In the universal church calendar, Holy Trinity is celebrated a Sunday after Pentecost. This is contrary to Ethiopian calendar where the solemenity (ቅድስት ሥላሴ) is celebrated on 7th ሐምሌ ( 7th of the 11th month. Bearing in mind that the calendar has 13 months). Churches named after Holy Trinity take this day as their annual celebration.
By Edgar Nyangiya *
Like other Churches named after the Trinity, Chole Catholic mission was not left behind. They were in celebratory mood. It was their annual feast as well. Curved from Weragu mission, Chole is a small community in Chole town set up. With few Christians but quite vibrant. Besides the Church, the center also has a convent that houses Holy Spirit Srs who run a Kindergarten.
The celebration kicked off with recitation of the Holy Rosary and the Litany of the Saints. Fr. Eduardo Rasera who is the father in charge gave a brief history of the center and the goal of serving and accompanying various Christians from various regions of the country who come to seek for job opportunities and the rural urban migrants. He further recognized that keeping the stability of the Christians population is not guaranteed due to the constant movement of the faithful seeking for greener pastures.
In his homily, Fr. Eduardo who was accompanied by Fr. Yohannes Haro and Fr. Edgar Nyangiya (Both of Weragu mission), explained to the Christians how the Trinitarian God is always present in our lives. That in Him (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) we receive the special gift of grace. In Him, we are Baptized and even blessed.
During the mass, three catechumen received their first Holy communion. A sign of a growing Church, slow but steady. They were encouraged to keep being the people of light. That the candle they received in their Baptism cleared all the darkness. They then should witness and portray the light that they received in their lives.
As is the tradition, the celebration came to a joyous conclusion with singing and dancing, as well as a shared meal of Habesha dabo (Traditional bread) and Tela (Local drink) as a sign of communion. May the Holy trinity keep interceding for Chole community to keep growing in faith.
* Fr. Edgar Nyangiya, IMC, Region of Ethiopia.
