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.

Mongu Diocesan Drumbeat May 2013
 

FROM THE BISHOP’S DESK…
 

Banabahesu,
                                           Charity is our nature
We are familiar with the old saying which says, ‘Charity begins at home’. Many people have managed to do the impossible in their lives and their local communities when they have reflected on this saying. Our personal
Charity starts from where other peoples’ charity ends.

This month, I would like to reflect with you on the theme of Charity and its implication in the life of the Church.We are aware of many charitable organizations at work around us! We know some people who are referred to as charitable persons! At one stage in our lives we have said, that family is generous or those people are kind and generous.
 

As members of Mongu Diocese, you continue to participate in some contributions like: Mpo ya Ka Ku Mulimu (My Gift to God), Family Card, Offering in Kind, Harvest Sunday Festivals, Targets, Sunday Collections, the monthly 10% from parish income, Thanksgiving, Seminarians’ Fund, PMS collections and other contributions needed within the Church. I am thankful for all these contributions and the efforts which most of you put into making these contributions.
 

The spirit of charity is a spirit that builds and empowers. St. Paul becomes an example of someone wanting to sustain himself. At Corinth, Paul joined Aquila and Priscilla in the trade of tent-making for his sustenance. Paul was also aware of the generosity of those who helped in many ways for him to be able to carry out his missionary activities. As a diocese, I am grateful for the generosity of the people of the diocese who have contributed from the little they have so that the diocese can continue doing her pastoral ministry. I am also grateful to many foreign donors (individuals and organizations) who continue to support the life of the diocese.
 

As we think of charity and our contributions, it will be good to ponder on the following questions:

• Looking at the various contributions we offer in the diocese, is this how far we can go so that the diocese can be self-sustainable?
• What do we have at our disposal in order to help the diocese be self-sustainable?
•  Have we generously exhausted our generosity that we cannot continue giving enough of the little we have for the sake of the diocese?
• Should our efforts be more on outside contributions than on the local contributions? Is the level of our faith matching with the level of our giving?
• We are aware that the diocese is located in a province that is least developed and statistically the poorest in the country. Shall we take this status of the Province as an excuse for not doing much to improve our various contributions despite the diocese having about 66,000 Catholics?

As we look forward to the end of the Year of Faith in November, our charity must be motivated by our faith. At individual, family, Section, Out Station, Zone, Institution, Lay Organizations and Parish levels, I invite you to a moment of reflection and commitment to the various forms of contributions to the life of the diocese.
+Evans Chinyama Chinyemba, O.M.I.
Bishop of Mongu

 

Around THE DIOCESE 

Corpus Christi Sunday 2nd June, 2013. All Parishes in the Diocese are reminded to prepare and celebrate an hour of Eucharist adoration starting at 17:00hrs. Eucharist is the center of our faith.
 

Spirituality of Offering
Peter said: “Look! We have left our homes to follow you.” “Yes”, Jesus replied, “and I assure you that
anyone who leaves home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the Kingdom of God
will receive much more in this present age, and eternal life in the age to come.” (Luke 18: 28-30). The Apostles who left their homes and surrendered in this way their means of income were not forgotten. Jesus’ answer to Peter shows that indeed their generous giving away of their possessions was well remembered by God, and they will be rewarded. This is true, not only for the Apostles, but it is true for the whole Church, and it is true for us today. What we give away for the service of God is recorded by our generous God and the reward will come at its own good time. Can we remember the words of Jesus, and learn to give generously to the Church, for the growth of his Kingdom on earth?
There are many ways in which the Church invites us to give:

 1. Giving of our income: For projects of the entire Church, the Diocese and Parishes. We cannot
be stingy in this matter, we need to learn to be generous, as Christ promises reward of a hundredfold. How can we fail to have faith in His Word? It is regrettable indeed that so many of our Christians give such a small part of their income. Indeed, if we have faith, we should willingly and without fear give even the tenth part of what we earn. The promise of reward is so explicit. What is promised is “much more in this present age, and eternal life in the age to come.” How can we doubt? The wisdom of Sirach tells us, ‘Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed, for all these things are to be done because of the commandment… With every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness.’(Cf. Sirach 35: 1-12).

2. Giving of our time: For the work of the Church, for the service of the poor, for the help of the needy. Jesus said: “Whenever you did this to the least of my brothers, you did it for me…” (Mt 25: 40). Can we fear that those good actions will be forgotten?

3. Giving of our life: As lived through various vocations in life. We can make the gift of our lives
in total peace of heart, knowing that Christ will keep his promise for us, as he kept it for his
first disciples.
 

We can only pray that by the grace of God we grow in faith and we learn to be more generous to our God and to His Church. By so doing we contribute to the building of God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Fr. Robert Lavertu, M.Afr
St. Gabriel Parish, Namushakende

 

GRATITUDE

ZAS, ARMZ and AZADCC executives sincerely thank all the Lay faithful, Priests and Religious men and women who attended the workshop on 29th and 30th April, 2013 facilitated by Fr. Cletus Mwiila from Monze Diocese. In his sharing he challenged the participates to ask themselves questions such as: What is my contribution towards the Church? Do I foster communion? He also challenged the participates to work together as a team in this year of faith and as a team to find the sacred spaces of the diocese.
ZAS Co-Chairperson.
 

PASTORAL COORDINTOR’S DESK
Liturgical Workshop
From 1st – 2nd May, the Liturgical Commission in conjuction with the National Pastoral Office conducted a two days workshop on Liturgical formation. During the workshop some liturgical abuses were discussed. The spirit of the workshop was to enhance the Universality of the Catholic Church in the way that we celebrate liturgical events in the Church. Ten parishes took part in the workshop:-St. Jude-Senanga, St. Gabriel - Namushakende, St. John’s -Katongo, Lourdes Cathedral, Mongu, St. Lawrence - Limulunga, St. Francis –Malengwa, St. Martin’s - Kaoma, Holy Spirit - Sitaka, St. Michael’s -Kalabo and St. Joseph’s – Mangango.
The workshop was conducted by Fr. Boniface Sakala, ZEC Naional Pastoral Office and Fr. Kennedy Seketa from St. Dominic’s. We sincerely thank the two priests for facilitating the workshop and for highlighting some of the liturgical abuses that occur in our liturgies. 

Fr. Gregory Muliya, Past. Coord.
 

Charismatic Renewal New Dawn Conference
God is indeed faithful, on behalf of the Steering Team for the New Dawn Conference in Mongu. I wish to inform you all that the New Dawn Conference for the year 2013 was successful. The theme for this year’s conference was “Come Lord Jesus, Do not Delay”. The conference begun on Monday, 22nd April and finished on Sunday, 28th April, 2013. During the conference there was a witness walk in Mongu town which was lead by a team from Lusaka. The Zambia Police Traffic helped a lot in controlling the crowds as the group went through the town doing evangelization.
 

We thank God for the gift of Fr. Pat and Myles who brought this conference to our Diocese. Thank you to Bro. Pious, OFMCap, from Congo DRC for facilitating at the conference. The conference was very Eucharistic, Marian, Charismatic, Liturgical, Mystical, Sacramental and the whole family of God was there. The participants were drawn from the twelve parishes of our diocese and other came as far as Lusaka and copperbelt. At the end of the New Dawn Conference, Bro. Pious Kintu, had time to minister in various parishes at the invitation of the parish priests.
 

Sincere gratitude to all the priests who took time to minister to the people at the New Dawn Conference and all those who accompanied the people throughout the conference. Special thanks to Fr. Wilfrid Hodari and the parishioners of St. Agatha for their warm welcome and for hosting the people in their parish. Thank you also to Fr. Joseph Kang’ombe, O.M.I., for offering accommodation to the people at the Youth Center. We appreciate all the work done by the Staff at Oblate Radio Liseli for airing all the New Dawn Conference activities from day one to the end.
Fr. Ignatius Muyunda.
 

VOCATION DIRECTOR’S DESK
Announcement
Seminarians’ week for 2013 will be held at Sepo Convent, Malengwa from
17th – 21st June, 2013. Seminarians take note of the dates!
 

PASTORAL ASSIGNMENTS FOR JUNE – AUGUST, 2013
St. Dominic’s Major Seminary Students.
Name Parish assigned to:-
Emmanuel Likando Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral
Eric Munango St. Lawrence Parish, Limulunga
Alfred Mukanaka Chalwe St. Peter the Rock, Nalwei
Philip Sikuka Phiri St. Agatha Parish, Kapulanga
Alfred M. Ng’ongolo St. John’s Parish, Katongo
Peter Sianga Namakola St. Martin de Porres Parish, Kaoma
Pastoral Year Students (2013 -2014)
Gabriel Handenge Holy Spirit Parish, Sitaka
O’Brien S. Mwanza St. Lawrence Parish, Limulunga
Daniel Mukumbi St. John’s Katongo
Eric Namuyamba who is currently on pastoral year in Sitaka will complete his program on the 28th of July, 2013.
 

PRIESTLY ORDINATION
 

There will be an Ordination for Deacon Peter K. Kashina on Saturday 15th June, 2013, at St. Martin de Porres Parish , Kaoma.,  Mass starts at 9:00 hours. Let us continue praying for Deacon Kashina so that he continues to respond to God’s call..
Fr. Callistus Kabindama, Vocation Director
 

Attention to All Priests
Priests’ Council Meeting will take place on 14th June, 2013, at the Catholic
Centre, at the usual time. Not in Kaoma as earlier announced.
 

CATECHETICAL DESK
The catechetical Team would like to congratulate the 33 participants on their completion of the Catechizer certification Course on 8th May, 2013. We wish the pilot group success as they continue evangelizing. Catechetical Office
 

FROM THE PARISHES.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHEDRAL, MONGU
A catechizers certification course phase 1 was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral from 15th – 19th April, 2013. Twenty-seven participants were draw from St. John’s, St. Agatha, St. Francis and Lourdes Cathedral. The following topics:- Social Teaching of the Church, Mariology, Vocation, Pastoral approach, the Bible in the Catholic Church and the Sacrament of healing and of service, were presented by various presenters. We thank the participants, the Catechetical Office and we thank the facilitators for the good and inspiring presentations. Mrs. C. Mwaambu, Lourdes Parish

 

ST. JUDE PARISH, SENANGA
St. Jude Parish had organized a Small Christian Communities choir competition, in which five Small Christian Communities participated – St. Paul, St. Francis, St. Joseph, St. Theresa and St. Patrick’s. The competition comprised of four categories Gloria, Sanctus, Holy Communion and Year of faith song. The competition started at 8:00 hours with Mass and closed at 15:00 hours. Each Choir prepared four songs according to the categories. St. Patrick’s Small Christian Community carried the day as they walked away with the first
prize, followed by St. Theresa- second position, third position was scoped by St. Joseph. Fourth position was awarded to St. Francis and the fifth and last position St. Paul. The Parish Priest, Fr. Sylvester Kape thanked the people who organized the event and encouraged them to do so very often and he added that the choir competition was part of the year of faith expressed through songs. He also thanked the choirs that participated in the choir competition.
Mr. Davies Lungu.

                                                       COMINGS AND GOINGS
Congratulations to:  

• Very Rev. Dr. Kibombwe, OMI, and Scholastic Musaba, OMI, for their academic achievements.
  
  They graduated on, May 10, 2013 in the United States of America. We are proud of you! God bless you.

• Sr. Kasumi Tairo, CMS, on her election as co-chairpersons; Sr. Annie Chanda, HCS and Sr. Cecilia Zavala, CCVI on their election as Co-Secretaries and Sr. Laura Campos, CCVI and Sr. Matildah Chanda,
• SHSp on their election as Co-Treasurers for Mongu ZAS Branch.Congratulations to them all and God’s blessings.
• Sr. Sylvia Kambombi, HBVM on her appointment as a committee member for All - Africa Conference: Sister – Sister (AACSS)

Welcome to: 

• Sr. Mable Malambo, SHS and Fr. Cletus Mwiila who visited the diocese from 27th April -1st May, 2013. We are grateful for their visit.

• Sr. Prisca Chuzu, HBVM, who visited the Handmaid Sisters for a week in Mongu. We hope you had a good time visiting the sisters. Sister Prisca, has since gone back to Lusaka
• Brain Banda and Kizito Chalwe from JCTR offices in Lusaka who came for one day validation workshop on participation of women in decision making process in the Catholic Church.
• Fr. Sakala and Fr. Seketa, from Natioinal Pastoral Office who come for a two days Liturgical workshop in Limulunga. We appreciate your visit.
  

Farewell to:  

• Sr. Rose McHugh, SHSp who has since left for her three months home leave. We wish Sr. Rose, SHSp a fruitful holiday as she unites with family and friends. Enjoy your rest.
  

• Sr. Rosa Margarita Valdes, CCVI, who has since gone back home to Mexico for further assignment. Sr. Rosema, CCVI, thank you very much for all the work and services you have rendered to the diocese during the time you have been with us. Know that you are greatly missed by the people of Mongu Diocese, especially the mothers and their babies at Mother and Infant Care (MIC) program. God bless you in your new Ministry.
• Fr. Peter Kwaleyela, who has gone for formation studies in the United States of America. We wish Fr. Peter a safe trip and success in his studies. Upon completion of his studies he will be based in Lusaka at Emmaus Spirituality Center.

 Condolences to: 

• Fr. Leo Ululi on the bereavement they had in the family. Let us pray for his family so that they may be comforted. May the soul of the departed rest in peace.

• Fr. Matthew Ngwenya, OFMCap on the bereavement they had in the family. Let us pray for his family so that they may be strengthened in the Lord. May the soul of the departed rest in peace
• Fr. Micheal Ngosa on the death of his sister in law Mrs. Scholatica Daka Ngosa in Lusaka. She was put to rest on 7th May, 2013. May her soul rest in peace. Say a prayer for Fr. Ngosa and his family to be comforted in the Lord.
• Fr. Sylvester Kape, OFMCap on the death of his nephew in Samfya. May his soul rest in peace. Let us say a prayer for Fr. Kape and his family, so that they may be comforted in the Lord.
• Sr. Regina Sinjwala, HC on the death of her elder brother, Mr. Edwin M. Sinjwala, who died on the 7th May, 2013 and was put to rest on 9th May, 2013 in Malengwa. Let us pray for Sr. Regina, HC and her family during this grieving period. May his soul rest in the hands of the Lord.
• Scholastic Godfrey Mwansa, OMI, Who is on regency year in Kalabo, on the death of his cousin John Zulu 31, who died on 5th May, 2013 at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) . He was put to rest on the 7th of May, 2013.
• Bo Maimbolwa Mazeko on the death of her Uncle. Let us pray for the family to be comforted during this grieving period. May his soul rest in Eternal peace.
• Fr. Joseph K. Kang’ombe, O.M.I on the death of his Uncle, Mr. Spaita Chilekwa Mpundu Kang’ombe who passed on. Let us pray for the family of Mr. Spaita Kang’ombe to be strengthened in the Lord during this grieving period. May his soul rest in the hands of the Lord.

Bishop’s Schedule
June, 2013
15th Diocesan Ordination Kaoma
17th – 21st Seminarians Week Sepo, Malengwa
22nd – 23rd Confirmations Senanga
29th – 8th July O.M.I Bishops’ Meeting Durban, South Africa

Catholic Education

Our Diocese

The Mongu Diocese was created on June 14, 1997. Up until then, Mongu was part of the Livingstone Diocese. The first bishop of the Diocese of Mongu, Paul Duffy, O.M.I., received his Episcopal ordination on August 31, 1997 who passed away in 2011. The current  is Bishop Evans Chinyama Chinyemba OMI.

Parishes in the diocese of Mongu: The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes (Mongu Township), St. John the Evangelist (Katongo), St. Francis (Malengwa), St. Agatha (Kauplanga), St. Martin (Kaoma), St. Lawrence of Brindisi (Limulunga), Sancta Maria (Lukulu), St. Joseph (Mangango), St. Michael (Nalionwa-kalabo), St. Jude (Senanga) and St., Gabriel (Namushakende).

Drum Beat - News from the Diocese - Banabahesu

Mongu Diocesan Drumbeat - March 2013

FROM THE BISHOP’S DESK…


Banabahesu,    
In the last edition of Drumbeat, I presented to you a summary of the last Lenten message of Pontiff Emeritus Benedict XVI. It was a way of honoring what he has stood for in the Church- a Teacher. Let us continue praying for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.  In this edition I present to you a brief biography of His Holiness Pope Francis as presented by Libreria Editrice Vaticana. As we read this biography, let us keep the Holy Father in our daily prayers so that he will shepherd the Church according to the will of God. May the Easter celebration in the Year of Faith be a journey that will renew our faith  Happy Easter.

+Evans Chinyama Chinyemba, OMI

Bishop of Mongu

Biography of the Holy Father Pope Francis

The first Pope of the Americas Jorge Mario Bergoglio hails from Argentina. The 76-year-old Jesuit Archbishop of Buenos Aires is a prominent figure throughout the continent, yet remains a simple pastor who is deeply loved by his diocese, throughout which he has travelled extensively on the underground and by bus during the 15 years of his episcopal ministry.

“My people are poor and I am one of them”, he has said more than once, explaining his decision to live in an apartment and cook his own supper. He has always advised his priests to show mercy and apostolic courage and to keep their doors open to everyone. The worst thing that could happen to the Church, he has said on various occasions, “is what de Lubac called spiritual worldliness”, which means, “being self-centred”. And when he speaks of social justice, he calls people first of all to pick up the Catechism, to rediscover the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. His project is simple: if you follow Christ, you understand that “trampling upon a person’s dignity is a serious sin”.

Despite his reserved character — his official biography consists of only a few lines, at least until his appointment as Archbishop of Buenos Aires — he became a reference point because of the strong stances he took during the dramatic financial crisis that overwhelmed the country in 2001.

He was born in Buenos Aires on 17 December 1936, the son of Italian immigrants. His father Mario was an accountant employed by the railways and his mother Regina Sivori was a committed wife dedicated to raising their five children. He graduated as a chemical technician and then chose the path of the priesthood, entering the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto. On 11 March 1958 he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. He completed his studies of the humanities in Chile and returned to Argentina in 1963 to graduate with a degree in philosophy from the Colegio de San José in San Miguel. From 1964 to 1965 he taught literature and psychology at Immaculate Conception College in Santa Fé and in 1966 he taught the same subject at the Colegio del Salvatore in Buenos Aires. From 1967-70 he studied theology and obtained a degree from the Colegio of San José.

On 13 December 1969 he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano. He continued his training between 1970 and 1971 at the University of Alcalá de Henares, Spain, and on 22 April 1973 made his final profession with the Jesuits. Back in Argentina, he was novice master at Villa Barilari, San Miguel; professor at the Faculty of Theology of San Miguel; consultor to the Province of the Society of Jesus and also Rector of the Colegio Máximo of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology.

On 31 July 1973 he was appointed Provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina, an office he held for six years. He then resumed his work in the university sector and from 1980 to 1986 served once again as Rector of the Colegio de San José, as well as parish priest, again in San Miguel. In March 1986 he went to Germany to finish his doctoral thesis; his superiors then sent him to the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires and next to the Jesuit Church in the city of Córdoba as spiritual director and confessor.

It was Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, who wanted him as a close collaborator. So, on 20 May 1992 Pope John Paul II appointed him titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires. On 27 May he received episcopal ordination from the Cardinal in the cathedral. He chose as his episcopal motto, miserando atque eligendo, and on his coat of arms inserted the ihs, the symbol of the Society of Jesus.

He gave his first interview as a bishop to a parish newsletter, Estrellita de Belém. He was immediately appointed Episcopal Vicar of the Flores district and on 21 December 1993 was also entrusted with the office of Vicar General of the Archdiocese. Thus it came as no surprise when, on 3 June 1997, he was raised to the dignity of Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires. Not even nine months had passed when, upon the death of Cardinal Quarracino, he succeeded him on 28 February 1998, as Archbishop, Primate of Argentina and Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who have no Ordinary of their own rite.

Three years later at the Consistory of 21 February 2001, John Paul ii created him Cardinal, assigning him the title of San Roberto Bellarmino. He asked the faithful not to come to Rome to celebrate his creation as Cardinal but rather to donate to the poor what they would have spent on the journey. As Grand Chancellor of the Catholic University of Argentina, he is the author of the books: Meditaciones para religiosos (1982), Reflexiones sobre la vida apostólica (1992) and Reflexiones de esperanza (1992).

In October 2001 he was appointed General Relator to the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Episcopal Ministry. This task was entrusted to him at the last minute to replace Cardinal Edward Michael Egan, Archbishop of New York, who was obliged to stay in his homeland because of the terrorist attacks on September 11th. At the Synod he placed particular emphasis on “the prophetic mission of the bishop”, his being a “prophet of justice”, his duty to “preach ceaselessly” the social doctrine of the Church and also “to express an authentic judgement in matters of faith and morals”.

All the while Cardinal Bergoglio was becoming ever more popular in Latin America. Despite this, he never relaxed his sober approach or his strict lifestyle, which some have defined as almost “ascetic”. In this spirit of poverty, he declined to be appointed as President of the Argentine Bishops’ Conference in 2002, but three years later he was elected and then, in 2008, reconfirmed for a further three-year mandate. Meanwhile in April 2005 he took part in the Conclave in which Pope Benedict XVI was elected.

As Archbishop of Buenos Aires — a diocese with more than three million inhabitants — he conceived of a missionary project based on communion and evangelization. He had four main goals: open and brotherly communities, an informed laity playing a lead role, evangelization efforts addressed to every inhabitant of the city, and assistance to the poor and the sick. He aimed to re-evangelize Buenos Aires, “taking into account those who live there, its structure and its history”. He asked priests and lay people to work together. In September 2009 he launched the solidarity campaign for the bicentenary of the Independence of the country. Two hundred charitable agencies are to be set up by 2016. And on a continental scale, he expected much from the impact of the message of the Aparecida Conference in 2007, to the point of describing it as the “Evangelii Nuntiandi of Latin America”.

Until the beginning of the recent sede vacante, he was a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Congregation for the Clergy, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

News from Rome

Greetings from Rome, with a new Pope! You know it was such an experience to be in St. Peter Square among thousands, first under a pretty heavy rain and then nice cool breeze as the white smoke appeared, to a thunderous cry of joy.

As the name was announced, everyone was taken by total surprise and confused.

And a period of quiet and inquisition into who he was followed. Then he came out and touched our hearts when he bowed low and asked for our prayer and blessing. Indeed we serve a God of surprises. Everyone is now convinced we have a God-given choice in place, someone never thought of. We pray and hope for the best in him. I have this faith. Am sure we will be thousands again for the Angelus at 12 noon, not talking of Tuesday when his Papacy will officially be instituted.

Fr. Patrick Chongo, CMM

Around THE DIOCESE

ANNOUNCEMENT

NEW DAWN CONFERENCE

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I write on behalf of the Catholic charismatic Renewal. This year, 2013, the New Dawn conference will take place from Monday, 22^nd April 2013 to Saturday, 27^th April, 2013. The venue will be at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Kapulanga. The guest speaker is coming from Uganda. He will be assisted by many priests, religious men and women working in the diocese of Mongu. The whole program is available in the various parishes see your Parish Priest for more information.

Fr. Ignatius Muyunda

ANNOUNCEMENT

Year of Faith Workshop

ZAS, ARMZ and AZADCC are inviting all the Lay Faithful from the nearby parishes for a workshop on the year of faith on the 29^th April, 2013. The workshop will take place at Lourdes Cathedral hall form 8:00hrs to 14:00hrs. Registration is free and participation is free. Remember to carry your note book, Bible and packed lunch. 

There will be another workshop on the 30^th April, 2013 at the Youth Centre for all the Priests and Religious Brothers and Sisters on the year of Faith. Starting at 8:00hrs to 14:00hrs. Remember to bring your note book, Bible and packed Lunch. The theme for the workshop is ‘Living My faith Today’ the facilitator will be Fr. Cletus Mwiila from Monze Diocese.

THANK YOU TO ALL

ZAS Executive would like to express their sincere thanks to all the ZAS members,

ARMZ members and the laity for participating in the CCJP and integrity of creation workshop.  And many thanks to Sr. Lynnette, PBVM from National ZAS, Lusaka for the rich input she gave to the group.  We encourage all the committees that were formed – Environmental Committee, corruption committee, Gender and human rights committee to start working together with other stake holders.

ZAS Co-chairperson.

PRISON VISITATION

Thanks to the Catholic female students from Mongu College of Education who visited the female prisoners at

Mongu Central Prison on the morning of Women's Day earlier this month. They brought some gifts to the women there and spent time talking with them and listening to their stories. 

Bro. John McCourt, CFC

FROM THE PARISHES.

ST. PETER THE ROCK PARISH, NALWEI

CATECHIZERS WORKSHOP

From 19^th to 22^nd February, Catechizer’s workshop took place at Nalwei Parish. 19 Mass Centres attended the workshop. The main aim of the workshop was to train Catechizers in teaching methodologies, build a strong foundation of what they teach and help them understand the content of Catechizers’ handbook.

During the workshop people asked a lot of questions on issues they did not understand well.   

We are grateful to the facilitators for the input they gave on various topics. We thank the participants and the Priests for their respective roles in the workshop. The participants promised to share the information with the others.

May God Bless the Work that the Office is doing

Barbara  Susiku,

FORMATION OF ST. JOACHIM LAY ORGANIZATION

17^th of February, 2013 was a special day at St. Peter the Rock Parish, Nalwei,on which St. Joachim Lay Organization was launched.  Seven people joined the Organization and Shandrick Katangila was elected Chairperson.  The new members committed themselves to work hard, develop and sustain the group.

Many thanks to Mwamulando, Chengamali and Imanga for coming to launch St. Joachim at St. Peter the Rock.

WOMEN’S DAY

On the 8^th of March, women from fourteen Mass Centres St. Peter the Rock Parish gathered at the main centre to celebrate women’s day. They marched from the market up to Evangelical Council of Zambia Church. Since this was first of its kind, women from other churches promised to join in this celebration next year.  At end of their gathering the women had some prayers for Pope Benedict XVI and also prayed for the incoming Pope.

Meanwhile on the 12^th of March youths from St. Blaise Mass Centre came to St. Peter the rock to play football with their fellow youths. The match ended with St. Peter the Rock 2 and St. Blaise 0.

David Kalenga Chimbinga

ST. GABRIEL, PARISH

From 15^th to 17^th March, 2013 the youths of St. Gabriel Parish Namushakende organized  and

invited their fellow youths from St. Agatha and St. Lawrence Parishes to celebrate post youth day together. During the two days the youths held a number of discussions on the following topic HIV / AIDS and Drug Abuse. Fr. Robert Lavertu, M. Afr., also give an input on the year of faith.

Many thanks to all the youths who participated in the program.  Thank you also to the hosting parish, and Fr. Robert, M.Afr, for the sharing on the year of faith.

Mulonda Mubiana.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

           

Congratulations to:                     *Sr. Annie Moyo, HCS and Sr. Yumba Musonda, HCS on the first Religious Profession on the 16^th March, 2013. We are proud of you. May God continue blessing you as you start your new life.

                                                *Fr. Wilfrid Hodari who was elected Chairperson and Fr. Peter Kwaleyela on his re-election as Secretary for the Priests’ Council. We wish them both success as they carry out their work. 

Welcome to:                              *To all the Holy Cross Sisters who came to the diocese for the first profession of Sr. Annie, HCS and Sr. Yumba, HCS.       We also acknowledge the presence of the visitors who came from distant places for the profession especially the parents of the two Sisters who were professing.  We thank you all for your visit

                                                *Deacon Pascal Ntambwe, OFMCap, who has been serving in Malengwa for a month, now he is assigned to Mangango for a short while. Welcome to Mongu Diocese. We wish you all the best in all what you do.

             

Condolences to                       *Fr. Valentine Kalumba, OMI on the death of his sister, Emelia Kalumba, 66 who died on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at Kabwe General Hospital, after an illness.  She was put to rest on the 19^th March, 2013. She is survived by four (4) children and three (3) grandchildren. Let us pray for Emelia Kalumba and family. May her soul rest in peace.

Bishops Schedule

April, 2013

6^th  -  7^th                                   Confirmations                                                   Limulunga.

28^th                                           St. John Celebration                                           Lusaka