I began my program on 24 June, staying with the parish priest, Fr. Edmundus, SVD. After a month, he left for a three-month holiday, and I suddenly found myself responsible for the parish as a young and inexperienced confrere. Despite the uncertainty, I remained committed and organized my week to ensure the parish continued running smoothly. I led daily services, visited the sick and poor, and buried the dead, followed up on parish projects, travelled to outstations for Mass, and handled parish logistics and administration. Masses on weekend and other important days were celebrated by a retired confrere, Fr. Kristian, SVD, whenever he was available; otherwise, I led the Sunday services.

When the parish priest returned, I resumed my primary assignment of working with the youth, altar servers, and Missionary Childhood, albeit available to other groups as well. Overall, with the youth, we organized a parish sports event, visited a neighboring SVD parish for youth activities, and participated in the first deanery youth congress, where I helped in organizing and facilitated talks on the Old and New Testament. We also worked to enrich Sunday liturgies by involving more young people in participation, especially in the choir.

A major highlight was a youth fundraising project where we bought a whole pig, and I taught those present how to make sausages, an activity that strengthened teamwork. I also introduced vegetable projects (cabbages and green mealies) and expanded parish income-support initiatives with small animal projects such as ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs, and pigeons. Beyond the parish, I facilitated a session on “Technology and Pastoral Ministry” during the Dei Verbum Course at Ilizwi Biblical Centre and gave a talk to high school students at St. Michael’s, a Catholic boarding school in the deanery.

Despite these efforts and many that could not actualize, several challenges persisted. Many parishioners were still adjusting to parish structures since St. Monica was only designated a parish in 2021. Widespread unemployment and a hand-to-mouth lifestyle made participation from the youth difficult. Youth and children’s involvement remained low, often limited to a small group of committed individuals.

Personally, I faced solitude, spiritual dryness, language and cultural barriers, and limited guidance from the senior confreres in the parish, especially from the directors of the program. Yet these challenges became a space for growth. I learned cultural sensitivity, clearer communication, discernment, patience, and self-reliance. I grew in confidence, responsibility, and pastoral creativity. Overall, the pastoral program deepened my missionary identity, strengthened my pastoral and practical skills, and nurtured my spiritual maturity, especially through solitude. It taught me true missionary readiness: to expect the unexpected, embrace challenges with courage, and welcome every mission moment with an open heart and spirit.