2013 Church Planting Grant recipients announced
SYOSSET, NY [OCA]
04/10/2012
The Department of Evangelization recently released the names of missions slated to receive Church Planting Grants in 2013.
Two missions will receive grants for a second year, while two additional missions will receive first-time assistance. The Diocese of Mexico also will receive a special grant.
Receiving second-year grants are the Nativity of the Lord Mission, Shreveport, LA, in the Diocese of the South, and Saint Nicholas of Myra Church, Lawrence, KS, in the Diocese of the Midwest. Priests Jason Foster and Joshua Lollar respectively serve as priests-in-charge of these communities.
First-year grants have been awarded to Holy Archangels Church, Annapolis, MD, in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, where Priest Robert Miclean is priest-in-charge, and Holy Apostles Church, Lansing, NY, served by Priest James Worthington, priest-in-charge.
“Each of these missions receives a substantial grant—$24,000.00 for the first year and $20,000.00 for the second year—matched by the missions, in order to support the full-time ministry and missionary work of their priests,” said Priest John Parker, who chairs the Department of Evangelization.
The Diocese of Mexico received a $15,000.00 grant.
“The religious landscape of Mexico is dissimilar to that of the USA,” said Father John. “The grant will support the construction of a Missions Center/Missionary Homebase for evangelistic work which is done in rather remote villages. Specifically, a residence with space for meetings and guests is to be constructed in San Esteban, which can accommodate the priest who serves the region, as well as visiting teams of missionaries who may come to assist with catechism and practical projects.
“Because of limited funding, the grants were more highly competitive than usual, though thanks is due to the Holy Synod, as recommended by the Metropolitan Council, to allow for additional funds for this year’s recipients,” Father John added. “Without such additional funds, one of the two first-year grants would not have been fully possible.”
Applications were received from missions from across the OCA, including Canada, the South, the Midwest, Alaska, Washington, and New York.
“Please pray for these missions and missionary efforts, including those who were not able to be funded,” Father John concluded. “Pray for missions to be established, and for our current parishes to thrive.”
