Author: Titus Jata

By Titus Jata Phiri

Mtima Woyera Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe recently held a vibrant three-day Parish Eucharistic Congress aimed at deepening the faith of parishioners and encouraging regular reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

The event which started from 24_ 25 October, was held under the theme “The Eucharist at the Heart of Christian Life,” drew inspiration from the national Eucharistic Congress held earlier this year at Maula Cathedral as part of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year celebrations.

The Congress featured teachings led by Father Enock Kanjira, a Rector from Kachebere Major Seminary, who passionately urged parishioners to become instruments of spiritual renewal within their communities.

He emphasized the need for a transformative approach to the Eucharist, encouraging Christians to move beyond routine attendance and instead approach the celebration with reverence and purpose.

“We should not just take it as a daily routine because we are Roman Catholic Christians,” Father Kanjira said. “We must recognize the importance of Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist for our spiritual life.”

Father Kanjira also reminded parishioners of one of the key resolutions from the National Eucharistic Congress that all faithful are encouraged to receive the Eucharist on the tongue, as a gesture of reverence and unity in faith.

Parish priest Father Innocent Mtapaonga, expressed his hope that the teachings would inspire lasting spiritual growth.

“I would like to ask all parishioners to practice what they have learned so that others may also come to know that God is in us and that we are Pilgrims of Hope,” he said.

Father Mtapaonga commended Father Kanjira for his dedication and insightful presentations, noting that the sessions would greatly enrich the parishioners’ daily spiritual journey.

Joseph Gumbo, Chairperson of the Parish Council, described the Congress as highly accessible and impactful, expressing optimism that parishioners would share the teachings within their Small Christian Communities.

Topics covered during the Congress included, the Eucharist as the summit of Catholic faith, the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation , Spiritual preparation for receiving the Eucharist and other Catholic teachings.

As Sacred Heart Parish continues its journey of faith, the Eucharistic Congress stands as a testament to the parish’s commitment to spiritual renewal and communal growth anchored in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Education institutions within the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe have been called upon to uphold and promote Catholic principles and teachings in their approach to student learning.

Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, His Lordship Vincent Mwakhwawa, made the appeal during the Teacher’s Jubilee Celebration held at Maula Cathedral on Saturday, 11th October 2025.

Bishop Mwakhwawa emphasized the importance of teachers recognizing their vocation, urging them to be Christ-centered, and to integrate their faith into their teaching.

“They need to share their faith with learners as they teach. It is not just a paid job, it is a calling to help transform young people into better citizens of this country,” he said.

His Lordship also encouraged students to pray for their peers who face challenges in accessing education due to financial constraints and the lack of schools in their communities.

He further revealed that the archdiocese, in collaboration with Archbishop Desmond Tambala, plans to construct approximately seven new schools over the next ten years.

“There are many young people out there who need education but cannot access it due to the limited number of schools and the cost of tuition. Given our current situation, we must build more secondary and primary schools and even a university to empower our youth,” he added.

Echoing Bishop Mwakhwawa’s sentiments, Reverend Brother Pascal Mtuwana, National Education Coordinator for the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, said this year’s Jubilee celebration provided a platform for Catholic education institutions to become “Pilgrims of Hope” in society.

“We want to address our local challenges in the education sector, such as overcrowded classrooms, lack of teaching and learning materials, high school fees, and staff shortages. The question is, how can we, as Catholic institutions, become beacons of hope?” said brother Mtuwana.

Speaking on behalf of teachers from Catholic institutions, Mr. John Kumwenda, Vice Principal of St. Maria Goretti Girls Catholic Secondary School described the Jubilee celebration as insightful, noting that it has inspired educators on how to offer both academic and spiritual guidance to learners.

He also encouraged teachers across Catholic schools to remain committed to delivering quality education.

The Teachers’ Jubilee Celebration brought together educators and students from Catholic schools and technical colleges across the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

The event featured a variety of performances and activities by learners from their respective institutions.

Teachers and educators from all Catholic education institutions attending their Jubilee

St Maria Goretti Girls Catholic Secondary School leaders showcasing their talents to spice up the celebration

By Titus Jata Phiri

Parishioners at St Bernadette (Chitula) Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe have been urged to collaborate and actively participate in all parish development activities.

Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, His Lordship Vincent Mwakhwawa, emphasized that as a newly established parish, it is essential for Christians to engage in every activity and attend meetings to share ideas that will foster growth and development.

Bishop Mwakhwawa made the call on 14 September during his visit to the parish, where he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 179 young Christians.

His Lordship further encouraged the faithful, especially those who received the sacrament, to prepare for the upcoming Mission Month, which will be hosted at the parish.

“I have encouraged the wider community to prepare thoroughly for the formation lessons that will be conducted here during Mission Month by the Archdiocesan team. This is their opportunity. The archbishop has dedicated this year’s Mission Month to teaching Christians here at Chitula Parish,” said Bishop Mwakhwawa.

In his remarks, Parish Chairperson Damiano Matchona stated that the parish leadership is developing various programs to ensure that all Christians will actively participate in the upcoming Mission Month formation sessions.

According to Matchona, those who received the Sacrament of Confirmation will continue receiving church teachings to equip them as messengers of God’s word in their communities.

One of the newly confirmed, Marko Lingisoni, expressed his commitment to serve the Church in various ministries, saying the sacrament has empowered him to take on greater responsibilities.

A total of 179 youth and adult Christians received the Sacrament of Confirmation during the ceremony.

St Bernadette (Chitula) Parish was established in 2023 and currently comprises 98 Small Christian Communities, 29 outstations, and serves over 17,000 parishioners.

By Titus Jata Phiri

Dedza Linthipe 1 Multi Skills Group has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Congregation of Teresian Sisters for their significant contribution to community development through various educational and empowerment initiatives.

Speaking on Sunday after a training workshop organized by the sisters in Lilongwe, group leader, Bezayi Fredrick commended the Teresian Sisters for equipping participants with practical skills aimed at fostering economic self-reliance.

The workshop focused on hands-on training in soap making, body lotion production, and other income-generating activities.

Fredrick shared his enthusiasm, stating that the newly acquired skills would greatly benefit their youth group and help them become economically independent.

“Through this training, we’ve learned how to make laundry soap, body lotion, and other useful products. I’m confident that these skills will improve the lives of young people in our area,” Fredrick said.

Sister Teleza Mulenga, the project coordinator, explained that the initiative was designed to uplift communities and address poverty-related challenges, including gender-based violence.

“As a congregation, we aim to empower people at all levels, including members of other religious institutions. Our mission is to liberate individuals from all forms of slavery, and we serve every human being without discrimination,” Sister Mulenga emphasized.

Among the participants was Precious Mangumba, a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Dedza, who expressed his appreciation for the opportunity.

“I am grateful for the training. I plan to share these skills with fellow church members so that they, too, can start small businesses and become empowered,” Mangumba said.

Trainer Louisa Kachingwe expressed satisfaction with the workshop’s outcome and voiced optimism that participants would begin applying the skills independently.

The training brought together 20 participants from across the Central Region, including youth, women, and men. They were trained in making laundry and dishwashing soap, body lotion, fertilizer from urine, and basic business management.