Welcome to Fr. Bob Dowd, who joins us for our annual Mission Cooperative. He brought St. Monica to Holy Cross Dandora for the first time twenty years ago. Ever since, we have shared his great love for the people of East Africa, especially Dandora, Nairobi, Kenya. Fr. Bob will preach at all Masses and together we celebrate the themes of joy, faith, and hope that unite our two parishes across the globe.

We have enjoyed a partnership with Holy Cross Mission Center to support Brother André Hospital and nearly three dozen scholarships for students at St. James Primary. We continue that student support as they matriculate through high school. On our own, St. Monica has supported many other initiatives over these past two decades: a water borehole on the compound, Race 4 Veronika's Place food distribution serving 500 monthly, two churches, school classrooms, adult vocation training centre, youth sports and music programs, and simply being present each year to the parishioners and surrounding communities like the BOMA Rescue Mission in Kibera, Sisters of Mission Charity, and Nyumbani Orphanage. As I reflect on all you have done—we have done—it astounds me! Dandora is filled with incredible people who care so much for God and each other. They are so grateful for us and we are blessed and transformed by their love.

They realize they are less fortunate than others, but in their poverty, they find utter confidence in God. So after these many years of relationship, hundreds of travelers, and thousands of lives touched, we thank God today and invite you to participate in the next twenty years of mission and love.  -Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson

Click to Donate to Mission Co-op 2022

About Us

Since 2002, St. Monica Catholic Community has enjoyed a sister relationship with Holy Cross Parish in Dandora, Kenya, creating avenues of mutual support and opportunities for prayer and service with one another. The Holy Cross Africa Ministry team coordinates various activities throughout the year including speaker nights, fundraising events, prayer and worship experiences in order to raise awareness and advocate for the spiritual, educational, and health needs of our sister parish.

Make a gift to any of these three areas:

News and Updates:

July Trip 2022: Reconnecting to Kenya!

In July 2022, Msgr. Torgerson, Fr. Bob Dowd, Holy Cross Priest / Notre Dame, and  with two representatives from our parish will travel to Nairobi, Kenya to continue the work of HCAM and reconnect with our brothers and sisters of Dandora. Due to the pandemic we have not traveled with a large group out of care and caution for both our travelers and the people of Dandora. This small contingent will reconnect and begin to plan a trip for the summer of 2023, which will also celebrate over 20 years of relationship with our sister Parish.

When Monsignor Torgerson visits in July school will be in session and he will have a chance to check in with educational and enrichment programs we help provide. Supporting the educational futures of children at Holy Cross Church in Dandora, Kenya, has always been a priority for St. Monica. School attendance is soaring at 800 students at the elementary level. Currently, the St. Monica Holy Cross Education Fund is providing scholarships for about 40 elementary, high school and tailoring students. We also support programs that benefit all the  students such as field trips, scouts, books and supplies. In the last few years it has been our joy to support the Calvary Warriors, an afterschool sports camp providing students with a safe place to have fun and build relationships.  Approximately 300 children participate in the Warriors activities.

Race 4 Veronika's Place Marathon Celebration

Sunday, June 26 | 6:30 p.m. | Caruso A & B

HCAM and RACE 4 VERONIKA’S PLACE will toast the  2021/2022 Marathon Team for their success in  raising $68,000 for the food distribution program at VERONIKA’S PLACE.

Join us for a wine, cheese and dessert tasting after the 5:30pm Mass (Caruso A) as we celebrate what R4VP and what our community has done to help those in need.  And, find out more about HCAM and all that we do at Holy Cross in Dandora, Kenya.

Please RSVP to:

Fr. Bob Dowd Returns!

Sunday, July 24 | 7:30 & 9:30 a.m. Masses

Fr. Bob Dowd returns to St. Monica as once again for this year’s Mission Coop, which will benefit the work of the Brother Andre Medical Center in Dandora, Kenya, including the Visitation Maternity Center. Fr. Bob will preach at all the liturgies on July 23 and 24 and HCAM will be hosting donuts on Sunday, July 24, after the 7:30am and 9:30am liturgies.

Welcome Fr. Silvester Makwali

This Easter, we welcome Fr. Silvester Makwali, pastor at our sister parish, Holy Cross Church in Dandora, Kenya. You can read about Fr. Silvester in his own words below. We are happy to welcome him to our sister parish community and we hope to continue our dynamic work in support of the people of Dandora, Kenya!

I am a first born child to my parents. I was born at Timbwa Village in Bududa District of Uganda. Mbale City is our regional town. My grandfather was originally raised as an orphan who later became a catechist. He served Mill Hill Missionaries in that capacity away from home. Later he brought them to our village, gave them part of his inherited land and they founded a Catholic center on our village. This was many years before I could be born. This background together with the responsibilities attributed to a first born child in my culture have strongly influenced my world view. I am to serve others and I trust that God will always enable me through God’s own people of good will.

It feels good for me returning to Holy Cross Parish, I was a pastor shortly after ordination. I now return with lots of experience in ministry and I pray that God helps me to serve the faithful to my best. I left Holy Cross Church here when I was just beginning to grow deeper in our working relationship with St. Monica Church Community. I am so happy to work with St. Monica Church Community. It is my prayer that God’s Power of the Holy Spirit holds us in His love for our two communities to move together along the way to Salvation.

I joined the seminary on completion of my high school studies at St. Peter’s College in 1988. This was a school of first choice because of its catholic foundation by Mill Hill missionaries. I had seminary training both at Queen of Apostles Philosophy Center - Jinja and also Tangaza University College in Nairobi. I finished the training with one degree in philosophy and another in theology. I was ordained a priest on 13th September, 1998. Since then I have gotten a postgraduate diploma in education from Makerere University in Uganda, a Masters’ degree in Educational Administration from University of Portland in the US. My reassignment at Holy Cross Church - Dandora has come when I about to complete a Masters’ degree in Spirituality and Religious Formation at Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

Some of my goals and plans for the Holy Cross Church community are:

• • To assist members through their small Christian communities to adjust to active participation in church activities following the most serious times of the Covid – 19 Pandemic.
  • To rebuild some broken and distorted church leadership structures through preaching, seminars and workshops for spiritual growth of the community.
  • To meet my responsibilities as pastor and spiritual director by enabling all those I serve with – priests, brothers, Sisters and the laity to fulfil their duties of working for their salvation and that of others.
  • To work closely with God given communities to us like St. Monica church community to continue giving hope and inspiring the faithful here in God’s love as we pray for one another.
  • Finally, to encourage the faithful here in Dandora so that with time we can finish paying our debts on the already built rectory. 

-Fr. Silvester Makwali

Welcome to Fr. Bob Dowd, who joins us for our annual Mission Cooperative. He brought St. Monica to Holy Cross Dandora for the first time twenty years ago. Ever since, we have shared his great love for the people of East Africa, especially Dandora, Nairobi, Kenya. Fr. Bob will preach at all Masses and together we celebrate the themes of joy, faith, and hope that unite our two parishes across the globe.

 

We have enjoyed a partnership with Holy Cross Mission Center to support Brother André Hospital and nearly three dozen scholarships for students at St. James Primary. We continue that student support as they matriculate through high school. On our own, St. Monica has supported many other initiatives over these past two decades: a water borehole on the compound, Race 4 Veronika's Place food distribution serving 500 monthly, two churches, school classrooms, adult vocation training centre, youth sports and music programs, and simply being present each year to the parishioners and surrounding communities like the BOMA Rescue Mission in Kibera, Sisters of Mission Charity, and Nyumbani Orphanage. As I reflect on all you have done—we have done—it astounds me! Dandora is filled with incredible people who care so much for God and each other. They are so grateful for us and we are blessed and transformed by their love.

 

They realize they are less fortunate than others, but in their poverty, they find utter confidence in God. So after these many years of relationship, hundreds of travelers, and thousands of lives touched, we thank God today and invite you to participate in the next twenty years of mission and love.  -Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson

 

Click to Donate to Mission Co-op 2022

 

About Us

Since 2002, St. Monica Catholic Community has enjoyed a sister relationship with Holy Cross Parish in Dandora, Kenya, creating avenues of mutual support and opportunities for prayer and service with one another. The Holy Cross Africa Ministry team coordinates various activities throughout the year including speaker nights, fundraising events, prayer and worship experiences in order to raise awareness and advocate for the spiritual, educational, and health needs of our sister parish.

 

Make a gift to any of these three areas:

 

 

News and Updates:

July Trip 2022: Reconnecting to Kenya!

In July 2022, Msgr. Torgerson, Fr. Bob Dowd, Holy Cross Priest / Notre Dame, and  with two representatives from our parish will travel to Nairobi, Kenya to continue the work of HCAM and reconnect with our brothers and sisters of Dandora. Due to the pandemic we have not traveled with a large group out of care and caution for both our travelers and the people of Dandora. This small contingent will reconnect and begin to plan a trip for the summer of 2023, which will also celebrate over 20 years of relationship with our sister Parish.

 

When Monsignor Torgerson visits in July school will be in session and he will have a chance to check in with educational and enrichment programs we help provide. Supporting the educational futures of children at Holy Cross Church in Dandora, Kenya, has always been a priority for St. Monica. School attendance is soaring at 800 students at the elementary level. Currently, the St. Monica Holy Cross Education Fund is providing scholarships for about 40 elementary, high school and tailoring students. We also support programs that benefit all the  students such as field trips, scouts, books and supplies. In the last few years it has been our joy to support the Calvary Warriors, an afterschool sports camp providing students with a safe place to have fun and build relationships.  Approximately 300 children participate in the Warriors activities.

 

Race 4 Veronika's Place Marathon Celebration

Sunday, June 26 | 6:30 p.m. | Caruso A & B

HCAM and RACE 4 VERONIKA’S PLACE will toast the  2021/2022 Marathon Team for their success in  raising $68,000 for the food distribution program at VERONIKA’S PLACE.

 

Join us for a wine, cheese and dessert tasting after the 5:30pm Mass (Caruso A) as we celebrate what R4VP and what our community has done to help those in need.  And, find out more about HCAM and all that we do at Holy Cross in Dandora, Kenya.

 

Please RSVP to:

 

Fr. Bob Dowd Returns!

Sunday, July 24 | 7:30 & 9:30 a.m. Masses

Fr. Bob Dowd returns to St. Monica as once again for this year’s Mission Coop, which will benefit the work of the Brother Andre Medical Center in Dandora, Kenya, including the Visitation Maternity Center. Fr. Bob will preach at all the liturgies on July 23 and 24 and HCAM will be hosting donuts on Sunday, July 24, after the 7:30am and 9:30am liturgies.

 

 

Welcome Fr. Silvester Makwali

This Easter, we welcome Fr. Silvester Makwali, pastor at our sister parish, Holy Cross Church in Dandora, Kenya. You can read about Fr. Silvester in his own words below. We are happy to welcome him to our sister parish community and we hope to continue our dynamic work in support of the people of Dandora, Kenya!

 

I am a first born child to my parents. I was born at Timbwa Village in Bududa District of Uganda. Mbale City is our regional town. My grandfather was originally raised as an orphan who later became a catechist. He served Mill Hill Missionaries in that capacity away from home. Later he brought them to our village, gave them part of his inherited land and they founded a Catholic center on our village. This was many years before I could be born. This background together with the responsibilities attributed to a first born child in my culture have strongly influenced my world view. I am to serve others and I trust that God will always enable me through God’s own people of good will.

 

It feels good for me returning to Holy Cross Parish, I was a pastor shortly after ordination. I now return with lots of experience in ministry and I pray that God helps me to serve the faithful to my best. I left Holy Cross Church here when I was just beginning to grow deeper in our working relationship with St. Monica Church Community. I am so happy to work with St. Monica Church Community. It is my prayer that God’s Power of the Holy Spirit holds us in His love for our two communities to move together along the way to Salvation.

 

I joined the seminary on completion of my high school studies at St. Peter’s College in 1988. This was a school of first choice because of its catholic foundation by Mill Hill missionaries. I had seminary training both at Queen of Apostles Philosophy Center - Jinja and also Tangaza University College in Nairobi. I finished the training with one degree in philosophy and another in theology. I was ordained a priest on 13th September, 1998. Since then I have gotten a postgraduate diploma in education from Makerere University in Uganda, a Masters’ degree in Educational Administration from University of Portland in the US. My reassignment at Holy Cross Church - Dandora has come when I about to complete a Masters’ degree in Spirituality and Religious Formation at Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

 

Some of my goals and plans for the Holy Cross Church community are:

• • To assist members through their small Christian communities to adjust to active participation in church activities following the most serious times of the Covid – 19 Pandemic.
  • To rebuild some broken and distorted church leadership structures through preaching, seminars and workshops for spiritual growth of the community.
  • To meet my responsibilities as pastor and spiritual director by enabling all those I serve with – priests, brothers, Sisters and the laity to fulfil their duties of working for their salvation and that of others.
  • To work closely with God given communities to us like St. Monica church community to continue giving hope and inspiring the faithful here in God’s love as we pray for one another.
  • Finally, to encourage the faithful here in Dandora so that with time we can finish paying our debts on the already built rectory. 

-Fr. Silvester Makwali

 

Mission & History

The mission of St. Monica Holy Cross Africa Ministry is to share, pray, learn and join with our sister parish, Holy Cross Dandora, in their mission to “humanize city life and help people recognize their God given dignity” (Rev. Bob Dowd, CSC)

 

Contact: Kathleen Gallanar, Ministry Chair, for more information.

 

Get Involved

 

Please find below updates on what is happening in our sister parish in Dandora and how our ministries in collaboration with Holy Cross Catholic Church are faring.

 

Our Holy Cross Africa Ministry also offers a wide variety of ways that you can participate in the ministry. Details below. 

 

• Education and Youth Outreach

  Our primary mission is to support scholarship students and their families in their efforts to break the cycle of poverty. Our scholarship commitment to these children extends all the way through high school. In addition to scholarships, donations from St. Monica parishioners have provided funding for books, education supplies, projectors, sewing machines and so much more! Since 2019, we have supported the local youth through its music and sports programs, notably the Calvary Warriors Basketball Club of Dandora. We have also provided full scholarships to men and women who attend the Vocational Tailoring School at Holy Cross Parish. Over the past twenty years, we have been able to help hundreds of students and many more community members. If you are interested in supporting this mission or learning more, visit or contact us at

   

  *Click on the image below to expand or print!

   

  Click Here to go to the Education Fund page!

   

  News & Announcements:

  
  July 2021

  Our Youth Relief Outreach during the pandemic (starting in September 2020), amounting to nearly $10,000, has reached hundreds of children and their families. We provided monthly distributions of food, essential supplies and rental support to the poorest residents of Dandora. We could not have done this without your generosity. 

   

  June 2021

  During this school year, we have provided scholarships to 20 primary school, 17 high school, and 6 tailoring school students, in addition to continued youth outreach, and other efforts to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic to vulnerable children, families and teachers. Thank you!

   

  October 2020

  St. Monica Holy Cross Africa Ministry Team just approved a donation of $2,700 to fund the making of face masks by the tailoring students. 14,000 cloth masks were sewn and distributed for free to parishioners at Holy Cross.

   

  June 2020

  With school closures, we provided $5,000 to support salaries for staff at our sister parish, Holy Cross Parish in Dandora, Nairobi, Kenya. Fr. Luke, the pastor at Holy Cross Parish, used these funds to help with the most urgent needs, which include paying for rent and food.

   

• Veronika’s Place: Food Distribution

  Veronika’s Place is a food distribution program that supports HIV/AIDS patients in the Dandora Holy Cross Community in Kenya supported by St. Monica Holy Cross Africa Ministry [HCAM].

   

  In partnership with the Los Angeles Marathon, we raise funds to feed over 500 people each month with basic provisions annually. These men, women and children cannot survive their battle with HIV/AIDS even with anti–viral medications, if they do not have nourishing food.

   

  Each year our team of runners and walkers participate in the Los Angeles Marathon 5k, Charity Half, and Full Marathon as team Race 4 Veronika’s Place raising about $40,000.00.  So put on your sneakers to run with us, or support us with a donation.

   

  News & Announcements:

  

  Team Race 4 Veronika's Place Crosses the Finish Line!

  We raised $40,000.00 to feed those in need!

  Congratulations to the 21 athletes of the Race for Veronika’s Place Team for making their running and walking have more meaning than just another race.  These 21 people reached out to family, friends and the Community of St. Monica to dedicate their miles to fundraising for Veronika’s Place at our sister parish Holy Cross in Dandora, Kenya.

   

  Veronika’s Place supported by St. Monica Holy Cross Africa Ministry [HCAM] is a food distribution program that supports HIV/AIDS patients in the Dandora Holy Cross Community.   The Funds we raise feed over 500 people each month with basic provisions. The men, women and children we help cannot survive their battle with HIV/AIDS even with anti–viral medications, if they do not have nourishing food.

   

  In a proud partnership with the Los Angeles Marathon, Team Race 4 Veronika’s Place has participated over the last 10 years in the full LA Marathon, the Charity Challenge Half Marathon and the LA 5K.

   

  Each mile is dedicated in prayer to the Veronika’s Place beneficiaries.

  Thanks to all our runners and walkers listed below:

  Full Marathon (26.2 Miles): Barbara Corrigan, Rami Delos Reyos, Tyler  Kavanaugh, Freddy Luis, MaryJane Paggao, Anna Rodrigues

   

  Charity Challenge Half (13.1 Miles): Kyle Anderson,  Sharon Arnett, Lisa Arnold, Keith Baker, Pilar Collins,  Gabriel Gomez,  Dennis Hardwick, David  Henwood, Katherine Hitchcock, Kristen Hogan, Rachelle Nesgoda,  Trevor Rodrigues, Sarah Taylor

   

  Big 5 LA 5K (3.1 Miles): Lamont Dubois, MaryJane Paggao, Christylynn Sahagun

   

  You can still donate to this great cause until March 30 at the link below. 

   

  Click Here to Donate!

  Rave 4 Veronika's Place: LA Marathon Finish Line!

  Team Race 4 Veronika’s Place crosses the finish line at the 2021 LA Marathon and LA 5K raising $25,000.00 to feed those in need.

   

  Congratulations to the 19 athletes of the Race for Veronika’s Place Team for making their running and walking have more meaning than just another race.

   

  Veronika’s Place is a food distribution program that supports HIV/AIDS patients in the Dandora Holy Cross Community. The funds raised feed over 500 people each month with basic provisions. The men, women and children we help cannot survive their battle with HIV/AIDS even with anti–viral medications, if they do not have nourishing food.

   

  In a proud partnership with the  Los Angeles Marathon, Team Race 4 Veronika’s Place has participated over the last 9 years in the full LA Marathon, the Charity Half and the LA 5K.

   

  This year’s team dedicated each mile in prayer to the Veronika’s Place beneficiaries and Fr. David Ayotte.

   

  Full Marathon: Anna and Trevor Rodrigues, Ferdinel Sabado, Stephanie Murray, Patrick Keeley, Barbara Corrigan.

   

  Charity Half: Kyle Paris, Rachelle Nesgoda, Gabriel Gomez, Ventura Medina, Dennis Hardwick, Rami Delos Reyes, Sharon Arnett.

   

  LA 5K: Keith Baker, Kristen Baker, MaryJane Paggao, Bernette Cabador Staten, Jakub Hlavka, Lamont Dubois

   

   

  Click HERE for the Race Veronika's Place Facebook Group

   

• Trip's: The Dandora Experience

  The Trips Committee leads a group of St. Monica Parishioners on an immersive experiential trip to Dandora, Kenya, home of our sister Parish, Holy Cross Catholic Parish Dandora. Travelers have the opportunity to become a part of this amazing, faith-filled community and witness the difference St. Monica's has made in the lives of the people of Dandora. Come and see the school, hospital and church all built with gifts from St. Monica's parish. More importantly come meet, interact with, and find new friends from the Dandora community.

   

  Fr. Bob Dowd (who helped to bring St. Monica's into a relationship with Dandora) wrote:  "Every so often something happens to us that changes the way we see ourselves, others and the world around us. The experiences (from the trip) I have in mind are not necessarily pleasant but they are wakeup calls that lead to deeper insight and ultimately help us to grow in understanding, wisdom, and love."  

   

  The Trips Committee is committed to creating an experience for all to grow in understanding, wisdom and faith, sharing our blessings with the people of Dandora.

   

  News & Announcements

  July Trip 2022: Reconnecting to Kenya!

  In July 2022, Msgr. Torgerson, Fr. Bob Dowd, Holy Cross Priest / Notre Dame, and  with two representatives from our parish will travel to Nairobi, Kenya to continue the work of HCAM and reconnect with our brothers and sisters of Dandora. 

   

  Due to the pandemic we have not traveled with a large group out of care and caution for both our travelers and the people of Dandora.

   

  This small contingent will reconnect and begin to plan a trip for the summer of 2023, which will also celebrate over 20 years of relationship with our sister Parish.

     

• Medical Support: Brother André Hospital

  The Medical Committee supports initiatives that help bring sustainable, compassionate, quality healthcare to the Dandora area. Formerly Brother André Dispensary and Visitation Maternity, Brother André Hospital provides services for Maternity, Pediatrics, Gynecology, Orthopedic, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Cancer screening, and many other outpatient health care services.

   

  News & Announcements:

  July 2021

  The Brother André Medical Center recently transitioned to a higher level designation and is now officially called Brother André Hospital. 

   

  Brother André Hospital received the 2020 award for Best Faith-Based Organization level 3 Hospital in Nairobi!