The Niño Jesus Parish is located in Manta, Ecuador—the country’s largest seaport and the fifth most populous city. Manta has existed since pre-Columbian times. The city’s main economic activity is tuna fishing followed by tourism and the production of chemical products ranging from cleaning supplies to oils and margarine. Manta has an international cargo airport and an important military base. Between 1999-2009 the base used by U.S. air forces to support anti-narcotics military operations and surveillance flights against Colombian drug trafficking cartels.

The Niño Jesus Parish, which has more than 50,000 people living within its boundaries, consists of a central church and about 20 neighborhood chapels. The parish is served by its pastor Fr. Luis, three other priests, a brother, and several nuns. While very few parishioners can be considered “well to do”, the more fortunate provide most of the parish’s financial and volunteer support. Three neighbors in the parish are particularly poor. In these areas, the parish finances food kitchens and provides medical assistance to more than 370 children.

To see photos of Manta and the Niño Jesus Parish, please go to Photo Galley.

Sister Parishes - A History

Niño Jesus and St. John Neumann--two Oblates of St. Francis de Sales parishes--became sister parishes in 2009 to help grow spiritually and to promote Catholic Social Teaching. To date, the Niño Jesus Ministry has helped finance a number of projects, including:

• Scholarships for children in the Niño Jesus Parish. Thanks to the generosity of parishioners, St. John Neumann provides scholarships for 193 during the May-February Ecuadorean school year. The scholarships pay for school supplies, uniforms, and shoes.
• Expansion of the parish's medical clinic; the project which was completed in September 2010. Please go to Photo Gallery to see photos of construction from start to end.
• Construction of a new kitchen and dining hall for students and the elderly. The facility was completed in 2012. Photos of it can be viewed by clicking on "Photo Gallery".
• Construction of a children's development center. The project, which incorporates the new kitchen and dining hall, was begun in 2015 but was temporary suspended due to permit issues. Work on the center was resumed in early 2017.
• Construction of religious education classrooms and a chapel for the Narcisa de Jesus Community

Proceeds from St. John Neumann's annual car raffle have funded the construction projects discussed above.