| | SMA
Guest House: SMA provides hospitality and addresses the
needs of mission outstations in the area.
St.
Ann's Parish (Thika) - From 2003 to 2007, an American SMA
priest was pastor to St. Ann's Parish on the far outskirts
of Nairobi. The SMA's respond to the needs of the local church,
working with the people as they identify their problems, seek
solutions and develop a plan of action to address the problems.
Jericho Community School/Youth
Center (Nairobi) - A school for grades K- 8 founded
by the community for lower-income families who cannot afford to
send their children to regular schools. For many years, missionaries taught classes in all subjects and also worked with the local teaching staff in
an effort to acquire better materials and raise educational standards.
Textile
and Handcrafts Group (Nairobi) - Rwandan refugees
and other impoverished people learn weaving, carving, painting,
etc. and create items for sale. This offers them a dignified source
of income and a means of self-support until they can return to
their homes.
Peer Counseling
(Nairobi) - The youth of St. Joseph's parish have been
involved in a training program to learn skills to help themselves
and then reach out to their peers. Topics are pertinent to everyday
life and to concerns of the participants. S.M.A. Lay Missionaries supported, guided, and offered training workshops in various areas,
such as AIDS, health care, communications, etc.
Sponsorship
Program for Students (Nairobi) - Many young elementary
and secondary students cannot afford to attend school without
assistance. SMA missionaries helped to assess, monitor, work with
beneficiaries and account for funding by the Christian Foundation
for Children and Aging.
Diocese of Lodwar
The Diocese endures a harsh desert climate and geographical conditions. Most people live a nomadic lifestyle, and there are a persistent attraction to traditional religions. These present strong challenges to evangelization efforts. In fact, the Diocese is still missionary with evangelization a primary goal.
In 1997, a Pastoral Plan was begun to stimulate greater Christian awareness and encourage missionary work among the laity. Between 1996 and 1998, more than 7,000 people were baptized of which 3,300 were adults. The Church in Lodwar is recognized for its commitment to social action and education and for helping to establish professional job training centers for young people.
Statistics:
Bishop: Rev. Patrick J. Harrington, S.M.A.
Appointed: February 17, 2000.
Location: Northwestern Kenya.
Establish: 1968 as Prefecture Apostolic; 1978 as a diocese.
Area:
27,037 Square Miles (70,000 sq. Kilometers)
Population:
447,000 (most of them belonging to the Turkana ethnic group)
Catholics:
39,685 (8.9%)
Parishes:
16
Parish Schools: 148 Elementary, 8 Secondary.
Priests:
42 (13 Diocesan, 29 Religious)
Religious: 35 male, 42 female.
Seminarians: n/a
Catechists: 80 full time, 50 part-time
(Click here to see Bishop P. Harrington Ordination photo album) |