The 45th parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe has been opened. Archbishop George Tambala opened the 45th parish of Maula deanery on 17th September, 2022. St. Anthony of Padua parish was created from St. Andrea Kaggwa parish of area 49.

In his homily, the Bishop urged all the parishioners to belong to this new parish. He advised against the habit of going out from one’s domicile parish to serve in another parish. He spoke against calling other Christians visitors and therefore, not deserving any leadership position. He called this, paganism.

Fr. Regis Kamela was installed as the new parish priest for the new parish of St. Anthony of Padua parish in area 25. The parish has about three thousand Christians and about 200 catechumens.

The new parish priest, Fr. Regis Kamela enthroned

Fr. Regis Kamela

Catholic Men bringing gifts to the Archbishop

The Archbishop at the function

Catholic Men at the parish taking part in the celebration

Catholic Women happy to receive the new parish of St. Anthony of Padua

Mass for the opening of the new parish at St. Anthony in area 25

His Grace George Tambala blessing the church at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 17 September, 2022

St. Anthony Church, area 25

The parish church

The Archbishop at the opening of the new parish of St. Anthony of Padua, area 25

By Sam Kalimba

Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa the National Director for the Pontifical Missionary Society in the country preached against hypocrisy among some leaders in the country during the launch of the 2022 Bible Month at St. Patrick’s Area 18 Parish on 4 September.

Present at the Mass was the country’s State Vice President Dr. Saulos Claus Chilima who usually congregates at the Parish.

“It is surprising that most leaders in the country are Christians but less Christianity is being practiced. It is common sense that if one reads the Bible it is expected of them to be transformed but to the contrary, our leaders who portray being Christians are not being transformed and are failing to transform the nation. Is it that they do not read the Bible? Then, let the Bible month be an advantage for all of us including our leaders to read the word of God and be transformed before transforming the society,” said Mwakhwawa.

He however said that despite having no general transformation observed, it is encouraging to note that more and more Catholics are getting into the practice of reading the Bible as observed in the number of lay groups that engage in Bible studies at small christian communities.

He said that the Church in Malawi has chosen the book of Amos to be read in the month of September because it resonates well with the current situation in the country where social injustices are rampant.

Fr. Henry Chinkanda, Pastoral Coordinator for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi commented after Mass on the reason of the choice of the book of Amos.

“At every level there are social injustices taking place in this country. Our society is full of people that are grabbing land for the voiceless, grabbing property from widows and orphans and people who have no mercy to human dignity and life. These and those we do not see because they do them in the dark form the basis for this year’s theme of ‘Listening and discerning the word of God together’ in the spirit of the Synodal process by Pope Francis and 100 years of the translation of Chichewa Bible in Malawi. The book of Amos will help us look back at the 100 years of having a vernacular Bible and see if our society is changing for the better,” said Chinkanda.

Fr. Chinkanda also said that it is important for the faithful and all people to participate in the activities of the Bible month because the word of God is the center of their lives and that of the Church.

“The centrality of the word of God in our Christian life is very crucial. All the sacraments the Church confers are based on the scripture and therefore we are challenged to lead our lives based on the scripture. We cannot do that if we do not read the Bible. The Bible is inseparable from our faith. It is high time Catholics begun owning bibles in their homes and offices. They must carry a Bible with them where ever they go. Psalms 119: 105 is very clear as it says the word of God is the light of my life,” said Chinkanda.

He said that if the world was being governed by the word of God it could have transformed in the manner that it reflected the will of God.

Dr. Matthews Mtumbuka Laity Council Chairperson for the Parish that hosted the national launch of the Bible Month urged his fellow Catholics to exercise a duty of owning the Bible, read the word of God and discern it with the help of others in their families, small Christian communities and consulting priests and the religious where it is not clear to them.

The Church in Malawi started observing the Bible month after the African Synod some decades ago but it was in 2009 when the continuous count of the events rejuvenated.

On the right is the new parish priest of the new parish, Fr. Chinnappan Sebastian Robert, MSFS

Fr. Chinnappan pledging cooperation to the Local Ordinary

Fr. Chinnappan

Manyani joint choir led the liturgy during the Holy Mass

Offertory time at the opening of the new parish at Manyani

Mr. Ken Kandodo, 3rd from right and other political and traditional leaders attended the function

By Fr. Louis Chikanya, 28 August, 2022

Archbishop George Tambala of the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe on 27 August, 2022 opened the 44th parish in the Archdiocese. St. Francis de Sales parish, Manyani, which formerly belonged to Madisi parish was officially declared parish in the decree, protocol number gt/cal/pd/fs/2022/01, of May 29, 2022.

St. Francis de Sales, Manyani parish, on 27th August, 2022 becomes the 44th catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and the 6th parish in Madisi deanery. It is the third parish to be established this year together with St. Barnabas, Dwanga parish in Nkhotakota and St. Philip, the Apostle, area 44 parish in Lilongwe.

Bishop Tambala, in his homily urged the parishioners to cooperate with the priests to develop the parish. He emphasized on unity among the faithful. He said he was delighted that finally, Manyani is a parish.

The parish will be pastored by the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) and the first parish priest is Fr.Chinnappan Sebastian Robert.

Part of the congregation at the opening of the new parish at Manyani

The children also took part in the liturgy at the opening of the new parish at Manyani

Liturgical dancing girls during the Mass at Manyani

Mrs Lazaro presenting on family budget – Msamba Pastoral Centre

A cross section of the clergy and religious attentively following the discussions – Msamba Pastoral Centre

Synod Chair presenting on Synod issues – Msamba Pastoral Centre

Mr. and Mrs Maxwell presenting on Family Apostolate – Msamba Pastoral Centre

Mr. Alfred Ngalande, Financial Administrator for the Archdiocese presenting the Synod budget – Msamba Pastoral Centre

Fr. Louis Chikanya, 23 August, 2022

Clergy and religious in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe on 23 August, 2022 converged at Msamba Pastoral Centre to discuss pastoral issues among which are the synod issues.  In his opening remarks, Archbishop Tambala said the meeting was important as it will help in moving together.

The Pastoral Coordinator and the Synod Chair presented to the Presbyterium the outcome of the synodal process of collecting ideas from deaneries. Some of the thematic issues for the synod that came out include:

1. Family Apostolate
2. Youth Apostolate
3. The Church and Culture
4. Dialogue with other churches
5. Permanent deacons
6. Care of the environment

In the meeting some family couples were invited to present on family apostolate; responsible parenthood, challenges in families, marriage preparation, and family budget. Families of Mr. and Mrs Lazaro and Mr. and Mrs Maxwell presented on the family apostolate.

In his final remarks, the Archbishop emphasized that the issue of family should cut across all the issues because family is critical. Families make the foundation of the Church as well as the nation. “If families go down, all of us go down,” he concluded.

Fr. Louis Chikanya, 21 August, 2022

A large number of the faithful from all walks of life turned up to Mtengo wa Nthenga parish of the Archdocese of Lilongwe to witness the ordination of four deacons to priesthood.

Archbishop George ordained Rev. Deacon Mayamiko Kachipapa of the Society of Jesus, Rev. Deacon Christopher Chikwezachilaula, diocesan priest, Rev. Deacon Julius Dokowe of the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society and Rev. Deacon Damian Chitha, diocesan priest to priesthood.

The four were ordained at Mtengo wa Nthenga parish, Dowa deanery. The ordination attracted a huge number of clergy ever, rev. sisters and brothers and seminarians. Many faithful also turned up for the function.

In his homily, Bishop George exhorted the newly ordained to be aware of the demons that can frustrate their mission. He particularly mentioned the demon of feeling important at the expense of humility.  He emphasized that priesthood is a vocation to service.

Archbishop Tambala advised the new priests to work together with other priests.

“I urge you to work together in the vineyard of the Lord. I would like to encourage you to be the example of teamwork. Work together,” he emphasized.

The Archbishop invited all to go in large numbers to the opening ceremony of the new parish of St. Francis de Sales in Manyani on 27 August, 2022. Until now, Manyani was part of Madisi Parish of Dowa deanery, making the total number of the parishes in the Archdiocese to 44.

Rev. Deacon Christopher Chikwezachilaula being escorted by parents to the alter

Rev. Deacon Damian Chitha being escorted by parents to the alter

Rev. Deacon Julius Dokowe being escorted by parents to the alter

Rev. Deacon Mayamiko Kachipapa being escorted by parents to the alter

Rev. Deacons presenting themselves before the Archbishop George Tambala to be ordained

MEMBER REPRESENTATIVES MAKING A SYMBOLIC PRESENTATION

By Sam Kalimba

MLALE, 6 AUGUST: St. Paul (Mlale) Minor Seminary Association has donated laboratory equipment worth of MK1, 300, 00.00 to the Alma Mater.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony that took place during a farewell Mass for the 2022 form four pupils on 6^th August right at the Seminary Mr. Joseph Diele, Chairperson for the Alumni Association said that the donation was made to send a message to the teaching staff that there is great need to equip the current crop of seminarians with best science lessons.

“The Seminary has a lot of challenges and this time we thought of making a donation towards science subjects in particular as a way of motivating both the teaching staff and the learners to work harder in these subjects. As a school, Mlale does well as per Ministry of Education ranking based on MSCE results but we want you to engage an extra gear in science subjects,” said Diele.

Diele also thanked his fellow alumni for what he called sacrifices they made in order to mobilise resources for the procurement of the laboratory equipment that included Burettes of 50ml, stop watches, clamps and clamp stands, Ammeters, Voltmeters, and Thermometers.

Rev. Fr. Peter Kapiri, Rector of the Seminary was thankful for the donation and assured the alumni that the school will make good use of the equipment so that it lasts long.

“The Seminary has a long list of challenges emanating from lacking and expiry of the equipment and many more issues. We sent the list to the Alumni and we are thankful that they are gradually shortening the list by supplying us with our needs periodically. We always grateful to the support that we get form the Alumni. This donation has come at a right time when we have learners who writing national examinations this year and they will be the very first users of the equipment,” said Kapiri.

Mlale Seminary has for the recent past years been in top 10 well performing schools in the country based on Malawi School Certificate of Education performance. The school belongs to the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe with an objective to instill and inspire boys to discern their vocations in respect to priesthood.