Father Yovin Shayo's Kindness

Father Yovin has a big bright smile, a delightful sense of humor, and a mischievous grin he flashes when he suspects he’s said something witty.

Originally from a rural area outside Moshi, Tanzania, Yovin has sacrificed a lot to serve others in the Diocese of Helena.

“Father Yovin has quite the joyful soul,” said Luke Ostberg, a junior from Fairfield,

Montana, double majoring in Catholic Studies and philosophy. “Every time you see him, he seems to always have a smile. He can brighten your day with a funny joke or just smiling at you, asking about your day and wishing you well.”

In spite of this, many get the false impression that Father Yovin is overly stoic or serious. He has a deep reverence for and devotion to the Mass. He speaks with a thick accent and directs intense stares at distracted altar servers, choir members – and even, occasionally, at the congregation.

“He’s so serious about the Mass; Mass is so important. That reflects off him. The sanctity, the weight the beauty of Mass. He’s not a lot of flash or movie references, just the beauty of Mass in it’s simplicity. But he’s got a great personality, engaging, fun. He’s a good guy,” said Karen Forseth.

Outside the liturgy, in conversation, he’ll inevitably break into a big bright smile, and crack a joke.

In more serious conversations, Father offers humble, genuine wisdom.

“Father Yovin is very involved and he’s always very joyful, he’s always excited to see everyone in our parish and get to talk to everyone. He likes to stay caught up with everyone including all of the youth,” said Shea Ostberg, a freshman public health major and communications minor from Fairfield, Montana.

Father Yovin, has devoted the past five years of his life in service to the Diocese of Helena, and the Montana communities of Choteau, Fairfield, and Augusta.

Father Yovin knew his calling to the priesthood from a relatively young age. He began attending Uru Seminary Secondary School in 1992, at the age of 14.

“That is the moment which began my journey,” said Yovin.

After six years of seminary, the time came to choose a path: to serve as a missionary or serve a local community as a diocesan priest.

Yovin chose to serve where he was needed most.

“By that time, the need was so big as a missionary, not as a diocesan, because we had many priests around. The diocese had enough priests. The need was to go out as a missionary.”

Without knowing exactly where he’d be serving, he began his studies. He studied philosophy for three years and theology for four years. After two years of formation and one year of pastoral experience, he was ordained a priest in 2011.

After his ordination, he served Saint Joseph Parish in Tarime, Tanzania, for two years.

Then, he worked at Kilasara Secondary School, a school owned by his community, Apostolic Life Community of Priests in the Opus Spiritus Sancti (ALCP/OSS), for two years.

Then, he went to St. Augustine University of Tanzania for two years to earn his Masters degree in education.

At that point, Bishop Thomas reached out asking for missionaries to help in the Diocese of Helena.

Father Yovin began making preparations to come to the U.S.

“It was quite an experience, because it was the first time that I had to travel out of the country this far,” said Yovin.

After a year, he was able to get his visa, and fly into Helena.

He was first assigned to help in Conrad, Montana, for a few months before he was named the pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Choteau, Montana, St. John the Evangelist in Fairfield, Montana, and St. Matthias Mission in Augusta, Montana. He has served these communities for the last five years.

Yovin admits he’s had to make some adjustments.

“Winter was a big change,” said Yovin. “Coming from Africa, from the equatorial belt, the temperatures are almost the same. There is no snow.”

The smaller Catholic community in rural Montana has also taken some getting used to. Fewer people attend Mass.

Father Yovin serves a large area and lives alone.

“He has quite the time commitment traveling between all the churches in our area. He’s always there and always willing to talk to you,” said Shea Ostberg.

Despite the challenges, Father Yovin hasn’t become discouraged.

“It has never been a point of regret,” said Yovin. “I have never found a moment in life when I said, ‘Why did I come this way?’ No. God has helped me through ups and downs. It has not been an easy journey. I don’t want to lie that it is a walk in the park, never. With school life, seminary life, pastoral experiences, working. It has not been easy. But it is not a discouraging difficulty.” Your best quote.

His parishioners are certainly grateful.

“The sacrifices he makes just for such small communities to be able to have Mass is incredible,” said Nolan Forseth, a freshman, from Fairfield, Montana with an undecided major. “I know when he went back to Africa over Christmas, we definitely really missed him.”

At first appearance, Father Yovin doesn’t seem like someone who’s sacrificed a lot. He doesn’t complain about the winter weather, the empty rectory, the small community, or the miles he drives every week.

Yovin doesn’t make the choice to become a priest and a missionary sound difficult or daunting. To him, it’s a simple opportunity to go where he’s needed and trust God with the rest.

He exudes joy.

His kindness and generosity have been a witness to parishes that may not have remained open without him.

For Fr. Yovin, life comes down to prayer and trust.

“When you pray, you trust and you wait,” he says. “Things unfold and it’s very comforting. Everywhere you go as a priest, there are people who are ready to receive; caring, loving and ready to support. That’s the life of priesthood. What we do is just remain firm. Stand there and Christ is supporting you through different people and different means.”