Christians at Likuni Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe have been encouraged to formulate new development plans and implement initiatives that can serve as models for newly established parishes.
This guidance was delivered on Sunday by His Lordship Vincent Mwakhwawa, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, during the celebration of the parish’s matronal feast—the Holy Rosary.
Bishop Mwakhwawa emphasized that Likuni Parish, being one of the oldest in the archdiocese, should continue to exemplify unity in both Christian faith and development efforts.
Bishop Mwakhwawa administering the Sacrament of Confirmation to the young ones
“I have encouraged them to have a vision for the future, especially as we prepare for the 125-year Jubilee celebration of this parish. They need to look ahead, as the parish must continue to grow,” he said.
His Lordship also stressed the importance of safeguarding parish land and assets, noting that Likuni Parish holds a significant portion of the archdiocese’s resources.
Meanwhile, Parish Priest Father Damiano Chitha expressed gratitude to parishioners for their unity and dedication, which were evident through the active participation of various groups.
Father Chitha, Parish Priest for Likuni Parish
“I am very happy with the parishioners for what has happened during this feast. It shows unity and togetherness as we prayed and shared stories as Parishioners of Likuni Parish,” he said.
Parish Council Chairperson Patrick Liphava affirmed that the parish has a clear vision and has already outlined several development projects to be implemented in the coming years.
Patrick Liphava, Likuni Parish Council Chairperson
During the celebration, friends of Likuni Parish donated tiles to support ongoing church development activities.
The event also marked the parish’s 122nd anniversary since its establishment. A total of 231 children received the Sacrament of Confirmation, underscoring the continued growth of the Catholic community.
Friends of Likuni Parish presenting tiles to the Auxiliary Bishop
Children who received the Sacrament of Confirmation
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 Vincent Mwakhwawa presiding over Teachers Jubilee Celebrations
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.
Bishop Mwakhwawa handing over a certificate of recognition to one of the best performing schools during this year’s examination (Likuni Girls Catholic Secondary School)
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.
Reverend Brother Pascal Mtuwana, National Education Cordinator from MCCB
“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.
Mr. John Kumwenda, St Maria Goretti Girls Catholic Secondary School Vice Principal
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
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.
A group photo of the Parish Executive team with Bishop Mwakhwawa
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.
The newly confirmed youths presenting their gift to the Auxiliary Bishop
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.
Parish Chairperson Mr Damiano Matchona
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.
Bishop Mwakhwawa with the newly conformed Christians at Chitula Parish
St Bernadette (Chitula) Parish was established in 2023 and currently comprises 98 Small Christian Communities, 29 outstations, and serves over 17,000 parishioners.
Project Coordinator for Tikondane Care for Children, under the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA), Sister Marie Sakina has expressed concern over the lack of support from stakeholders in sustaining care for street-connected children after reintegration.
Sister Sakina made the remarks during an open day event held at St. Maria Goretti Girls Catholic Secondary School in Lilongwe, the event that was aimed to highlight the challenges faced by the center and explore collaborative solutions with other stakeholders to improve care for vulnerable children.
Sr Marie Sakina, the Project Coordinator for Tikondane Care for Children, under the MSOLA
She noted that economic hardship in many families continues to drive children onto the streets.
“When children are reintegrated into their families, if there is nothing to eat, they are likely to return to the streets. The absence of support services from other stakeholders is a serious challenge,” she said.
Despite these difficulties, Sister Sakina also shared success stories from the center, including improvements in education and behavioral transformation among the children.
Lilongwe Principal Social Welfare Officer, Derrick Mwenda echoed his concerns, describing the rising number of street-connected children in the city as worrisome.
Derrick Mwenda, Lilongwe Principal Social Welfare Officer
He emphasized that the district has developed various strategies to ensure the sustainability of the reintegration process.
For the past 27 years, Tikondane Care for Children, operating under the MSOLA Sisters in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe. has provided shelter, formation, and pathways to reintegration for street-connected children across the city.
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.
Sister Teresa Mulenga with Dedza Linthipe 1 Multi Skills Group after the training
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.
Sr Mulenga (middle) with fellow trainers
“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.
Participants appreciating what they have produced during the training
Trainer Louisa Kachingwe expressed satisfaction with the workshop’s outcome and voiced optimism that participants would begin applying the skills independently.
Louisa Kachingwe having a session with the participants on how to make body lotion
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.
Packing the products that have been produced during the training. Dishwash soap and body lotion
The Catholic Church in Malawi has held its inaugural National Children’s Congress at Don Bosco Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, signaling a renewed commitment to nurturing future leaders.
Spanning four days, the historic gathering focused on empowerment, education, and spiritual growth for children from across the country.
Children received guidance and teachings on a wide range of topics, such as Catholic social teaching, mental health, child trafficking and labor, environmental stewardship, and the Malawi 2063 Vision, delivered by bishops and animators from various dioceses.
During the closing Mass celebration, children voiced their concerns to the bishops, requesting support for challenges such as access to quality education and better care across parishes.
The President of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese, reaffirmed the Church’s commitment, for the life of the child.
“As Bishops, we are concerned about your challenges. We promise to do everything possible to resolve them, especially issues around education and how you are treated in various parishes.”
Bishop Mtumbuka also called for coordinated stakeholder efforts, led by Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe who is also PMS President in Malawi, to ensure the Children’s Congress continues.
MCCB president bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga diocese
He also then thanked Pope’s delegate PMS General Secretary from Vatican Sister Ines Paulo for participating the Congress, saying it sends a good message on how the Pope’s love the church in Malawi, especially the mission on the children.
His Lordship also encouraged parish priests to allow children to lead their own Eucharistic Mass as a way of building liturgical leadership in them.
The Congress received international recognition, with Sister Ines Paulo, Pope’s delegate and PMS General Secretary from the Vatican, applauding the event’s success. She expressed gratitude to Malawi’s bishops, clergy, and lay Catholics for their dedication, encouraging the children to remain active in ministry.
“Continue serving the Church, you are the light of the world and of the Church.”
Pope’s delegate PMS General Secretary from Vatican, Sister Ines Paulo, addressing children
Sister Ines also pledged support through her office to help children overcome challenges they face in their communities in the country.
Father Ephraim Madeya, National PMS Director, echoed her sentiments and urged priests, religious sisters, and parents to actively support children’s ministry, ensuring lessons from the Congress yield lasting impact.
National Pontifical Mission Societies Director, Father Ephraim Madeya
Tina Kandodo who was the organizing chairperson for the National Children’s Congress , celebrated the children’s enthusiasm and willingness to engage deeply with both church and social life.
Organizing chairperson for National Children’s Congress, Tina Kandodo
Representing her fellow participants, Rachel Khalera of Bangwe Parish in the Archdiocese of Blantyre shared her excitement.
“We have had a great Congress and learned many things that will positively affect our lives, spiritually and physically. We have made resolutions and presented them to our Bishops, and we hope they will help solve our challenges.”
Children representatives reading the resolutions they have discussed and tabled during the Congress
Children further demonstrated their commitment to creation care by planting trees, guided by bishops, as part of their environmental lessons.
This first-ever nationwide Catholic children’s gathering in Malawi united participants from every diocese, offering new insights into how the Church can guide young people toward becoming responsible citizens and leaders.
Among the resolutions presented were, establishing children-led Eucharistic Masses in all parishes, promoting accessible, high-quality education for every child, training clergy and religious members in PMS activities, strengthening coordination among bishops, clergy, sisters, and parents to enhance children’s spiritual and physical well-being, teaching and enforcing the Church’s Safeguarding Policy
The Congress attracted distinguished guests, including, Holy Childhood Coordinator from the Archdiocese of Boston from the Pontifical Mission Societies office Daria Braithwaite from (U.S.A), PMS director and delegates from Zimbabwe, and other international dignitaries.
Holy Childhood Coordinator from the Pontifical Mission Societies office from Archdiocese of Boston U.S.A, receiving eucharist during the closing Congress Mass celebrationMtima Woyera children Deanery choir leading the closing of the National Children’s Congress Mass celebration
This year’s theme was “Children Are Pilgrims of Hope”, with a total of 1,628 children participating from all dioceses, in the country.
