Catholic school administrators make pilgrimage to Uganda
Learn from fellow educators, see up-close how mission partnership bears great fruit
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The children and their families are making the best of it.
The very best.
“Every place we went, it’s phenomenal what the people are doing to support those kids and give them a better life,” said Erin Vader Ed.D., the Jefferson City diocese’s superintendent of Catholic schools.
“Thousands and thousands of kids!” she stated.
Dr. Vader and a group of current and retired Catholic school administrators made a pilgrimage in July to places throughout the Archdiocese of Kampala in Uganda.
Four missionary priests from the Kampala archdiocese — Father Simon Jude Kanyike, Father Joseph Luzindana, Father Leonard Mukiibi, and Father Boniface Kasiita Nzabonimpa — currently minister in the Jefferson City diocese.
Father Ignitius Nimwesiga from the Diocese of Mbarrara, Uganda, ministers in Columbia.
The Missions Office and parishes and Catholic schools throughout the Jefferson City diocese have made substantial contributions to improving life for people of this east-central African nation.
Gifts from Missouri Catholics have provided new and upgraded Catholic schools, chapels, water wells and machinery for processing wheat into flour.
“In multiple places throughout Uganda, there are plaques that say, ‘Thank you to the generous people of the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri, USA,’” said Dr. Vader.
“There are literally thousands of people — children and their families — halfway across the world, who see our diocese’s name every day as a reminder of the support and love they have received that has changed the trajectory of their future and the future of their families,” she stated.
“I desperately want our students and our families to recognize the power of all of that,” said Dr. Vader. “I want them to see how empowering it should be to know that you are actually physically serving as Christ’s hands and feet in this world.”
Where the heart is
Elaine Hassemer, who served as principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School (OLLIS) in Columbia for 11 years before retiring in 2024, took part in the Uganda pilgrimage with her husband, Mark.
“We often participate in mission projects in our parishes and schools, but we can’t begin to realize the full impact these projects have for so many people,” said Mrs. Hassemer.
She got to tour the modern, energy-saving, eco-friendly new kitchen that replaced an inadequate outdoor facility at St. Donozio Ssebugwawo Mixed Day and Boarding Primary School in Kisubi, Uganda.
OLLIS students and their families provided the money last year for the kitchen as a thank-you gift to Fr. Kanyike, who previously served at their parish.
“Getting to see the results of projects sponsored by the diocese will cause me to approach future projects in a different light,” said Mrs. Hassemer. “I feel a true passion for the work of the diocese.”
By a happy coincidence, Fr. Kanyike was visiting his hometown and got to spend time with the pilgrims from Missouri.
All from the Jefferson City diocese were amazed at the powerful welcome they received at every turn.
“Visiting the children at the Catholic schools, seeing their joy, faith and excitement to learn despite limited resources was incredibly moving,” said Gayle Trachsel Ed.D., principal of St. Peter School in Jefferson City.
“Each school we visited greeted us with joyful songs of welcome and heartfelt gratitude for the support provided by our diocese and its generous donors,” she said.
Gina Bailey can still hear the voices of the hundreds of children singing their joyful greetings.
“Despite having very limited resources, their faces radiated gratitude, hope and deep faith,” said Mrs. Bailey, principal of St. Joseph Cathedral School in Jefferson City.
The joy of learning and the pride the Ugandan children have in their Catholic education left a lasting impression on her spirit.
“It reminded me that the heart of Catholic education isn’t found in materials, but in the spirit of community, faith, and love for learning,” she said.
Whether they were watching a community’s corn mill get fired up for the first time with a new generator in Kibanga or taking part in the ribbon-cutting for a new school in Sentema — both paid for by people of this diocese — the Missouri pilgrims were treated like celebrities.
“The community was elated to have us there to witness the good that’s being done,” said Mrs. Bailey.
“I’m never going to forget the level of pure joy and hospitality we were greeted with every place we went,” said Dr. Vader.
“Their smiles were infectious,” said Mrs. Hassemer. “No matter what their circumstances, they exuded happiness and gratefulness at a level I had never experienced.”
Dr. Vader humbly realized: “As welcoming and hospitable as we are in central and northeastern Missouri, we could take a lesson from the people of Uganda.”
Relationships and mission
Also taking part in the pilgrimage were: Spencer Allen Ed.D., principal of Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City; Katie Helfer Ed.D., principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Columbia; and Ann Gray, retired principal of Mary Immaculate School in Kirksville, as well as Fathers Luzindana and Nzabonimpa and Jake Seifert, senior diocesan director of development and missions.
The educators from Missouri were impressed at how effectively their Ugandan counterparts extend knowledge and faith.
“We were able to sit in on a first-grade classroom that was one of the smaller classes at a school we were visiting,” said Dr. Vader. “There were 72 students in the class.
“So, there we were, watching this teacher maintain total control in the classroom, with nothing but active participation and interest in the lessons,” she said. “The kids were perfectly behaved because they were completely mesmerized by this teacher.”
Dr. Trachsel took careful note of the fruits of trust and diligence.
“I witnessed how the Ugandan Catholic educators lead with deep faith and creativity, doing so much with so little,” she said. “No computers, no Smartboards, and limited textbooks.
“It reminded me that strong Catholic identity, joy and community aren’t tied to technology or wealth,” she stated. “They’re built on relationships and mission.”
Dr. Trachsel was especially moved by how well the teachers managed classrooms of 75 to 120 students, “with grace, dedication and a smile on their faces.”
Mrs. Bailey observed how commitment to mission and community can overcome almost any obstacle.
“Their creativity, perseverance and deep reliance on God challenged me to lead with more faith and trust,” she said. “I saw how they build strong relationships with students, families and staff. This is the heart of a thriving Catholic school, no matter the setting.”
She said she went to Uganda hoping to share encouragement and support, “but I’m the one who came home transformed.”
“Witnessing the deep faith and joy of the students and teachers — even in the face of real challenges — made me reflect on my own leadership,” she said. “I find myself praying more intentionally, leading with more compassion, and focusing more on the mission.
“I feel a deeper connection to the Global Church and a renewed calling to serve with humility and heart,” she stated.
“I think it was a good reminder to all of us administrators about how powerful teachers are in the classroom,” said Dr. Vader. “It renewed our dedication to make sure our teachers feel empowered to do that kind of thing.”
So much potential
Dr. Vader was overwhelmed by the sheer number of Catholic schoolchildren in the Kampala archdiocese.
“And they’re so on fire!” she said. “It was amazing to see. Just being in the presence of it helps light your own fire.”
Mrs. Hassemer pointed out something notable that happened at the Consecration during every Mass they attended.
“The parishioners would applaud,” she said. “They explained to us that we clap for our kings so why wouldn’t we clap for the King of kings.”
Seeing up-close what Catholic school students and their families in the Jefferson City diocese have helped accomplish in Uganda made Dr. Vader’s heart soar.
“I know the only thing holding us back from being able to facilitate even more growth is just telling our kids what they can do!” she said.
“They’re already ready, willing and able to step up,” she added. “Honestly, I think we’ve been thinking too small!”
She was quick to applaud Mr. Seifert, who helped facilitate the projects.
“I had no idea of the level of things he does on behalf of our diocese in these other countries,” she said.
Dr. Vader and her fellow pilgrims excitedly exchanged ideas for cultivating deeper ties to the children in Uganda.
“Our kids will be pen pals and will get on video calls so they can get to know each other,” she said. “We’ll find ways to support more projects. We won’t be recycling old textbooks or computers anymore. We’ll be sending containers of things from our schools to schools in dioceses where we have mission partnerships.”
Not only will these deepening relationships change countless lives overseas for the better, they will help students here grow in discipleship and understanding of how each is called to be “my brother’s keeper.”
“It will help facilitate and grow the generosity of spirit and passion that our kids and our teachers and our families already have, that’s just looking for an outlet,” said Dr. Vader.
“Absolutely amazing”
Dr. Trachsel said she brought home from Uganda a humbled heart and a renewed sense of purpose.
“The trip gave me such perspective — on what truly matters in life, on how much we have to be grateful for, and how far love and generosity can go,” she said.
Dr. Vader said she was “simultaneously reminded of how blessed I am in my life and also how blessed I felt to be meeting all those people.”
“I love that I got to be a witness to the actual work that has been done in our name, so that I can attest to the fact that it is absolutely amazing!” she said.
Mrs. Hassemer said she hopes her colleagues in Catholic education will always remember the importance of teaching children about the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, and always being grateful.
“We can learn so much from the children of Uganda — their joy, their gratitude, their humility and their level of faith,” she said.
She requested prayers for all of the children she visited, for God to “keep them safe and well fed, and let them continue to grow in their faith and become all that they can be.”
Dr. Trachsel called for prayers for God to bless the Ugandan children with strength, safety and hope.
“Pray that their schools continue to be places of nourishment — both physical and spiritual — and that they grow in faith, wisdom and joy,” she suggested.
“Most of all, ask God to stir generous hearts around the world to continue supporting their education and future,” she continued, “mindful that learning has the power to move the world.”
Mrs. Bailey offered this prayer: “God, thank you for instilling faith, joy and resilience in the children of Uganda. Bless them with continued hope, strength and opportunities to grow in knowledge and love.”
“Also, pray for the teachers and leaders guiding them,” she advised. “That they may be sustained in their mission, and that we, as their brothers and sisters in Christ, never forget to walk with them in solidarity and prayer.”
