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.