The Congolese Catholic Ministry and Swahili Mass

Walk into St. Peter Claver Catholic Church on the second or fourth Sunday afternoon of the month, and you will be greeted with a truly joyful noise — the sounds of drumming, hands clapping and voices singing in beautiful harmony. The music is traditional to the Congolese culture and a key component to the Swahili Mass that is hosted by our local Congolese Catholic Ministry. For many of the attendees, these Masses are both a time of worship and a precious reminder of their homeland.

Together with other local parishes like St. Peter Claver, Christ the King is blessed by the presence of our Congolese Catholic Ministry. In recent years, participants in this ministry have benefited from the summer English classes offered at Christ the King. They have also worked together to help new refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo get settled in our area.

Of course, one of the greatest blessings of this ministry is the twice-monthly Swahili Mass officiated by Fr. Anthony Muthu. Although Fr. Muthu is originally from India, he has traveled to Africa and speaks enough Swahili to celebrate the Mass. For our Congolese parishioners, hearing the liturgy in their native language helps keep their faith alive.

“For me, going to the Swahili Mass here in Kentucky is a blessing because I would not have expected to have that here,” says Raymond Sunghura, who arrived in Kentucky four years ago. “When I got to this new place and I didn’t know the culture and language, the fear was that my way of praying — the Congolese way of praying or worshipping — would be diluted, and I would lose the opportunity to worship like I used to. The fear was even that my faith would be diluted because I wouldn’t understand much.

“So I’m really thankful to have this chance to have the Swahili Mass,” he adds. “At the same time, I’m learning the American way of praying and of culture. But when we first get here and there is nothing in French or Swahili, I think it is hard for those who don’t have the opportunity to get this kind of transition that we have in the Swahili Mass.”

Isidor Claude has been in the United States for 15 years, but he still remembers the difficulties he faced as a new arrival. Like Raymond, he is thankful for the support that today’s newcomers find in the Congolese Catholic Ministry.

“There were a lot of challenges [when I got here], especially with the language and getting a job,” Isidor says. “The Congolese Catholic Ministry is a community of Christians that comes together for the Mass and for some traditional parties and presentations on the culture. It takes a little time for everybody to learn the system, and this helps them stay connected and remember their home.”

Remarkably, this ministry has also been the catalyst for some very unexpected reunions. As yet another reminder that God always has a plan, many of the participants in our Congolese Catholic Ministry right here in Lexington have discovered old friends and acquaintances from halfway around the world.

“Lots of Congolese here are coming from different places, like myself,” Raymond says. “And that is true of many of us here — we left [Congo] 10 or 20 years ago and went to live in refugee camps for many years. This is like a chance to gather again. I have a friend from high school that I hadn’t seen in 10 years, and we met again here.”

With its abundantly joyful liturgy, the Swahili Mass is also enjoyed by local Catholics who do not speak the language. Indeed, all are welcome to come experience Mass with our Congolese Catholic Ministry! As a parish, we are grateful for the many ways this group continues to celebrate the rich diversity within our universal Church, right here in Lexington.

“I believe it is very important for our community to give this space and opportunity for people to express their way of praying and for people to be encouraged,” Raymond says. “When you have the opportunity to express your culture and language and moral values, this really encourages you. This is an opportunity to meet and know each other and encourage each other.”

Fr. Anthony Muthu offers a Mass in Swahili for our Congolese Catholic Ministry twice a month at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church.