Students and staff of St Francis Schools of Health Sciences have been urged to put service and compassion at the centre of their future careers as the institution celebrated its Patron Saint’s Feast Day at the Namataba Campus.
The celebrations brought together students, staff and clergy for a day of prayer, reflection and fellowship, with Rev. Fr. John Chrysostom Maviiri, Parish Priest of Nkokonjeru Parish, leading the religious celebrations.
In his homily, Fr. Maviiri challenged students pursuing health sciences to embrace the values associated with St Francis of Assisi, including peace, humility, selfless service and respect for humanity.
He told the students that health care should be treated as a calling to serve and save lives rather than simply as a means of making money.
Fr. Maviiri urged the future health workers to serve patients with compassion and dignity regardless of their social or economic status.
“Do not chase money; chase service,” he told the students, emphasising that their profession would place them in a position to directly impact people’s lives.
The school’s Rector, Bbosa K. Peter, welcomed the clergy, students and staff to the celebrations, saying the institution seeks to combine professional training with discipline, humanity and moral values.
Bbosa also used the occasion to inform parents and guardians that the school allows students to pay fees in instalments, a measure he said was intended to make health sciences education more accessible to deserving students facing financial challenges.
Fr. Maviiri encouraged parents in Mukono and neighbouring areas to consider enrolling their children at St Francis Schools of Health Sciences, citing the institution’s emphasis on academic training, discipline and a faith-based foundation.
The celebrations were held against the backdrop of the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, who died in 1226.
For the institution, the feast day provided an opportunity to reflect on its mission of training health workers who combine professional competence with compassion and a commitment to serving humanity.
The event ended with thanksgiving, cultural performances and fellowship among the students, staff and invited guests.
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