St. Joseph Shrine Parish at 8743 US-12, Brooklyn, MI 49230 US - Bujuni-Our Sister Parish

In any partnership or friendship, the relationship is reciprocal—or, we do for each other and learn from each other.  Since the summer of 2001 we have been involved with a partnership with a sister parish in Uganda - Bujuni, or, Our Lady of Redemption.  We have had parishioners visit Uganda several times to strengthen the friendship and to determine the needs of the parish.  The latest group went for 3 weeks in July/August 2009.  In 2004, in honor of our 150^th anniversary year, we invited several people from Bujuni to visit us.  Only Fr. Andrew Nsaali  was able to obtain a US visa.  We were delighted that he was able to come.  He came again in the summer of 2008.

We have raised money for the dispensary for solar lighting, medicines, and other equipment.  We were blessed to have received a $3000 grant from Operation Rice Bowl to help with the solar lighting.  We have sent money for water tanks for the dispensary and school, generators for both, hundreds of books, sports equipment, lab equipment, and a computer.  We have helped the seminarians, given tuition assistance for needy children, and have helped the teachers.  We have given money to help with the building of the new church and we continue to assess their needs.  In 2008 we sent money for electricity hook-up for the secondary school and convent as well as money for an outdoor kitchen or indoor stove for the sisters, as well as other items.  This year their need is to build a boy's dorm and we sent $10,000 to help with that endeavor.

St. Joseph Shrine has been richly blessed by the partnership with such a warm and generous parish.  We continue to look forward to visits and the growth of our friendship.  Fr. Dave and the Hausmann's just traveled to Bujuni in Feb 2013.  The next trip is planned for the summer of 2014.