Paroquia de S. Barnabe, Bagamoyo, Maputo

By Juliao Mutemba

Bishop Denis Sengulane on Sunday, 10th of April 2011, paid his first pastoral visit to Mapandane community, in order to confirm the existence of the new church, and giving the name of St. Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in a presence of 504 people, where 181 people received the Holly commuion. As part of the ceremony of the day, it was baptised 4 people and confirmed 10 during the Holy Eucharistic service. The birth of this new church, is a result of the joint venture effort between the three congregations, namely: St. Barnabas Parish in (Bagamoyo, St. Mary Magdalene (Maguluine) and St. Monica (Mahlazine) congregations, after an appeal had been launched by the Diocese, last year in July.

On Sunday, 8th of August, 2010, the rector led the group which went with clear tasks of identifying some Anglicans in the area, who would be prepared to join the initiative of inviting the neighbours to accept Jesus as their only saviour and the Lord. This first day, we were able to meet some people in a reasonable number. And we held the morning prayers in the middle of the road under the shade of a tree.

Full of enthusiasm, after the service, we held a meeting of evaluation of our work, and we came to conclusion that we should continue giving support, by sending preachers, alternately from each of the congregations involved, until the local church leadership is instituted and the church mature to function alone. It was then when we decided to inform the Bishop about the development of this evangelism work.

The bishop was happy with information he received about the joy and the motivation of the people of God in the area, so, decided to schedule a visit to happen on the 10th April, 2011, 9:00 o’clock ante meridian. As measurement to support the new church, the Bishop has appointed a seminarian to assist and give his contribution in making the church grow in Mapandane and Licuacuanine (another new congregation in the same zone).

On the 13th March, 2011, the Parish of St. Barnabas held its Annual General Meeting in which, made a decision to offer 500 bricks for initial work of building the church in Mapandane. The church was lucky to have been given the plot of land by the local authority, as a result of the effort made by Mr. Francisco Chemane (one of the church members) who had been encouraging people to build the church. Now the seed is planted, we need to irrigate knowing that God will make it grow, as it was viewed by apostle Paul, when he said, “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” (1 Corinthians 3:7).

Mapandane is a new developing area, born out of urbanization process, a measure taken out as a result of urban population explosion, demanding a relocation of certain groups to new areas, where the building of infrastructures is essential to protect the land, and they have to be made with the urban standards and patterns. So, we have a big challenge of raising funds for the construction of the 20 X 10 metres church for the use of the community and security of the land. All our congregation will have to make contribution for this objective, not only in Mapandane, but in other places with the same challenges like in Marracuene (St. Michael and All angels) and Magoanine (St. Augustine).

Any enquiries concerning this church, please contact the Parish of St.Barnabas, Bagamoyo, Maputo, by email: info@psbm-libombos.org

May God bless you readers,