St. Gregory Catholic Church

Fr. Bonaventure (Bona) Ugwu, C.S.Sp

Pastor
Phone: 602-264-4488

My beloved parishioners,

I am your new parochial administrator, Fr Bona Ugwu, CSSp (Bona is the short form of Bonaventure).
I am by birth a Nigerian, and I belong to an international religious missionary order called the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, also called the Spiritans. After my priestly ordination in 1997, I worked as a parochial vicar for about two years and was sent to Rome where I studied theology at the Gregorian University. I have a bachelor’s degree in religion, theology, and Sociology/Anthropology, a master’s degree in religion, and theology, licentiate in sacred theology, and doctorate degree in sacred theology.

At the end of my studies in Rome, I was sent to the Diocese of Phoenix and I served as parochial vicar at St. Jerome’s in Phoenix and Parochial Administrator at St Gabriel’s in Cave Creek. I was recalled to Nigeria in 2006 to be a seminary formator. During the period of my sixteen years in the seminary, I spent a number of summer vacations ministering at different parishes in Phoenix; I was at St. Gregory’s Parish in 2011. I returned to Phoenix last year and was appointed the chaplain of Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Scottsdale. From Notre Dame I was sent to St. Gregory’s.

I know that from the time that the reassignment of our beloved Pastor, Fr Paul, was announced, questions have been asked about the incoming pastor. Finally, I have come, and I guess that in weeks from now, you will be trying to figure out who I am and my style of doing things. I, too will be doing the same about you. I hope we do not spend too long a time doing the figuring out.

I have come with my whole heart and gladly to serve God with you, in you, and through you. I have come to live and experience your joys and sorrows, to journey with you in faith, hope and love, to learn from you, and to minister to your needs to the best of my ability. From now until as long as God wills it, you have become my new family, and in you I see my parents, siblings, aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. I have come with no extraordinary professional expertise, skills, or qualifications, except that I rely on the Holy Spirit for direction, empowerment and sanctification, and I trust in your openness to be and work with me.

I recognize and appreciate all the services, sacrifices, and generosity you have made as individuals and groups over the years guided by the pastors who were here before me especially my immediate predecessor, Fr. Paul. By these, you have built up and sustained the family of St. Gregory’s Parish to this point that I became part of it. I hope and pray that you continue, and become even more dedicated so that together we can consolidate, deepen, and expand the wonderful community you already have. I firmly believe that together with my brother Fr. Chauncey, the parish leadership team, the parish pastoral and finance councils, leaders of various ministries, and all our collaborators, and working together with you all as children of the same Father, as brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, as co-workers in the Lord’s vineyard, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of St. Gregory the Great, we would grow and flourish as one, living, loving community on mission.

Please, feel free to come to me, call me, reach out to me, and stop by the office to say hi or ask questions. Above all, pray for me unceasingly and be rest assured that I will do the same for you. I love you. Thanks.

Truly yours in the Holy Spirit,
Fr. Bona.