By Sam Kalimba

Youth in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe plan to raise an equivalent of USD4,000.00 on the Vocation Sunday that falls on 30 April, 2023. Revealing this was the Vicar General for the Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa on Thursday in an interview with this reporter.

The Vicar General who is also the national Pontifical Mission Society ( PMS) Director at the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) said that the youth of Lilongwe were challenged by their counterparts from the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu who last year raised close to $3,000.00.

“The Vocation Sunday venue is on rotational basis. Last year it was hosted by the Diocese of Mzuzu youth and now it is the turn of the youth of Lilongwe to host. Much as the occasion is meant to train the youth how to discern and decide on their personal choices on the right path to serve God, the day also serves as a call for collections for the purposes of helping the universal Church fund the vocational institutes. I am happy to learn that the youth in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe have agreed to raise about $4,000.00 to be sent to Rome. It is so gratifying to see the participation of the youth in raising funds for the vocations,” he said.

Fr. Mwakhwawa said that the youth of Lilongwe will assemble on 30 April at one of the rural parishes in the Archdiocese to ensure everyone’s vocation is considered important. He said that among other activities, the prelate of Lilongwe Archbishop George Tambala will give a motivational talk to hundreds of youths that will gather at the parish.

“Our Archbishop has a soft spot in his heart for children and youths of the Archdiocese. He has special plans for them and he will speak to them from that perspective as he will be encouraging them listen carefully to God’s call to various vocations. We also have received confirmations from various religious institutes in the country to attend and provide talk sessions. We will also have lay professionals to provide career guidance to the participating youth,” he said.

The preparations for this year’s Vocation Sunday were launched on 25 February at the same parish that will host the event. Youths from the Diocese of Mzuzu presented a Candle to the youth of Lilongwe symbolizing the passing on of responsibility for the year 2023 to 2024. From 30 April, the youth from Lilongwe will among other activities engage in peer-to-peer animation on different types of vocations and how to get involved.

It is expected that youths will come from all the 46 parishes in the Archdiocese and some from other dioceses. Sunday collection for this fourth Sunday in Easter will go to the ECM Secretariat for the promotion of vocations. This year’s Vocation Sunday will be cerebrated under the theme ‘hearts on fire, feet on move’.

by Sam Kalimba

Handmaids of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Sisters of Zimbabwe say they feel great hope of fulfilling the Synodality theme of “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission” as they open a new community in the AMECEA Region, Malawi.

Prioress General, Mother Madeleine Chapisa HLMC, came in person from Zimbabwe to officially announce their arrival in the Episcopal Conference of Malawi through the Archdiocese of Lilongwe on 15 April 2023 on the sidelines of the official launch of the Centenary Bank.

She said that their coming to Malawi is a fulfillment of the synodality objects as it puts the concept of synodality into practice.

“From the time our two sisters arrived on this land they are overwhelmed by love, faith and commitment of all the faithful here. During this Synod period the sisters already feel great hope of fulfilment in their communion with the local Church, participation in its life and mission. I see we have many things to learn but we are ready to learn on the journey,” she told congregants.

She said that in his sendoff homily to Sisters Evelyn Kadzere and Valentine Gudyanga who were coming for a mission to Malawi, Bishop Paul Horan of the Diocese of Mutare in Zimbabwe made it clear that this was not their own idea or project but they were coming in the name of the congregation and the Church.

She thanked His Grace, Archbishop George Desmond Tambala on behalf of her congregation, for the invitation to join the Church of Malawi to make their what she termed as small contribution to its great mission especially during the time when the country had experienced Cyclone Freddy and its effects.

“We could not come at a better time than this. Yes, we are making the synodal process a reality and at the same time the coming of our sisters has made us feel very close to you and all the people as you face this tragedy,” she said.

As a matter of introducing their congregation Sr. Madeleine Chapisa Said that the Handmaids of Our Lady of Monut Carmel was founded in 1959 in Mutare, Zimbabwe by an Irish Carmelite Bishop, the late Bishop Donal Raymond Lamont.

“Our founder gave us the title ‘Handmaids of Our Lady of Mt. Camel’ for, he wanted us to be close helpers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is the servant of the Lord in the great work of salvation as seen in Luke 1 verse 38,” she said.

She said that as the first Carmelites on Mt. Carmel in Israel, they live the Carmelites Spirituality after the example of the prophet Elijah and Mary mother of Carmel. They believe that living in the presence of God, they strive to do ordinary things with their hearts and mind fixed on God’s will for themselves and His people. In the Carmelite family they are Contemplatives in Action.

According to Sr. Madeleine their participation in the work of salvation is not confined to any one ministry but rather they engage in every service that gives them the opportunity to help Mother Mary in bringing people to Jesus and also keeping in line with their way of life.

Rev. Sr. Valentine Gudyanga and Rev. Sr. Evelyn Kadzere HLMC, arrived in the country at a time when schools were on recess to work at St. John’s Boys Secondary School which belongs to the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

End.

by Eric Norman Mkwaira

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe has launched the Centenary Bank Limited at the Archdiocesan level on Saturday 15^th April 2023 at Maula Podium in Lilongwe.

The launch started with the Eucharistic Celebration which was presided over by the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe His Grace George Desmond Tambala as main celebrant with the Auxiliary Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Chipata Bishop Gabriel Msipu Phiri and Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Dedza Right Rev. Peter Adrian Chifukwa as co-celebrants.

His Grace Archbishop George Tambala emphasized the launch as a chance to give Malawian citizenry better products and services as the bank will give the citizenry a chance to improve their livelihoods.

In his homily, His Grace George Tambala said the Catholic Church cannot invest in anything that can cause harm to the people but uplifting the lives of people and giving alternatives in terms of social participation.

“We as Catholics don’t just invest in any place… The Catholic church does not invest in anything that does harm to people and as an example, like if there is a factory that is making arms. We can’t invest in that kind of thing because at the end the people will lose their lives,’’ said His Grace.

The vice president of the republic of Malawi Dr Saulos Claus Chilima was the guest of honor.

Chairman of the board of directors at the Centenary Bank Limited Dr Francis Pelekamoyo added that they are aiming to go and reach all hard-to-reach areas in the country so that the citizenry can have full access of bank services.

Dr Pelekamoyo added that they want to start giving financial tips to the people so that they can manage well their finances.

“We want to undertake financial literacy. We don’t just talk about banking, but we also provide financial literacy to our customers so that they know what they should do with the money lent to them,” he added.

He said the bank will reach all the people by using parishes which the Catholic church has in the country thereby creating the wide network to the citizenry.

At the event many people managed to open their bank accounts as there were many workers from the bank who were helping in getting them open their accounts.

The Archdiocese of Lilongwe and the Centenary Rural Development Group Limited of Uganda bought MyBucks Bank and rebranded it to Centenary Bank Limited.

By Eric Norman Mkwaira

Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe His Grace George Desmond Tambala has emphasized the need for the laity to put orders whenever they do their tasks.

The emphasis came at the Eucharistic celebration of Easter Sunday which was held at Banja Loyera Chilinde Parish in Lilongwe on 09th April 2023.

His Grace led the Eucharistic Celebration where he among others asked the faithful to take a good example of what happened when Jesus rose from the dead.

His Grace Mentioned that there was order of doing things by then as he gave an example of Mary Magdalene who witnessed first that the tomb of Jesus was empty but did not enter but instead, she went back to tell the disciples about it.

His Grace asked the congregation to follow orders whether at the church or in their families.

Archbishop George Tambala delivering the homily to the congregation

However, His Grace George Tambala told the congregation that they should share the gospel of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to other people rather than keeping it to themselves.

His Grace, further, invited the people of God to consider celebrating the resurrection together with their families and to not forget to keep the gospel amidst themselves.

The Parish Priest for Banja Loyera parish, Fr Augustine Katundu together with Fr Francis Bisayi co-celebrated the Mass while the Banja Loyera Joint Choir led the singing during the liturgy.

Fr. Augustine Katundu co-celebrating the 

Mass

Fr Francis Bisayi read the gospel of John 20 verse 1 to 19 while Ms. Anne Mandala read the first readings of Colossians 3 verse 1 to 4 and Mr. Elias Lazaro gave second readings of Acts of the Apostles 10 verse 34a to 37 and 43a.

Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, His Grace George Desmond Tambala on 04th April 2023 presided over a Chrism Mass at Maula Cathedral in Lilongwe.

His Grace consecrated the holy oils used in the administration of some sacraments in the Church, including Holy Orders and Anointing of the sick.

At the same Mass all Priests who came for the function renewed their priestly vows.

In his homily, His Grace emphasized the need for the priests in the Archdiocese to remain united with Christ through prayer and he urged the faith to also remain united.

His Grace asked the priests not to fear telling themselves and the laity that the scriptures are meant for them today by citing the commandments of do not kill and do not steal from others.

His Grace further extended his exhortation to the national leadership especially those in high positions to compare what they are doing with what is expected of them.

Archbishop Tambala continued to ask everyone to pray for the sick and those who are affected by the cyclone Freddy in the Southern part of Malawi.

The Church commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist on Thursday of the Holy week, but the church of Lilongwe celebrates it on Tuesday.

by Eric Norman Mkwaira

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe with the Centenary Group from Uganda has on Wednesday 22 March 2023 officially launched the rebrand of MyBucks Corporation to Centenary Bank Limited at the bank’s headquarters in Lilongwe.The launch comes after the Registrar of Financial Institutions in the country granted the final approval for the procurement of MyBucks Banking Corporations Limited to the Centenary Rural Development Group Limited of Uganda and the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe on March 10th 2023.

The launch was graced by, among others His Grace Anthony Joseph Zziwa of Episcopal Conference of Uganda, and Archbishop of Lilongwe His Grace George Desmond Tambala and other bishops from Malawi and Uganda.

Reserve Bank of Malawi Deputy Governor William Matambo giving his speech at the ceremony

Reserve Bank of Malawi Deputy Governor William Matambo led the official opening and has commended the rebranding of the bank by saying that this is giving a good view to the mother bank to not doubt of the business strategies the newly rebranded bank will be doing with the citizenry.

His Grace George Desmond Tambala of the Lilongwe Archdiocese

In his remarks, the Archbishop of Lilongwe, His Grace George Desmond Tambala said that the bank will be operating up to the rural areas to serve the needs of all people.
His Grace has said the move will help more people to develop through using the bank’s services.

His Grace Anthony Joseph Zziwa says the Centenary Group will help the citizenry in having more experience in micro-finance by focusing much in the rural areas.

His Grace Anthony Joseph Zziwa

Among other services available, which attracted most people at the event are the those which can be accessed from the rural areas by using USSD codes to pay for various services including school fees and church contributions with no charges.

Ash Wednesday Mass procession at Maula Cathedral

Fr Louis Chikanya proclaiming the Gospel

His Grace George Tambala delivering the homily

The Catholic church across the world has started a 40 days period of lent with Ash Wednesday.

In the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, His Grace Archbishop George Desmond Tambala presided over the Ash Wednesday Mass in Maula Cathedral.

In his homily, the Archbishop appealed to the congregation to consider areas which they have wandered to by citing Mark 5 which talks of a demon possessed man who was destroying himself. He urged the congregants to free themselves from demon possessions and return to God and he asked the faithful to let go all their burdens to Christ during the Lenten period by reminding them to show mercy to one another.

However, His Grace echoed Jesus Christ order to do charity work, prayer and fasting without trumpeting.

The readings were taken from the Prophet Joel Chapter 2 from verses 12 up to 18, 2 Corinthians chapter 5 from verses 20 to Chapter 6 from verse 1 to 2 and Mathew chapter 6 from verses 1 to 6 then 16 to 18.

Lenten period is a period when Christians commemorate the suffering of Jesus Christ, and at the same time commit themselves to repentance.

The Vicar General, Fr Vincent Mwakhwawa giving ashes to His Grace

His Grace giving ashes to the priests

One of the faithful receiving ashes from His Grace

by Eric Norman Mkwaira

The body of Brother Jean Florent Toro of Missionaries of Africa has today 10^th February 2023, been laid to rest at Likuni Cemetery in Lilongwe.

He died on the 6th of February 2023 in a road accident in Chezi after being ran over on his pelvis by the lorry.

He was appointed by the superior of the Missionaries of Africa to St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Parish in Chezi for a two-year pastoral experience.

Archbishop George Tambala at the funeral Mass

Archbishop George Tambala Presiding over the Mass

The Archbishop George Tambala of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe presided over the funeral Mass at Likuni parish where he among others gave his condolences to the family of the late Brother Jean Toro.

The Archbishop viewing the body

The congregation at the funeral Mass

Father Marceline Mubalan delivering the funeral homily

In his homily, Father Marceline Mubalan of the Missionaries of Africa paid his tribute by thanking God for the life He gave to the late brother. In his speech, he said the late brother was a prayerful, humble and kind to many people and that this should be a lesson to the laity. Father Mubalan urged the laity that they should always be prepared for death as it does not choose any person.

Clergy paying the last respect to Brother Toro

Father Turnbull speaking on behalf of the Missionaries of Africa 

Confreres carrying the remains of Brother Toro

At the cemetery, Vicar General for Archdiocese of Lilongwe Monsignor Vincent Mwakhwawa completed the prayers for the commendation.

The Vicar General, Vincent Mwakhwawa paying last respect

The Vicar General, Vincent Mwakhwawa laying the wreaths

The late Brother Jean Florent Toro was born on 31^st December 1997 in the village of Fakouna, Burkina Faso and he joined the minor seminary in 2008 in the diocese of Dedougou. In July 2021, He made his Declaration of Intent to continue his formation with the Missionaries of Africa.

By Sam Kalimba:

Sisters-of-different-Congregations-ready-for-Consecrated-life-Mass

The prelate of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Most Rev. George Desmond Tambala took time to lecture the difference between Religious life and Consecrated life at the 27^th world Day for consecrated life. The event took place on Saturday 4 February, 2023 at St. John’s Msamba Parish in the Archdiocese.

It all became clear that there was a problem when Diocesan priests were initially not recognised during the event as having formed part of the event. The director of ceremonies called for those congregations of men that were not mentioned on the list to come forward to introduce themselves. There was laughter when one diocesan priest stood up to introduce themselves.

“Next time include us on the list. We are also set aside during our ordination and therefore we are party to this day,” said Fr. Steven Chikhasu, Diocesan Priest.

The Chairperson of the National Association of Men in Religious Institutes in Malawi (AMRIM), Rev. Fr. Bill Turnbull of the Missionaries of Africa in his speech accepted the responsibility of the chaos in planning. He said that he took the blame because he chaired the preparatory committee that omitted very important stakeholders.

It took the Archbishop of Lilongwe to put records straight.

“Canons 573 to 730 talk about what consecrated life is all about. No where does it leave out either diocesan priests or the laity. Remember that to be consecrated one has to profess in public. This, diocesan priests do. And the public means the Church, where the laity belong. So, there was no need to exclude any one from this event. Being consecrated is not equal to being religious. This must be checked in the next celebrations,” taught Most Rev. Tambala during his speech.

He said this to clarify what he called misconceptions over the event which was stained with negligible participation from the diocesan community of priests and the laity in the Archdiocese.

When the prelate was making his homily, little did many congregants, listeners and viewers knew that it was directing to the same Church Teaching until it was said at speech time.

“Initially, the Messianic belief among Israelites was meant to be a secret, known only to them. But look at how Jesus was born in a manger!  I wonder whether there was privacy there. Joseph, Mary, shepherds and all kind of figures were there, wasn’t that making it public? Now you come to the moment of Epiphany, that should have been a family kind of activity. Look at who came with gifts, doesn’t that represent universality of salvation? The wisemen from the East came.  And today this presentation of the Lord we are commemorating, we find two people waiting for the Lord, Simeon and Anna. To me these two represent the Church, very gender sensitive for that matter. The Gospel of Luke does not forget women here. A man and a woman are waiting for the baby. And today in this presentation, every Catholic experiences it through baptism. The baptism of consecration is a root of all consecration. It is through baptism that we are linked to the body of Christ. And alongside with the baby Jesus, we are presented the Father. The baptism of consecration is enjoyed by all of us the people of God,” reflected Tambala.

He further taught that the life of baby Jesus has elements that are repeated in the professional consecration or priestly consecration.

“The first thing is the presence of the Church around the consecration or setting aside of the baby Jesus. The second one being the offertory Joseph and Mary made for Jesus in the temple. Look at the two turtle doves as resenting poverty in our consecration life. Lastly, let us look at Anna the prophetess. This lady must have been a widow at 22 years of age and lived in the temple until when she was 84 years. This was total submission to the Lord. This should remind us the value of fidelity, let’s not leave our consecrated life,” Preached Tambala.

Earlier on before Mass, Rev. Sr. Elizabeth Nampota gave a reflection on consecrated life as a life of professional lovers of God and humans. She reminded the gathering that Christ is the one who established consecrated life by example and his words, come and see. She said that renewal of consecrated life is the constant return to Christ denoting constant following.

She also advised that the Gospel must be the soul which gives life and strength to the constitutions as the supreme rule of all institutes.

There are 17 parishes being led by missionaries while 29 parishes are being led by Diocesan priests in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

END.

By Sam Kalimba:

Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Very Rev. Fr. Vincent Fredrick Mwakhwawa has called upon the clergy and the religious in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe to take part in the on-going min-synod of the Archdiocese.

Fr. Mwakhwawa said this on the occasion of the 27^th world day of consecrated life in Lilongwe on 4 February, 2023. He lamented that the first phase had shown that most clergy and the religious did not take part in answering the questionnaires that were sent to all parishes and institutes in the Archdiocese.

“I would like to take this opportunity to report that we just concluded the first phase of our journey of helping our Shepherd to govern the Archdiocese according to the will of God. What we have observed so far is that most of us clergy and the religious did not take part in responding or helping the laity responding to the questions. We left it all to them. As we move into the next phase, let us all take part. Our Archbishop needs your views as well on how this metropolitan see can be governed,” he told the consecrated men and women who gathered at St. John’s Msamba Parish.

According to the Communications Secretary of the Archdiocese Rev. Fr. Louis Chikanya this min-synod is a third one of its kind.

“Prior to the first synod, the diocese was under the administration of Rt. Rev. Joseph Fady prelate of the diocese from 1951 to 1972. Rt. Rev. Patrick Kalilombe took over from Bishop Fady in 1972. It was then late Bishop Patrick Kalilombe just like his immediate predecessor, a Missionary of Africa who foresaw the type of church that we would have if no action regarding self-reliance was taken. A year after being elected as the Local Ordinary of Lilongwe, Bishop Kalilombe convoked the first synod from 24 November, 1973 to 24 August, 1975,” he said.

He further said that the synod was mainly aimed at empowering the faithful to own the church; to take active role in the activities of the church. He said that this is why there are ideas such as the self-ministering church, self-propagating church and self-reliant church.

He also said that the second synod was convoked in 2004, almost 30 years after the first synod, then under the episcopacy of late Rt. Rev. Felix Mkhori.  This ran from 2004 to 2006.

“I believe it was worthy commissioning another synod. I can suggest two key reasons apart from the fact that it is now 17 years since the second one was done. One reason being the fact that this is the first synod after elevating Lilongwe into an Archdiocese status. Second reason being the fact that the prelate was new in the Archdiocese so combining the two, a synod was paramount,” said Chikanya.

In his statement during his investiture of a Sacred Pallium, Archbishop George Tambala connected the synod of the Archdiocese to the global synodality.

“In wanting to make sure there is continued listening in the synodality of Pope Francis, the Archdiocese is undergoing own min-synod as a means of engaging the faithful in giving what they want the Church to be like in accordance with the Church Teachings and canons,” he said.

Archbishop Tambala also echoed the sentiments made by his Vicar General during the celebrations of consecrated life at Msamba. He asked the consecrated men and women to ensure that they take part in the process.

END.