ouala is the financial capital of Cameroon, the second largest city of the country. With a population of over 2,5 million people, it is located in the Southern part of Cameroon. There are many people who come to the city looking for job and better opportunities in life, thus making this city a conglomerate of cultures and languages.
I came to this beautiful part of Cameroon in 1997 for my theology studies in Yaounde, and after my priesthood ordination in 2001, I was assigned to Douala. It was a different experience in my first three years here: the Xaverian community handed the parish which we administered for many years to the local diocese. In fact, there was a great celebration in 2004 when our Parish of Sacred Heart (established in 1991) was given to the local priests. From this parish, there were other four that were created, due to the population growth in the area. The one called “Jesus, the Good Shepherd” was entrusted to the Xaverian Missionaries. Once again, we started from scratch: a new journey.
The Parish
Our small community was composed of three members, Fr. Frank Zampese and Fr. John Montesi (assistant priests) and myself, Fr. Ramon C. Martinez, parish priest. Soon after, a deacon joined our community from the theology, Francisco Manuel Conejo.
We gathered together in very small and simple quarters, in a neighborhood where we were considered the “great unknowns.” We did not even have enough desks or chairs for receiving guests! But with hearts full of missionary zeal, we began this journey in faith. First, we had to build the foundations of a future parish structure, the plan of action for pastoral ministry, the structures and organizations of the parish, the involvement of local people and families, as well as the actual material construction of the parish church and center in view of CCD classes and meetings.
Pastoral Work
Our ministry was rooted on the reality of meeting the needs of the people, especially in their spiritual and catechetical journeys, their human and social training. We encountered pretty soon the difficulties of establishing a group of CCD teachers and leaders to accompany the many catechumens who wanted to receive instructions in Christian life.
We were indeed surprised by the number of friends and Catholics who took up this challenge in the formation of catechumens, and in their journey towards being received in the Catholic Church. Yet, we did not have the classroom spaces needed for catechesis and Christian formation. But thanks to the goodness of some friends in the area, we were able to hold our formation sessions in a grade school of the area… and everything done gratuitously.
Social and Human Formation
At the start of each pastoral year, there was a week dedicated to the human formation of the people of the parish, as well as some training throughout the year on social concerns. Topics treated during these meetings geared on the relationships between children and parents, psychological help for parents who have difficulties in relating with their teens and adult children, training of the youth in social skills, and community life in general.
Our ministry was rooted on the reality of meeting the needs of the people, especially in their spiritual and catechetical journeys, their human and social training
Meanwhile, we kept an eye on the social dimension of the people who approached us on a daily basis: how can we help these people to improve their lives? What are the helpful means and tools to relieve them from their daily struggle with poverty? Out of these questions, we created a net of consciousness among the parishioners so that together, as one faith community, we might respond to these challenges.
After three years of struggles in these important areas, we see the first fruits: the first Basic Christian Communities have started to come together and meet on a weekly basis. Some cooperatives are in place, especially on behalf of the fishermen, so that their products can be preserved and sold at good quality, thanks to the construction of a special oven for the smoking of fish. Thanks to the expertise afforded by friends, an outpost mission parish started the cultivation of watermelons, and the profits generated from this fruit help the neighborhood in various ways: public street lighting, digging of wells, distribution of drinking water.
A never-ending service
It’s not easy to describe in words the work of my 10 years in Cameroon. I could share the beautiful work in this parish “Jesus, the Good Shepherd,” with its realities, challenges and the much joy that I have encountered here…
Even today, we continue in the same line of service we started years ago. The project of building classrooms and halls for formation and CCD classes is not finished, and much more needs to be accomplished. Through the local participation of the parish faith community, the diocese, and the financial support of friends from abroad, we were able to build the foundations of these structures. But how long will it take for us to finish the physical building, so that we can focus more on the spiritual needs of the people? Much will depend on the generosity of these people, and you, our friends, who never stop believing in our mission service. Together, we are building a better world. We thank you for your love and friendship.
(From Xaverian News - Misioneros Xaverianos)