OUR DIOCESE

A Newsletter from Mpika Diocese

November 2002

Important Dates

Appointments

Fr Waldemar Potrapeluk and Fr. Piotr Kolcz moved from Chinsali to
Chilonga; Fr. Waldemar as Priest-in-charge. Fr. Francis Kasolo from
Mulanga to St. Joseph’s Parish as Priest-in-charge. He will
team up with Fr. Richard Kangwa who moved from St. Andrew’s.
Fr. Charles Kabuswe from Mulilansolo to Chalabesa as
Priest-in-charge. Fr. Daniel Kashimoto from Chilonga to Mulilansolo
as Director of the CTC. Fr. Lazarus Mwiko from St. Andrew’s
to Mulanga. Fr. Francis Ntenga from Chilonga to St. Andrew’s.

Visitors

The Religious Sisters of Charity in Mulanga were blessed by the
presence of their Superior General Sr. Una O’Neil from
Dublin, Ireland who was on her visitation from 19-21 October. Sr.
Rosemary, the Regional Superior accompanied her.

The LSMI Sisters in Mpika Diocese were also privileged and honoured
by the visit of their Superior General; Sr. Mariola Karas and her
first Assistant; Sr. Stanislawa on 30 October. The Superior General
was on a Canonical Visitation in the Diocese from 30 October to 6
November.

Welcome

• Ms. Annelies Wäger, FIDESCO Volunteer, a nurse for Our
  Lady’s Hospital, Chilonga
• Ms. Agnes Joyeux, FIDESCO Volunteer, a dentist for Our
  Lady’s Hospital, Chilonga.

Diocesan Health Coordinator

There was a workshop for all Sisters-in-charge of Health
Institutions on 21^th October at the Diocesan Offices.
Different issues were discussed : retrenchment of CE’s,
financial reports, staffhouses, Home Based Care implementation,
income generating projects, health policy, pastoral work and
capacity building. The input and the experience of Sr. Elizabeth
Mutale was very much appreciated by the participants. This workshop
was a good preparation for the subsequent visit of the Diocesan
Health Coordinator in the different RHCs during the first week of
November. The allotted tasks will be discussed during the
Sisters-in-charge meeting on 22 November.

Chinsali Deanery Meeting

17 Participants attended from the Deanery. The Pastoral Coordinator
and Vocation Director were present too. The Dean thanked all the
participants for their contributions. The next Meeting will take
place on 11 March 2003 and all members should be in Isoka on 10
March.

Mpika Deanery Meeting

17 participants including the Pastoral Coordinator attended the
Deanery Meeting that was held at Chilonga SHJM Convent on 8
October. Among the issues tackled, was that all parishes should
send volunteer couples to be trained in giving seminars/workshops
in family life affairs.

Pastoral Coordinator

The long awaited launch of the Zambia Association of Catholic
Professionals, (ZACP) Mpika Branch finally took place on 26 October
at the ICL. Members and well wishers from St Andrew’s,
Ichengelo and Chilonga Parishes witnessed the colourful ceremony
which was graced by the presence of the ZACP Africa Vice President,
Mr. Felix Chanda and two other National Executive members from
Lusaka.

In his speech the Vicar General Fr. Charles Kabuswe, who was the
Guest of Honour reminded the Catholic Professionals of their
special obligation as lay people to spread the gospel at their
actual working places.

Condolences to

• Ms. Esnart Sikapumbwe (wife to Oliver) whose elder sister died
  in Mpika Hospital on 1 November.

Industrial Break

The last working day for the Diocesan Offices, Garage and Workshop
is Friday 20 December; the first working day in 2003 is Monday 13
January.

AIDS/HIV/HBC Coordinator

The celebration of the World AIDS Day takes off on 1 December and a
week before was declared time for fasting and prayer for our
brothers and sisters who are living with HIV/AIDS and also for
those who died of HIV/AIDS by our Bishops in their recent pastoral
letter on HIV/AIDS.

Thanks

Fr. Telesphore Tafuna expresses his heart felt thanks to all for
spiritual and material support during his aunt’s (Victoria
Tafuna) illness and funeral.

Wishing all our relatives, friends and benefactors

All the Blessings and joy of Christmas:

A child is born to us: Christ the Lord.

Peace and Happiness in the New Year

and Thanking you for your support and encouragement in 2002