FAQ's
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Some of our Rwandan parishioners Jean D'Arc, Hope, and Hyacinthe
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How big is the country of Rwanda?
A: Rwanda is roughly the size of Rhode Island. The 4th smallest country on the continent of Africa, Rwanda occupies just a little over 10,000 square miles. In size, it ranks 149th largest out of 193 countries in the world.
Q: Where is the country of Rwanda? What part of Africa?A: Rwanda is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Q: How many parishioners does our Rwanda Sister Parish have?A: Established in 1996, the small mission parish first began its meetings and Masses under a tree. It grew from a very few people as refugees came in search of land and community. It has grown rapidly since the founding of the nearby boarding school, St. Antoine’s (the work of Friends of Rwandan Education, FRE). The parishioners themselves made the bricks for the physical church. Masses are offered there on Wednesdays @ 3:00 PM and on Sundays @ 7 & 10 AM. Daily Mass, with approximately 30-50 attendees (more when the school students attend) lasts an hour and a half; Sunday Mass is nearly three hours long, and there are usually over 100 people in attendance at each Mass.
Q: What languages are spoken at our Rwanda Sister Parish?A: The people of St. John XXIII Parish speak Kinyarwandan, French, and English.
Q: There are poor right here in our diocese. Why should we spend ourselves on the people of this tiny nation?A: Jesus Himself mandated in Matthew 28:18-20 that we go out to ALL nations and evangelize (i.e., share the Good News of Jesus):Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”To make disciples, we must be conscious of our neighbors near and far. St. Mary Parish has undertaken a number of ministries in support of our nearby neighbors in need (e.g., St. Vincent de Paul Society, Walking with Moms in Need, etc.). But this opportunity to reach out and accompany our sisters and brothers in Rwanda will broaden our understanding of how others live in the developing nations. It will enable our empathy to grow and enrich our community in countless ways. After all, according to Jesus, being neighborly means to come alongside someone. As Catholic Christian Americans, we must remember that we are Christians first, and Americans second. Our nationality should never surpass our faith and its duties. This is what we must keep in mind when we consider our “neighbor” even as far away as the 7,500 miles it takes to land in Rwanda!
Additionally, many of us came to personally know and love a number of Rwandan teens who survived the Genocide there (1994), but were orphaned. They came to live and learn in Hudson over ten years ago. Their stories were amazing and their gratitude for coming to America was contagious! They encouraged us to pray for their country as it recovered from the horrific scourge. [pix of our Rwandan kids]
Q: Will the work of Friends of Rwandan Education (FRE) and our new relationship with our Rwanda Sister Parish overlap?A: We expect the work of FRE and the parish to be complimentary but separate. Members of the Board of FRE sit on the Rwandan Sister Parish Steering Committee mostly for advice since they have been interacting with the Rwandan community since 2016. The work of FRE revolves solely around the needs of the school they established there, which is why the community itself is growing so rapidly [e.g., an international airport is being built within a few meters of the school!]. They work more to help with the school and scholarships for Rwandan youth education; our mission will focus on a relationship with St. John XXIII Parish and the surrounding community.Q. How do we get involved?
A: Please immediately start praying for the people of our Rwanda sister parish! Then, send an email with your phone number to us at [email protected]. Our steering committee chairs will call and let you know what we’re working on and where we need help. There’s so much to do as we launch this ministry, and the people there are dear and dealing with very different circumstances than we are. And…plan now to meet our neighbors! Eventually, we will offer Immersion Trips to meet the people in person and to experience their community first-hand. We hope members of our Rwanda Sister Parish will travel here to visit us as well. MOST importantly, please pray for this ministry, for blessings for all involved!
Q. Where can I read more about Rwanda?
A: Want to know more about the area and its history? Here are a few suggested resources to better inform you about Rwanda and her people:
