Support Pastoral and Social Outreach to Children and Families in Lebanon’s Poorest Villages

For the past three years now, Lebanon has been going through the worst crisis in its history. The economy has collapsed, inflation is at dizzying heights, and the state electricity supply functions at most for one or two hours a day. Many people are thinking of leaving the country, and according to UN figures, three quarters of the population are now living in poverty. 

This poverty is especially severe in rural areas. To help, eighteen religious of the congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament are working in these areas, ministering to the people in 24 poor and remote villages. They visit the elderly and the sick, prepare the children for their First Holy Communion, support the neediest families and teach in the Sunday schools. Four times a year they also run their two-or-three-day “Bible camps” during which the children and young people have the opportunity to have a little fun while getting to better know their faith and the Scriptures.

“During this extremely difficult time, marked by such overwhelming challenges, we are striving to bear witness in this region. If we can only serve the Church faithfully and effectively in this part of the world, then others may be inspired to live their faith fully, despite the enormous difficulties. We are passing on the Faith to the next generations,” explains Mother Maguy Adabashy, the Superior of the congregation.

Funding their work is an ongoing challenge for the Sisters‘ even in more favorable times, but all the more so in the midst of the crisis. Among their costs is the need to pay for gas and maintenance for their vehicle for their journeys into the villages. At the same time, they also need to provide catechetical material for the young people. Sometimes they also need to find lodgings if they have to stay longer in one of the villages. As the Sisters are poor themselves, they rely on external funding for their work. 

“With your help we can do so much more to serve the poor and suffering people in Lebanon,” adds Mother Adabashy, so we have promised her congregation $31,800. 

Can you help Mother Adabashy and her Sisters as they work to perform their vital pastoral and social outreach to poor children and families in Lebanon during such difficult times? 

We are sure they will gratefully remember you in their prayers.

Aid to the Church in Need commits to invest your funds where they will have the greatest impact for the Church that we serve. Funds donated to Aid to the Church in Need’s projects will be used towards the greatest need in our programs to help keep the Faith alive.

Code: 326-00-49