DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LIVINGSTONE

Vol. 1.

sh Wednesday marked the beginning of the period of Lent in the Church. In the Bible; in the Old Testament, ashes are associated with repentance of sins; giving up evil ways and returning to God our father; our life; our happiness. In the Old Testament, the Jews who repented of their sins sat in ashes and put ashes on their heads as a sign of humility before God; as a sign of repentance. And the Merciful Lord forgave such people their sins. This tradition continues in the Catholic Church. Every year, on Ash Wednesday, during mass, Catholics receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of repentance of their sins; as a sign of humility before God, for we have sinned before him, who loves us so much. And now, we have decided to return to him through repentance of our sins. Jesus Christ the Son of God who became man for our salvation, saved us especially through his death on the cross and resurrection. Every year, Christians all over the world, commemorate Jesus death on the cross on the hill of calvary, which at that time, was outside Jerusalem. We commemorate Jesus saving death on Good Friday, which this year, falls on 29th March. But by his power as God, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. Christians commemorate, with Joy, Jesus resurrection, on Easter Sunday. This year, Easter Sunday falls on 31st March. Lent, a period of 40 days, is a period of preparation for Easter: the greatest Christian Feast because through his resurrection, Jesus conquered all forms of evil in us and around us. Jesus is more powerful than all the evil things that happen in the world. Through him we can overcome any temptation; we can rise from our sins. Now, Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, the greatest Christian Feast. During Lent, we prepare for Easter, through repentance of our sins; we prepare for Easter, through intesified Prayer. In the course of the year, we may have slackened in our prayer life; during Lent, we prepare for Easter, by intensifying our effort to love our neighbour, especially our brother or sister who needs our help. Wishing you all a happy and fruitful preparation for Easter, during Lent, which begun, on Ash Wednesday. And may God bless you all.

Lenten Message from the Bishop

January to March 2013

Childrens Participation Epiphany Sunday

enedict XVI now called Pope Emeritus, resigned as the See of Rome on 28th February 2013 at 19.00hrs (GMT). He is currently at papal residence at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. After three months, he moves to a cloistered monastery, within the Vatican City, where he will dedicate his life to prayer. His Holiness became Pope on 19th April 2005, announced his intention to resign on 11th February 2013. He is the first Pope to resign after 600 years.

Pope Benedict XVI Resigns

on

ince Bishop Charles de Forbin Jansen founded the Holy Childhood in the 1840s in France, it has been a powerful instrument in engaging children in evangelization. On 6th January, 2013, it was elating to see children in all the Livingstone town parishes, some Livingstone deanery rural parishes and a parish in Sesheke deanery, having the opportunity to evangelize by taking up key responsibilities at the Epiphany Main Masses. Through the childrens singing, reading and praying, the faithful were inspired to contribute generously to the universal solidarity fund. This fund supports children worldwide in parishes, communities, orphanages, homes for the disabled, refugees, and those living on the streets. Gratitude goes to parish priests, parish coordinating teams, animators and parents for allowing, encouraging and supporting the children in this missionary agenda. It is hoped that this missionary cooperation will continue flourishing in the upcoming programmes for the Pontifical Mission Society of the Holy Childhood in the diocese.

he Damietta Peace Initiative (DPI) was relaunched in Livingstone on 2nd February 2013, at Chipo Guest House. The DPI is a project for Peace-Making in Africa. It seeks to build trust, values, relationships and actions for peace. It was founded in 2004, by a Capuchin Franciscan Brother by the name of Donal Francis OMahony. For further information about DPI in Zambia, contact Fr. Dominic Sandu Mizhi, OFM Cap., country coordinator, at pastlivd@zamnet.zm or doesmiz@yahoo.com.

Damietta Peace Initiative

n 17th February, 2013, Parishioners around Livingstone City gathered at the Livingstone General Hospital, to celebrate the World Day for the Sick. The event was characterized by songs and dance, and offering of gifts to the patients at Batoka and Livingstone General Hospitals. Prior to that day, parishioners took time, from 11th to 16th to clean around the health premises at the hospital as well as at St. Josephs Hospice, at Namatama Extension.

World Day of the Sick Event

Congratulations

ongratulations to Fr. John Mulele Mulemba, OFM Cap., ordained a priest by Bishop Raymond Mpezele at Linda Parish, Maria Regina, on 9th February 2013. Fr. John has since been appointed Assistant Parish Priest at Mangango Mission, in Western Province. We welcome to Sr. Prudence Chishimba, Holy Cross, to the Diocese. Welcome to Kays Kaundula and Angel Manimani, our new mechanics at the diocesan garage.

Welcome

he priests of Sesheke Deanery met on 6th and 7th February, 2013 at Sesheke Parish, St. Kizitos. Many issues affecting the life of the church in that deanery were discussed. Among them: the celebration of the Year of Faith and building up effective structures for the smooth running of the deanery. The Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, Fr. Dominic Sandu Mizhi, OFM Cap. and the Diocesan Treasurer General, Mr. Gerald Yambani were also in attendance at the meeting.

Sesheke Deanery Meets

The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him. Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance. Migrant Families. That migrant families, especially the mothers, may be supported and accompanied in their difficulties. Peace. That the peoples at war and in conflict may lead the way in building a peaceful future. Respect for Nature. That respect for nature may grow with the awareness that all creation is God's work entrusted to human responsibility. Clergy. That bishops, priests, and deacons may be tireless messengers of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Holy Fathers Prayer Intentions JANUARY

FEBRUARY

r. Regina Maliti, HC, has left for a one-year Sabbatical in South Africa. During this time, she will be following a course on Human and Social Development at St. Josephs Theological Institute. Sr. Regina came to the Diocese of Livingstone in 2005, where she was an active member in the pastoral life of the Diocese. She was a member of the Board of Management at St. Josephs hospice, where she was in the Caregivers Committee. At Our Lady of Angels Parish, she was an active member of the Catechetical Team and the Field Coordinator of the Damietta Peace initiative. She once served as Chairperson of the Zambia Association of Sisterhood (ZAS) in Livingstone. Sr. Regina was a Physiotherapy Technologist at the Livingstone General Hospital. We wish Sr. Regina Maliti, all the best in her future endeavors.

Sr. Regina leaves the Diocese

MARCH

n 27th February, 2013, the Diocese issued a statement condemning the violence that rocked the Livingstone Bye-Elections Campaigns. The violence subsequently led to the death of Mr. Harrison Chanda, a Patriotic Front Party Official from Monze.

Diocese on Elections Violence

The Lord is calling me 'out to the mountain' to devote more time to prayer and meditation, but this does not mean I'm abandoning the Church. .....a way that's more suited for my age and strength. - Benedict XVI

The Editor, Diocesan Newsletter, P.O. Box 60138, Plot. No. 27/313 Musi-O-Tunya Rd., Livingstone. Tel. +260 213 321667 Fax. +260 213 324280 E-mail: seclivd@zamnet.zm

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