From the Desk of Father Nathan

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people closest to my heart!

God bless you and your generous heart.

Archdiocese of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

102 parishes and mission areas, including 15 vibrant missionary territories

with over 400 substations along the rivers and deep within the forest—places that can only be reached by boat.

I am copying the letter of a missionary who was supposed to be here at our church the weekend of August 9/10, 2025, to preach on his mission. He said he can’t make it, so he sent me the information below.

Dear Priest and Faithful,

Greetings of peace and missionary hope to you all! Our Archdiocese of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, has 102 parishes and mission areas, including 15 vibrant missionary territories with over 400 substations along the rivers and deep within the forest—places that can only be reached by boat. In these remote regions, the Church becomes more than a building; it becomes a living presence of Christ. Most of the substations don’t have chapels — they celebrate Mass at the riverbank or in a common community center.

 

Our mission is simple yet profound:

To bring the light of the Gospel to the most distant communities.

 

Through the generous service of missionary priests, religious sisters, and lay leaders, we regularly visit these riverside and forest communities. Here, the Church carries out a vital and challenging mission, especially in the parishes and substations among the riverside and interior communities, and among many indigenous communities who live in the vast and remote forest regions.

These communities live in extreme poverty, often isolated and lacking access to the most basic resources. Despite hardships, their faith in God is vibrant, and their hope remains alive. The mission in these areas is difficult but essential. To reach these faithful communities, our missionaries must travel long distances by boat—sometimes for days—navigating rivers and dense forest.

Once there, they offer preparation for sacraments, Holy Mass, pastoral care, catechesis, formations, and support for local development. BUT WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE.

We are in need of your generous support to sustain this mission:

1) To get 10 small boats for the missionaries to reach the communities.

2) Fuel and maintenance for mission boats

3) Support for priests, missionaries, religious

4) Lay missionaries traveling to remote substations/communities

5) Catechism and spiritual materials for children and adults

All are resources and basic aid for faith formation in these  communites.

Your support is not only material; it is a profound act of missionary solidarity that nurtures the hope of the poor and keeps the flames of faith alive in the Amazon.

With united efforts, we aim to empower communities both spiritually and economically, ensuring they thrive in faith and resilience. Together. Let us be witnesses of hope and compassion, and communion.

With gratitude and prayers.

WE WILL HAVE A SECOND COLLECTION ON THE SECOND WEEKEND OF AUGUST

With lots of love and blessings.

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,

— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan