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BACKGROUND
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
Gambella has been
for more than forty years the second home to' thousands and at times
hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees. Due to the change in
government in 1991, the Missionaries of Charity moved from Pinyudo to
Gambella town to escape the continued fighting in Pinyudo area. They
lived in a government house and began to assist the many resettles
that flocked to Gambella town to escape the violence in the
Countryside. Catholic Priests would come from time to time to pray
with Sisters.
A large plot of land was given to the Catholic Church by the
transitional government and a small grass Church erected. The
Eucharist had been celebrated under a tree in the Sister's work area
up to that time. In 1992, the first baptismal of local anywaa people
was registered; and in 1994, a diocesan Priest was assigned to work in
Gambella region.
In 1995,JRS (Jesuit Refugees Service) sent a Priest to do an education
survey of the region and Refugee Camp. As a result of the survey, four
major programs were initiated in the region: Computerl typing
training, Delta courses, lessons and material production in local
languages, and hostels in three districts of the region to help
students.
During all this time, the Church has secured land in the name of the
Ethiopian Catholic Church in Gambella town (Parish compound, Sister's
place).
LOCATION
St.
Joseph Parish is located in Gambella town, the Capital of the region.
Evangelisation is carried out in the following Surrounding areas
around Gambella town by Pastoral team who are based in Gambella town.
-
Bonga Refugee
Camp
-
Bonga Anuak
villages
-
New Land
-
Punido Town/A
ganga
-
Punido Refugee
Camp
-
Akaya Joke
St. Joseph parish
is the Cathedral Church of the Apostolic Prefecture. Fr. Chezare
Galbiate is the Parish Priest of St. Joseph Church.
In Gambella town there are different Catholic organizations.
-
The
Missionaries of Charity
Sisters
-
Silesians of
Don Bosco
Community
-
St. Anne
Sisters Community
-
Apostolic
Prefecture
Community, Fathers and
Brothers
-
A group of
Aspirants!
Candidates in Formation House
IMPORTANT
HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE IN ST. JOSEPH PARISH.
Establishment
of the Apostolic Prefecture of Gambella
The Apostolic
Prefecture of Gambella was established on Nov. 25th, 2000 taking some
portion ofthe Apostolic Prefecture of Jimma Bonga, where the Church
couldn't fully address its mission. The headquarters of the Apostolic
Prefecture of Gambella is located in Gambella town.
Installation of Fr. Angelo Moreschi
In
Feb.25th, 20001 Gambella celebrated the Installation of its filSt
Apostolic Prefect. The Celebration was Very colour full indeed! The
Holy Mass was presided by His Excellency Apostolic Nuntio Tomasi with
the presence of Excellencies, Arch Bishop Berhaneyesus, Bishop Leo
Dobllar, Bishop Yohannes W/giorgise, Mgr Theo, along with many
priests, Sisters, Brothers and big Congregation.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES OF ST. JOSEPH PARISH
·
African Bible Course for A group of the Church Elders
·
Catechism Class for Women
· Catechism
of the Catholic Church for the Youth
· Catechism
of the Catholic Church for Adolescents
·
Meetings of the Choirs group
·
Lessons for Confirmation group
·
Lessons for Communion group
·
Training of the Catechists
The aim of the above-mentioned courses for different Church groups
is to deepen the knowledge of the Catholic faith.
SOME OTHER
ACTIVITIES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS AROUND ST. JOSEPH
PARISH
Missionaries of Charity Sisters
· Home
for the sick and dying destitute
·
Mother and Child care
·
Food distribution to the destitute
·
Non-
formal education for the poorest Children
·
Family visiting
·
Participation in Pastoral activities
Salesians of Don Bosco
-
Technical
School project: trains students in different grades in the 10+ 1 and
10+2 education streams as well as trains school drop outs in
different vocations.
-
Youth Center:
The Don Bosco youth Center is mainly used for the oratorio and
Christian formation of the youth. It mostly offers the youth
recreational facilities and tutorial classes in the afternoon.
St. Anne Sisters
-
Run a
Kindergarten. they teach Children with age between and including 4
and 6
-
They run Women
promotion centre
-
They
Participate in the Pastoral activities of the Prefecture
Gambella is a
Cosmopolitan town, since many ethnic groups and international
organizations and NGOs are present. The Evangelisation work in
Gambella town demands an open mind and spirit to listen to the hearts
and minds of all the different peoples that live in it, we are getting
more and more convinced about the importance of learning the local
languages of the area mainly the Agnuak and Nuer languages. |
