Celebrating 19 Years of Impact
For nearly two decades, our Foundation has stood in unwavering faith beside Father John Baptist Bashobora (affectionately known as "Father Bash") and his work in the Diocese of Mbarara, Uganda. Our mission, is to support Father Bash as he shares the Word of God throughout the United State while easing the heavy burden he face caring for over 23,000 orphaned and vulnerable. The children entrusted to his care are truly the poorest of the poor.
October 2006: Barbara Antonacci, President, Regina Amaral, Sister Margaret, Father Bash, John and Marlene Olefirowicz
Our Journey, Our Mission:
Our story began in June 2006 when Sister Margaret Catherine Sims, CSJ, the foundress of Marian Community, Inc. located in Medway, Massachusetts was introduced to Father John Baptist Bashobora, affectionately known as Father Bash. During their initial meeting, Sister Margaret discovered that Father Bash, aside from preaching The Word of God around the world, 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 located 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 23,ooo. 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 Catherine Sims and the Marian Community.
In October 2007, Sister Margaret expressed, "When I am no longer able to continue this mission, there are those who will." When she said this I knew in my heart she was speaking to me.
Our family, along with other dedicated individuals, have taken it upon ourselves to honor Sister Margaret's dream by actively encourage financial assistance to help Father Bash Foundation in Uganda, East Africa through American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation, Inc. We continue to bring hope through the generosity of our benefactors. Father Bash does not receive any government or diocesan aid to assist in caring for the orphans, poor and disadvantaged.
Sister Margaret once remarked, "I have met many priests in my lifetime but, 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.
Peace & Many Blessings,
Barbara Antonacci
Our story began in June 2006 when Sister Margaret Catherine Sims, CSJ, the foundress of Marian Community, Inc. located in Medway, Massachusetts was introduced to Father John Baptist Bashobora, affectionately known as Father Bash. During their initial meeting, Sister Margaret discovered that Father Bash, aside from preaching The Word of God around the world, 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 located 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 23,ooo. 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 Catherine Sims and the Marian Community.
In October 2007, Sister Margaret expressed, "When I am no longer able to continue this mission, there are those who will." When she said this I knew in my heart she was speaking to me.
Our family, along with other dedicated individuals, have taken it upon ourselves to honor Sister Margaret's dream by actively encourage financial assistance to help Father Bash Foundation in Uganda, East Africa through American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation, Inc. We continue to bring hope through the generosity of our benefactors. Father Bash does not receive any government or diocesan aid to assist in caring for the orphans, poor and disadvantaged.
Sister Margaret once remarked, "I have met many priests in my lifetime but, 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.
Peace & Many Blessings,
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
Donate Securely to American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation, Inc. through the PayPal link below:
You may also donate by mailing a check to:
American Friends of Fr Bash Foundation, Inc.
6525 Pine Meadows Drive
Spring Hill, FL 34606
American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation, Inc. is authorized by Father John Baptist Bashobora (Father Bash) to mobilize funds on behalf of his foundation in the Diocese of Mbarara, Uganda, East Africa.
We are all volunteers, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, taking no salaries. All donations are tax-deductible.
EIN 81-3728884
Donation Impact Rate: 99% of all donations support our mission.
Mailing Address:
American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation, Inc.
6525 Pine Meadows Drive - Spring Hill, FL 34606
Contact: Barbara Antonacci, President
Email: [email protected]
www.affbf.org
www.americanfriendsofthefatherbashfoundation.org
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