How You Can Help:
Donating Opportunities
Perpetual Mass Association

Our Missions:
Ghana | Kenya | Liberia
Tanzania | USA

Becoming a Missionary:
SMA Missionary Priest
SMA Lay Missionary

Facts About the Diocese of Lodwar
The Diocese endures a harsh desert climate and geographical conditions. Most people live a nomadic lifestyle, and there are a persistent attraction to traditional religions. These present strong challenges to evangelization efforts. In fact, the Diocese is still missionary with evangelization a primary goal.
In 1997, a Pastoral Plan was begun to stimulate greater Christian awareness and encourage missionary work among the laity. Between 1996 and 1998, more than 7,000 people were baptized of which 3,3were adults. The Church in Lodwar is recognized for its commitment to social action and education and for helping to establish professional job training centers for young people.
Statistics:
Bishop: Rev. Patrick J. Harrington, S.M.A.
Appointed: February 17, 2000.
Location: Northwestern Kenya.
Establish: 1968 as Prefecture Apostolic; 1978 as a diocese.
Area: 27,037 Square Miles (70,000 sq. Kilometers)
Population: 447,000 (most of them belonging to the Turkana ethnic group)
Catholics: 39,685 (8.9%)
Parishes: 16
Parish Schools: 148 Elementary, 8 Secondary.
Priests: 42 (13 Diocesan, 29 Religious)
Religious: 35 male, 42 female.
Seminarians: n/a
Catechists: 80 full time, 50 part-time
(Click here to see Bishop P. Harrington Ordination photo album)

SMA Guest House: SMA provides hospitality and addresses the needs of mission outstations in the area.

St. Ann's Parish (Thika) - In 2003, an American SMA priest became pastor to St. Ann's Parish on the far outskirts of Nairobi. The SMA's respond to the needs of the local church, working with the people as they identify their problems, seek solutions and develop a plan of action to address the problems.

Jericho Community School/Youth Center (Nairobi) - A school for grades K- 8 founded by the community for lower-income families who cannot afford to send their children to regular schools. Missionaries teach classes in all subjects and also work with the local teaching staff in an effort to acquire better materials and raise educational standards.

Textile and Handcrafts Group (Nairobi) - Rwandan refugees and other impoverished people learn weaving, carving, painting, etc. and create items for sale. This offers them a dignified source of income and a means of self-support until they can return to their homes.

Peer Counseling (Nairobi) - The youth of St. Joseph's parish have been involved in a training program to learn skills to help themselves and then reach out to their peers. Topics are pertinent to everyday life and to concerns of the participants. SMA lay missionaries support, guide and offer training workshops in various areas, such as AIDS, health care, communications, etc.

Sponsorship Program for Students (Nairobi) - Many young elementary and secondary students cannot afford to attend school without assistance. SMA missionaries help to assess, monitor, work with beneficiaries and account for funding by the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.