As part of the nationwide preparations for the 2026 National Centenary Celebration of World Mission Sunday, under the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission,” the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) Office in the Diocese of Dedza conducted a missionary animation session for selected leaders of Sharpevale (Queen of Heaven) Parish in the Lakeshore Deanery.
The formation was held in preparation for the Diocesan Launch of the Preparatory Activities for the Centenary Celebration of World Mission Sunday, scheduled to take place on 2 August 2026 at Sharpevale Parish beginning at 7:30 a.m. The launch will be presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Dedza, Rt. Rev. Peter Adrian Chifukwa, and will be recorded by Radio Maria Malawi to enable the wider faithful to participate in the centenary journey of missionary renewal.
Forty representatives from almost all the parish centres participated in the animation session. Sharpevale Parish comprises five centres, 26 outstations, and 95 Small Christian Communities (SCCs). The parish is served by Fr. Gift Selemani and Fr. Remigius Kasawa. All catechists and two seminarians on pastoral experience also took part in the programme.
The animation session, facilitated by the Diocesan PMS Director, Fr. Luke Sulumba, began at 9:00 a.m. with group discussions focusing on the Church’s missionary mandate, the significance of the World Mission Sunday Centenary, and the call for every baptised person to become an active missionary disciple. Through reflection and dialogue, participants renewed their commitment to missionary cooperation, evangelisation, prayer, and solidarity with the universal Church.
Following the formation, the parish leadership, under the guidance of the Parish Priest, Fr. Gift Selemani, discussed practical ways of supporting the Centenary Celebration and strengthening the work of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith. They agreed that each Small Christian Community would contribute MK30,000, while every parish church group would contribute MK10,000. Special envelopes will also be distributed to well-wishers wishing to support the World Mission Sunday Solidarity Fund.
Inspired by the centenary theme, the parish has set an ambitious target of raising MK4,000,000 towards this year’s World Mission Sunday collection. This initiative reflects the growing missionary spirit among the faithful and their desire to contribute generously to the Church’s universal mission. As the Church in Malawi prepares to celebrate one hundred years of World Mission Sunday, Sharpevale Parish is responding with renewed enthusiasm and commitment, bearing witness to the centenary theme: “One in Christ, United in Mission.”