Historical Background:
St. Mathew the Evangelist Parish-Lo’bonok is one of the parishes of the Eastern Deanery of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba. Historical records states that the current Parish Main Centre Church was a Chapel of Rejaf Parish established by the Comboni Missionaries in 1930s and had been steered by a catechist known by the name of Teobaldo Boga who is said to be the first Catechist. Prior to its establishment, St. Mathew the Evangelist Parish-Lo’bonok was confirmed as an independent Pastoral Zone by Late Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro and Rev Fr. James Pitia Marcello was appointed to be in charge of the Zone from 2008 to 2010. Hereafter, St. Mathew the Evangelist Parish-Lo’bonok was officially inaugurated on 21st September 2011 by Late Archbishop Paolino Lukudu Loro and Late Fr. Charles Tombe was appointed as first parish Priest and Joseph Wani known as Opi appointed as assistant Parish Priest. The Parish currently has thirteen out stationed Chapels or Prayer centers; and they are divided into two pastoral zones namely eastern and central zones.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND THE DISTANCE OF THE PARISH:
St. Mathew the Evangelist Parish-Lo’bonok is positioned in the southern Part of Juba town along the road that leads through Rejaf Payam. St. Mathew’s Parish is surrounded by the following neighbouring parishes: – All Saints Parish-Rejaf to the north, St. Charles Lwanga-Lokiliri to the East, Our Lady of Assumption Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Torit to the South, and the Sacred Heart Parish-Lomin of the Catholic Diocese of Yei to the west.
The distance of St. Mathew the Evangelist Parish-Lo’bonok from Juba is 54 (fifty-four) miles.
Except for Kit One area that has a chapel which is dedicated to Christ the King has a mixture of Acholi and Bari ethnic groups but St. Mathew the Evangelist Parish-Lo’bonok consist of the Bari ethnic group who are predominantly farmers who depend mainly on what the natural climate offers them in form of rainfall for the growth of their agricultural products. They frequently cultivate maize, beans, sweet potatoes and cassava as their socio-economic tops.
POPULATION In accordance with 2010-census exercise, the population of the Christian Community of St. Mathew the Evangelist Parish-Lo’bonok is figured to 856,000 out of this number 90% are Catholic while 10% non-Catholic.
OUR VISION
Inspired by the call of our Patron Saint, we are called by Jesus Christ to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God in such a way as to transform our community through Gospel values.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to make visible the presence of Jesus Christ in our community through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and other sacraments, and by sharing our individual gifts and talents to enhance God’s Kingdom of peace, justice, love, and joy among His people.