African priest to celebrate silver jubilee, thank supporters of Catholic hospital

By Claudia Cangilla McAdam

For a little over eight years beginning in 1988, Father Gaston Muyombo of the Democratic Republic of Congo served in the Archdiocese of Denver while he studied architecture and auto mechanics—skills one wouldn’t necessarily think a priest might need, but know-how that he put to good use when he returned to his homeland in early 1997.

While in the Denver area, Father Muyombo assisted at St. Mary Parish in Littleton and St. Louis in Englewood.  In 2003-04 he spent a sabbatical year at Spirit of Christ Parish in Arvada.
The genial priest touched many lives and made numerous friends throughout the archdiocese, and before he returned to Congo, he engaged a group of individuals to serve on the board of his Colorado-based humanitarian organization, the nonprofit Congo Relief Mission.  For the past dozen years, Father Muyombo has guided the CRM and spearheaded efforts to help the people of his native country.  He has overseen the construction of a television and radio station, which serves as a pastoral means of communication for his diocese, the refurbishing of a clinic, the restoration of a government-run hospital, the building of a Catholic church, a rectory and two schools, and his most ambitious undertaking to date—the building of the $1.5 million, 235-bed Our Lady of Hope Hospital.

The hospital was inaugurated on Aug. 2.  More than 1,000 people attended the festive event, among them a half-dozen bishops, representatives from the United Nations, government officials and hundreds of villagers.  The next day, Father Muyombo celebrated Mass in honor of the 25th anniversary of his ordination.  His only unfulfilled wish was to include his many friends from the Archdiocese of Denver in his jubilee celebration.  But that will be rectified on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Now back in the Denver area for a few weeks of meetings and fundraising, Father Muyombo will celebrate Mass at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at St. Louis Parish, 3310 S. Sherman St. in Englewood. 
“I can’t wait to celebrate that special moment of thanksgiving to God for these years of blessings, and to share with the people of Denver a heartfelt thank you for these many years of friendship, love and strong spiritual relationship,” he said.  He gives special praise to Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., whose kindness and support of the outreach mission in Congo generously allowed fundraising and numerous activities to be done within the Archdiocese of Denver.

Invited are all of his local friends, supporters of the Congo Relief Mission, and anyone who wishes to attend.  Following the Mass there will be a reception in the school cafeteria.  Father Muyombo will update the gathering on the Our Lady of Hope Hospital and discuss the bleak situation in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The economic crisis is getting worse,” he said.  “I have never experienced such misery and poverty amongst the people.  The Miba diamond-mining company that employs more than 6,000 in (the province capital of) Mbujimayi is bankrupt and hasn’t paid employees for 20 months.” 
The people have had to turn to traditional farming in order to survive, with limited results.  The situation is so dire that, due to disease, “life expectancy is falling to less than 40 years,” according to Father Muyombo.

The priest said that he admires the continual smile on the faces of people suffering so desperately, and it strengthens his resolve to help them through Our Lady of Hope Hospital.  With respect to the aid he has received from those in the Archdiocese of Denver, he said, “I appreciate all your support in keeping me strong to bring not only words, but a little relief to people.” 

He pointed out that a $10 donation in this critical moment of Congo’s crisis “allows the hospital to make a routine check and freely treat sick and poor people suffering from malaria, typhoid, intestinal worms, and a variety of other local diseases.”

Father Muyombo hopes to be able to personally thank those who have generously contributed to Our Lady of Hope Hospital at the Dec. 8 celebration of his jubilee. 

To make a tax-deductible contribution to the Congo Relief Mission, send a check to the organization at 1251 W. Long Court, Littleton, CO  80120.