Mzuzu Malawi- The Sisters of the Holy Rosary celebrated Golden and Silver Jubilee anniversaries on 15 August 2026 at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Mzuzu to mark 50 and 25 years of religious life and renew their vows.

Speaking during the celebration, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, Rt. Rev. Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, urged the sisters to remain prayerful and faithful to their vows. He said prayer unites people with God and helps them keep their promises.

Bishop Nyirenda said the sisters should pray for the Church, for the people, and for themselves. He told those renewing vows that the vows are not a hindrance, but a path to salvation.

The bishop also encouraged young people to respond to God’s call. He said those who feel called to religious life should accept the challenge, because the goal is to be with Jesus in eternal life.

These sisters are Sister Kettie Mujuma Gondwe, Sr Mercy Chipokosa, Sr Brenda Mtambo, Sr Magret Kaseye celebrating 25 Years as religious sisters respectively and Sr Anastazia Mphepo celebrating the 50 years as a religious sister.

Sister Margaret Kaseye, celebrating 25 years of religious life, admited that her sisterhood journey has not been easy, but prayer and God’s mercy have sustained her.

She thanked God and the communities she has served for their support, and pledged to continue living her vows of poverty, obedience and chastity through prayer and community life.

BACKGROUND

The Diocese of Mzuzu Education Commission (DOMEC) is under the mandate of the
directorate of social development for the catholic Diocese of Mzuzu. DOMEC subscribes
to the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops – Catholic Education Commission and is a
member of Association of Christian Educators in Malawi (ACEM).

DOMEC main strategic objective is to improve access to and quality of education at all
levels in the Diocese. It oversees 266 primary schools, 10 secondary schools and 5
tertiary institutions. DOMEC with funding from Misean Cara through St Patrick’s
Missionary Society has been implementing the School Access, Governance and
functionality Enhancement (SAGFE) project which is running for three-years. The
Commission is looking to recruit a competent consultant to carry out the endline
evaluation on the project after two years of implementation.

SAGFE Project has been implemented in 94 schools and it was initiated in response to
critical issues including absence of appropriate physical infrastructure for marginalized
learners, high disability rate among learners, a rising dropout rate among marginalized girls
due to peer pressure, early marriages, unplanned pregnancies, and parents arranging
marriages.

Objectives of the Endline Evaluation
The objectives of the endline evaluation are as follows:

1. Determine the extent to which the project objectives are being achieved?
2. Assess the program’s relevance to the current needs and priorities of participating
   schools
3. Analyse the effectiveness of its interventions across different schools
4. To assess the project’s impact by documenting the changes, intended or unintended,
   resulting from project interventions among participating schools
5. Know the extent of sustainability of the project interventions
   Scope of Work:
   The consultancy firm will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive endline
   evaluation of the project. This will include:
6. Reviewing project documentation and relevant reports.

• Project proposal and MERL frameworks
• Interim and Annual reports (Narrative and Financial)
• Project Needs Assessment and Endline Internal Evaluation reports

1. Designing and implementing data collection methodologies, including surveys,
   interviews, and focus group discussions.
2. Analyzing data to assess project outcomes and impact.
3. Providing actionable recommendations for future interventions. Required Expertise:
   The consultancy firm should possess the following expertise:

• Master’s degree in Economics, Education, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related
  field.
• At least 5 years of experience conducting education evaluations.
• Demonstrated experience with OECD-DAC evaluation criteria.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills.
• Experience using statistical software such as SPSS, STATA, or R.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Experience evaluating donor-funded education projects in Malawi or similar
  contexts. Deliverables
  The following deliverables are expected
• An inception report outlining the proposed evaluation methodology and timeline.
• Data collection tools and protocols.
• Draft and final evaluation report, including findings, analysis and recommendations.
  Reporting and timeline
• The consultant will report directly to Education Coordinator while working
  closely with the Diocesan Monitoring and Evaluation Office.
• The consultancy is expected to be completed within 15 days from the date of
  contract signing.
  
• Contact Information:
  Applications must be submitted to the following address before close of business on
  Wednesday, 5th August 2026.
  The Chairperson
  The Internal Procurement Committee
  Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu
  P. O. Box 2, Mzuzu.
  Email: ipc@mzuzudiocese.mw

Background

Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM-MZUZU) is one of the development arms of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu. CADECOM operations hover around the Diocese’s main strategic goal of “Ensuring spiritual, social and economic transformation and development of individuals, families and communities.” With funding support from St Patrick’s Missionary Society (SPMS), CADECOM is implementing Improved Sustainable Management of Land and Forest Resources Project.

The project is targeting 19 Parishes for the period of 3 years (2024-2027). In the first year July 2024- June 2025, the 6 parishes where interventions have been implemented are; St. Paul’s, St. Padro Pio, St. Denis, St. Joseph Mkasa, St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Albert the Great.

In the second year (July 2025- June 2026) Parishes are St. Theresa, Holy cross, Holy Family, St. Augustine, St. Cecilia, St. Johns and St Joseph. The third year (July 2026-June 2027) last parishes will be St. Peters, St. Bernadette, St. Francis de Sales, St. Monica, Holy Trinity and St. Mary.

The core objective of the project is to improve livelihoods of the most marginalized communities and promote adoption of ecologically sound natural resource management practices among community members.

Purpose of the Evaluation

The purpose of the evaluation is to independently assess the overall performance of the Improved Sustainable Management of Land and Forest Resources Project and determine the extent to which it achieved its intended outcomes and impact from July 2024 to June 2026.

The evaluation will generate evidence for:

 Accountability to St Patrick’s Missionary Society (SPMS) and other stakeholders.

 Learning for future programming.

 Documentation of good practices.

 Identification of implementation challenges.

 Informing future project interventions.

Objectives of the Evaluation

The objectives of the evaluation are as follows:

1. Determine the extent to which the project outcomes have been achieved

2. Determine the effectiveness of project implementation in achieving intended outputs and outcomes.

3. Assess project impact on livelihoods, food security and environmental restoration

4. Generate and document concrete evidence of the positive and negative changes by the project.

5. Gauge the extent of sustainability of the project interventions.

Scope of Work

The consultancy firm will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the project. This will include:

1. Reviewing project documentation and relevant reports. – Project proposal- MERL frameworks- Interim and Annual reports (Narrative and Financial)- Project Needs Assessment report Endline Internal Evaluation report
2. Designing and executing data collection methodologies, including surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions.
3. Analyzing data to assess project outcomes and impact.
4. Providing actionable recommendations for future interventions.

Required expertise:

The consultancy firm should possess the following expertise:

 At least Master’s degree in Economics, Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning or any related field.

 5yearsof experience conducting livelihoods evaluations.

 Familiarity with context of Mzimba, Rumphi, Nkhatabay, Dwangwa and Kasungu North.

 Experience using statistical software such as SPSS, STATA, or R.

 Demonstrate knowledge of OECD-DAC evaluation criteria.

 Experience in conducting project evaluations, preferably in the fields of Agroecology, climate resilience, natural resource management and livelihoods, Agriculture, nutrition, child protection and vulnerable adults

Deliverables

The following deliverables are expected;

 An inception report outlining the proposed evaluation methodology and timeline.

 Data collection tools and protocols.

 Draft and final evaluation report, including findings, analysis and recommendations. Ethical and safeguarding requirements.

The consultant shall:

 Comply with social teachings and safeguarding policies of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu.

 Ensure informed consent.

 Protect confidentiality of respondents.

 Observe research ethics throughout the assignment. Reporting and timeline

 The consultant will report directly to CADECOM Coordinator while working closely with the Diocesan Monitoring and Evaluation Office.

 The consultancy is expected to be completed within 15 days from the date of contract signing.

Proposals

Interested consultancy firms are expected to submit the following in their applications;

 Company profile and relevant experience.

 Proposed methodology and approach.

 Detailed budget breakdown.

 CVs of key personnel.

Contact Information:

Applications must be submitted to the following address before close of business on Wednesday, 5th August 2026.

The Chairperson

The Internal Procurement Committee

Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu

P. O. Box 2

Mzuzu.

Email: ipc@mzuzudiocese.m

“We are inspired by your efforts here,” one of the Sisters shared. “This is exactly the kind of integrated ecology work the Church is calling for.”

Members of the Sisters of the Earth congregation had high praise for the work happening at the Integrated Ecology Centre in Katoto after a visit this week.

Sister Gail from the USA and Sister Kris from Indonesia, now living in Kenya both members of the congregation founded by Passionist Priest Fr. Thomas Berry, spent the Wednesday morning touring the Centre’s key projects. Fr. Thomas Berry was a leading Church voice on Care of the Earth, and the Sisters said they were encouraged to see that teaching put into action in Mzuzu.

What they saw

The Sisters began their tour from the main entrance where the names of benefactors are displayed, before touring the hostel facilities. They then walked the grounds, passing the Jobidon House, walked through the ecology education walk and stopped at the Centre office for a talk.

At the Model Farming Centre they observed organic farming methods and sustainable agriculture projects already underway. The visit continued to the vast forest area adjacent to the Centre — the same land earmarked for future schools and walked through then bigger pine forest. The Sisters also saw the 4.5KM boundary wall and ongoing tree-planting efforts. The tour ended with a stop at the Sports Centre before lunch.

The Sisters were hosted for lunch by Bishop Yohane Nyirendad and received a gift of Diocesan cloth, which they greatly appreciated.

Their recommendations for Katoto Forest

After walking the forest and proposed school site, Sisters Gail and Kris shared several recommendations:

1. Strengthen reforestation: Expand tree planting with both indigenous and fruit trees to restore biodiversity and provide food security for the community.

2. Environmental education hub: Use the forest and model farm as a learning site for schools, youth groups, and parishes to teach Laudato Si’ and practical care of creation.

3. Community engagement: Involve local communities around Katoto as guardians of the forest through awareness programs and sustainable livelihood projects linked to the farm.

4. Documentation and networking: Record the Centre’s progress with photos and stories to share with international partners working on ecology and faith.

Commitment to support

The Sisters said they see “great potential” in what the Centre is doing to implement Church teaching on care of the environment. They promised to assist Mr. Crief who is the coordinator of the Laudato Si Project with networking and educational resources from their global contacts.

They also noted they will reflect further on the visit and may seek to develop the relationship with Mzuzu Diocese more in the future.

“We are inspired by your efforts here,” one of the Sisters shared. “This is exactly the kind of integrated ecology work the Church is calling for.”

The Integrated Ecology Centre continues to welcome visitors and partners as it works to combine environmental restoration, education, and community development in Katoto.

KANYIKA in Mzimba District has been declared a new pro-parish of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu.

The declaration and the appointment has been made today by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Rt Rev Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda at Holy Cross Parish Nkhamenya.

Kanyika is a rural area located in Mzimba District in the Northern Region of Malawi. It is situated in the southwest of Mzimba District, Under senior chief Mabilawo.

Kanyika Outstation was under Nkhamenya Holy Cross Parish which covers part of Mzimba and Kasungu Districts. From Chatoloma turn off is about 40 kilometers. The new pro parish has 12900 faithful and 50 churches.

The newly appointed Parish Priest of Kanyika Pro-Parish Fr. Amos Katumbi has welcomed the leadership assignment with great joy, pledging to work with Christians and his curate Fr Albert Chirwa in developing the new pro- parish into a full parish.

Fr. Katumbi thanked Bishop Nyirenda for trusting him with the new responsibility and said he is committed to serving the faithful entrusted to him, mentioning that his immediate action will be to finish the construction of the parish church and the Priests’ house.

He had also said that the support and cooperation of Christians will be important in advancing pastoral activities and helping Kanyika Pro-Parish progress.

The appointment of Fr Katumbi and the Declaration of Kanyika pro-parish was made by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, Rt. Rev. Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, at Holy Cross Parish in Nkhamenya.

Kanyika Pro-Parish is located in the southwest of Mzimba District under Senior Chief Mabilawo and has over 12,900 faithful with 50 churches.

The Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu has ordained three new priests during a Eucharistic celebration held at Holy Cross Parish on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

The ordination Mass was presided over by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, Rt. Rev. Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, who encouraged the newly ordained priests to embrace their vocation with courage and dedication as they begin their ministry in the Church.

“You have received this calling, do not be afraid. Go and work with everyone in your different parishes for the service of God’s people,” said Bishop Nyirenda.

Speaking on behalf of the parents, Peter Manda thanked the bishop for conferring the Sacrament of Holy Orders and urged parents to support children called to religious life.

Bishop Nyirenda has assigned Father Isaiah Manda to St. Monica Parish in Embangweni, Father Adrian Nyirenda to St. Denis Parish in Rumphi, and Father Andrew Chunga to Holy Family Parish in Nkhamenya.

Meanwhile, the Bishop has appointed Father Amos Katumbi as Parish Priest of Kanyika Pro Parish, a newly established parish carved out of Holy Cross Parish in Nkhamenya.

St. Maria Goretti Vizuzu Outstation under St. Padre Pio Parish in the Diocese of Mzuzu has celebrated 50 years of Catholic faith and service, with Christians being encouraged to remain steadfast in their commitment to God and the Church.

The Golden Jubilee celebrations, held on 4 July 2026, were graced by Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, His Lordship Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, who commended the faithful for their dedication and perseverance over the years.

In his message, Bishop Nyirenda urged the Christians to continue drawing inspiration from their patron saint, Maria Goretti, whose life reflected courage, purity and faithfulness to God even in the face of suffering.

The bishop also challenged the faithful to take an active role in the development of their communities. He encouraged them to work together in addressing challenges in areas such as education, healthcare and access to clean water using locally available resources.

Meanwhile, Parish Priest of St. Padre Pio Parish, Fr. Bernard Ligomeka, praised the unity and commitment shown by the Christians in organising the celebrations. He further encouraged them to continue embracing the spirit of synodality as they grow in faith and service.

Fr. Ligomeka also said that the parish is implementing development projects in the areas of health, education and water.

Established in 1976, St. Maria Goretti Vizuzu Outstation has grown from eight families to 78 families. The church was built by missionary Fr. Visiado and later blessed by Bishop Louis Jobidon.

The Bishop of the catholic diocese of Mzuzu, Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, has hailed the support shown by the faithful and well-wishers during the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu’s fundraising Dinner and Dance held on 3rd July, 2026 at St. John of God in Mzuzu

In his closing remarks, Bishop Nyirenda expressed gratitude to all individuals and organizations that contributed to the success of the fundraiser, describing the response as encouraging.

He said it is time for Catholics to believe in their own ability to support the Church through their contributions rather than relying solely on external assistance.

The Bishop noted that the growth and development of the Church depend on the commitment and generosity of its members.

He further called for continued unity and support as the Diocese prepares for its centenary celebrations and other pastoral activities