How the Apostles of Jesus Came to Take Possession and Administration of Saint Angela Merici Catholic Church, in the Bronx, New York
By
Fr. Nestorio Agirembabazi, AJ, STD Pastor of Saint Angela Merici Parish, NY.
Introduction
In July 2026, the Apostles of Jesus USA Region celebrated 25 years of Church ministry and missionary work in the United States of America. This celebration marks the beginning.
At the center of this celebration is the acknowledgement of Saint Angela Merici Parish in the Bronx in the Archdiocese of New York as the first parish to be entrusted to the Apostles of Jesus in the United States. At present, there are altogether four parishes in the Archdiocese of New York under the pastoral care of the Apostles of Jesus.
The other three are: Saints Philip and James in the Bronx, NY; Saint Cecilia & Holy Agony Catholic Church in Manhattan, NY; and Holy Family Church in the Bronx, NY (which is a combination of three merged Churches, Holy Family Church, Blessed Sacrament Church, and John Vianney).
Saint Angela Merici Church is the first one to be entrusted to the Apostles of Jesus not only in the Archdiocese of New York, but also in the entire of the United States of America.
The Impulse of Grace and Foundational Decision
Although from the human perspective the concrete initiative to send Apostles of Jesus to St. Angela Merici Church was taken by the Very Reverend. Fr. Silvester Arinaitwe Rwomukubwe, AJ, then Superior General, and his General Council, we must acknowledge that they did this under the impulse of grace.
When human beings are disposed to receive grace, the impulse of grace brings them forward not only to a higher understanding of truth, goodness, and beauty, but also to true light that enlightens them to make true human judgement.
Because proper development of a parish requires knowledge, good leadership, and commitment, I felt challenged when, in 2000, Fr. Silvester A. Rwomukubwe, AJ, appointed Fr. Peter Mushi as pastor and me, as parochial vicar of Saint Angela Merici Church.
This decision followed a meeting in the summer of 1996 at Maryknoll attended by the “regional founding fathers”: Fr. Peter Mushi, AJ; Fr. Augustine Njuu, AJ; Fr. Nestorio Agirembabazi, AJ (who attended virtually); and the late Frs. Peter Kasoli Bwayo, AJ, Paul Onyango Gaggawala, AJ, and. Fr. Silvester Arinaitwe Rwomukubwe, AJ.
Rev. Dr. Nestorio Agirembabazi, AJ, Current Pastor of Saint Angela Merici Parish, Our Pioneer Parish.
As the Church prepared for the Jubilee Year 2000, we felt called to expand our mission in the spirit of Ad Gentes by establishing a presence in the United States.
St. Angela Merici Church was identified and chosen because it aligned with our charism of evangelizing in the most challenging and underserved areas. Located in the 79th Congressional District—then the poorest in the nation—the parish was a natural fit for our missionary spirituality and charism of following Christ the Good Shepherd, imitating the compassionate, active and joyful zeal of His Heart for the lost sheep (cf. John 10:1-21) The Archdiocesan authorities likewise saw the suitability of entrusting this parish to the Apostles of Jesus.
Early Contacts and First Visit
Fr. Silvester had already contacted the late John Cardinal O’Connor, Archbishop of New York, who welcomed the idea of Apostles of Jesus priests serving at St. Angela Merici Church. The first exploration occurred in June 2000. At that time, I had just completed my postgraduate studies at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley and had been asked to assist temporarily with hospital ministry while residing at St. Teresa of Avila.
One day, the late Fr. Paul O. Gaggawala, AJ, invited me to accompany him to the Bronx to visit St. Angela Merici Church. Deacon Felipe Sin was then overseeing pastoral ministry due to the absence of a resident priest. He ensured parishioners received Holy Communion by inviting visiting priests to consecrate enough hosts for distribution.
We traveled by train from Tarrytown to Melrose Station and walked up the hill to the church, where Deacon Felipe welcomed us warmly. A young boy, Thomas Estrella, held the keys to the rectory, church, and convent. The buildings were in a dilapidated state—peeling paint, leaking sewer pipes, damaged ceilings, and a deteriorating roof. After touring the facilities, we learned that Archdiocesan administrators had already asked Deacon Felipe whether he would be willing to collaborate with Apostles of Jesus priests. He agreed wholeheartedly, clearing the way for our assignment.
Beginning of Ministry
Cardinal O’Connor, in agreement with Fr. Silvester Rwomukubwe, AJ, assigned Fr. Peter Mushi as pastor while he prepared to transfer from Shenandoah where he had been serving as Assistant Pastor following completion of his graduate studies at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. I was appointed parochial vicar and began ministry immediately, having already completed my studies in May 2000. Because I had lived among Spanish-speaking communities and studied Spanish as my second modern language, I was well prepared to serve the parish’s Hispanic population. I lived alone at the parish for four months until Fr. Peter Mushi, AJ, joined me from Shenandoah in Pennsylvania.
Growth of the Mission and New Personnel
Last year, 2025, marked 25 years since the Apostles of Jesus took possession and assumed administration of St. Angela Merici Church. Over the years, several priests have served the parish.
After I left in 2001 to care for my ailing mother, Fr. John Kalungi, AJ, became parochial vicar effective September 29, 2001. He served under the authority of Fr. Peter Mushi, AJ, the Pastor.
When my mother’s health improved, I prepared to return to the United States but was denied a religious worker visa. I was instead appointed rector of the Apostles of Jesus Philosophicum in Nairobi, Kenya, a role I held for eight years.
Later, I was elected Assistant Superior in charge of Finance and Property, serving six years before returning to St. Angela Merici Church in 2009, where I continue to serve.
A Parish with Deep Roots
Even though the Apostles of Jesus took possession of Saint Angela Merici Church in 2000, it isn’t a young Church. St. Angela Merici Church celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2024. His Eminence Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York graciously presided over the anniversary Mass. We also express gratitude to Bishop Josu Iriondo, DD, emeritus, who supported our ministry in the South Bronx deanery.
When the late Edward Cardinal Egan succeeded Cardinal O’Connor, he requested additional Apostles of Jesus priests to serve in the Archdiocese of New York, including at Saints Philip and James and Holy Family Church in the Bronx, and St. Cecilia and Holy Agony Church in Manhattan.
Saint Angela Merici Parish as a Home for Orientation of Newly Assigned Priests to the USA
Since being entrusted to the pastoral care of the Apostles of Jesus priests, St. Angela Merici parish has been a “home” for many Apostles of Jesus in the United States. It has also been a center for pre-work orientation and training of newly assigned priests to the USA under the guidance and leadership of Father John Kalungi, AJ in collaboration with other Apostles of Jesus priests who live and work there and nearby.
The orientation program was drawn up in accord with the principles detailed in the norms and statutes of the Apostles of Jesus, with consideration being given to helping the newly assigned priests to easily overcome cultural shock in various circumstances of different dioceses, archdioceses, or states.
Our new priests are oriented so that they are suitably prepared for their ministry in their place of assignment. In particular, they are prepared to have a better understanding of the American institutions, social conditions, practices, and customs.
There is the Apostles of Jesus-based orientation program at Saint Angela Merici Church that helps those priests newly assigned to the United States to understand the beauty and challenges of a plurality of cultures, including understanding that people have assorted styles of living and different scales of values. Most of our priests assigned to the USA Zone/Region have undergone their orientation before taking up assignments. It continues to serve a center for learning key principles and practices for proper cultural transition and development from different African cultures and various traditions to the American cultures, including the cultural situation of United States of America today.
Fr. John Kalungi, AJ, was the parochial vicar at Saint Angela Merici Parish and has been directing the pre-work orientation and training of newly assigned AJ priests to the USA.
Historical Background of the Parish
In 1899, Archbishop Corrigan of New York asked Fr. Thomas Wallace to establish a church at the current location between 163rd Street and Morris Avenue. The first Mass was celebrated in a private home near 158th Street.
The first baptism—William Cochran—was administered on December 3, 1899. The first wedding, between Lawrence Moran and Mary Barned, took place on February 11, 1900.
The early parish community consisted of German and Irish immigrants working in breweries, construction, business, and trade. Construction of the present church and school began around 1920 under Rev. John Harrington, pastor at a time of rapid neighborhood growth. The building was dedicated by Cardinal Hayes on October 26, 1924, supported by bake sales, donations, benefactors, and parishioners.
A Vibrant Community Today
St. Angela Merici Church is blessed with parishioners from diverse backgrounds—Latin America, the Caribbean, Mexico, African Americans, and English- and French-speaking Africans. The parish hosts dynamic groups such as the Maria societies, Holy Name Society, Daughters of Mary, Sacred Heart, Rosario, Charismatic Prayer groups, and many ministries.
We thank all parishioners for their generous support through fundraising, pilgrimages, weekly collections, raffles, and donations.
Conclusion
As the Universal Church dedicates 2024 as the Year of the Eucharist, it is fitting that St. Angela Merici Church celebrates its 125th anniversary on September 28. The Eucharist is thanksgiving, and we give thanks to God for the gift of this parish, for the support of the Cardinal’s Annual Appeal, for volunteers, benefactors, and individuals such as Babe Ruth of the Yankees, who donated the sanctuary’s marble piece. We also honor the artists, businesses, lawyers, alumni, and the Ursuline Sisters founded by St. Angela Merici Church.
May the provident Lord continue to bless each one of you.
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