We welcome Fr. Jude Adejoh, CSSp. to St. Francis Xavier Mission - St. Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine as our new pastor. Fr.Jude Adejoh C.S.Sp, belonging to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans) hailed from Ankpa local government area of Kogi State Nigeria. I was born to the family of Mr and Mrs Andrew Adejoh (K.S.M); a family of Nine (4 boys 5 girls) where I happened to be the fifth child.

Studies and Formation 
I had my Postulancy and Novitiate in the Spiritan postulancy and Novitiate Nigeria. After the novitiate, I proceeded to the philosophy house in Nigeria. After my philosophy, I had my Prefecting (pastoral year); and this was done in Brazzaville Congo and Nigeria respectfully. At the completion of my Prefecting I continued with my theological studies at the Spiritan

International School of Theology (SIST) Nigeria. Upon the completion of my theological studies, I was ordained a Catholic Priest on the 16 th of July, 2022 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church Idah in the Catholic Diocese of Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria.

Pastoral/mission As required by the Church, every priest ordained is charged with a pastoral engagement. To this effect I was sent on mission to Canada where I will discharge my duties as a priest. Although, while waiting for my Visa, I assisted for a year a couple of parishes in the celebration of the Holy Mass and the sacraments. On arrival to Canada in the year 2023, I was appointed to work with Pope Johnpaul II pastoral unit on the 1 st of January 2024 as priest collaborator for a year and nine months in the pastoral unit. We had eight parishes where I performed my duties as a priest and at the end of October 2025, I was appointed the Pastor of Saint Francis Xavier Mission Kahnawake.

Message from Fr. Jude Adejoh CSSp.

May 17, 2026

The Ascension

The Ascension of the Lord is not merely a past event marking the conclusion of Christ’s earthly ministry. Rather, it remains part of the living mystery of Christ that continues to unfold in the life of the Church. As the final movement of the Resurrection, the Ascension is deeply connected to Easter and filled with hope and promise. Unlike historical figures who belong only to the past, Jesus Christ transcends history. Though his words are preserved in Sacred Scripture and his saving works proclaimed through the Church’s tradition, Christ himself remains alive and present among his people. Through the Ascension, his presence was not lost but transformed, for he now dwells continually within the Church, wherever the Gospel is preached, the sacraments celebrated, and believers gather in his name.

The First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles highlights both the promise and mission entrusted to the disciples. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus assures them that they will receive the power of the Holy Spirit and become his witnesses to the ends of the earth. As they stand gazing upward in amazement, the messengers in white challenge them: “Why are you standing there looking at the sky?” Their question shifts the disciples’ attention from passive wonder to active mission. The time for simply watching has ended; the time for proclaiming Christ to the world has begun.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus makes this mission clear when he commands his followers to go forth, make disciples of all nations, baptize, and teach. Yet this mission is strengthened by his enduring promise: “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Here lies the mystery of the Ascension — though Christ is no longer visibly seen, he is closer than ever through the life and witness of his Church. He continues to speak through his people and act through their faithful service. Since this mission is greater than human strength alone, the Ascension also prepares the way for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, who deepens Christ’s presence within believers. Therefore, Christians are not called to remain looking upward, but to go into the world, teach the Gospel, and become living witnesses of what they proclaim.