Dear Friends,

I joined the priests of our diocese for our annual retreat two weeks ago in my favorite retreat center, the Redemptorist Retreat Center at Picture Rocks in Tucson. Each time I go there, I am inspired by the words written near the tabernacle, which read: “The Desert will lead you to your heart where I will speak.” However, though the retreat was very inspiring and our retreat director, Fr. Lorenzo, was very engaging, this time, nothing struck a particular chord in me to validate this sentence until a brief encounter with a couple I met on the last day of my retreat at the reception.

This couple had come to seek a place where, as husband and wife, they could spend a quiet time and pray. Then we got talking. Jerry (not real name) observed that they needed this quiet time as a couple because the world is full of noise, cellphones, the media, and all sorts of noise that distract us from listening to the voice of God.

Then came the usual question I get: “Where are you from?” I told him I was born and raised in Uganda, and now I am the priest of the Diocese of Phoenix. On learning that I was a priest, he immediately lit up and observed, “Thank you for your priesthood. You priests go through a lot, you keep giving and giving, you need such time to rejuvenate. You need our prayers.” He then went on to reveal that he is a Lutheran, and his father is a Lutheran minister, so he understands some of the things priests go through. Before we could proceed further with our conversation, which had now shifted to Pope Leo and was getting more interesting, the receptionist called them in, and I left.

However, what struck me and inspired me to write this article is the fact that the whole retreat was focused on our priesthood and the cost of being a priest. Those same words were said several times by our retreat director. And here was a Lutheran recognizing what priests go through and seeing the need to pray for them. There was nothing new or unusual about this. Still, his statement, made at that particular moment, struck me so deeply that I pondered on my priesthood throughout the entire drive from Tucson to Tempe, at times coming close to tears. Moreover, the retreat director challenged us throughout the retreat to look afresh at our own priesthood and reflect on how it is connected with the priesthood of my brother priests, of my flock, and ultimately with the priesthood of Christ. In so doing, he reminded us to keep in mind that we are human, we are broken, and yet God called us the same way he called St. Paul, who was everything against God, and this same God he was against turned his life around.

Yes, as spiritual leaders, we priests are called to dedicate ourselves to serving others, to serving you. Sometimes we succeed, many times we fail. My desire and commitment as your pastor, nevertheless, is to serve you and help lead you to heaven as I have always reminded you. However, the retreat director also made us realize that this selflessness and effort can come at a cost, as it did with the great saints. He pointed out that long hours, emotional demands, and constant availability to our parishioners can impact our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. He pointed out that some of the challenges we face may include:

• Emotional exhaustion: Constantly supporting others can lead to burnout.
• Physical demands: Long hours in ministry, sometimes traveling, and a lack of adequate rest can affect health.
• Spiritual strain: As we priests bear the weight of the spiritual responsibility for our flock, the weight of responsibility and expectation can impact our own spiritual growth.

By acknowledging these challenges and prioritizing self-care, he said, priests can sustain their ministry and deepen their relationship with God. In all of these, PRAYER is the soul of the priesthood. Without prayer, a priest cannot survive.

However, we also recognize that we priests cannot do this alone. We need you. We need your encouragement; we need your support. We need your prayers. Please pray regularly for your priests’ well-being, their spiritual growth, and their ministry. Here in our parish, I am so grateful, especially to our “Seven Sisters,” who are constantly praying for us priests through this ministry. Apart from the Seven Sisters, I know many of you are also praying for us. We are grateful. Please, keep on praying for us.

Also, please join me in praying for our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the chief priest, as he shoulders the weight of the ministry of feeding, tending, and caring for the sheep entrusted to his care. I am certain the devil has deployed his best commandos to torment him, but he will fail because of our prayers for him. May the Holy Spirit who inspired the cardinals to choose him continue to inspire, protect, and guide him always to discern God’s will in all the decisions he will make. Amen.

I love you!

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