Catholic Collaborative Raising Funds for Medical Clinic in Africa

A release from the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative:

LYNNFIELD – Aside from the start of baseball’s regular season and the availability of green beer, March is also known as the month for World Orphan Week, National Physicians Week, and National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Week. How appropriate then that the parishes of the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative – St. Maria Goretti and Our Lady of the Assumption – will kick off a Lenten almsgiving effort to raise funds for a medical clinic in the Central African Republic.

For several years, missionary priests from Society of African Missions have assisted the Lynnfield parishes during the summer, allowing their resident priests some time off. Last August, Father Francis Barka Nado, a priest from the Central African Republic, served the Catholic community of Lynnfield, celebrating Mass, baptizing babies, joining in church events, and sharing stories of his homeland.

Father Francis explained the many challenges his country currently faces – rebel insurgents, political instability, violence against women, extreme poverty, a high rate of HIV/AIDS -- but also his people's strong faith. He said, "When the gunfire starts, instead of closing the gates to our compound, we open them wide. People run to our church, not to seek safety, but because if they are to die, they would rather it be on holy ground."

That same faith and trust is what brings people from miles away to the small medical clinic in his community that is run by a religious sister/nurse. The clinic serves 13,000 patients per month. Medicines can only be stored for 4 hours per day due to the limited life of the battery that runs their refrigerator. There is no privacy for exams, the birthing of babies, or minor medical procedures. They need solar panels and rechargeable batteries to provide more dependable electricity, equipment upgrades, and some renovation to their facilities.

Throughout Lent, parishioners and community members have an opportunity to help by donating toward this medical clinic in Begoua, Central African Republic. Donations may be made payable to either St. Maria Goretti or Our Lady of the Assumption, and sent to their business office at 17 Grove Street, Lynnfield, MA 01940. Please make a note on the memo line that this is for the “African Medical Clinic”.

This initiative is sponsored by the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative’s social justice group. For more information, please contact Linda Beaver at linda.beaver21@gmail.com. To view an interview between Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative pastor Father Paul Ritt and Father Francis Barka Nado, please go towww.lynnfieldcatholic.org/multimedia.