From across the globe, Mission friends reached out to help the people of St Cecelia’s Mission Outstation – and their hardworking priest Father Mtshe – build this humble church.

Although the building is ‘finished’, it’s little more than a bare brick and concrete structure. Benches borrowed from the local school act as pews. And Fr Mtshe has to make do with an old, broken altar discarded by another church when he travels to this remote rural area twice a month to say Mass and administer the sacraments.

But the parishioners are determined that one day they will have a church worthy of the glory of God. A sacred and beautiful place that calls them to worship, with proper flooring, electric lights and a new altar.

When the collection plate is passed around, they willingly sacrifice their few precious coins, while others give of their time and resources to collect donated items. But it will be years before they have enough to complete the church.

Unless friends like you will consider helping again?

In this poor, rural area, people have so little. Half the adult population is out of work and many of the younger people have moved to the city, where the prospect of finding a job … any job … is better. Those who remain are mostly elderly people and children. Often, their faith is all they have to provide comfort and hope of better things to come.

If you are lucky enough to be able to attend Mass in a comfortable, well-equipped church, please consider reaching out to the faithful at St Cecelia’s. Your donation of any amount will bring them closer to having the church of their dreams.

And you will be remembered every time Mass is said in this far-flung corner of the Archdiocese of Durban, South Africa. So please let us know of any special intentions you’d like us to include.

Thank you for caring – and sharing your faith across so many miles, between your home and ours.