Overview

Tierra la Bomba is an island of about 9,000 people outside the city of Cartagena. Once serving as a leper colony, Tierra la Bomba still suffers from intense isolation and poverty. Hopelessness and unemployment are prominent issues and the local diocese’s resources are stretched thin. Thankfully, there are compassionate Catholics who are helping.

Every summer, Father Andrew Gronotte, LC leads a team of lay missionaries in an annual mission trip to Tierra la Bomba. Together they walk door to door, praying with people and consecrating them to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. They also give food to those in need after Mass and welcome them into the loving support of the faith community. Every year they go, however, they notice the same problem.

Father Jhonnis, the local diocesan priest who tends to the island’s flock, travels by boat and ministers to several surrounding islands. With no suitable accommodations at the local Catholic Church of St. Joseph, he remains unable to stay overnight and is only able to accompany the island’s population for a few hours a week. Sadly, the missionaries have also noticed that the St. Joseph Chapel, the center of the local Catholic community, is falling apart because of the regular storms which have battered the simple, small building.

The dilapidated state of the Church and the transient nature of the community’s only Catholic Priest have gradually eroded the Church’s presence here, where only one third of the population still identifies as Catholic and where an even smaller number are actively practicing. This spiritual poverty has only exasperated the issues that the people of Tierra la Bomba experience every day.

Father Gronotte, his group of dedicated missionaries, and Catholic World Mission supporters have already begun fighting back against this bleak situation and are building a brighter future for the Church and community as whole.

Progress so Far

Thanks to the generosity of faithful Catholics, we have already made remarkable progress towards the restoration of St. Joseph’s church. So far, both the chapel facade and bell tower have been refinished and strengthened, restoring the outward dignity of the building and sending a clear signal to local Catholics that the Church has not forgotten them.

Next Phase: Safeguarding the Future

1. Roof Repairs — $15,000

A sound roof will protect this sacred sanctuary from rain and storm damage, preserving a place where Christ is encountered in the Eucharist and where the Catholic community can continue to grow in faith, hope, and charity.

2. Wall Reinforcement — $10,000

Reinforcing the church walls will strengthen and preserve this sacred sanctuary against the forces of weather and time, ensuring a safe and enduring place of worship for the Catholic faithful. By protecting the physical structure of the church, this project will help safeguard a spiritual home where the community gathers to celebrate Holy Mass, receive the sacraments, and deepen their relationship with Christ.

3. Rectory Room — $8,000

Refinishing a room to provide suitable accommodations for Father Jhonnis will allow him to remain overnight on the island and maintain a more consistent pastoral presence among the faithful. By enabling Father Jhonnis to spend more time within the community, this project will strengthen evangelization efforts, increase opportunities for the celebration of Holy Mass and the sacraments, and help bring more souls into a deeper relationship with Christ and His Church.

4. Painting — $2,000

Plastering, smoothing, and finishing of interior walls, including painting in appropriate liturgical colors. This work will create a clean, prayerful atmosphere while protecting the structure from wear and humidity.

An Opportunity to Make a Real Difference

Empowering local priests to do the most good – By creating a suitable place for Father Jhonnis, Father Gronotte, and other priests to stay overnight, we are greatly deepening the Church’s presence in the daily lives of those who call Tierra la Bomba home. Rather than only being able to stay for mere hours at a time, visiting priests will now be able to spiritually accompany parishioners and the greater Christian community for as long as the Holy Spirit calls them to. By creating this space, we are even opening the door to the future possibility of Tierra la Bomba gaining a full-time resident priest.

Strengthening the Catholic presence amid growing religious competition - Across the region, well-funded Protestant and other religious groups are rapidly expanding their infrastructure, influence, and outreach. Without comparable investment, Catholic communities risk being marginalized over time. By helping to restore the Church of St. Joseph, you are ensuring that the Catholic faith remains a vibrant, visible, and active presence capable not only of sustaining current believers but also of continuing its mission of evangelization, education, and service to the wider community.

Transforming an existing structure into a living center of faith and service - With the facade and bell tower having already been restored, the Church of St. Joseph in Tierra la Bomba is on the verge of becoming a fully functioning parish once more. Your contribution directly brings this project closer to completion, allowing it to serve as a center for the sacraments, catechesis, youth formation, and charitable outreach. This is a unique opportunity to maximize prior investments while creating a lasting spiritual home that will nourish generations of Catholics and serve the broader community for decades to come.