The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Right Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda said St Michaels Pro Parish will be officially launched next year.

The bishop made the announcement on Sunday 28 September,2025 during the Patron Saint Day celebration at Ekwendeni Mzimba district.

Reflecting on life St Michaels the Archangel patron saint of St Michaels Pro Parish, the bishop called on Christians to spread the word of God and guide one another in good ways, living the example of the Patron Saint.

“Let us serve others, communities and the church and we shouldn’t be selfish as we are messengers of God”, he said.

Vice chairperson for Development, Matias Mwalwanda said several fundraising initiatives are happening to complete the parish’s project such as finishing the priests house and office before next year.

Traditionally, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St Michaels on 29 September every year.

Bishop Emeritus of Mzuzu Diocese Right Reverend John Ryan named St Michaels Pro in 2023.

Bowe Kasungu, Malawi -On Saturday 27 September,2025, Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu witnesses a joyful and colorful 25 years Priestly anniversary of Fr Austin Ndowera, Father Isaiah Nyirenda and Fr Andrew Kamanga who were ordained on 22 July 2000 by the late Bishop of the Diocese Joseph Mkasa Zuza at Holy Family Parish Bowe, Kasungu.

Speaking during this Thanksgiving mass, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Right Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda asked the celebrants to continue serving the lord up to the end of their lives.

The bishop also asked Christians to pray for the celebrating priests to fulfill the mission of evangelization.

One of the priests, Father Isaiah Nyirenda appealed to young men to follow the calling of God and not to be misled by world distractions.

Parish Priest for Holy Family, Fr. Augustine Ushie Akpo pledged to keep praying for his fellow priests as the journey in Gods vineyard still continues.

During the mass,these priests renewed their priestly vows of chastity, praying Breviaries and obedient to their Superior.

Father Austin Ndowera comes from Holy Family Parish,Father Isaiah Nyirenda from St John’s Parish and Andrew Kamanga from St Theresa Parish.

Mzuzu Malawi -Mary Mount Girls Catholic Secondary School on Saturday 27 September 2025 held a spiritual recollection at St Peter’s Cathedral in Mzuzu Diocese where Catholic and Anglican students participated in the active prayer life, penance and reconciliation.

The recollection was led by Fr. Tobias Mkweu of St Micheals Pro- Parish of Mzuzu Diocese. Father Mkweu emphasized the importance of such gatherings in helping the young people grow in holiness and good citizens. He also commended the school’s management for organizing what he described as a symbolic activity that will positively impact students’ lives.

Sister Victoria Zimba said the recollection reminded students of the need to remain holy and disciplined, noting that success cannot be achieved without discipline. She further assured that the school will ensure students put into practice the lessons shared during the event.

The school’s Religious Prefect, Yankho Msako, said the recollection inspired learners to uphold holiness, avoid negative behavior, and remain focused on building a better future. She also pledged to continue encouraging fellow students to practice the values instilled during the exercise.

The long day program, which attracted 313 students, was held as the Jubilee year for the students under the theme of ”Growing in Holiness.”

On Sunday 21 September 2025 the faithful of St Padre PIO at Lusangazi in Mzuzu Diocese gathered to commemorate the feast day of their parish patron.

The celebration was led by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, Rt Rev Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda who encouraged the Christians to emulate the Life of St Padre – PIO who was well known for his wisdom, peaceful life, deep prayer life and healing of the sick.

Bishop Nyirenda said, “it is very important that Catholics celebrate the feast of our patrons together, to learn more about them and also because they intercede for us in heaven, so it is good that we commemorate and celebrate.”

The bishop further advised all parishes, church sectors, institutions and Christians to be celebrating their paron saints.

Father Joseph Mtemela a priest at St Padre PIO parish said as one way of emulating the life of St Padre PIO who was healing the sick , the parish also operates the hospital which offers free Outside Patient Department (OPD) medical treatment to the communities surrounding the parish and also offer monthly outreaches where around 300 people are treated from different physical sicknesses.

“We have different institutions around the parish under St Padre PIO charism, for example we have a hospital through which Padre PIO continues his healing mission, we encourage people here to go and attend to the medical activities which we are having so that they can be helped from their sicknesses, said Fr Mtemela

Fr Mtemela added that the parish also offers in-depth spiritual activities like daily mass, Catholic lessons that help the Christians to grow in their Catholic faith and their prayer life.

Sobuza Jere one of the parishioners, said it was a good celebration, and they are encouraged by the life and deeds of Padre PIO.

” Padre PIO teaches us to pray every day, not only Sunday and helping others in need,” said Jere

Initially the feast day is on 23rd September every year, but it was scheduled for 21 September to give opportunity to all members in the parish to celebrate together.

St Padre PIO Parish at Lusangazi in Mzuzu was established in 2002 and it has 22 outstations namely Matuli, Maluvenji, Nthungwa, Phutula just to mention a few.

On Sunday 14 September 2025, Christians at Holy Cross Nkhamenya Parish marked a great milestone, celebrating 75 years Jubilee since its establishment.

Speaking at the event, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Right Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda called on servants and Christians to persevere like the missionaries who established the parish.

Bishop Nyirenda urged the current servants and Christians to be courageous, endure and make sacrifices to support the growth of faith and continue evangelization.

Parish Priest Father Felix Phiri said the number of Christians is increasing hence dividing the parish would be necessary to meet the pastoral needs of people.

One of the Christians, Charles Soko, expressed gratitude for the milestone and pledged to continue developing the parish through different initiatives.

Traditional Authority Kaluluma said the chiefs will continue supporting and working together with the Catholic Church.

Holy Cross Parish is one of the biggest parishes in the diocese with 65,000 christians,9 Zones,43 Outstations,105 Substations,325 Small Christian Communities,9 Catechists and 3 priests.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, Right Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, on Saturday, 13 September 2025, presided over the priestly and diaconate ordination of the Pallottine congregation at St John’s Parish, Msamba, in Lilongwe.

The ordination saw three candidates—Barnet Chikani, Gabriel Yotam, and Yohane Lucas ordained as priests, while Maurice Isaac Mvula and Vincent Muliza were ordained as deacons.

Speaking during the Mass, Bishop Nyirenda urged families to encourage young people to view priesthood, sisterhood, brotherhood, and marriage as good callings from God.

The bishop further appealed to parents to pray, teach, and educate their children to guide them properly in choosing their vocations, stressing that the family serves as a “first school of faith.”

Speaking on behalf of the parents of the newly ordained, Mr. Andrew Yotamu expressed gratitude for witnessing their son’s achievement. He said the journey had been sustained by constant prayer and family support, and he further thanked the teachers and formators who shaped the candidates during their studies.

Fr.Barnet Chikani and Fr.Yohane Lucas have been assigned to serve in the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, while Father Gabriel Yotam has been sent to serve in Germany.

You set the earth on its foundation,
immovable from age to age.
You wrapped it with the depths like a cloak;
the waters stood higher than the mountains (Psalm 104)

In a powerful reflection during the celebration of the Holy Mass in this Season of Care for Creation, Fr. Isaac John Katumbi, Vicar General of Mzuzu Diocese, emphasized the urgent need for humanity to live in harmony with nature. Preaching at an event organized by the Mzuzu Diocese Integrated Ecology Centre under the Laudato Si project at Katoto Forest which also included a walk in the forest and bird viewing at the dam. Fr. Katumbi highlighted the devastating consequences of war and environmental degradation. “War is not good,” he stated, drawing parallels between conflicts in war zones and humanity’s relationship with nature. Just as we yearn for peace in the world we should also strive for peace with nature.

When there is war in a country, people come to dialogue and settle for peace. We have to know that nature does not forgive; it fights back. He pointed to the increasing frequency of natural disasters such as cyclones, landslides, and ice melting as evidence of nature’s response to human actions. Fr. Katumbi stressed that peace builds nations and that progress and development thrive in peaceful environments. He urged the audience to recognize that humanity’s relationship with nature is one of stewardship, not ownership. We did inherit this planet earth from our ancestors, but we have borrowed it from our coming generations. We need to be conscious of this responsibility because we owe it to the next generation.

In the liturgy of the Word with the first reading from Wisdom 13:1-9, the second reading from Colossians 1:15-20  and the Gospel from Matthew 8:23-27 the Vicar General emphasized that God is present in all creation and that harming nature is akin to hurting God. When Jesus called for peace in the midst of the storm, calming the waters he meant to assure us that nature is under his control, and he has authority to bring about order. 

The event, aimed at raising environmental awareness among the younger generation, underscored the importance of living in peace with nature. As the global community continues to grapple with environmental challenges, Fr. Katumbi’s message serves as a timely reminder of the need for collective action to protect the planet. The Mzuzu Diocese Integrated Ecology Centre’s efforts through the Laudato Si project are part of a broader initiative to promote ecological awareness and sustainability in the region. As the world observes the Season of Care for Creation, the call to “be in peace with nature” resonates deeply, urging all to reflect on their relationship with the environment and their role in safeguarding the future.

There were 35 youths that attended the Mass. we continue to our journey. Preservation, conservation and Education. Mzuzu Diocese Integrated Education Centre.

St Augustine parish of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, on 7th September 2025 honored and celebrated the feast day of St Augustine of the Hippo their parish patron.

It was a colorful event where all the 9 churches of the parish gathered to thank God and beseeched the intersession of St Augustine.

Leading the eucharistic celebration for the day the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Father Isaac John Katumbi said if Christians want to follow Jesus Christ, they must deny themselves and carry their cross at their patron saints deed while on earth.

In his homily, the Vicar General encouraged the parish parishioners to emulate the life of St Augustine who at the age of 33 years was converted to Christianity and left everything and followed Jesus Christ.

Augustine was born to a Christian mother, St. Monica, and a pagan father, Patricius. Despite his mother’s devout faith, Augustine grew up influenced more by his father’s paganism, but the turning point came in 386 when Augustine, while in a garden in Milan, heard a child’s voice singing “Tolle, Lege” (“Take up and read”). Interpreting this as a divine command, he picked up a nearby Bible and opened it to Romans 13:13-14, which urged him to abandon his life of sin and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. This moment marked his final conversion to Christianity.

St Augustine parish was established in 1986 from St Peters Parish in Mzuzu and currently it has about 3,600 members following the establishment of St Micheals pro-parish which was part of St Augustine parish.

The Parish Priest for the Parish, Father Albert Chirambo said the life of St Augustine is a source of hope to Christian who have gone against God , citing that no matter how sinful someone maybe but God forgives.

“Our hearts are restless until they rest in God, we cannot find peace in sins, let us follow the will of God and find peace like our patron saint“ Father Chirambo quoted St Augustine sentiments.

St. Augustine’s journey from a life of sin to sainthood is a testament to the transformative power of God’s grace. His intellectual brilliance and spiritual depth continue to inspire Christians across the world, making him one of the most influential figures in the history of the Church.

 One of the Parishioners, Judith Tembo from St Faustina Outstation said the history of their patron has taught her conversion is possible despite the past sins and age.

St. Augustine died on August 28, 430, during the siege of Hippo by the Vandals. His feast day is celebrated on August 28, and he is the patron saint of theologians, brewers, and those seeking conversion.

Mzuzu, Malawi – In a powerful response to Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical, Laudato Si’ , the Mzuzu Diocese is making significant strides in its mission to protect the local environment and educate the next generation. Two years after its ambitious launch, the Diocese’s Integrated Ecology Centre project is celebrating a series of major achievements, transforming a vision into a tangible force for ecological conservation. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

The project was born from an urgent need to save the Katoto Forest, a vital 192-acre green lung within the bustling Mzuzu city limits. Facing rapid deforestation and degradation, the Diocese saw not just a crisis, but an opportunity to create a living classroom for sustainable living.

“We were losing the only forest in the middle of our city. Laudato Si’ calls us to care for our common home, and this was a direct threat to our home here in Mzuzu,” explained Mr. Crief Daniel a project coordinator for the Mzuzu Diocese Integrated Ecology Centre. “We knew we had to act decisively to protect this resource and use it to teach the younger generation about the sacred duty of environmental stewardship.”

The first and most crucial step was securing the forest’s boundaries. The Diocese has now successfully completed a massive 4-kilometer-long perimeter fence, a two-year undertaking that effectively halts illegal encroachment and protects the recovering ecosystem within. This physical barrier marks a clear commitment to preserving this critical natural space for future generations.

Parallel to the conservation effort, the Centre’s model farming initiative has been fully transformed into a pure organic entity. This demonstration farm serves as a practical showcase for sustainable agriculture, promoting farming methods that work in harmony with nature rather than against it, a core principle of the integrated ecology vision.

Education remains the heart of the project. Over the past two years, the Centre has already begun its outreach, training youth from the Soweto township and students from Mzuzu University and the University of Livingstonia. These initial programs have provided hands-on experience in organic farming, forest management, and ecological principles.

The future of this educational mission is now taking physical shape. Construction is currently underway on two key facilities: a hostel to accommodate participants and a dedicated ecology education hall. These structures will serve as the central hub for Training of Trainers (TOT) programs, aiming to multiply the Centre’s impact by equipping a new wave of environmental advocates with the knowledge and skills to lead in their own communities.

“We are incredibly proud of what the community and our partners have achieved in just two years,” the coordinator added. “The fence protects God’s creation, the farm models how to nurture it, and the new buildings will be where we teach people to love it. This is Laudato Si’ in action, and we are just getting started.”

The Mzuzu Diocese Integrated Ecology Centre stands as a growing testament to local Catholic leadership translating faith into concrete ecological action, ensuring that the call of Laudato Si’ continues to resonate loudly in Northern Malawi.