HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC CHURCH (Photos below, please page down. This page is an ongoing work - please check back again!)

Spiritual Gifts from Mother Africa!

The illness and passing of our longtime and beloved pastor, Father Clarence R. Waldon, has been a difficult one for Holy Angels family. But during this time our parish has been blessed with a succession of visiting priests to provide continuity of sacramental ministry and diversity of cultural experiences. We are grateful to each and every one of those from Indianapolis and from afar who have given generously of themselves to God's work at our parish.

As part of planning for future parish staffing, Father Waldon, with the approval of the Parish Pastoral Council, had earlier proposed that upon his retirement, Holy Angels could benefit from having a visiting, African priest in residence. Among the priests who ministered to the Holy Angels parish family in recent months were several priests from West African countries. First was father Christopher Anumata of Nigeria, Associate Pastor at St. Lawrence parish in Indianapolis.

When the seriousness of Father Waldon's illness became known, Father Christopher assisted in identifying Father Eusebius Mbidoaka, also from Nigeria, and the Archdiocese arranged with Father Eusebius to stay with us from early August until October 2. At this writing (Fall 2005), Father Eusebius is completing his doctoral degree in pastoral theology at The Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, and was able to combine a sabbatical from his studies with two months of ministry at Holy Angels. Early on in Father Eusebius's stay here, we also enjoyed a visit from Father Joseph Sebunya of Uganda, Brother of Sister Christine Nantaba (computer instructor at our school). Father Eusebius also celebrated his 11th anniversary of priesthood with us, accompanied by Father Christopher, Holy Angels Parish Family, and African Catholics of the Indianapolis Archdiocese.

In late September, the Archdiocese announced that Father Patrick Ofori of Ghana would be with us from late September until November. Father Patrick has had pastoral experience in several parts of the United States. At the completion of Father Patrick's stay, we anticipate another interim arrangement until Rev. Kenneth Taylor assumes pastoral duties on January 4, 2006.

For photographs of the changing faces of our recent priests-in-residence, please scroll or page down.

Father Eusebius Mbidoaka bringing a spirited message on the occasion of his 11th anniversary of ordination.	Sacramental ministry continued uninterrupted through the generosity of visiting priests.
Father Eusebius receives a framed, commemorative print of Holy Angels Parish.	Father Christopher Anumata (second from left) and friends join Father Eusebius on his 11th anniversary.
Father Patrick Ofori came to Holy Angels in late September, near the end of Father Eusebius's stay.	Father Patrick allowed Holy Angels parishioners to glimpse another facet of West African Spirituality.