Daughters of the Redeemer Receive Four New Novices
The Daughters of the Redeemer (DOR) have received four new novices into their congregation. Precious Mubanga, Harriet Phiri, Esnart Mwale, and Sarah Phiri were received as novices on Saturday, February 15, 2025, during a ceremony at Mt. Zion. Speaking when he delivered the homily, Reverend Fr. Peter Chileshe, OFM Cap, commended the four novices for answering God’s call. Fr. Chileshe reminded everyone that God’s grace builds on nature. The fact is that God works with what we have. He does not send anyone away because there is something each one has to give. Fr. Chileshe . Fr. Chileshe challenged all to introspect on what they have to offer to God every day. He referred to the Gospel of the feeding of the four thousand, where our Lord Jesus asked everyone to sit down and listen to Him. Our role as Christians is to stand in the gap, learn to sit down and listen from the Master, who is the God of multiplicity. Trials may come, but let us trust in God at all times. Fr. Chileshe. Speaking on behalf of the Superior General, Reverend Sr. Brenda Nachula congratulated the new novices. We, the Daughters, are very grateful to receive you, our novices. We wish you well in your formation journey. Sr. Nachula She reminded the sisters to remember that no one is too poor to receive or to give. We are all called to give of our talents and gifts. Sr. Nachula. She thanked everyone who came to witness the celebration, as well as Fr. Chileshe and the Capuchin Friars for their unwavering support.
SR. PRISCILLA MWANZA (DOR) HAILED
The Daughters of the Redeemer gathered in Mt. Zion on Thursday, 3 October,2024 put to rest Sr. Priscilla Mwanza who passed on Monday, 30 September,2024, at the Cancer Disease Hospital in Lusaka. Speaking when he delivered his homily, Very Reverend Fr. Andrew Simpasa SJ Vicar General for Lusaka Archdiocese urged all Christians to be energized with the spirit of our Lord Jesus and be at the service of God and others. This fragile life of ours must be disposed at the service of others. Let our Lord Jesus Christ be at the center of our lives so that we use our talents for the service of God and the gospel. Fr. Simpasa. He encouraged the Christians to put their trust in Jesus who is the resurrection and the life. “The mystery is that Jesus is the owner of time and space. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ has eternal life. Fr. Simpasa. And when giving their tributes, Sr. Odilia Chilombo one of the companions in formation described Sr. Priscilla as prayerful, dependable, respectful and a light hearted friend who valued the opinions and boundaries of others. You stood firm in your Faith through community prayer, Charismatic prayers and devotion to Our lady of Kibeho. You showed us that the best stories are told through raw, unfiltered realities. No matter the circumstances, you gave yourself fully and whole heartedly. Sr. Odilia. Dr. Gracilia Mukumba, a Charismatic member honoured Sr. Priscilla as a companion in the work of evangelisation in the Parish missions and a mentor who helped the group to grow spiritually. Dr. also appreciated the Daughters of the Redeemer for pouring their love and care to Sr. Priscilla when she was being nursed. In addition, Reverend Fr. Steve Likucha, a representative from Malawi praised Sr. Priscilla for her motherly heart and example of total commitment to the church in her apostolate when she served in Zomba Diocese in Malawi. She interacted very well with everybody and was ever present for the church and Jesus’ mission. She was very loving, supportive and generous to all of us at the Bishops’ office. Fr. Steve. Fr. Leonard Namuhumba, the Secretary for Education of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), described Sr. Priscilla during the vigil mass as a Sister who did small simple acts with love and commitment. Sr. Priscilla Mwanza was born on 4th April, 1958 and was put to rest at the Flower Garden of Jesus the Redeemer burial site in Mt. Zion.
DAUGHTERS OF THE REDEEMER (DOR) TOAST DUAL CELEBRATIONS
The Daughters of the Redeemer (DOR) sisters had a mutual celebration of the feast of “the Exaltation of the cross” as well as the Silver Jubilee for Sr. Martha Doreen Kaseba on Saturday 14 September in Mt. Zion. The Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Simpasa SJ, the Vicar General of Archdiocese of Lusaka. In his homily, Fr. Simpasa said that the feast of the cross reminded us of the love of God for humanity. He encouraged the Christians to continue trusting in the Lord Jesus who is the ultimate victor and always walks with us in all our trials. Whatever we go through in life, be it trials or temptations, God has the final say. We never walk alone. If we preserver in doing good works, we will see the light of day. Fr. Simpasa. Fr. Simpasa reiterated that for Christians to be true disciples, they need to pick up their cross and follow the Lord. If we deny to carry our cross, we are not worthy to be his disciples. Jesus transformed the cross which was a symbol of terror and fear into a symbol of life. Fr. Simpasa. He urged all to continue serving the Lord with love in their life. In giving the reflection of her life, Sr. Kaseba presented a symbol of the praying hands and a candle signifying the presence of God in her life who always listened to her prayers whenever she called upon him. She summarised her faith journey as one of surrender and gratitude to the Almighty God. Sr. Martha has served the Church as a lecturer at the Catholic University in Kalulushi and currently Heads Mpelembe Secondary School in Kitwe. In her vote of thanks, the Superior General, Rev Sr. Prisca Matenga thanked the parents of Sr. Martha for allowing her to become a religious sister. She also recognized Sr. Martha’s giftedness to the Congregation and appreciated all who took part in making the celebration very colourful. Among those present were many Christians from Lusaka Archdiocese, Ndola Archdiocese and Kabwe diocese where Sr. Martha hails from. Others were the Daughters candidates, aspirants, Postulants and novices. The Daughters of the Redeemer celebrate the “Exaltation of the cross “as the feast day of the Congregation.
SISTERS APPLAUDED FOR TAKING CARE OF THE TEENAGE GIRLS IN SCHOOLS
Joy and jubilation characterised the mood of celebration at Ibenga Girls Secondary School as the school commemorated its Diamond Jubilee under the theme “60 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST”. The girls, parents and scores of people from other walks of life especially the Ibenga alumni flocked to the school for the festival. Mrs. Joyce Chibuye, the Alumni chairperson, who went to the school in 1975 could not hide her joy as she fully participated in all the activities lined up for the day. As Ibenga celebrates its diamond Jubilee in 2023, it gives me shivers, this morning I must have shed tears of joy as we were preparing to come to the celebration. It is really moving for me. Joyce Joyce has passionately commended the religious sisters who have worked at the school since its inception for gallantly taking care of the girls in their teen age stage. She says the teenage stage is one of the most challenging stages in life to manage. This why I give a big hand to the sisters at Ibenga for they took care of us and are still trying their best to manage teenagers who are actually very demanding to handle. Joyce She has encouraged the young Ibenga girls to listen to what the sisters and their teachers are telling them as they would never regret. It’s only when we grow old that we realise there are things we shouldn’t have done but when we were growing up as youngsters, we wanted to experience a lot of things because that’s part of life. I would like the girls to be attentive and take their studies seriously so that they end up like some of us or even better. We would like to have the first woman president coming from Ibenga. Joyce Joyce recollects the days of Ibenga in the 70’s and the many things she learnt from the then head teacher Sr. Alacoque of the Dominican sisters of the Sacred Heart. She says that Sister used to follow up the girls to make sure they did what was right. Am grateful to the Dominican Sisters especially Sr. Alacoque who is still living in Germany who taught me to glorify God above everything else. Each time I come to Ibenga and I look at the church, it gives me happiness because I learnt that God should come first in everything that one does as a teenager. Even today, we put God first and everything came back in full view of what we used to enjoy here at Ibenga. Joyce Meanwhile Joan Chipunza a grade twelve pupil who was the head prefect of the ushers during the celebration said the girls woke up with smiles and enthusiasm to put in the best to make the celebration a success. Everyone has put in so much that you could not know who the coordinator was anymore. I thank the girls for such great cooperation. Some are Ushers, Majorettes, Alter girls and others Stellas. Everyone is participating in some activity. Joan Joan also recalls how she had come to like the school and considers it the best school ever. Over the years, the school has had good results and great standards. They have taught us good morals, how to maintain cleanliness and how to have fun together during entertainment. On a personal level, I have learnt to put things aside and not jump to conclusion but to behave in a mature way. Joan Upe Nalungwe also praised the sisters for imparting good values to the girls. She recounts how Sr. Estella Kasonde, the head teacher always told the prefects to be alert and vigilant by looking around and making sure all is in place and avoid the sin of omission. And Mercy Kazembe, the president of the interact club is also proud to be at Ibenga saying, “It’s the best school ever and I cannot imagine myself elsewhere”. She has thanked the school management for running the school with excellence and all the activities that they organise for the girls as they teach them many things.
IBENGA GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL TOASTS DIAMOND JUBILEE
Right Reverand Benjamin Phiri, Catholic Bishop of Ndola Diocese has described Ibenga Girls Secondary School Diamond Jubilee celebration as victory of knowledge over ignorance as it has brought everyone closer to God. Speaking during his homily, Bishop Phiri reminded all to take the celebration as an appraisal of all their achievements. The diamond jubilee was celebrated under the theme “60 years of excellence in the light of Christ”. He noted that the establishment of the school by the Missionaries was meant to help them develop themselves in the process of knowing God so that they could pass on the knowledge for the salvation of souls. As we celebrate 60 years, we should evaluate ourselves if we have become better by relating well with others as God is in the neighbour. The children whom we train should be children pleasing to God. Someone may achieve academic education, become a great scientist talked about but if they do not know God, they are no better than the animal of the field. If we are able to relate better, then we are able to celebrate together. Bishop Benjamin And Bishop Phiri has encouraged the girls at Ibenga to remain focused on what made the school to be counted among the best schools in the country. Many girls come from afar to learn at Ibenga, as it is counted among the most prestigious and best schools in the country. Therefore, work hard if you want to pass. Bishop Benjamin Meanwhile, Bishop Phiri has advised the modern parents to impart good values and practices which will help the girls contribute positively to society. Nowadays, there are rights which children have which seem to obstruct any instruction of the child. Without any prejudice, God guides us and tells us what is right or wrong. True education is being able to know God. Christian education is paramount. Let us teach the children what God wants. Discipline, good behaviour by following what God wants will make the girls better citizens. Bishop Benjamin The celebration also acknowledged deserving people through the presentation of awards for distinguished service to the school during the period of its existence. Among those awarded were the late Bishop Francis Mazzierri posthumously the founder of the school and the first Head Mistress Sr. De Pace of the Dominican sisters and all past administrators. The representatives of the past managing agencies and heads in the three orders were acknowledged. Other notable awards went to the Alumni Chairperson Mrs. Joyce Chibuye for her unmatched commitment and one Ibenga girl who designed the diamond jubilee Chitenge. The school which is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Ndola was opened in 1963 by the Dominican sisters. The sisters worked until 1994 when they handed over the school to the Franciscan missionary sisters of Assisi. The sisters ran the school till 2020 when the Daughters of the Redeemer took over.