Arlington parish helps its sister parish in Kenya thrive
ARLINGTONBy John Wolcott
Catholics in Arlington and Darrington dug deep in 2006 to fill paper cups with bills and loose change — $19,000 in seed money to help build two water wells at their new sister parish in Kenya. Since then, the 442 families at Immaculate Conception Parish and the 26 families at St. John Vianney mission in Darrington continue proving that even small parishes can make a difference for sister parishes overseas.
Our relationship with Christ the King Cathedral Parish in Bungoma, Kenya, is one of faith, friendship and education, said Carla Brown, leader of the sister parish ministry under Immaculate's pastor, Father Tim Sauer.
Soon after that first fundraising drive, another $27,000 to complete the well project was raised by the parish, a major donor and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. Since then, Immaculate has supported small businesses, students and the Catholic Women's Association in Bungoma.
Beehives, grain silos, a poultry business and a brick factory are some of the Bungoma businesses that have received micro-loans through Immaculate's solidarity program, said chairman Michael Van Winkle. The money also has helped buy expensive sewing and embroidery machines.
The parish's Sponsor a Student program has collected more than $132,000 in donations, helping more than 75 primary and high school youths at the 1,000-student Bungoma school, Brown said. And since 2010, Immaculate has raised $25,000 for the women's association, including $5,000 netted this year by selling Kenyan purses and soapstone items at local craft fairs and bazaars.
Since the sister parish relationship began, several Immaculate parishioners have made the 14-hour flight and four-hour drive to Bungoma, including former pastor Father Jim Dalton. Next year, Brown and fellow board member Linda Clay plan to make the arduous journey.
In 2012, Father Christopher Wanyonyi, pastor of the sister parish, came to Immaculate seeking help to add teacher offices and food storage to his parish school to avoid closure by Kenyan officials. Father Wanyonyi told the parish there was no way to save the school, but he was placing his trust in God and the parishioners here.
His trust was rewarded with contributions of $59,057 from Immaculate and $38,730 donated during speaking engagements arranged at other parishes in the archdiocese. The nearly $98,000 raised provided not only the school's needed expansion, but also more classrooms.
November 06, 2013