OUR LEADERSHIP

 

Fr. Matthias Kakooza - Honorary Chairman

Fr. Matthias has been a friend of our community for many years and we are honored to have him as our friend and partner in this program.   Priests in Uganda are called upon to be so much more than just a spiritual resource.  Those of us who have traveled to Uganda have been able to bear witness to the tremendous tasks that Fr. Matthias takes on to support his community.  In Uganda  due to the lack of effective government programs individuals step in to assist those in need even with the limited resources available to them. 

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Shannon Fultz - President

I met Fr. Matthias for the first time during our trip to Uganda in 2011.  He had just moved to a new parish and little did we know that this would change our course entirely. We had planned on spending our entire time in one place but with this new role we had the honor or traveling with him all over his new territory.  In visiting more than ten schools of all different size and quality we discovered that improving education was going to be the most important support that we could lend to the wonderful people of Uganda.  

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Mary Langhenry - Vice President

Fr. Matthias has shared with us his compassion for his people, their education and their well-being.  His unending caring and giving spirit has inspired us to support his mission.  I feel the best way we can have an impact on these beautiful people is by supporting their educational needs.  Taking on the responsibility to fund this endeavor will allow for hundreds of Ugandan children the ability to have access to education.  I have witnessed firsthand this extreme need and hope you choose to join our campaign.

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Jane Altman - Treasurer

At the time we met Father Matthias on his regular visits, three of our four children were attending Saint Andrew School.  The Penny Challenge fundraiser  became a yearly platform for discussion about why we were raising this money and running around the house searching for loose change for a great cause.  Subsequently in 2011, I travelled on the first Immersion trip to Uganda.  Based on my experience, our family has remained steadfast to the commitment of building schools for education specifically supporting projects Father Matthias has dedicated as priority.

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Nicole Keesecker - Secretary

My husband, then boyfriend, and I met Fr. Matthias in the summer of 2005 while he was a guest resident at St. Andrew Parish. During his homily he spoke about his ministries back home and we were immediately inspired to support his work.  We started by sponsoring his annual trip to Chicago and now our entire family is excited to join him in this latest endeavor.

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John Berka

I was the first parishioner to visit Fr. Matthias in Uganda. I was so inspired by Fr. Matthias over his many years coming to St. Andrews I felt it was necessary to visit him at his home parish in central Uganda. After spending four weeks with him in the field in Uganda I realized the tremendous opportunity we had to help his ministry. My fist born son is named after him and we feel blessed to have him and his ministry in our lives.