OUR DIOCESE

A Newsletter from Mpika Diocese

EVENTS CALENDAR

BISHOP MULENGA WRITES TO HIS PRIESTS

On Holy Thursday, 13th April, 2017, Rt. Rev. Justin Mulenga released his first ever letter to the priests of Mpika diocese and below is the summary of its content:

1. Living as brothers: Community life should be enhanced through communal prayer, recreation and house meetings. The bishop bemoaned the fact that some communities are like refugee camps or prisons
2. All curates urged to be active: He encouraged the associate pastors to take an active role in the life of the parish, which includes administration, finances, formation of seminarians and working with lay organizations.
3. Priestly basics: Bishop envisaged a priest who is prayerful, compassionate and hardworking.
4. Celebration of sacraments: The bishop urged the clergy to celebrate sacraments worthily with and for the people of God. He reiterated that preparation is key in this endeavor.
5. Homily: The bishop recommended the “Joy of the Gospel” and “Preparing to preach” as two useful sources in homily preparation.
6. Reading and writing: In conclusion, the prelate challenged the priests to be creative, and  read and write something
7. Dedication to our Mother Mary: “All of you dear fathers know that I am a Marian bishop; I have a strong devotion to our blessed Lady, the mother of Jesus, our High Priest. In ending this year’s Holy Thursday letter, I entrust all of you unto her care. May she, who watched over and cared for the Word incarnate, do the same for you all.” concluded the bishop’s letter.

TRANSFERS AND APPOINTMENTS

1. Fr. Mwango Nathan from St. John’s Chinsali to St. Peter Claver, Mulanga
2. Fr. Mutale Jeff as the new Diocesan Youth Chaplain taking over from Fr. Ronald Kalasani
3. Fr. Mapenga Mwansa as the acting Parish Priest of St. Mark’s in Isoka
4. Fr. Mwaba Thomson as the Diocesan Catechetical Commission Director

 EVENTS FROM PARISHES

ST. MONICA’S PARISH HAND OVER THE CROSS TO THE CATHEDRAL PARISH

On Saturday, 1st April, 2017, the parishioners of St. Monica’s Tazara parish with their priests, Frs. Shula Chileshe and Thomas Matthaei handed over the symbolic Cross which has been moving around the diocese following the erection of each parish. This has been the diocesan way of marking the 125 years of Catholic Faith in Zambia and 117 in the diocese of Mpika.

ST. ANDREW’S PARISH RE-ENACT THE JEWISH MATZAH MEAL

On 12 April, 2017, St. Andrew’s parish family celebrated the Matzah meal by re-enacting the Jewish tradition of taking bitter herbs and elders narrating to the young generation what God had done to them, especially by saving them from the iron hand of the Egyptians.

 DIOCESAN YOUTH DAY

On Thursday, 27 April 2017, all roads will lead to St. Mark’s parish, Isoka to pray, celebrate and mark the annual diocesan youth event, commonly known as the DYD. This is the singular largest diocesan Youth event which attracts young people from all the fourteen parishes of our diocese and it is normally graced by the Bishop.

 BEREAVEMENTS

1. Cooperate condolences to Fr. Vincent Chendela on the death of his sister, Mervis Chendela. She was put to rest on Wednesday 5th April, 2017 in Isoka. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
2. Sincere condolences to Deacon Anthony Mulenga on the passing on of his brother, Francis Mulenga in Mpika. He was put to rest on Friday, 7th April, 2017. May he rest in peace.

 SAINT’S INSPIRATION

“We are Easter people and Allelluia is our song.” St. John Paul II

 Kindly send your stories on events happening in your parish and institution. When something good is happening, SAY IT!

b.bwalya@diompika.org