Success Stories
The Renovation and Extension of a Chapel in Rwanda
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Over the years, the minor seminary in the Diocese of Byumba, founded in Rwanda in 1956 by the Salesian Fathers, had become too small. 150 boys were initially taught there, and after the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, their number increased to 400. During the day, the chapel was oppressively hot because of a low tin roof. It was difficult to focus on prayer, the rector told us. And after almost 70 years, the corrugated roofing started to leak on ...
Sunday Schools for Children in Pakistan
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The Holy Spirit Parish is the largest parish in the Archdiocese of Lahore in Pakistan. It includes 67 villages, many of which are far from the parish center. The parish priest, Father Akmal Patras, was determined to create opportunities for Catholic children in more remote villages to participate in Bible and catechetical study sessions. Thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, we were able to contribute $12,539 so that a Sunday school program could be established in five of these ...
114 Bicycles for Catechists in a Rural Diocese in Zambia
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Almost everywhere in Africa, catechists play a vital role in helping priests fulfill their ministry, providing invaluable pastoral support. Thanks to ACN supporters, they are able to continue their work in Zambia. In many geographically large parishes with numerous and far-flung villages, catechists are often the primary ones who actually instruct Catholics in the faith, prepare them for reception of the sacraments and gather and lead them in prayer. This is the case in the Diocese of Mpika in northeast ...
Spiritan Fathers in Mexico Say Thank You for Mass Stipends
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The Church has a long tradition of giving Mass stipends to priests. Catholics will ask a priest to celebrate Holy Mass for a particular intention and, in return, make him a monetary gift. It is never “paying” for the Mass, which is impossible, but rather, a gesture of support and gratitude. For many priests, especially in the world’s poorest countries, these offerings are irreplaceable contributions to their lives and ministry, since more often than not, they receive no regular salary. It ...
A Chapel for a Remote Village in Ethiopia
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“Our prayers have been heard, and our joy is complete. Our faithful feel at home.” Thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, more than 500 Catholic faithful in the village of Dakaya in the Apostolic Vicariate of Soddo in southern Ethiopia finally have their own chapel. A $15,900 grant by ACN helped allow the chapel to be completed and officially blessed. Dakaya belongs to the Parish of Saint Francis in Kanafa, and it is situated in a very rural region. ...
Firewood for Heating in 10 Parishes in Ukraine
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Thanks to the generous support of $66,100 from our benefactors, and despite extreme increase in prices, we were able to provide enough firewood to help the people of 10 parishes in the Latin rite Diocese of Lutsk in northwest Ukraine to keep warm over the winter. Our sincere thanks to all of you for your help. Bishop Witalis Skomarowski wrote to thank us: “Thank you for your support and concern for our people in need in Ukraine. May God always ...