About The Foundation
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Matthew 25:40-45
Matthew 25:40-45
(From L-R) Barbara Antonacci, President, Regina Amaral, Sister Margaret, Father Bashobora, John and Marlene Olefirowicz.
Our beginnings go back to June 15, 2006 when our foundress Sister Margaret Catherine Sims, CSJ announced her newest mission "We are onto Africa". Africa meaning specifically, Uganda and helping the Father Bash Foundation. Sister Margaret met Father John Baptist Bashobora through a couple who had attended one of his Healing Masses with the Ugandan community in Waltham, Massachusetts and raved about his charismatic influence and deliverance. After meeting with Father Bashobora at the Marian Community she knew there was a spiritual connection and set in motion additional Healing Masses for Father, asking for free will offerings to help his cause, and specifically trying to raise money for a 200 bed hospital to aid his village in Uganda. At that time we were aware that Father had approximately 2,000 orphans in his care, but we truly didn't comprehend the magnitude of what we were starting. After Father's first visit to the United States he said to myself and Sister Margaret that he would be returning to Africa with tears of joy in his heart because for the first time someone was really going to help. I knew then that Sister Margaret had bigger dreams for Father Bash, and I was excited to be a part of it.
Beginning in the mid-1980s, Sister Margaret began leading pilgrimages to Medugorje, now in Bosnia-Heregovina, where believers say appearances of the Virgin Mary have been seen for nearly three decades. She took her last trip there in October 2007, just a few months after suffering a stroke. I took my own pilgrimage in 2006 just before Sister Margaret became ill, and she stated to me in Medugorje "when I am no longer able to continue this journey there are those who will". It was that day I knew she was speaking directly to me, and ever since then I have made a personal commitment along with my family members to create and support the American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation. Sister Margaret went home to the Lord on February 21, 2019; and not unlike Mary in today's Gospel, I can truly say that all of her life Sister Margaret proclaimed the greatness of God, and now her spirit rejoices in her Savior. After professing her final vows, Sister was commissioned to Santa Fe New Mexico where she spent 13 years as an 8th grade teacher, and became principal at a school in Santa Rosa. Her many accomplishments over the years include being Spiritual Leader at the Oblate Center in Natick Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and 22 years of leading Pilgrimages to Medugorje bringing medical supplies and food to refugees during the Bosnian War. In 1993 Sister Margaret founded the Marian Community in Medway, Massachusetts comprised of lay women and men seeking to deepen their relationship with God. Now called Betania II it is a beautiful space for quiet, prayer, retreats and contempation - indeed a sacred space.
I am deeply rooted in Father Bashobora's cause and continuing Sister Margaret's mission. I feel strongly that the Lord put myself and sister Margaret on that faithful trip in 2006 for a reason, and today her mission continues as we help feed Father's Children and continue to provide assistance to Father Bashobora. The gift that the Lord has bestowed on Father comes with great sacrifice, as while Father Bashobora shares the Word of God, he is often times away from his children for extended periods. Because of this, I have found that it is truly my calling to take on the responsibility of encouraging financial assistance through American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation so that Father can continue to share his gift.
As Sister Margaret once said to me, "I've met many Priests in my lifetime, but I have never met a Priest like Father John" .
Beginning in the mid-1980s, Sister Margaret began leading pilgrimages to Medugorje, now in Bosnia-Heregovina, where believers say appearances of the Virgin Mary have been seen for nearly three decades. She took her last trip there in October 2007, just a few months after suffering a stroke. I took my own pilgrimage in 2006 just before Sister Margaret became ill, and she stated to me in Medugorje "when I am no longer able to continue this journey there are those who will". It was that day I knew she was speaking directly to me, and ever since then I have made a personal commitment along with my family members to create and support the American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation. Sister Margaret went home to the Lord on February 21, 2019; and not unlike Mary in today's Gospel, I can truly say that all of her life Sister Margaret proclaimed the greatness of God, and now her spirit rejoices in her Savior. After professing her final vows, Sister was commissioned to Santa Fe New Mexico where she spent 13 years as an 8th grade teacher, and became principal at a school in Santa Rosa. Her many accomplishments over the years include being Spiritual Leader at the Oblate Center in Natick Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and 22 years of leading Pilgrimages to Medugorje bringing medical supplies and food to refugees during the Bosnian War. In 1993 Sister Margaret founded the Marian Community in Medway, Massachusetts comprised of lay women and men seeking to deepen their relationship with God. Now called Betania II it is a beautiful space for quiet, prayer, retreats and contempation - indeed a sacred space.
I am deeply rooted in Father Bashobora's cause and continuing Sister Margaret's mission. I feel strongly that the Lord put myself and sister Margaret on that faithful trip in 2006 for a reason, and today her mission continues as we help feed Father's Children and continue to provide assistance to Father Bashobora. The gift that the Lord has bestowed on Father comes with great sacrifice, as while Father Bashobora shares the Word of God, he is often times away from his children for extended periods. Because of this, I have found that it is truly my calling to take on the responsibility of encouraging financial assistance through American Friends of the Father Bash Foundation so that Father can continue to share his gift.
As Sister Margaret once said to me, "I've met many Priests in my lifetime, but I have never met a Priest like Father John" .
AFFBF, Inc. Board Members
Barbara Antonacci, President
Lauri Antonacci, Secretary & Treasurer
Rose Patek, Clerk
John Olefirowicz, Director
Marlene Olefirowicz, Director
Don Antonacci, Director
Lauri Antonacci, Secretary & Treasurer
Rose Patek, Clerk
John Olefirowicz, Director
Marlene Olefirowicz, Director
Don Antonacci, Director
Donate Securely to the Father Bash Foundation
Watch Father Bashobora on Youtube
Click on the image above to watch Father Bashobora Celebrate a Healing Mass. Video courtesy of Shalom World
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Father Bashobora spotlight. "Jesus At The Stadium Event"; Warsaw, Poland.
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Father Bashobora Celebrating Mass at Betania II in Medway Massachusetts.
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"You will live Eternal Life" - A Retreat in Walbrzych, Poland (in polish/english).
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Father Bashobora Celebrating Mass at St. William Parish in October, 2017. Chicago, Illinois.
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Father Bashobora at S.S. Cyril & Methodius Parish in Lemont, Illinois.
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AFFBF, Inc. proceeds go to support The Father Bash Foundation of Mbarara, Uganda.
AFFBF, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Charitable Organization supporting Father Bashobora. AFFBF, Inc. is the only organization in the United States authorized by Father John Baptist Bashobora. President: Barbara Antonacci, Established 2006. No salaries are taken, this is a volunteer organization. |
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