Pastor Assignments: Father Rowland Nwokocha

Friday, Jul. 28, 2023

Fr. Rowland Nwokocha was born and raised in Nigeria. He attended St. Peter’s Seminary in Okigwe, Nigeria, then Seat of Wisdom Seminary in Owerri, earning bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest on Aug. 2, 1997 by the Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, Archbishop of Owerri, for the Diocese of Okigwe. There he served in various ministries, including as principal of a school, hospital chaplain and chaplain for the Knights of Columbus. In 2010 he came to the United States and served as a priest in residence in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for three years. While there, he studied at Loyola Mary Mount University. He arrived in the Diocese of Salt Lake City in 2013; his first assignment was as parochial vicar of St. Ambrose Parish and as a hospital chaplain in the Salt Lake City area. In 2017 he was appointed administrator of St. Pius X Parish in Moab and St. Joseph in Monticello. On Aug. 2 he will begin his new assignment as administrator of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Helper.

I am a big fan of St. Anthony of Padua, and I was drawn to this great saint when I entered the junior seminary in 1982. 

I’m looking forward to celebrating the Eucharist with them. The Eucharist sends us on a mission. Through this celebration, we build relationships with God and with one another. We are one family of God.

I am aware of the many cultures of the world that have embraced the Catholic faith. One of my greatest challenges is ministering to these people and helping them realize that we are one people of God. 

Attending to the spiritual needs of my parishioners has always been a wonderful experience for me. This passion for serving the people of God informed my decision to enter the seminary at the age of 12.