Posted on

Naomi – St Christopher Catholic Church

Naomi visits St Christopher briefly in 2011.
Jane Heinks and Naomi visit with Fr. Paul Sobande MSP to deliver donations, 2013.
Jane and Naomi with St. Christopher Parish School administrators, 2013.
After Mass, 2013.
After Mass, 2013.
With members of the St Christopher’s Parish Council, 2017.
With Fr. Emmanuel Mbuk MSP and parishioners of sister parish; St. Mary Magdalene in Weala, 2018.
After Mass with Fr. Paul Sobande MSP, and other friends, 2018.
Posted on

St Martin de Porres Community Center: Beginnings

Naomi Hard discussed with Fr. Paul Sobande MSP by e-mail in 2016 and in person with Fr. Emmanuel Mbuk MSP the concept of an evangelistic parish outreach to the greater Kakata community. The priest quickly saw the merits, but wanted to follow the proper protocol of calling upon the Parish Council for their input.
Mary Yah Coleman – Parish Council member and quite active in the parish (Legion of Mary and much more), 2017.
Parish Council member, conferring with Fr. Emmanuel Mbuk MSP on a business item, 2017.
Parish Council member, taking time away from work for a planning meeting, 2017.
Parish Council member, sharing his views on an item of business, 2017.
Several of the Parish Council members agree to meet in the middle of work day to discuss the St Martin de Porres Community Center, 2017.
Parish Council members tour land donated by an Irish Religious Sister in the late 1980’s, turned over to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia, 2017.
Fr. Emmanuel Mbuk MSP and Naomi Hard travel two hours to meet with Archbishop Lewis Zeigler to discuss plans and seek permission to pursue construction of the St. Martin de Porres Community Center. Permission was granted, with the stipulation that the Center eventually become financially self-sufficient after the completion of construction, 2018.
Three days later, Archbishop Lewis Zeigler traveled to Kakata to visit the St Christopher Catholic School and tour the proposed site of the St
Fr. Emmanuel Mbuk MSP, Archbishop Lewis Zeigler, a parishioner who remembers the purchase and surveying of the land and its borders, and Naomi Hard walked the perimeter of the proposed Community Center property, 2018.
It was obvious from the placement of the survey markers that people had encroached upon the Archdiocese land. This fact was brought to court, but a definitive judgment was not made in such a way as to aid those who encroach to willingly leave. The two buildings on the left exist on Archdiocese land, 2018.
The entire perimeter was examined, 2018.
All survey markers were located, 2018.
The Archdiocese land goes straight back and diagonally to the right and back from this marker. The perimeter is an odd shape with 5 corner markers, 2018.
This parishioner is acquainted with the history of the land, from the original purchase by the Irish Religious Sister, through two civil wars, re-surveying and transference to the Archdiocese. Where he is standing will likely be the corner of the caretaker/guard office and dwelling, 2018.

Posted on

Catholic Parish Communities: Bong Mines

St. Paul Catholic Church, Bong Mines, about 30 minutes from Kakata, 2017.
This parish church was funded by the Germans in the last century when they established a mining community called Bong Mines, 2017.
Fr. George Okoro MSP and Fr. Walker (Parish Pastor) inside St. Paul’s, 2017.
Parish school construction underway behind the church building, 2017.
Fr. Walker is a Liberian diocesan priest (not from Nigeria, like at St Christopher’s), 2017.
The Head Catechist at St. Paul’s parish is also the chief brick-layer, 2017.
Posted on

St Christopher Catholic Church – History

First interaction with St. Christopher Catholic Church, Kakata, 2011.

Naomi donated some Catholic books provided by a friend, Deacon Mike Martin, from Minnesota, 2011.


Inside of St. Christopher Catholic Church. Naomi is not Catholic at this time, but was curious to visit this parish, 2011.

The Church interior had been updated by Naomi’s second visit in 2013.
St Christopher vestry area, 2013.
Sacristy supplies, 2013.

Jane Heinks and Naomi Hard passed on to Fr. Paul Sobande MSP donations from St John the Baptist, New Brighton, MN – Bibles, Catechisms, religious books, school and dental supplies, 2013.
Fr. Paul Sobande MSP discussing St Christopher parish issues with Jane Heinks, 2013.
Fr. Paul Sobande MSP, Sunday Mass, November 2013.
Fr. Paul Sobande MSP, required a truck to say Mass at 3 sites on Sundays; sites were at least 30 minutes driving distance from each other. [Jane Heinks exiting the vehicle.] 2013
Naomi practicing the gourd shaker (percussion instrument) following Sunday Mass. Naomi became Catholic six months earlier, 2013.
New friends at St Christopher; this woman passed away in 2017. Photo from 2013.
Ready to attend Mass on Sunday morning, 2013.
Jane Heinks making friends with two young parishioners. 2013.
Mary Yah Coleman and Fr. Emmanuel Mbuk MSP, newly-appointed pastor for St Christopher in Kakata and St. Mary Magdalene in Weala, 2017.
St Christopher Catholic Church and School, 2017.
Adoration and Exhibition of the Holy Eucharist prior to weekday Masses, led by Fr. Emmanuel Mbuk MSP, 2018.
Fr. Paul Sobande MSP (Parochial Vicar), Naomi and friends after Sunday Mass, 2018.
Adoration Chapel at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 2018.
Fr. Paul Sobande and parishioners after Sunday Mass; distribution of Catholic religious articles & Rosary beads, 2018.