said. “May St. Joseph help you to become a true model of work.”
He added that building careers and communities on Christian principles would transform the workplace from a site of exploitation or conflict into an environment of service and dignity.
The day’s ceremonies began with the installation of candidates into the lay ministries of Acolyte and Lector, a significant moment in the spiritual formation of those who serve at the altar and proclaim the Word of God.
The new lectors and acolytes made solemn promises before the Bishop, pledging to serve faithfully in their parishes.
The bishop reminded them of the trust placed in them by the Church and encouraged them to deepen their prayer life.
“Proclaim the Word clearly and with understanding,” he instructed the lectors. “You do not just read, you evangelise.”
To the acolytes, he said: “Serve at the altar with humility and attention, for you assist in the most sacred mystery.”
Following the Mass, the attention turned to the graduation ceremony, an historic first for Uganda Martyrs Polytechnic College Soroti.
Dozens of students received certificates and diplomas in courses ranging from building and construction to tailoring, business management, and computer studies.
College administrators said the graduation was a sign of the institution’s growing role in skilling young people to meet the country’s development needs.
Bishop Eciru Oliach commended the college for its commitment to providing both technical training and spiritual formation.
He urged graduates to carry their skills back to their communities with integrity and purpose.
“You are not just working for yourselves. You are working for your families, for Uganda, and for God,” he reminded them. “May you be known not only for your knowledge, but for your honesty, your reliability, and your care for others.”
Nicky Akol, the college principal, thanked the bishop for his support and guidance.
“Your words inspire us to see education as a holistic mission, one that forms the hands, the head, and the heart,” he said.
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