History of Holy Cross

Arguably one of the most diverse religious communities in Maputo, the English Speaking Community has welcomed Mozambican and foreign-born Catholics since 1992.  The congregation was started by an American couple who arranged weekend English masses at San Antonio de Polana, better known as the lemon squeezer, for a congregation of 8.  A few months later the English speaking Holy Cross community picked up their pews and walked up the road to the seminary S. PIO X where the community found a home and flourished. 

 

Since then, Holy Cross has continued

to grow, offering newcomers a home away from home. The financial statement for the period 1 October 1993 to 28 February 1994, not yet ravaged by the years and the humidity, refers to the landscaping of our former parish, San Antonio de Polana.  The first ledger was purchased at this time and the first Sunday collection of 237,750 Meticais and $10 USD was given to the “White Fathers of our new parish.”  

 

The community is very mobile, made up predominantly of transitory expatriates that hail from all over the world.  Parishioners include people from El Salvador, the United States, Mauritius, Philippines, Nigeria, India, Mozambique, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda, Spain, Cameroon, Ecuador, Brazil, Portugal, Bulgaria, Congo, and Tanzania.  This rich cultural diversity offers an excellent opportunity for cultural exchanges at various social events organized by the council throughout the year. Our Catholic background serves as a cross cultural bridge that allows us to reach out to others and become enriched.

 

Community members’ commitment to Mozambique covers a wide scope, including work with various diplomatic missions, non profit organizations, development organizations and private business.  Some members who were originally born in Mozambique left for a few years and then returned for various reasons.  Most come for short periods on short- or mid-term contracts and return to their home countries after their work ends.  A few fall in love with the Mozambican sun, its friendly people and Maputo’s tranquility and they stay for the long-term.  Some, however, argue that the real reason why some people stay for the long-term are the prawns and 2M.

 

The mobile and multicultural nature of the community is also shared by the priests who have taken Holy Cross under their wing.  The first chaplain was Father Ponsi (Italian).  He was replaced in 1994 by Father Gerry Stone (British) who was assisted first by Father Claudio (Italian) until 1997 and then by Father Jesus (Spanish). 

 

Father Gerry left Maputo in November 1998 and was replaced by Father Martin from Ghana.  There is no truth in the rumor that the poor state of the Maputo golf course chased him away.  After all there is as much sand on our golf course as there is at St. Andrews in Scotland.  The only difference is that in Scotland the course is better planned.

 

Father Martin moved two years later (November 2000) and was not replaced. This left Father Jesus on his own to keep us straight until the arrival of Father Ivan (Polish) in early 2001.  Father Ivan left Holy Cross in mid 2001.  He is still in Maputo working with another community.  Father Jesus delayed his departure to Beira until after Christmas in 2001 so that the community would not be left without a priest during this important celebration.  He returns to the seminary periodically to lecture.

 

The departure of Father Jesus left the English speaking community without a priest.  Fortunately, Father Lucas, who was responsible for the parish of San Antonio de Polana, was able to find a priest to celebrate mass with us.  Around mid 2001 Father Joseph Wamala appeared on our doorstep.  Originally from Uganda, Father Joseph is a Diocesan Priest and was the rector of the seminary in Matola at the time when he offered his services to our community.  He started officiating masses for the English Speaking Community in 2002.  Father Joe’s responsibilities also include being the rector of the St. Tomas University in Av. Ahmed Sekou Toure.  The success of his voluntary, enthusiastic commitment is easily seen in the steady growth of the community over the past 10 years.  Father Joseph has led members to form a tight-knit community where we get to know one other and come together for fellowship and worship.

In 2008 it had become clear that the community had become too large for the seminary chapel, and the Archbishop agreed that we could move to the Holy Cross Church. There was one problem though – it was a just a shell, no roof, not much of a floor, and the walls were pretty rough too!

 

Exactly a year down the line – 363 days to be precise – in September 2009, we completed the church project, and the Church of the Holy Cross was inaugurated by Archbishop Franciso Chimoio. This amazing achievement was due to the selfless and dedicated service of many members of the community.

 

Our church project is an ongoing project. There are buildings that we are now working to renovate to extend our catechesis within our Catholic family. And there is work to be done in the local and wider community to fulfill our Christian mission to support the community amongst whom we have found ourselves. So the work continues!