The Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross was an exalted day in the Province of East Africa, four members of the Province were ordained priests: Fr. Matayo Bwanandeke, C.S.C., Fr. Benjamin Kamushana, C.S.C., Fr. James Nyanza, C.S.C., and Fr. Ogezi Novert, C.S.C. The Ordination Mass was held at Holy Cross Lake View Secondary School, Wanyange, in Jinja, Uganda, which was also celebrating its 32nd Anniversary.
Adding to the joy of the day was the presence of the Most Rev. Bishop Patrick Neary, C.S.C., Bishop of the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota, as the presider of the Ordination Mass. It was a “homecoming” for Bishop Neary, as he had served eight years as a missionary in East Africa, including six years as the Superior of the then District of East Africa.
In his homily, Bishop Neary drew on Pope Francis’ encyclical Dilexit Nos is on the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ. Blessed Basile Moreau dedicated the Priest of Holy Cross to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bishop Neary reminded the ordinands that true priesthood is about embracing weakness, growing in prayerful intimacy with Christ, and serving with humility.
“You have been called in Holy Cross and in the Church to make God known, loved, and served,” Bishop Neary told the new priests. “Help people to discover that the Kingdom of God is within them and that the Holy Spirit dwells in their hearts.”
Among the many Holy Cross religious present for the festivities was Fr. Peter Caxton Mayanja, C.S.C., Superior of the Province of East Africa. He offered words of congratulations and support to the newly ordained at the end of the liturgy.
A festive lunch followed the Mass, at which the Holy Cross religious, family members of the newly ordained, many other priests, religious, friends, and collaborators joined in a joyful and grateful celebration.
As newly ordained priests, Fr. Bwanandeke will work in the Procurement Office at Holy Cross Lake View Secondary School and assist at Bugembe Parish; Fr. Kamushana will work at St. Adolf Holy Cross Parish, Kanyabacope; Fr. Nyanzawill be working at Bugembe Parish; and Fr. Novert will serve at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, Kyarusozi, while also working with Holy Cross Family Ministries.