The other day myself and our clerical student Vitalis paid a visit to one of two communities named after Santa Rita. This one is called Santa Rita, Linha 09, (meaning line or road number 9). We brought with us a new tabernacle as we were about to say the first Mass in their new church.
This community has a trained Eucharistic Minister and therefore they may have the Blessed Sacrament reserved in their church. Of our 30 communities or churches only 3 churches and the main church in the town have the reservation of The Blessed Sacrament.
The building of this new church was made possible by the generous donations Derek and I have received from people at home and friends of The Kiltegan Fathers. The building work was done the local members themselves. The church coordinator is a young man maybe 20 years of age, so he was generally responsible for keeping this project up and running. It was great to be able to help a young man in that important post. In the absence of the priest (we visit only once a month) the coordinator has an important job.
The old Wooden church on Santa Rita before demolition.
Handing over the tabernacle to the resident Eucharistic Minister.
Another view of the new church. They also received electricity for the first time, so we had lights for Mass. The walls are to be plastered still.
Preparing for Mass. Vitalis on the guitar leads the singing. He is an excellent singer.
The obligatory lazy dogs outside.
Yours truly at the altar. Note the tiled floor and the covered ceiling, and it is also a brick church.
The congregation at the first Mass in the new Church. Now if we could do something about the seating!
