“We strive to build a Church that reaches out to the people. We encourage the laity to assume their responsibilities because we know that their response guarantees the future of the Church,” Father Juan Sanchez Arenas tells us about his missionary experience.
My parish is dedicated to St. John XXIII and is located in the city of Chitima. Although the parish is large, approximately 10,600 km², Catholics represent just 2% of its approximately 120,000 inhabitants. The majority of the population belongs to the Nyungwe ethnic group, but there is an increasing number of people coming from other areas of Mozambique and neighbouring countries, as we are located in a corridor that extends all the way to Zimbabwe. Although the Comboni Missionaries arrived in Chitima in 1966, embracing the Gospel is proving difficult, but we are not discouraged.
When I arrived in May 2021, after listening to the communities and in accordance with the wishes of our bishop, we reactivated an evangelisation program to ensure that every baptised person enters a Missionary dynamic. In rural areas, we have 20 Christian communities and 18 prayer groups that could become permanent communities. Every weekend, one priest remains in the central parish, while the other, accompanied by a group of lay leaders, visits these communities and groups on a rotating basis.
Upon arrival, the priest hears confessions while the leaders and the liturgical group prepare the readings, songs, and dances for the Eucharist. After the celebration, people divide into groups, including catechists, youth, married couples, catechumens, and children from the children’s mission, to receive formation from the lay leaders. Every time I visit rural areas, I return home tired but very satisfied. The people are happy with our presence and are very generous with us. In addition to feeding us, we always return home with some products they give us. The Catholics of the city of Chitima, organised into eight groups, meet every Tuesday for a time of formation and prayer.
This is another way of living the missionary spirit. We strive to build a Church that He reaches out to the people. As Comboni Missionaries, we encourage lay people to assume their responsibilities, because we know that their response will guarantee the future of the Church. This year, we had 177 confirmations and baptised 150 adolescents and adults.
Family ministry remains a challenge: we celebrate only about ten marriages a year. We live in an area where polygamy persists, and Christian marriage is not easy. We must be patient. We do not forget about social action and continue some of our projects. I am a diviner and have my own techniques for identifying watercourses.
When we have the necessary financial resources, we drill the ground and build wells in areas that need water. We also help the most needy with small contributions and collaborate in the construction of chapels. Currently, we plan to construct a church dedicated to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Chitima. I have lived my mission in many places, and it amazes me that, at 75 years old, I still live with such joy and enthusiasm. Every day, I see how the Gospel is Good News that helps people grow, build fraternity, and gives them strength when they’re going through difficult situations. It is worth proclaiming.