... BUT I HAVE TO CONFESS THAT I HAVEN'T STUCK TO MY PROMISE
I Have Agreed to Build a New St. Veronica Church in Kenya
Sister Stephen, a Little Sister of the Poor, is stationed here in Louisville where I volunteer each Monday to celebrate Mass. She is from the African country of Kenya. One day, in a conversation with her, she mentioned her dream to build a new church in honor of her mother, Veronica Makosi, in Kenya. Her mother was an illiterate catechist and a model of the Christian faith. She walked great distances to church, instructed people in the faith in her own home at night and taught people Catholic prayers until she died. She was the godmother to thousands of newly baptized members of the Catholic Church.
In 2020, as she grew too old to make the long walk to church, Sister Stephen's mother made an appointment to meet with the circuit-riding priest to request the establishment of a small church in her village even though they had no resident priest at the time. The circuit-riding priest liked her idea and Veronica set about securing the land on which to build it. Sadly, she died in October 2021 before the church could open officially.
After her death, the priest asked the people what name they should give their new church. Many ideas were suggested. The priest proposed the name "St. Veronica Catholic Church" and everyone clapped in approval. The priest told them: "We want to honor her great example of faith." Below is a photo of the present St. Veronica Church - no floor, no walls, no windows, no lights, no doors, no religious pictures or statues and minimal seating.
Below is a photo of a recent baptism in the present St. Veronica Church. Father Benedict Mutinda serves St. Peter Claver Church, in Ndalani, with its 14 outstations, one of which is St. Veronica Church.
I have agreed to do what I can to replace the present simple stick building with its sheet metal roof with something more stable, lasting and appropriate. It will probably be built with stones cemented together with a metal roof.
I have a lot of experience in raising funds for mission projects in the Caribbean. I know that donations need to be protected and monitored so that they are not misused, misdirected or confiscated. As a result, I have made arrangements to funnel my donations through the Father John Judie Ministries, an official legal tax deductible 501-3c non-profit organization operated by Father John Judie, a local Louisville priest, who volunteers in Kenya and Tanzania. In appreciation for his help with this project, I have promised to pay for his next flight to his east African missions with my unused American Airlines Frequent Flyer miles. I have no desire to fly long-distance anymore for a vacation so I am happy to give them to him. Father Judie has agreed to oversee the distribution of my funds. He will require receipts and progress photos from Sister Stephen's brother in Kenya who has agreed to oversee the purchase of materials, oversee the construction itself and help recruit local volunteer labor to hold down the costs.
The total estimated cost of this new church is 20,000.00 US Dollars which I will guarantee in four equal payments to Father John Judie Ministries as proven progress is made on the construction. I have already made the first $5,000.00 payment so they will have something on hand to buy materials to get started.
Once I know for certain that the church is nearing being finished, I have promised to look for possible ways to collect and ship "used" church furnishings to them. I have some time to research the shipping possibilities very much like I did for sending medical supplies and used church furnishings to the Caribbean Missions. I have been clear that this last step will occur only if I can find cost-effective shipping methods and suitable progress has been made on the church itself.
$5,000.00 ALREADY DONATED
$15,000.00 TO GO
ON THE TOTAL GOAL OF $20,000.00
I have agreed to personally guarantee the total $20,000.00. It is a bit of a stretch for one priest, but I believe that "nothing is impossible with God." If you are moved to help me with this project, please let me know. If not, I will go it alone if necessary. Anyone donating $5,000.00 or more will be able to have their picture, printed on canvas, hanging in the new church, but any amount will help the project along.
I could, however, most certainly use some help at the end to ship some used church furnishing over there to completely finish the inside of the church. This shipping expense is not included in the $20,000.00 building costs.
Make your tax deductible checks out to: Father John Judie Ministries - St. Veronica Project
Send your donation checks to me to be forwarded to his attention for deposit so I can keep up with the totals as we go along and report them to you on this blog.
Rev. Ronald Knott
1271 Parkway Gardens Court
#106
Louisville, Kentucky 40217
502-303-4571
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