This weekend we have the privilege of welcoming Fr. Felix Hinambona from the Archdiocese of Tororo in Uganda, who is with us for the annual Mission Appeal.

It has been a real joy to have Fr. Felix staying with us here at the rectory over the past several days. Like so many missionary priests, he has an infectious love for Christ and a deep concern for the people entrusted to his care. Hearing him speak about his home, his parishioners, and the Church in Uganda has reminded me just how universal our Catholic faith truly is. Although we live thousands of miles apart, we are members of one family in Christ.

The Archdiocese of Tororo is home to nearly 1.6 million Catholics spread across 52 parishes and nearly 1,000 mission communities. Many of these communities are located in rural areas where priests and catechists travel long distances—often by bicycle or motorbike—to celebrate Mass, teach the faith, and bring the sacraments to God’s people.

Your generosity this weekend will have a direct and lasting impact. Contributions to this year’s Mission Appeal will help:

educate seminarians preparing for the priesthood,
provide bicycles and motorbikes for priests and catechists serving remote villages,
support Catholic schools where students often lack textbooks, electricity, and basic educational resources,
sustain hospitals and rural medical clinics operated by religious sisters,
expand access to clean drinking water,
strengthen agricultural and economic development programs through Catholic Charities (CARITAS),
and help build churches where communities can gather to worship the Lord.

A gift of $100 can provide a bicycle for a catechist. $600 can educate a high school seminarian for an entire year. $1,000 helps support a major seminarian discerning the priesthood. Larger gifts can provide motorbikes for priests serving mountain villages, clean water for an entire community, or even help build churches and health clinics that will serve generations to come.

As Catholics, we are called not only to care for our own parish, but also to remember our brothers and sisters throughout the world. The Church has always been missionary by its very nature. Every time we support the missions, we become partners in proclaiming the Gospel and bringing Christ’s love to those who need it most.

Tororo, Uganda - Mission Appeal