Parish Ministry Website

Description of Ministries:

St. John Vianney Parish provides financial support for wells & a school. Additionally, we have a financial commitment and involvement with Childcare Foundation. (Previously, we worked with Habitat for Humanity.)

Description of fundraising efforts (if any):

In parish and through participants' dedication, we have supported these activities. So far WATER director and founder Jim Niquette, (who is also the Carter Center country rep for Ghana), has had contact with Starbucks and Gates Foundation on preliminary basis. We also had a book and map drive, and donated 30 backpacks

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

We collaborate with W.A.T.E.R. (water in Africa through everyday responsiveness, Catholic Relief Services, Habitat for Humanity, and Childcare Foundation of Accra, Ghana.

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

2006, 8 persons traveled to Ghana and visited Savelugu, Northern region to celebrate with the village. (We had donated $20,000 and underwritten the cost of a mechanized borehole water system). Savelugu was Guinea Worm endemic with over 600 cases. One and a half years later, that number had fallen 96% simply by provision of clean water. 2007, 10 people were hosted by CRS and visited 4 villages in the Northern Region where we had underwritten the costs for water. Both years found us constructing homes in the Ashanti region with Habitat for Humanity and working and financially supporting Childcare Foundation in Accra.

Both years, we had significant experiences of great welcome and hospitality from Our Lady of Annunciation Cathedral in Tamale. Fr. Matthew Yitiereh, pastor, invited Fr Kevin Duggan ('07 participant) to concelebrate Masses. Fr. Matthew returned the visit in September of 2007 and spent time at St. John Vianney and Mary Queen of Peace Parishes.

How is your ministry organized and run:

The projects are under the umbrella of Outreach Ministry at the parish.

Describe Youth Involvement (if any):

2006, 2 college aged woman participated.

2007, one of those women returned.

2008 there are 5 young adults from 19 to 25 who will be making the trip.

Describe areas of expertise that exist in your mission work:

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

The web sites for all our partners are:

waterinafrica.org
crs.org
habitat.org

What would you like to see or experience at future conferences