Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu

Transform Program Revolutionize Farming in Rumphi

Under the vibrant sun of Rumphi, a group of farmers stood proudly at the first Agriculture Show they had ever attended, their produce gleaming like jewels against the backdrop of colorful tents and bustling crowds.

For the farmers of Mlangale Two Incubator, this event organised by Rumphi Agriculture office and its partners Thursday this week in the district was not just an exhibition; it was a celebration of hard work, resilience, and newfound hope.

The Agriculture Show that ended today Friday was a culmination of months of effort, driven by the Transform program which is being implemented by Cadecom, the developmental arm of the Mzuzu Diocese.

Funded by NCA/DCA, this initiative focuses on enhancing agricultural practices in the Mzimba North and South and Rumphi districts, with a particular emphasis on drip irrigation and crop diversification.

Cadecom Commissioner, Dan Zimba thinks with optimism as he spoke about the program’s impact.

“The response is good, and I think at the end of the day, we will all celebrate,” he said.

Zimba’s words echoed the sentiments of many farmers who had begun to see tangible results from their hard work.

Chairperson of Mlangale Two Incubator Moses Msiska, shared his excitement as he surveyed the fairgrounds filled with fellow farmers and potential buyers.

“We started this group with about 15 members, but it has now shrunk to 9 due to various challenges. Yet, we are so excited to be here today,” he said, gesturing toward their vibrant display of tomatoes, okra, and watermelons—crops that had matured within just four months thanks to the techniques they learned through the program.

Cadecom’s initiative is about more than just growing crops; it’s about transforming agriculture into a viable business.

Farmers are grouped into incubators and provided with essential farm inputs: 15 drip kits per group, sprayers, fertilizers, chemicals, and seeds.

The goal is to cultivate not only crops but also a mindset geared towards profitability and sustainability.

Despite facing challenges such as market access and crop diseases, the farmers were optimistic. They relied on extension workers who assured them of market opportunities.

“We want to sustain our project even after the Transform program ends,” Msiska stated, highlighting their commitment to their agricultural journey.

As they showcased their produce at the fair, the farmers engaged with other producers and potential buyers, eager to network and learn from one another.

The initiative has not only increased production but also reduced workloads through efficient farming techniques.

Farmers like Msiska have found renewed purpose in their work—transforming their fields into thriving businesses while nurturing community ties among fellow incubator members.

For these farmers, attending the Agriculture Show marked a pivotal moment in their agricultural journey—a chance to shine in the spotlight and share their stories of resilience and growth.

As they packed up their displays at the end of the day while cool breeze from the famous Chipoka Bawoli and Mayembe hills say bye also, they carried with them not just produce but also a renewed sense of purpose and community spirit.

With support from Cadecom and a commitment to reinvest in their futures, these farmers are not just cultivating crops; they are cultivating dreams—dreams that stretch far beyond the fields of Rumphi into a future filled with promise.

 

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Mzuzu Diocese Bids Farewell to Sister Margret Gong’ontha Nyirenda

The Mzuzu Diocese is in mourning following the passing of Sister Margret Gong’ontha Nyirenda, one of the longest-serving Catholic nuns, who was laid to rest at the Katoto cemetery on Tuesday, 3rd September 2024.

She died on 1st September 2024, at the age of 83, at St. John’s Hospital in Mzuzu after a life dedicated to faith and service.

Born in 1938, Sister Margret joined the sisterhood in 1960, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey that spanned over six decades.

A native of Holy Cross Parish in Nkhamenya, Mzimba, she became a cherished figure within her community, known for her unwavering commitment to the Church and her compassionate spirit.

During a poignant Mass held for Sister Margret at St. Peter’s Cathedral Parish, Bishop John Ryan of the Diocese reflected on her life and legacy.

“Sister Margret lived her life well,” he said, urging the youth to draw inspiration from her exemplary dedication to service and faith. “Her actions were a testament to the values we should all aspire to uphold.”

As mourners gathered to pay their respects, the atmosphere was heavy with grief yet filled with gratitude for the impact Sister Margret had on so many lives.

Sister Agness Ng’ona, who spoke on behalf of all nuns and provided a biography of Sister Margret, said the community is heartbroken over the loss of Sister Margret, who helped many with spiritual guidance.

Sister Agnes added, “Our growth relies on the spirit of the Lord and also on the elderly, from whom we gain wisdom.”

The loss of Sister Margret is a huge blow to the sisters’ fraternity.”Her legacy of kindness and devotion will continue to resonate within the diocese and beyond, as explained by Raphael Nyirenda, a representative of Sister Margret’s family. While celebrating the life of their aunt, he expressed hope that her spirit of reaching out to the needy has helped many people in her home area.Nyirenda explained,

“Sister Margret was a mother to our community. She reached out to many people and helped them love and live by the word of God; her death will never be replaced.”

Sister Margret was a trained medical practitioner and also possessed vast knowledge on issues related to education.

Learn from Dr Saulos Chilima, Catholic Youths Told

Bishop John Ryan says that the memorial Mass services held to honor the life of former Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima have helped his family feel closer to his soul and the Church.

Speaking on Saturday at St. Peter’s Cathedral Parish in Mzuzu, where the Dioceses of Mzuzu and Karonga organized a memorial service for Dr. Chilima and others who died in a military plane crash, Bishop Ryan urged the people to continue praying for the departed souls.”

Dr. Saulos prepared himself for his death. Let’s emulate the spiritual gifts he demonstrated while in this world. It is therefore important to always pray for him and for others who died in that accident,” said Bishop Ryan.

The memorial service was attended by Dr. Chilima’s widow, Mary, several politicians, Catholics from the Mzuzu Diocese and Karonga, as well as non-Catholics.

Bishop Ryan advised Mary: “The soul of your late husband is in the safe hands of the Lord. June 10th is a long time ago. Stop crying and mourning; move forward with life. What you should do is continue praying.”

The organizers of the service, the Dioceses of Mzuzu and Karonga, held the ceremony at St. Peter’s Cathedral Parish in Mzuzu, where the late Dr. Chilima used to pray when he was in the northern region.

The scriptures read at the ceremony conveyed a message that resonated with nearly all sectors of people present at the Mass.

In his homily, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of the Karonga Diocese summarized the Scriptures with one word that encapsulated the theme of the service: “Stay Awake.

“These words touched nearly every group of people who attended the Mass, including family members of the departed, politicians, and young people.

Bishop Mtumbuka urged young people, especially Catholic faithful, to stop complaining about what politicians are doing in the country and instead stand up and be counted to make a difference.”

Let me say this again: Catholic youth should join politics. You should be change-makers in this country,” said Bishop Mtumbuka.

At the end of the ceremony, it was announced that among other donations made by Dr Chilima before he died was a chalice to St. Peter’s Cathedral Parish.

Dr. Saulos Chilima and eight others died in a military plane crash that occurred in Chikangawa plantations on June 10, 2024.

A preliminary report about the accident has just been released to the public.

Bishop Ryan franked by Bishop Mtumbuka greeting Dr Chilima’s window,Mary.

Bishop Nyirenda Reminds President Chakwera on Malawi’s Poor Roads

The Auxiliary Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese Yohane Nyirenda says poor road network remains a stumbling block in their pastoral work in the northern region including in areas where they are serving the people.

Bishop Nyirenda said this after celebrating Holy Mass at St Peter’s Cathedral in Mzuzu where President Lazarus Chakwera was in attendance on Sunday. 

“We are operating in Mzuzu, Mzimba, Nkhatabay, Rumphi, Likoma and other places with various spiritual outreach programs in these rural areas of the country whose roads are in very bad condition. Mr President would you please consider upgrading Mzimba to Euthini road, roads in Mpherembe and many other roads in the northern region that have become impassable,” appealed the Bishop.

He added that, it is the prayer of the church to see a speedy completion of the rehabilitation works of the M1 road currently under rehabilitation, so that we travel on this road with no problems.

President Lazarus Chakwera has concluded his northern region visit in a Godly way after conducting some official duties in Mzuzu and Mzimba districts.

Meanwhile, the President has donated K2 million to the diocese towards  fundraising for some infrastructure projects at the Parish.

Ironically, the Mass coincided with Golden Sunday for the St Peters Parish which was aimed at raising resources for some projects at the parish.

St Peter’s Parish Local Parish Council Chairperson Charles Maloya said the contribution from the State President will go a long way in reducing problems being faced at the Parish.

Said Maloya: ” We have some projects here at the parish and this donation will go a long way in helping such activities.”

President Chakwera has since last Tuesday been in Mzuzu after presiding over a Graduation ceremony at the Mzuzu University,  and also being the guest of honor at this year’s  Umthetho cultural festival at Hora in Mzimba.

Mzuzu Diocese’s Empathetic Response to KK Floods

Mzuzu Diocese officials presenting relief items to a beneficiary

In the wake of devastating flash floods that swept through some parts of Nkhota-Kota (KK) like Dwangwa and Dwambazi, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in it’s wake, one institution stands out as a beacon of hope and resilience: the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) a social arm of the Catholic Church of Mzuzu Diocese.

With unwavering compassion and a commitment to serving their community, the church has emerged as a vital lifeline for 164,000 households affected by the disaster that hit the area, following heavy rains that started to fall around 10 PM of 28th February to 1st March 2024.

The displaced communities are from Traditional Authorities Malengachanzi, Kanyenda, Mphonde and Kafuzira.

69-year-old Constance Matekenya from Chiwe village in the Traditional Authority Kafuzira, which is one of the most affected areas in the district said in an interview that the damage is severe and all the crops she invested in have been washed away by the floods.

“Around midnight of 28th February, I just heard people shouting that we should leave our houses and relocate to safer places because the waters have swept away some neighboring villages.

Like in a movie, when the morning came the survivors noticed that all their crops had gone and had nowhere to start from’’, said Constance who is a widow.

Constance who has four children described the response by the Mzuzu Diocese as manna from heaven. She said the Diocese has eased some of her problems since she had nothing and nowhere to start from.

Just like all beneficiaries at St Mary Catholic Parish in the Dwangwa area, Constance received 30 kilograms of flour, plastic buckets, Cups, plates, 2 liters of cooking oil, among other things from relief items valued at K20 million supported by an Irish-based mission support institution called Misean Cara.

A Call to Action:

As floodwaters recede and the true extent of the damage becomes apparent, Group Village Headman Kamphambale of Dwambazi area in the district and Director of Social Services Father Austin  Ndowera at the Mzuzu Diocese have both called for a more responsible approach to managing the environment.

It has become painfully clear that these floods are not merely isolated incidents but are symptomatic of the broader impact of climate change.

The once-fertile fields that supported the growth of crops like Cassava, Maize, Rice, and Sugarcane in Nkhota-Kota, a district  nestled along the attractive shores of Lake Malawi, now lie barren and submerged beneath floodwaters.

Said the traditional leader: “It is a sad situation to note that people have destroyed the environment which is now fighting us back in a hard way. As chiefs, we are promoting reafforestation and discouraging deforestation more especially in the escapement that borders Nkhota-Kota Kota and Mzimba.”

The mountains are a source of rivers which include Dwangwa, and Nkhunga whose distributors are the Lake Malawi which is just a few kilometers away from Dwangwa and Dwambazi areas.

A Compassionate Response:

In the face of such adversity, the Catholic Church of Mzuzu Diocese has stepped up its efforts to provide critical support to those affected by the floods.

From food distribution and non-food support to emotional counseling, the church has worked tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of displaced families and individuals caught in the jaws of nature’s unrelenting fightback. 

The Church through CADECOM has mobilized resources from Misean Cara to ensure that no one is left behind in their time of need.

“Our parish at Dwangwa notified us about the accident and as a church we thought it wise to immediately respond to the needs of the affected communities because a healthy and problem-free community is a recipe for the country’s development hence the intervention”, explained Father Ndowela.

But the church’s response goes beyond immediate relief efforts. Recognizing the urgent need for long-term solutions, the leaders of Mzuzu Diocese are advocating for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of climate change and prevent future disasters.

They are working closely with local communities to promote sustainable agricultural practices, reforestation initiatives, and environmental conservation efforts.

By empowering communities to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change, the church is helping to build resilience and ensure a brighter future for generations to come.

Said Father Ndowela: “In all the parishes under the Mzuzu Diocese there are environmental programs aimed at reducing the impact of climate change, all parishes are encouraged to plant trees so that the land is not bare”

During the launch of the 2024 tree planting season, the Diocese under the theme: Growing together; Mission for a better tomorrow, Bishop John Ryan spearheaded the planting of 2000 and 10, 000 trees which are expected to be planted in different parishes this season.

A Message of Hope:

In the midst of tragedy and loss, the Catholic Church of Mzuzu Diocese offers a message of hope and solidarity. This complements the support which the government through the Nkhota Kota district council through various initiatives is making in response to natural disasters.

As stakeholders continue to support the people of Nkhota-Kota on their journey toward recovery and resilience, the church serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of faith, compassion, and community action in times of calamities.

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SELL Programme Malawi: March 2024 Activities Report

The SELL Programme Malawi team had a busy and productive March, conducting workshops and events focused on youth development and cultural understanding.

Ungweru commemorates International Women’s Day

On march 8 2024, Ungweru Organisation commemorated the International women’s day at its Laudato Si Hall. The celebration was to recognize the vital role women play in the society, it featured a prayer service alongside inspirational quotes and images of aspiring women.

Sell Programme Meets Mzuni Community

The Mzuzu University (MZUNI) students participated in Sharing Education and Learning for Life Programme workshop at Ungweru, in the Laudato Si Hall. The workshop was on 9 march 2024. The workshop was on one of the SELL units, wisdom of traditions and facilitated by Hagar, Deborah and Isaac.

Step down workshop in Nkhata-bay

One resource person from Sell Programme Malawi, Isaac visited Nkhata-bay district for a step down workshop on wisdom of traditions. The workshop was conducted from 15th to 17th March 2024 and was hosted at Pastoral Center hall. The workshop attracted 24 young adults from the district and four SELL facilitators based in Nkhata-bay facilitated it.

Step-down Workshop in Mzimba Community

On the 22nd to 24th of March the SELL Programme Malawi visited Mzimba community for a workshop on the wisdom of traditions unit. Isaac was the resource persons that represented Sell Programme Malawi at Mzimba community, and the team was very impressed with how organized the facilitators were in Mzimba and how they engaged with the participants.

SELL Meets Students of Lusekelo School of Computing

On 22nd of March, the SELL programme Malawi conducted a wisdom of traditions unit with the students of Lusekelo school of computing at the Ungweru compound.Two Resource Persons from Sell Programme Malawi Hagar and Deborah were there to help the facilitators at Ungweru to present the unit.

St Thomas Parish Triumph in the 2023 Sunday School Competition

The St Thomas parish Sunday school children have emerged victorious in this year’s Mzuzu Diocese Sunday school quiz competition after beating Utatu Utuba and St Albert parish.

The champions bagged 11 points in a competition where 6 parishes participated.

The Finals were held on Saturday 2nd December 2023 at St Albert the Great Parish in Mzuzu with several children witnessing the colorful ceremony.

6 Sunday school teams from St Cecilia Parish – Mpherembe, St Thomas the Apostle-Mzuzu, Utatu Utuwa – Mzimba, St Theresa – Katete, St Johns Mzambazi, and St Albert the Great Katoto were battling for the title.

Both St Albert the Great and Utatu Utuwa were runners-up with 10 points each.

Mzuzu Diocese Sunday School Project Coordinator Noel Mtonga is pleased with the performance saying this signifies how important the sessions are for the diocese.

” The main aim of these competitions is to assess the effectiveness of the Sunday school lessons in enhancing children’s comprehension of Catechism and Biblical knowledge,” said Mtonga.

One of the Sunday school children from St Thomas Parish Kestina Shaba expressed happiness for winning the competition for the second time.

I am encouraging my colleagues to continue attending Sunday school lessons and parents should also inspire their children to take part in these competitions.

Utilize Locally Available Resources – Mzuzu Diocese

Auxiliary Bishop for Mzuzu diocese Yohane Nyirenda says Malawi remains one of the poorest countries in the world due to failure by leaders to utilize locally available resources to increase imports and reduce reliance on debt.

The Auxiliary Bishop said this at ST Paul’s Parish in Mzimba today as the Diocese marked the World day of the poor with a distribution of food items to ultra poor families.

He said laziness among Malawians and habitual beer drinking are also factors contributing to high poverty levels in the country.

One of the beneficiaries Monica Moyo who is widowed hailed the Diocese for the support saying the food items which included a bag of maize flour will help in feeding her family of four.

This year’s World Day of the poor is being commemorated under the theme ‘Do not turn your face away from anyone is poor’.

Mzuzu Diocese has New Two Priests

The Mzuzu Diocese on Saturday celebrated a momentous occasion as new Auxiliary Bishop, Right Reverend Father Yohane Nyirenda, ordained two new priests.

The ordination ceremony was held at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Mzuzu and was attended by hundreds of faithful Catholics from across the diocese.

The two newly ordained priests, Father Tobias Mkwewu and Father Paul Mthali, were both born and raised in the Mzuzu Diocese. They have both dedicated their lives to serving God and the Catholic Church, and their ordination was a culmination of years of hard work and preparation.

During the ceremony, Auxiliary Bishop Nyirenda reminded the new priests of the importance of their role in the Church and urged them to always put the needs of their parishioners first. He also reminded them that their ordination was not just a personal achievement but a call to serve others and to spread the love and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The ordination ceremony was a joyful and emotional occasion for all those involved. It was a testament to the strength and growth of the Catholic Church in Malawi and a reminder of the important role that priests play in the spiritual lives of their communities.

As Father Tobias Mkwewu and Father Paul Mthali begin their new roles as priests, they will undoubtedly face many challenges and obstacles. However, they can take comfort in knowing that they have the support and prayers of their fellow Catholics in the Mzuzu Diocese and beyond.