Rev. Gabriel Afeti

Associate Pastor
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Meet Fr. Gabriel Afeti A.J.,
Associate Pastor, St. Mary Parish – Escondido
Fr. Gabriel was born in 1980 in Riki Village, which is about 8 miles distance from his home city of Arua, Uganda in Africa. His parents are Mr. Simon Atrima and Mrs. Joyce Andiru, who were married in the Catholic Church.
Fr. Gabriel is the second eldest son of six children - three boys and three girls - and has over 40 nieces, nephews and cousins.
“I grew up in a loving, caring and God-fearing family. My grandparents are Catholic, and my Father, being one of the catechists of his Parish, taught me how to pray from when I was a child, as well as how to behave. I worked on the farm digging and raising cattle,” Fr. Gabriel said. “I became an altar boy at the age of 12, and I served at the altar until my ordination, which I love with all my heart and soul.”
“My hobbies since childhood include playing soccer, jogging, singing in choir, swimming, watching movies, touring and exploring new places, and reading”, Fr. also stated.
Fr’s education includes: Catholic elementary school for seven years, Catholic high school for four years, and two years in junior seminary (Advanced Level) in the Apostles of Jesus Order of Religious Missionaries for Africa and the World, three years of Philosophy (B.A.), four years of Theological studies at Apostles of Jesus Theologicum Langata Nairobi Kenya, which is also affiliated to the Pontifical Urbaniana University Rome (B.A. in Theology).
After 10 years of formation, Fr. Gabriel made his final vows on Aug 22, 2014 in the Religious Order of the Apostles of Jesus Missionaries for Africa and the World. He was ordained a deacon on Dec 12, 2014, and his Priestly ordination was on June 21, 2015, by Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, Bishop of Arua Catholic Diocese of Uganda.
Fr.’s first priestly assignment was as Associate Pastor of Kilimilile Catholic Parish, Bukoba Diocese in Tanzania for one year. In Sept. 2016, Fr.’s order sent him to work in the San Diego Diocese. He served as Chaplain of Tri-City Medical Center while residing at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Vista, was transferred to Palomar Medical Center as Hospital Chaplain, and after a short residency at St. Mark’s, was transferred to residency at St. Mary Parish – Escondido in March 2017.
In July 2020, Fr. Gabriel became Associate Pastor at St. Mary Parish in Escondido.