Comboni Lay Missionaries

CONJUCOM 2026 – Peru “Passion for the Mission and Life in Communion”

CONJUCOM 2026

The C.L.M.-TRUJILLO-PERU shared activities with the young people at the Comboni Youth Congress held from August 3 to 7. With great joy and hope for growth in the missionary work, enlightened by the Holy Spirit and the charism of St. Daniel Comboni, the young people fill us with enthusiasm. We need young people determined to proclaim social justice for the poorest and to spread the Gospel of Christ, following in the footsteps of St. Daniel Comboni: “I die, but my work will not die.”

It was a gathering of brothers and sisters, united by a shared commitment to walk together with one heart and one goal: to be the living Church wherever we find ourselves. On this occasion, we shared experiences from our pastoral ministry at the Sacred Heart of Jesus—Lord of Miracles Parish—and interacted with various delegations from the regions and MCCJ priests, our guides.

One of our pastoral activities is the launch of a productive project:

“the establishment of a sewing workshop, using textile waste as raw materials and creating sustainable opportunities that benefit the community of Túpac Amaru.”

The goal is to generate income, reduce costs to optimize productivity, and promote entrepreneurship and creativity among community members. We aim to uphold environmental practices centered on “care for our common home” by reducing the amount of waste we produce, reusing and repurposing discarded textiles, and recycling fabric to create new products—primarily GIN fabric; whose degradation in the soil causes chemical pollution from heavy dyes and the accumulation of synthetic microplastics, which severely alters the pH, damages the microbiota, and accelerates soil erosion.

CONJUCOM202611
previous arrow
next arrow

“CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME IS ALSO AN EXPRESSION OF FAITH” (LAUDATO SI, key points from paragraph 210).

Teodolinda Chinguel Núñez, CLM Peru.

A Heartfelt Farewell to Marzena Gibek

Despedida Marzena

On 3 August, Marzena Gibek completed her three-year missionary service in Kitelakapel, West Pokot, and returned to Poland.

Over the past three years, Marzena dedicated herself wholeheartedly to serving the people of West Pokot. As a physiotherapist at Kitelakapel Dispensary, she cared for countless patients with compassion, professionalism, and love, bringing healing, hope, and comfort to many families.

Her mission reached far beyond healthcare. Marzena also faithfully cared for the chapel in Kitelakapel, helping to make it a welcoming place of prayer and worship. She empowered local women by organizing sewing workshops and teaching them how to make beautiful bracelets, giving them practical skills, confidence, and new opportunities.

Saying goodbye was not easy. The people of Kitelakapel gathered to express their deep gratitude for her selfless service, kindness, and friendship. Our missionary community in Kenya also gave her a warm and emotional farewell. It was a beautiful moment filled with thanksgiving, love, and many cherished memories.

Dear Marzena, thank you for your three years of faithful missionary service. Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents, your time, and your heart with the people of Kitelakapel. May God bless you abundantly as you begin this new chapter of your life, and may the love and hope you planted here continue to bear fruit for many years to come.

We will miss you, and you will always have a special place in our hearts.

God bless you, and thank you for everything!

CLM Kenya

Mission in Arauca

LMC Colombia

Under the motto “Let’s Make La Esmeralda the Land of the Virgin,” a pilgrimage begins through the various villages that make up La Esmeralda.

From May 17 through July 15, these villages are supported through the prayer of the Rosary, Marian catechesis, and lectio divina, which includes prayer and reflection.

Visits are made to families and the sick in the various areas, bringing a message of hope, faith, and love, rooted in the Comboni charism. This helps the villages maintain bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood and deepen their faith.

For us as missionaries, every activity is a process of learning and constant human and spiritual growth.

From June 12 to 15, 2026, we experienced a time of faith, fellowship, and renewal during the National Spiritual Retreat for Comboni Lay Missionaries in Arauca.

These were days to pause, listen to God’s voice, strengthen our spirituality, and share—as a missionary family—the call to serve with love and commitment.

Every moment we lived, every reflection we shared, and every fraternal encounter reminded us that the mission springs from a heart that allows itself to be transformed by God.

In our workshop with older adults, we reflected on “The Treasure of Our Life,” recognizing that every experience, every lesson, and every story we’ve lived is a gift from God that enriches our families and communities.

More than just reminiscing about the past, it was a time to give thanks for the journey we’ve taken, to strengthen our faith, and to discover that the true treasure lies in shared love, enduring hope, and God’s presence at every stage of life.

Janet and Jenny, CLM Colombia