Members of staff at Catholic Secretariat on Friday, March 18, 2016 went on Easter recess until Tuesday,29th March with the closing ceremony being spiced up by a joint Way of the Cross involving all the departments.
During the way of the cross celebration which was led by Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa, the Director for Pontifical Missionary Societies, each department offered special prayer intentions on each station ranging from unity ,hunger, medical care and facility, vocations, peace and governance, education, good usage of social media and social-political
situation in Malawi among others.
For instance, Social Communications offered an intentional prayer by praying for unity and good usage of social media, where as other commissions like Caritas, Health, Pastoral, Justice and Peace, administration and education offered the other intentional prayers.
At the end of the way of the cross cerebration, staff members were surprised to learn that management had offered each one of them an Easter bonus and gifts that included bags of maize and beans.
Presenting the gift to members of staff, Secretary General for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Fr. Henry Saindi said management thought of giving out few bags of maize and beans to its staff because of the many challenges including hunger that Malawians are facing.
“It happened during Christmas holiday, and this time around, it has please management to do the same. This only shows that management appreciates the role of each staff member here at Catholic Secretariat. It is therefore important that we should also strive to appreciate one’s contribution to Catholic Secretariat,” said Fr. Saindi amidst ululation and joy from staff members ranging from support staff and project officers.
Fr. Saindi challenged each staff member to take time off during this Eater holiday and enjoy with his or her family thereby reflecting on the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Reacting to the gesture by management, one member of staff, Allen Chipeta commended management and the Secretary General for considering them with the bonus and the gift of maize and beans.
“This shows that management cares about us, many thanks indeed for this kind gesture,” Chipeta simply said with joy and excitement.
Following the new strategic plan, Catholic Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi has three directorates that include Pastoral, Social Development; and Finance, Administration and Investment.
By Prince Henderson