Once a year each parish in the diocese is asked to participate in the Missionary Co-op program.  On a determined weekend, a missionary comes to the parish to talk about the work his/her group is doing to build the kingdom of God.  Where it is the role of each Christian to help build that kingdom; it is, of course, not possible for each to go out and serve in a mission.   However, by bringing in someone who does, all of us can hear, pray, and support the work that is being done.   This weekend we welcome Father Paul Kala, founder of the Missionary Society of St. Theresa of the Little Flower (Theresian Fathers for short) who works in the rural areas of the Diocese of Wa in Ghana.  Their mission is evangelization and education.  Much of the area they serve has no electricity or safe drinking water.   The other big challenge is enough food for people to have proper nutrition. 

 

Father Kala and his group are not exactly strangers to Blessed Sacrament.  Over the past eight years our parish and school has worked to assist the St. Therese Youth Development and Education Center (STYDEC) in Kaluri.  We have helped with food, technology, clothing, hygiene products, and bicycles which we were able to send to the center.  In 2013, Deacon Tom Burns and I were able to travel to Ghana for the dedication of the center.  The funds collected during our Co-op this year will go to assist the funding of two projects: The first is to provide one nutritious meal a day for 160+ children enrolled in the after-school program.  The annual cost of this is about $10,000.  The second project is to construct a well to provide potable drinking water.  Each well costs about $7,000.  Fr. Kala asks your prayers and support for their mission.  A second collection will be taken up in support of this mission.   If you forgot your donation you can always drop it in the collection in a plain envelope marked “Mission Co-op”.   

Jesus frequently taught that the way to show love for the God you cannot see is to love the neighbor you can.  In a world filled with indifference, we Christians need to show that compassion and concern for all our neighbors.  It is the best way to witness to Christ and make him visible to others.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  

 Father Jeff