After 25 Years, Father John Kauta Bids Farewell to His Parishioners at St. Patrick's Church

For 25 years, the parishioners at St. Patrick's in Bedford have been warmed by Father John Kauta's greeting. "You pray for me and I'll pray for you," he'd open the dialogue. With his time now coming to an end at St. Patrick's, his flock easily recognizes that he cannot be summed up in a catchy logline.

So even though he is a theological scholar, the father describes himself very basic manner. "Im an African bushman who appreciated how the parish at St. Patrick's helped him assimilate into American life," Kauta reflected.

Nonetheless, Parishioner Margaret Whelan remembers that despite his early struggles with the English language, the love and the smile always created a connection - even if his words didn't.

In turn, Kauta found room in his life for every single person. So it follows that before long he was able to tie everyone's name and face to each of their triumphs and tribulations.

But as Father John is scheduled for reassignment, there was an undeniable affect that his approach had on what the spiritual leader calls his bodyguards - the children. "He listens to them," said Whelan. "Children simply equate that with the respect they crave and deserve."

On the other hand, Africa is not as far away as it used to be. So Kauta used his signature sense of humor to clarify how his departure does not mean an end to this relationship. "We have cell phones in Africa. But you have to climb a tree on a mountain - much like in Bedford and Pound Ridge," he deadpanned.

However, the easy way about him serves more than just the chance to provide laughter, according to Whelan. "It makes him more accessible," Whelan beamed.

A trait that parishioner Virginia Lanigan can second. His welcoming, optimistic demeanor immediately came off to her as non-judgmental. "Father John seems to understand what it's like to be struggling," Lanigan said. "It puts the people at St. Patrick's at ease around him."

Always leaving all in good company and in his final homily, Father John stressed the importance of marriage. "The institution not only begets children, but the building blocks of a healthy society," Kauta stressed.

But he also acknowledged the difficulty that couples face and urged them to endure through the struggles. Of course, he made light of the subject, and spoke as if he had placed the first marriage between Adam and Eve into an American sitcom. "I am here to give you orders, and not only that, I am here to change you," Kauta joked.

It was clear from the laughter that the audience understood the words came from the fictional Eve and not the fictional Adam. Once again, though, the laughter transcends into something more, according to parishioner Dan Asaro. "His stories bring it back down to reality and has the effect of putting things in the perspective of day to day life," Asaro asserted.

Every single day is right, according to Monsignor Thompson, who's never seen a priest finer than Father John. "Nobody ever heard, I'm sorry I can't do that. What you always heard is, 'sure,'" Thompson said.

Of course, at the reception afterwards, Father John acknowledged that the kindness has traveled in both directions. The welcoming spirit, and the generous efforts that the parish has made for those in need here and in his homeland of Uganda paid him back in spades.

Furthermore, Kauta's time here made him feel like a family member to his parish - especially when his father was killed in political violence in Uganda. Thus, he conveyed the sentiment long distance to his mother in his efforts to convince her to come to America. "She was afraid of planes," Kauta quipped with the precision of a comedian.

Today, Father John knows she smiles down on his extended Bedford family and left St. Patrick's in the same manner that he probably entered - with a story. In Africa, he concluded, "When you move from a place, leave a plant. So when you come back there is a little shade."

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