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With a great full and joy filled heart I am happy to announce that the construction of the St. Reginald Chapel in Kimony, Madagascar has been completed. I give thanks to God for all the generous benefactors, family and friends who have contributed to make this chapel in memory of my dear departed youngest brother, Reginald Morais.
Fr. Jeremy with some of the local children in front of the new chapel in Kimony, Madagascar.
The St. Reginald Chapel in Kimony, Madagascar has been erected by our Bishop Raharilamboniaina Marie Fabien OCD (Bishop of the Diocese of Morondava) as a Chapel directly connected and responsible to the Cathedral Maria Manjaka (Cathedral Mary Queen) in Morondava.
A Day to Remember
The dedication of the St. Reginald Chapel in Kimony took place almost a year ago on October 4, 2015. Because of the absence of the Bishop and Vicar General of the Diocese it was confided to me as Pastor of the Cathedral to dedicate and bless the new chapel.
The Mass at the Cathedral was canceled and all the Christians of the Cathedral came to Kimony as a gesture of solidarity and symbol that this chapel belongs directly to the Cathedral of Morondava. In Malagasy we say the St. Reginald Chapel in Kimony is a “zanak-piangonana ny Katedraly Maria Manjaka”, (translated, “the chapel is a child or son of the Mother Church of the Cathedral, Mary Queen of Morondava”).
The dedication was beautiful. Because there were so many people many were obligated to sit outside the chapel during the mass. The music was extraordinary and the people of Kimony were enthused and grate full for the dedication of their new chapel. I believe that though the work of the Holy Spirit the Christian community will grow in this new community. After the Mass and dedication, an oxen was prepared and a beautiful meal was shared.
On behalf of the people of Kimony, I wish to say to you all in their Malagasy language: “Misaotra eram-po sy eran-tsaina” which translated means “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, from the bottom of our being, for this beautiful new chapel.”
A memorial plaque was placed on the outside of the chapel with the following inscription:
(from left) Children in front of a side view of the chapel; the Memorial Plaque.St. Reginal’s Chapel, in memory of my youngest brother, Reginald Morais, deceased in Canada in 2004. Donations given by: Family in Canada, Mr. & Mrs. Maxwell and the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette in the United States and our friends.
Pastor of the Cathedral Maria Manjaka, Morondava and St. Reginald Chapel, Kimony, Madagascar
Thanks again and may the Lord bless you all for your sacrifice for the missions.
More About Kimony, Madagascar
By Bp. Donald Pelletier, M.S.
Kimony is a small village some two miles north of Morondava and sets on sand dunes overlooking the Mozambique channel. It is a fishing village and the main if not exclusive activity remains traditional fishing. No running water or electricity there is nevertheless a government school. 
Fr. Jeremy gathering with others at the front doors of the Kimony Chapel.Divided into three very distinct village areas – north, south and center. The chapel was recently built in the most populous village, the center. If it were not for a spacious ocean inlet, Kimony could be reached by walking the beach from Morondava. There is no bridge, no boat service so Kimony is reached by the road.
There is perhaps a little over one thousand people in the three various different sectors of Kimony. As the beach is pristine, water very clear investors are trying to make of Kimony the resort area of Morondava. Most visitors and tourists asre drawn to the pristine beach in Kimony.
Catholic Evangelization in Kimony
I had visited Kimony with a group of Catholics in 1987 but nothing came of it. The Pentecostal group built a chapel in 1995 and for eight years they tried to establish a charismatic community but finally abandoned the village. Thus Kimony remained 100% traditional religion – not overly anxious to accept evangelization.
As Kimony is some three miles from the Cathedral Parish, Jeremy inspired by Pope Francis with his Parish Council and Catechists decided to reach out to the people of Kimony. Sunday after Sunday, month after month, a group of parishioners would go to Kimony to teach singing and have a prayer meeting. Children came but there were no adults. A few woman would come more out of curiosity than conviction. Jeremy was determined to plant the seed of Christianity.
Though there are no baptized Catholics in the village, he planned to build a chapel and confide its pastoral care to a group of lay people led by a transitional deacon: Edmond. He felt that we couldn’t expect immediate results.
Faith and Persistence
Inside the new chapel with Fr. Jeremy’s servers.Yet Edmond and his team visited every single hut in the village and in only one instance, they were rejected by the village sorcerer. Actually he was violently fearful that his income might diminish. It is a new experience and we shall see how many years it takes to establish a Christian community.
Edmond visits three times a week (Thursday, Saturday and Sunday). Some fifty children are receiving instruction, learning hymns and happy to pray on Sunday. Some parents have asked to have their children baptized and are following a long preparation as sponsors will have to come from the Cathedral Parish.
Hopefully the presence of this chapel and the constant and generous efforts of Edmond and his team will eventually bear fruit and there will be a vibrant Christian community in Kimony. After almost 90 years of La Salette presence in Morondava, we still have to reach out to villages that are totally pagan. Father Jeremy carries on the mission of our Fathers who arrived there in 1928. Our Mission of evangelization goes on!
