Catholic Men’s Organization launches in Livingstone

Rt. Rev. Valentine Kalumba, OMI., expressed his delight when launching the Catholic Men’s Organization  in the Diocese on Saturday, 26th November, 2022 at St. Theresa’s Cathedral, Livingstone. Making reference to the Transfiguration story (Mt. 17: 1 -13), where Peter wanted to make three tents on Mount Tabor, he said:

“When Jesus and his disciples were up the mountain, then he changed his appearance. And then Peter said, let’s put the three tents.  

“I am sure when he saw Jesus changing, in his heart and mind he said, “wow!”, it is wonderful to be here”. This is my feeling also, “it’s wow!”. It’s a wow moment for me.

“Finally we have managed to launch this [Catholic Men’s] Organization . 

“It has been a cry for me, “where are the men?” You go around in the parishes you see men around. But when it comes to organizations, they are always in the background.

“Now today is the wow moment, you have come out.

“So thank you for accepting this call.

“You have put yourselves on the pedestal. We are looking up to you. We expect a lot from you.”

Take St. Joseph as role model

The Bishop asked men to take St. Joseph as their role model. His Lordship stated:

“The Patron Saint of the this Organization, St. Joseph, he is always portrayed as a worker.

“We talk about Mary, we talk about Jesus, but him he’s always working in the background. For Jesus to know the work, it was the father,  he learned from the father.

“So I am sure you are going to imitate the Patron Saint Joseph, who was always working. He was not complaining. Where there was work Joseph was there.”

Keep the momentum

Given that the launch was characterized by lots of energy from the men’s folk, the Bishop cautioned them not to relax going forward:

“Men now that you have started, let’s not  go back.

“Men are very capable……So let’s make a difference. Let’s set the pace for the rest of the church in Zambia. It’s possible. We are the tourist capital. So let’s be the capital of activities in the church as men.

“We have the women organizations. But  men now that we have started, let’s not go back.

“Keep the momentum….down the lane 6 months, 7 months, let’s be there.

“Now that we have come out, we are saying to everyone, here we are as men in the Catholic Diocese of Livingstone.”

The launch of the Catholic Men’s Organization was preceded by a colorful match past from Livingstone Civic Centre to St. Theresa’s Cathedral, where the Bishop led the celebration of the Holy Mass.

Shortly before the Holy Mass, Fr. John Rurangwa, the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator, shared in depth the draft national constitution for the Zambia National Council for Catholic Men’s Organization.

Other than the men drawn from Livingstone Deanery parishes, the clergy and some women, were also present at Mass and witnessed this historical event.