Dear Friends,

Two weeks after my arrival here at our parish in June of last year, I got a call to go and anoint a sick person in our neighborhood to which I responded promptly. However, when I reached the apartment indicated on the address, I got confused how to locate the exact room number. Fortunately, I found a gentleman in the parking lot, and I asked him to help me locate the room number. After looking at the number he said: “Oh, you are looking for the Jesus Guy”. What an identity to be described by – “The Jesus Guy!”

Dear Friends,

A few days ago, after Mass, I was chatting with Dave Fesko, the sacristan. He brought about the topic of gossip and how he hated it. I cannot remember how that conversation came about but it inspired this short article. This is because gossip is usually attractive but very toxic and destructive to a community especially when they target the personality of someone or people. Besides, they also break the cardinal virtue of charity. Unfortunately, despite this, gossip happens almost everywhere even in the Church. Therefore, it is a vice which should never be entertained especially in the Church. That is why I always say that if you are tempted to say something bad about somebody, just shut up!

In reflecting further on this topic of gossip, the following story from Pope Francis about Socrates as to why we should not gossip came to my mind. I would like to share this with you. Hope you will find it useful.

Dear Friends,

On July 20th, 1991, something very significant happened in my life – I was ordained a Catholic priest in my home parish in Uganda! In a few days’ time therefore, I will be celebrating the 32nd Anniversary of my priesthood. As I reflected on this milestone in my life, I realized that it was not by accident that I am celebrating this particular anniversary among you as your new pastor, or to some as your son and to others as your brother and friend. I am so grateful to God for each of you, whichever way you look at it.

Dear Friends,

I felt the need to give a brief update on our perpetual adoration chapel project after receiving several anxious queries as to what is going on since Fr. Charlie moved from the parish. I think you deserve to know after the very remarkable contribution and support you have extended towards this project. As you all know, Fr. Charlie had desired to complete this project before leaving our parish, but I told him that I will make sure that it is completed as quickly as possible since he has done a great deal of the work. Besides, I also firmly believe in this project because personally, the Eucharist and Adoration have always meant so much to me from my childhood to my priesthood and as I pointed out in last week’s article, focus on the Eucharist will also be one of the pillars of my service here among you as your pastor.

Dear Friends,

Today, July 1, 2023, I offcially begin my ministry among you as your Pastor. I do so with profound gratitude to God for giving me the opportunity to serve you in this phase of my priestly life. I am honored. I expressed the same sentiment in the first article I wrote a few weeks ago and I repeat it yet again because gratitude remains my primary focus and love will be my instrument to express it. I am deeply grateful to all the pastors who preceded me most especially Fr. Charlie our immediate former pastor, for preparing me in various ways, knowingly or unknowing for this moment. I am also grateful to the Servants of the Plan of God for their years of great service to our parish and school. May they all be blessed as they begin another phase in their pastoral and evangelization mission wherever the Lord has now assigned them. I thank the staff of both the parish and of our wonderful school for serving with me diligently in this community. Finally, I thank you my dear parishioners, for showing me tremendous love this past year as I served as your associate pastor. Many of you have expressed lots of excitement and support when I was named as your pastor three months ago. That meant a lot to me and will continue to mean a lot to me for years to come.