Simon Peter Opira was born in Gulu, Uganda, W.A. on Aug 5, 1966.  He met Fr Michael Kosak in 1986 during a Charismatic Renewal Seminar.  Invited to consider being a missionary in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Simon entered the Regional Seminary, Trinidad, W.I. in 1988 and transferred to Mt St Mary's, Emmitsburg, MD in 1991.  Fr Opira was ordained a priest at St Peter & Paul Cathedral, St Thomas V.I. on May 23, 1993.  His first assigment was St Ann Church, Barrenspot, St Croix. He was appointed Pastor of Holy Family Church, St Thomas in 1999 and returned to  St Ann's in 2005.