AoB/Cir/01 2020
Dear Priests, Deacons, Religious and the Faithful of the Archdiocese of Bulawayo,
1. Lent 2020: In this year of Discipleship during this lent let us seriously examine our personal conduct to see how committed we are as disciples of Christ. A disciple is to listen and learn from the Master and to be sent out. Let us make use of this time listening to him with our whole heart. Let us learn from him especially the meaning of his suffering for us. Daily reading of the Bible should be our unfailing action during this lent. Let Bible be our companion for the whole season of lent. Maybe let us detach ourselves a bit from the overuse of our phones. Observe daily “cell-off” hour. Like the Master who was merciful to others, let us also be charitable in our daily lives. Let us abstain from anything that will destroy our soul and bodies. Let us fight against the social evils like alcohol, drugs, substance abuse, premarital sex and extramarital sex. We could probably manage better our addictions to social media, alcohol, drugs and particular relationships which does not make us truly happy. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we need to value it dearly. May I encourage each of you to put into practice the Pastoral Resolutions of our Archdiocese for this year faithfully as individuals, as families and as parishes. Let us repent of our past shortcomings and start anew. Then we can rise with Christ as a new creation in 2020. Let me remind you of the regular Lenten sacrifices to assist the less privileged in the Archdiocese of Bulawayo. Although we are all in serious financial challenges, let us sacrifice a bit to help the most needy among us.
I wish you many blessings for his holy season.
2. School Results: Following are the results from our schools for O and A level examinations.
A Level Results 2020: St. Bernard’s: 83.9%; Empandeni: 88.4%; Minda: 89.7%: Embakwe: 93.1%.
O Level Results 2020: St. Bernard’s: 55.8%; Embakwe: 70.89%; Empandeni: 87.%; Minda: 92.22%; Magama: 37.8%; Regina Mundi: 63.64%; Enkanyisweni Tech. Centre: 5.5%.
3. Appointments:
3.1. Fr. James Batsirai is appointed the spiritual director for Missionary Childhood and Youth Associations assisted by Fr. Aurelio Ayala OMI.
3.2. Fr. Dennis Ryan Varques SVD is appointed assistant priest at Ndolwane Mission.
3.3. Fr. Titus Lithini Ndlovu is appointed priest in charge of St. Martin of Tours, Emganwini and St. Martin de Porres, Rangemore.
3.4. Fr. Bhekimpilo Tshuma CMM is appointed dean of the South West (Soweto) Deanery.
3.5. Fr. Herbert Banda OFM Cap as the priest in charge of Our Lady of Queen of Peace, Entumbane.
3.6. Fr. Elvis Gwangwava OFM Cap as assistant priest at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Entumbane.
4. Farewell: Fr. Peter S. Capuchin has left Zimbabwe and has taken up new assignment in United Arab Emirates. We thank him for the services rendered in our Archdiocese and wish him many blessings for the new ministry.
5. Congratulations:
5.1. Sr. Ann Doyle SND this year celebrates 70 years in religious life.
5.2. Fr. Angel Arnoldus SMI celebrates 60 years in priesthood.
We praise God for their gift in the Church and wish them many blessings.
6. Hearty Welcome: We welcome our new Apostolic Nuncio to Zimbabwe, Archbishop Paolo Rudelli. He arrived in Harare on 6th of February.
7. New Superiors: Fr. Douglas Sholto OMI is the new superior for Zimbabwe Mission of the Oblates while Fr. Joseph Mawedze OFM Cap is the new superior for the Capuchins in Zimbabwe. We congratulate them and wish them many blessings.
“Lent is the favourable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his Word, in the sacraments and in our neighbour. The Lord, who overcame the deceptions of the Tempter during the forty days in the desert, shows us the path we must take. May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God's word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need.”
- Pope Francis -
+ Alex Thomas
Archbishop of Bulawayo
