CHANIKAPARISH

CHANIKA NEW PARISH
NAME – ST. THOMAS CHURCH
FEAST – JULY 3
BLESSING OF THE HOUSE ON – OCTOBER 7, 2012
INAUGURATION OF PARISH ON – JANUARY 06TH 2013
PRIESTS- MCBS, MISSIONARIES FROM INDIA
FR. SEBASTIAN VADAKKEDATHU (LIJEESH VARGHESE)
MOB +255783991752
FR. JACOB THATTAMPARAMBIL (JOBINS) MOB +255788364931
1. OUT STATIONS – 10
1. MVUTI 2. MSANGORA 3. YONGWE 4. ZINGIZIWA ( From Pugu)
5. HOMBOZA 6.KITANGA 7. MSIMBU 8. MAJI CHUMVI 9.MWANZO MGUMU
10. KIWAMBE ( From Kisarawe)
2. FAMILIES
FAMILIES- 600
PARISHNERS- 2500
3. CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES – 32
4. PARISH GROUPS
UTOTO MTAKATIFU, WAWATA, UWAKA, UAMSHO, LEJIO MARIA,WASEKULARE
KARISMATIKI, VIWAWA
5. LAND
2 1/2 ACRE
6. NUMBER OF HOLY MASSES ON SUNDAY – 2
FIRST MASS- 6.30 AM
SECOND MASS- 9.00 AM
7. Holy masses in substations on Sunday -2
First mass 8.00 am
Second mass 10.00 am
8. BOUNDARY
FROM CHENIKA TO TOWN 36KM
TO AIRPORT 25KM
9. POPULATION
CATHOLICS-40
MUSLIMS -40
OTHERS-20
10. HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS
SIX HOSPITALS, TWELVE SCHOOLS
11. OCCUPATION OF PEOPLE
LOCAL BUSINESS AND AGRICULTURE
12. PLACES, MAIN ROADS
ONLY ONE MAIN ROAD- FROM TOWN TO CHANIKA AND FROM CHANIKA TO MVUTI
13. GOVERNMENT SYSTEM
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM
CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY AND THREE MEMBERS
Short history about St. Thomas parish at Chanika
St. Thomas church, Chanika in the Archdiocese of Dar Es Salaam is a substation of Pugu parish, which is 20km away from this parish, is decided to give to MCBS missionaries. It is a village area. Chanika is a place, which is situated in rural area; where there are 40% of muslims 40% of catholics and 20% other Christians communities like Anglicans, lutherens and other Pentecostal groups. Till 2013 January 06 this parish was a substation under pugu parish. Fr. Lijeesh mcbs started to work here before 2013. He came here on June 05, 2012 and worked hard to make this substation as a parish. He started house visiting while he was not fluent with language, but he has won the heart of the people and then people slowly came for mass and they have got the unity and he made it as good Christian community. He continued his work and Rev. fr. Provincial francis kodiyan blessed the presbytery on October 07th before finishing the work of the house. He gave communion to 45 children Next day fr. Jobins mcbs also joined with fr. Lijeesh to work in this parish. Both of them were staying in the near church called Pugu till December 16th, 2012. After that fathers just moved to Chanika parish but the building work was going on. For Christmas celebration fathers made star, manger of jesus and Christmas tree, it was the first experience for the parish people because first time they are seeing these things.
January 06th 2013 his eminence cardinal Polycarp Pengo inaugurated the substation as a parish and it is called St. Thomas parish. In the name of St. Thoms it is the first parish in the Tanzania. In this auspicious day Rev. Fr. Jojo Vazhappillil mission councillor of Emmaus province, fathers; Joby Tharayil, Seby Kachappally from Tabora, fathers; Prijo Aruvmparambil mission superior in Tanzania and Fr. Shaju Madathichira also joined us. Thanks for everyone.
In the month of February 2013 we started different pious groups in the parish such as mathruvedhi, pithurvedhi, youth ministry, child ministry, ministry of helping the poor, English classes for children, altar boys etc.. Slowly we are emerging to our ministry.
In the month of March 2013 is a lent season, we have a procession of holy cross in the parish and all the substations, and the way of the cross. On 24th we had Palm Sunday, thousands of people came for this mass and we had procession through the town. On 28th we celebrated the feast of Eucharist and many people came for the mass. For Good Friday around 1000 people came for the ceremony and we have the way of the cross. On 30th we had night vigil, faithful are very happy to come and pray in the church. On 31st we had Easter celebration and mass. In this day we had 10 marriages 7 baptisms after the mass people came to wish us.
In the month of April we helped a substation to build a church because during the rain we celebrate mass in the outside so it is very difficult to us. By the help of people we finished a small church.
In the month of May we started building work and fence and one of the parishioners helped us to drill Burwell, unfortunately water is Solti. On 19th we had the celebration of Pentecost, 15 children received baptism.
In the month of June 02nd we had Eucharistic procession through the village and town, thousands of the people came for this celebration and adored Eucharist and many has got blessing. All other religious people were amazed by seeing the number of the believers. It was newly experience for us and the people. On 07th we had small celebration of sacred heart of Jesus and we prayed for the people in this day.
In the month of July 03rd is the feast of St. Thomas and the feast of parish so we just postponed it to next Sunday and we celebrated our great parish feast as we do in India. In this special day 48 children were received communion and it was one of the great feasts in this area. From the entire substation people and leaders came for the ceremony. We had food for children who received communion and all the leaders of the parish.
In the month of August we have helped one of the substations to finish the work of church and we tried to finish it. In that area people are farmers so they do not have enough money to contribute.
In the month of September Fr. Lijeesh has given baptism for 70 children in one substation is called Maji Chumvi and we could finish the work of church. After the baptism of the children people are increased in the church. We gave dress for the children in this substation.
In the month of October we started rosary devotion in the parish and the substations, it was something new for them and many came for mass and rosary devotion. In this month we had 12 marriages in the parish and substations.
In the month of November Fr. Lijeesh has given baptism for 30 children in one substation. On 09th in the parish we have given 238 baptisms for children. Then on 17th his eminence Ebusebuse Nzigilwa auxiliary bishop of Dar Es Salaam has come to our parish and given confirmation to 62 children. Parish people were happy to receive him and they gave him a goat. On 24th Fr. Jobins mcbs has given 102 baptisms for children in one of the substation called Mvuti. So in this month god blessed us very much.
In the month of December 1st fr. Lijeesh has given 50 baptisms for the children in one of the substation is called Zingiziwa. God is great and merciful, he use us for the development of the kingdom of god.

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