Marie Schade Wood

Distance and lack of funds prevents Fr. Ignatio from making visits often to the Southernmost churches of his parish. They do not see a priest for several months. This is typical housing in the area. No water or electricity.

Father Ignatio has been visiting the outermost churches of his parish. These churches are located in a very rural area on the southern tip of Malawi at the Mozambique border, and are five hours away from the main parish church of St. Paul Matiya. The parishioners may see a priest once or twice a year, if possible. Sometimes the rainy season is so bad it prevents any travel by the priest. Presently, Fr. Ignatio is limited to travel to these outermost churches due to the lack of funds for gasoline for the new truck donated to him by generous Texans here in Bryan/College Station and the assistance of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). As stated as one of the goals of this fund, monthly financial support is needed for the priests. $782.00 USD monthly would provide for electricity, water, gas, internet and motor fuel. The total for one year is: $9,385.00 USD. Please consider contributing to this monthly to help the priests reach the people of their parish.

As a remote, volunteer ambassador based in Texas for Father Ignatio Bokosi, Pastor of St. Paul Matiya Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Zomba, Malawi, I assist in raising funds for the very poor people of his parish and to support the priests of this parish. The diocese sends no money to the parishes as it has very little to operate the diocesan offices. There are 16 churches in this one parish and each church has a large community of people. This means there are over 41,000 persons for the entire parish. The priests rely on the weekly church offerings to support themselves and the parish work. Malawi ranks as one of the top five poorest countries in the world. The people in this parish do not have fresh, clean water to drink every day nor electricity. They must carry water from dirty waterholes and small streams. If they have a place to live, it is a small hut made of mud bricks and straw roofs. This area is in southernmost Malawi. It is susceptible to annual cyclones, which adds to the devastation and inability for modern development of the region In March 2026, the first freshwater borehole was drilled in St. Paul Matiya Parish at a cost of approximately, $4,600.00 USD. Fifteen more are needed. However, before we could continue with the freshwater campaign, something had to be done about the deplorable condition of the rectory where the priests live. A major contribution from the Malawi Catholic Relief Fund(MCRF) was made. A physician from Florida and another angel from Chicago made generous gifts to alleviate the living conditions of the priests' rectory and to complete the construction of the first freshwater borehole in the parish. Now, we want to establish more fresh water boreholes. One is needed in each of the other fifteen church communities. Would you like to help construct the next one? Additionally, monthly financial support is needed for the priests. $782.00 USD monthly would provide for electricity, water, gas, internet and motor fuel. The total for one year is: $9,385.00 USD. At this time, we have the goal to raise $13, 984.00 by March 2027. Any amount you could contribute to the relief of these people would be incredibly generous. Matthew 25:40: "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"