This is to give an update and some photos of the work we are doing in Malawi, especially after cyclone Freddy devastated Southern Malawi and which includes territories of two parishes. Immediately afterthe cyclone and flood, we had written an appeal to many of our friends and some agencies. Some of them came forward to help us in our efforts to provide relief to the needy victims, notably CM General Curia, some provinces, Southern Indian Province, Munster Diocese, Little Way association, and some friends. We thank them all for being kind and generous towards our people here.
Relief works
The first two months our focus was on providing food materials, clothes, and blankets especially those in the relief camps. At our parishes, we had six relief camps in different villages for two months. We were able to provide food materials like maize, beans, oil, sugar, etc. to these camps many times. We also provided clothes to those who required them after the flood. 300 blankets were purchased and distributed to the victims. A couple of times. We organized special programs for children who were in camps.
In the second phase, we planned to build some houses for the elderly and single mothers whose houses collapsed or were damaged. So, In St. Joseph Parish, Sunuzi, we are at present, building 7 houses for the elderly each one costing 6,200 USD. We also will shortly build 4 houses for single mothers which have somefunds and still trying to raise some more funds. In St. Vincent De Paul Parish, Katamba, we will build houses for 3 families whose houses collapsed. Many are looking for assistance in these areas and with our limited resources we have selected a few most deserving families for this work.
Activities in the Mission
In St. Vincent de Paul Parish Katamba and St. Joseph Parish, Sunuzi, pastoral, liturgical, and sacramental activities are in full swing. We have made arrangements that we give Sunday holy masses to all the outstations in our parishes. May to October will be busy months with a number of liturgical programs like first communion, confirmation, and thanksgiving masses.
At S. Joseph Church Sunuzi, Fr. Mahesh has completed building a parish office with three rooms. The construction of the presbytery was badly affected by flood and rain and therefore, it is not yet completed. Thanks to assistance from Curia, the new outstation Church at Bandawe in Sunuzi Parish has reached the roofing level. We have also planted 5000 tree saplings at the parish compounds. In St. Vincent De Paul Parish, Katamba, Fr. Freddy the parish priest is raising funds to install a maize mill as part of providing some income to the parish. With the help of the Curia and VSO, we have given initial payment for a new car which will be used in Chitula or sunuzi as these two places we don’t have vehicles. It is expected to arrive in 2 months’ time.
Chitula Parish and Lilongwe Project
St. Bernadette Parish Chituala, Lilongwe, which the Archbishop had promised to hand over to us after Easter this year is not yet handed over due lack of accommodation for priests over there. The project he had written for presbytery in this parish is halted due to some reasons unknown to us. Fr. Sojan who will be in charge of this Parish in the capital city of Lilongwe stays in its mother parish as there is no residence at Chitula and in August he will come back to Zomba to join the community until further arrangements are made for stay and takeover of the parish.
In Lilongwe, we are looking forward to buying two plots of land one for a school and the other for a community house. The land is already marked but we are waiting for the society registration to complete so that it can be registered in our name.
New Confreres
Two new conferrers have joined the Malawi Mission from India. Fr. Satyam and Fr. Anoop arrived in Malawi on 7th February 2023. They have undergone language training courses in a language institute and went for pastoral experience in a diocesan parish. They have joined the communities and will be appointed assistant parish priests after the ordination of the new Bishop to the Zomba Diocese on 12, August 2023.
Challenges
People of this area have lost most of their crops and livestock due to floods and cyclones. There is a growing fear of hunger by the end of the year as people will not be able to pay for the food and they don’t have anything in their baskets. It will affect also affect the running of the parishes. The country is also facing high food prices, and inflation and there is a looming fear of devaluation of currency for a second time. Malawian currency had gone devaluation by 25% a few months back.
