Support Father Max's Parish Needs in Uganda

My name is Father Max Ssekiwala, a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Kiyinda-MItyana (UGANDA). I have been pastor of St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish - a rural parish in Kassanda district - since 2013. We have a total of 40,000 people in the parish with 16,000 identifying as Catholic. Over 70% of our parish population are farmers, who make a living working on small plots of land.

People love their church, but because the average per capita annual income is about $2,000, it is very difficult to galvanize financial resources to effectively do ministry. We are very grateful for the assistance we received when we were building our new parish church. We are, again, counting on your kindness to assist us with the following pastoral needs:

(a) MATRIMONY: We are preparing 15 couples for the Sacrament of Matrimony on December 29, 2024. We would like to spend $50 per couple towards wardrobe and a small reception at the parish. Total cost: $750.

(b) SHOES: Over 30% of our grade school kids come from families that cannot afford the cheapest shoes for their children. We believe assistance to these families will increase the self esteem of their children and, in turn, help them towards better grades. Total cost: $5,000.

(c) CHURCH ROOF REPAIR: We have identified a few areas in the roof of our parish church that have seepage and the water has, over a period of time, affected parts of the ceiling. Repairs can be done. Total cost: $3,000.

(d) ST. JOHN KKUNGU HEALTH CENTER: All our rural communities are at least an hour from the nearest government referral hospital. The long distances on dirt roads keeps adequate health care away from the people. A foundation for a new health center has already been put in near the parish grounds. Assistance towards the erection of walls, the construction of a roof and the installation of doors, windows and water will bring much needed health care and hope to the people of the area. Total cost of walls: $20,000.

(e) SILVA GARDENS & FARM: Established in 2022 in Mabindo village (Kassanda district), this farm seeks to improve the wellbeing of area farmers through the teaching of improved agricultural skills, the provision of goats to families that desire to diversify their income and employment. A donation will secure an electric line to the farm, the purchase of water tanks and an irrigation system to the 3 acres of coffee shrubs. Total cost: $10,000.

(f) PARISH HOUSE: Our current pastoral needs have outgrown our rectory house which was constructed to house only 2 priests. Currently we have 4 priests. A bigger parish house will have room for 4 priests, parish offices, guest rooms and a meditation room. Our parishioners are ready to contribute sand and stones as they did during the church construction project: Total cost of foundation and ground floor: $100,000

Donations can be forwarded through:

Mukwano Christian Initiatives - 501(c)(3)

138 Sioux Avenue

Carpentersville, IL 60110-1320

Employer Identification Number: 27-2991513