Mua Parish: A Living Example of Caring for Every Child, Including Children with Hearing Impairments
Mua Parish in the Diocese of Dedza continues to demonstrate the Catholic Church’s commitment to the spiritual formation of children by ensuring that every child, including learners from Mua School for the Deaf, actively participates in the life of the Church.
The Catholic Church in Malawi, through the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), encourages every parish to place the spiritual welfare of Holy Childhood children at the centre of its pastoral ministry. Although Malawi has over 220 Catholic parishes, only 65 currently celebrate regular Children’s Masses. Mua Parish is one of these vibrant parishes and has established children’s church councils in all its outstations, allowing children to participate in the life and leadership of the Church.
On Sunday, 12 July 2026, the National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) visited Mua Parish to appreciate and strengthen the parish’s Holy Childhood ministry. The visit began with a Children’s Eucharistic Celebration at 8:30 a.m., during which the children themselves led all the liturgical ministries, including the choir, readings, prayers and other services.
One of the most inspiring moments of the celebration was the joyful participation of the children from Mua School for the Deaf. Through the dedicated interpretation of their teachers into sign language, they were able to follow every part of the liturgy and fully participate in the Holy Mass. This is not a special arrangement for visitors but a beautiful commitment that the parish faithfully provides every Sunday, ensuring that no child is excluded from encountering Christ because of a disability. It is a powerful witness that the Church truly welcomes and values every child.
In his homily, the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies reflected on the Parable of the Sower, encouraging the children to receive the Word of God with open and generous hearts. He reminded them that God’s Word is the seed planted within them and that it can bear abundant fruit when their hearts become fertile soil through prayer, love, faith, obedience and generosity towards those in need.
At the end of the Mass, the children expressed their gratitude to the National Office of PMS for visiting them, celebrating the Eucharist together and spending time interacting with them. The Parish Priest, Fr. Paulo Sonongo, also thanked the National Office for its continued support of Holy Childhood projects that have greatly benefited the parish over the years.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, the National Office held a special meeting with the children’s leadership. This provided an opportunity for the young leaders to ask questions on behalf of their fellow children on topics such as vocations, the history of the Church and Christian formation. The dialogue reflected the enthusiasm of the children to grow not only in knowledge but also in faith and missionary discipleship.
Representing Mua School for the Deaf, the learners’ leader expressed heartfelt appreciation to Mua Parish for making them feel fully included in parish life and for giving them opportunities to participate in various spiritual and community activities alongside other children. He also thanked the Pontifical Mission Societies and all Missio Offices whose generous support has continued to make a difference in the lives of the learners.
As the meeting concluded, the children from Mua School for the Deaf made a humble appeal. They shared that the school is facing a shortage of food for the coming academic year and respectfully asked friends and benefactors to help provide maize and other food supplies. Such support would not only sustain their education but also give these children the opportunity to continue learning, growing in faith and living with hope.
Their appeal is a reminder that while the Church continues to nourish their spiritual lives, they also depend on the generosity of people of goodwill to meet their basic needs. Every gift of food becomes a sign of God’s love and enables these children to continue their education with dignity and joy.