Strengthening Pastoral Outreach in Mozambique 

The parish of Our Lady of the Rosary is based in Manica, Mozambique, in the Diocese of Chimoio. It covers an extensive rural area, within a radius of 43 miles, and includes 74 villages and hamlets, 58 of which have their own chapel. In the remaining villages, the Catholic faithful gather under large trees, or they have to travel to the nearest village with a chapel.  

The Franciscans have been working in this area for over a hundred years. At present, there are five Franciscan priests and one friar. Franciscan students and novices also visit regularly in order to help with the pastoral ministry, and equally indispensable is the work of the many lay catechists, both men and women, who lead prayers in the villages, help instruct people in the Faith, and prepare them for the reception of the Sacraments.  

At the same time, the sects in the region are very active, and so it is important for the Catholics to be firmly rooted in their faith. Hence a major priority for the Franciscans is to intensify the pastoral care of the faithful. They want to encourage them to turn their families into real “house churches,” where prayer is cultivated. So they need to increase their catechetical instruction, intensify marriage preparation, and offer prayer and retreat days for families. They also need to increase visits and pastoral accompaniment for families in difficult situations, and extend their work on behalf of poor families, widows, and orphans. 

In order to implement these plans, they need some basic equipment. Since there is no electricity in most of the villages, they need lanterns so that the gatherings can be held in the evening hours, after dark. Mattresses are needed, too, so that the mission teams can sleep overnight in the villages. And for the retreat days and other larger gatherings, food and lodging likewise must be provided for the participants. 

Finally, they would like to have 22 bicycles and two motorcycles, so that the catechists can travel to the various villages. We want to help them with all these things, so that they can lay the foundation for an enhanced catechetical outreach.  

Will you join us in helping them?

Code: 139-07-49