By George Bulombola

Mzuzu, January 7, Mana: Catholic Church parishes in Malawi, Sunday held Epiphany celebrations marking a missionary day for children running from November 2023 to November 2024 under the theme ‘Go and Invite Everyone to the Banquet’ with a call for parents to send their children to school.

The national event of the celebrations took place at St Albert the Great Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu and all proceedings except Holy Mass Celebration were conducted by children.

In an interview, Auxiliary Bishop for Mzuzu Diocese, Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda said levels of education in the country are still low and advised parents and guardians to ensure that their children are educated

“We as a church would like to see all citizens that they are literate, they should be able to write and read but it is sad to note that even after the introduction of free primary school education, we still have many people who don’t know how to write. This is so because parents do not send their children to school,” said Nyirenda.

He added that that a good number of people can’t write their signatures and that instead they use their thumps whenever they are required to sign documents.

Nyirenda then appealed to government to ensure that it provides suitable learning and teaching conditions to encourage children to remain school.

Commenting on the essence of the day, Nyirenda said Epiphany which is also known as Theophany gears at encouraging children to persistently pray for their parents and fellow children.

“It also aims at motivating children to actively participate in church activities and charity initiatives towards the needy,” he said.

Delivering her homily, Virginia Longwe advised fellow children to love God, every one, respect their parents and carry out charity works in addressing the challenges being faced by the needy in their areas regardless of their religious affiliations.

She also advised parents against abusing children for them to grow into God fearing people and trust worthy citizens who can contribute to the development of the church and the country as a whole.

National Coordinator the Laity in Malawi, Virginia Mahata commended St Albert the Great Parish for hosting the event and expressed hope for continued success of similar events in future.

According to Fr. Joseph Sikwese who represented National Coordinator for Pontifical Mission Society in Malawi, if children are trained at tender age, it would not be difficult for them to serve the church and love others love and serve God.

 “This event has been successful due to well-coordinated efforts amongst catechists, the laity, deaneries, dioceses and priests among others,” said Fr. Sikwese.