Apostles of Jesus Missionaries Provide Lasting Impact
Endowment fund provides lasting impact for seminarian formation, mission programs
As missionary priests and brothers, the Apostles of Jesus order are sent to remote territories around the world where people may have never heard of Jesus or where poverty and hopelessness are rampant. Despite the setbacks and frustrations brought on by the global pandemic, the order forged ahead with its seminarian formation programs.
“Our work is needed more than ever,” said Father Richard O’Nyamwaro, Director of Mission Promotion for the Apostles of Jesus USA. “It is important we have well-formed seminarians to bring the love of Jesus to a world that is in dire need of hope.”
The Apostles of Jesus is a Religious Missionary Institute founded in 1968 in Uganda, east Africa with the purpose of preparing and sending missionaries to Africa and other parts of the world. With its world headquarters and main seminary located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Apostles of Jesus’ main USA mission office is located in Northampton, Pa. Its most needy mission locations are based in Botswana, Cuba, Ethiopia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.
While the African continent experienced lower rate of COVID-19 cases compared to other parts of the world, lockdowns and social distancing exacerbated the ever-present poverty and food insecurity conditions. Skyrocketing prices have limited the access and affordability of food.
“We have never faced a crisis of this magnitude and scale in Africa before,” Father Richard said. “The need is four times greater.”
The continued threat of more variants on the horizon coupled with logistical constraints and vaccine hesitancy, add to the challenge. With all of these elements and the increase rise in poverty and food insecurity issues, the Apostles of Jesus USA has taken a more strategic approach in their philanthropy efforts. In addition to participating in the annual Mission Cooperation Plan which allows them to spread their message and raise funds in Catholic parishes across the United States, the order created the Apostles of Jesus Fund to provide support for the future. This endowment fund will generate perpetual income and support vital mission efforts such as global seminarian education and formation programs, food, poverty, and AIDS ministry programs, as well as maintenance of mission facilities.
Father Richard hopes faithful Catholics will prayerfully consider supporting the Apostles of Jesus Fund with the same energy they have supported the order’s annual mission appeal. He sees the endowment fund as especially attractive for donors interested in making planned gifts such as a gift in a will, memorials, IRA transfers or insurance and investment beneficiary designations.
“A healthy endowment fund will make a tremendous difference for the future of our seminarian formation and mission programs,” Father Richard said.
