The sisters in Malawi have been planning what will happen during this Year of Faith. Here they tell you what they have planned so far…
The Year of Faith was launched in the diocese of Chikwawa on the 10th November 2012. We were invited to the celebration of the Eucharist in the Cathedral on that day but we were unable to be there.
It was not until some weeks later when Fr. Martin Hannock came for Mass that we became aware that the diocese had compiled a programme to be used in all parishes during the Year of Faith.
Some of the suggestions were:
- Catechesis using the Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Teachings of Vatican 11
- Go on pilgrimage
- Parish retreats and retreats for the youth
- Vocation promotion
- Each parish and religious community to have some days of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
- All small christian communities to reflect on the letter of Pope Benedict XVI, ’Doorway to Faith’
In response to what was requested we with the Catechist and the Chairman of the Church Council met together to discuss how we might become involved in assisting as many people as possible to pray and reflect on their faith. We decided that the most effective way would be to work with Small Christian Communities.
Shortly afterwards we spent one very wet morning planning a set of reflections for each Small Christian Community to use every week after their usual meeting. We then made a list of topics that would span the time from January – November 2013 using the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The list of topics to use:
- The Creed
- Sacraments
- The Ten Commandments
- The precepts of the Church
- The Liturgical year
- Social teaching of the church
- Married life
- Youth
- Vocation in life
- Responsibility of parents
- During the third week of July we decided to add a reflection on Mary Aikenhead and the Religious Sisters of Charity.
We then set about preparing a set of reflections for the thirty nine Small Christian Communities in the parish, one for every week from January- November. These were written in English and then had to be translated into Chichewa which was gladly done by Mr Dumbula, the Church Council Chairman. The format was simple, a short reading from Scripture or based on Scripture followed by one or two questions which would help an individual or the whole group to deepen their faith or grow in the faith in their daily living
We try to be present at as many Small Christian Communities as is possible during the week. It is encouraging to observe the life and enthusiasm that these reflections have brought to these groups as they pray/reflect and share. A number of people have said how much they are learning about their faith and how grateful they are for this opportunity to learn more.
