My name is Atwebembeire Stephen and my dream is to become a good priest, and I hope that God will guide me to do so. I am the oldest of seven children of Atwebembeire Celestine and my beloved mother Tunanukye Francisca who died many years ago. We are seven children and I am the first born in the family. I was born in the village of Mukyitojo in Kabala Diocese, Uganda. My mother died when I was 4 years old, and it became very difficult for me after her death. I developed low self esteem, because I began to feel that I was not born like the other children. My aunt took care of us after my mother’s passing because my father was too poor to support us, but she too died after a few years. I thank God who has continued to protect me amidst all my struggles and many challenges that I have faced.
I am so grateful for my grandparents whom I stayed with after the death of my mother, they were so prayerful and every Sunday my grandmother used to go with me for Mass. Every time I went with my grandmother (who died two years ago), I became inspired by the priests I saw at the altar celebrating Mass. This made me work hard in primary level and high school amidst struggles of school fees and many other challenges, so that I could join the seminary one day. I thank God that I am now in the formation.
I love singing very much and I have composed several gospel songs, with these titles: Hold My Hands Oh Lord and Lift Me Up, Because of You Oh My Lord I Fear Not Anything, When I Wake Up in the Morning I See the Beauty of Your Creation, and I Lift Up My Eyes to the Mountain. My favorite sport is volleyball and I also like doing physical exercises like jogging and going to the gym. The saddest moment of my life is when I think about the death of my mother who died before I could really get to know her and also the death of my aunt who helped me after the death of my mother.
I joined the Capuchin Franciscan Friars Minor immediately after high school. I am aspiring to become a priest and I will finish philosophy this year and next year I will begin theology. Thank you for taking time to read this letter, any advice, assistance, and support to help me achieve my goal will be greatly appreciated.