Parish Ministry Website

Holy Family Connection in Malawi:

We signed a Mutual Covenant establishing a sister parish relationship with St. Josephs Nguludi Catholic Mission In the Malawi, Africa In May 2004 pledging to support one another with prayer, shared enculturation endeavors, as well as working together on projects to address practical needs such as medical supplies, funding for a maize mill, drilling wells, education, fertilizer, seeds, food assistance during drought periods and assistance to the rebuilding of Naphio outstation church as well as some financial support for the Polytechnic Vocational school In Nguludi. We have recently begun a Sponsor a Student program for high school age students to be able to start and finish their high school education.

Description of fundraising efforts (if any):

• Sale of Zikomo Bottled Water (bottled In Kirkland, WA)
• Special collections
• Quilt and baptismal gowns raffle
• Sponsoring Coffee Hours
• Sponsor a student Program
• Giving tree tags at Christmas - Parishioners took tags for $25. or $50. donations to beneift St. Joseph's Nguludi to give as gifts to friends and family. We had to make a second batch of tags since all of the tags were taken off the tree the very first weekend!
  

Collaboration with individuals or groups outside of the parish/community:

Linda Haptonstall, Pastoral Associate, St. Brendan's, Bothell She was responsible for bringing awareness of Nguludi, Malawi, Africa to Holy Family In 2001 and continued to share her experiences and expertise. She lead the first delegation to St Joseph, Nguludi Mission and prepared us to experience the culture, life and spirituality of that area of Malawi.

Describe visits (if any) between your parish/community and your African Partners:

April 2004 - Delegation of nine (3 staff members and 6 parishioners) to experience culture and life and sign a Mutual Covenant forming a sister parish relationship with St. Joseph's - Nguludi. Took medical supplies for clinic and gifts for youth. Visited villages, masses at outstation churches, Mua Cultural Center, St. Joseph Hospital, a prison, Lake Malawi.

November 2004 - Father Johnnie (pastor) and Father Joseph (parochial vicar) of St. Joseph - Nguludi visit Holy Family, Kirkland. They spent 3 weeks being 'enculturated to American life at Holy Family - Kirkland, the Seattle area and the great Northwest!

May 2006 - Delegation of three traveled to Nguludi to establish communications and transfer of funds procedures and transport medical supplies, school supplies, soccer balls and shirts.We experienced a funeral, assisted at the hut of a dying man, met with the home based caregivers and visited villages with them and participated In a youth fundraising celebration based on the Fall Festival the priests experienced at Holy Family where there are food booths - We even made a version of Spanish Rice (not an easy feat In Malawi) for our 'booth'.

June 2007 - Delegation of eleven (2 staff, 2 Malawi committee members, Chair of Finance Council, teen leader and 5 teens). Teens Interacted with the Nguludi youth group In meetings, prayer services, preparing clothing to distribute to orphans, poor and elderly, thatching a roof for an elderly woman, teaching and learning dances from both cultures. They exchanged Ideas, experiences and discussed mutual problems and concerns of youth. The staff, committee members and finance chair discussed the communication procedures and exchanged Ideas and needs. (All of the teens want to come back to Malawi!)

Proposed Spring of 2009 - Bringing a small delegation from St. Joseph Nguludi to renew the Mutual Covenant for a sister parish relationship for another 5 years. This would be a great celebration and allow the Holy Family Parishioners to experience to the covenant renewal signing.

How is your ministry organized and run:

The Malawi committee oversees the activities, plans for new activities and fundraising and reports to the Pastoral Council. Any fundraising or parish activities must pass through the Parish Administrator to assure they are In keeping with the parish mission, vision and stewardship goals. The Malawi committee takes responsibility for communication within Holy Family Parish and with St. Joseph Nguludi Mission. The committee Is currently looking at establishing an annual parish event to further the understanding and Involvement of parishioners In the Malawi ministry while also raising funds to share with our sister parish.

Describe Youth Involvement (if any):

Holy Family School actually started the Zikomo Water Program as a school project during Catholic Schools week In 2007. It was very successful with parishioners making donations for Individual bottles and cases of the water. The Malawi committee took over the project and now the proceeds go to the Polytechnic Nguludi Village Vocational School just started last year.

The Life Teen and Edge groups have a Malawi night and some are exchanging correspondence with Nguludi youth.

Our youth who visited Malawi last year participate In the current fundraising and activities planning. Several are at college this year and volunteer whenever they are In town. (They all want to go back and take family and friends with them!

They have Influenced their families and friends to become Interested and supportive of our Malawi relationship also. They will be Involved In the Covenant Renewal celebration. They have shared and witnessed to their experiences to the parish through writing and making a power point presentation.

Describe areas of expertise that exist in your mission work:

Website and computer specialist

Accounting specialist

Pastoral care

What other information would be helpful for others or your community to know/learn from:

Transportation of goods

Ideas and tips for Improving communication - since technology can be a 'challenge' In 3rd work countries.

Ways of establishing working relationships with builders, contractors, suppliers to assist with building projects In Nguludi to be able to assist with the tracking and monitoring the construction of structures for the Polytechnic School and replacement of a collapsed outstation church as well as any future projects,

What would you like to see or experience at future conferences:

Sharing of Information from other parishes/Institutions who are Involved In the African Connection Is so very valuable. Visitors from African countries Hearing of needs and ways of meeting those needs Any other resources available for learning, experiencing or teaching about African cultures.