The Ceremony started with Eucharistic Mass which was presided over by the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe Most Rev. George Desmond Tambala who is also the president of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM).

   

Apostolic Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, His Excellency Archbishop Gian Luca Perici

Catholic bishops from Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia

The Vice president of the Republic of Malawi, Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima

(3) & (4) – GREETINGS AND EUCHARISTIC MASS (MAIN CELEBRANT – MOST REV. GEORGE DESMOND TAMBALA)

First Reading: Mrs Immaculate Mpitapita

 

Second Reading: Sr. Ketrina Kiddy, Sr. Esther Stephano and Sr. Patricia Chilanga.

 

Gospel: Deacon Blessings Siriya

 

Preacher: Rt. Rev. Gabriel Msipu Phiri, Auxuliary Bishop of Chipata

THE LAITY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN – MR GABRIEL KAMLOMO

AUXILIARY BISHOP OF LILONGWE – RIGHT REV. VINCENT FREDRICK MWAKHWAWA

ARCHBISHOP OF LILONGWE AND PRESIDENT OF ECM – MOST REV. GEORGE DESMOND TAMBALA

APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO MALAWI AND ZAMBIA – HIS EXCELLENCY ARCHBISHOP GIAN LUCA PERICI

THE STATE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI – RT. HON. DR. SAULOS KLAUS CHILIMA

(12) – FINAL BLESSINGS (MOST REV. GEORGE DESMOND TAMBALA)

(13) – EXIT PROCESSION WITH BISHOPS AND ARCHBISHOPS BIDDING FAREWELL TO THE VICE PRESIDENT BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE SACRISTY

By Tiyamike Chisale

The new Catholic Bishop in Malawi, Rt. Rev. Vincent Mwakhwawa has highlighted the need for the youth to respond to their vocations in accordance with what their hearts suggest.

Bishop Mwakhwawa made the sentiments on Sunday 28th January 2023 at St. Paul Parish in Nkhotakota during his thanksgiving Mass at his home village as Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

His Lordship urged the youth to be careful when making their decisions citing that there are dangers that come after failing to respond to their calling.

The Lilongwe Archdiocese auxiliary bishop among others shared his joy for being at his home parish with family and friends to thank God for the gift of leadership which was given to him.

“This was really great day where I had to come here at my home parish in Nkhotakota to offer thanksgiving mass for the leadership in the church and the gift to the church,” said Bishop Mwakhwawa.

Rt. Rev. Vincent Fredrick Mwakhwawa was consecrated as Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe on 20th January 2024 at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.

Bishop Mwakhwawa is also expected to offer another thanksgiving Mass in Karonga district, where his parents came from originally.

By Eric Norman Mkwaira

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe through its development commission, CADECOM on Monday, 20th January 2024 donated relief items to people who were affected with floods in Mponela, Dowa.

Dean for Dowa Deanery, Rev. Fr. Maxwell Kubalasa who represented the Archbishop of Lilongwe at the Mponela Camp says the donation has come at a good time as the church respects the human dignity.

Fr. Kubalasa says it is the responsibility of the Catholic church to help people in time of suffering just like Jesus Christ showed through his way of living in the gospel.

Rev. Fr. Maxwell Kubalasa, Dean for Dowa Deanery

Fr. Kubalasa added that the church also believes in human development whether physical or spiritual development as this helps people to come closer to the church and word of God.

“We promote integral development of human person. When we talk of development, we talk of spiritual development and even a physical development or corporal development,”

In his remarks, the Camp leader for Mponela Flood Victims, Alfred Chimbeleko commended the donation which the CADECOM gave them as this will help to build hope among the victims.

He said the items will also help in maintaining good hygiene to the Camp.

Alfred Chimbeleko, the Camp leader for Mponela Flood Victims

Mercy Mpakule, Director of Planning and Development at Dowa district council

However, the Director of Planning and Development at Dowa district council, Mercy Mpakule advised the victims to consider getting back to whatever they were doing before floods as the donations will someday come to an end.

Mpakule also cited that the victims must consider moving out of the camp once the situation normalises as there is fear the camp may be contaminated with diseases such as cholera.

“Most of the times, places like this one where many people live together, issues of hygiene are compromised. Because of that, usually diseases like cholera are easily contracted by the people. We want them to go out of the camp, so that they get protected from these communicable diseases.” she concluded.

CADECOM donated the family shelter including tents and mattresses, Maize, Soya beans, Beans, Flour, chlorine and kitchen utensils; pots, plates and buckets among others to the people who were affected by the storms on 13 January in the areas of Traditional Authority (T/A) Mponela, T/A Msakambewa and T/A Dzoole in Dowa.

……….

In Pictures:

Catholic Women Organisation from the Archdiocese of Lilongwe celebrates new year with the Archdiocese’s Archbishop George Desmond Tambala at Maula Cathedral Hall on 05 January 2024.

The women organised the luncheon which attracted many people including Catholic Priests, Sisters and Catechists among others.

His Grace George Tambala has urged the women to continue being active in the church as they are the foundation of the church.

His grace also asked the women to be watchdogs of their communities and families so they can protect the new generation from evil practices during this digital era.

His grace took his time to recognise Mr Dean Tendani for his zeal in working with the Archdiocese last year.

At the event, the women present their gifts to the Archbishop George Tambala, CWO Chaplain Father Augustine Matola, sister Triphonia Kaswamiyala and the new parish priest for Maula Cathedral, Father Louis Chikanya.

Commedies and dances were some of the activities which were performed at the luncheon.

The event in Pictures:

By Eric Norman Mkwaira