Bishop of Mangochi Diocese, Right Reverend Montfort Stima has encouraged Catholics to consider transforming their spiritual lives to be in line with other physical transformations taking place in different churches across the country.
Stima observed that while most institutions were undergoing various transformations in terms of infrastructural development such as the construction of state-of-the-art facilities including prayer houses and multi-purpose halls, the same was supposed to reflect on their spiritual life.
“Whenever I visit parishes in Mangochi Diocese and indeed in other dioceses, I see that most places have undergone complete transformation including here at Chilobwe Parish,” Stima said, adding that the same change should translate into peoples hearts.
The prelate was speaking on Sunday at Saints Peter and Paul (Chilobwe) Parish when he presided over an end-of-year thanksgiving Mass for Friends of Mangochi Diocese residing in the Archdiocese of Blantyre.
In his homily drawn from Luke 3: 10 — 18, Stima said the third Sunday of Advent is regarded as the Joyful (Gaudete) Sunday because Jesus Christ shared his earthly life with humankind so that people can rejoice in him while awaiting his second coming.
However, Stima said the message of Luke was coming to Malawians at a time when there was anxiety about the impending Cyclone Chido when memories were still fresh of the devastating effects of Tropical Cyclone Freddy which left untold damage in its trail.
“That notwithstanding, we have other serious economic challenges; others only earning just enough to buy two bags of maize in a month yet we have large households to support.
“Yet we also have other challenges like hatred, anger and infidelity. However, we should find solace in the fact that amidst all the challenges, Christ is with us,” he added.
Bishop Stima also said despite the challenges, the Catholic faithful needed to turn to God in repentance, noting that in all circumstances, people were supposed to seek God to be their light and serve him without any hindrances.
“God has the potential to heal us from our spiritual blindness, deafness and leprosy. We need to ask God to unlock all the chains restraining us from making any progress,” he added.
Speaking earlier, Father Superior for Chilobwe Parish, Fr. Simon Moffat thanked Bishop Stima for gracing the thanksgiving Mass irrespective of his busy schedules, noting that he had just returned from Lilongwe where he fulfilled a number of engagements at the Episcopal Conference of Malawi.
Moffat said inter-diocesan interactions are crucial in deepening the faith of church members while at the same time strengthening unity of purpose.
He, therefore, encouraged all those from Mangochi to consider joining their colleagues.
Chairperson for Friends of Mangochi Diocese in the Archdiocese of Blantyre, Rose Kazombo Mwale said the thanksgiving Mass was meant to thank God for all the blessings bestowed upon the membership as the year draws to the end.
Mwale disclosed that the grouping was established in 1984 by someone from Utale Parish in Balaka following the death of a child at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital who needed the support of friends from the diocese.
“It is pleasing that the association which traces its roots from Ndirande Parish has now clocked 40 years since it was established and still growing with its footprint in almost all parishes in the Archdiocese of Blantyre,” she said.
Chairperson for Chilobwe Parish Council, Harris Kachale said Bishop Stima was no stranger as he served at Chilobwe when it was an out church of St. Pius Parish sometime back before it was elevated to the status of a parish.
“We are proud that we have contributed to your success both as a priest and a bishop,” Kachale said, adding that the two dioceses of Mangochi and Blantyre enjoy a very cordial relationship on the basis that Bishop Stima hails from the Archdiocese of Blantyre while Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa comes from Mangochi.
Kachale, therefore, thanked Friends of Mangochi Diocese for their contributions to various church activities.
