DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LIVINGSTONE

Vol. 2.

The Eucharist: Sign and Source Fourth Holy Childhood Congress of Unity he Diocesan Pontifical Mission Society

April to June 2013

ope Emeritus (Retired) Benedict XVI, declared the period 11 October 2012 to the Solemnity of Christ our King on 24 November 2013 as the Year of Faith. During this year, we are called upon to reflect deeply on all facets of our faith. The Eucharist is one of the major elements of our faith. The Eucharist is the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is Holy Communion. The term Eucharist in Greek means thanksgiving. As believers we know the important role the Eucharist plays in our life. It brings us to Christ. It nourishes and strengthens us in our spiritual journey. Moreover, the Eucharist is the sacrament of peace. It is also the table of fellowship to all men and women who believe in Jesus Christ. The Eucharist is the Sign and Source of Unity in the Church. Throughout the New Testament and the Writings of the Early Church, we find that there is a strong connection between the Eucharist and unity. St. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, wrote to the Corintians: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread (1 Cor. 10: 16-17). When we do not live by the Eucharist, we condemn ourselves (1 Cor. 11: 26-34). The Writings of the Early Church Fathers are equally clear on the theme of the Eucharist and Unity. It is from the Church Fathers that we have the saying: The Church makes the Eucharist, and the Eucharist makes the Church. In the Didache (the Teachings of the Twelve Apostles), we are taught that: Just as bread broken was first scattered on the hills, then was the gathered and became one, so let your church be gathered from ends of the earth into your kingdom, for yours is glory and power through all ages (9:4). The Eucharist is indeed a sign and source of unity. Aware of the centrality of the Eucharist in this Year of Faith, Pope Francis will lead the whole church in Eucharistic adoration on Sunday, 2nd June 2013 of Corpus Christi (The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ) at 17.00 hours, Rome time. As a local church, we shall join the rest of the world in this Eucharistic Adoration. May we be guided by the Holy Spirit in the eucharistic adoration. With the universal Church, let us go and adore the Lord, present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist. St. John Marie Vianney encourages us saying: When we go before the Blessed Sacrament, let us open our heart; our good God will open His. We shall go to Him; He will come to us; the one to ask, the other to receive. It will be like a breath from one to the other. May Mary our mother and the Mother of Church, pray for us that we may be inspired by the Lord Jesus, her Son, present in the Eucharist. May the Eucharistic Jesus bring unity in our families, in our social gathering, among the clergy and the laity.

(PMS) Office successfully organized and held the fourth in the series of the Annual Holy Childhood Congress for Livingstone. It lasted from Wednesday, 24th April, 2013 to Saturday, 27th April, 2013. The theme was: Children: Ready for Faith Development. A total of one hundred thirty (130) children, with sixteen (16) animators, journeyed through faith rediscovery and development together at St. Francis Parish Church, Dambwa by courtesy of the Parish Priest Fr. Rajesh DSouza, SVD. Inputs delivered included Children : called to be Missionaries to each other by Fr. Elliot Ngosa, OFM Cap., History and Spirituality of the Holy Childhood by Fr. Imasiku Ngalama, Children and the Bible by the Diocesan Bible Ministry Animators, The Year of Faith : Childrens Participation by Marcio, SVD, Faith and Behaviour Change by Youth Alive Zambia Diocesan Facilitators, as well as Mary, the Rosary and the Liturgy by Deacon Ephraim Musilekwa. Other activities included morning and nighttime prayers and reflections prepared by children as parish teams, recreation, preventive maintenance, and faith-sharing interviews with personnel from MUVI TV for appearance on a Childrens TV Programme the following weekend. May the good Lord continue inspiring his special friends (cf. Matthew 19:14) to be active sharers and doers of his Good News in Livingstone and beyond.

Alcohol Team Workshop

he Community Alcohol Team in Zambia, in conjuction with the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator facilitated a workshop on substance abuse challenges. The purpose of the workshop was to train community leaders, so as to strenghen networking in various organisation. The workshop, among other topics, also focused on how to reduce harm and raise awareness within problematic users and the larger community. Partcipants from Kazungula, Sesheke and Livingstone Districts attended the Workshop. The workshop, faciliated by Fr. Phillip Baxter, OFM Cap. and his team, took place at Detcha Guest Lodge, Livingstone, from 6th to 10th May, 2013.

n 19th April, 2013, in Livingstone, Bishop Raymond Mpezele launched the Community Land Empowerment Project (CLEP). In his speech, the Bishop highlighted the importance of land in the nation. Land is the source of livelihood for any citizen of this land, stated the Bishop. He equally bemoaned the allocation of customary and state land to investors along the Zambezi River, which is a disadvantage to the locals. Present at the launch were traditional leaders from Mwandi, Mukuni and Sekute areas, government officials, religious leaders, Caritas Livingstone Staff, NGOs and the media.

Bishop speaks out on land issues

ongratulations to Sr. Theresa Nyoni,LSSF, on her re-election as Superior General for the congregation. We equally extend our congratulations to Srs. Helen Mwalye, Perpetua Mutonga and Marrian Mukuka on their election to the council of the religious congregation. May God bless you. Fr. Daniel Naji, Holy Ghost, to the Diocese. Fr. Daniel is the new Parish Priest of Maria Regina Parish, Linda. The three volunteer doctors from Chile: Juan Pablo Ceroni, Sepulveda Hales Adrea and Daniela Suad Martin Merlez. They will be in Sichili for one year. We wish them all the best, at Sichili Mission Hospital

Congratulations

Welcome

r. Pious Kintu, was in the Diocese from 11th to 20th May, 2013, for a time of Prayer and Healing sessions. He visited Mwandi, Sesheke and Sioma. We thank the Diocesan Charistimatic Renewal Movement for organising such a spiritual event in the Diocese. May the fruits of Br. Pious service be seen in our lives.

Moments of Prayer with Br. Pious

Liturgy, Source of Life. That the public, prayerful celebration of faith may give life to the faithful. Mission Churches. That mission churches may be signs and instruments of hope and resurrection. Administrators of Justice. That administrators of justice may act always with integrity and right conscience. Seminaries. That seminaries, especially those of mission churches, may form pastors after the Heart of Christ, fully dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel. JUNE Mutual Respect. That a culture of dialogue, listening, and mutual respect may prevail among peoples. New Evangelization. That where secularization is strongest, Christian communities may effectively promote a new evangelization.

Holy Fathers Prayer Intentions APRIL

ive Sisters of the Little Sisters of St. Francis (LSSF) will make their Final Vows on 29th June 2013 at Our Lady of Angels Parish Church, Livingstone. They are Srs. Gwendolyne Mfune, Cecilia Nakambo, Angela Mwaba, Grace Katongo and Pascalina Musongo. We keep our Sisters in prayer.

Religious Final Vows

MAY

F F

Transfers in the Diocese

r. Paul Mubiana has been appointed Diocesan Secretary. He replaces Fr. Clifford Mulasikwanda, who has been transfered to St. Anthonys Parish, Sioma. r. Kebby Luwaya has been appointed Parish Priest of St. Fidelis Parish, Sichili. He takes over from Fr. Daniel Mwayanguba, who has since been appointed Parish Priest of Lusu Parish. We wish the ministers of the Lord, all the best in their new placements.

Jesus has made Himself the Bread of Life to give us life. Night and day, He is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist, come back to that Adoration. - Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
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

he Diocese will celebrate its diocesan feast on the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Saturday, 8th June 2013, at Christ the King Parish Church, Maramba. The mass will be presided by Bishop Raymond Mpezele. The procession to the Marian Shrine will follow soon after mass. Let us keep our diocese in prayer, in preparation for this great feast.

Diocesan Feast

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