OUR DIOCESE

A Newsletter from Mpika Diocese

November 2002

Important Dates

Appointments

Fr Waldemar Potrapeluk and Fr. Piotr Kolcz moved from Chinsali to Chilonga; Fr. Waldemar as Priest-in-charge. Fr. Francis Kasolo from Mulanga to St. Joseph’s Parish as Priest-in-charge. He will team up with Fr. Richard Kangwa who moved from St. Andrew’s. Fr. Charles Kabuswe from Mulilansolo to Chalabesa as Priest-in-charge. Fr. Daniel Kashimoto from Chilonga to Mulilansolo as Director of the CTC. Fr. Lazarus Mwiko from St. Andrew’s to Mulanga. Fr. Francis Ntenga from Chilonga to St. Andrew’s.

Visitors

The Religious Sisters of Charity in Mulanga were blessed by the presence of their Superior General Sr. Una O’Neil from Dublin, Ireland who was on her visitation from 19-21 October. Sr. Rosemary, the Regional Superior accompanied her.

The LSMI Sisters in Mpika Diocese were also privileged and honoured by the visit of their Superior General; Sr. Mariola Karas and her first Assistant; Sr. Stanislawa on 30 October. The Superior General was on a Canonical Visitation in the Diocese from 30 October to 6 November.

Welcome

• Ms. Annelies Wäger, FIDESCO Volunteer, a nurse for Our Lady’s Hospital, Chilonga
• Ms. Agnes Joyeux, FIDESCO Volunteer, a dentist for Our Lady’s Hospital, Chilonga.

Diocesan Health Coordinator

There was a workshop for all Sisters-in-charge of Health Institutions on 21^th October at the Diocesan Offices. Different issues were discussed : retrenchment of CE’s, financial reports, staffhouses, Home Based Care implementation, income generating projects, health policy, pastoral work and capacity building. The input and the experience of Sr. Elizabeth Mutale was very much appreciated by the participants. This workshop was a good preparation for the subsequent visit of the Diocesan Health Coordinator in the different RHCs during the first week of November. The allotted tasks will be discussed during the Sisters-in-charge meeting on 22 November.

Chinsali Deanery Meeting

17 Participants attended from the Deanery. The Pastoral Coordinator and Vocation Director were present too. The Dean thanked all the participants for their contributions. The next Meeting will take place on 11 March 2003 and all members should be in Isoka on 10 March.

Mpika Deanery Meeting

17 participants including the Pastoral Coordinator attended the Deanery Meeting that was held at Chilonga SHJM Convent on 8 October. Among the issues tackled, was that all parishes should send volunteer couples to be trained in giving seminars/workshops in family life affairs.

Pastoral Coordinator

The long awaited launch of the Zambia Association of Catholic Professionals, (ZACP) Mpika Branch finally took place on 26 October at the ICL. Members and well wishers from St Andrew’s, Ichengelo and Chilonga Parishes witnessed the colourful ceremony which was graced by the presence of the ZACP Africa Vice President, Mr. Felix Chanda and two other National Executive members from Lusaka.

In his speech the Vicar General Fr. Charles Kabuswe, who was the Guest of Honour reminded the Catholic Professionals of their special obligation as lay people to spread the gospel at their actual working places.

Condolences to

• Ms. Esnart Sikapumbwe (wife to Oliver) whose elder sister died in Mpika Hospital on 1 November.

Industrial Break

The last working day for the Diocesan Offices, Garage and Workshop is Friday 20 December; the first working day in 2003 is Monday 13 January.

AIDS/HIV/HBC Coordinator

The celebration of the World AIDS Day takes off on 1 December and a week before was declared time for fasting and prayer for our brothers and sisters who are living with HIV/AIDS and also for those who died of HIV/AIDS by our Bishops in their recent pastoral letter on HIV/AIDS.

Thanks

Fr. Telesphore Tafuna expresses his heart felt thanks to all for spiritual and material support during his aunt’s (Victoria Tafuna) illness and funeral.

Wishing all our relatives, friends and benefactors

All the Blessings and joy of Christmas:

A child is born to us: Christ the Lord.

Peace and Happiness in the New Year

and Thanking you for your support and encouragement in 2002