Two Missing Pieces at Formation House

Dear Associates, Friends, and Benefactors,

In 2011, backed by your support and prayers, the Home Visitors of Mary purchased three acres of farm land two miles from the center of Gwagwalada, near Abudja, capitol of Nigeria.  In July 2012 with only the first floor completed the novitiate moved to the new but partially completed HVM Formation House campus there.   Eleven HVM sisters began living, studying there while ministering at Gwagwalada parishes and bringing religious formation to nearby outstations.

The Formation House also provides on-campus retreats for young adults and services for Fulani children living nearby who do not attend school.   In addition it houses the SHVM Theology Institute which provides religious academic programs accredited through the CIWA (Catholic Institute of West Africa).  

Construction at the Formation House is now mostly complete with class room and meeting spaces, kitchen, dining facilities and bedrooms for the sisters and guests.   

But two pieces are still missing!

  •  The chapel remains incomplete and entirely unusable.  Its outer walls are in place.  But the interior is barren – windowless and with unfinished roof, trim and flooring work still needed.  

Outside View

Unfinished Inside Chapel

Inside Chapel: Work Crew

  • The entry road into the campus remains unpaved.  The road  floods when it rains and becomes impassable dangerous mud – often isolating the sisters until the road dries out.  

Erosion and Flooding Area on Entry Road

Erosion and Flooding Area on entry road

Might you or your group be able to help?  Your generous donation would help complete the Formation House and access road as it was intended to be.   $8,000 U.S. would entirely finish construction of the beautiful chapel. 

 For further information or to discuss chapel-naming privileges, please contact Sr. Rosemarie Abate at telephone: 313-869-2160, email homevisitors@att.net.