OUR DIOCESE

A Newsletter from Mpika Diocese

March 2004

Important Dates

Presbyterium

Bishop Mpundu and twenty-two priests attended the meeting of the Presbyterium at ICL from 9 to 12 March. The theme of the meeting was 10 years after the African Synod comes home: Self-sustainability of the local Church. The facilitators were Fr. Marc Nsanzurwimo, M.Afr. and Fr. Thomas Matthaei the Treasurer General.

Mpika Deanery meeting

Mpika deanery meeting was held on 2 March 2004. All the communities of the clergy were represented. In attendance were also representatives of the religious communities of Chalabesa, Chilonga, H/Q and Chengelo. A well-prepared reflection and mass focused on the care of children in line with this years Lenten message. There was active participation in the deliberations by all present and it was hoped that this spirit and good attendance would be maintained in future.

Chinsali Deanery meeting

Chinsali deanery meeting was held on 9 March 2004 at St. John the Baptist Parish in Chinsali. The Popes Lenten theme, which calls for special attention to the little ones was discussed in depth and the meeting resolved to bring this message to SCC, lay movements and CCJP groups. Fr. Telesphore Tafuna was elected as the new Dean replacing Fr. Albert Chanda who is MPAZACDC representative to the DPC.

Welcome to

• A warm welcome and best wishes for a fruitful apostolate in Mpika Diocese to Sr Susan Lukonde SCJ who joins Ilondola community.

Farewell and Gods blessings to

• Sr. Elizabeth Kaoma SCJ who has moved from Chengelo community and Sr. Patricia Mwalula LSMI from Chalabesa to Kasisi Orphanage.
• Sr. Deodata Mwewa who joins Chengelo SCJ Community from Ndola Diocese.

Get well soon

The condition of Fr. Patrick Chibuye has improved and his leg is showing signs of healing even though it is a slow process. After being discharged from the Italian Hospital he spent some weeks at St. Dominics and Mpima Seminaries to rest. He still has to go back to the specialists for periodic review. God be praised for answering our prayers. We are also grateful to the staff and students of both seminaries for the hospitality and care accorded to Fr. Chibuye and his guardian angel Fr. Ndawa. We wish Fr. Chibuye complete recovery.

CAYA - BCP (Youth Office)

1. Four CAYA BCP facilitators of Mpika diocese went to Mumbwa at the invitation of Peoples Action Forum (PAF), an NGO based in Lusaka. While in Mumbwa, they conducted BCP, Life skills and value workshops to 150 youth for one week and 70 of these were from Mumbwa Parish. Mr. Clement Mumbo who had been in Mumbwa for 10 weeks was joined by the four youth facilitators namely: - Chansa Chiluba, Mercy Kasoma, Humphrey Mwamba and Edina Zulu.
2. The CAYA BCP facilitators are planning to visit the following Parishes to conduct Initial BCP and training workshops so as to prepare youths for Home Based Care Programmes/services: - Nakonde, Isoka, Chalabesa, Mulanga, Serenje and Ilondola (16-29 March 2004). This is to be supported by CRS in the office of HBC.
3. CAYA HBC facilitators 2004 has seen over 50 of the CAYA facilitators into various colleges especially teaching colleges. This is an investment for the diocese.

Diocesan Liturgical Committee

Again this year has organised a seminar for choir leaders from parishes. The requirements have already been communicated. DATES: - 3-9 May 2004. VENUE: - St John the Baptist, Chinsali. PARTICIPANTS: - 10 choir leaders per parish drawn from choir (ingomba), Abaomba, Bamushika nyimbo inclusive. WHAT TO BRING. - Check the report from Chinsali deanery Mushika Nyimbo (composers) seminar, Isoka. The conditions of last years seminar apply to this years as well. We are asking you, the parish teams to help us communicate this to your parish choir leadership.

CTC

Rejoices to announce the increase in population by two of the CTC in February. Our congratulations go to Mr/Mrs. Richard Kabaghe and Mr/Mrs. Paul Mulenga for the new baby girls. Both couples from Isoka are familiar with SNFP methods and we hope they will be fully qualified as facilitators by the end of their course.

Reminder

The Parish Priests should bring their holy oils vessels in time for the Mass of the Holy Oils on Maundy Thursday, 8 April 2004 at St. Josephs Cathedral at 09:30 hrs. Priests, Religious and laity are welcome to attend this celebration.

Please note

• Those with E-mail boxes forward them to the Bishops Secretary so that they can receive Our Diocese electronically. It is much faster and cheaper!
• Kindly pick up the mail from your pigeonhole when you visit our offices.
• Please send us newsworthy events in your parish for inclusion in Our Diocese.
• For more information visit our website at www.diompika.org

He will be put to death, but on the third day he will rise again HE HAS RISEN, AS HE SAID. ALLELUIA!
May the peace and joy of the risen Lord Be with all our friends, relatives and benefactors during this Eastertide