Many of  you have had the opportunity to talk with Fr. Jean Ikanga, attend his Masses and hear his beautiful sermons.  You know that he is from the Congo and has been studying at Regis University for the past two years.  On May 16th, he will move to Indianapolis where he will continue his doctoral studies and then return to Africa where he will serve the people of his native country.  We have been greatly blessed to have Fr. Ikanga with us these past two years and we will keep him and his family in our prayers in a particular way.

I wanted to give Fr. Ikanga a gift from the parish so that in some small way we could thank him for the blessing that he has been to us.  He told me that there is nothing that he needs for himself but that if the parish would like to make a gift to the people of his home parish, he would be most grateful.  Father told me that in his town there are no hospitals.  When people are sick, the only place where they can go is to a medical clinic that is run by his home parish.  Just imagine, if this parish clinic did not exist, his people would have no where to go for medical help.  Isn’t it amazing that wherever there is a need, the Catholic Church is there to help in the name of Jesus!

So, when Fr. Ikanga leaves  us on May 16th, I will send with him a gift from our parish community.  He will make sure that the money safely reaches his home town and that it is used to help support the wonderful work of their medical clinic.  If you would like to make a personal gift for this important cause, just make out a check to Holy Trinity Church, mark it for Fr. Ikanga,  and I will make certain that Fr. Ikanga receives it and puts it to good use in your name.