Following a two year absence because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Father Pontian Kaweesa returned to open hearts and open arms, and a resumption of his pilgrimage to improve the lives of those in his hometown in Uganda and its church, Our Lady of the Sick.

The smile on his face at a recently-held fundraising farewell Aug. 25 at the Clermont Yacht Club underscored his deep appreciation for the support that has been forthcoming all these past years since he first came to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

“I’m so happy you came out to say hello to me,” Kaweesa said in his opening remarks. Soft spoken, he punctuated his presentation with self-deprecatory jokes, but grew serious when he told the gathering the history of the village and the compound dating back to 2005.