“Put God First,” Women Urged
By Wyness Kibogoyo
Bishop Anwel Mtumbuka on Friday urged Wamana Wa Chitemwano (Women of Charity) to put God first in everything they do.
Mtumbuka proclaimed this, on Friday, during the celebration of Holy Eucharist marking the official opening of the lay movement’s annual retreat at Kaseye Shrine in chitipa district.
In his homily, the Bishop said Christians especially women in the Church detach themselves from God due to the challenges they face, but when they come together it helps them build their faith and pray to God to help them.
He added that the retreat is so special since it was organized for them to come together and focus on Jesus Christ in prayers.
He further expressed his gratitude to those women who turned up for the retreat and urged them to put God first in everything they do as Christians.
“I am very grateful today seeing all of you gathered here to share the word of God. We are not here only to receive blessings of God but also to share the word with others, preach the word to others for them to be saved and have the eternal life,” he said.
The Bishop further encouraged Wamama wa Chitemwano to embrace the spirit of charity, sharing and taking care of one another. He also urged them to respect one another and their leaders.
He expressed hope that the retreat would mould them to be better mothers in their families, Church, and the entire diocese.
Above all, the women were encouraged to pray together with their families and Church, preach and share the word and abide by the word of God, the three things would help them grow spiritually.
In his remarks, the Chaplain for Lay Movements in Karonga Diocese, Father Laurent Dziko said he is encouraged to see the women gathered in their large numbers.
“I am very encouraged to see the multitude who are flocking to these retreats. The theme for the retreat reflects the meaning of Women of Charity and what the women in the organization ought to be doing,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the women at the retreat, Ellena Mhango from St Mary’s Parish in Karonga said she was very happy to be at the retreat because the place is taken as a holy place where all their problems will be solved after prayers.
“I am very happy, as human beings we face many problems and go through different challenges, but our coming here will mean a lot to us. Our problems will be solved because will have enough time chatting and adoring God,” she said.
The month of August is a special month for the lay movements in the Diocese of Karonga as it is dedicated to retreats. Other retreats lined up this month are those for Legionaries of Mary, Franciscan Third Order, and Lay 1.
This retreat has attracted over 580 women from all parishes in the Diocese and it is being done under the theme “A Missionary to all through my Lay movement”.