Saint Veronica, Pray For Us!
This Lent Don't Just Dabble In Religion! Be Part Of Doing Something Heroic!
Help Me Finish A New Mission Church In Kenya
Sister Stephen, a Little Sister of the Poor, is stationed here in Louisville where I volunteer each Monday to celebrate Mass, is from the African country of Kenya. One day, in a conversation with her, she mentioned her village's 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."
I have agreed to do what I can to replace the present simple stick building with its sheet metal roof (see photo below) with something more stable, lasting and appropriate. It will be built mostly with stones cemented together, a concrete floor and 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. Julius, 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 have guaranteed in four equal payments to Father John Judie Ministries as proven progress is made on the construction. I have already made the first two payments so they will have something on hand to buy materials to get started.
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 any part of 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 have already donated $10,000.00 of my own money to this project. Another $7,100.00 has also been donated so far. That means I only have $2,900.00 to go to honor my guarantee of the total $20,000.00 building costs.
I could most certainly use some funds to help them with some interior church furnishing to finish the inside of the church. This expense is not included in the $20,000.00 building costs. At first, I thought about sending them a half-size shipping container with some free surplus medical supplies for the local village from our local SOS and some free used local church furnishings, but found out that it would cost $10,000.00 just to ship it. Rather than spend that amount of money just for shipping free stuff from here, I have decided that it would be wiser to send them the $10,000 to source the church furnishings and some simple medical supplies locally and not risk having the shipping container contents seized, stolen or held for ransom at the seaport. With this expense, I certainly could use some help to put "the icing on the cake!" By the end of Lent, I am hoping this project will be completely funded. Come on, be part of something heroic this Lent!
Building a new church, fully furnished, for a grand total of $30,000 sounds like a "miracle" to me!
Make your tax deductible checks out to:
Father John Judie Ministries - St. Veronica Project
Send your donation checks to me to be forwarded to Father John Judie Ministries 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
KENYA IS THE "GREEN COUNTRY" ON FAR RIGHT
BELOW - MAP OF KENYA WITH LOCATION MARKED FOR
St. Veronica Church
Above 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 am truly humbled! Getting a modern church in this part of the world is
a miracle. The church will be outstanding in the area. We all appreciate
you in a big way and we are all praying for you and Father Judie so that
God continues to bless you every minute. Yes, it is true that my mother will
be proud. Thanks again for enabling the construction. "
blesses the ground with holy water where the new church will be built.
BELOW ARE PHOTOS OF THE PROJECT FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY
More progress has been made since these last photos were sent. Future progress
More progress has been made since these last photos were sent. Future progress
will be shown on this blog as the progression happens.
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