In 2023, St. Charles Lwanga Parish embarked on its first comprehensive Strategic Plan (2023–2028), a roadmap to guide our pastoral activities, development goals, and community engagement for five years. This plan was formulated through consultative meetings involving parish leaders, Jesuit mentors, and feedback from the wider community. It responds to the key challenges we face and sets priorities to advance our mission.
The overarching goal is to have each group and parishioner play an active role in building a vibrant, self-sustaining parish marked by ownership and responsibility. Below we summarize the Strategic Issues (SI) identified, along with the strategic priorities and key actions for each:
- Inadequate Catechists – Priority: Engage and form more catechists for both the parish and outstations.
- Identify parishioners who have the interest and calling to serve as catechists.
- Recruit or employ dedicated catechists for the parish center and for outstations (so that Msoloni and Mayungu have resident catechists or coordinators).
- Train those interested through diocesan courses and in-parish workshops, enhancing their knowledge of Scripture, doctrine, and teaching methods.
(By 2024, at least 5 new catechists were undergoing training. We also budget to give a small stipend to part-time catechists to encourage and appreciate their work.) - Low Uptake of Catholic Traditions and Faith Practices – Priority: Promote Catholic traditions and deepen the faith life of parishioners.
- Implement ongoing faith formation for all: offer regular teachings on the Word of God, Worship (liturgy and devotions), Community (church as family, SCCs), Service (charity, using gifts), and Temporalities (stewardship of resources in the Church). These five pillars ensure a holistic approach.
- Form parish leaders and council members in various church ministries and vocations, so they can champion Catholic traditions in their respective groups. (E.g., train SCC leaders on leading Rosary or Bible studies, train choir on liturgical music norms, etc.)
- Increase participation in diocesan pilgrimages and devotions: e.g., actively encourage our faithful to attend the annual diocesan pilgrimage or celebrations at the cathedral, join national events like the Kenya Martyrs day. Also foster devotions like Divine Mercy, Way of the Cross, etc., as communal practices.
(The desired outcome is more Catholics confidently living and practicing their faith – seen in more Mass attendance, more families praying together, and traditional devotions thriving.) - Religious Intolerance and Risk of Radicalization – Priority: Promote interfaith dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful co-existence with people of other faiths (especially our Muslim neighbors).
- Identify effective means to spearhead interreligious dialogue in our context. This could be creating a parish interfaith committee that establishes relationships with local Muslim leaders, joining existing forums, or even simple neighborly initiatives (like sports or service projects done jointly).
- Implement interfaith activities: e.g., organize an interfaith breakfast or forum annually where leaders and youth from different faiths share perspectives and build friendships. Integrate peace messages and respect for diversity into catechesis and preaching, so our members are well-formed against fanaticism.
- Collaborate on community projects irrespective of faith lines (as we have in clean-ups and disaster relief) to demonstrate unity. Possibly invite a Muslim scholar to address our community on common values, and reciprocate by having our priest speak at a civic platform with them.
(The plan envisions a parish that is a beacon of harmony, reducing any mistrust and being proactive in preventing young people from falling prey to extremist narratives. “Peace begins with a smile,” as Mother Teresa said – so we start with friendship.) - Crisis in Families – Priority: Protect and strengthen the family unit according to Catholic teaching.
- Educate and train church groups on the values of marriage and family life per Church teachings. This means integrating topics on marriage, human sexuality, sanctity of life, etc., into sermons, seminars, SCC reflections. Also maybe start a Family Life Apostolate Team if not existent.
- Increase catechesis on respect for human life at all stages – addressing issues like abortion (pro-life education), euthanasia, and promoting Natural Family Planning as needed.
- Organize more Marriage Encounter programs, couples retreats, and counseling forums. Encourage couples to attend these to renew their relationships. Also specific forums: for example, a “Young Couples Club” for newlyweds, and “Marriage clinic” Q&A sessions with experienced couples or counselors.
- Put more concerted effort into delicate issues: mixed marriages (interfaith marriages), polygamy (some converts may have polygamous backgrounds), divorce/separation – what the Church teaches and how to pastorally accompany those in these situations. Also, clearly teach the Catholic stance on same-sex marriage, homosexuality, lesbianism – i.e., upholding truth about marriage being between a man and woman, while also teaching compassion and pastoral care for individuals with same-sex attraction. These topics should be addressed with clarity and charity perhaps via workshops or inclusion in youth catechesis, so no one is confused by secular views.
(We recognize the family is under many pressures. By 2028, we hope to see stronger marriages in our parish (fewer break-ups), more youths choosing chaste courtship, and those in irregular situations feeling guided towards regularization when possible. Also, a supportive environment for single parents, widows, etc., as part of family.) - Lack of a Proper Place of Worship in Mayungu Outstation – Priority: Construct a Church in Mayungu Outstation (St. Josephine Bakhita).
- Identify and secure land in or near Mayungu for a chapel. This involves scouting for available plots, negotiating with local authorities or sellers. Perhaps approach the county or well-wishers for donation or subsidized sale of land.
- Raise funds specifically for this cause. Launch a campaign both internally (special collections, fundraising events, appeals to parishioners originally from that area) and externally (writing proposals to mission aid organizations since this is building “church infrastructure in a mission area”).
- Once land is obtained, begin construction of the Church – likely in phases due to costs. Start with a simple structure (that can be expanded later): perhaps a multi-purpose hall that serves as chapel. Use local labor and engage the community so they take ownership. Ensure the design is solid and if possible, include basics like a rainproof roof, decent altar, some benches.
(Our target is that by 2028, Mayungu will have at least a modest chapel where the Eucharist can be celebrated in dignity, no longer under temporary shelters. It will stand as a symbol of hope in that community. Even if not fully finished, it should be in use by then.) - Over-reliance on Donor-Funded Projects – Priority: Foster self-recovery, self-reliance, and resilience in the parish’s finances and programs.
- Empower and raise awareness among parishioners about self-reliance. Through homilies and workshops, teach the concept of stewardship – that it’s our biblical duty and joy to support our church with our own resources (time, talent, treasure). Some Jesuit parishes have done “tithing campaigns” – while we may not mandate tithing, we can encourage more regular giving and volunteering.
- Encourage the faithful to offer generously to the church and participate in fundraisers. This includes increasing weekly collection by transparency and teaching (showing how that money is used for their benefit). And when we have projects, rally everyone to contribute something, so all feel part of it. We could institute an annual “Parish Day fundraiser” where everyone gives a thanksgiving offering.
- Initiate more income-generating activities for sustainability. Building on the projects mentioned: expand rentals if possible, maybe start a parish bookshop or hostel if feasible, or even a retreat center facility that can host paying groups (given we have a beach nearby, a simple retreat cottage could attract city folk seeking solitude, and their donations help parish). Also help groups like CWA/CMA to start small businesses (like CWA making and selling candles, altar bread, or crafts; youth doing events that raise money). The idea is multiple streams of modest income that together make the parish financially solid.
(By 2028, we aim to fund a majority of our recurrent expenses (and small projects) from local resources, using external donors mainly for major capital needs or very specialized programs. Resilience also means having an emergency fund and insurance where applicable, to weather crises.) - Environmental Degradation – Priority: Promote environmental conservation and care for creation.
- Encourage and practice activities that conserve soil and prevent erosion – such as terracing gardens, planting vetiver grass, etc., especially in our outstation rural areas. Possibly set up a demo plot to teach these methods.
- Establish tree nurseries for afforestation. As noted, develop a quality tree nursery (especially fruit trees like mango, avocado, and fast-growing shade trees) at the parish or local schools. Involve the youth in managing it. Use these seedlings for parish planting events and distribute to families with training on how to grow them. A target might be each family plants and tends at least 5 trees at their homestead.
- Promote energy-saving technology: continue spreading improved cook stoves and perhaps solar lamps (so people rely less on kerosene). If funds allow, install solar panels on parish buildings to model renewable energy usage. Teach about briquette making (as done) so that agricultural waste is reused as fuel, lessening charcoal demand.
- Enhance water conservation: invest in water harvesting (like the tank we installed, maybe more), fix any wastage (like leaking taps), and if possible assist communities to get clean water (lobby govt or donors for wells in needy spots). Also maintain parish compound greenery by watering responsibly with recycled water.
(The measure of success here will be a greener parish and neighborhood – more trees, cleaner surroundings – and parishioners adopting eco-friendly habits at home. We hope to see our community become known for cleanliness and care for nature in contrast to the past neglect.) - Weak Child Safeguarding Measures – Priority: Strengthen child protection and safeguarding in all parish contexts.
- Continually train parish staff, clergy, volunteers on child safeguarding. We did initial workshops; we commit to annual refreshers. Also include this topic in formation of new catechists, teachers, youth leaders. Everyone should know the dos/don’ts and signs of abuse.
- Promote parenting skills as a form of prevention. A lot of abuse can be curtailed by strong family communication. So, continue holding parenting seminars (as mentioned in Family Ministry) – teaching positive discipline, how to listen to children, etc. – thereby reducing situations that make children vulnerable.
- Ensure safe recruitment: as mentioned, any staff or volunteer working with minors (youth ministers, PMC animators) should be properly vetted (references, maybe a background check if available). Also, have clear codes of conduct they must sign and adhere to.
- Teach children about their rights and responsibilities in an age-appropriate way. Incorporate into catechism classes a session on “personal safety.” Empower children to know boundaries (like what kind of touch is not okay, and that they can say no and report), and also to treat each other with respect (no bullying). We can use existing programs like “Stop it Now” or materials the diocese may provide.
(By 2028, our target is to have a robust Safeguarding framework in place: a parish Safeguarding Officer, known reporting mechanisms, zero incidents ideally – or if any arise, handled swiftly and justly. Parishioners, especially the young, should feel safe and know the church is a sanctuary, not a risk. This also ensures trust in our institutions remains high.)
The Strategic Plan is essentially our guiding compass. Each year, the Parish Pastoral Council develops an annual pastoral plan drawn from these strategic points, ensuring incremental progress. We also will evaluate mid-point (2025/26) to see where adjustments are needed. It’s not just a document on a shelf; it’s a living plan that we preach about and act upon. Already fruit can be seen: for instance, the catechist count has increased, the CWA induction was a step in reviving traditions, interfaith clean-ups happened, etc.
We invite every parishioner to own this plan. If you have talent or passion in any of these areas, step forward – join a committee or start an initiative. The Church is all of us, and our future depends on collaboration. In the spirit of St. Charles Lwanga and his companions, who in unity strengthened one another’s resolve, let us work hand in hand to achieve these goals. With God’s grace, by 2028 St. Charles Lwanga Parish will not only have grown in numbers but in depth of faith, service, and witness – a true “city on a hill” shining in Malindi.(For a detailed copy of the Strategic Plan, including specific timelines and persons responsible for each action, please see theDownloadssection or contact the parish office. We encourage you to read it and find your place in this mission.)