Vol 10, No. 9 ___ ______________ _September, 2006
FROM THE BISHOP’S DESK
…
Banabahesu,
Just why God demands suffering is a mystery. It
is not that God in heaven looks down upon our suffering and takes
some kind of twisted pleasure in what He sees. Nor is it really a
question of some kind of payment for sin in the old idea of an eye
for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Perhaps we get closer to the
truth when we realize that suffering is the measure of a person.
It shows how big that individual is. It can also be the test of
love because we are willing to suffer for another if we love that
person enough. But when all is said that can be said about it, we
simply must accept suffering in trust and confidence as Jesus did.
That involves every form of suffering, not just
the physical kind, but all the mental and emotional anguish, the
frustrations, the loneliness, the boredom of human existence,
Accept it all we must, but we should not be surprised if our
acceptance is a struggle. It was a struggle for Jesus. And as we
look up at the crucifix and remember that Jesus tells us to take
up our cross, we may be tempted to say, “May we be spared! God
forbid that any such thing ever happen to us!”
When we feel that way, we must remember that
Jesus not only said that He had to suffer and die, but also that
He would be raised on the third day. If we share in the cross of
Christ, we will share in His resurrection as well. God will accept
the gift of ourselves in union with Jesus if we willingly embrace
suffering and even death as Jesus did. Then we can expect to “share
in the inheritance of the saints’, those people who heeded the
words of Jesus and took up their crosses and followed Him.
God loves us and does not want bad things to
happen to us. Suffering is not bad because in God’s plan it will
lead us to happiness. God’s ways are not our ways, but God’s
ways are best.
+Paul F. Duffy, OMI
Bishop of Mongu
AROUND THE DIOCESE
SECULAR FRANCISCANS- MONGU DISTRICT:
We gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on
24th August to remember our beloved brothers and sisters who
have left us. Our Requiem Mass was beautiful, thanks to Fr. Andrew
Wakwinji. We would like to register our gratitude to all who
attended on that special occasion. -Christine Nyambe, District
Secretary
MONGU DIOCESAN AZADCC GATHERING: The
Mongu Association of Diocesan Catholic Clergy (AZADCC) had a
spiritual workshop at Sepo Convent from 15th-19th August, 2006.
The theme of the workshop was to re-root their priesthood through
fraternity. The goal of the workshop was to effectively live the
priesthood under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and empowered by the
Holy Spirit. The director was Fr. Alex Ojacor, a diocesan priest
from the Archdiocese of Kampala, Uganda and a spiritual director
at Gaba, the National Major Seminary. In attendance were Frs. Eric
Nawa Sanjobo, Charles Kabwe, Joseph Zalaunga, Patrick Cashin,
Andrew Wakwinji and Kaiko Munbuna as well as Deacons Ignatius
Muyunda, Leo Ululi, Cliff Fumbelo, Richard Kufanga and seminarian
Joseph Mundia. –Fr. Charles Kabwe, Secretary for AZADCC
COLLEGE INTERVIEWS:
Mongu Teachers Training College held
interviews for the 2007 intake between 6th-8th September. Over
1000 people were interviewed and we are expecting to publish the
list of selected candidates by Novermber 2006. A word of gratitude
to all the Parish Priests who assisted in recommending Catholic
candidates.
–Fr. Charles Kabwe, Chaplain and member of
Admissions Committee
Bishop’s Schedule:
- 7th -17th October Zambian Bishops’ Ad Limina visit to Rome
- 21st October Diaconate Ordination of Bro. Peter Chishemba,
OMI – Limulunga Church, 09:00
- 22nd-28th October Oblate Retreat - Lusaka
- 30th October Catholic Centre Staff Meeting
- 31st October Mongu District Training Advisory Com. at the
Catholic Centre
CATHOLIC COMMISSION FOR
JUSTICE AND PEACE, MONGU:
Members of the CCJP have been busy this past
month in helping to prepare people to vote intelligently in the
tripartite elections. Among the many activities they have
sponsored are Meet Your Candidate Forums. They have
traveled to Kaoma, Lukulu, Kalabo, Senanga and to various areas of
Mongu District (Nalikwanda, Mulambwa Ward, Mongu Central, Lewanika
Ward, Luena Constituency, etc.) making presentations to gatherings
ranging from about 300 to well over 600 people. These Forums
provide the people not only with an awareness of the issues
affecting the country, the duties of responsible government, and
the obligation of eligible person to vote, but also a chance to
interface with the candidates on key developmental issues
affecting the communities of the Western Province. CCJP have
provided similar discussions on the issues over Radio Liseli. This
is all part of the responsibility of CCJP to provide Civic
Education to our people. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their
timely work in an area as critical as participating in the
electoral process. -Mrs. Sanana Lewanika, Diocesan Director,
CCJP
ST. ANNE ANNUAL RETRAT
AND BLOUSING: The St. Anne
Organization held their Annual Retreat and Blousing Programme from
10th -14th August at Sancta Maria Parish, Lukulu. The trip to
Lukulu was good though very tiring on a very bad road. St. Anne
women now understand why our brothers and sisters cry over the
state of the road. The Blousing went well. Over 300 members
attended and seventy-eight (78) new members were bloused.
Twenty-three aspiring members also attended as well as 21
potential St. Joachims were there eager to start their group. They
will be a big support to the St. Anne ladies. Sr. Pat and Sr.
Elizabeth, IBVM., shared some very educational topics with us. Fr.
Victor Mwanamwambwa guided our retreat. He and Fr. Godfrey Mpundu,
OMI were very busy throughout and the reception was excellent. We
only pray that the members continue evangelizing everywhere. May
God bless us all and all those who pray for us. –Beatrice
Simate, President
VEGETABLE PRODUCATION
WORKSHOP FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS: The
Diocese of Mongu Development Centre (DMDC) conducted a Vegetable
Production workshop for Community Schools from 26th – 29th
July. A total of 29 participants from fifteen community schools in
the Mongu District attended. The primary objective was to improve
the nutrition of the orphans and vulnerable children in Community
Schools throughout Mongu District while the main developmental
objective was to introduce the participants to basic agricultural
concepts and principles to impart vegetable growing knowledge,
skills and techniques. Participants were exposed to different
aspects of vegetable growing. In addition, land tenure and
agriculture production systems were discussed. Participants also
had the opportunity to visit different vegetable-growing projects
in Mongu District. Mr. Sendoi, the District Education Standard
Officer (DECO) officially closed the workshop. He thanked DMDC for
organizing it and challenged participants to put into practice
what they had learned and the skills they had acquired. He also
stated that he would visit each and every community to ensure that
vegetable production takes place. Mr. Sendoi requested DMDC to
conduct similar workshops for Basic Schools as well. –Kusiyo
Mbikusita Lewanika, DMDC Director
MONZE DIOCESE DEVELOPMENT
STAFF VISIT MONGU: Nine
Development Staff of the Diocese of Monze paid an exchange visit
to the Mongu Diocese Development Department from 28th August –
1st September, 2006. The visit culminated in visiting some places
of development intervention of the Diocese. Generally we were
impressed with the hard work Mongu Diocese is involved in and we
really felt being at home “Kwa hae”! Thanks to all the
Development staff and continue with the good work of your various
developmental interventions. God bless. –Fr. Cosama K. Moonga
for the group.
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER:
Another original weekend was held in Malengwa on
Sept. 8th -10th. We had four couples out of the ten that
registered. They all came for the weekend offered in Silozi. The
youngest couple was only five years married while the oldest was
45 years old. We are grateful to Fr. Robert and the Kabambas from
Senanga for helping us to meet our goal. Sunday was beautiful as
the couples testified to their experiences. We hope the October
original weekend in Limulunga, Oct. 27th-29th will attract more. –Patrick
Zgambo ME, Malengwa
SENANGA HBC CELEBRATES
10TH ANNIVERSARY: On the 25th
August, Senanga Home Based Care celebrated its 10th anniversary.
The programme started at 08:00hrs. with marching, singing and
dancing from Mwamanbunyi to New Market. The nurses working with
HBC, caregivers, men and women, were dressed in a nice citenge.
The march was led by UCZ band. Invited guests were people from
Health Services, a representative from Mongu Diocese Office,
different churches, pastors, parish priest of St. Jude Parish and
the Sisters. After the march, the guest of honor, Mr. Charles
Mutulwa gave a speech in which he congratulated HBC for the work
they are doing in the community of Senanga. Different
participating groups were Youth Alive, UCZ choir, caregivers. They
and other groups performed nice sketches and sang. Four persons
living with HIV shared how the HBC has helped them and they
encouraged others who are in need of help to go to HBC for
assistance. The programme at New Market ended at 13:00 hrs. The
guest of honor gave the last speech and asked people to come and
help the programme with whatever little they have. Fr. Godfrey
Sinvula, OFMCap. and the pastor from UCZ concluded with prayers.
Many, however, continued celebrating until 18:00 hrs. at Mulike
Guest House. –Sr. Connie Malenji, SSF
Dates to Remember:
- 21st October Ordination of Br. Peter Chishemba, OMI to
diaconate – Limulunga -- 09:00hrs
22nd OCTOBER MISSION SUNDAY COLLECTION TO BE TAKEN IN ALL
PARISHES AND MISSION STATIONS OF THE DIOCESE
27th-29th October Marriage Encounter Original Week end --
Limulunga Multi-Purpose Centre
FRIENDS OF MONGU
STRENGTHEN EVANGELIZATION: August
2006 is a month to remember in the Diocese of Mongu. Two major
events took place in the Diocese: the New Dawn Open Air
Evangelization, Conference and Seminar and the
Diocesan Pastoral Council Meeting. At the end of the
programme, the Friends of Mongu Diocese
presented Bibles to 33 participants whom they had sponsored by
paying for their full board and accommodations. One of the
highlights of the Diocesan Pastoral Council Meeting was when His
Lordship, Bishop Paul F. Duffy, OMI., presented to each Parish
evangelization materials donated by the Friends of Mongu
Diocese. These materials consisted of two books; Musebeleze
Mulimu and Litoko. The former is a book
which contains the Order of Sunday Service, Order of Funerals,
common prayers, etc. The latter is a Silozi hymn book which
contains indigenous songs. Friends of Mongu Diocese
are mindful of the difficulties faced by Prayer Leaders in remote
areas of the Diocese. It is against this background that they saw
fit to donate the Evangelization materials to each parish. May God
bless them individually and collectively.
-Kusiyo Mbikusita Lewanika, Chairperson,
Diocesan Pastoral Council.
DRIVER TRAINING
:During the week of 21st-26th August while
the Bishop and the Diocesan Development Staff attend the CRS
Summit, CRS sponsored a workshop in Industrial Training in
Motor Vehicle Maintenance for 19 drivers who were in Lusaka
with the staffs from their various dioceses. Toyota Corporation,
Lusaka organized and conducted the workshop. Everyone from Mongu
was delighted that Victor Chikwama, a DOM-HBC driver
scooped first place upon completing his examination at the end of
the workshop. He was awarded a certificate for best performance by
Toyota Corporation. Subsequently, Victor facilitated a similar
workshop for the other CRS drivers in Mongu Diocese on Saturday
Sept. 9th. Bishop Duffy opened this gathering by thanking the
participants for attending, encouraged all the drivers to learn as
much as they could and put it into practice, in addition to
reminding them that the CRS vehicles are restricted for official
use only, and that the rules and regulations of CRS governing the
use of these vehicle are to be strictly observed. Victor shared
his knowledge on the most sensitive parts of a motor vehicle with
his peers in a discussion format because he wanted everyone to
participate actively. Well done, Victor!!
NEW DAWN CONFERENCE,
RALLY AND OPEN AIR EVANGELIZATION:
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the
Diocese in collaboration with New Dawn hosted an open air
Evangelization, and a Christian Conference and Rally from the 20th
– 27th August. That was the second time that an evangelization
venture such as this took place in Mongu. The theme was Jesus
Saves and Sets You Free (Acts 16:31; John 8:36; Rom. 10:8-13).
The Christian Conference and Seminar was held at Mongu College of
Teacher Education, 20th-25th August and the open air
Evangelization was held at Mongu Stadium. The event was officially
opened with Mass, celebrated by Fr. Charles Chirwa of Ndola
Diocese who was joined by Fr. Alex Ojacor, from Uganda and Fr.
Henry Byamukama, M.Afr., Diocesan Director of the Charismatic
Renewal Movement for Mongu Diocese. Fr. Ojacor, Mr. Myles Dempsey
(founder of New Dawn from England) and Mr. Jose de Costa from
Portugal were the leaders of the programme throughout the week.
Healing and deliverance services were conducted daily. On Saturday
all the delegates walked through the streets of Mongu, from the
Post Office to the Stadium and at night, there was a candlelight
procession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. To mark the
close of this very spiritually fruitful week, Rt. Rev. Paul F.
Duffy, Bishop of Mongu, concelebrated Mass at the Stadium on
Sunday morning. Thanks to our Bishop, our supporters at home and
abroad, the various benefactors especially for their financial
support, and all who participated. –Desire Kayembe, CCRS
Steering Team
C-SAFE CLOSE-UP:
The Consortium for Southern Africa Food Security Emergency
(C-Safe) was introduced in the Mongu Diocese in 2003. The goal was
to respond to the immediate food security crisis prompted by the
2002 drought in the three countries targeted for food assistance
to vulnerable groups of the population: Malawi, Zambia and
Zimbabwe. During the 1st year of operation in our diocese, the
programme focused on five parishes; Limulungs, Malengwa, St.
Agatha, Lourdes and St. John. By mid-2005 the targeted
beneficiaries had reached 15,016. During the 2nd and 3rd years of
implementation, the focus was re- covery programmes, i.e.,
improving nutritional status, protecting productive assets, and
strengthening households and community resilience to current and
future shocks that affect livelihoods. From December 2005-April
2006 C-Safe responded to the drought situation by distributing
food (sorghum, maize, rice, bulgar wheat, etc.) to 26,205
beneficiaries in the Barotse Flood Plain. As C-Safe comes to a
close at the end of September, 2006 it has 11,261 registered
beneficiaries in the five Districts of the Diocese. Of these, we
have managed to serve 10,797. A new programme, (LISAR), with a
different focus, is already in place to continue service to the
needs of our people. Drumbeat will carry a
description of that programme next month. – A.K.Siyanga,
C-Safe Dir.
DIOCESAN PASTORAL COUNCIL
MEETING:
The Annual
Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting was held at Limulunga
Multi-Purpose Centre from 28th August-1st September. Fifty
delegates from the 11 parishes of the Diocese and from diocesan
institutions and organizations attended. Self-sustainability,
witchcraft and HIV/AIDS were the themes of the meeting. In his
opening remarks, Bishop Paul F. Duffy, OMI reminded the delegates
that since we are in the period leading up to elections, we need
to pray for free and fair elections and that the Liturgies during
the gathering would be based on the theme of Justice and Peace –
the principal subject matter of the Pastoral Letter of the
Catholic Bishops of Zambia. The parishes gave reports on their
efforts at self-sustainability throughout the year; the directors
of diocesan programmes gave up-dates on their activities, and Fr.
Robert Lavertu, MAfr. gave a presentation on witchcraft. Plans and
follow-up on (1) the HIV/AIDS National Health Care Conference for
Priests and Religious, (2) Civic Education and the tripartite
Election, and (3) the up-coming 10th Anniversary of the Diocese of
Mongu were shared and discussed. Before the closing of the
gathering, Bishop Duffy awarded the prizes to the winners of the
Choir Competition which was held in June; he congratulated Fr.
John Bouma, CMM and his brothers for financing and constructing
the new Home Based Care building in Kaoma; he highlighted some of
the achievements of the Diocese in different aspects of
development and he urged the delegates to take advantage of the
funding available for general development and for HIV/AIDS related
activities.
–Kusiyo Mbikusita Lewanika, Diocesan
Pastoral Council Chairperson, Fr. Robert Lavertu, Pastoral
Coordinator
NEWS
FROM THE PARISHES
ST GABRIEL PARISH, NAMUSHAKENDE
YOUTH CAMPS -2006:
The annual youth gatherings of our parish
(youth camps) which usually take place in August during the school
holidays were very successful. These are the biggest youth
gatherings of the parish in the course of a year. They provide
youth from our different parish centres with the opportunity to
come together for five days to get to know each other, learn and
share experiences. This year’s camps took place in three
sub-parishes (zones). They drew together 86, 70 and 75 youths. The
theme for this year was “Follow Me” with special focus on the
vocation to married life. Other issues tackled included lessons on
self-knowledge/self-acceptance, virginity, choose life, bad
habits, the necessity for prayer and the role of the choir in
Liturgy. The camps were filled with lots of activities: prayer
sessions, lessons, sports, social interaction, video shows and
great moments of fun and laughter – all aimed at building
formidable youth groups in all our centres and in the parish at
large. –Bro. Alfred Awogya, M.Afr.
ST. MICHAEL PARISH, KALABO:
CONFIRMATIONS:
It
was indeed a graced moment for the people of Kalabo and its
surrounding areas when their Shepherd, Bishop Paul F. Duffy, OMI
visited them. The main purpose of the visitation was to administer
the Sacrament of Confirmation to his fellow Catholics. The people
responded to the Bishop’s presence with excitement in their
songs, their actions and the manifestation of their faith. In his
homily, the Bishop appealed to the people to take up the challenge
of being evangelizers to their own people just as the Apostles had
done. He also asked them to pray for our country as we approach
election time and to pray that our leaders will be men and women
of ‘truth and sincerity.” He thanked the people for their
hospitality during his stay in the various parish communities. The
number of those confirmed from Tuesday, 12th September to Saturday
was 134 in six Mission Churches. These gatherings included the
faithful from 42 smaller church communities. On Sunday, 17th
September, 38 were confirmed at St. Michael, the main church, and
this included confirmandi from 12 Mission Churches. The Mass was
such a colorful celebration that we did not realize we had spent
almost four hours in the Church. One of those confirmed, a 78 yr.
old lady, Sitali Simawe of Liuwa Catholic Church, expressed her
joy in the following words (translated from Silozi): “I thank
God for sending us this good shepherd of souls, Bishop Paul Duffy,
for coming here to see how his flock are living, eating, and
eating what we eat, and sleeping the way we sleep in our
communities.” In Silozi, “Ni itumela ku Mulimu ka ku lu
lumela mulisana yo mundewa mioya ya luna Bishop Paul Duffy ya tile
ku to lu bona, ku to bona mutapi was hae mo u pilela, ku toca ni
luna ni ku lobala ni luna sina mo lu lobalelanga kwa mahae a luna.”
All the people present during the Confirmation Masses paid
tribute to the simplicity of their Servant and Leader in song. –Bro.
Michael Tembo, OMI
ST. FRANCIS PARISH, MALENGWA:
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY:
There
was jubilation in St. Francis Parish as seven couples celebrated
the Sacrament of Matrimony. All seven had earlier made the
Marriage Encounter Original Weekend. We are grateful to Martha and
Patrick Zgambo and to Hope and Edwin Sinjwala for a job well done
in preparing them. And to the couples we say, “Congratulations!!
Pray together and stay together.” -Maureen Yuyi,
CARE-Coordinator.
COMINGS
AND GOINGS
We welcome back Sr.
Grace O’Meara, CCVI., Fr. John Grace, OFMCap.
and Sister Monica Carroll, SHSp
from
their home leave.
We also welcome Sr.
Ita Mulcahy, PBVM who
will be spending the next three months
at Cheshire Home, Malengwa. Sister is new to Cheshire from
Ireland via Huddlesfield, Eng.
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
- Fr. Wilfrid
Hodari on his completion of his Licentiate
in Moral Theology with a
specialization in Marriage and Family Life . During
the coming year (which begins this
month) he will be back in Rome continuing his studies in
preparation for a Doctorate.
Fr. Wilfrid, we are all proud of you!!!!!
- Victor
Chikwama, Home Based
Care Driver who scooped first position in Driver
Performance at a drivers’ workshop in Lusaka
- The
Capuchin Franciscans who have just elected
the first Swiss head of the Order
Fr. Mauro
Johri in their 1100 yr. history. They also
elected Very
Rev. Peter
Rodgers,
the current Irish Provincial, to
General leadership!
CONDOLENCES TO:
-The
Simukumba Family, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Holy Cross
School Staff and Students
on the
death of their former headmaster.
Mr. Richard
Simukumba
who was laid to rest on 29th A
