Meet the African Missionaries in USA

Dear Parishioners, special greetings from my fellow priests of the order of the Apostles of Jesus at our Annual Assembly in Easton, USA.

Apostles of Jesus pause for a group pic. after celebration

As you recall, I left here July 24^th and was able to arrive in Philadelphia on time. I know most of you have been praying for me. I have enjoyed the fruits of your prayers and just two days ago returned to St. Ann’s sound and safe. Thank you.

My journey out of Grants Pass to Medford was less nervous for I was in the company of Biagini, Ray and Janet and their two friends to the Air port. It was fun being with them and given a ride to the airport.

From Medford my journey was fantastic though I regretted running short of the information that they do not offer meals in internal flights. Any way, it was all fine.

In Philadelphia, Easton, I was able to meet fifty five of our sixty confreres working in different states of America. It was a special brotherly and gracious moment to share, pray and learn from each other in the spirit of the Apostles of the Lord.

AJs enjoy healthy discussion during the assembly

The Apostles of Jesus is my Order of a religious and missionary character. What’s unique about this Order is that it’s the first ever religious and missionary congregation of the Catholic Church founded on the African soil in Uganda in 1968 and already supplying religious missionaries to all continents of the world with Asia coming next.

 Apostles of Jesus were founded during the famous episodes of 1960s of the then Sudanese government with the North Islam and South Christianity. During that period the government in Khartoum expelled most missionaries from the south Sudan.

On their run, missionaries of the religious order of St. Daniel Combon, Bishop Sixtus Mazzoldi and Fr. John Marengon both of great memory, went through northern Uganda and took refugee in Moroto Diocese from where they got an inspiration to start a congregation of African religious and missionaries that would keep their evangelization work moving forward with no risk of repatriation or expulsion from their own continent and countries.

Superior General (middle) enjoys classmates photo

Indeed the church and the world have started enjoying the fruits of the vision of these two great men with  the current ability of this Order supplying over 399 missionaries around the world within a period of forty years since its birth in 1968.

To the amazement of all priests present at the assembly was the reflection on the newest country of the world, the South Sudan that just received its independence. The Superior General reminded all of us present that our congregation was conceived in the Sudan, born in Uganda and now working in the world of which the united sates of America is privileged to have over sixty members serving the church and the nation in various professions and fields.  It’s always amazing to see how bitter beginnings procure lots of blessings and graces for one who has faith and God as the anchor of life.

One of the first members in the USA reminded all present of the universality of the church when he said, “We, the Apostles of Jesus have a noble mission here in the United States of America. We have the mission to serve the church here but also the mission to assist the poor in Africa”, he added.

It was an energizing moment of laughter when different representatives narrated the work being done in different missions including Grants Pass, St. Ann’s. Our superior General sent his blessing and greetings to all Bishops, pastors and Christians with whom we work and I am honored to deliver the one of Grants Pass, St. Ann’s parish.

God bless you

Fr. Dominic Tumusiime,AJ..