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Trooper gets radio logs for defense
8/27/2008 9:18 PM -
S.C. Rep. says U.S. needs diplomacy
8/27/2008 9:13 PM -
Woman shoots self while in hospital
8/27/2008 9:08 PM -
Judge to allow cameras for murder sentencing
8/27/2008 9:03 PM -
Public defender to handle fraud appeal
8/27/2008 9:03 PM -
$30M tourist attractions planned for S.C. Upstate
8/27/2008 8:12 PM -
ACLU asks for independent prisons audit
8/26/2008 9:29 PM -
Tornado touches down in Clemson
8/26/2008 9:29 PM -
Charleston Rotary to host candidate
8/26/2008 9:29 PM -
State news in brief for Aug. 26
8/25/2008 9:30 PM
Local
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Area leaders examine the State of the County
8/27/2008 9:28 PM
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Mounted Patrol plays important role in city
8/27/2008 8:57 PM
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Cub Scouting adventures begin tonight with sign-ups at Weeks Activities Center
8/27/2008 8:57 PM
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Threat of severe weather from tropical depression passes
8/27/2008 8:57 PM
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Third-party candidate Baldwin campaigns in Aiken
8/27/2008 7:41 PM
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Ryberg: Intent of law was violated
8/27/2008 7:41 PM
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Embers bring beach music Friday
8/27/2008 7:41 PM
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Concert will support scholarships, bring relief to USC Aiken students
8/27/2008 7:41 PM
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Scouts looking for new members
8/27/2008 8:30 AM
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Troopers reach out past state borders
8/26/2008 9:07 PM
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City man charged with gun violations
8/26/2008 9:07 PM
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Bridgestone celebrates first decade
8/26/2008 9:12 PM
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South Aiken, Aiken seniors exceed national SAT averages
8/26/2008 9:13 PM
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Schools roll out red carpet awards
8/26/2008 9:13 PM
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Irish gospel star Robin Mark to perform free concert here
8/26/2008 9:18 PM
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ACP sets auditions
8/26/2008 9:18 PM
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Reunions for Aug. 27
8/26/2008 9:18 PM
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Police watch for vandalism as rivals' game approaches
8/26/2008 9:02 PM
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Two weeks after his acquittal, man again arrested
8/26/2008 9:02 PM
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County considers shelter expansion
8/26/2008 9:02 PM
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Loaned executives help bring professional clout to United Way
8/25/2008 8:46 PM
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Local news in brief for Aug. 26
8/25/2008 8:46 PM
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Officer cleared after fatal pursuit
8/25/2008 8:33 PM
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Vote on GVW today
8/25/2008 8:33 PM
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Woman discovers, cares for conjoined baby turtles
8/25/2008 8:34 PM
St. Gerard parishioners say farewell to Ugandan minister
5/12/2008 12:22 AM
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By HALEY HUGHES
Staff writer
Members of St. Gerard Church in Aiken say Parish Administrator Father Charles Kawesi's native country of Uganda needs him more than they do. But they say they will still miss him terribly.
Kawesi's time at St. Gerard and his time as a visitor in the United States are drawing to a close. Soon, he will return to his village in Uganda to continue his ministry there.
In the three years he's been in Aiken, church members say he's increased membership by three-fold and has enriched and enhanced the spiritual lives of countless others.
"Every person he touches, he increases their spiritual life," said Carl Abbate, who added he was speaking for St. Gerard as a whole. "They love him because they realize he is a humble, holy, caring person."
St. Gerard organized a good bye dinner for Kawesi Friday night. "Humility" was a word used frequently to describe Kawesi's character throughout the evening. Friday also marked the 26th anniversary of Kawesi's ordination.
Kawesi was sent to the U.S. after teaching and ministering in Uganda for years. His bishop decided Kawesi needed a break so they chose a small parish here for him.
Kawesi said he came here to rest. As it turned out, he added, he didn't get much rest after all. When he arrived, St. Gerard was comprised of only about 49 families. Now, there are more than 150 families. An extra two mass services had to be added to the church's schedule.
"That was a break for me," Kawesi said of the parish's size when he first arrived. "I said, 'OK, I'm going to rest.' For as small as it was, it turned out to be very vibrant."
There were tears Friday as anyone who wished was allowed to say what they wanted about Kawesi.
"Church became something we are passionate about because Father Charles is passionate about it," one man said.
"I'll thank God I had a chance to live here for three years while Father Charles was here," another said.
"There are priests then there are priests," one more said, calling Kawesi "numero uno."
Members of St. Gerard founded an ecumenical, non-profit organization called Uganda Spirit to aid Kawesi in his work with people in Uganda. It is how they will stay in touch with him once he's gone.
"Most of his priestly life has been spent ministering to the poor, widows and orphans," Abbate said. "He is ministering to them not only in spiritual needs but also how to care for themselves. Many of them are alone because of terrorists and the AIDs epidemic."
Kawesi, with the help of Uganda Spirit, teaches women and children crafts, photography, animal husbandry, construction and other skills so they can earn wages. Peggy DeVine, president and co-founder of Uganda Spirit, said Kawesi and others have ridden the streets at dusk in Uganda, picking up "street children" and placing them in orphanages. He has paid for tuition out of his own pocket.
"Father Charles does not believe in just a handout," DeVine said.
Kawesi said Friday that, upon his ordination, he never thought he would come to the U.S. He thanked St. Gerard for its strong sense of community.
Kawesi added that when outsiders visit Uganda, it is not strange of them to talk about the country only in terms of what it doesn't have.
"I may mention, when I go back home, what you have," he said. "But I would rather mention what you are. Thank all of you for being who you are."
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.ugandaspirit.org.
5/12/2008 12:22 AM
0 comments on this story E-mail this story to a friendBy HALEY HUGHES
Staff writer
Members of St. Gerard Church in Aiken say Parish Administrator Father Charles Kawesi's native country of Uganda needs him more than they do. But they say they will still miss him terribly.
Kawesi's time at St. Gerard and his time as a visitor in the United States are drawing to a close. Soon, he will return to his village in Uganda to continue his ministry there.
In the three years he's been in Aiken, church members say he's increased membership by three-fold and has enriched and enhanced the spiritual lives of countless others.
"Every person he touches, he increases their spiritual life," said Carl Abbate, who added he was speaking for St. Gerard as a whole. "They love him because they realize he is a humble, holy, caring person."
St. Gerard organized a good bye dinner for Kawesi Friday night. "Humility" was a word used frequently to describe Kawesi's character throughout the evening. Friday also marked the 26th anniversary of Kawesi's ordination.
Kawesi was sent to the U.S. after teaching and ministering in Uganda for years. His bishop decided Kawesi needed a break so they chose a small parish here for him.
Kawesi said he came here to rest. As it turned out, he added, he didn't get much rest after all. When he arrived, St. Gerard was comprised of only about 49 families. Now, there are more than 150 families. An extra two mass services had to be added to the church's schedule.
"That was a break for me," Kawesi said of the parish's size when he first arrived. "I said, 'OK, I'm going to rest.' For as small as it was, it turned out to be very vibrant."
There were tears Friday as anyone who wished was allowed to say what they wanted about Kawesi.
"Church became something we are passionate about because Father Charles is passionate about it," one man said.
"I'll thank God I had a chance to live here for three years while Father Charles was here," another said.
"There are priests then there are priests," one more said, calling Kawesi "numero uno."
Members of St. Gerard founded an ecumenical, non-profit organization called Uganda Spirit to aid Kawesi in his work with people in Uganda. It is how they will stay in touch with him once he's gone.
"Most of his priestly life has been spent ministering to the poor, widows and orphans," Abbate said. "He is ministering to them not only in spiritual needs but also how to care for themselves. Many of them are alone because of terrorists and the AIDs epidemic."
Kawesi, with the help of Uganda Spirit, teaches women and children crafts, photography, animal husbandry, construction and other skills so they can earn wages. Peggy DeVine, president and co-founder of Uganda Spirit, said Kawesi and others have ridden the streets at dusk in Uganda, picking up "street children" and placing them in orphanages. He has paid for tuition out of his own pocket.
"Father Charles does not believe in just a handout," DeVine said.
Kawesi said Friday that, upon his ordination, he never thought he would come to the U.S. He thanked St. Gerard for its strong sense of community.
Kawesi added that when outsiders visit Uganda, it is not strange of them to talk about the country only in terms of what it doesn't have.
"I may mention, when I go back home, what you have," he said. "But I would rather mention what you are. Thank all of you for being who you are."
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.ugandaspirit.org.
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Bookings for Aug. 15-21
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Bookings for Aug. 8-14
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Bookings for Aug. 2
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Obituaries
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Cloyd Cartledge Sr.
8/27/2008 8:12 PM
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Hazel B. Lilly
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Dorathy Lillian Gieselman
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Robert L. Taylor
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Bradford Page
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Marian A. Overstreet
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Births
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