Saint Catherine Laboure Clean Water Project for Kenya

Our parish Saint Catherine Laboure in south St. Louis County is being given a moment of grace. We can be a part of providing Vincentians in Kenya and the people they serve with a staple of life we take for granted, but which for them is often a daily challenge. Clean water, available Clean Water. It can become a resource that will mean the opportunity for the growth and development of the Faith for a people already full of faith, a faith that will overflow into the lives of many more. It can become for us a chance to say that we heard God’s least ones asking for a drink, they were thirsty, and we, recognizing their need and the living of presence of Christ in them, said yes. “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink” (Matthew 25:35).

Through the years here at St. Catherine Laboure the Vincentians have served this parish, we have given, thanks be to God, but much more have we received. And during these years we the people of St. Catherine Laboure have been served by men from Kenya, men whose vocations grew from the service given by Vincentians. Men from Kenya who came with deep faith, deep, simple, abundant faith, which they shared with us, a joy of being alive and grateful, which they shared with us, a hope for what love can build, which they shared with us. And they captured at least a part of our hearts, and the heart of this parish. So now, through them and their request, we are given the great opportunity, to truly benefit in a radically essential way, if we will help them build the church in Kenya with a fundamental, basic human need. I’m thirsty, help me to drink. We can help them dig wells that will overflow with water surely, but with much more, with compassion, with hope, with opportunity. Would you please say “yes” to this request, and allow grace to fill your generosity with so much more? Maybe then you will join me in learning how blessed we are to be able to give.

Fr. Jim Cormack, C.M.
Pastor St. Catherine Laboure

James E. Moore, Jr. Sweet Refreshment
Copyright © 1999 by GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638
www.giamusic.com 800.442.1358
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Holy Cross Parish, Thigio

Vincentian Priests in service: Fr. Ignatius Mukanzi, CM, Fr. Alex Isonga, CM and Fr. Philip Njenga, CM

The parishioners, Vincentian Priests, school children, neighbors and residents of the local senior center desperately need fresh water. Your gift will make this possible.

Cost: (To complete existing borehole, purchase pump, overhead tank and labor for well.)

$19,000

St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Kamulu

Vincentian Priests in service: Fr. Chrisandus Ambale, CM, Fr. James Kariuki, CM and Fr. John Ochola, CM

Kamulu is on a very dry plateau and the community desperately needs clean, safe water for the school children, elderly residents, and HIV/AIDS patients served by the parish dispensary. Fresh water will also attract new families to the parish, save dying trees, and create a parish garden to provide fresh produce to the school children and Vincentian Priests. Your gift will make this possible.

Cost: (Includes permits and surveys, drilling, and equipment for new well.)

$25,992

All Things are Possible through Prayer
In spite of their daily challenges, the people of Kenya have a powerful faith! The Vincentian Priests and Seminarians who serve these faith-filled people are in need of new prayer books so they can pray the daily prayers of the Church.
Cost: (Liturgy of the Hours Prayer books for 44 Seminarians and 20 Vincentian Priests in the Kenya Mission)		$3,300
Total Cost of Projects:		$48,292

Or make checks payable to:
Congregation of the Mission Western Province
13663 Rider Trail North
Earth City, MO 63045

Pray these simple words of St. Vincent, and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance:

“Oh my God, set my heart on fire with the desire to serve you!”