Rev. Augustine Ariwaodo

Pastor as of July 5, 2021.

On the Feast of Pentecost, May 23, 2021, the Diocese of Austin announced that Bishop Joe Vasquez has appointed Reverend Augustine Uchenna Ariwaodo to be the Pastor of Holy Family Parish. Fr. Augustine was born in South-East Nigeria in West Africa. He is the youngest of six children. His oldest sibling is a Nun. He was raised by devout Catholic parents.

Fr. Augustine attended elementary school (includes middle school) and high school in Nigeria. He joined the seminary in Nigeria (that was affiliated to the Pontifical Urban University in Rome) after high school, where he acquired a Bachelor of Philosophy Degree from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. Later on, (during seminary training) he also acquired a Bachelor’s of Theology degree in from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome.

Fr. Augustine migrated to the USA in 2008 in his quest to realize his vocation to the priesthood. Fr. Augustine spent a short time in the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia before he joined the Diocese of Austin in 2010 as a seminarian. Fr. Augustine continued his seminary training at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston where he graduated in 2013 with a Master of Divinity. Fr. Augustine was ordained to the priesthood in 2013.

Since his ordination, Fr. Augustine has served as parochial vicar at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin, parochial vicar at St. Louis Parish in Waco, parochial vicar at San Jose Parish in Austin, parochial vicar at St. Mary Catholic Center in College Station, and rector/chaplain at St. Peter Catholic Student Center in Waco.

Fr. Augustine enjoys cooking, playing soccer, tennis and golf. He is also a songwriter (released his first album in 2019).

Fr. Augustine is deeply grateful and very excited for the opportunity to joyfully serve the people of God at Holy Family Parish.