About Our New Pastor, Fr. Thomas Kagumisa

06/25/2025  |  Pastor's Letter

Fr. Thomas Kagumisa was ordained as a priest on August 3, 2008, for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bukoba in Tanzania. After six years of dedicated service within his local diocese, he moved to the United States and became affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix in 2014.

During his time in the Diocese of Phoenix, Fr. Kagumisa has held several roles: he served as Parochial Administrator at St. John Vianney Parish in Sedona from 2014 to 2015, before transitioning to the position of Parochial Vicar at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and School from 2015 to 2018.

Since 2018, he has been serving as Parochial Vicar at Resurrection Catholic Church in Tempe. Additionally, he has been an active member of the Presbyteral Council for the Phoenix Diocese from 2019 to 2024, showcasing his leadership and commitment to service. Since 2018, he has also served as the Local Spiritual Advisor for the Tongan Community of Arizona, celebrating sacraments for the group and offering guidance and support to individuals on their spiritual journeys.

Fr. Kagumisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, located in the vibrant city of Nairobi, Kenya, where he delved into the profound complexities of faith and spirituality. He further expanded his academic journey with a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning, with a concentration in English, from Liberty University in Virginia, a renowned institution recognized for its commitment to academic excellence and educational innovation.

In pursuit of deeper knowledge, he earned a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy from Murray State University in Kentucky, where he specialized in the intersection of Technology and Writing, equipping him with cutting-edge strategies for effective instruction in the digital age. Moreover, Fr. Kagumisa holds a certificate in Church Management from the esteemed Villanova University School of Business in Pennsylvania, which enhances his capacity to lead and administer within ecclesiastical settings, providing a strong foundation in both theory and practice.

He has recently been appointed as the parochial administrator (a.k.a. pastor) of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Scottsdale, AZ, a vibrant community renowned for its rich traditions and welcoming spirit. As he embarks on this exciting new chapter, he eagerly looks forward to immersing himself in the lives of the parishioners through listening, learning, dialogue, and building relationships. His goal is to strengthen their faith and deepen their communal bonds. He deeply appreciates the prayerful support and cooperation of every individual parishioner, recognizing that together they can nurture the spiritual growth of the entire congregation and serve the people of God with unwavering dedication and love.

As a Blessed Sacrament parish community,
Let us joyfully extend a warm and open welcome to Fr. Kagumisa!