CHALLENGES IN ESTABLISHING A NEW PARISH IN LUSAKA, MARY IMMACULATE

The establishment of a Parish in Lusaka has been discussed for many years but finally came to action on March 9th, 2003 when the Delegation accepted responsibility for the people who attended Sunday Mass at the Zambian Major Seminary, St Dominics. Somewhere between 250—300 people went there on Sundays. Officially they belonged to Regiment Parish. As part of that Parish, they were already organized into Small Christian Communities.

Because of distance they gathered at the Seminary Chapel rather than going to the parish Church. The SCC were very independent. Our first challenge was to bring them together with a New Identity. Mary Immaculate Parish was then officially opened on January 1st, 2004. Since there are no buildings, the people congregate in a large canvas tent. A small sanctuary and Sacristy is attached to the tent and two shipping containers serve as offices.

Since there are no buildings, the people congregate in a large canvas tent. A small sanctuary and Sacristy is attached to the tent and two shipping containers serve as offices.

Our second challenge is to source money to build the physical structures needed. The Oblate province of the USA has been very generous in supporting our efforts. With their help, we have acquired additional property; we have built a security wall around the property; we have brought in electricity and a phone line; most importantly we have started construction of the Parish Centre ( Hall, Offices, Meeting rooms, Kitchen and store-room)

The third challenge is to get the youth involved in all aspects of Parish life. With the help of the Pre-novitiate Staff, the pre-novices and our Scholastics from South Africa, we have seen some positive results in this area.

To sum up, our basic challenges are about “community”, “construction”, and “Integration”. We are making progress on all three. ( Story by Fr Ron Walker, Omi, Parish Priest )

 

   

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