OUR DIOCESE

A Newsletter from Mpika Diocese

January 2003

Important Dates

Catechists training centre

The names of the candidates for 2003-2005 intake have not yet been sent to the Office of the Director. Priests-in-charge who have candidates should submit the applications at the Deanery Meetings in March. Fathers Matepa, Mwenge, Mantini, and Kashimoto will collect the particulars for their respective deaneries.

CTC Board Members

The interim CTC Board consists of Fr. J. Matepa, the Pastoral Coordinator, Frs. T. Mantini and S. Mwenge (deans) and Fr. D. Kashimoto, the CTC Director. The functions of this board will be advisory and planning proposals to diocesan bodies and ultimately to the Bishop.

Welcome to

• Srs. Patricia Chibwe, Anne Chipalo, Rhoyda Buti, Perpetual Kepi LSMI to Chalabesa
• Srs. Mildred Mwape, Petronella Bwalya and Monica Kayumba (LSMI) to Serenje
• Sr. Angela Mulumbu LSMI to H/Q Community
• Sr. Edith Sokoshi LSMI to Lwitikila
• Srs. Isabel Mwila and Regina Chansa (SCJ) to Ilondola
• Srs. Helen Kasuba, Barbara Chileshe and Belinda Mutale (SCJ) to Chengelo
• Ms. Andrea Maria Reitze (ALM Volunteer) to Isoka community.

A warm welcome to you and best wishes for a fruitful apostolate in the Diocese of Mpika.

Condolences to

• The Bishop whose father passed away on 20.12.02 and was buried on 22.12.02.
• Fr. Lazarus Mwiko whose elder brother died on 11.01.03 in Lusaka and was buried on 14.01.03
• The Bishop, clergy, religious and faithful of Mansa Diocese on the death Fr. Evaristo Lufungulo Chashya who passed away on 22.01.03 in Lubwe Mission Hospital. He was buried on 25.01.03 at Kabunda.

To all the bereaved our deepest sympathy in this time of sorrow; we pray that God will comfort and strengthen them and grant eternal rest to their departed loved ones.

Changes / Appointments

Fr. Francis Kasolo is the new Diocesan Vocation Director and Youth Coordinator succeeding Fr. Ireneaus Chimpali. All vocations and youth matters should be addressed to him at: P.O. Box 450 007, MPIKA.

Fr. Charles Mwila has gone overseas for studies. We wish him good luck and God’s blessings.

Fr. J. Matepa; the Pastoral Coordinator has moved to the Cathedral Parish house. The Pastoral Coordinator’s telephone number has not changed.

Refresher course on use of hospital vehicles

The sisters-in-charge of health institutions and their drivers are invited to a course from 17 to 21 February at the ICL. Date of arrival is 17 February after lunch. Course days are 18 and 19 for both, the in-charge and their driver. 20 February, a day for the drivers only as this day will be set aside for mechanics. Topics to be covered: - communication, discipline and conflict resolution, planning of short and long trips and ‘dos’ and ‘don'ts’ on vehicles. All are expected to attend without fail because the course is vital for proper maintenance of vehicles and the smooth running of institutions.

St Joseph's Cathedral

On 18 November 2002, two priests, Frs. Kasolo and Kangwa moved into the new house starting a new community, charged with the pastoral care of St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Mpika. Fr. Justin Matepa, The Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator joined the community in mid January.

Parish life has started taking shape. Several structures have already been put in place. The Parish Council sat on 3-4 January with the new leadership being ushered in by the Pastoral Coordinator and Fr. Mulanda, the parish priest of St. Andrew’s from which St. Joseph’s territory has been carved. Resource persons giving inputs, included the Pastoral Council Secretary, Mr. Clement Mumbo and Mr. Urban Musonda of Chengelo Parish. The Bishop came to give a little pep talk to the newly constituted leadership whereas the Treasurer General, Fr. Thomas Matthaei, assisted by Mr. Albert Chota, helped to set-up the Parish Financial Board.

Diocesan HIV/AIDS/HBC Coordinator

During the course of last year, different activities on management of HIV/AIDS took place throughout the diocese. This year we hope to continue and possibly improve our common efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Coordinator visited Chalabesa RHC on 22.01.03 and attended meetings of the Chilonga HBC Coordinating Committee on 20 and 27 January.