A quarterly newsletter on missionary efforts from around the world.
April 2025
A Well for Laminia, A Future for Girls
Every day, a group of young girls and mothers set out from the village of Laminia, Senegal, in search of water.
During the height of the hot weather season, when temperatures reach over 110° F and water sources run dry, they must travel over two hours to the nearest source every morning.
Sacrificing Education for Survival
Our missionaries have been building relationships in the Laminia village since they arrived last year, determining how we can best serve the people and equip them with the tools they need to thrive.
What we found is that because of the scarcity of water in these villages, many of these girls are sacrificing time in school to fetch water for their family’s survival. Some of them carry babies on their backs for miles in scorching heat. Many of them were forced to give up their education altogether.
In light of these struggles, we have set out to do two things:
Dig a well to supply the village with clean water
Give every girl the chance to receive the education she needs
The Journey to One Well and 100 Students
Our goal is to provide $2,500 by Easter Sunday to break ground on a well, and then to raise support in the following months to finish providing Laminia with water and, by God’s grace, send 100 girls to school in the next year.
These young girls are facing overwhelming odds against their education. By removing obstacles to their academic success, we can transform their futures and offer the love of Christ to their families and their village.
Featured Missionary: Fr. Charles Lutumba
Father Charles Lutumba didn’t set out to become a missionary. Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he figured he would either become a doctor, a teacher, or a priest. While he initially considered becoming a diocesan priest, he noticed the shortage of priests in his local parishes. He then asked himself, "If it is this bad here, how much worse must it be in areas with even fewer Catholics?"
This question changed his path. He joined the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Missionhurst-CICM), ready to serve wherever needed.
Embracing the Lord's Call
Originally, Fr. Charles was supposed to serve in Brazil, but visa issues kept him in Kinshasa, the capital of Congo. Rather than seeing it as a setback, he embraced his new mission, helping seminarians prepare for the priesthood. As a mentor and spiritual director, he teaches them to notice God’s presence in daily life. “Miracles happen every day,” he says. “Waking up in the morning is already a miracle.”
In the DRC, Fr. Charles accompanies the seminarians as a spiritual director and mentor. He imparts to them his childlike wonder in the face of the small, everyday ways that God reveals himself.
Living the Gospel in Its Simplest Form
For Fr. Charles, living out his faith is simple: love the people in front of you. He reminds us that if we want to grow closer to God, we have to start by caring for those around us. His work is forming the next generation of missionaries—priests who will also answer the Lord's call to go where the need is greatest.
Construction for phase III at St. Charles Primary School is well underway! Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’ve raised approximately one-third of the needed funds, and brick by brick, the remaining classrooms are coming to life.
We’re thrilled to share that the foundation for the first block of classrooms, housing grades 5 and 6, is now laid. Over 500 bags of concrete were purchased, and the local community came together—working tirelessly in the sun to dig and pour the foundation with their own hands.
This feat did not come without its challenges. Heavy rains delayed construction, washed out roads, and made it difficult to transport materials. Yet, despite these obstacles, the community pressed on—united in their goal to bring an education close to home for their children.
With this foundation set, work has begun on walls, windows, electrical wiring, and painting. Plans are also in place to lay the slab for the final classroom block, which will house grades 7 and 8. Once both classrooms are complete, plans to build the final housing for teachers will be made. Please continue to keep all St. Charles students, both present and future, in your prayers!
During Lent, Jesus calls us into the desert, asking us to intentionally strip away certain earthly comforts to remind us of our need for Him. However, most of the communities we serve already lack these worldly comforts we regularly enjoy. Through your penance this Lent, please keep those who go without in your prayers.
Update: Thank You to All Who Prayed the Novena to St. John Bosco!🙏
This past January, over 245 joined us in praying the Novena to St. John Bosco! Thank you to all who participated. We are confident the Lord heard our petitions for the vulnerable youth around the world.
Help us raise $2,500 to break ground on a well for young girls in Senegal! Every dollar lifts the burden of fetching water and paves the way for their education and a brighter future.
In this challenging world where our faith is tested by wars raging in different parts of the world, uncertainty about employment security, health issues on us or a loved one, instability in the stock market, we think and meditate on the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope” in this Jubilee Year declared by Pope Francis.
The big question is, how can I be a pilgrim of hope in a world like this?
Looking back in the past, I recall many people in the Bible who faced trials as well: Noah, who had to witness the devastation of his fellow men and their livelihood by the great flood. Job who had to endure the loss of his entire family, his properties, his own health and his friends who deserted him due to his unbreakable faith in God.
I think of the Blessed Mary who had to endure rejection while in labor, being a refugee in Egypt, losing her son for 3 days, witnessing Jesus’ passion and death on the Cross. All of that after being called “Blessed among all the women” by Angel Gabriel. The list can go on.
One thing in common with all of the above-mentioned people is that they persevered in their faith in God. They hoped in Him and as a result, none of them were ever disappointed.
In 1 Corinthians 12:27, St. Paul reminds us that we are the Body of Christ. As such, we are one with Him. In other words, we are Christ today. Meaning we do have His power in us.
Jesus’ power was to save the world. By effectively using that power for that end, Jesus brought hope to many generations. Therefore, as His body, we have the power to renew His mission of salvation and hope every day of our lives.
You have demonstrated that through your continued sacrifice in support of our missionaries and the people we serve around the world. On their behalf, accept my heartfelt gratitude. As we walk in pilgrimage with Him in this Lenten Season in preparation for Easter, may we remember to:
Never underestimate the power of Jesus Christ in us to give hope
Never enderuse the power of Jesus Christ in us to give hope
Wishing you and your families a fruitful Lenten Season and a blessed Easter.
- Fr. Pascal Kumanda, CICM
Novenas, Prayer Resources, and Stories from MercyWorks
Around the world, the MercyWorks community is praying and sharing stories to support our missionaries. Click below to read & pray with us 🙏🏽
