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St. Charles Lwanga Mission Celebrates 30th Anniversary and Confirmation Ceremony in Ndolwane
Dennis Ryan Varquez, SVD
His Grace Archbishop Alex Thomas, SVD, Archbishop of Bulawayo, presided over the celebration. He arrived a day earlier to engage with parishioners and instruct candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The solemn Mass began at 10:00 a.m. and was concelebrated by Fr. Vincent, SVD (Regional Superior), Fr. Sony, SVD (Parish Priest of Holy Family, Bulawayo), Fr. Mateus (Formator), and Fr. Dennis, SVD (Priest in Charge)—all of whom previously served at the mission.
The event drew a large and diverse gathering, including parishioners from Ndolwane and its outstations, members of St. Theresa Mission in Plumtree Town, representatives from the Methodist Church, local hospital staff, and schoolteachers.
In his homily, Archbishop Thomas congratulated the community on three decades of missionary presence and encouraged continued commitment to the Church’s mission. He also conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 26 parishioners. Fr. Vincent commended the sustained pastoral care of the SVDs since the mission’s founding, while Fr. Dennis thanked all supporters and acknowledged the contributions of past missionaries.
The celebration concluded with a shared meal prepared by the local community—a fitting end to a day marked by faith, fellowship, and gratitude.
We give thanks for the journey so far and look ahead with hope, trusting that St. Charles Lwanga Mission will continue to grow in faith and service, touching lives for years to come.
