newly appointed Archbishop of Kasama

Rt.  Rev. Ignatius Chama as Archbishop of Kasama of the Northen Province in Zambia. Most Rev. I. Chama has been the sherpherd of Mpika Diocese since 28 September 2008. Shortly after his 3rd Episcopal  Anniversary he was appointed to Kasama Archdiocese.

Count on our prayers as you lead the Metropolitan of Kasama. You will be greatly missed.

We wish you all the best in  this new appointment.

Fr. Paul Makasa in 1965 as a student in Kachebere

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Fr. Paul Nkula Makasa. He died on Thursday 13 October, in his room in Lwitikila, aged 75 years.

Fr. Makasa was born in Misengo village in 1936 and entered Kachebere Major Seminary in 1959. He was ordained on the 3rd of September 1966 in Makasa Catholic Church and his first post was Katibunga Mission. He served in many parishes of the diocese and was Director of the Catechists Training School from 1979-1984. Under Bishop Mpundu he was Vicar General from 1994-1998. He retired from active duty in 1997 and stayed in the Lwitikila Rectory ever since. We remember him as a zealous worker in the vineyard of the Lord. May his soul rest in peace.

Funeral Mass is on Monday 17 October in Chilonga followed by his burial at Chilonga Cemetary. Mass starts at 9.30 hours.

Bishop Chama establishes the new Parish

The former Chilonga Sub-Parishes of Kalimba and Nabwalya, in the Rift-Valley, were made into a new parish Nabwalya, Our Lady of the Rosary. The event started on Friday 7 October, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. On that day, all the new buildings were blessed by our Bishop Ignatius Chama.

The official opening of the parish took place on Saturday. What a colorfull celebration. Representatives from all parishes of the diocese made it to Nabwalya. Not an easy task. The

Our Lady of the Rosary Church

Mass starts

The Stella Girls listen

escarpment is steep and the road is very bad, bumpy and tiresome. Yet who wanted to miss this opportunity in a lifetime?  Some started as early as 4 o’clock in the morning to reach Nabwalya just in time for Holy Mass at 10 o’clock. Sisters from Chilonga, Tazara, Mulanga and from the HQ made their way to the valley, to witness the event.  An old friend of Nabwalya, Prof. Stewart Marks, who had made research in the valley as far back as 1966, came all the way from North Carolina, USA.

Sisters at Mass

Bishop Lungu (l) & Bishop Chama (r)

The priests present

Mass started at 10 hrs. A long procession brought us to the altar outside the new church. Our bishop was accompanied by the Bishop of Chipata, George Lungu, coming all the way from Chipata. Our Vicar General, Fr. Charles Mwila was there, so was the parish priest of Chilonga, Fr. Tom Mantini. Fr. Sakala from Chipata and Fr. Pawel from Lumimba Mission on the other side of the Luangwa River. Our Vocation Director, Fr. Peter Bwalya was spotting new “talents”. And last but not least, Fr. Waldemar Potrapeluk, who was properly installed as Parish Priest of the new parish Nabwalya. In his sermon, Bishop Chama thanked Fr. Waldemar for his tireless work since 2008, when he first established a tented-city at Nabwalya. Later follwed the parish house, two visitors houses, a sitting and dining hall, a house for the two newly ordained priests, Frs. Jeff Bwalya and Morgan Chikwale, who have been posted to Nabwalya;  several store rooms and the kitchen. All these buildings are straw-roofed. A master piece is the new church, designed by our former volunteer Andreas Münch, altered and built by Fr. Waldemar and his team. Its almost ready and will soon be consecrated. Bishop Chama challenged all priests to emulate the zeal, determination and pastoral efforts of  Fr. Waldemar for the people of Nabwalya.

Many people attended

Fr. Waldemar installed as Parish Priest

The sermon and the heat to blame...

While others are listening attentively

Holy Mass was long and colorfull, the Nabwalya choir singing beautifully, supported by a group of  Babuomba from Kitwe; the catering was excellent. Chief Nabwalya was proud that day, a dream of his had finally come true. He provided most of the “munani”. Thank you Chief!

Chief Nabwalya and his wife

Fr. Waldemar pronouncing the Creed

Speeches rounded up the day. Bishop Lungu proposing a Vicariate in the valley for the faithfull on both sides of the river. The parish chairlady thanking the people and father Waldemar for the work done.  The Chief speaking words of thanks and joy;  Fr. Waldemar thanking in his speech Our Lady for the continous help and protection; and at the end, our bishop encouraging the newly appointed priests to Nabwalya and wishng the new parish God’s blessings.

A reception prepared by the new parish for all invited guests and all faithfull present ended the feast. Many drove home after that, and the mission became quiet again. The youth went for football and fisela. The bakalamba for a well deserved Siesta.

Dead Buffaloe in their path

The boys came from Chilonga, St. Joseph’s, St. Monica’s and St. Andrew’s parishes.  The first night they slept at Malama, some 38 km away from Mpika, already in the valley. The second day brought them up to Lubula village, where they put up camp.  Always nicely received by the people.  All things, such as food, blankets, pots and personal items had to be carried, either on the back or on the head.

Arrived at Nabwalya for the feast

The Football Team lost against Nabwalya

On the third day, a Thursday,  they reached Nabwalya; after crossing that final hill near the ZAWA camp, that kills your last strength. All made it safe and sound for the opening of the new Nabwalya parish on Friday morning. On Saturday afternoon the played even football against a local selection, but lost (Nabwalya 1 Yusufu 0) understandably.  The month before in September,  most of them had been at Nabwalya for a working camp, helping Fr. Waldemar to bring the mission in shape for the feast.

Led to the Altar by his Parents

On 4 June 2011 Deacon Alick G. Ngosa was ordained priest in Mulanga Parish by our Bishop I. Chama. Mass was celebrated outside, because there were too many people, who could not fit in the church. Many priests from all parts of the country were present as well. At the beginning of the Mass, the ordinandus was let to the altar by his parents. Fr. Ngosa is originally from Serenje. The Bishop posted the newly ordained father to Ilondola Parish. The lively Mass was followed by a reception in the garden of the presbytery. Food and drinks for the invited guests were served. The occasion was nicely prepared by Mulanga parish through the ordination committee.

The Laying-on of Hands

The Kiss of Peace

The Stella Girls are dancing

It was Bishop Adolf Fürstenberg who opened the Mission in 1961.  Kopa was seperated from the Mother-parish Chalabesa and got 12 centers in the beginning. The patron saint of Kopa is St. Charles Lwanga from the Ugandan Martyrs, his feast is on 3 June.

In the beginning there was only a simple house of bricks covered with a grass roof. Fr. Furrer from Serenje together with Fr. Ludwig Bergmann and Brother Heinrich Furth from Chalabesa were the first to shift to Kopa, near the Chibolya. Chief Kopa (Paul Mwape Muchonka) welcomed the Missionaries (White Fathers). Later the Mission shifted to the place were it is now, near Kalilantuntu. In 1976 the mission was closed again, due to lack of priests, only to be reopend eleven years later by two fidei donum priests from Mainz in Germany, Fr. Klaus Holzamer and Fr. Thomas Matthaei. The current parish priest is Fr. Marc Chitamaluka and his team, Fr. Teddy Chilufya and Fr. Kalasani Ronald.

Bishop Chama receives Gifts

After Mass the the feast continued with dances and songs. All in all it was a celebration to be remebered for a long time. Ad multos Annos Kopa!

Gathered for the Feast

Seen from the Road

The Inspection Team

In 2007 the building of the “wirtschaftshof” stopped due to various reason and stood idle. With the help of the Mother Monastery St. Ottilien in Bavaria (Germany)  and with the Diocese of Mpika the building is now ready to be used. Already 290 bags of Maize are stored in the new Warehouse, in two rooms onions from the fileds of the brothers are drying. The big 50 KVA generator from Priory has been transferred to the new place. All is ready to be put to use. A big: Thank You goes to the building company Lwanga Construction Ltd. with its Manager Mrs. Mwada Tonga and project Manager Mr. Andrew Nyoka for the excellent finishing of this challenging job. During the speeches the hope was expressed that this Farmyard will go a long way in providing eductaion and tools for the people of Katibunga and the diocese as a whole.

New Cardinals

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI will create 24 new Cardinals on 20 November; and among them will be Most Rev. Medardo Mazombwe. This is great news for Zambia  because he will be the first native Zambian  Cardinal.

For us in Mpika Diocese, this was a double blessing as Mons. Mazombwe was appointed while in Katibunga Mission where he was directing a retreat for sisters.  It was a real blessing for us, as we had the chance to meet our first Zambian Cardinal. Your Excellency our heartfelt congratulations and be assured of our prayers as you take up this noble duty of a Defender of the Catholic Faith.