Catholic Parishes
of Arlington

sT. camillus + sT. agnes

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Zambia Church Project

- Together, we build a church in Zambia
  
  For the fourth year in a row, we are joining together to support St. Theresa Parish in Chainda, Zambia. With limited access to electricity, their faith and determination continue to drive this incredible effort. Learn more here.
  DONATE NOW
- MEET THE sT. tHERESA PARISH COMMUNITY
- History of St. Theresa of Lisieux Parish
  
  St. Therese of Lisieux (The Child Jesus) was once an outstation of Our Heavenly Father Parish, led by the Jesuits of Chelstone. In 2004, it became an independent parish under the care of the SMA Fathers. Today, the parish is a thriving community with 14 Small Christian Communities (SCCs) and 28 lay groups, including councils and committees. A 2018 census estimated 1,700 parishioners. The Parish has started an elementary kindergarten and elementary school and a department for special needs children as a means of evangelization.
  Located on 400 square meters of land owned by the Archdiocese of Lusaka, the parish is constructing a new church, a project entrusted to the Society of African Missions. The five-phase plan includes:
  Mounting steel pillars
  Laying the floor
  Building the structure
  Roofing
  Furnishing the church
  Despite significant challenges, parishioners have made remarkable progress. Last April, they completed the concrete floor, and as of December 2024, they have made great strides in building the walls.
  The community has shown incredible faith and determination, completing much of the work despite having little access to electricity. For several months, Zambia limited power to three hours a day, with Lusaka receiving electricity only at night. In November, the allotment increased to five hours daily, 11 AM to 4 PM. These shortages have affected both the church construction and the school.
  They pray for a strong rainy season to boost hydroelectric power, ensuring both the church project and the school can continue to flourish.
  
  Please keep Fr. Mathias Chungu, SMA, and the people he serves in your prayers.
- Proposed Finished Church
- 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, over the past two years we have gifted Fr. Mathias and his parishioners $52,000 toward the project.
  
  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