Our parish priest presented the pastoral and missionary plan for the coming year and for the future of our parish. He also offered formation on the liturgical year and on the basics of Bible sharing.

When the participants heard the news about the plan to build a future parish church, they were filled with great joy. Many leaders from different chapels expressed their desire to contribute what they have—food, materials, or other forms of support. After the presentations, we listened to reports from the chapels and their Small Christian Communities. Their sharing brought us much hope and encouragement. Some chapels are now safe and peaceful, and many Christians have returned from refugee camps to pray together once again. They have repaired roads and renovated their chapels in order to welcome us for the celebration of the Mass and the sacraments. In several chapels, the faithful have begun organizing weekly prayer gatherings, including the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. They are also preparing about 200 candidates for Baptism and 100 candidates for First Communion for next year.

On Saturday and Sunday, we continued with workshops for many Christians, especially members of Catholic Women’s Action, the youth, and the Holy Childhood groups. We invited the SSpS Sisters to join us and to share biblical teachings with the Christians at Lainya and Longwili Chapels. Attendance was very high. For example, on Saturday morning at Longwili Chapel, more than 120 children and youth participated. On Sunday, at the same chapel, we organized another workshop entitled “Sharing the Word of God in the Family and in Small Christian Communities.” About 300 Christians attended this session. They listened attentively, answered questions, practiced songs, and participated in Bible-related games. Many expressed great joy, saying it had been a long time since they last attended such a workshop. They also requested that more workshops be organized next year.

On Monday, we concluded the program with the celebration of the Mass. Our parish priest expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the catechists, chapel chairpersons, and SCC leaders for their active participation and imparted God’s blessing upon them as they returned to their chapels.

In the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, we also organized assemblies for catechists, chapel chairpersons, and SCC leaders, as well as workshops for Holy Childhood groups, youth, and animators during their school holidays. These activities were held at St. Arnold Janssen Parish and at the Pastoral Center of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We hope that, through these mission activities, both refugees and local Christians will continue to grow in their spiritual lives and in their daily human and physical well-being.

Through these mission activities—especially the assemblies and workshops—we witness how the faith of our Christians continues to grow each day in the love and mercy of God. We give thanks to the Lord and express our heartfelt gratitude to our benefactors, who continue to pray for us and support our mission so generously. We also thank all the Christians who not only attended the assembly and workshops, but who continue to walk with us in the mission and offer their lives for the growth of our mission settlement and parish.