Dear Faith Family,
A few years ago, I had the privilege of meeting and ministering alongside Fr. Mathias Chungu, SMA. Fr. Mathias was the pastor of a Catholic Community in northern Nigeria. He was visiting the United States to raise funds for his many missions, including a school. This we had in common.

He asked me about my dreams for the school. I responded with ideas for improving the technology of the school. Then I asked him what he was dreaming of for his school. His answer will never leave my ears: “I hope to build a wall so that Boko Haram doesn’t steal the children.” I was silent. When I shared this with my parish at the time, they responded with open hearts and we raised the money to build a wall. Since our time together, Fr. Mathias has moved from Nigeria to Zambia. He contacted me to see if I would be willing to help him with a new project. He has been tasked with building a Church for a parish that does not have one. It has a field and some steel beams precariously situated to look like a church. He needs to finish the building and furnish it.

Last year during Lent, our collaborative supported St. Theresa Parish in Zambia, a Catholic community faced with the daunting task of building a new church. Through your incredible generosity, we gifted Fr. Mathias and his parishioners $43,481 toward the project - Over 4x our goal of $10,000.

This Lent, we will continue our support of the Zambia community, providing several opportunities to give in support of Fr. Mathias’s project:

• First, envelopes will be in the Church to make a monetary offering. This will also be possible online at cparl.org/online-giving.
• Second, all the Saint Agnes School children will receive a “mite box” to support the church building project. A “mite box” is based on the spiritual lesson from Scripture of the widow’s mite. Though poor, the widow gave her last coins. These “mite boxes” will be available in the churches as well. 
• We hope to provide "Tag Days" at St. Agnes School and Arlington Catholic High School. All net proceeds will be sent to Fr. Mathais's mission to support the building of the church and all related apostolates.

I am always grateful for what God has provided me and our faith family through the sacrifices of those who built our churches and have supported our many missions over the last 150+ years. Please, prayerfully discern how you can bless Fr. Mathias and the community he serves.

Peace,
Fr. Marc

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