Father Wilfred Yinah at St. Steven’s Catholic Church in Sun Lakes
On July 1 Most Reverend Thomas Olmsted, Bishop (now Bishop Emeritus) of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, appointed Father Wilfred Joseph Yinah as Parochial Administrator of St. Steven’s Parish in Sun Lakes. Prior to his assignment here, he served at Church of the Resurrection Parish in Tempe and St. Benedict’s Parish in Phoenix.
Fr. Wilfred was born and raised in Nigeria. He completed his elementary, secondary, and college education in Nigeria, graduating with distinction. Although born into a family who belonged to the Universal Reformed Christian Church, he converted to Catholicism and joined the religious order Via Christi Society and went to the seminary for training to become a priest. Father Wilfred was ordained a priest on June 30, 2012. He started a number of ministries aimed at helping children and the poor in the parishes he served. This work continues to this day, with his efforts to develop clean water sources in rural Nigeria.
Fr. Wilfred is a multi-talented person, known for his work ethic, singing ability, and creativity. He has produced three musical albums and numerous videos on YouTube! He plans to reconstitute the choir at St. Steven’s, as well as rebuilding many of the ministries that have become inactive due to the pandemic. In addition, Fr. Wilfred holds the Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus. The members of Council 9678 look forward to his leadership in building a strong brotherhood at St. Steven’s.