2024 Impact Report
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2024 by the Numbers
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The Spiritan Office for Mission Advancement (SOMA) is a resource for the implementation of the evangelical priorities of the U.S. Province. Its mission is to financially resource and practically support the missionary, educational, pastoral, humanitarian and charitable projects and programs of the Congregation and the U.S. Province both in the United States and internationally.
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2024 Impact Highlights
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620
will benefit from new books and learning materials at Starla Maris School in Zambia. -
4
seminarians in the DRC will have their formation funded. -
200
parishioners will benefit from repairs to a church roof in Ethiopia. -
200
refugees were supported by the Spiritan Refugee Service in Tanzania. -
200
parishioners will benefit from a renovation to their parish hall in Zambia.
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100
orphans will receive support in Angola. -
70
students will receive tuition assistance for the temporary location of St. Martial School in Haiti. -
50
prisoners will benefit from support of the Arba Minch prison art program in Ethiopia. -
12
retired priests in the United States were supported. -
* The number estimates are supplied by grant applicants who are implementing these projects in the field.
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150
youth in Brazil will learn livestock training and raising as a career. -
150
women will benefit from new farm equipment that will empower them economically in South Sudan. -
4
students will receive a scholarship to cover their education at Libermann School in Kipawa, Tanzania. -
100
laity and catechists will receive training in Zambia.
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Vietnam Formation & Ordination
On November 28, 2024, the Vietnam – India Circumscription celebrated the Priestly Ordination of Deacon Joseph Truc Chinh Do, C.S.Sp., and Deacon Tam Thanh Pham, C.S.Sp., who have been appointed to Australia and Taiwan respectively. On the same day, they also celebrated the Diaconate Ordination of Br. Huan Van Nguyen, C.S.Sp., Br. Loc Minh Nguyen, C.S.Sp., and Br. Long Van Long, C.S.Sp.
As the Vietnam - India Circumscription grows, they’ve received funds from SOMA to complete essential building projects to support their seminarians. The first phase of the construction of their central house in Hoc Mon is completed, and the postulant community is presently in residence while waiting for the next phase of construction improvement. The reconstruction of their Novitiate property, which is about 20 years old, in Cu Chi is still underway.
The Spiritan mission to Vietnam began in September 2007 with the arrival in Saigon of three Spiritan missionaries.
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46
students are in formation for the Spiritan religious way of life in Vietnam.
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Bringing Light to Education with Solar Power
50% of the grants provided in 2024 were for the installation of solar power. The countries receiving grants for this purpose include Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mauritius and Uganda.
Electrical grid connection is not always available in many of the areas where the Congregation has communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Where those conditions exist there is often a decision to be made comparing the cost of local electricity to that of maintaining batteries or purchasing fuel for a backup generator.
Fortunately, 85% of the African continent receives enough sunlight to support solar power.
1,500 priests, teachers, students, and staff members will benefit directly from these installations.
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SOMA Testimonials
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