Mwenji Catholic Parish

Basic Parish Information

  • Parish Name: St. Joseph Cafasso Mwenji Catholic Parish

  • Patron Saint: St. Joseph Cafasso

  • Date Established: 1961

About the Parish

Brief Parish History

St. Joseph Cafasso Mwenji Catholic Parish traces its origins to 1961, when it was established by Fr. Mario, IMC, of the Consolata Missionaries from Kamwenja Model School. The mission began as a school and prayer house, providing Christian formation and education for children from Mwenji, Ihururu, and the surrounding region. The early mission was administered by dedicated catechists under the pastoral guidance of Fr. Mario, laying a strong foundation for evangelization and the growth of the Catholic faith.

As the Christian community expanded, the mission steadily extended its pastoral outreach. Kanjora Outstation was established in 1968, followed by Ngooru in 1972, while Mwenji, Kiamathambo, and Kihuyo were established in 1974. Additional outstations were later opened to meet the growing spiritual needs of the faithful. Today, the parish comprises ten local churches, including the Parish Centre, serving more than 1,200 Catholic faithful.

The parish is dedicated to Saint Joseph Cafasso, whose exemplary life of holiness, humility, compassion, and pastoral charity continues to inspire the parish community. His witness of selfless service encourages the faithful to deepen their relationship with Christ while extending love and mercy to all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

Throughout its history, the parish has been served by many dedicated priests who have faithfully shepherded the People of God. Their commitment, together with the invaluable ministry of assistant priests, religious, catechists, and lay leaders, has strengthened evangelization, sacramental life, and Christian formation within the parish.

The early years of the mission were marked by sacrifice, faith, and hard work as the first Christians gathered in simple structures before gradually constructing permanent places of worship. Over the decades, the parish has continued to flourish through vibrant Small Christian Communities, active parish associations, youth and children’s ministries, catechetical programmes, and charitable outreach that promotes the holistic development of the community.

Today, more than six decades after its foundation, St. Joseph Cafasso Mwenji Catholic Parish remains a vibrant centre of worship, evangelization, and service, faithfully preserving the missionary legacy of the Consolata Missionaries while continuing to proclaim the Gospel and nurture future generations of Catholics.

Mission

To proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ by celebrating the Sacraments, fostering spiritual growth through prayer and catechesis, promoting Christian stewardship, strengthening families and Small Christian Communities, serving the poor and vulnerable, and building a welcoming community where all people encounter God’s love.

Vision

To be a vibrant, Christ-centred Catholic parish that nurtures holy disciples, builds a united faith community, and witnesses the Gospel through worship, service, and evangelization.

Core Values

  • Faith

  • Prayer and Worship

  • Love and Compassion

  • Unity and Communion

  • Stewardship

  • Evangelization

  • Integrity and Accountability

  • Service

  • Family and Community

  • Excellence

Notable Milestones and Achievements

  • Expansion of evangelization through vibrant Small Christian Communities, catechetical programmes, and active lay apostolates.

  • Growth from the original mission to a parish comprising ten local churches, bringing pastoral services closer to the faithful.

  • Construction and development of the parish church, local churches, priests’ residence, parish offices, catechists’ facilities, and other pastoral infrastructure.

  • Establishment and strengthening of the Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council, youth leadership, and parish associations.

  • Promotion of Catholic education through catechesis, school chaplaincy, and collaboration with educational institutions.

  • Development of vibrant youth, children, family, and vocation ministries.

  • Active charitable outreach to vulnerable families, the sick, the elderly, and those in need.

  • Promotion of stewardship and self-reliance through active participation of parishioners.

  • Sustained spiritual growth for over six decades while preserving the missionary legacy of the Consolata Missionaries.

Worship and Sacraments

Mass Schedule (Parish Centre)

  • Daily: 7:00 a.m. – Holy Mass

Confessions

  • Every Thursday

Eucharistic Adoration

  • Every Thursday – 3:00 p.m.

Outstations and Small Christian Communities

Local Churches

No. Local Church
1 Mwenji
2 Mathari
3 Kihuyo
4 Nyarugumu
5 Kanjora
6 Njoguini
7 Ngooru
8 Kiamathambo
9 Kahigaini
10 Kanyinya

Small Christian Communities (49)

1. Mathari Local Church (9 SCCs)

  1. St. Joakim

  2. St. Ann

  3. St. Michael

  4. St. Peter

  5. St. Charles Lwanga

  6. St. John the Baptist

  7. St. Elizabeth

  8. St. Joseph

  9. St. Mary Immaculate

2. Mwenji Local Church (6 SCCs)

  1. St. Gabriel

  2. St. Raphael

  3. St. Joseph Cafasso

  4. St. Joseph Allamano

  5. St. Matthew

  6. St. Michael

3. Kiamathambo Local Church (5 SCCs)

  1. St. Catherine

  2. St. Margaret

  3. St. Agatha

  4. St. Stephen

  5. St. Monica

4. Nyarugumu Local Church (4 SCCs)

  1. St. Ann

  2. St. Joakim

  3. St. Charles Lwanga

  4. St. Mary Immaculate

5. Kanjora Local Church (4 SCCs)

  1. St. Gabriel

  2. St. Francis

  3. St. Teresa

  4. St. John Bosco

6. Ngooru Local Church (8 SCCs)

  1. St. Peter

  2. St. John the Baptist

  3. St. Teresa

  4. St. Veronica

  5. St. Stephen

  6. St. Michael

  7. St. Ann

  8. St. Mary Magdalene

7. Njoguini Local Church (4 SCCs)

  1. St. Joseph

  2. St. Maria Goretti

  3. St. Dominic

  4. St. Mary Immaculate

8. Kanyinya Local Church (2 SCCs)

  1. St. Agnes

  2. St. Joakim

9. Kahigaini Local Church (3 SCCs)

  1. St. Teresa

  2. St. John

  3. St. Augustine

10. Kihuyo Local Church (4 SCCs)

  1. St. Peter

  2. St. Paul

  3. St. Monica

  4. St. Joseph

Institutions Under the Parish

Schools

  • Mathari Primary School

  • Mwenji Primary School

  • Ngooru Secondary School

  • Kihuyo Primary School

  • Kihuyo Secondary School

  • Ngooru Primary School

  • Kihingo Primary School