Mongu Diocese Drum Beat Newsletter June 2014

NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

MONGU DIOCESE NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2013

Mongu Diocese Newsletter - October 2013

MONGU DIOCESAN DRUMBEAT JULY 2013

FROM THE BISHOP’S DESK…

Banabahesu,

Pilgrimages of our life

We have all been on a journey. Each journey we have taken has the starting point and a destination. Our journeys in life take us to places some of them new, others old and familiar places. This year of Faith, Mongu Diocese takes a journey, a pilgrimage of faith to Lukulu.

The history of Christianity and that of other religions speak of pilgrimages.  Pilgrimage as a journey takes one to a sacred shrine or to a sanctuary for spiritual purpose.  There are two ways a pilgrimage is done. The first one is a visit to a shrine of a Saint or that of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We have in the history of Catholic Church such shrines. People have gone for pilgrimages to places like Our Lady of Lourdes in France or Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal.  Secondly, the other way is a visit to a place where historical events have taken place or reported to have occurred. Each year millions of believers go to Jerusalem to see many places in which Jesus Christ lived in and did his ministry. The Old Testament also speaks of places like Shechem or Bethel and many other places of pilgrimages. People have gone to certain historical shrines in search for healing. Others have gone to shrines to purely offer of a prayer of thanksgiving or that of supplication.  Whatever the case, pilgrimages have been part of our Christian history.

This year, which is the Year of Faith, the Diocese of Mongu will make its pilgrimage to Lukulu’s Sancta Maria Parish. Firstly, the choice of Sancta Maria Parish as the place for the Year of Faith Pilgrimage is for the whole diocese to go and pray at the grave of Bishop Phelim O’ Shea one of the first Capuchin Missionaries who pioneered Catholic Faith in this part of the country.  Secondly, Sancta Maria Parish was chosen for the pilgrimage because it’s the oldest parish in Mongu Diocese. These two contexts are motivation enough for our journey of faith.

May I wish all those who are preparing for this first ever diocesan pilgrimage that marks our commitment for the Year of Faith, God’s blessings and guidance. May the journey of 16^th to 18^th August, be an experience of thanksgiving, and faith renewal.

+Evans Chinyama Chinyemba, O.M.I.

Bishop of Mongu

Bishop’s Appointment

After consultation with very Rev. Freeborn Kibombwe, O.M.I., Superior of the Oblate Zambian Delegation, Bishop Evans  C. Chinyemaba, O.M.I. has made the following appointment:

Fr. Michael Kasonde Musaba Chiti,  OM.I.,   Parochial Vicar , St. Michael Parish, Nalionwa.

Fr. Lazarous Kayuni, O.M.I.,  Parochial Vicar , Sancta Maria  Parish , Lukulu.

 After consultation with Very Rev. Thomas Zulu, OFMCap, Vice Provincial of the Capuchin Franciscans, Bishop Evans C. Chinyemba, O.M.I. has made the following appointment:

Fr. Mishek Banda, OFMCap, Parish Priest St. Jude Parish, Senanga

Fr. Chanda Shula, OFMCap, Parish Priest, St. Francis Parish, Malengwa,

Fr. Michael Mukelabai, OFMCap,          Parochial Vicar, St. Jude Parish , Senanga.

Fr. Elias Chumangulu, OFMCap, Parochial Vicar, St. Jude Parish, Senanga

Around THE DIOCESE

ANNOUNCEMENT

• There will be a diocesan pilgrimage to Lukulu in August, from 16^th – 18^th August, 2013. 

• The programme begins on Friday 16^th of August at 15:00hrs and all parishes will gather at Lukulu Stream (Chimbanda). 

• The pilgrimage ends on Sunday 18^th August, 2013 at 14:30hrs.

• All parishes are reminded to carry Symbols of Faith emphasizing the history of the Catholic Faith in their Parish which will be offered during Sunday Offertory Procession.

• There will be a Diocesan Pastoral Council (D. P.C.)  Annual General Meeting from the 26^th August to the 30^th August, 2013, at Limulunga Multipurpose Centre. Prepare all the necessary requirements for the D.P.C. meeting.

Looking forward to a successful pilgrimage and D.P.C. meeting.

Fr. Muliya Gregory, Past. Coord.

Catechetical Desk

Announcement

There will be phase 2 Catechetical Workshop at Lourdes Cathedral from 10^th – 13^th August, 2013. The programme starts at 07:30hrs. All those who did the phase 1 course from St. John’s and Lourdes are asked to take note of the date for phase 2 course.

Sr. Sylvia Kambombi, HBVM

Annual Vocation Day.

Theme: Living Faith through our Vocation.

The Annual Vocations’ Day (AVD) was this year hosted by St. John Parish, Katongo. Ninety youths from different parishes within Mongu and nearby towns attended the Annual Vocation Day. A number of topics were discussed and shared. 

This year’s annual Vocation day was special in that we had three Dominican Sisters, two couples from St. Gabriel Parish, Namushakende, and Diocesan Vocation Animators from within Mongu. The first sharing on faith came from Sr. Betty Mukonkela, HCS. In her sharing Sister emphasized on how to live, deepen and to nurture faith. She likened faith to a burning candle, shading in the midst of darkness. 

The visiting Sisters were given time to share on the life of the Dominican Sisters in Zambia, their works and where to find them.  Sr. Emma Chinyama, OP is a former student of St. John and a member of   St. John’s Parish.  Nevertheless, there were two couples Mr. & Mrs. Mweene, and Mr. & Mrs. Chibwe, both from St. Gabriel Parish.  Both couples shared their marriage life experience and they emphasized in putting their trust in God and to dialogue in their marriages.

After a number of activities the day was concluded with Mass celebrated by Bishop Evans Chinyemba, O.M.I.  In his homily the bishop encouraged the young people to pay attention to God’s calling.  He challenged the youths on many issues and also he shared his life experience to date!

We thank God who enabled the annual Vocation day to follow as planned.  We thank the Bishop for celebrating Mass, the youth that participated actively in the proceedings of the day. A big thank to the Diocesan Animators for the work well done.

FROM THE PARISHES.

Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, Mongu

Holy Childhood Workshop

The Year of Faith is a time to reflect on the gift of faith, to deepen our knowledge and understanding of Church Teaching, to grow closer to Scripture, nourish our faith through the Holy Eucharist and practice the new evangelization.  It is the time of knowing your faith, living and sharing your faith.

Therefore, from 28^th – 30^th June the Holy Childhood of our Lady of

Lourdes together with the Holy Childhood from its Mass Centres gathered for a workshop at Kalundwana basic school, to celebrate the year of faith.  During this workshop the following activities topic place ranging from inputs on prayer, drug abuse Bible sharing, deepening knowledge and understanding of faith, sports and many others.

It was very enriching.  Many thanks to the Rector of the Cathedral and his Team, the Animators from the Mass Centres for their support.  We thank All the Holy Childhood for their active participation during the workshop. Thanks and God bless.

Sr. Memory Bwalya, HCS

St. Agatha Parish, Kapulanga

Youth Week

The youth of St. Agatha are inviting the youth from other parishes within the diocese to come on board as they are preparing for the Youth Week which begins on 28th of August - 1^st Sept, 2013 to be held at St. Francis, Malengwa.  All those youths who have suggestion and ideas on how best to organize the week can contact the Youth Chairperson at St. Agatha.

Meanwhile the Youth Executive would like to thank the Parish Priest, the Parochial Vicar, Comboni Sisters and the parishioners at large for their support to the youth in their various activities they hold in the parish.

Mulonda Mubiana

COMINGS AND GOINGS

           

Congratulations to:                   *Holy Cross Girls Secondary School on their fifty years Golden Jubilee which they celebrated from the 23^rd – 25^th July, 2013. We are proud of their achievements in educating the girl child in Mongu. God bless all the current teachers and students at Holy Cross. Congratulations!

*The Missionary of Africa on the appointment of Fr. Oswald Mallya, M. Afr., as Delegation Superior for Missionaries of Africa in Zambia. Congratulations to you Fr. Oswald, M.Afr. We wish you God’s blessing as you start your new mission.

Welcome to:                            *Sr. Geraldine Klein, SHSp from home where she had gone for medical attention. We thank God for restoring Sr. Gerry’s health and we are happy to have her back home. Welcome back once more! 

     

                                                *Sr. Maimbolwa Lutngu, SHSp, who has come home for her holiday. We are happy to have back home for a short while. Hope you will enjoy being here with us. We wish you God’s blessing as you visit family and friends.

                                                *We acknowledge the visit of Very Rev. Freeborn Kibombwe, O.M.I. and Fr. Joe Phiri, O.M.I., who visited the diocese and the Oblate Community in Lukulu. We were delighted to you have you around in the diocese. We hope you enjoyed your stay in Mongu. 

                                               *Sr. Gertrude Daka, D.O.R., who visited the diocese in particular Mangango Mission. We hope you enjoyed our environment here and hope that you will come again. Sr. Gertrude, D.O.R. has since gone back to her community.

                                                *Fr. Pascal Ntambwe, OFMCap, who has been assigned to Malengwa Community. Fr. Pascal, OFMCap we wish you all the best in your new ministry. Welcome to the Diocese and feel at home.

                                                *Sr. Inonge Mooto, PBVM, who is on her holiday from the US where she is doing her studies. We wish Sr. Inonge, PBVM a pleasant holiday as she visits friends and family.

Farewell to:                              *Sr. Doris HC, who has gone for her two months home leave. We wish Sr. Doris, HC a good holiday as she goes back home to see family and friends.

                                                *Fr. Dominic Chanda, OFMCap, who has been transferred to Livingstone Diocese. We say thank you to Fr. Dominic, OFMCap for all the work he has been doing in the diocese in particular St. Francis Parish, Malengwa. We wish Fr. Dominic, OFMCap God’s blessings as he goes to Livingstone Diocese to start his new ministry.

                                                *Fr. Sylvester Kape, OFMCap, who has been transferred to Zimbabwe. We thank Fr. Kape, OFMCap for all the work he has done in the Diocese in particular at St. Jude Parish, Senanga. We wish Fr. Kape, OFMCap God’s blessings as he goes to Zimbabwe to start his new ministry.  Thank you once again.

                                                * Fr. Kennedy Jones Mubanga, who is currently on his home leave. We wish Fr. Kennedy good holiday as he visits family and friends. 

                                                *Sr. Annmary Andrews, PBVM, who is going back home to India  for further assignment. We say thank you to you Sr. Annmary, PBVM for the contribution you have done to the diocese through the ministry you have been doing. Thank you for serving on the Diocesan Vocation Animators team. We shall miss you a lot. We wish you all the best!

Condolences to                        *Fr. Kelvin Lubinda, O.M.I., on the death of his mother Bo Imelda M. Munalula, who died on 17^th July, 2013 after a short illness. She was put to rest on 20^th July, at Malengwa. Let us remember Fr. Lubinda, O.M.I. and family in our prayers during this difficult time. May her soul rest in the hands of God.

                                                                *Mr. Ronald Mabunga, Director for Caritas, on the death of his cousin Mr. Crispin Kaposhi who died on 23^rd July, 2013 in Lusaka in a road accident. Let us pray for Mr. Mabunga and family during this grieving period. May his soul rest in the hands of the Lord.

                                               

Bishop’s Schedule

August, 2013

12^th         Confirmations, at Kahuli, Holy Spirit Parish        Sitaka

16^th - 18^th         Pilgrimage                                                            Lukulu

26^th – 30^th   DPC Meeting                                                             Limulunga

30^th              Priest Council Meeting                                            Limulunga

Former Missionary to Mongu Diocese named Bishop in Lesotho: Fr Joseph Sephamola OMI.

On 19 June 2013, the Pope named as Bishop of the Diocese of Qacha’s Nek in  Lesotho.  Up until his appointment, Reverend Father Joseph Mopeli SEPHAMOLA, O.M.I., was the Provincial Superior of the Oblates in Lesotho.

While in Zambia, Bishop-Elect Joseph Sephamola OMI served in leadership positions for OMI Delegation of Zambia. The Bishop-Elect Joseph Sephamola OMI worked as missionary in Lukulu, Sancta Maria Mission from 1991 to 1996, and Limulunga, St Lawrence of Brandisi parish from 1996 to 2000.

Our prayers and best wishes to Bishop-Elect Joseph Sephamola OMI.