We are grateful to you, you are the best – Bishop Kalumba
Jubilation characterized the presentation of a K223,867.00 (Two-hundred Twenty-three thousand, Eight-hundred Sixty-seven Kwacha) seminarian fund cheque to the Bishop of Livingstone by the Catholic Women of the Catholic Diocese of Livingstone, at the solemn Mass held on Saturday 5th November, at St. Paul’s Ngwenya Parish in Livingstone.
The highly delightful Bishop praised and thanked the women of the Diocese for the donation of funds.
“We are grateful to you, our dear mothers, for the great work you are doing in the church of Livingstone. You braved the Covid-19 pandemic this year, to raise money for those in formation. This noble task you have done, to meet part of the training costs of our future priests clearly shows the love you have for the church and priests to be of our diocese. Thank you Mothers, you are simply the best”, stated the blissful Bishop.
THE DUTY TO SUPPORT SEMINARIANS
Bishop Valentine Kalumba highly commended the women for their generous support to the seminarians.
“As Catholic women of this diocese, you have a commitment to help these young men(seminarians) who have responded to God’s call in order to guarantee the future of our diocese”, encouraged the Bishop.
THE SEMINARIANS ARE POOR
In a missionary diocese where there are limited financial resources, the Bishop drew to the attention of the congregants to the many needs of the seminarians belonging to the Diocese of Livingstone.
“It takes a lot of money to send a young man to the seminary. He’ll need books. He’ll need a place to stay. Now the sad reality is that, many seminarians simply don’t have the resources they need to make it to ordination”, stressed the Local Ordinary.
THE CHURCH IS POOR
Taking advantage of the Seminarian Fund handover, Bishop Kalumba dismissed the perception that the Church in Livingstone is financially and materially rich. The Shepherd of Livingstone said:
“Poverty is at the heart of the Church of Livingstone. This means that our local Church will always be in want. Most likely this diocese will never be completely self-sufficient in our lifetime, maybe after we have gone to the Lord. The Church will always need someone to reach out to it; be it financially, spiritually or even materially”.
PRIESTS ARE FOR SERVICE
Inspired by the day’s Gospel reading from Matthew 9: 35 – 10: 1, 5 – 8, on the sending of the 12 disciples to preach, heal, and cast out demons, the Bishop of Livingstone profited from the occasion of the presentation of the formation fund, by giving a catechesis on Ministerial Priesthood.
“Priesthood is essential to the life of our church. Priests are leaders of our Christian communities…They bring comfort and they guide in many ways throughout people’s lives. We celebrate with them; as well as need their support during times of hardships and challenges of faith…Priests devote their lives in service to the community; from administering the sacraments to offering pastoral care and spiritual guidance ”explained the Bishop.
YOU HAVE DONE IT
In the meanwhile, Sr. Gloria Doh, SSpS, the Diocesan Women’s Ministry Coordinator thanked all women for the job well executed. “Fellow women, this year has been or is a different one altogether, with the challenges of Covid, yet you have managed to accomplish your mission once again….thank you for your willingness and hard work”, said a much elated religious nun.
The Seminarian Fund Handover celebration has been held in the Diocese since 2005. Every year there has been a significant increase in terms of parish support to this initiative. This year the total fund presented by the women surprised many, for it was feared that, little would be donated by the women, given the Covid-19 pandemic situation.