Rev. Fr. Thomas OPOLOT, MIDM

St. Mary Assumpta Parish, Regem

The Missionaries of Jesus the Divine Master are providing parochial services as well as services at the one (1) Technical School and two (2) Primary Schools. The Missionaries provide Christian Education in these Schools and administer Sacraments in them routinely.

1. Location

St. Mary Assumpta Catholic Parish is located in Ragem, a semi-urban area within the Diocese of Arua in Northern Uganda. The parish serves a vibrant and growing Catholic community through one central parish church and seven active Small Christian Communities (SCCs), which form the backbone of faith sharing, pastoral care, and grassroots evangelization.

2. Historical Background

TSt. Mary Assumpta Catholic Parish was officially carved out in 2013 and entrusted to the Missionaries of Jesus the Divine Master (MIDM), and since its foundation the parish has grown into a dynamic centre of worship, catechesis, and community outreach; the founding Parish Priest was Rev. Fr. Charles Idraku, MIDM, assisted by Rev. Fr. Solomon Pacutu Ngos, followed by subsequent Parish Priests Rev. Fr. Dominic Tamale Anyanzo, MIDM, Rev. Fr. Robert Jungeyu, MIDM, and Rev. Fr. Thomas Opolot, MIDM, who has served as Parish Priest since July 2023; other priests who have served the parish include Rev. Fr. Anthony Bongomin, MIDM, and Rev. Fr. Vital Atara, MIDM, while the current pastoral team comprises Rev. Fr. Gilbert Ogala, MIDM, Assistant Priest and Chaplain to Parish Schools, Rev. Fr. Kalbart Achora, MIDM, Assistant Priest, and Br. Vincent Etinu, MIDM, Religious Brother.

3. Pastoral Leadership

Rev. Fr. Thomas OPOLOT, MIDM, serves as the Parish Priest and Assistant General in charge of Communication for the MIDM Institute. He is also a Mathematics teacher at St. Joseph’s College Ombaci. His ministry brings together pastoral care, academic leadership, and media and communication expertise, contributing to effective evangelization and administration within the parish.

4. Liturgical Life

The parish celebrates daily and Sunday Eucharistic celebrations with active participation from choirs, youth, altar servers, and lay ministers. Major liturgical seasons such as Advent, Lent, Easter, and Mission Sunday are marked with vibrant liturgies, catechetical programs, retreats, and charitable outreach, fostering deep spiritual renewal among the faithful.

5. Catechesis and Formation

The parish places strong emphasis on faith formation for all age groups through a wide range of catechetical activities, including catechism classes for children and adults, preparation for the Sacraments of Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Matrimony, as well as youth and children’s apostolates, school outreach programs, and Small Christian Community (SCC)–based catechesis.

6. Parish Structures

St. Mary Assumpta Parish operates through well-established structures that support pastoral coordination, accountability, and participation, including the Parish Pastoral Council, the Finance Committee and Stewardship Team, SCC Coordinators and Catechists, apostolates for youth, women, and men, as well as liturgical and devotional planning teams.

7. Catholic-Founded and Supported Institutions

St. Mary Assumpta Catholic Parish oversees and provides pastoral care to several educational institutions within Ragem and its surroundings. These institutions play a vital role in promoting Catholic values, moral formation, and holistic human development.
The parish provides chaplaincy services to Arua Technical Institute Ragem and Ragem Primary School, both of which are government-aided institutions. In addition, the parish supports several private schools, including Oasis Nursery and Primary School, Queens and Kings Nursery and Primary School, St. Paul Nursery and Primary School, and Arua Town Secondary School.
All these institutions fall under the chaplaincy oversight of Rev. Fr. Gilbert OGALA, MIDM. They benefit from regular pastoral visits, celebration of the Holy Eucharist, spiritual guidance, moral instruction, and preparation of students for the sacraments, coordinated by the parish.

8. Associations and Movements

The spiritual vitality of St. Mary Assumpta Parish is enriched by a wide range of lay movements and apostolic associations that promote prayer, service, leadership, and evangelization.

The Legion of Mary, operating at Curia level, coordinates Marian apostolate and outreach across the parish SCCs and neighbouring parishes. Catholic Action promotes active lay participation in parish life and social justice initiatives, while the Catholic Charismatic Renewal animates the parish through praise, worship, healing services, and spiritual renewal gatherings.

Women are actively mobilized through the Catholic Women of Arua Diocese (CWAAD), which fosters prayer, leadership, and diocesan engagement. The Catholic Family Association strengthens family life through formation programs, retreats, and marriage support. The Youth Apostolate engages young people in liturgy, catechesis, sports, and community service.

Other active groups include Altar Servers, who support liturgical celebrations with reverence and discipline; the Missionary Childhood (PMS), which nurtures a missionary spirit among children; the Ushers Ministry, which ensures hospitality and order during liturgical events; and the Catholic Teachers’ Association, which unites educators in faith formation and moral leadership within schools and the wider parish community.

9. Self-Reliance Undertakings

St. Mary Assumpta Parish promotes self-reliance and sustainable development through parish-led income-generating initiatives that empower the local community and support pastoral activities. These include poultry farming, piggery projects, small-scale agriculture involving maize, beans, and cassava, and horticulture for vegetables and fruits.

Additional initiatives include tailoring and crafts for vestments, uniforms, and religious items; vocational skills workshops in tailoring, carpentry, and baking; rental of parish facilities for events; sales of religious materials such as rosaries and catechetical booklets; media outreach; parish day celebrations; and grant writing and donor engagement. These efforts reflect the parish’s commitment to holistic development, stewardship, and Gospel-centered transformation.

10. Major Development Project

The parish is preparing for the construction of a new church building to meet the growing spiritual and pastoral needs of the faithful. This major project aims to provide a more spacious, dignified, and mission-oriented place of worship for liturgical celebrations, community gatherings, and sacramental life.

11. Stewardship and Accountability

St. Mary Assumpta Parish is committed to transparency, accountability, and sustainable financial management. Key sources of parish support include weekly offertory and tithes, sacramental stipends, fundraising events, facility rentals, sales of religious items, media outreach initiatives, and grant writing and donor engagement.

12. Education and Outreach

The parish collaborates closely with local schools, particularly St. Joseph’s College Ombaci, to promote holistic education and moral formation. Parish-led outreach programs address social concerns, promote peace and reconciliation, and provide support to vulnerable families within the community.

13. Media and Communication

Under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Thomas OPOLOT, MIDM, the parish integrates modern communication tools to enhance evangelization and participation. These efforts include sharing homilies, prayers, and reflections, promoting stewardship and development campaigns, and engaging parishioners through digital platforms and parish bulletins.