st lawrence parish events

Men’s Challenge Launch

St. Joachim lay organization has launched an enterprise called “Men’s Challenge”. The aim of this enterprise is to revive the Parish rice mill project that had collapsed. So the Parish has leased the rice mill to the Joachims to manage on their behalf at an amount per month. The launch of “Men’s Challenge” was officiated by the Bishop of Mongu Diocese, Rt. Rev. Paul Duffy, OMI. Insert is the Men’s Challenge director, Mr Chengamali in blue, talking to the Parish Chairperson, Mr Lyamba, after Sunday morning Mass.

Women and Men’s Councils renew commitment

The two mother bodies, Parish Catholic Council of Women (PCCW) and Men’s Council (MC), comprising of all the men and women lay organizations at our parish renewed their commitment on Sundays 24^th and 31^st October respectively. On the agenda were two issues: how as men and women of St Lawrence Parish can develop the parish, and how as men and women may improve their participation in spiritual and pastoral activities in the Parish, especially liturgy participation. As commitment renewal, MC will be on duty the week of Christmas, and PCCW the week of New Year. All these duties will be supplemented by an afternoon come together on Christmas and New Year’s Day respectively.  PCCW and MC executives will spearhead the organizations.

Women’s Ministry

On 12^th September, the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) in Mongu District gathered at St. Lawrence Parish for a one day retreat and blousing of new members on Saturday and Sunday respectively. More than 60 Catholic Women’s League members were present and about 26 new members were bloused. The Parish Priest, Fr. Leo presided at the Solemn Mass and encouraged the members to encourage one another to do well and live up to their commitment as enshrined in their constitution. Insert are Fr. Peter with the CWL from St. Lawrence that were bloused.

Youth Ministry

The Youth of St. Lawrence Parish have embarked on a “revive catholic youth campaign” in all the Parish Mass Centres (outstations). This is being done through visitations at these Mass Centres with the aim of ending with a youth rally to be held at St. Lawrence main Church in December. Some of the programs being discussed during the “revive catholic youth campaign” include behaviour change and Christian living as youth. One of the youth organizing the revive campaign, Given Mukobela, says; as youths, we have come to learn that we have a very special role to play in our Church today and that of the future by being responsible, and this has to start with our behaviour change!

Outstations Visitations

Fr. Leo and the Pastoral Team embarked on Mass Centres visitations to know the Parish and its people better; their spiritual life, strengths and setbacks people face. These visitations started in September, 2010 and ended the weekend of 31^st October. One of the major setbacks during the visitations has been the bad terrain of the flood plain where 13 out of 14 of our Mass Centres are located. The Parish land cruiser has since gone straight to the garage for maintenance!

Sr. Peggy celebrates Golden Jubilee

Sr. Peggy, SHS in September celebrated her 50 years in religious life. She went home in September for the celebration and later came back “home” in Limulunga for a parish celebration of her 50 years as a religious sister. She belongs to the congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit. She professed in the USA in 1960 and later came to work in the Diocese of Mongu at St. Lawrence Parish since 1994. She is currently not in active parish pastoral work. Nevertheless, she runs a feeding program for the aged in our parish and also runs a pre and primary school program for the less privileged children in our parish. Insert is Sr. Peggy with Fr. Peter after her anniversary Mass on Wednesday 27^th October, 2010.