FORT ATKINSON — On Wednesday, June 5, at 7 p.m., St. Joseph Parish, at 1660 Endl Blvd, Fort Atkinson, will host Immaculée Ilibagiza.
She is a renowned Rwandan genocide survivor, faithful Catholic, and keynote speaker at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis this July.
Over the course of an hour, Immaculée will share her inspirational story, which involved hiding for three months with seven other women; after being freed, learning that her entire family had been killed; and, later, coming face-to-face with her mother’s murderer and, ultimately, forgiving him.
Sally Koehler, a parishioner of St. Joseph Parish in Fort Atkinson, initiated the outreach to bring Immaculée to the parish.
Koehler has witnessed Immaculée speak before — she drove more than eight hours one-way to see her speak — and upon hearing her story, Koehler “knew that I wanted her to come to our parish for people to hear her message of faith, hope, and forgiveness.”
In addition to the parishioners of St. Joseph Parish, Koehler wants all parishioners of the diocese to hear Immaculée speak.
This event is free and it’s expected to fill the church, so come early to get a seat recommended Koehler.
“It is so incredible to me what [Immaculée] has done and what she continues to do for the Lord,” Koehler said.
“If you haven’t heard her, you won’t stop thinking about her — she’s a force, a quiet force,” added Koehler.
After Immaculée’s powerful testimony, there will be a book sale and Immaculée will meet with attendees to socialize and sign merchandise.
In particular, Immaculée’s first book will be on sale after her testimony. The book, Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, quickly became a New York Times Best Seller upon publication and has now sold more than two million copies.
For more information on this upcoming event, visit pastorate14.org/Ilibagiza