This Lent, we will be supporting the parish of SS Peter and Paul, Oyede, in the Delta State, Nigeria, to purchase a new boat.

Oyede is a rural community of around ten thousand inhabitants, made up of eight farm stations. SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church is in the centre of the town.

The majority of parishioners are farmers who must travel several kilometres each day, often crossing rivers, to reach their farms. Sadly, flooding during the rainy season has become more common. Many houses and farms became submerged last September and October, and affected parishioners came to the church for shelter until they were able to return to their homes.

Father Emeka Akabueze, Parish Priest of SS Peter and Paul, has asked for our support to purchase a boat for the parish, which he and his team will use to reach the parish farm stations:

At the moment, we rely on boat transporters to reach the farm stations. Sometimes, they are not available and we cannot go to administer the sacraments to the farm stations. If we purchase a water boat, which will belong to the catholic community, it will be a big help to us and will enable us reach our sisters and brothers in the farm stations.

Please give generously to our Lenten appeal, so that we may support Father Emeka and the community of Oyede.