During the course of a typical year, my assignment to the Eastern African Province (EAP) requires that I visit a number of our works and apostolates – among them Xavier House, a Jesuit residence in Kampala, Uganda that reflects so well the irrepressible spirit that sustains our ministries here.

In a very real sense, Xavier House speaks of the diversity in men and their missions that helps make this province what it is today – a vital part of a growing Church in Africa.

Fr. Edouard Trudeau, SJ helps provide aid and other services for refugees, displaced people, and the needy.

Jesuits from around the world call Xavier House home and continue to work from here a variety of ways to build up the local and international Church. They add to the vibrancy of our province, which has enjoyed a very special working relationship with the Wisconsin Province since 1987.

Jesuits had been present and working in Uganda for number of years prior to 1988, when Xavier House was founded by two Wisconsin Province Jesuits, Fr. Jim Michalski, SJ and Fr. Jim Strzok, SJ, who built it as a common house for all the Jesuits in Uganda and their disparate works. Though Fr. Michalski and Fr. Strzok have left Uganda, the seed for action they planted that is Xavier House continues to grow, flourish, and support the men who live here today. Let me briefly present them to you.

Fr. Tony Wach, SJ, a Wisconsin Province Jesuit, wears many hats. He is just finishing up community superior, a role he has served in since 1996. His main work, however, is in the area of spiritual direction, retreat work, and formation of local clergy. He fills his spare time (or lack of it) by also being vocation promoter for the Jesuits in Uganda, helping the province in its steady and measurable growth.

Fr. Jim Egan, SJ, also from the Wisconsin Province, works in the area of spiritual direction and ongoing formation of clergy, especially at St. Augustine’s Institute, a renewal center that stands adjacent to Xavier House, built there by the archdiocese in part because of the presence and resources Xavier House provides. However, Jim also has a special concern for helping an overworked clergy recover from alcohol and substance abuse at the nearby Serenity Centre. He also sits on the province Commission on Ministries – whose role in part is helping develop an Apostolic Plan and future priorities.

These Wisconsin Province men are joined by a number of others. One of the founding members of the EAP, Fr. Edouard Trudeau, SJ (originally French Canada Province) currently heads up the Jesuit Solidarity Fund which has helped thousands of refugees and internally displaced, needy people over the years. At a young 85, Ed also is community bursar/treasurer. Previously, Ed had served in Uganda in a variety of positions, including secretary to the Archbishop of Kampala and the first country director of Jesuit Refugee Service Uganda.

Another long-term missionary is Fr. Gene Hattie, SJ (originally, Detroit Province). A long time educator and seminary professor, Gene currently runs a residential and educational project for over 150 street boys on the outskirts of Kampala.

In a less institutional manner, Fr. Stephen Msele, SJ (EAP) also works with poor urban youth. His Undugu Family Groups promote peace and reconciliation, community organization, good sportsmanship and economic development for different tribes, religions, and dozens of youth groups.

Street children clamber around Fr. Gene Hattie, SJ, who founded an educational and residential project that gives these children hope for a better future.

Using song, dance, sports and spirituality, this work is a continuation of earlier efforts in Tanzania.

Continuing a long tradition of academia, Fr. John Legge, SJ (originally,Upper Canada Province) teaches physics – formerly at Makerere University, now at the Institute of Teacher Education. John will step in as community superior when Fr.Wach takes his well-deserved sabbatical.

Fr. Stephen Msele, SJ encourages several dancers participating in his Undugu Family Project, a ministry that helps members of divergent factions find a common ground for peace and understanding.

The other community members are young Jesuits in training. Paul Odhiambo, SJ and Francis Anyanzu, SJ both study at Makerere University, Paul in International Relations and Francis in Development/Population Studies. On a regular basis, they are joined by EAP novices on various work experiments, Jesuit candidates learning more about the Society of Jesus, and Jesuits from neighboring Provinces of Congo and Rwanda/Burundi, either in transit or doing various short-term study courses. Xavier House is usually full!

Finally, since 1992, Xavier House has also functioned as a support for the hundreds of volunteers – Jesuit and others working in the many refugee camps in Uganda, and the neighboring countries of Sudan, Tanzania, Congo (former Zaire) and Rwanda/Burundi.More than a transit point, Xavier continues to function as a place of logistical and moral support, as well as a haven of peace for well deserved rest and relaxation.