Chilobwe Parish to celebrate Golden Jubilee

Saint Peter and Paul Parish, Chilobwe in Blantyre on Sunday launched preparations to celebrate its Golden Jubilee next year following its establishment in 1975.

Chilobwe Parish was established as an out-church of the Catholic Institute St. Montfort Parish before being handed over to St. Pius Parish and was later consecrated as a Parish in September 2012 by late Archbishop Tarsizius Ziyaye.

Golden Jubilee task force chairperson Lucius Kamoto said Chilobwe Parish membership has been steadily growing from 1 200 representing 50 families then to around 3 000 now comprising close to 688 families.

“Several priests have served at this Parish, including two bishops, namely Bishop of Mangochi Diocese the Very Right Reverend Montfort Stima and Bishop Emeritus, Right Reverend Allan Chamgwera. We have produced three priests and a nun,” he said

Kamoto added that the parish has witnessed growth in terms of development, citing the construction of a modern rectory, hall and a catechist’s house, among others.

In his homily, former Chilobwe Parish priest now serving at Nguludi Parish, Father Focus Chikweya, who was the main celebrant during the Mass, called on the parishioners to consider choosing one aspect through which the church would remember them.

Chilobwe Parish priest Father Davison Salamba said the Golden Jubilee celebration should not only be about the figure, but  reflect in spiritual and social development of both the church and its congregants.

“Our lives should be golden. Our families should soldier on with Christ without leaving behind the youth on this journey to the Golden Jubilee,” he said.

Salamba encouraged the parishioner to take the ‘journey’ to Golden Jubilee as a calling to generously contribute towards the growth of the Catholic Church in general and that of Chilobwe Parish in particular.