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

BURSAR VACANCY MARIAGORETTI

READINGS:

1^st Reading:                 Acts 4:8-12

Psalms:                        118:1.8-9.21-23.26.28.29

2^nd Reading:                1Jn 3:1-2

Gospel:                        Jn 10:11-18

A GOOD SHEPHERD AMIDST COVID -19

A HOMILY BASED ON THE THEME OF A GOOD SHEPHERD AFTER JESUS CHRIST

Shepherding in ancient Israel

In the ancient Israel, shepherding was not uncommon. Majority of Israelites were pastorists. They tended the sheep in the fields. Many were hired shepherds to watch over and look after the flock. Therefore, the primary responsibility of every shepherd was to make sure of the safety and welfare of the flock. A shepherd was expected to graze the animals to areas of good forage and keeping a watchful eye against wolves, thieves and poisonous plants.

Shepherding was a difficult task because shepherds spent most of their time in the field with the flock. Sometimes they could take days on end in the field before they came home.

Another challenging part of shepherding in Israel was that shepherding was not compatible with family life; shepherds, because they stayed for long in the field, and uncertain steady income, they could not commit themselves to marriage. They therefore remained single, without wife or children.

Shepherds also were likely to be susceptible to danger of meeting treacherous wild animals who could threaten the life of the flock and even their own life.

Despite the dangers, shepherds were expected to defend the flock.

Qualities of a good shepherd 

A good shepherd was supposed to be a good guide of the sheep. A good guide brought the flock to good pasture to graze. He would bring the flock to safety areas to rest.

A good shepherd exercised patience because some members were difficult to tend; they could run away from the flock.

A good shepherd loves his sheep more to the extent of losing his life by defending the sheep against enemies that would devour the flock.

A shepherd after Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ says in the gospel of John 10:11-18 that he is a good shepherd. He lays down his life for his sheep. He is not like the hired shepherds who run away when faced with danger. He is a good shepherd because he knows his sheep and his own know him.

Knowledge of the sheep is key to good shepherding. Knowledge of the people a pastor is ministering to, is key of good shepherding. Modern pastors face this challenge of ministering to people they do not know. Sheep may hide from the eye a shepherd. A shepherd may be lazy to make an effort to get to know his own sheep.

In the Old Testament, a shepherd is related to a leader of the community. A good leader takes care of his people, watch over them for their safety. A good leader provides or creates good environment for his people to make progress. A good leader takes the welfare of the people first before his own. If we look around and see our leaders, we find out that qualities of good leadership are lacking. Let us take our civil leaders; most of them take advantage of poor administrations to harvest from public funds living the communities poorer and poorer. Poor structures in our communities is a result of poor leadership that we have.

The need for more vocations

The fourth Sunday of Easter is also The Good Shepherd Sunday. On this Sunday, the Church invites all to pray for vocations that will foster service in the Church and in the world. The world today more than ever, needs good willed people to serve selflessly, shepherds who can die for their sheep.

The Church today, more than ever, needs priests, sisters, brothers and couples who are more concerned not with their own good but the good of the people. Perhaps, other than praying for more people into priesthood or sisterhood or married life, we should pray for those already in the service to be good ministers after the heart of Jesus Christ. The people of God are crying for good ministers who are patient and selfless.

May Jesus Christ guide all pastors as they watch over the flock entrusted to them.

[Fr. Louis Chikanya]

VOCATION STORY

By Sam Kalimba

CLERGY FOLLOWING THE FINAL PROFESSION RITE AT LUDZI PARISH – ARCHDIOCESE OF LILONGWE

GREY NUNS SISTER AFTER TAKING THEIR FINAL PROFESSION AT LUDZI PARISH

Dreams, reflections, situations, calamities, happy moments, sad moments and all may be your turning point to discern and accept God’s call. Were you called? By who? How?

Joseph, the husband of Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ offers us a typical example of vocation. He was a mere carpenter, an ordinary man surviving on a plane and harmer. He was called to a noble service.

Matthew 1:20 says, “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

Again Matthew 2:13,19 says, “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him…”

In both these scenarios, Joseph reacted positively. The first calling therefore is for us to accept to do the simple task and the rest will follow. Joseph in the first instance was asked just to accept a situation of being called a husband of Mary because God wanted that. He accepted. In the second scenario, he was asked to protect Jesus from the hands of Herod. He just did that and we are witnesses to this fact as we believe in the passion of Jesus Christ. He was killed as an adult and not a child. This confirms to us that Joseph protected Jesus in his babyish as well as in his youthful ages.

The turning point for Joseph’s vocation was a dilemma. Leaving Mary as custom demanded and taking Mary in respect to the calling. Many of us work as per customs and traditional demands forgetting that God speaks to us and we fail to recognize His voice. Vocation is not limited to priesthood, sisterhood or brotherhood. God calls everyone to different tasks and capacities to serve His people.

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8).

The late Archbishop Ziyaye used to say, “The Church is rich. You only need to know who does what and relate well with them and you will achieve the mission of God.”

The two quotes above, allude to the fact that God recognizes our different roles, culture, language, race etc. as His fulfillment of the purpose of creation. In search for the meaning of vocation, one comes to the conclusion that it is being in existence that one is called to return to the father. Then you have St. Paul telling the Romans that cheerfulness in proportion to faith should accompany them.

An element of acceptance stands-out in understanding faith. Nothing more than time helps individuals to accept realities of life. As adolescents struggle to identify their calling, time is there to let them know what they are. As adults shun their calling, time is there to assure them accept that they are destined to the house of the Lord. If we want to cheerfully use our gifts, service and contributions towards achieving the purpose of God, let us accept what we are and where we are.

Gianluigi Buffon, an Italian football player who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Juventus was signed by Parma as a midfielder in 1991. He accidentally became a goalkeeper in 1995 after being replaced because every goalkeeper at the time was injured. He became one of the best goalkeepers in history and a football legend. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, and by some as the greatest ever. This is an example of how we should accept what we are. God speaks to us through the very same means he used to do with our ancestors. He speaks to us in dreams, situations, calamities, friends and more. What we need to do is to discern on the opportunities found in any situation.

Like a football team we must work to ensure we win the game. No football player can achieve the team’s goals by playing alone or selfishly. Coordination and collaboration are key to success.

We cannot talk of security lapse in our society unless those charged with the responsibility to secure lives and properties of God’s people realise who they are.

We cannot talk of lack of integrity among our leaders unless those entrusted with the responsibility to govern God’s people are fully aware of their mission.

We cannot talk of poverty and hunger engulfing our villages unless the Josephs of this world realise their dream and accept to serve their kinsmen.

It is only when each one of us plays their role cheerfully in the Lord that the purpose of God to have us in our different roles and positions would really be meaningful here on earth as it is in heaven. Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it.” This is the foundation of our calling, to work in the garden of Eden and care for it. How? Our different roles are the answer. No one single individual can ably work it and keep it. Everyone is tasked to work for the fulfilment of God’s mission.

A COUPLE AFTER TYING A KNOT

Let everyone, in their own right and situations prove to the world that they are a Joseph the Carpenter, Husband of Mary and care taker father of Jesus. Do not be entangled by the customs, traditions and secular influences. Not even a position, not even the type of work, not even marital status, not even peer pressure should obstruct us from doing the will of God. We are all called to do the will of God and nothing else.

BOARD MEMBERS APPECIATING THE

5 COLOUR MACHINE

LIKUNI PRESS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

AT A MEETING AT LIKUNI PRESS

The LPPH Board has set subcommittees to help in the Technical & Marketing, Finance, and Human Resources & Administration. This was done on 17th April during the Board’s first meeting after their appointment.

The Board is chaired by Mr. James Chima, a consultant as appointed by the late Archbishop Tarcisio Ziyaye. He encouraged the members to work as being called by God to assist and not to benefit out of it.
“We are here because the Church needs us and has trust in us. Let us work to the best of our special talents and expertise that enlightened the local ordinary to appoint us,” he said.

During the meeting, Mrs. Lizzie Chitosi, finance expert was elected unanimously as the Vice Chairperson of the board. She will also be doubling as the Chairperson of the Finance Committee while Mr. Charles Mhone, a lawyer by profession will lead the Human Resources & Administration Committee helped by Hon. Francis Belekanyama, expert in human resources management and Mr. Sam Kalimba, a communications expert will lead the Technical & Marketing Committee helped by Fr. Louis Chikanya, priest and communications expert.

The full committees are as below:
Finance Committee
Mrs. Lizzie Chitosi
Fr. Louis Chinkanya
Sr. Janet Angala

Human Resources & Administration Committee
Mr. Charles Mhone
Hon. Francis Belekanyama
Mrs. Ellen Simango

Technical & Marketing Committee
Mr. Sam Kalimba
Fr. Louis Chikanya
Mr. James Chima
Sr. Janet Angala