Our priest deserves better abode

Parishioners at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Blantyre have organised a number of activities to raise funds for the construction of a priest’s house. Our religion reporter, Watipaso Mzungu Jnr, had a chat with chairperson of the Parish Council on this and other related issues.

Briefly, what is the background to the feast of St Peter and Paul?

This is the feast which is celebrated every year in honour of our patrons, Saints Peter and Paul. In the Catholic Church, every church is given a name of a saint as its patron and the liturgical calendar has a date set for each saint. Our saints, Peter and Paul, are celebrated on 29 June every year, but we shifted the commemoration to Sunday, June 30.

What is the significance of the feast to local Catholics?

The significance to the local Catholics is that we are able to remember all those people who worked hard and some of them died very painful deaths for the lord Jesus Christ. The saints are there to pray for us and as Christians we would always like to emulate their life.

Why did you decide to hold fundraising activities together with the feast?

We decided to hold this feast with fundraising activities to show that this is a big day for our church. It is a day which will remind us of the good things which other Catholics and well-wishers will do for our church. It is the breaking ground for our parish priest house and we need people to come together and witness this function.

What is the objective of these fundraising activities?

The main objective of the fundraising [activities] is to raise money for the construction of Parish priest’s house.

How much do you want to raise?

Our target amount is to get at least K5 million.

Where have the priests been living all this time?

At the moment, we don’t have a house for the parish priest, so we are renting him a house at a monthly charge of K38 800. We feel as a parish we need to make sure that this house is available within our church campus.

Are there special activities you intend to showcase during the day?

The activities will include mock wedding, braai, outdoor games such as bawo, pool, darts, jumping castle, drinks of all kind and disco.

What are your parting remarks?

We would like to ask all well-wishers to support us by coming on this day and make sure that they contribute something which will enable us achieve what we want. All companies and organisations are also welcome to render us their assistance in this building

project.