Franciscan Father Mario Debattista sees the heart of the Church at work in the everyday faith of ordinary people, reports The Catholic Leader.

Fr Debattista is back in Australia for a month’s rest after serving as a missionary priest in Juba, South Sudan, for the last 14 months. It was his second time on mission in Juba.

*Fr Mario Debattista OFM at the UN mission in his parish. PHOTO: The Catholic Leader.*

He ministered there for three years from 2013 to 2016 before civil war-related tensions flared up and he was forced to leave with two students in his care.

Having returned, not a lot had changed – aside from some improvements in the parish compound.

The needs had increased for many of the refugees living in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, whose pastoral care fell to his parish.

There was a lot of material and medical need among the locals too, Fr Debattista said, which had been exacerbated by the civil war in the country of Sudan to the north.

He says his favourite thing to do in Juba is to travel with the Legion of Mary to pray in people’s homes and be present with the challenges and triumphs of ordinary life.

South Sudan is a young Church, he says, and it is beautiful to see it flourishing.

He and his brother priests run a substantial sacramental program for the children of the parish too.

Every few months, baptise more than 100 children at a time.

Fr Debattista praised the efforts of the lay catechists especially in preparing the young people – and adults – who come for baptism and confirmation.

He said the Church in places like Africa would come to a screeching halt without the ministry of lay catechists.

His order in Juba were also preparing to ordain two men, one South Sudanese and the other Sudanese.

He said there was a lot of hope for the future with 10 men in discernment in his parish as well.

Fr Debattista was also fortunate enough to arrive in Juba just in time for apostolic visit of Pope Francis last year.

He said the pope brought a lot of energy to the people and his advocacy of the peace process was well-received by the people.

The Pope’s visit was important, he said, because it showed “the world hasn’t forgotten South Sudan”.

There was always an ever-present challenge of isolation for missionaries living overseas, Fr Debattista said, and he was not exempt.

He said he had made some friends with some international aid workers and he was in contact with friends and family back home, which helped.

Fr Debattista said it was fantastic to have the chance to come back to Brisbane for a break and see his family and friends.

He returned to Juba last month.

This article by Joe Higgins was published in The Catholic Leader.