African Priest Serving at the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative

A release from our friends at the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative:

LYNNFIELD - For the past four years, priests from the Society of African Missions (SMA Fathers) have assisted the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative for one month during the summer. This relationship provides a unique opportunity for sharing cultures, and learning what makes us different and what makes us the same.

This year, Father Francis Barka Nado, SMA, from the Central Republic of Africa, is living and working in the parishes of St. Maria Goretti and Our Lady of the Assumption for the month of August.

Father Francis has quickly become part of our community – celebrating Mass, attending ministry meetings, joining in parish social events, and sharing his smile and personal stories.

Jerome and Christine Barraford, Father Francis, Piri Collard at celebration of Our Lady of the Assumption’s feast day (photo courtesy of Marie Lagman); Father Paul Ritt (Pastor, Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative) with Father Francis Barka Nado at Our Lady of the Assumption Church (photo courtesy of Marie Lagman); Father Francis with Society of African Missions Seminarians in Central African Republic; The Mama Teresa Association is a day orphanage (the children don't stay overnight) run by the Society of African Missions. They can only provide lunch to the children twice a week.