MALAWI: ECM Hosts National SCCs Workshop
The AMECEA
Chairman Most Rev Tarcisio Ziyaye has challenged the participants of Small
Christian Communities (SCCs) Workshop to consider the SCC as the most important
aspect of their Christian life and urged them to honestly evaluate how SCCs
have helped to deepen the evangelizing mission of the Churhc in the AMECEA
region.
The AMECEA
Chairman gave this challenge during the official opening of a three-day National
SCCs Workshop on the theme “SCCs Embrace the Word of God” at the Bethany Centre
in Lilongwe, Malawi on 17 December, 2013.
Chairman gave this challenge during the official opening of a three-day National
SCCs Workshop on the theme “SCCs Embrace the Word of God” at the Bethany Centre
in Lilongwe, Malawi on 17 December, 2013.
 |
| Group Photo of workshop Participants |
The
32 participants included representatives from all eight dioceses and various
national Catholic organizations including: one archbishop, 10 priests, one
religious sister, 11 laymen and nine laywomen. The workshop was sponsored by
the Pastoral Department of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) in
conjunction with the Pastoral Department of the Association of Member Episcopal
Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA).
32 participants included representatives from all eight dioceses and various
national Catholic organizations including: one archbishop, 10 priests, one
religious sister, 11 laymen and nine laywomen. The workshop was sponsored by
the Pastoral Department of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) in
conjunction with the Pastoral Department of the Association of Member Episcopal
Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA).
 |
| Archbishop Tarcisio Ziyaye AMECEA Chairman |
This was the second workshop in a series of national SCCs Workshops in the nine AMECEA
countries. the first one having been conducted in Zambia two weeks ago. The SCCs Workshop was facilitated by Father Febian Pikiti and Father
Joseph Healey, MM.
countries. the first one having been conducted in Zambia two weeks ago. The SCCs Workshop was facilitated by Father Febian Pikiti and Father
Joseph Healey, MM.
In
the spirit of “learning by doing” participants formed four SCCs (St. Monica,
St. Maria Goretti, St. Jude Thaddeus and St. Peter the Apostle) for four
separate sessions:
the spirit of “learning by doing” participants formed four SCCs (St. Monica,
St. Maria Goretti, St. Jude Thaddeus and St. Peter the Apostle) for four
separate sessions:
Discussion
on the challenges facing SCCs in Malawi under four headings: “General;”
“Process of Conducting SCCs Meetings,” “Pastoral Leadership” and “Youth and
Children in SCCs.”
on the challenges facing SCCs in Malawi under four headings: “General;”
“Process of Conducting SCCs Meetings,” “Pastoral Leadership” and “Youth and
Children in SCCs.”
Lectionary-based
faith sharing on the Gospel of the following 4th Sunday of Advent (Matthew 1:
18-24);
faith sharing on the Gospel of the following 4th Sunday of Advent (Matthew 1:
18-24);
Using
the SEE – JUDGE –ACT reflection method/process on topics in the general society
in Malawi: “Corruption (two SCCs),” “Environmental Degradation,” and
“Poverty”). In the Catholic Church in Malawi: “Children Not Taking Part in
SCCs,” “The Gap Between the Rich and the Poor in SCCs,” “Poor Leadership in
SCCs” and “Shallow Faith.”
the SEE – JUDGE –ACT reflection method/process on topics in the general society
in Malawi: “Corruption (two SCCs),” “Environmental Degradation,” and
“Poverty”). In the Catholic Church in Malawi: “Children Not Taking Part in
SCCs,” “The Gap Between the Rich and the Poor in SCCs,” “Poor Leadership in
SCCs” and “Shallow Faith.”
Discussion
on “Recommendations and the Way Forward.”
on “Recommendations and the Way Forward.”
 |
| Fr. Pikiti, AMECEA Pastoral Department Coordinator |
Highlights
included two SCCs Masses with plenty of participation, Bible Reflection and
faith sharing; a session on “The Importance of the Social Media in SCCs”
including an online presentation of the Small Christian Communities Global
Collaborative Website and “Facebook Page” (www.smallchristiancommunities.org)
and participants demonstrating their own websites and Facebook Pages in Malawi;
and an African DVD, 50 Years of AMECEA, that is a preview of the AMECEA Plenary
Meeting to take place in Lilongwe, Malawi in July, 2014.
included two SCCs Masses with plenty of participation, Bible Reflection and
faith sharing; a session on “The Importance of the Social Media in SCCs”
including an online presentation of the Small Christian Communities Global
Collaborative Website and “Facebook Page” (www.smallchristiancommunities.org)
and participants demonstrating their own websites and Facebook Pages in Malawi;
and an African DVD, 50 Years of AMECEA, that is a preview of the AMECEA Plenary
Meeting to take place in Lilongwe, Malawi in July, 2014.
Recommendations
included:
included:
· Promotion of “Pastoral Guidelines” for
the orientation, training and formation of all pastoral agents in Malawi on the
meaning, value and mission of SCCs as a new way of being church.
the orientation, training and formation of all pastoral agents in Malawi on the
meaning, value and mission of SCCs as a new way of being church.
· To encourage ongoing formation and
training for leaders of SCCs at parish level in order to promote creative
skills for animating meetings of SCCs.
training for leaders of SCCs at parish level in order to promote creative
skills for animating meetings of SCCs.
 |
| Fr. Joseph Healey |
To propose ways of encouraging men,
youth and children to actively participate in the life and activities of SCCs.
Appeal to bishops, priests, religious
and other pastoral agents in Malawi to regularly visit SCCs, know what is
happening and be more involved in the promotion of useful resource materials
for animating SCCs.
Follow-up
action has started that includes downloading the free E-Book on “SCCs in Africa” with its 20 “Resource Materials on
On-going Formation and Training of SCC Members” into computers and flash drives
for use throughout Malawi.
action has started that includes downloading the free E-Book on “SCCs in Africa” with its 20 “Resource Materials on
On-going Formation and Training of SCC Members” into computers and flash drives
for use throughout Malawi.
An
enduring symbol of the workshop was the Opening Song. All the participants
joined hands and sang “Bind Us Together, Lord” – the theme song of SCCs around
the world.
enduring symbol of the workshop was the Opening Song. All the participants
joined hands and sang “Bind Us Together, Lord” – the theme song of SCCs around
the world.
Source: Report by Fr.
Joseph Healey from Malawi
Joseph Healey from Malawi
