By Con McHugh

Fr Sunday 25th Anniversary of Ordination Celebration

Fr Evaristus Sunday, AJ, celebrated his Silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination with a Thanksgiving Mass and reception on Saturday 27 June, at St Osburg's Catholic Church, Coventry, where he serves as Assistant Parish Priest and Hospital Chaplain.

The celebration brought together parishioners, fellow clergy, family, friends and well-wishers in thanksgiving for his 25 years of faithful priestly ministry.

As he celebrated his Silver Jubilee, Fr Evaristus expressed deep gratitude to God, his family, his religious congregation, his mentors, and the many communities he has served. His message to everyone is to seek opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of others, while nurturing both their relationship with God and meaningful relationships with people.

Fr Evaristus was born on 11 December 1967 in Rubuguri, south-western Uganda, to Sarapio Bagorogoza and the late Odilia Tibakaba. He is one of five siblings. His vocation to the priesthood began in 1980 after joining the altar servers, inspired by Fr Paul Munyakigezi and the beauty of the Mass sung in Latin.

He was ordained to the priesthood on 5 August 2001 at St Paul's Rubuguri Catholic Parish in Kabale Diocese by the late Bishop Robert Gay. Among his most cherished memories of ordination are the prostration during the Litany of the Saints and the laying on of hands. Looking back, he never imagined that his priesthood would take him from Uganda to international ministry, including serving in the United Kingdom.

Throughout his 25 years of ministry, Fr Evaristus has served in a variety of pastoral and educational roles. He began as Assistant Parish Priest at St Mary's Bukinda Parish while overseeing schools, later becoming a tutor, Dean of Studies, Vice Rector, and eventually Rector of the Apostles of Jesus Minor Seminary in Bukinda. 

After a sabbatical year and further studies in Educational Planning and Management, he was initially assigned to Papua New Guinea before being sent instead to the Archdiocese of Birmingham in England in 2017. Since June 2018, he has served as Hospital Chaplain at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire while also assisting at St Osburg's Parish.

Among the highlights of his priesthood are his sabbatical year, spending time with family, and serving communities in different countries. He identifies high expectations from both the people he serves and those at home as one of his greatest challenges. Two major influences on his ministry have been the late Fr John Mary Vianney Mbonigaba and his experience caring for the late Fr Evarist Nkwasiize after a serious road accident, which deepened his understanding of priesthood as selfless service.

Hospital chaplaincy has further strengthened his appreciation for the dignity of life and the importance of a priest's presence during times of illness and suffering. He finds great fulfilment in supporting patients, their families, and hospital staff during some of life's most difficult moments.

Reflecting on his Silver Jubilee, Fr Evaristus describes the past 25 years as rewarding and marked by God's constant presence. He says prayer, the Eucharist, family support - especially from his father - and the encouragement of the communities he has served have sustained him throughout his ministry. While the world has changed, his understanding of the essence of priesthood remains unchanged.

Outside ministry, he enjoys socialising, walking, and spending time with friends.

Looking ahead he hopes to support the development of retirement and healthcare facilities for elderly and sick members of the Apostles of Jesus, as well as water and education projects in his rural community.

To young people discerning a vocation, he encourages openness, prayer, guidance from priests and religious, and continual self-reflection.