Holy Redeemer Parish in Katatura, Namibia

Katutura it is a Herero word - this word means " we do not have a permanent habitation." Katutura is a place of forced relocation. It is a place where people of African origin who for generations have lived in their natural habitat, the old location, were moved by the South African establishment in Namibia in 1959, after ugly scenes that left many dead and many injured.

Holy Redeemer, Katutura is served by a team of Franciscan Friars. There are four brothers in the team. The Franciscans have been here since January 2005. The church and church buildings were built in 1970. This is the second site which the Church occupied in Katutura. The first site is now occupied by Catholic Aids Action and by a Youth Centre. It is known as the Bernard Noordkamp Centre.

The OMI were the first people to minister here after the people had been forcibly removed from their previous location in Windhoek. This happened in 1959. The house which is now the presbytery was build by the CMM brothers who lived here and taught in Dobra Mission traveling every day. The parish was served by a diocesan priest Fr Nicholas Mokhatu prior to the arrival of the Franciscans.

There is a very active St Vincent De Paul conference in the parish. They look after plus or minus 350 people on a weekly basis. They feed this number. They also assist children with school fees and with clothes.

At the Bernard Noordkamp centre Catholic Aids Action provides a service to Adults and children who are infected or affected by the hiv/aids pandemic. Children who have lost parents due to this disease are assisted in that they are provided with meals, a place to study, councilors and play therapists. There are approximately 400 children assisted here on a daily basis. The number of adults on the books of the centre who have been tested and found to be hiv+ are about 800. Some of these patients are visited in their homes, some are referred to the nearby hospital to receive antiretroviral treatment, some engage in income-generating activities at the centre. The centre offers hiv testing and counsel.

We have in our parish a group of contemplative sisters. They are the Poor Clare Sisters. There is a community of eleven. We have the privilege of saying Mass for them on Sundays and some days during the week.

The Parish has produced one priest Fr. Julius Katjipa MSC. He is a member of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and at present is stationed at Swakopmund.

Our community consists of:
Edward J Lennon
Sydney Daniels
Clement Kholopa
Bongani Dladla

We have a very active laity in the parish, at present we are electing a new Parish Pastoral Council. There are many organizations active in the parish including:
Parish Choir
Ontwaak Choir

Bloukring/Jongwag - Youth group
Call Me Choir
Moders Kring
Missionarie Children
St Peters
Maria Legion
Manne Groep
Vroue Groep
Married Couples Group
Altar Servers/ Mis Dinaars