DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER

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Vol. No. 5

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LIVINGSTONE

ach year we celebrate the great feast of Christmas, when God the Father manisfests himself in the person of Jesus Christ, his only begotten son. Christmas is the celebration of the Incarnation, the Word made flesh. As we celebrate this Christmas, we are drawn to reflect on the gift we have received from Pope Benedict XVI. He has given the African Church the Post- Synodal Exhortation called AFRICAE MUNUS (the commitment of Africa). This document is addressed to the Bishops, clergy, consecrated persons and the lay faithful of Africa, and it focuses on the Church in Africa in service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. Christmas is an opportune time to contemplate the hope, joy and peace that comes from the Lord. In the spirit of Africae Munus, as human beings, we are challenged by the Holy Father to seek Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. As the Pope states, we know for sure that peace and justice come first from reconciliation of each human being with himself and God. And there is no doubt that Christ himself is the true Prince of Peace. His birth at Christmas, is a pledge of the messianic peace proclaimed by the prophets. God is the owner of peace and he gives it to us (cf. #99 Africae Munus). May this Christmas be a special one where we prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus the Prince of Peace. As well as reflecting on the Post- Synodal Exhortation, we join the rest of the universal church, particulary the English speaking church, in welcoming yet another gift from the Church; the New English Translation of the Roman Missal. The Holy father emphasises the importance of the new missal when he states: "Through these sacred texts and actions that accompany them, Christ will be made present and active in the midst of the people". As various pastoral agents prepare the people for the reception of the new missal in the diocese, we have every hope that our liturgy will be enriched through the new language of the missal.

he feast of the Epiphany of the Lord celebrates the three-fold ministry of the Messiah whose birth is celebrated almost two weeks earlier every year. In 2012, Epiphany, whose theme is: Keeping Alive the Flame of Mission, will be on Sunday, January 8. Through the three gifts that the wise persons bring to the baby-Jesus, there is a revelation to us that Jesus is King, Priest and Prophet, exemplified in gold, frankincense and myrrh, respectively. The royal, divine and prophetic (redemptive suffering) aspects of Jesus life show us that in the childJesus, there is fullness of being. God chose to reveal who His son was at that tender age as way to help us appreciate the gift of life and its sanctity (holiness) in all human beings, even in a child, fulfilled in Jesus. By using foreign persons who were not Jews to reveal His Sons nature and roles, God makes another revelation that He plans to save people of all races through His Son. Hence the name epiphany attached to this feast, meaning manifestation, making known, revelation. The Church has assigned the Epiphany of the Lord as the feast of the Pontifical Mission Society of Missionary Children (Holy Childhood). This society is charged and blessed by the Pope to 1 raise awareness in children for them to take up the responsibility of sharing the Good News with other children. Holy Childhood belongs to the bigger family of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) together with Propagation of the Faith, Saint Peter Apostle and Pontifical Missionary Union. The society concerns itself with teaching the faith to all children, protecting their rights and providing assistance to children in need. Offerings made on Epiphany Sunday are accrued into the Universal Solidarity Fund to help all mission dioceses, like Livingstone, perpetuate missionary work among children. So, make a generous and abundant offering this Epiphany. This Epiphany, in our diocese, as parents, pastoral agents and childrens friends and relatives, let HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW us help the children celebrate this feast worthily. Give YEAR 2012! them the encouragement they need to be missionaries to others. Empower them to be generous, by sharing with them material things to donate to poorer children New English Roman Missal t the beginning of the New Liturgical Year on the than they are. Protect them from abuse. And help First Sunday of Advent on 27th November, 2011, the them to pray for the needs of less privileged children English Speaking countries, Zambia included, officially and for their own spiritual growth, for they are Jesus launched the use of the new English Translation of the special friends. As you look upon the face of a child, Roman Missal. With the introduction of the new missal, see the face of Jesus the King, Priest and Prophet, and thank Him for the gift of children in the world. some of the familiar phrases have disappeared. The new liturgical language has been May the Lord bless us with a spiritdeveloped so that our faith may be fully expressed filled Christmas and a joyful Epiphany. than was previously done. The new English Seminarians' Fund translation is close to the Latin Original texts. he Diocesan Council of Catholic Women For our diocese, given that we do not have copies of donated a total sum of ZMK23,830,600.00 the new missal, it will take a bit of time before the to the Bishop towards seminarians training missal is introduced in the diocese. However, it is and formation. This took place at Maria Regina hoped that the changes will be implemented throughout Parish church, Linda on 6th November 2011. We the diocese, before the end of December 2011. thank the women for this generous contribution.

Jesus Christ the True Prince of Peace

Epiphany of the Lord - 2012

October to December, 2011

ope Benedict XVI released the AFRICAE MUNUS, which literally means the commitment of Africa, the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in Africa in service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace, to the Church in Africa on 19th November 2011 at Oudidah in Benin. We summarise below some of the salient points of the document, that is divided into two parts. Part I is titled: Behold I make all things new has two chapters. The first chapter has the heading: In Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. Here the Pope calls on the Church in Africa to be authentic servants of Gods Word. Through the Word, the faithful learn to listen to Christ and let themselves be guided by the Holy Spirit, who reveals the meaning of all things (cf. Jn. 16:13). Furthermore, the Pope recognizes that Christ is at the centre of African life. As a matter of fact, he is the Source of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. The challenge to the church in Africa is to be reconciled with God, to be just and build a just and social order and to be men and women who love in truth. Love is the source of peace. The second chapter has the title: Paths towards Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. In this section, the Holy Father challenges the Church in Africa to care for the human person, to live in harmony and promote the African Vision of life and to spearhead Dialogue and communion among believers. Part II is titled: To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the Common Good. This part has three chapters. Chapter one addresses all members of the church; the bishops, priests, missionaries, permanent deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians, catechists and the lay people. The Pope implores each of them to promote the common good according to their office. Chapter two is called Major Areas of Apostolate. The Lord has a specific mission to be discharged by all the members in the church in Africa. The mission has to be accomplished in the Church as the Presence of Christ, in the world of education, health care and that of information technology and communications. Chapter three is titled: Stand up, Take your mat and Walk. This chapter is further subdivided into three sections. Section one speaks about Jesus teaching at the Pool of Bethzatha. Here the Pope challenges Africa to accept Jesus so as to receive effective and deep healing. The second section deals with the Word of God and the Sacraments. The Holy Father encourages the promotion of Biblical Apostolate in Christian communities, the family and in ecclesial movements. Of equal importance, is the call of the Pope to the Church in Africa to develop the habit of reading the Bible daily. Other than the Word of God, the Pope addresses the question of the Eucharist. It gathers all the people together irrespective of their origins, cultures, race, language and ethnic groups. The third section addresses reconciliation. The Pope stresses the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation as it mends the broken bonds between individuals and God, and

Africae Munus!

restores bonds within society. He encourages individual and community reconciliation. The last sub-section of chapter three, deals with the New Evangelisation where the Pope challenges Africa to the commitment of evangelisation to the missio ad gentes and to the new evangelization. This is important because the African continent has to be modeled on the teaching of Christ, the true light of the world and the authentic salt of the earth. The Pope concludes the document by calling on Africa to Take heart; Rise, He is calling. Africa is called by the heavenly Father, revealed in his Son Jesus Christ, and encouraged by the Holy Spirit.

e to the WFr.welcome the following Cssp Diocese: 1. Innocent Iroadumba, From 2. 3. 4. sabbatical year in the United Kingdom. Sr. Helen Mwalye, LSSF After many years of service in the United Kingdom. Sr. Petronela Wea, SspS Sr. Petronela is the new coordinator for Lubasi Home and Lushomo Trust. Fr. Eunia Mutinta, CssP Fr. Mutinta is based at Linda Parish.

Goings and Comings

r. Peter Sledz, SVD, has been appointed to work in South Africa. He was Schools Chaplain for many years, a teacher of mathematics at St. Marys Secondary School and at the Youth Community Training Centre. He assisted at St. Theresas Cathedral too. The services of Fr. Peter shall greatly be missed. We wish him all the best in the new mission in South Africa. has Fr. Daniel toNaji, inCssP,Lusaka.been appointed work in He worked for a few years Makunka Parish. We shall greatly miss his services. All the best in your new assignment in Lusaka.

Farewell

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions

e would like to congratulate Rev. Fr. Clement Mulenga, SDB on his appointment by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, on 29th October 2011, as the first Bishop of the newly created bishop of Kabwe. Fr. Clement will be ordained bishop on 17th December 2011 in Kabwe. The Bishop Elect was until his appointment coordinator of the Youth Training Centre of the Archdiocese of Lusaka. The new diocese of Kabwe is made up of territories taken from some parts of Lusaka and Mpika.

Congratulations!

We equally congratulate Monsignor Nicola Girasoli, Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi, on his appointment as new Nuncio in the Caribbean Region and Papal Delegate to the Anchilles. Monsignor Girasoli is expected to leave Zambia next year in January.

ll Catholics are invited to offer their day each morning to God and to pray for the intentions sent to the Apostleship of Prayer, by the Holy Father. These are the intentions: DECEMBER General Intention: That all may grow in harmony and peace through mutual understanding and respect. Missionary Intention: That children and young people may be messengers of the Gospel and that they may be respected and preserved from all violence and exploitation. 2012 JANUARY General Intention: That the victims of natural disasters may receive the spiritual and material comfort they need to rebuild their lives. Missionary Intention: That the dedication of Christians to peace may bear witness to the name of Christ before all men and women of good will. FEBRUARY General Intention: That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life. Missionary Intention:That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the worlds poorest regions. MARCH General Intention: That the whole world may recognize the contribution of women to the development of society. Missionary Intention: That the Holy Spirit may grant perseverance to those who suffer discrimination, persecution, or death for the name of Christ, particularly in Asia. A reminder to all priests in the Diocese that the Priests' Council Meeting will take place on 10th to 11th January 2012 at Women Centre, Maramba, Livingstone. We look forward to your coming!

Bishop's Special Programme

DECEMBER 17 - Episcopal Ordination in Kabwe 31 - Confirmation at Katima JANUARY 2012 1 - Confirmation at Lusu

Priests' Council Meeting

arish Priests kindly let the Office of the Bishop know when you expect the Bishop to visit your parish in 2012. Closing date to receive your dates is Wednesday 29th February 2012. Note that the bishop will not be available on the following dates: 23 28 Janary, 7 9 May, and 4 11 Nov.

Bishop's Visit 2012

The Editor, Diocesan Newsletter, P.O. Box 60138, Plot. No. 27/313 Musi-O-Tunya Rd., Livingstone. Tel. +260 213 321667 Fax. +260 213 324280 E-mail. seclivd@zamnet.zm

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