The Teresian Sisters have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting women in Malawi by equipping them with various skills that will enable them to become economically self-reliant in their households.
Speaking on Monday at Mtima Woyera Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe during a graduation ceremony, the Sisters celebrated women who successfully completed training in tailoring and designing.
Sister Clementina Mkandira, one of the senior leaders of the congregation, announced plans to establish a women’s development school in Balaka District.
Sr. Mkandira We want to improve the lives of women in Malawi
She explained that the school will provide women with practical skills to help them achieve financial independence.
“This development center will serve the whole country. Every woman interested in learning different skills will be enrolled. Our aim is to improve the lives of women in Malawi,” she said.
Sister Teleza Mulenga, who is overseeing the project, expressed joy at the progress made by the women who completed the training. She noted that their achievements give hope for a brighter future.
“I am so impressed with this first pilot phase of our project here at Mtima Woyera Parish. We didn’t know how big the impact would be, but looking at what these women have achieved in just three months, we believe that once we fully implement this project, it will be even more successful,” she said.
She added that the planned development center in Balaka will offer training in multiple skills, including tailoring, cookery, soap-making, and other income-generating activities.
Graduating women receiving their certificates
Grace Chanza Gondwe, the course instructor, expressed optimism that the women will continue applying the skills they have acquired in their communities and pass them on to others.
One of the graduates, Precious Phiri, applauded the Teresian Sisters for the initiative, saying her life has greatly changed.
“I will now be able to provide for my family through a tailoring business,” she said.
One of the women showcasing her designs
The tailoring course, which began in September with 20 women from Mtima Woyera Parish, has seen 14 women successfully graduate.
Fr. Richard Chikumbu from Mtima Woyera Parish, blessing the new sewing machines
Parishioners at Maria M’thandizi wa Akhristu Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe have been commended for their exceptional work towards fulfilling efforts championed by the Archdiocese in building a self reliant church.
This follow a gesture taken taken by the lay faithful at the parish, in building a magnificent priest house that has costed them about 280 million kwacha.
His Grace George Tambala, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, on Sunday 30 November 2025, expressed joy over the gesture, during the Eucharist Celebration blessing the newly built priests home.
His Grace Tambala noted that this is a clear sign that the lay faithful have great faith, as being closer to the priest simply shows that the parishioners have deep faith.
The Archbishop also said building such a house with funds from the lay faithful indicates that they understand their role in building a self-reliance church.
Archbishop Tambala, it’s time to rejoice
”It’s time to rejoice, as the time has come to depend on our own efforts in developing the church,” he added.
In his remarks, Witimu Chuma said the parishioners played a vital role in fulfilling the dream of building a priest’s house at the Parish.
He then called on his fellow parishioners to continue working hard with the aim of continuing the good work that they have started, following the call from the Archbishop.
Chuma, we should continue working hard
”Let me call upon my fellow lay faithful to continue working hard in order to accomplish our mission of developing the church,” he added.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe has decried the practice of marrying off youths, which it said is a recipe for increasing poverty in the country.
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa, made the sentiments on Sunday 30 November 2025 at St Paul Ndevu Outstation in Namitete Parish during the Thanksgiving Mass.
Bishop Mwakhwawa has since warned all Malawians to urgently act on the practice because it is a sin before God.
Bishop Mwakhwawa, The country can not develop if this continues
“Statistics showing early marriages in the country are very alarming, and as a country, we have to do something quickly. The church and the country can’t develop in earnest if we continue having these early marriages.”
“Poverty levels will continue to rise because the youths aren’t mature enough and shall constantly be prone to various diseases, thereby draining the country’s resources,” said Bishop Mwakhwawa.
He then appealed to all stakeholders and the government to help stop this malpractice so as to protect the productive youths.
Concurring with the bishop, Emma Mwambakulu, who is also one of the chiefs in Ndevu area under Traditional Authority Kalolo, asked all stakeholders to prioritize sending children to school and avoid the practice of early marriages, saying that it derails development.
Mwambakuru, it’s true, we need to do action
“It is true that early marriages are happening in the country and in the areas mentioned. However, I want to tell parents and my fellow chiefs in the country not to accept early marriages because it prevents the youths from learning to become productive citizens in the church and country as a whole. I appeal to all the youths to desist from marrying while young but to work hard in school because that’s where their bright future lies. It is really a sin before God for the parents to marry off their children,” said Chief Mwambakulu.
Statistics show that early marriages in Lilongwe rural and Mchinji have very high figures in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe has praised the children of the Holy Childhood from St. Paul Ndevu Outstation in Namitete Parish for their dedication to their mission.
Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa of the Lilongwe Archdiocese shared his appreciation today, the first Sunday of Advent at St. Paul Ndevu Outstation during a Thanksgiving Mass for the children.
Bishop Mwakhwawa highlighted the children’s brilliance in singing and their deep understanding of Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist, noting this as a great quality that is often lacking in many adults.
Bishop Mwakhwawa, applauds the children for their dedication
“I came here to thank these children and their parents. They sang brilliantly during the opening of the Epiphany Year at Likuni on November 16th this year.”
“During Mass, heavy rains poured, and while many adults sought shelter, these children remained and got soaked. They understand that Mass must continue at all costs. We are very happy as an archdiocese with this understanding.”
His lordship appealed to all Catholics to follow this example, urging them to start valuing the teachings and understanding the sacraments of the Catholic Church for its growth and strength.
In his remarks, Felesta Ching’oma, the chairperson of St. Paul Ndevu Outstation, thanked God for the Bishop’s visit and vowed to continue mentoring the children to strengthen their Catholic faith.
Ching’oma, we thank God, now they understand.
“When we heard that our children were chosen to sing at the Likuni event, we immediately started training them, beginning in the families. We didn’t face any problems because we have been sending their teachers to various training sessions. We simply thank God that they now understand and can display their faith in Jesus through the Church’s teachings to the people.”
The Holy Childhood choir from the outstation led the liturgy with well-composed songs during the Thanksgiving Mass.
The event concluded with a get-together for the Holy Childhood members and their teachers at Ndevu Catholic Primary School in Lilongwe.
The Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) has called on newly elected Catholic Members of Parliament (MPs) to demonstrate unwavering dedication in serving the people who entrusted them with the mandate to represent them in the National Assembly.
The call was made by Bishop Alfred Chaima of the Zomba Diocese on Wednesday during a special Eucharistic Mass held in Lilongwe to officially welcome and bless the new MPs before they begin their parliamentary duties.
MPs pose with Bishop Alfred Chaima and Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa
In his message, Bishop Chaima emphasized that the legislators should remain grounded in the realities and daily struggles faced by the communities that voted them into office.
He urged them to always place the welfare of the people at the centre of their decision-making, noting that many Malawians are grappling with socio-economic challenges that require committed and compassionate leadership.
Remember the needs of people who voted for you, Bishop Chaima
“The people who elected you are facing numerous hardships. As you deliberate and make decisions in Parliament, always remember the needs, concerns, and aspirations of those who entrusted you with this responsibility,” said Bishop Chaima.
He further reminded the MPs that as Catholics, their faith should guide them in how they conduct themselves and in the positions they present in the August House. Bishop Chaima stressed that the Church’s social teachings offer valuable principles that can help leaders promote justice, peace, and the common good.
“You must recognise that before anything else, you are Catholics. Let the teachings of the Church guide your actions and the views you express in Parliament,” he added.
Speaking during the same event, one of the legislators, Patricia Kaliati, pledged to give her utmost dedication in serving the people who entrusted her with the responsibility of representing them.
I will work tirelessly to address challenges affecting my constituents, Kaliati
Kaliati said she is aware of the expectations citizens have from their leaders, and assured the faithful that she will work tirelessly to address the challenges affecting her constituents and the nation at large.
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Right Reverend Vincent Mwakhwawa, has urged families to take the lead in promoting a prayerful life and praying for leaders across the world.
Bishop Mwakhwawa made the appeal during the Eucharistic celebration of Family Day and the Solemnity of Jesus Christ the King at Maula Cathedral Parish on Sunday, 23rd November 2025.
Bishop Mwakhwawa congratulating the family of Mr Kamwaza for clocking 65 years in Marriage
His Lordship said families should remain firm in their Christian faith and continue teaching one another the importance of family life, with the aim of serving God faithfully and raising trustworthy leaders.
He emphasized that as the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King, Christians should dedicate themselves to praying for peace in the country and for leaders in their various responsibilities of serving the people, emulating the leadership of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Mwakhwawa blessing a family from the international community
His Lordship further highlighted that as the Catholic Church in Malawi offers thanksgiving prayers for the elections held in September this year, Christians should continue to pray for lasting peace in the nation and for its leaders.
“The Church in Malawi, through Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), today offered prayers of thanksgiving after the peaceful general elections. In Malawi, we have received a great miracle of peace through the elections. We were very worried, as you know, that before the elections, there was violence and many issues, but God gave us a wonderful gift of peace afterwards,” Bishop Mwakhwawa said.
Family from Small Christian Communities under Maula Cathedral Parish, receiving blessings after renewing their marriage vows
Representing families, Mr. and Mrs. Chando echoed Bishop Mwakhwawa’s call, stressing that the family should be a place where members teach one another about both Christian life and physical well-being.
“Bishops, priests, presidents, and other leaders come from families. Therefore, it is important that within families we teach one another about spirituality, so that leaders who emerge will always be people of integrity,” they said.
During the celebration, families renewed their marriage vows and also joined the Catholic Church in Malawi in offering thanksgiving prayers for the elections held in September.
