St John Paul II Parish Launches Youth Competitions for Ibanda Zone
By Benjamin Msowoya*
On 30th October 2021, St John Paul II Parish launched Catechism quiz and sports competitions for the youth of Ibanda Zone. The official launch was done at Chipalanje Outstation by the Parish Priest, Fr Lorent Dziko, in the presence of parents, Church leaders and the youth from Chendo, Chipalanje and Ibanda Outstations.
The competitions are part of the parish’s effort to improve attendance of the youth during their faith formation sessions and other interactive activities that unite the youth and improve their participation in the Church.
The youth of Ibanda Zone gathered at Chipalanje from Friday, 29 October to Sunday, 31 October. On Saturday, before the actual launch of the competitions later in the day, the youth organised several activities to mark their day at Chipalanje. They had a lesson on the Synod of Bishops (2021-2023) and they also gave their voice during the consultations on synodality (journeying together) as they experience it in the Diocese. They freely shared on how they see various groups ‘journeying together’ better than others in the Diocese. They also brought forward recommendations that touch on several areas of the Church’s life and mission on how to improve the communion, participation and missionary spirit in the Diocese.
The youth were also involved in the acts of charity. They visited three needy families, cheered them up, prayed with them and shared with them some items (such as soap, maize flour and money). The people chosen for these acts of charity were all old and frail living within the vicinity of Chipalanje Outstation.
The youth also participated in a quiz competition. Three teams (each with ten members) from Chendo Outstation, Chipalanje Outstation and Ibanda Outstation) contested in the quiz. Chipalanje Outstation came first with 17 points (of 20 points), Ibanda Outstation were runners up with 15 points (of 20), while Chendo came third with 14 points (of 20). Many youths were eager to participate in the quiz competitions. Out of the 83 youths (38 male, 45 female) that gathered for this event, 30 participated in the quiz as contestants.
Later on, all the youth joyfully participated in the football and net ball competitions that followed later in the afternoon. Also present during this day were the Diocese’s Sunday School Programme Coordinator (Mr Benjamin Msowoya), the Catechetical Methodology Advisor for Kapoka Deanery (Mr Paul Sesa), Catechist for Ibanda Zone (Mr Andrew Mbale) and Assistant Catechist for Ibanda Zone (Mr Gabriel Simwera).
Karonga Diocese Begins 2023 Synod Consultations among the Clergy and Religious
By Benjamin Msowoya
As part of preparations for the Synod of Bishops in 2023, the Diocese of Karonga has started collecting views on synodality among the clergy, the religious men and women. Karonga Diocese organised its first sessions of consultations among the clergy and religious on 26th October 2021.
All priests (diocesan and religious) and religious sisters working in Chitipa and Kapoka Deaneries of the Diocese met at St Michaels Parish; while all priests, religious brothers and sisters working in Karonga and Chilumba Deaneries of the Diocese met at St Mary’s Parish for their deliberations.
In their deliberations, they appraised the current status of the Church’s ‘journeying together’ as it is happening today in the Diocese. They were also forward-looking on what needs to be done in order to make this ‘journeying together’ better in the Diocese.
The product of their deliberations (their assessment and recommendations) will be consolidated in a report together with the views of the various groups of the laity across the Diocese; men, women, members of various lay movements and devotional groups, members of Small Christian Communities, the youth, children, members of other faiths that collaborate with the Diocese, officers working in various institutions of the Diocese.
With these first consultations done among the clergy and religious, the Diocese has a clear plan on how to engage further, the various members in the Diocese on similar consultations between October 2021 and March 2022. Before these first consultative meetings started, the Diocese formed a 9-member Diocesan Committee on Synod; appointed by Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka on 21st September 2021. The Diocese also launched the Synod on 23rd October 2021 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.
The Holy Father, Pope Francis, announced that the Synod of Bishops will take place from October 2021 to October 2023. The theme of the Synod is “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.”
Ambassador Impressed with the Impact of Women Empowerment Program
By Memory Moyo
Women Empowerment Programme beneficiaries from T/A Wasambo in Karonga District have requested the Government of Norway through Ambassador Stainer Hagil to continue funding the program since it has increased participation of women in decision making.
This has been said today during a field visit by the Ambassador of Norway at Hangalawe Primary School in the area of T/A Wasambo where he was appreciating what has been done by The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Diocese of Karonga in collaboration with United Nations Women and Karonga District Council.
Speaking during the function, one the beneficiaries, Ward Councillor for Nyungwe Ward Ethel Mwanza, said she managed to attain this position through the teachings from this programme.
“Through the Women Empowerment Program, I am able to stand before men to contribute development ideas for my ward. It is my wish that this program should continue as it may increase participation of women in the 2025 Tripartite Elections Mwanza,” Mwanza said.
Responding to Mwanza’s plea, the Norwegian Ambassador Stainer Hagil said they are engaging UN women on the way forward of this project.
“I am so impressed with the impact the programme has had on the women of Karonga. This is why we have to discuss with these organization on what can be done to continue helping women from the current 29 % participation of women in politics to around 65%,” Hagen explained.
CCJP implemented the programme with financial support from Royal Norwegian Embassy through UN Women. CCJP implemented the programme in partnership with Karonga District Council with the aim of increasing meaningful participation of women in leadership positions, gender responsive planning and budgeting at national and local levels. The programme which started in 2017 and is ending this year covered all the traditional authorities of Karonga.