St. Joseph Chiphwanya parish in the Catholic Diocese of Dedza contributed generously for missionary work as the Church celebrated the World Mission Sunday.
During the national celebration at the parish on Sunday, 20th October 2024, Church officials revealed that the parishioners have contributed money amounting to 3.1 million Malawi kwacha ( almost 1, 800 United States dollars).
Contribution of money and other resources is among the three key pillars of the World Mission Sunday, a celebration in the Catholic Church that promotes the work of the Pontifical Society of the Propagation Faith.
In an interview after the event, Monsignor John Chithonje, Vicar General of the Catholic diocese of Dedza, described the contribution as a great milestone in the promotion of the missionary work.
He said: “They have really sacrificed to come up with such a big amount of money. As you have seen, Chiphwanya is a rural place but they have done their best so we’re happy that we have achieved what we wanted.”
Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) , a missionary arm of the Pope, champions the celebration under the society for the Propagation of the Faith.
PMS Malawi National Director Reverend Father Ephraim Peter Madeya also expressed excitement on how the parish organized the event and concurred with Monsignor Chithonje that the contribution has shown how mature the parish is becoming.
“It’s a sign of putting into practice what they were taught for three months from July up to now. I am happy that they have managed to raise that amount of money and it is a sign of maturity in terms of their faith and also love for the mission,” stated Fr. Madeya.
The PMS National office encouraged the parishioners to keep up the Spirit of spreading the Gospel to many people in their respective communities mainly through their actions.
On the other hand, Monsignor Chithonje urged Catholics who are in key positions in politics, governance systems, companies and organizations to be part of spreading the Faith by not partaking in evil acts in such offices such as corruption and nepotism among others.
The World Mission Sunday is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to reflect on their own baptism, the gift of faith, and recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activities through prayer and sacrifice.