In 2000 we as a parish undertook to take on a jubilee project to help a third world country. We chose a parish in Bauchi, Nigeria. Bishop John Moore, who is originally from Dublin and who is now station in Bauchi, came to our parish and told us about his work in Bauchi. Since then we have been raising funds to help this parish build their church. This was achieved through the ‘Well’ we have placed in the Church, people put in what they can afford when they can afford it and by holding cake sales and raffles in the local community centre.
We also made a contribution from the parish. Their Church was ready to be opened earlier this year and they invited Fr.Cathal over to take part in the blessing and the opening of the Church, St. Francis of Assisi.
While there Fr. Cathal visited a few different ongoing projects which we hope to be able to support in some way:
(1) A Medical Centre has been built now funds are needed to equip and run the centre.
(2) Another parish have started to build their Church and now they are hoping to put a roof on the Church.
(3) The bridge on the road to Gumbay has been washed away and needs to be rebuilt before the rainy season comes and the river starts following again.
(4) The Mia people have build two classrooms to teach the children in and now they need to build 6 more to cater for the numbers that attend.
(5) In another parish a site has been set aside for their parish Church, help to build it would be appreciated.
The People of Bauchi sent a message of thanks through Fr. Cathal and they really appreciate all we have done for them to date. Anybody wishing to contribute to these projects can do so at the Bank of Ireland, Raheny:
sandra.mcelligott@oceanfree.net
Letter received from Bishop John Moore (Bauchi) July 2003
“ Dear Fr. Cathal, I have just been informed that you have sent an enormous donation …… The people remember you most fondly here and are constantly asking about you. The Church in Railway is the envy of all. Please extend my greetings to everybody and especially my gratitude and the thanks of the people in Bauchi.”
(abridged version—see original Letter in Porch)
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