Category: Sisters in Zambia

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.

GOLDEN AND SILVER JUBILEE

By Sr. Tryness Mulubwa The Congregation of the Daughters of the Mary Help of Christian also known as the Salesian Sisters, celebrated the golden and silver Jubilees of three of their Sisters, who have totally dedicated their lives to the Lord by serving the souls of the young people in the missions entrusted to them. The three Sisters are; Sr. Ryszard Piejko who was celebrating her golden Jubilee (50 years) while Sr. Florence Mulenga and Sr. Stella Chilupula celebrated their silver jubilees (25 years). Sr. Ryszard piejko who celebrated her 50 years is a pioneer who was among the first missionary sisters who brought the Salesian way of life in Zambia. The jubilee celebration was held at City of Hope in Makeni at Mornese Retreat Centre. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Tresford Chisanga SDB who encouraged the Sister to begin their lives anew and to leave the 50 and 25 years behind. In addition, Fr. Chisanga encouraged the Sisters to continue clinging to the Lord who has journeyed with them throughout their lives. Meanwhile, Fr. Chisanga challenged the Sisters to inspire people with their lives and not to be bitter. He said their yes should be like that of mother Mary, who never gave up on her yes despite all the challenges she went through.

FIRST AND FINAL PROFESSION

By Sr. Abigail Mwaka The Handmaids of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Archdiocese of Lusaka recently celebrated a significant event. Two devoted Religious women, Novice Mutambwa Adorable Senti and Sr. Agness Bwalya Zulu, expressed their lifelong commitment to the service of humanity, particularly women and children, by making their first and perpetual vows respectively. The ceremony was held at Mary Immaculate parish in Lusaka and mass was presided over by the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Lusaka Fr. Andrew Simpasa SJ. The inspiring homily was delivered by Fr. Gilbert Banda SJ who used the occasion to remind the congregants about the importance of listening and reasoning before reacting to any situation. Fr. Banda drew lessons from the life of Peter, a disciple of Jesus Christ, who was known for his impulsive responses to his master Jesus. He further encouraged the congregants to channel any destructive energy into love, following in the footsteps of St. Paul who is known for his persecution of God’s people and his initial rejection of God and later transformed that same energy into spreading the word of God and showing love to His people. Meanwhile, in the same week leading up to the profession day, the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Blessed Virgin Mary received 5 Novices and 10 Postulants on 27th July 2024. Behold the Handmaid of the Lord Luke1:26-38.