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History of Pastoral Centre

History of Pastoral Centre

Address: Dama Road Kenema, Sierra Leone.
Email: pcentrekenema@gmail.com
Telephone: +232 76 566 443

The Pastoral Centre is located in Kenema City, the Provincial Headquarter of the Eastern Province. It is the pastoral and administrative Centre of the Diocese of Kenema. It is a relatively small city with a population of about forty thousand inhabitants. Kenema is a cosmopolitan city. This densely populated environment entertains people from all walks of life. The landscape of the city is flat and surrounded by mountains and hills. This largely forest region is fertile for agricultural productivity. Its streams and beautiful vegetation attracts many visitors. It is a calm and peaceful environment. The city of Kenema is ethnically diverse, and for the most part, its inhabitants are very hospitable. It is not surprising therefore that many young people come to Kenema city to seek job opportunities and develop their lives.

The Pastoral Centre Kenema covers a wide area, approximately fifteen acres of land. The land has been usefully utilized with the construction of buildings, the provision of space for sporting activities and land for the cultivation of annual and perennial crops. The Pastoral Centre provides sporting facilities that attract youths from all spheres of life. It shares borders with St. Kizito's Pre-Major Seminary, the St. Paul's Primary School, the Holy Rosary School, and the Holy Rosary Sisters Convent. About two hundred meters away from the Pastoral Centre is the Bishop's Residence.

The Pastoral Centre was established in 1975 after many years of construction under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Raymond T. Barry, C.S.Sp., of blessed memory. He became the first Director when Bishop Joseph H. Ganda was the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese of Kenema. The first phase of the life of the Pastoral Centre was devoted to the development of its initial infrastructural activities. Over time, considerable development has taken place, not only in terms of infrastructure but also in the building of human capacity. The Pastoral Centre has developed little by little. At the moment, there is an Administrative Building, One Building for training sessions that also houses the PMS, Catechetical and Youth Offices, three hostels that accommodate up to fifty-two (52) people, a two storey building under construction, a dining hall and canteen, three staff quarters, a chapel and library. There is a large portion of land still available for any future expansion.

Since its establishment the Pastoral Centre has been used as a resource institution for evangelization not only for the Diocese of Kenema but for other dioceses as well. The Pastoral Centre accommodates not only pastoral activities but social, catechetical, educational, cultural and development initiatives as well. It serene atmosphere and beautiful landscape has been the envy of many people. The Pastoral Centre still continues its mandate for Ongoing Formation for parishioners, teachers, catechists, prayer leaders, local leaders, youth, priests and religious, bishops, among others.

The Kenema Pastoral Centre has descent facilities ranging from accommodation, chapel, car parks, 24 hours solar energy supply, conference rooms, multipurpose hall for trainings and workshops with VIP chairs. At the moment there are 8 VIP self contained rooms with Air conditioner, 3 self contained suits, 15 self contained single rooms, 4 single rooms with showers, 11double rooms with showers. All the rooms have modern beds with high density foam mattresses.

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