April 25, 2004

Father Augustine Idra joins a second clergyman from the Apostles of Jesus serving in the diocese.

The number of priests from the Apostles of Jesus order who are serving in the diocese doubled with the recent arrival of Father Augustine Idra.

The native of Ajumani, Uganda, began a three-year assignment as an associate pastor at St. Jude Parish in Chattanooga. He was introduced to parishioners by Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz at a recent Mass.

“I can assure you that you will enjoy Father Augustine very much,” the bishop said. “He arrived in Knoxville from Uganda on Jan. 18 and spent his first two nights at my home. He is very charming, and you will find him just as enjoyable as he serves as your new associate pastor.”

Father Idra, 37, joins pastor Father Bob Hofstetter and associate Father Mark Scholz on the staff at St. Jude.
     Father Augustine Idra

Father Idra called the Apostles of Jesus a “missionary congregation to evangelize Africa and the world.”

Father William Oruko, who began serving as an associate pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Knoxville in December, joins Father Idra in the diocese. The Apostles of Jesus have also served near Bishop Kurtz’s hometown of Mahanoy City, Pa.

Before coming to Knoxville, Father Idra was one of three priests at a 38,000-member Ugandan parish.

“Unlike your church in the United States, our parishioners are located in many different outposts, and we minister to them in those locations,” he said. “Here you have a central church, and your parishioners come to the church, while in our parish in Uganda we travel to the parishioners.”

Assisting Father Idra and his fellow priests were 54 catechists, members of their congregation whose duties are similar to those of eucharistic ministers.

“Due to the size of our parish, we had very large baptismal days,” Father Idra said, adding with a smile, “Last Christmas I baptized 198 into the church. We also have a lot of weddings.”

Interviewed 12 days after his arrival, Father Idra said he was “very impressed with the people” of the United States. “They are so good, and they have all made me feel very welcome—the bishop, the priests, and the parish. They are all very friendly people.”

Father Hofstetter also enthusiastically welcomed Father Idra to St. Jude.

“In the short time that Father Augustine has been with us, he has become a welcome member of our rectory family,” said the pastor. “His sense of humor and warm smile bring new life to us. We certainly look forward to the picture of the broader church that he can bring us.”

Father Idra said he became interested in the priesthood as a 7-year-old altar boy serving Mass for an Italian priest.

“I remember he wore all white when I was serving the Mass,” he said. “His gestures and his praying drew me to the priesthood. I knew when I was that young that I wanted to be a priest like him.”

The Italian priest’s name is Father Caligari, Father Idra said. “I last spoke with him about eight years ago. He knows that I am now a priest. He is also still ministering as a priest.”

Father Idra spent nine years at the Apostles of Jesus’ Langata Seminary in Nairobi, Kenya. He was ordained Dec. 7, 1997. The priest is fluent in English, Arabic, Alur—the language of the parish where he last served—and his native tongue.

Asked about his hobbies or interests, a bright smile came across his face as he said that soccer was his favorite activity. “I have not played since finishing school, but I still really enjoy it.”

Father Idra, whose parents are deceased, was born Aug. 16, 1966, the youngest of five children. His two brothers and two sisters are married, and he is the only priest in his family.