AoB/Cir 06 2019
Dear Priests, Deacons, Religious and Laity of the Archdiocese of Bulawayo,
1. Easter 2019:
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25)
Each year when we celebrate the Easter after having gone through the spiritual exercises of lent, we have a feeling of newness. Easter is all about newness, renewal and revival in our personal and family lives. For us believers life eternal is the ultimate aim. This world is only a passing phenomenon. Then why all the hassle of worrying about today only and the material things that surround us. Material things are essential. But they are not the final destiny of our life.
In this year of “Evangelization through Holiness” all our focus must be more on the spiritual than the material. Our eyes must be on the Risen Christ and His eternal glory. St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians says: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” (Col 3:1) May your eyes and hearts be on Christ, the Risen Lord.
I wish each of you many blessings for a Happy Easter.
2. Appointments:
2.1. Fr. Elisha Nyathi as priest in charge of Uganda Martyrs Parish, Luveve.
2.2. Fr. John Sewera as assistant priest at Uganda Martyrs Parish, Luveve.
2.3. Fr. Mackenzie Netha as priest in charge of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Mpopoma.
2.4. Fr. Similo Ncube CMM as priest in charge of Christ the King Parish, Hillside.
2.5. Fr. Louis Chileshe CMM as acting priest in charge of St. Andrew’s Parish, Queens Park.
2.6. Deacon Patrick Mpofu CMM as deacon at St. Andrew’s Parish, Queens Park.
2.7. Fr. Gabriel Mthombeni as assistant priest at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Mpopoma.
3. Archdiocesan Leadership for Associations 2019 & 2020:
3.1. CWL:
Chairlady: Sikohlisiwe Phiri – Our Lady of Fatima
Vice Chairlady: Francisca Moyo – St. Pius
Secretary: Sibusiso Nkomo – St. Antony’s
Vice Secretary: Caroline Mapako – St. Martin of Tours
Treasurer: Getrude Maparura - St. Bernard’s
3.2. Sacred Heart:
Chairperson: Theophila Panesu – Our Lady of Lourdes
Vice Chairperson: Mxolisi Nyoni – St. Patrick’s
Secretary: Pamela Chizunza – Divine Mercy
Vice Secretary: Mary Edinah Zavpera - Queen of Peace
Treasurer: Ramsay Mahiya – St. Antony’s
4. The 29th of June 2019:
On this day at Our Lady of Fatima, Pumula South, we plan to celebrate the Archdiocesan Feast which is the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Added to it we shall also celebrate 25 years as Archdiocese of Bulawayo, 140 years since the arrival of Catholic Church in Matabeleland and the priestly ordination of new priests. All Catholics are invited to this day to thank God for the gift of faith, gift of our Church and the gift of our Archdiocese.
5. New Apostolic Exhortation:
Pope Francis has issued a new apostolic exhortation titled “Christus Vivit” (Christ is Alive) after the synod on youth. This will help us to understand our youth well and to minister to them adequately. I encourage all priests, deacons, religious and the laity to read this and implement the proposals in our parishes and missions.
6. Gratitude:
We are immensely grateful to all those who have contributed in cash and in kind towards the victims of cyclone Idai in Mutare Diocese. Your kind and generous gesture is much appreciated. May God bless you all.
*****
“Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world, and everything he touches becomes young, new, full of life. The very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive!”
(Pope Francis; Christ is Alive No. 1)
“He is in you, he is with you and he never abandons you. However far you may wander, he is always there, the Risen One. He calls you and he waits for you to return to him and start over again. When you feel you are growing old out of sorrow, resentment or fear, doubt or failure, he will always be there to restore your strength and your hope.”
(Pope Francis; Christ is Alive No. 2)
HAPPY EASTER
+Alex Thomas
Archbishop of Bulawayo
