APOSTLES OF JESUS CELEBRATES 25YEARS OF MINISTRY IN USA By Fr Augustine Idra, AJ

TRACING THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD:

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF MINISTRY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

By Fr Augustine Idra, AJ

 

The theme of our 28^th Regional Assembly (July 27-31, 2026) is “Tracing the Footsteps of the Good Shepherd: Celebrating 25 Years of Ministry in the United States of America.” We also join and congratulate our sisters, members of the Missionary Congregation of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary, who this year conclude the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of their foundation. We thank God for the gifts of faith and vocations and pray for strength and perseverance that we may remain faithful and committed servants in the Lord’s vineyard.

The history of the Religious Missionary Institute of the Apostles of Jesus (AJ) in the United States of America can be traced back to the late 1980s with the experiences of the first members of the Apostles of Jesus who came to preach mission appeals or were in the country for post graduate studies. Their presence paved the way for the later mission of the Apostles of Jesus in the United States. It was from those exposures that the first Apostles of Jesus in the United States became friends with some local priests who invited them to step in and provide coverage while they were away for their summer vacations. These Apostles of Jesus priests ensured continuity of pastoral care during the pastors’ absences.

Soon, there were considerations and discussions on establishing the Apostles of Jesus presence in the United States. Several meetings were held on various occasions at the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Center in Ossining, New York. The first of these meetings was held on June 21, 1996. It was convened by Very Rev. Sylvester A. Rwomukubwe, AJ, who had been elected Superior General earlier in the year. The meeting was attended by five Apostles of Jesus members:

1. Very Rev. Sylvester A. Rwomukubwe, AJ (Superior General)
2. Rev. Augustine Njuu, AJ
3. Rev. Paul O. Gaggawala, AJ
4. Rev. Peter A. Mushi, AJ
5. Rev. Peter K. Bwayo, AJ

At this meeting, the Superior General officially declared the formation of the Apostles of Jesus Zone in the United States, appointing Rev. Paul Gaggawala, AJ, the Zonal coordinator. The first members of this zone were mainly students in various universities and institutions of higher learning.

At the 1999 summer zonal meeting, the Apostles of Jesus present unanimously expressed the desire to establish a parish of the Apostles of Jesus in the United States. The meeting, which is commonly referred to as the meeting of “the founding fathers of the United States Mission,” was attended by the following six members:

1. Very Rev. Sylvester A. Rwomukubwe, AJ (Superior General)
2. Rev. Paul O. Gaggawala, AJ (Zonal Coordinator)
3. Rev. Peter A. Mushi, AJ
4. Rev. Nestorio Agirembabazi, AJ
5. Rev. Augustine Njuu, AJ
6. Rev. Peter K. Bwayo, AJ

At the same time that the universal Church was preparing to celebrate the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, the Apostles of Jesus felt that there was a need to expand its mission beyond the boundaries of Africa in the spirit of Ad Gentes, by establishing new missions, like the United States of America. Providentially, the situation of St. Angela Merici, one of the parishes in the Bronx in New York, aligned with the mission and charism of the Apostles of Jesus. The Apostles of Jesus are called and sent to proclaim the Good News of salvation to people who are marginalized.  St. Angela Merici Church is situated in the 15^th Congressional District in New York. It covers areas of South Bronx and is rated the poorest congressional district in the nation.

In 1999, Rev. Sylvester contacted John Cardinal O’Connor, Archbishop of New York, and asked permission for the Apostles of Jesus to minister at St. Angela Merici and the Cardinal agreed. Rev. Paul (Zonal Coordinator) and Rev. Nestorio, who had just completed his post graduate studies at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California, were commissioned to visit St. Angela Merici. By then there was no resident priest at the parish. Rev. Deacon Felipe Sin, ministered to the pastoral and spiritual needs of the parish. Whenever a visiting priest celebrated Mass at St. Angela Merici, he consecrated enough Eucharist to be used for the next communion services conducted by the deacon. Thomas Estrella, one of the parishioners volunteered to handle all the keys of the rectory, the church, and convent buildings. During that visit, Rev. Paul and Rev. Nestorio were shocked by the state of the parish. The buildings were dilapidated. The walls of the church were showing signs of wear and tear, and the ceiling was falling apart because of a damaged leaking roof. The rectory paint was peeling off and the kitchen was leaking from damaged sewer pipes. The convent was no better.

After the visit, Rev. Paul and Rev. Nestorio agreed that despite the poor condition of the parish, St. Angela Merici was a fitting place for the Apostles of Jesus to minister. Deacon Felipe agreed to work with the Apostles of Jesus once the assignment of personnel was complete. Shortly after that 1999 visit, in the year 2000, John Cardinal O’Connor, in agreement with Rev. Sylvester, assigned Rev. Peter A. Mushi, AJ, to serve as pastor of St. Angela Merici, and Rev. Nestorio Agirembabazi, AJ, as parochial vicar. Rev. Peter A. Mushi, AJ, became the first black African pastor, foreign born, in the Archdiocese of New York.

John Cardinal O’Connor was excited by the coming of the Apostles of Jesus to the Archdiocese. The Cardinal had in the past sent donations to Africa to support the Major Seminary of the Apostles of Jesus in Nairobi, Kenya. By God’s providence, the Apostles of Jesus were reciprocating that act of kindness. He, and Edward Cardinal Egan, O’Connor’s successor at the time of the Apostles of Jesus arrival at St. Angela Merici, were optimistic about the new missionaries. However, Bishop Josu Iriondo, the Auxiliary Bishop of South Bronx, wondered how native African priests, with no Spanish language background, could lead a mostly Spanish-speaking church. Within the first year, Rev. Peter and Rev. Nestorio had managed to create a thriving community of faith in the Bronx. In turn, the reinvigorated parishioners of St. Angela Merici responded with renewed enthusiasm, love, and commitment. Later, Bishop Iriondo would say, “it is not so much the grammar, but the language of love and dedication that makes a difference.”

Historically, the parish of St. Angela Merici was established in 1899, founded to serve the German and Irish immigrants. The construction of the current church and school began as early as 1920. Patrick Joseph Cardinal Hayes dedicated the new church on October 26, 1924. In 2024, St. Angela Merici celebrated the 125^th anniversary of its foundation (1899-2024). As a church, St. Angela Merici is blessed with the presence of many people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and traditions. The church is composed of, among others, immigrant parishioners from Latin America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and English-speaking and French-speaking Africa.

A closer look at the Apostles of Jesus ministry at St. Angela Merici: Last year, 2025, marked exactly 25 years since the Apostles of Jesus officially began pastoral work at St. Angela Merici church. The priests who have served this parish since then are:

1. Rev. Peter A. Mushi, AJ (the first AJ Pastor)
2. Rev. Nestorio Agirembabazi, AJ (current Pastor and former Parochial Vicar)
3. Rev. John Mzee Kalungi, AJ (former Parochial Vicar)
4. Rev. John Stephen Ariko, AJ (former Parochial Vicar)
5. Rev. Gaston Karakabe Ampe, AJ (current Parochial Vicar)

From St. Angela Merici, the Apostles of Jesus have expanded their ministry in the Archdiocese of New York and beyond. Currently, there are four parishes in the Archdiocese which are run by the Apostles of Jesus: St. Angela Merici (Bronx), St. Cecilia (Manhattan), Holy Family (Bronx), and St. Philip and James (Bronx).

It may be rightly said that St. Angela Merici Church is the mother church of the Apostles of Jesus in the United States of America. Almost all the priests of the Apostles of Jesus who are assigned to the United States have their first stop at St. Angela Merici where they receive immersion courses in the American culture and lifestyle prior to taking up their assignments. As we trace the roots and progress of the Apostles of Jesus in America, we are grateful for the humbling opportunity of being invited to serve at St. Angela Merici. It was the trust of the New York Community at St. Angela Merici that opened other possibilities of continued service of the Apostles of Jesus to the people of God in the United States of America.

As we gather for the 28^th Regional assembly, let us give praise to God and take this moment to celebrate the silver jubilee of ministry in the United States. The seed which our Cofounders, Most Rev. Bishop Sixtus Mazzoldi and Very Rev. John Marengoni, planted in Moroto, Uganda in 1968, about 58 years ago, has grown into a big tree with many branches. Here in the United States, from a humble beginning at St. Angela Merici, 25 years ago, we have grown into a vibrant Region which is subdivided into 6 Zones. Currently there are 72 Apostles of Jesus missionaries ministering in 15 Dioceses and 13 States. There are 26 Parishes under the leadership of the Apostles of Jesus.

Congratulations to everyone!

*Special thanks to Rev. Peter A. Mushi, AJ (Pastor Emeritus – St. Angela Merici) and Rev. Nestorio Agirembabazi, AJ (Current Pastor – St. Angela Merici) for contributing ideas and information to this article.