Participants to the orientation meeting of the marriage Encounter of 27 June at Mlale Parish.

Members of Mtima Oyera and Msamba Circles of the Marriage Encounter pose for a photo after Mass at Mlale Parish where they also led in Liturgy and offertory.

Sam Kalimba

27 June, 2021 – Mlale Parish:

The Marriage Encounter (ME), a grouping for married Christians in the Catholic Church has challenged that it is easy to fight Gender Based Violence using church structures. Clement and Thokozani Bisai are Chair couple for ME Central Region Chapter and spoke at a function that took place at Mlale Parish on 27^th June 2021 where Catholic families from the Parish requested for an orientation meeting.

“We have zero cases of gender-based violence cases in our members’ families and we doubt if any of our members can think of committing suicide because there are no chances. We preach, live and eat love. Our goal is to ensure that all families live in peace and harmony with each other. Our movement seeks to help deepen love in marriages then if love is so deep, how would one member deprive the other of the same by indulging in GBV? The movement equips its members with effective communication tools to help improve relationships between spouses,” said the pair leaders.

Mr. and Mrs. Bisai said that they were hopeful that if families from Mlale Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe formed and joined the Marriage Encounter group, not only the Church would manifest her powers of preaching love but that even the communities surrounding the Parish would benefit from good examples of renewed families.

Some families from the Catholic Parish of Mlale in Mitundu area requested Marriage Encounter groups of Mtima Oyera and Msamba Parishes to lead an outreach activity aimed at helping them understand what the movement is all about and what it does.

The couples at Mlare Parish had been organising themselves as a way of preparing to join the Marriage Encounter.

According to the Bisais, couples willing to join ME are supposed to attend a 3-day retreat that is called Original Weekend to start their Marriage Encounter journey. Such retreats are held once or twice a year at a designated retreat centre.

“Our immediate retreat for the central region is scheduled for three days from 30 July to 1 August in Lilongwe,” Said Mr. Bisai.

More than 15 couples at Mlare Parish expressed interest to join Marriage Encounter making it the 15^th Parish where Marriage Encounter exists in the central region.

The Catholic Church in Malawi has 3 specialised groups of family movements namely, the Christian Family Movement (CFM), Couples for Christ and the Marriage Encounter.

By Fr Louis Chikanya

Inculturation is a terminology that became commonly used during and after the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in 1994. Looking at the strength and influence of cultures in Africa, the Synod Fathers saw the urgent need for inculturation.

Inculturation, in simple terms, in the words of St. John Paul II is “The process by which catechesis takes fresh in the various cultures.” “It is the insertion of the Gospel message into cultures,” (Catechesis Tradendae). In his Post-Synodal Exhortation, Ecclesia in Africa, John Paul II explains the two dimensions of inculturation: first he talks of culture being integrated into Christianity and second, the insertion of Christianity in the various human cultures.

Africa has been blessed by a multiplicity of cultures which if made open to the Gospel, can provide a fertile ground for the growth of the Gospel. Most of the cultural values manifest in external expressions such as dance, postures, worship, reparation for damages, for example, a community settling a case between people peacefully by imposing a penalty on a culprit, preservation of nature in respect of the spiritual world, such as conservation of forests on the land of the dead, as well as respecting human life. Africans love and value life beyond death. Anything that threatens life is treated as an enemy. Africans love children as gifts from God. Africans love and value togetherness and family integration.

Liturgical Dance During Holy Mass, (Photo: LC MEDIA)

Liturgy, Faith and Cultural Dances

In Africa, liturgical actions are a pure expression of the cultures. At the liturgy, shaking and movements of the body are part of worship. But should liturgy be confined to dancing, shaking and moving body parts?

The liturgical dances that we see and watch and perhaps enjoy during worship, must be enlightened by faith. A dance during the liturgy should move the hearts to prayer and deeper reflection and not to entertain the praying congregation.

“A faith that does not become culture is not fully accepted, not entirely thought out, not faithfully lived,” (St. John Paul II). Similarly, a cultural value that resist to be transformed and integrated into the Christian life cannot be trusted. Faith and culture should come together. It is the work of the Gospel to cast light on any cultural value to assess whether it is helpful for a faith community.

For inculturation to truly take the name has to infiltrate the whole of a person’s life; family, education, economics, etc. Ecclesia in Africa of St. John Paul II emphasises on witness, “genuine witness by believers, and authentic proclamation of the faith”.

A liturgical dance without deep faith and knowledge of the Gospel can only turn into a theatrical performance. Inculturation is about living the life of the Gospel, letting the faith to transform the life of an individual and to allow Christianity and culture to dialogue. Faith brings out the good in the cultural values and this helps an individual to appreciate culture as a gift from God.

Relations between Culture and The Good News of Christ

“There are many links between the message of salvation and culture. In his self-revelation to his people culminating in the fullness of manifestation in his incarnate Son, God spoke according to the culture proper to each age. Similarly, the Church has existed through the centuries in varying circumstances and has utilized the resources of different cultures in its preaching to spread and explain the message of Christ, to examine and understand it more deeply and to express it more perfectly in the liturgy and in various aspects of the life of the faithful.” (Vat. Council II, Church in the Modern World, no. 58)

There is a belief that culture is a gift from God and that God respects every culture. God used a particular culture to bring his message of salvation to all the people in the world. His message has the power to renew and purify the cultures of people. His Word, (Jesus Christ) came down to dwell with people. While with the people, he transformed their lives, physical and spiritual. In the Gospel of John, he met a woman of Samaritan origin, “How can you, a Jew ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” Jesus replies to her, “If you knew the gift of God…” The Word of God is really a gift to all cultures, Jewish, Samaritan, Chewa, Yao, etc.

Cultures should be open to the work of the Gospel. The Good News of Christ, in the words of Vatican Council II Fathers, should be allowed to renew the life and culture of fallen humanity. It should be given space to purify and elevate the morality of the peoples. Let the Holy Liturgy not be confined to dancing and shaking of body parts. It should go beyond the carrying of the Holy Gospels in the basket. Inculturation should resonate in genuine reconciliation, love of life, and creation of which the Word of God came to save.

This article first appeared in the Christmas 2018 edition of Mpingo Ndife Tonse Magazine.

COMM SUNDAY 2021 edited

The four Sisters with Sr. Kapachika (C)

Sam Kalimba

Sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel also known as the Carmelite Sisters have all the reasons to thank the Lord for a colourful event they held on 12^th June, 2021 at the St. Peter’s Parish-Namitete. The event was in three-fold; first profession, final profession and silver jubilee for some of the members of the congregation.

Novice Malania Kavina made her first profession to chastity, obedience and poverty for one year while Sisters Florence Sitima and Esther Banda made the same vows for life. Sister Bernadette Malomo, was during the same Mass celebrating her 25 years as a Carmelite nun.

The Sisters made their professions in respect to chastity, obedience and poverty.

According to the Sr. Clara Kapachika, Mother Superior for Malawi; Sr. Malania Kavina was born in a family of Mr. and Mrs. Kavina of Saidi Village in Traditional Authority Chikowi in Zomba under the St. Anthony-Thondwe Parish. Sr. Florence Sitima was born in a family of Mr. and Mrs. Sitima of Gochi 2 Village, in Traditional Authority Mpando in Ntcheu under Tsangano Parish in the Diocese of Dedza. Sr. Esther Banda was born in a family of Mr. and Mrs. Walawati Banda of Peter Mkola Village in Chradzulu under the St. Joseph-Nguludi Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Blantyre.  Sr. Bernadette Malomo was born in a family of Mr. and Mrs. Malomo of Chimalambo Village in Traditional Authority Chitukula under Mtengowanthenga Parish.

The event was marked by a Mass that was celebrated by the Very Reverend Fr. Patrick Thawale in his capacity as the Archdiocesan Administrator of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe. In his homily, Fr. Thawale urged the Religious to live what he called the rule of life, which is love.

“Show to everyone and sell your God given product of being in Christ. This does not imply that you live as an Angel. You are still human but a special one for that matter. Love is key to your life. Be happy Sisters in order to share the same happiness with whosoever comes in contact with you. Radiate the joy of being a follower of Christ,” advised Fr. Thawale.

He further unpacked the meaning of faith as being knowing and believing without necessarily expecting a receiving. He said that faith comes with spiritual wisdom and knowledge. He told the people of God to cultivate the values of self-reliance and self-discipline if at all they are to move with their mission and faith.

Fr. Thawale did not miss words in mentioning the fact that to work for Christ will always have some challenges that only those with strong faith survive.

“You meet challenges, I urge you to face all trials and challenges head on for they will keep you stronger. Sorrows keep you human enough. Accept failure for it will keep you humble. Humility is key to success. Success keeps you glowing. However, let your success be beneficial to others. When others benefit from your success it pleases God. Only God keeps you going. When working for God don’t forget Him who sent you in His vineyard,” counselled Fr. Thawale.

People from all walks of life including priests from the parishes the Sisters originate from attended the event.

Anna Paula Bove from the Luxemburg Republic founded the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 28^th March, 1872.

Carmelite Sisters with Monsignor Thawale

Sam Kalimba

NAMITETE 12^th June, 2021: The Archdiocesan Administrator of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe the Very Reverend Fr. Patrick Thawale has urged priests and the Religious to live what he called the rule of life, love. He made his advice in his homily made on the occasion of Mass for the first vows, final vows and Silver Jubilee for some Carmelite Sisters at the St. Peter Namitete Parish on 12^th June 2021.

“show to everyone and sell your God given product of being in Christ. This does not imply that you live as an Angel. You are still human but a special one for that matter. Love is key to your life. Be happy Sisters in order to share the same happiness with whosoever comes in contact with you. Radiate the joy of being a follower of Christ,” advised Fr. Thawale.

He further unpacked the meaning of faith as being knowing and believing without necessarily expecting a receiving. He said that faith comes with spiritual wisdom and knowledge. He told the people of God to cultivate the values of self-reliance and self-discipline if at all they are to move with their mission and faith.

Fr. Thawale did not miss words in mentioning the fact that to work for Christ will always have some challenges that only those with strong faith will survive.

“You meet challenges, I urge you to face all trials and challenges head on for they will keep you stronger. Sorrows keep you human enough. Accept failure for it will keep you humble. Humility is key to success. Success keeps you glowing. However, let your success be beneficial to others. When others benefit from your success it pleases God. Only God keeps you going. When working for God don’t forget Him who sent you in His vineyard,” counselled Fr. Thawale.

Novice Malania Kavina made her first professions to chastity, obedience and poverty for one year while Sisters Florence Sitima and Esther Banda made the same vows for life. Sister Bernadette Malomo was during the same Mass celebrating her 25 years as a Carmelite nun.

Sam Kalimba

5 June, 2021 Lilongwe: A group of Malawian Catholics who for the past 11 years have been gathering to pray with the intercession of the Martyrs of Uganda through a pilgrimage to Namugongo in Uganda, this year have prayed at home.

Isaac Mphweya is the publicity secretary of the grouping and said that every 3^rd June is a day to commemorate the martyrdom of the 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic converts to Christianity in 1885 to 1887 in Uganda.  He said that according to history, they were martyred by King Mwanga the second.

“Due to the Covid19 pandemic we have not been able for the past two years to go on a pilgrimage to Uganda. This year we are commemorating the martyrdom of our African Saints in different parishes within our chapters.  Others have gathered in Mzuzu, others are in Zomba, Others are in Blantyre while we are here in Lilongwe. We have chosen Catholic Parishes whose patron saints are either Martyrs of Uganda or one of them,” said Mphweya.

He said that the team that met at Kaggwa Woyera Parish of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe had a retreat facilitated by Fr. James Mkwezalamba who also celebrated mass for them.

While reflecting on the lives of the African Martyrs, Fr. Mkwezalamba also reflected on the dilemma of Peter and Paul on who is to be served. He said that while Peter emphasized on the fact that salvation was for the Jews or those gentiles who were willing to follow the Jewish customs and traditions Paul stood for the position that salvation was for all.

“It took the Holy Spirit to appear to Peter in the vision he saw a lot of animals with the words that say ‘You have no right to call what God created profane’. This only tells us that Peter was cleared of his dilemma and that no food could determine who should be saved,” narrated Fr. Mkwezalamaba.

He went further to ask the Namugongo pilgrims that in their prayer life and daily life they should not segregate others and take themselves as holier than the others who are not part of them.

The Malawi Friends of Namugongo according to Mphweya was founded some 11 years ago and allows all Christians regardless of faith and denomination to join.

The Archdiocese of Lilongwe has launched a new project for the construction of the new Pastoral Centre for the use of different groups in the Church. The structures at the new centre will include hostels, conference centre and the chapel, among others.

The Administrator of the Archdiocese, Very Reverend Patrick Thawale, in his launching speech said the centre will be beneficial to all who will pass at the centre. “All who will pass here will come closer and closer to God through their pastoral activities,” he said.

The Pastoral Coordinator of the Archdiocese, Fr. James Mkwezalamba, in his speech said the centre will benefit priests and the lay faithful in their ongoing formation. “When everything is completed here, all priests and the lay faithful will benefit a lot from this centre in the works of ongoing formation.”

Mr. MacDonald Lupenga is the Archtect and will construct the buildings. Mr. Chiudzu is the Quantity Surveyor and Engineer Mwale is one of the professionals at the project.

The first building, which is the hostel at the centre is expected to be completed by August, 2021.

(Reported by Fr. Louis Chikanya)

The foundation of the first building at the centre

Mr. Alfred Ngalande, the Archd. Financial Admin. leading the delegates to the launch of the New Centre at the site’s Administration

Some of the deligates at the launch

Mr. Lupenga, the Archtect explaining the technicalities of the work as Fr. Jean Marie, to his left listens

Mr. Chiudzu, the Quantity Surveyor, right, following the proceedings

Very Rev. Patrick Thawale, delivering his launching speech and to his right is Fr. James Mkwezalamba, the Pastoral Coordinator.

Group Photo at the construction site

Very Rev. Patrick Thawale laying the foundation stone at the new centre

The Archdiocesan Clergy of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe from 1 June to 4th June 2021 had a successful session in Mangochi where, among others they were grilled on resource mobilisation, with Fr. Henry Zulu, management and accountability, with Fr. Gerald Kubetcha Mumba. The clergy also reflected on the life of St. Joseph in this year of St. Joseph, with Fr. Frank Chingale.

The session was conducted at the St. Montfort House in Mangochi. During the session, it was established that many parishes in the Archdiocese collect resources from First fruits (Masika),  Tithe (Mtulo), and Daily/Sunday Collections (Za m’mbale). Some of the resources come in the form of donations, selling of materials and special collections, or Paper Sundays.

The issue dwelt much on how these resources are managed and accounted for. Mostly, it is easier to collect money and other materials from the faithful, the challenge is how to make good and profitable use of them. Good management and accountability is a motivation for the faithful to give more; this fact is neglected, but it counts the more.

The men in collar were also assisted to reflect on the shadow life of St. Joseph, the husband of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Fr. Frank Chingale, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangochi led the session in which he reminded the clergy of the seven characteristics of St. Joseph, worthy emulating;

1. he was the caring father
2. he was the loving father
3. he was the creatively courageous father
4. he was the father in the shadows
5. he was the serving father
6. he was the accepting father and
7. he was the working father

Finally, the priests were reminded of their canonical rights and obligations. The session was concluded with the Holy Mass led by Fr. Samson Kumkumbira.

Fr. Henry Zulu, Vice Chair of the group facilitating on resource mobilisation

Part of the Clergy following the session attentively

Fr. Frank Chingale, facilitating on St. Joseph

Clergy in the session

Clergy at Mass