DIOCESE OF DEDZA INTENSIFIES WORLD MISSION SUNDAY CENTENARY PREPARATIONS WITH ANNUAL “GOLDEN PAPER SUNDAY” INITIATIVE
As the Church draws closer to the Centenary Celebration of World Mission Sunday, preparations are gaining momentum across all dioceses in Malawi. In addition to launching various activities, dioceses have developed programmes aimed at sensitising the faithful about the missionary significance of World Mission Sunday and encouraging greater participation in the missionary mission of the Church.
In the Diocese of Dedza, the diocesan Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) office is once again implementing its annual “Golden Paper Sunday” initiative as part of its preparations for this year’s World Mission Sunday. The initiative is not new, but has been conducted in the diocese every year as a way of mobilising the faithful to participate actively in the World Mission Sunday collection and strengthening awareness of the Church’s universal missionary mission.
However, as Malawi prepares to celebrate the Centenary of World Mission Sunday, the Diocese of Dedza has placed renewed emphasis on the initiative, using it as an opportunity to deepen missionary animation and encourage greater participation among the faithful.
According to a letter received by the National PMS Office, the initiative has received the blessing and support of the Bishop of Dedza, Rt. Rev. Peter Chifukwa, with priests assigned to different parishes across the diocese to animate the faithful, promote missionary awareness and encourage generous participation in the World Mission Sunday collection.
The diocesan World Mission Sunday celebration will take place at Sharpevale Parish, where Rt. Rev. Peter Chifukwa will preside over the celebration.
The following priests have been assigned to various parishes:
– Rt. Rev. Peter Chifukwa – Sharpevale Parish
– Fr. Sylvester Kasimbi – Bilira Parish
– Fr. Paul Sanogo – Ganya Parish
– Fr. Sosten Office – Mua Parish
– Fr. Humphrey Chafukira – Mtakataka Parish
– Fr. Lazurs Magonde – Chipoka Parish
– Fr. Innocent Kanyumbu – Nsipe Parish
– Fr. Vinancio Chimchenga – Mikoke Parish
– Fr. Dafuleni – Ntcheu Parish
– Fr. Kaidi – Nzama Parish
– Fr. Athanasius Manyenga – Tsangano Parish
– Fr. Paul Abraham – Mtendere Parish
– Fr. Chanza – Kasina Parish
– Fr. Mortfort Mtengo – Bembeke Parish
– Fr. M. Khisi – Matumba Parish
– Fr. Martin Botomani – Chimphalika Parish
– Fr. Paul Kalemba – Dedza Parish
– Fr. Madalitso Pinji – Kanyama Parish
– Fr. Andrew Mtendere – Chiphwanya Parish
Contribution Targets
As part of the annual Golden Paper Sunday initiative, each Small Christian Community (SCC) across the Diocese of Dedza is expected to contribute not less than MK 8,000 towards the World Mission Sunday collection.
At Sharpevale Parish, which will host the diocesan World Mission Sunday celebration, the contribution target has been increased in view of the importance of hosting the diocesan celebration. Each Small Christian Community is expected to contribute MK 30,000, while each church group is expected to contribute MK 10,000.
The initiative is intended not only to strengthen the World Mission Sunday collection but also to deepen the understanding among the faithful that World Mission Sunday is an opportunity for Catholics to participate directly in the universal missionary work of the Church.
Through Golden Paper Sunday, the Diocese of Dedza continues to strengthen missionary animation at parish and Small Christian Community level. Catholics are being encouraged to recognise that their prayers, sacrifices and financial contributions are an important part of the Church’s missionary work, particularly in communities where the proclamation of the Gospel and essential pastoral services continue to require support.
As Malawi prepares to celebrate the Centenary of World Mission Sunday, the annual initiative is taking on renewed significance. It provides an opportunity for the faithful in Dedza to reflect more deeply on their missionary responsibility and to renew their commitment to supporting the Church’s evangelising mission.
The Centenary celebration is being observed under the national theme, “One in Christ, United in Mission.” It provides an important opportunity for Catholics across Malawi to look back with gratitude on a century of World Mission Sunday while renewing their commitment to the missionary mission of Christ.
The continued implementation of initiatives such as Golden Paper Sunday demonstrates that missionary responsibility is not limited to priests, religious or missionaries serving in distant places. Rather, every Catholic is called to participate in the mission of the Church through prayer, sacrifice, personal witness and generous support.
Through its renewed emphasis on this annual initiative during the Centenary year, the Diocese of Dedza is helping to keep the missionary spirit of World Mission Sunday alive among the faithful and encouraging Catholics to recognise that, together as one Church, everyone has a role to play in the mission of Christ.