MABUNGWE A ACHINYAMATA APEMPHEDWA KUKHALA OGWILIRA NTCHITO LIMODZI MU MPINGO



By Tiyamike Chisale
The new Catholic Bishop in Malawi, Rt. Rev. Vincent Mwakhwawa has highlighted the need for the youth to respond to their vocations in accordance with what their hearts suggest.
Bishop Mwakhwawa made the sentiments on Sunday 28th January 2023 at St. Paul Parish in Nkhotakota during his thanksgiving Mass at his home village as Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
His Lordship urged the youth to be careful when making their decisions citing that there are dangers that come after failing to respond to their calling.
The Lilongwe Archdiocese auxiliary bishop among others shared his joy for being at his home parish with family and friends to thank God for the gift of leadership which was given to him.
“This was really great day where I had to come here at my home parish in Nkhotakota to offer thanksgiving mass for the leadership in the church and the gift to the church,” said Bishop Mwakhwawa.
Rt. Rev. Vincent Fredrick Mwakhwawa was consecrated as Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe on 20th January 2024 at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
Bishop Mwakhwawa is also expected to offer another thanksgiving Mass in Karonga district, where his parents came from originally.
By Eric Norman Mkwaira
The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe through its development commission, CADECOM on Monday, 20th January 2024 donated relief items to people who were affected with floods in Mponela, Dowa.
Dean for Dowa Deanery, Rev. Fr. Maxwell Kubalasa who represented the Archbishop of Lilongwe at the Mponela Camp says the donation has come at a good time as the church respects the human dignity.
Fr. Kubalasa says it is the responsibility of the Catholic church to help people in time of suffering just like Jesus Christ showed through his way of living in the gospel.
Rev. Fr. Maxwell Kubalasa, Dean for Dowa Deanery
Fr. Kubalasa added that the church also believes in human development whether physical or spiritual development as this helps people to come closer to the church and word of God.
“We promote integral development of human person. When we talk of development, we talk of spiritual development and even a physical development or corporal development,”
In his remarks, the Camp leader for Mponela Flood Victims, Alfred Chimbeleko commended the donation which the CADECOM gave them as this will help to build hope among the victims.
He said the items will also help in maintaining good hygiene to the Camp.
Alfred Chimbeleko, the Camp leader for Mponela Flood Victims
Mercy Mpakule, Director of Planning and Development at Dowa district council
However, the Director of Planning and Development at Dowa district council, Mercy Mpakule advised the victims to consider getting back to whatever they were doing before floods as the donations will someday come to an end.
Mpakule also cited that the victims must consider moving out of the camp once the situation normalises as there is fear the camp may be contaminated with diseases such as cholera.
“Most of the times, places like this one where many people live together, issues of hygiene are compromised. Because of that, usually diseases like cholera are easily contracted by the people. We want them to go out of the camp, so that they get protected from these communicable diseases.” she concluded.
CADECOM donated the family shelter including tents and mattresses, Maize, Soya beans, Beans, Flour, chlorine and kitchen utensils; pots, plates and buckets among others to the people who were affected by the storms on 13 January in the areas of Traditional Authority (T/A) Mponela, T/A Msakambewa and T/A Dzoole in Dowa.
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In Pictures:
Catholic Women Organisation from the Archdiocese of Lilongwe celebrates new year with the Archdiocese’s Archbishop George Desmond Tambala at Maula Cathedral Hall on 05 January 2024.
The women organised the luncheon which attracted many people including Catholic Priests, Sisters and Catechists among others.
His Grace George Tambala has urged the women to continue being active in the church as they are the foundation of the church.
His grace also asked the women to be watchdogs of their communities and families so they can protect the new generation from evil practices during this digital era.
His grace took his time to recognise Mr Dean Tendani for his zeal in working with the Archdiocese last year.
At the event, the women present their gifts to the Archbishop George Tambala, CWO Chaplain Father Augustine Matola, sister Triphonia Kaswamiyala and the new parish priest for Maula Cathedral, Father Louis Chikanya.
Commedies and dances were some of the activities which were performed at the luncheon.
The event in Pictures:
By Eric Norman Mkwaira
Catholic Charity Organisation from Maula Parish has donated some assorted items to 3 older priests at Likuni Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
Among items include beds, mattresses, duvets, curtains and Logik Toaster.
Here is Eric Norman Mkwaira’s Pictorial focus of the day.
The Archdiocese of Lilongwe has celebrated this year’s Mission Sunday on 22nd October 2023 at St Clara Chilinda Parish.
The theme of this year’s Mission Month is “Hearts on Fire, feet on the move.”
Here’s a full pictorial focus of the mass:
Photography by Eric Norman Mkwaira
Here is Eric Norman Mkwaira’s Pictorial Focus of the Inauguration Ceremony of St Mathew the Apostle – Nkhwazi Catholic Parish, which has been held in Mchinji Deanery, Archdiocese of Lilongwe on 23rd September 2023.
Nkhwazi Parish is a 48th parish to be opened in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and it has been officially opened by His Grace George Desmond Tambala, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
UNVEILLING AND BLESSING OF PLAQUE
ARCHBISHOP GEORGE TAMBALA BLESSES THE CHURCH
THE CELEBRATION OF THE MASS
ARCHBISHOP TAMBALA COMMISSIONS FR CHRISTOPHER CHIKWEZA CHILAULA AS A PARISH ADMINISTRATOR
END.
The Archdiocese of Lilongwe has officially opened a new parish in Area 49 Gulliver on 09th September 2023.
Here is Eric Norman Mkwaira’s pictorial focus of an inauguration Ceremony of St Padre Pio Gulliver Parish.
ARRIVAL OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF MALAWI, SAULOS KLAUS CHILIMA
INSIDE VIEW OF THE NEW PARISH, ST PADRE PIO GULLIVER
UNVEILLING AND BLESSING OF PLAQUE
CUTTING OF RIBBON
GROUP PHOTO AFTER CUTTING OF RIBBON
MASS PROCESSION AT THE INAUGURATION OF ST PADRE PIO PARISH
READING THE HISTORY OF ST PADRE PIO AND THE PARISH
EUCHARISTIC MASS CELEBRATION
COMMISSIONING OF PARISH PRIEST
BEST WISHES TO PARISH PRIEST
GIFTS
THE LUNCHEON
CAKE SESSION
THE END
It had been 8 years when the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins left the Archdiocese of Lilongwe only to return on 9th September 2023 through the newly commissioned St. Padre Pio Parish. The Capuchins came to the Archdiocese of Lilongwe in early 1990s with the opening of a new Parish which gave birth to St. Padre Pio as its outstation but in around 2015 they closed their mission remaining with only their Regional Custody near the St. Padre Pio Parish. The Outstation was being run by the former mother Parish which was under the Diocesans who took over.
His Grace Archbishop George Tambala cuts a ribbon symbolising the Inauguration of St Padre Pio Gulliver Parish
The prelate of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, His Grace Archbishop George Tambala started opening new parishes in 2022 and this year he has opened the 47th Parish and commissioned Rev. Fr. Henderson Kumbasa, OFM Capuchin who is the Deputy Regional Superior as the new Parish Priest for the new Parish.
Speaking in few words, Archbishop Tambala urged both the old and new Parishes’ Christians to forget the past and only begin anew.
His Grace Archbishop George Tambala sharing his homily
Like in the Gospel that we have read today, all of us are urged to spread the word of God led by love. I don’t expect any one of you either from this new Parish or the old Kaggwa Parish to dig the past. Let bygones be bygones. As a new Parish focus on what’s good for you and the kingdom of God. The main role of a Parish is for Christians to come closer to Sacraments through the presence of a priest and pray for their needs. A parish is not an NGO and therefore preserve the nature of a Parish in accordance with the Church doctrine.
In his speech, Fr. Henderson Kumbasa said that it was gratifying to be considered a new Parish for their mission to evangelize Christ with ease.
Over the years we have been wondering about in our mission, but we now thank God for this grace of a settlement. We will now be able to plan and measure our contribution to the Archdiocese and the kingdom of God. We don’t take this for granted and we will fulfill God’s mission in us. We are grateful to God, we are grateful to His Grace, Archbishop Tambala, we thank the Andrea Kaggwa Parish priest, Monsignor Patrick Thawale and the parishioners of Kaggwa Parish for their support
The newly appointed Parish Priest, Fr. Henderson Kumbasa, OFM Capuchin
Fr. Kumbasa urged his newfound flock to be ready to support the work of evangelisation and focus on building the new parish.
Parish Laity Chairperson Mr. Alex Chitsanthi said that the Christians of the new Parish welcomed the parish warmly and promised to work with the new Parish Priest. He however invited Archbishop Tambala to keep visiting them whenever he would be free so that they get the fatherly support as they begin their independence.
The State Vice President Dr. Saulos Claus Chilima signing the visitors book
The State Vice President Dr. Saulos Claus Chilima was in attendance in his faithful capacity as he comes from a neighbouring parish.
St. Padre Pio Church started in 1990s. In early years, Christians were congregating under one small Christian community before more and more of them were established. On 6th June 1996, the St. Bernad SCC was promoted to become an outstation under the capuchins from Andrea Kaggwa Parish. In 2001, the name was changed to become Padre Pio in readiness for canonization of the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, Franciscans (Capuchins).
The foundation stone for the church was unveiled by late Bishop Felix Mkhori on 8th May 2005. Construction of the church was completed in 2014 and was officially inaugurated by late His Grace Archbishop Tarsizio Gervazio Ziyaye on 5th October 2014. St. Padre Pio Church boasts of producing a Nun, Sr. Prisca Mulande of Teresian Sisters, and two Priests, Fr. John Mangwere of the Pallotines and Fr. Mayamiko Kachipapa of the Society of Jesus.
Amayi akatolika kuchokera mu Arkidayosizi ya Lilongwe alimbikitsidwa kupewa mchitidwe wochita zinthu zoipa pomwe akukhala moyo wawo wa tsiku ndi tsiku.
Bambo Vincent Mwakhawa ndiwo alimbikitsa amayiwa pomwe amatsekulira msonkhano wa pa chaka wa bungwe la amayi akatolika la CWO, mu Arkidayosizi ya Lilongwe lachinayi pa 24 August 2023 m’boma la Salima.
Chaka Chino mwambowu ukukondweleredwa pa mutu woti “Amayi akatolika akhale odzetsa mtendere pakati pa mtundu wa anthu ngati mpingo oyendera limodzi”.
Bambo Mwakhawa ayamikira amayi achikatolikawa kamba kotenga nawo gawo muzochitika zosiyanasiyana za mpingo.
“Amayi akatolika ndi zida zazikulu kwambri zobweretsa mtendere padziko lapansi lino Kudzela mu mpingo wakatolika pamene tikuyendera limodzi,” atero Bambo Vincent Mwakhawa.
M’mawu ake wapampando wa bungweli, mayi Christina Lupiya ati anasankha mutu umenewu kamba koti anaona kuti ndikoyenela kutengela chitsazo cha Mai Maria omwe amadzetsa mtendere pakati pa anthu.
“Tisinkhesinkhe kuti kodi ifeyo ngati amayi a mu Arkidayosizi ino ya Lilongwe tikuyenela titani kuti tidzetse mtendere pakati pa mitundu yonse” Mayi Lupiya anayankhula motero.
Msonkhanowu wayamba lachinayi pa 24 August ndipo ukuyembekezereka kutha la mulungu pa 27 August 2023.
Wolemba: Monicca Chinyama Lipiya