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