The Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe has announced its commitment to providing training for Holy Childhood formators across various parishes within the Archdiocese.

Father Geoffrey Chikapa, director of the PMS in the Archdiocese, made the announcement on Tuesday at St. Bernadette Parish, Chitula, during animation sessions conducted for Holy Childhood formators.

Fr Geoffrey Chikapa, Archdiocese of Lilongwe PMS director

The sessions were organized as a follow-up to weaknesses identified during Mission Month animations held in various outstations under Chitula Parish.

Father Chikapa emphasized the importance of these animations, noting that they will help Holy Childhood formators acquire the necessary skills for teaching children. He further explained that the PMS Office will continue offering similar programs in different parishes to ensure that Holy Childhood children are firmly grounded in the teachings of the Church and in their spiritual life.

Chitula Parish Priest Fr. Sojan John with PMS director Fr. Chikapa

“As the PMS Office, we have already identified other parishes in the Archdiocese where we will also go with our mission team responsible for the ministry of children, to animate the formators and encourage them in the work they are doing,” he said.

Mrs. Felistus Videde, chairperson responsible for children’s ministry in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, expressed optimism that the training will enable formators to provide quality lessons to children in their respective outstations.

Mrs Felistus Videde – We will make a follow-up

“Now it will be time for us to start making follow-ups to see the progress of children’s ministry in all the outstations under Chitula Parish, based on the animations we have provided to the formators,” she said.

In his remarks, Julius Chikanda, chairperson of Holy Childhood formators at Chitula Parish, said the training has motivated them to improve their methods of teaching children in order to strengthen their spiritual life.

The training was conducted in collaboration with the Archdiocesan mission team, with participation from formators representing 98 Small Christian Communities under Chitula Parish.

By Titus Jata Phiri

Tiwale Limodzi Foundation, the social arm of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, has today distributed food relief assistance (maize) to 70 hunger-affected households in areas surrounding Christ the King Nambuma Parish in Dowa district.This initiative follows a five million Kwacha (K5,000,000) donation by Centenary Bank of Malawi. In the area, about 4,149 people are severely impacted by food shortages due to drought and other poor weather conditions experienced during the last farming season.

 

Tiwale Limodzi Foundation pose with Centenary Bank staff

Speaking at the distribution ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Tiwale Limodzi Foundation, Brian Odhiambo, mentioned that the donation is part of the foundation’s response to the President’s declaration of a national hunger disaster and a fulfillment of the foundation’s goal to reach those in need.

“We look for long-lasting solutions. The problem bringing us here is a result of climate change. Climate change causes poor harvests, and this leads to hunger,” Odhiambo said.

Odiambo interacting with some of the beneficiaries

“Therefore, as part of our objectives, we carry out climate-resilient programs like afforestation, ecological cooking methods, and we also look into training and providing inputs to families so that they are empowered and can rely on themselves.” Odhiambo expressed appreciation to Centenary Bank for their partnership and appealed for further support from the corporate world. “We are very happy that Centenary Bank stepped in to support us with the additional funding, which we have used to distribute the food relief (maize) today.”

Centenary Bank Marketing and Customer Experience Manager, Linda Simwaka Nkosi, explained that the bank decided to donate to Tiwale Limodzi Foundation because they believe in transforming lives and making a societal impact in the areas where they operate.

“We are not just here to operate as a bank; at the end of the day, we also want to make an impact. So, whenever there are issues that people are facing out there, we reach out and touch lives because that’s one of the key areas that we, as a bank, strategically focus on,” Nkosi explained.

Simwaka Nkosi, we believe in transforming lives

Simwaka Nkosi pledged that the bank will continue working hand-in-hand with Tiwale Limodzi Foundation to reach out to those in need whenever possible.

Fr. Mangwere, Centenary Bank chaplain helps lift a bag of one of the beneficiaries

Nambuma Parish Priest, Father Maxwell Kubalasa, hailed Centenary Bank for the support, noting that it will significantly impact the families in dire need of food assistance.

“I’m equally happy to see Centenary Bank here helping at least 70 households. We won’t have enough for everybody, but at least we are having a little help from different groups to assist people. So we are grateful for whatever we can get from well-wishers,” Father Kubalasa commented.

Koleta Foster from Kabweramchombo village, a Christian from the Saint Anna Small Christian Community under Christ the King Parish, thanked Tiwale Limodzi Foundation and Centenary Bank for the support, saying the maize received today will go a long way in alleviating the hunger situation at her home.

By Lester Mhone

Lilongwe, Malawi – His Lordship Vincent Mwakhwawa, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, has called on the faithful to uphold reverence and perseverance during the Mass, emphasizing that the Eucharistic celebration must never be interrupted, even in the face of challenges.

The call followed Bishop Mwakhwawa’s visit on Sunday to St. Paul’s Church at Ndebvu Outstation, under St. Peter’s Namitete Parish, where he personally thanked and encouraged the Holy Childhood members (missionary children).

The visit recognized their exemplary participation during the National Launch of Epiphany Sunday preparations held on November 16 at Holy Rosary, Likuni Parish.

During the launch, heavy rains fell towards the end of the distribution of Holy Communion. Despite the downpour, the children continued singing the hymns with devotion and discipline, drawing admiration from the Episcopate, Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) officials, parish leaders, and fellow faithful.

“These children showed remarkable faith and resilience,” Bishop Mwakhwawa said. “Their commitment reminds us that the Eucharistic celebration must not be interrupted and after communion is a sacred time one demonstrates faith in the Eucharist. Faith is tested in times of difficulty, and perseverance is a virtue we must all embrace.”

The Bishop took the opportunity to thank parents, animators, and church leaders for nurturing the children’s talents and faith.

He further praised the choir mistress for her dedication, coordination, and skills in directing the choir, noting that the children sang with harmonious voices and extraordinary courage.

The Bishop also reminded the children of this year’s Missionary Childhood theme: “Children: Be One in Christ, United in Mission.”

“Let us all learn from these children to stay faithful, courageous, and committed to God in every circumstance,” he said.

The visit concluded with blessings to the children, their families, and all those supporting the formation of young people in faith.

Later, the Bishop had lunch with the missionary children and animators.

By Brenard Mwanza

The newly launched Tiwale Limodzi Foundation of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe has on today, November 28, 2025, distributed maize to families severely affected by hunger in the areas of Traditional Authorities Kabudula and Kayembe in Dowa District, Malawi. The distribution took place at Christ the King, Nambuma Parish.

This urgent donation is a direct response initiated by the Archbishop of Lilongwe, His Grace George Tambala, following distress calls from the parish regarding the critical food situation in the surrounding communities.

People gathered at Nambuma Parish for Maize donation by Tiwale Limodzi Foundation

Speaking during the distribution, Brian Odhiambo, Chief Executive Officer for the foundation, confirmed that responding to disasters is a core value of the organization. He elaborated on the selection process for the beneficiaries, noting the vast need compared to the initial resources.

“Even though the appeal which came from the Nambuma area is so many families, about 2,000, we are only able to assist a few for now. We targeted especially the elderly and also families that are child-headed, and also those who are disabled in one way or another.”

Brian addresses the gathering

Odhiambo expressed gratitude for the financial support that made the exercise possible, acknowledging contributors such as the O’Neill Foundation and Centenary Bank. He also noted that today’s distribution is not the last: “We are coming again next week to continue providing more maize using the support that we received from Centenary Bank.”

Odhiambo also emphasized that the foundation is focused on “integral development” to provide lasting solutions beyond immediate relief.

“We are looking into, for example, how can we give a long-lasting solution to this problem. So we are thinking, for example, to give them farming materials so that they can be able to self-sustain themselves. We are also, as Tiwale Foundation, we are also thinking about giving scholarships… We believe that this kind of approach is going to give a lasting solution. It’s not only one time.”

He also highlighted the need to address the root causes of climate-related disasters in order “to avoid the recurrence of hunger and this kind of situation, there is a need to look into how we save the planet… we are also trying to protect our planet by doing environmental programs, ecological programs.”

Nambuma Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Maxwell Kubalasa, thanked the foundation for its timely response, which will bring relief to villagers struggling after the 2024/2025 farming season faced El Niño challenges, resulting in poor harvests.

Nambuma Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Maxwell Kubalasa

Fr. Kubalasa underscored the severity of the crisis in the area:

“The situation is very bad here in Nambuma. A lot of people need food and every day I’m receiving a lot of people coming looking for food… These people need a lot of help. I’m glad that Tiwale Limodzi Foundation which was launched in July this year has already started bearing some fruits.”

He specifically thanked the O’Neill Foundation from the United States for their donation and urged other organizations to support the young foundation to ensure they can continue their work, stating, “This is what the church organization should do.”

One of the beneficiaries, Rajani Chimwaza, conveyed profound gratitude for the assistance. He described his desperate situation, noting that the donation arrived exactly when it was needed most.

One of the beneficiaries, Rajani Chimwaza

“The donation has come in time as I was sleeping with an empty stomach due to having no food. I have no money and food, this will really help,” he said.

Tiwale Limodzi Foundation was launched on July 5 this year as a social arm of the Archdiocese dedicated to coordinating and strengthening the Church’s outreach to the marginalized.

By Eric Norman Mkwaira

The Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, His Grace George Desmond Tambala, has urged members of the religious community and all faithful to become ambassadors of hope and salvation in today’s world.

Speaking during a memorial Mass for departed priests, sisters, and consecrated persons held at Likuni Parish on Wednesday, Archbishop Tambala said the Church’s mission extends beyond the clergy, calling on every believer to take part in spreading the message of Christ.

“We are all called to serve in the vineyard of the Lord. Let us think of those who have not yet encountered Jesus so that they, too, may find eternal life,” he said.

The archbishop reminded the laity that evangelization is a collective responsibility, not one reserved for priests or religious leaders alone.

Chairperson for the Laity Council in the Archdiocese, Patrick Liphava, described the day as a moment of spiritual reflection and renewal, saying it strengthened the faithful’s commitment to live their faith actively.

The memorial Mass is an annual event that brings together Catholics to honor the memory of those who dedicated their lives to serving God and humanity.

By Monica Chinyama Lipiya