Form 4 students at St. John’s Catholic Secondary School in Lilongwe, have been urged to uphold good conduct as they have completed their studies at the institution.
The call has been made by the pastoral coordinator for the Lilongwe Archdiocese Father Frank Phiri during the graduation ceremony, marking the end of their studies and wishing them success as they prepare to sit for their final examinations next week.
Father Frank Phiri appealed to the graduating students to uphold the principles instilled in them at the school, such as dedication, simplicity, and others.
He reminded them of their obligation to set a good example in their communities by putting into practice the knowledge and values imparted to them through the school’s education.
Fr. Flank Phiri (middle)
“As they go out into the larger society or community, they should become agents of change and transformation. They have to uphold the school’s principles and values, which are simplicity, dedication, cleanliness, and honesty.” Said Father Frank Phiri
Deputy Head Teacher at St. John’s Catholic Secondary School, Peter Chinamale, expressed high hopes that the candidates will perform well in their upcoming exams.
Deputy Head Teacher at St. John’s Catholic Secondary School, Peter Chinamale
One of the graduating students who is also the outgoing head boy, Mervin Ganizani, praised the school for providing high-quality education, expressing his confidence that they will perform well and reflect the education and values they have received.
the outgoing head boy, Mervin Ganizani
A total of 96 students from the school are expected to sit for this year’s Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations.
A significant three-day national training on the Basic Formation Cycle, also known as the Evangelical Solidarity Program (ESP) has successfully concluded today, 15th June 2025 at Bethany Retreat Centre in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
The intensive “trainer of trainers” (ToT) workshop, which ran from June 13th to 15th, was led by the International President Couple of the International Confederation of Catholic Family Movements (ICCFM), Sergio and Dora, accompanied by Gerardo and Eloina.
The training marked a pastoral visit by the international team, fulfilling a tradition of engaging with national CFM teams globally, with Malawi and Uganda being their chosen destinations this time. The workshop saw the participation of 54 delegates from across Malawi’s Archdioceses and Dioceses, including Blantyre (9), Lilongwe (19), Chikwawa (3), Zomba (6), Mangochi (5), Dedza (8), and Mzuzu (4).
The workshop commenced on Friday evening with a Holy Eucharist Mass celebrated by Right Reverend Vincent Mwakhwawa, who underscored the critical role of the family as the foundation of the nation.
Bishop Mwakhwawa expressed the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (MCCB) desire to see families become evangelizers within their associations and movements.
His Lordship urged participants and chaplains to seize this unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the movement and formulate plans for implementing the newly acquired knowledge.
Bishop Mwakhwawa shares a moment with visitors and families, embodying the spirit of community at CFM’s national training at Msamba Parish
Bishop Mwakhwawa also advised CFM leadership to always collaborate with the National Pastoral Coordinator, Fr. Joseph Sikwese, and the National Chaplain on Family Apostolate, Msgr. Henry Chinkanda, for guidance on their initiatives.
He specifically requested the International President Couple’s assistance in implementing youth accompaniment programs in Malawi, drawing inspiration from Mexico’s model.
In their remarks, the ICCFM President Couple, Sergio and Dora, highlighted the auspicious timing of the workshop during the Jubilee Year, themed “Pilgrims of Hope.”
They emphasized that such trainings are crucial for the Church, as they address capacity gaps among couples and within the broader Church community.
They echoed Bishop Mwakhwawa’s sentiment regarding the importance of the Basic Formation Cycle in equipping families to deepen their faith both individually and as couples.
Participants engaged in highly interactive sessions, exploring the methodology of the Basic Formation Cycle, which employs the “See-Judge-Act-Reflection” approach advocated by the Church. The training incorporated presentations, dynamics, group discussions, and plenary sessions.
Delegates also received an overview of CFM’s structure and governance, which aligns with MCCB and Canon Law, with proposed adjustments subject to MCCB approval.
Key takeaways from the training include the commitment to implement the Basic Formation Cycle (ESP) upon receiving blessings from respective Bishops, seeking advice from MCCB on the proposed governance structure, and enforcing trainings and the adoption of natural planning methods in various dioceses and parishes.
The successful conclusion of this training is expected to significantly bolster the capacity of Catholic families in Malawi to fulfill their role as evangelizers and strengthen the movement’s presence across the nation.
The Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) Country Director Chisangalalo Ntonia has highlighted that Malawi is making slow progress in addressing children’s mental health issues, partly due to prevailing cultural practices.
Ntonia emphasized the urgent need for increased advocacy and concerted efforts from all stakeholders, including the government, to tackle this growing concern.
ACE Country Director, Chisangalalo Ntonia
He made these remarks today, 12th June 2025 in Lilongwe during a Mental Health Workshop organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
“I can say we are making progress, but we are not yet there as a country,” Ntonia stated.
He has however highlighted the significant work still required to effectively address mental health challenges in children.
He says they plan to train teachers and other professionals on trauma and mental health to better equip them to support children facing such difficulties.
Meanwhile, Dr. Michael Udedi, Assistant Director of Curative Medical Rehabilitation Services in the Ministry of Health, revealed that a significant number of Malawians are grappling with mental health and psychosocial issues.
Dr Micheal Udedi
He pointed to an “aggravated situation of suicide,” evidenced by suicidal behaviors recorded between 2021 and 2025.
According to Dr. Udedi, Malawi registered 597 suicide cases between January and December 2024, mirroring the 597 cases recorded in 2023.
A local non-governmental organization, Paradiso has launched an initiative to distribute Buffalo Bicycles to volunteers who travel long distances collecting tuberculosis (TB) samples.
The effort aimed to ease their transportation burden and boost the fight against TB in Malawi.
Paradiso’s Programs Manager, Limbani Mbetewa, stated in an interview that the organization plans to distribute 3,000 bicycles across various districts, including Zomba, Dedza, Dowa, and Lilongwe.
“Looking at the catchment area that these volunteers go around to disseminate information, we thought it wise that we should ease the challenge of mobility by giving them the bicycles,” said Mbetewa.
Limbani Mbetewa, Paradiso’s Programs Manager
He added that the distribution will be carried out in phases, with an initial rollout of 250 bicycles currently underway.
Paradiso believes these bicycles will significantly support volunteers in their vital work, ultimately contributing to better TB control in the country.
In a move aimed at improving financial accessibility for Malawians, Centenary Bank has launched the CenteValue and CenteFees in partnership with Airtel Money.
Speaking at the launch event on Wednesday, 11 June 2025 in Lilongwe, Centenary Bank Managing Director, Godfrey Byekwaso announced that the agreement will allow parents to pay school fees via Airtel Money for schools that hold Centenary Bank accounts and Airtel Money agents will be able to request value whenever needed.
Byekwaso highlighted that the initiative has the potential to reduce long queues at banks and save time for parents, who can now make payments from their homes.
“The product is helpful as it will save time and some inconveniences to our customers,” He said.”
In her remarks, Airtel Money Managing Director, Thokozani Kamkondo Sande, expressed optimism about the collaboration, emphasizing that Airtel Money is Malawi’s largest mobile financial service and remains committed to transforming lives economically.
She noted that education is key to national development, which is why Airtel Money saw value in partnering with Centenary Bank.
“Education is the key to any development in the country hence the partnership agreement,” She said.
Commenting on the development, Sister Valentine Gudyanga, a Bursar at St. John’s Catholic Secondary School, one of the institutions that hold accounts with Centenary Bank welcomed the initiative, noting that it will simplify transactions as payments will be processed instantly.
“This is simple, and it will ease our work as an institution,” she said.
The newly ordained priest in the Society of St. Patrick’s Missionaries, Rev. Fr. Kennedy Julius Mullande, has thanked God for the gift of vocation in his life and asked for prayers to serve the Lord wholeheartedly.
He shared these sentiments on Pentecost Sunday after celebrating his first Mass as a priest at his home parish, St. John Paul II Chitedze, in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
Fr. Kennedy Mullande
“I am very grateful to God for the precious gift of life and priesthood given to me. I also thank my parents, friends, and parishioners for their prayers and words of encouragement that helped me reach this far. It has been so amazing,” said the smiling Father Kennedy.
Father Kennedy urged all young people to discern their vocations with the help of the Holy Spirit, assisted by their parents and vocations directors, so they may serve the Lord as priests, brothers, and sisters in the Vineyard of the Lord.
Earlier, the Vocations Director for Central Africa (Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa) in the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, Fr. Felix Mlauzi, urged the newly ordained priest to observe all priestly virtues as showered upon them by the Holy Spirit.
“You, Father Kennedy, and of course all of us priests, are supposed to be honest in our ministry. You have to be prayerful, available all the time, and not be segregative in your work. You also have to be simple and exemplary, observe chastity and celibate life. In addition, use social media to spread the Gospel of the Lord and not to discredit the priestly ministry,” said Father Mlauzi.
He also pleaded with parents, guardians, and friends to avoid exerting pressure on the newly ordained priest, especially concerning finances, as this could compromise their ministerial work.
The parishioners, priests, and friends of Father Kennedy Mullande gave him various gifts to assist him in his ministry as the first priest from the seven-year-old parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
parishioners presenting gifts to Fr. Mullande
Rev. Fr. Kennedy Julius Mullande, who comes from Samu village, Traditional Authority M’bwatalika in Lilongwe, has been appointed to serve the church in the West Africa region, specifically in Nigeria, under the Missionaries of St. Patrick’s.
