150 Receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Anne’s Parish
By Benedict Kauteka
Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of the Diocese of Karonga has on 4th August, 2019 administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 150 Christians at St Anne’s Parish Station in Karonga District.
Out of the 150 confirmands, 103 are Junior Sunday school children an indication that the Catholic Church is growing steadily due to efforts of the Pastoral Commission through the Sunday School Project.
The Sunday School Project is playing a major role in laying the foundation of the future Church, which will have a strong faith base, as the project mainly targets children and the youth who are the future leaders and elders of the Church.
In his homily, the Bishop highlighted the significance of the three Sacraments of Christian Initiation, namely; Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.
He said the Church teaches that the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation lead us as Christians towards the sacrament of the Eucharist, in which we meet Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
The Bishop therefore admonished the faithful to open themselves up to the sacraments as these help in reconciling them with God.
“The only opportune time we have to reconcile with our God, as Christians, is now when we are still alive. Priests are there to help us receive these sacraments for the attainment of our salvation,” said the Bishop.
He bemoaned the youth, especially girls, who after embracing the Catholic faith leave the Church because of marriage. He advised the youth, particularly the girls, to keep on holding to the faith which they embraced regardless of whatever circumstance they find themselves in.