THE CATHOLIC ENGLISH COMMUNITY, HERZ JESU PARISH, WUPPERTAL

"Behold how good and pleasant it is for the brothers and sisters to stay together as one." (Psalm 133)

The Catholic English Community in Herz Jesu Parish, Wuppertal was found in the year 2012. The objectives of this community are to bring together all our African brothers and sisters to worship together using English language in which they are very conversant with and in the mode and manner the Africans celebrate at liturgical celebrations. Considering the difficulty in understanding the German language many of them were unable to participate actively in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist as well as participating in other spiritual activities of the Roman Catholic Church in the German Parishes. Consequently, many were unable to actively practice their faith. Many had joined other Pentecostal Churches for the aforementioned reasons.

After many consultations between Sr. Janet Ajim, a few of the African Catholics in Herz Jesu, Elberfeld and the Parish Priest the African Catholic Community was formed or given birth to. Our first Holy Mass was celebrated on the 9th of September 2012 by Rev. Fr. Koottumak with about 20 people in attendance. The celebration of the Holy Mass continued every second and fourth Sunday of the Month. The number of members of the English Catholic Community increased steadily as word or information reached people regarding the presence and formation of the English Catholic Community. Currently, the holy mass is being celebrated every Sunday at 1:30 PM by Rev. Fr. Paul Gowan Gokok with an average of 50 to 60 people in attendance before the advent of the Corona pandemic.

In the year 2013 we had our first Holy Communion and two children were privileged to receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time. In the year 2014 and 2015, 6 children were further catechized and successfully received their first Holy Communion. On the 15th of December 2015, a care-taker Parish Council Committee was established by nomination. They include: Mrs Susan Abolo (President), Mr. Paul Igwe (Deputy President and Treasurer), Mrs. Judith Ngangam (Secretary) and Mr. Germanus Ngwa (Financial secretary). They were to play this role for two years before an election will be held for a substantive Parish Executive.

Our goal and focus for the year 2015/2016 was centered on the evangelization of peoples by practically reaching out to all our Catholic brothers and sisters who had joined other Churches because of the language difficulty and challenge. To strengthen our faith, love, fellowship and unity; we embarked on visitation to our sick members, bereaved family members and those having challenges of any kind. We have also had yearly retreats, pilgrimages and children programs especially during Christmas season.

Today the community has over 100 members including children. And we are very optimistic about further growth spiritually, numerically and socially. We sincerely thank Fr. Grütering, Fr. Wycislok, Fr. Tom, Sr. Janet, the members of the Parish of Herz of Jesu and the Archdiocese of Cologne for every support we have received from them both spiritually, morally, materially and physically to be where we are today in our journey of faith; especially for providing Fr. Paul Gowan Gokok to be celebrating Masses for us every Sunday and on other special days. We invite you all to our lively Eucharistic celebrations every Sundays by 1:30pm and on other holy days of obligation.

www.ecc-herz-jesu-wuppertal.de