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.

St Martin de Porres, a new parish of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu at Chizani in Mzimba district has been launched.

The historical event was led by His Lordship, Bishop of the Diocese, Right Reverend Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda on Saturday 30 August 2025.

Speaking during the launching Mass, Bishop Nyirenda said the new parish signifies the growth of the diocese and it creates an easy access to the word of God and sacraments for the Christians during their spiritual journey.

 Bishop Nyirenda further advised the Christians of the new parish to effectively use it, by frequently worshiping, praying and receiving sacraments, which are also the requirements for the pilgrims of hope.

The bishop also asked Christians of St Martin de Porres to live their life in line with the gifts holy spirit which are love, forgiveness, happiness, kindness and peace. They should avoid fights for the parish to develop.

 Lastly the bishop assured that the diocese has plans to establish more new parishes so that other catholic that still walk long distances to access the parish should be considered with a nearby parish too. 

Father Petros Mwale expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to lead the foundation of the pris and asked well wishes to continue supporting the development of the parish.

The Chief of the area Inkosi Khosolo expressed deep appreciation for the establishment of the new parish in his area. Inkosi further expressed that other infrastructure developments like schools, hospitals and good roads will follow the parish, hence developing the area.

Before the Eucharist celebration, the bishop blessed the Father’s House for the parish and then laid the foundation stone of the Parish church.

St Martin De Porres Pro parish was established on 1 August 2023 by Bishop Emeritus of Mzuzu Diocese Right Reverend John Ryan.

Currently the parish has 2 Priests,2 Brothers,5, Catechists,6 Zones,27 Substations, 50 out churches and over 14,000 Christians This brings a total number of parishes in Mzuzu Diocese to 22 including 2 Pro- Parishes.

The construction projects for the new parish are supported by the local and well-wishers.

Mzuzu Diocese Education Commission is pleased to announce the release of the 2025 form 1 Selection in the four-grant aided Catholic Secondary school of diocese namely, St Francis Secondary School- Mzimba; St John Bosco Secondary School; Nkhamenya Girls Secondary School and Nkhata-Bay Boys Secondary School. The results can be accessed in all parish centers and in all Catholic Secondary school in Mzuzu Diocese

All selected students are advised to report to their respective schools on the date the Ministry of Education will announce.

For more information contact the following numbers for the respective schools

Mr. Elija Chirwa – St Francis Secondary School- 0888 550 634

Mr. Fariot Ngwira – St John Bosco Secondary School- 0888355289/0998864091

Sr. Kettie Mjuma – Nkhamenya Girls Secondary School – 0999292267/0888432651

Mr. Mathia Chiumia Nkhata Bay Secondary School – 0991607270/0884179771

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!!!!