Water of Mercy Selected as a 2026 Mission Appeal Partner of the Archdiocese of Chicago
This weekend, Water of Mercy gave its very first Mission Appeal as a selected 2026 Mission Partner of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Our co-founder John Cerwin spoke at the Masses of Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parish in Westchester, IL, sharing the story of Father Petros Mwale and the villages of rural Malawi that still have no access to clean water. It was a humbling and joyful milestone for our young mission, and we are grateful beyond words.
Being named a Mission Partner of one of the largest archdioceses in the United States is an extraordinary blessing, and it did not happen on its own. Before we share how you can help the villages waiting right now, we want to thank the people who opened the door.
With Gratitude
His Eminence Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, personally put us in touch with the Archdiocese's Global Mission Office. That single introduction is the reason Water of Mercy was invited to take part in the Missionary Cooperation Plan at all. We are deeply grateful for his encouragement of our work.
Megan Mio and the Global Mission Office of the Archdiocese of Chicago welcomed Water of Mercy as a Mission Partner and guided us patiently through every step of the process. Their support has made it possible for us to bring the needs of rural Malawi before the faithful of Chicago.
The Most Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, Bishop of Mzuzu, in Malawi, offered a gracious letter of support for our mission. His endorsement means a great deal to us, and we are honored to have the encouragement of the Church in Malawi as we serve its people.
Father Petros Mwale, our partner on the ground in Malawi, is the reason there is a mission to support in the first place. Father Petros is responsible for 50 prayer centers and more than 40,000 parishioners across the central region of Malawi, and he carries this work forward every single day, village by village and well by well.
Thank You to Two Faithful Parishes
To Father Joe Noonan, Pastor of Mary, Mother of Divine Grace, and his entire parish community, thank you for your warm welcome and your generosity. Every gift you placed in a Mission Appeal envelope this weekend will go directly to a freshwater well in a Malawian village, and we will share photos of the completed well in your bulletin so you can see exactly what your kindness built.
We are also grateful to the parishioners of St. John Cantius in Chicago, IL, who are holding a separate collection for Water of Mercy. Thank you for standing alongside these communities and helping us bring clean water where there has never been any.
The Appeal Continues
Our Mission Appeal is not over. On the weekend of August 8 and 9, 2026, we will bring this same appeal to St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Gurnee, IL. If you worship there, we would be honored to have you join us at Mass and hear the story of Father Petros and the villages of Malawi in person.
Every dollar goes to the same place: a freshwater well drilled in a rural Malawian village that has never had safe water. One well costs $5,500 and serves an entire community for approximately 75 years. Since launching in September 2025, Water of Mercy has funded 24 village wells across rural Malawi, 21 of them already built and flowing, serving more than 14,700 people, made possible by 164 generous donors from around the world.
Communities Are Waiting Right Now
The Mission Appeal is just the beginning. Two villages need a well today, and your gift, in any amount, brings them closer to the finish line.
💧 Help Us Build These Wells
Donate to Theu Village →
Donate to Chirwa Village →
Your donation, in any amount, brings us closer to the finish line. If you cannot give today, sharing this post can be just as powerful. 💙
Please keep Father Petros Mwale in your prayers as he continues his dedicated and tireless work serving the people of Malawi. 🙏