For nearly two decades, our foundation has been dedicated to supporting Father Bashobora's mission in the Diocese of Mbarara, Uganda, East Africa, and the surrounding regions.
Join us in our ongoing commitment to nourishing the lives of God's children by making a contribution today. Your donation helps us sustain this vital work.
October 2006: Barbara Antonacci, President, Regina Amaral, Sister Margaret, Father Bashobora, John and Marlene Olefirowicz
Our Journey, Our Mission:
Our story began in June 2006 when Sister Margaret Catherine Sims, CSJ, the founder of Marian Community, Inc., was introduced to Father John Baptist Bashobora, affectionately known as Father Bash. During their initial meeting, Sister Margaret discovered that Father Bash was tirelessly caring for orphans, widows, the elderly, and those in dire need of medical care. Touched by this mission, Sister Margaret sprang into action, organizing Masses and Healing Services at the Marian Community, now known as Betania II Catholic Evangelization Center in Medway, Massachusetts. She called upon those in attendance to make voluntary contributions to support Father's cause. In no time, funds were raised to establish a 200-bed hospital in his village.
In 2016 American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation, Inc was officially created as a transition from Marian Community, Inc. to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit aiding Father Bash Foundation in Uganda.
In the beginning, we didn’t fully grasp the monumental impact we were about to create. In 2006, Father Bash was caring for roughly 2,000 orphans, a number that has now grown to over 21,000. Following Father's first visit to the United States, he spoke of returning to Africa with tears of joy in his heart, knowing that someone was genuinely committed to helping – and that someone was Sister Margaret and the Marian Community.
In October 2007, Sister Margaret expressed, "When I am no longer able to help Father's mission, there are those who will."
Our family, along with other dedicated individuals, have taken it upon ourselves to honor Sister Margaret's request by actively encouraging financial support for Father's mission through the American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation, Inc. We continue to provide this support through the generosity of our benefactors, as Father receives no government or diocesan aid.
Sister Margaret once remarked, "I have met many priests in my lifetime. I have never met a priest like Father John." She departed for The Lord on February 21, 2019.
As President, I am deeply committed to continuing Sister Margaret's legacy and upholding her mission.
Warm regards, Barbara Antonacci
American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation Board Members
John Olefirowicz, Director - Marlene Olefirowicz, Director - Barbara Antonacci, President - Don Antonacci, Director - Lauri Antonacci, Secretary & Treasurer
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American Friends of Fr Bash Foundation, Inc.
6525 Pine Meadows Drive
Spring Hill, FL 34606