BISHOP MWAKHWAWA URGES CHRISTIANS TO FULFILL PASTORAL ACTIVITIES
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe Rt. Rev. Vincent Frederick Mwakhwawa has challenged Christians in the Church always to remember to fulfill their missionary obligations by carrying out practical pastoral activities.
Speaking in two separate Eucharistic celebrations in Salima and Lilongwe, Bishop Mwakhwawa told Christians that the Church expects them to do more in sharing their faith with other people and proclaim the good news of salvation.
On Saturday – 31st August 2024, Bishop Mwakhwawa was at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Salima. He administered the sacrament of Confirmation to 662 Christians, the parish’s first in five years. On Sunday he was at St. Philip the Apostle Parish, Area 44 in Lilongwe where he performed a similar duty of administering the sacrament to 31 Christians.
During the two events, Bishop Mwakhwawa told the confirmed Christians to pray every day in private, as individuals, and in the community, especially by going to the Eucharistic celebration and also to love the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
“You should also teach others the Word of God and Church teachings. To do that, you need to continue learning the catechism of the Catholic Church and read the Bible in your groups.” Bishop Mwakhwawa added.
The Prelate further asked the Christians to do manual work at parish, home, and school at their level as a service to Christ, citing visiting the sick and the old in homes to assist them.
“The fourth obligation is that; you should embrace the Spirit of Missionary charity by contributing money generously to the Church and support the needs of the Church and other people”. he continued
The bishop also encouraged the newly confirmed Christians that the sacrament of Confirmation will empower them to serve in the Church and society as young missionaries in proclaiming the good news of salvation with courage, conviction, and commitment.
He, therefore, advised parents to encourage their children to attend post-confirmation lessons, cautioning them to stop telling children that after-confirmation signifies that young people have finished Catholic formation.
“Catholic formation does not stop, even adults have to continue learning the Catholic faith in families and Small Christian Communities.” Bishop Mwakhwawa concluded.
In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.
It consists of a prayer to the Holy Spirit, the laying on of hands while the prayer is said, and the anointing of the candidate with the oil of Chrism.
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