Holy Cross Parishes
Holy Cross Parishes in the Province of East Africa are Communities of Faith, Action, Witness and Hope. Wherever we have a parish we administer sacraments, foster youth ministry, care for the spiritual well-being of families/widows and widowers/the orphaned etc, we also promote lay apostolic movements alongside the education of the heart and mind, social justice work, care for creation among others.
We believe Christ was anointed to bring good news to the poor, the release for prisoners, restoring sight to the blind, among others. Our efforts, which are His, reach out to the afflicted with a preferential option to the poor and the oppressed. We come not just as servants but as their neighbors, to those we serve.
The first Holy Cross Priests were recruited by Blessed Basil Moreau to preach in parishes and assist diocesan clergy in the French countryside. After Fr. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., crossed the Atlantic and settled in Northern Indiana, to celebrate Mass and the Sacraments for Catholics who rarely saw a priest.
It was in 1958 that the Congregation answered the mission call to East Africa at the invitation of Jean Ogez, W.F., Bishop of Mbarara, in western Uganda. On November 4, 1958 . Four members from the U.S. arrived in East Africa to start a mission. After Bishop McCauley has established the diocese of Fort portal as a founding Bishop, Holy Cross started ministry in Parishes of Bukwali (1960), Munteme (1961), Kahunge (1963), Kasese (1966), Kasanga (1968). As the ministry grew more parishes were established. St Jude Tadeo Parish, Kyarusozi F/P (1994), Sombetini, Arusha T.Z. (2015).
• Musoma, TZ (2017).
• Mwanza, T.Z. (2017).
• Konge Lukuli, Kampala Uganda (2018).
• Koch Goma – Gulu (2023)
• Timboroa Eldoret, Kenya (2023)
Holy Cross Parishes in Uganda
Fort Portal Region
St. Jude Tadeo Parish, Kyarusozi
St. Jude Kyarusozi Parish was officially elected as a Parish on 25 th September 1994 by Rt.Rev. Dr. Paul Kalanda Akiiki Bishop of Fort portal diocese by then. The parish was put under the charge of the Congregation of Holy Cross that was ministering Butiti parish. The Parish is located in Fort portal catholic diocese in Uganda. Since 1994 the parish has blessed with many developments, increase of church going Christians, hence increase in small Christian communities to 259 in number. The churches have also increased from the original 22 to 33. All these churches are served by a team of committed Holy Cross Staff assisted by catechists. Each church has a catechist and the Assistant with the council of the Laity.
St. Adolf Parish Kanyabachope
In memory of St. Adolf, Kanyabachope Church structure depicts a life of witness to Jesus’ saving event on the Holy Cross. A cross elevated atop, sits on a round small structure house similar to an African hut. This structure depicts a way of life in imitating Jesus as the Martyrs exemplify. This wonderful addition in Kanyabachope communicates a spirituality of the Cross and of the Uganda Martyrs.
Ave Crux, Spes Unica "Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope"
“Wherever we work we assist others not only to recognize and develop their own gifts but also to discover the deepest longing in their lives.”
— Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, 2:16
Jinja - Region
Holy Cross Parish Bugembe
Holy Cross Parish Bugembe is located in Bugembe along Jinja – Malaba Highway, 3 Km away from Jinja Town. It is under the Catholic diocese of Jinja. The Parish has several lay apostolic movements, and these include Married Couples, Women, Men, Youths, Legion of Mary, St. Jude, PMC, Charismatic Renewal, Purgatory, Sacred Heart of
Jesus and “I thirst” for the needy in addition to BUCHAM for HIV/ AIDS programs. As part of its outreach efforts, Holy Cross Parish runs the four primary schools where children can both play and learn.
Kampala- Region
St. Denis Ssebugwawo Parish Konge
St. Dennis Ssebugwawo Holy Cross Parish Konge-Lukuli, was inaugurated in September 2019 by His Grace Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese. The parish is located in Kampala Archdiocese, Uganda.
Holy Cross Parishes in Kenya
Nairobi Region
Holy Cross Parish Dandora
Holy Cross Parish Dandora was inaugurated in 1978. It was put under the administration of the congregation of Holy cross. It is located in the Archdiocese of Nairobi – Kenya. The ministries of the parish include St. James Nursery and Primary School, the Brother André Dispensary, a tailoring school for women, and a microfinance lending program. Today, the parish has 59 Small Christian Communities (SCC) and out of these, 6 belong to the youths from the 6 regions of the parish. The Youth Small Christian Communities of our parish have got the favour of the AMECEA (Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa). In September 2019, the parish received a delegation from the AMECEA led by Bishop Methodius from Bukoba Tanzania with many other priests and religious from Uganda, Congo and Cameroon to meet our Dandora Youths. They joined in the youth SCC prayer meetings to go and make possible recommendations to different AMECEA dioceses.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Timboroa
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Timboroa was inaugurated in 2002. It was put under the administration of the congregation of Holy cross. It is located in the Archdiocese of Nairobi – Kenya.
Holy Cross Parishes in Tanzania
Arusha Region
Sacred Heart Parish, Sombetini
Sacred Heart Parish Sombetini is a Holy Cross second mission in Tanzania, being the first in the Archdiocese of Arusha. It was erected a Parish in 2007 after being an outstation of Ngarinaro and Burka parishes respectively. The Congregation of the Holy Cross took. Responsibility of its administration in July 2015. It is located in the Northeast of Arusha city. Christians really feel connected to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Sacraments are well celebrated in the parish; we do have infant baptism after every three months and the children. presented for baptism are usually very many, weddings and annual confirmation of not less than 230 Christians is highly appreciated.
St. Brenden Parish, Kitete Mbulu -Tanzania
St. Brendan Parish Kitete is located in Tanzania in the Catholic Diocese of Mbulu. It was in the year 2000 when Holy Cross took over Kitete parish. By then Kitete parish had 34 Small Christian Communities and 4 Main Sub-Centres. Currently Kitete has 7 sub-centres and 109 Small Christian Communities. The parish has significantly grown in many ways but more especially the evangelization mission and sacramental ministry. Several catechists have been trained over the 18 years of Holy Cross service here, more renewal of matrimonial vows and celebrations and more family reconciliations.
Lake - Region
St. Felista Parish, Utegi - Musoma
St. Felista Parish Utegi, formally a sub-parish of St. Bright Catholic Parish Kowaki (administered by the Merrynol Fathers) in Musoma Diocese Tanzania, it was elevated to parish status on the 09 October 2014 by the Bishop of Musoma Diocese, the Rite Reverend Michael Msonganzila. Apart from the parish church, Utegi parish has got eight outstations, namely, Kotwo, Nyasoro, Mika, Bukwe, Kongo, Kitenga, Mang’ore, and Nyanduga. The parish is found in the Northeastern part of the diocese and Southwestern part of Tanzania, among the Luo and Kuria communities of Tanzania.
Lake - Region
St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Nyasaka
St. Anthony of Padua Parish Nyasaka was inaugurated 2017 and was put under the administration of the Congregation of Holy cross by the Local Ordinary. The Parish is located in the Lake region in Mwanza Archdiocese, Tanzania. The Parish has about seven hundred and fifty families who belong to thirty-seven Small Christian Communities. The parish is divided into six regions that have its lay leadership that collaborates fully with the priests in offering people of God the service that is needed. The Parish has lay movements, several choirs, different committees, and has other engagements.
like the visits to the sick and elderly.
Ministries
While the work of Holy Cross began in education and parish ministry, our mission takes across borders of every sort. For the East African Province Province, our mission includes outreach ministries to the poor, spiritual ministries for families, and a Catholic publishing house. Our mission also includes international ministries, where we seek to educate the hearts and minds of people around the globe.
Education
The priests and brothers of Holy Cross serve in educational institutions across the province, where they seek to form the hearts and minds of young people.
Parishes
The East African Province serves over 10 parishes in East Africa, focusing the Congregation’s resources on parishes with schools, hospitals and those that serve the poor.
Mission
Through our creative missionary efforts, we make God known, loved and served in East Africa, as well as around the globe.
Family Ministries
Holy Cross Family Ministries (HCFM), we believe every family needs and deserves access to high-quality prayer and faith experiences and resources. We are a mission-driven family of Catholic ministries. Our mission is clear: We are dedicated to inspiring, promoting and fostering the prayer life and spiritual well-being of families throughout the world. Families are served through faith-based video series, prayer retreats, world-wide Rosary distribution, and numerous interactive and in-person engaging prayer experiences!
Health
A dedicated Ministry aimed at addressing the holistic well-being of the congregation members and communities. Grounded in the values of the Holy Cross, this ministry focuses on integrating physical health with spiritual and emotional support. Health education programs, established health Centers, which collaborate with local healthcare organizations to provide essential services. Community outreach and advocacy efforts extend the impact beyond the congregation, addressing health disparities and promoting overall well-being
