The Congregation of Holy Cross’s Province of East Africa rejoiced with the Final Professions of two brothers and four seminarians on Saturday, October 19. The Mass was held at McCauley House of Formation in Nairobi, Kenya.

Fr. Peter Caxton Mayanja, C.S.C.,Superior of the Province of East Africa, was the main celebrant and received the Final Vows of the six religious in the presence of their confreres in Holy Cross and families, as well as many other religious, diocesan priests, friends, collaborators, and other lay faithful who joined in the celebration.

Those making their Final Profession were: Br. Nina Gilbert, C.S.C., Mr. Benjamin Kamushana, C.S.C., Mr. Matayo Bwanandeke, C.S.C., Mr. Ogezi Novert, C.S.C., Mr. James George Nyenza, C.S.C., and Br. Moses Baruta, C.S.C.

The following day, Sunday, October 20, the four seminarians were ordained to the deaconate by the Most Rev. Van Megen, Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya. Like the Final Vows Mass, the Ordination was held at the McCauley House of Formation.

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Both days, in typical African fashion, there were festive meals that followed the Masses, giving all those in attendance a chance to celebrate and give thanks.

Br. Nina Gilbert, C.S.C., comes from Kole, Uganda. He made First Profession of Vows on July 16, 2019. Gilbert holds a bachelor’s degree in business studies and education from the University of Kisubi. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and social science from Queen Apostles Philosophy Center in Jinja. He is described as a man of “good critical thinking with a sense of good judgment.” As a religious brother, he has a passion for teaching. Gilbert teaches at St. Joseph’s Hill Secondary School and involves himself in campus ministry activities. He sees “teamwork to be essential to effective ministry.”

Deacon Benjamin Kamushana, C.S.C., is from Bitsya-Buhweju in Uganda. He made his First Vows on July 16, 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and social science from Uganda Martyrs University. He also earned a bachelor’s in theology from Tangaza University. Living simply and always being available have been the mark of Benjamin’s understanding of the vows. As a result, he is “quite noticeable in his availability and in the energy that drives him to purely live the evangelical counsels as his vows demand of him.”

Deacon Matayo Bwanandeke, C.S.C., is a native of Katabukenene in the Kasese District in Uganda. On July 16, 2019, he committed himself to living the religious life by professing First Vows. Bwanandeke has a deep spiritual life that is marked by having “greater appreciation of personal meditation and creating a discipline around using his time constructively.” Bwanandeke studied for a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology from Tangaza University. He speaks English, Lukonzo, Luganda, Rutoro, Kiswahili, and Runyoro. He brings much energy and enthusiasm to his work and ministry.

Deacon Ogezi Novert, C.S.C., hails from Bushenyi in Uganda. He made his First profession of Vows on July 16, 2019. Ogezi has great respect for his confreres and is always ready to share his gifts with others. Living and sharing with others in community has helped him to interiorize the meaning of religious life. Time spent in Bangladesh has generated in Ogezi a desire to serve wherever God calls him. It also gave me a greater appreciation of the internationality of Holy Cros and helped him learn to adapt to new situations and cultures, thus shaping him into a confident and effective pastoral leader.

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Deacon James George Nyenza, C.S.C., hails from Singida in Tanzania. He made First Profession on July 16, 2019. James has served in Kino Catholic Parish, Katojo Main Prisons, and St. Luke Holy Cross Parish in Bugembe, Uganda. James was a pioneer of an initiative that enabled him to spend a year of ministry in the Sacred Heart Province in Bangladesh. The experience marked his self-understanding as a Holy Cross religious. James is known to be a community-minded person whose presence and spirit “allow others to feel comfortable and reasonably relaxed around him.”

Br. Moses Baruta, C.S.C., comes from Kyarusozi, Uganda. He he pronounced his First Vows on July 15, 2020. A man of deep prayer, he believes that God’s inner working has increased his love for and commitment to Holy Cross. Baruta earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Strathmore University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in science at the same university. Baruta has had a variety of pastoral experiences at Holy Cross Lake View Secondary School, Fort Portal Regional Remand Home for the juvenile delinquents, and St. Felista Parish, Utegi, in the Musoma Diocese in Tanzania.