MALAWI: Zomba Diocese Intensifies Preparations for World Mission Sunday
Judith Sonkho
The National Director for Pontifical Missionary Societies (PMS) in Malawi, Rev Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa, has urged Catholics in the country to create more awareness and pray for the successful hosting of this year’s Mission Month and World Mission Sunday slated for October.
Fr. Mwakhwawa was speaking a few weeks after launching the national preparations for World Mission Sunday which was held at St. Vincent De Paul (Katamba) Parish in Zomba Diocese.
He said that Christians need to fully understand what Mission Month of October and World Mission Sunday are all about so that they can fully and actively participate in various activities that have been lined up in the sidelines of the main celebrations expected in October.
“We are emphasizing three main areas in our preparations for this year’s World Mission Sunday: encouraging Christians to pray in their families; creating more awareness about World Mission Sunday and the missionary obligations of every baptized; and asking the faithful to make financial contributions towards the missionary activities of the Church,” said Fr. Mwakhwawa.
The PMS Director then added that they are also doing radio and television programs and using the social media platforms on how best Christians can prepare for the month and the day.
In his remarks, the Chairperson of the Laity Council in Zomba Diocese, the host for this year’s October Mission Month activities and World Mission Sunday, Mr. Vito Sandifolo, said the Diocese is making sure that all Christians are able to understand the importance of the month and day and fully participate, both in the preparations and on the actual day.
“We have asked all Catholic associations within the Diocese to take part in preparing for the World Mission Day,” added Mr. Sandifolo.
According to Sandifolo, the Diocese has also distributed PMS books to all parishes in the Diocese for Christians to start teaching each other about the Month and Word Mission Sunday.
The Laity Council Chairperson further said that since the inauguration of the October Mission Month and World Mission Day preparations at Katamba Parish, the Diocese has been encouraging leaders in all parishes to enlighten Christians that Zomba Diocese is the host for this year’s Mission Sunday hence the need for everyone to prepare thoroughly.
The Mission Month of October and World Mission Sunday was set aside for the Catholic Church throughout the World to publicly renew its commitment to the missionary movement. It is usually observed on the last but one Sunday of every October and this year it will be celebrated on Sunday, October 24 under the theme “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:20).
