Conclusion of CFR Sudan Mission Following Referendum

As many of you know, I'm well into the third year of a special three year missionary assignment in Sudan, and Fr. Sylvester has been "on loan" from his assigned friary in Derry, Northern Ireland for the past several months. We just recently received the final word that we will be concluding our missionary presence in Torit shortly after the referendum. It's a little earlier than we had originally planned. But taking everything into account, both in terms of our community of friars and the local situation here in Sudan, it seemed to be the right time. Our departure will take place in the time of hope, celebration and transition after the vote on independence.

Mercy House chapel.

It saddens us to leave those whom we've come to know and love here. But it seems that it was part of the Lord's mysterious plan that we accompany our Sudanese brothers and sisters these past three years until they crossed the threshold of independence, and as they move forward as a new country, we move on to another mission. We've asked the diocese to please entrust Mercy House and the Mary Mobile (our vehicle) to another group of missionaries. Plans are in the works for a group of religious who've been wanting to come to the diocese for some time, but have been unable to do so for lack of a place to stay, to live in the residence and care for the chapel.

The new crucifix for the chapel we brought from Uganda.

We are immensely grateful to God for the many ways He has enabled us to serve here: the St. Daniel Comboni Missionary Youth, parish missions, youth retreats, children's activities, public evangelization, Mass helpouts in mountain villages, hunger relief, supporting local clergy, the House of Mercy... We are also deeply grateful to you for your support and encouragement that made this possible. We remember you in prayer to the Lord with gratitude.

Detail of the face of the Jesus from the crucifix.

We ask for your continued prayers for South Sudan, for the Diocese of Torit, and in a special way for those whom we've worked with closely here. We also ask for your prayers for ourselves as we prepare to depart and take the next step the Lord is pointing out to us. We hope to share news with you soon of our next missionary endeavor, on which we hope you will accompany us with your prayers and support.